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Volume 15 - No. 9 • 3 Sections – 20 Pages

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1986 People Power: Philippines’ gift to the world by aurea

CaliCa Philstar.com

MANILA — Thirty years ago today, Filipinos achieved the impossible and brought down a dictatorship.

The 1986 people power revolution inspired pro-democracy uprisings in other parts of the world and must not be forgotten by Filipinos, MalacaĂąang said

Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Filipinos should “celebrate and rekindle the spirit of EDSA as it represents a high water mark in our history� with the triumph of democracy.

The peaceful revolt ended the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and propelled Corazon Aquino to power.

ny is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The German government has given the Philippines a section of the wall.

Based on reports, huge rallies challenged South Korea’s strongman Chun Doo-hwa a year after EDSA, which eventually led to democratic reforms, among them the direct election of president.

The overthrow of the communist re-

“Demonstrating the primacy of people power is the Filipinos’ gift to the world: we paved the way for the peaceful dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the return of democracy in South Korea and Romania,� Coloma said at the launch of the People Power Experiential Museum at Camp Aguinaldo.

The Berlin Wall divided Germany from 1961 to 1989. A reunified Germa-

gime in Romania and other parts of the world also occurred a few years after EDSA. Coloma said the executive branch would continue to work closely with the judiciary to ensure that all those who suffered during the Marcos regime get justice. Funding for claims would be drawn from ill-gotten wealth recovered

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EDSA Revolution unfinished – Binay

by JOel

M. sy egCO ManilaTimes.net

Relatives of those killed during the Martial Law years offer candles and flowers at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Manilatimes.net photo by Mike de Juan

THE EDSA People Power revolt goes on as Filipinos continue to struggle against poverty, Vice President Jejomar Binay, the presidential bet of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the May 2016 elections, said on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Speaking on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the popular 1986 uprising, Binay noted that poverty remains the country’s “greatest shameâ€? and the next administration’s “greatest challenge.â€? “We have achieved political freedom, yet economic freedom is still beyond our grasp. The fight for freedom from poverty remains,â€? said the Vice President, a human rights lawyer dur- Anti-government demonstrators gather at the grounds of MalacaĂąang after the Marcos family fled during the 1986 people power revolution.

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Philstar.com photo by Val Rodriguez

Legal woes threaten presidential frontrunners

USA

DATELINE Pacquiao negotiating with other brands after being dropped by Nike FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

by JiM

gOMez Philstar.com

DAYS after Nike dropped its endorsement contract with Manny Pacquiao due to his controversial remarks on same-sex couples, the Filipino boxer has reportedly begun negotiating new deals with other sports apparel companies. “There are several already now in the pipeline,� Pacquiao’s business manager, Eric Pineda, told Agence France-Presse without identifying the companies. “They [the Pacquiao camp] were actually negotiating with some already.�

Pacquiao, 37, had endorsed Nike for a little more than eight years. However, the brand last week terminated its relationship with the

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Rep. Maxine Waters of California’s 43rd district and Loyola Marymount University President Timothy Law Snyder join President Benigno S. Aquino III (center) as he receives an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the university on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

AJPress photo by Ding Carreon

Aquino receives honorary degree from LMU

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

LOS ANGELES — In an invitationonly ceremony attended by over 200 guests, including local elected officials and Philippine dignitaries, President Benigno S. Aquino III received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Loyola Marymount University (LMU) on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

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State effort urges immigrants to prepare for DAPA, DACA

Aquino, who graduated from Ateneo de Manila University, was chosen to receive the honorary degree because “he role models the values, character and purpose of what we live here at LMU as a Jesuit and Marymount institution,� said LMU President Timothy Law Sny-

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China insists Philippines violated agreements on disputed sea

WHILE the fate of President Barack Obama’s executive actions on programs to expand deferred action for undocumented immigrants has yet to be decided by the US Supreme Court, individuals eligible for the programs are encouraged to continue preparing for their implementation. “We believe that these programs are perfectly legal and will be of help, and so it’s important for people in the meantime to gather their documents that would demonstrate that they meet the requirements, that they are eligible for relief under these programs,� said Hairo Cortes, program coordinator of Orange County Immigrant Youth United.

by PatriCia lOurdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — Beijing on Wednesday, Feb. 24, insisted that Manila violated agreements on maritime conduct in the disputed South China Sea. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi claimed that the Philippines reneged on the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of

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MANILA — It’s not just difficult to predict who will win Philippine presidential elections this year — thanks to some of the candidates’ legal woes, it’s difficult to predict who will be allowed to run.

Four are within striking distance. Sen. Grace Poe, a political newcomer, leads opinion polls ahead of the May 9 elections, with Vice President Jejomar Binay, close behind. They are followed by former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Rodrigo Duterte, mayor of the southern city of Davao.

Poe, 47, has seen her popularity soar since she first ran for office three years ago. She is the adopted daughter of one of the country’s most famous movie couples. Her late father mostly played roles as a defender of the downtrodden in a country still plagued by widespread poverty and corruption.

But the Commission on Elections ruled in December that Poe was not a natural-born Filipino

(From top to bottom) Sen. Grace Poe, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Jejomar Binay are contenders in the presidential race in the Philippines.

Although all three are fighting a tight race, they are however embroiled in battling legal woes, making it difficult to predict who will prevail in the end.

Philstar.com photo

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Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) between China and Southeast Asian nations. “It is exactly one country, and let me not avoid mentioning the name: that is, the Philippines has violated the stipulation of Article 4 of DOC and has given up on the dialogue and negotiations with the direct concerned parties of China, which is regrettable and which is ill-advised,�

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FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 3, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

1986 People Power: Philippines’ gift to…

PAGE A1 t

from the Marcoses and their cronies by the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

Human rights victims during martial law assail the slow justice, the reemergence of oligarchs and traditional politicians, as well as the return of the Marcoses to power 30 years after the relatively peaceful militarybacked people’s uprising.

Reflect on EDSA As the country prepares to elect its new leaders, voters should ponder the lessons of EDSA so they can be more discerning in their choice, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said.

He recalled that during the EDSA revolution, Filipinos were ready to lay down their lives to “end over two decades of a dictatorship where freedoms of expression and of the press were controlled, and the justice system was barely allowed to function.”

“Significantly, this celebration comes during an election year – a genuine exercise under a de-

mocracy that was made possible because of EDSA,” Belmonte said in a statement.

“In May, we choose new leaders. It should also be an occasion where voters should carefully assess choices based on history and our world-recognized achievement that was EDSA,” he said.

The Speaker said the country has taken great strides since February 1986 when Filipinos overcame fear and fought peacefully for genuine freedom.

He said a legacy of the revolution is the continued quest for good governance as well as for a just and lasting peace.

Noy’s tales In Talavera, Nueva Ecija, President Aquino recalled how martial law had turned his family’s world upside down – especially with the arrest and detention of his father and namesake, then a senator – at Fort Magsaysay here along with fellow senator Jose “Pepe” Diokno.

He said his father and Diokno

were blindfolded and handcuffed then flown by helicopter from Fort Bonifacio to Fort Magsaysay after martial law was declared.

“Whatever I am today, I was molded by everything that we have been through in our lives.

And one of the most significant stories or chapters of our lives, of my life, is the declaration of martial law in our motherland, which happened in 1972,” Aquino said.

He noted that though there had been squandered opportunities after EDSA, including what he called the lost decade under the Arroyo administration, there were still a lot of reasons to honor the first EDSA revolution.

“My father wrote an article published in the Bangkok Post that was critical of martial law imposed during the time of Mr. Marcos. Because of this article, the forces of the dictatorship were enraged,” he said.

“He was secretly arrested in Fort Bonifacio, along with the late senator Jose ‘Pepe’ Diokno,”

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HALL OF THE LOST. A room with photos of missing martial law activists and sculpture of their loved ones is among nine halls featured in the People Power Experiential Museum at Camp Aguinaldo, which opened Thursday, Feb. 25, coinciding with the 30th commemoration of the EDSA people power revolution that ousted the Marcoses from power.

Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos

EDSA Revolution unfinished…

PAGE A1 t

ing the martial law years and an active participant in the revolt that toppled Marcos’ strongman rule.

He described the revolution as “far from complete.”

“Democracy is nothing if it does not democratize wealth.

Democracy cannot thrive in a society whose population groans in abject poverty,” Binay said.

The UNA presidential bet cited the need to provide more economic opportunities for majority of Filipinos who remain poor.

The Vice President said the challenge for the next administration is to restore the dignity of the poor by redistributing economic opportunity.

He pointed to the experience

of Makati City (Metro Manila) as proof that the fight can be won.

Binay was named acting mayor of Makati in February 1986, the first local official to be appointed by the then-revolutionary government of President Corazon Aquino.

He would later be elected to several terms by the people of Makati.

Binay sided with and defended the Aquino administration, earning him the monicker “Rambotito” when he appeared in full battle gear during one of the many coup attempts against the government.

“Makati teaches us that political will, transparency, compassion and the unfettered support of the people can move a community forward. We have seen

the fruits of people power in Makati through a government that serves its people well. We did it in Makati. We can do it for the entire country,” he said.

According to Binay, a host of social services and programs has also addressed poverty in Makati, where government data placed the number of poor residents at around 2,000 individuals or 0.5 per cent of the population as of 2012.

“More important, we addressed the poverty of our people,” he said.

“After 30 years, the ideals of political and economic freedom are now a reality in Makati,” the Vice President added.

The Makati experience can be done for the entire country, he said. n

vote, the commission said. That prompted Poe to bring her case to the Supreme Court, which could deliver its verdict soon — and have a huge impact on the presidential race.

“This particular election has the most uncertainty,” said Ana Maria Tabunda, research director of Pulse Asia, an independent pollster whose latest survey last

month showed Poe leading with support from 30 percent of respondents, with Binay garnering 23 percent.

Roxas and Duterte each got 20 percent each in the survey that polled 1,800 people nationwide and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percent.

“It’s a very tight race,” Tabun-

Legal woes threaten presidential…

PAGE A1 t

as required by the Constitution because she was abandoned as a baby by her unknown parents at a Roman Catholic church.

The US-educated Poe, who renounced her Filipino citizenship for about five years to live with her own family in America, also lacked the required 10-year Philippine residency ahead of the

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From the Front Page

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 3, 2016

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Pacquiao negotiating with other brands… Aquino receives honorary degree…

PAGE A3 t

boxer after he made controversial remarks comparing samesex couples to animals.

In a statement, Nike called Pacquiao’s comments “abhorrent.”

Pineda said among companies in talks with the Pacquiao camp is a multi-million dollar brand that would likely replace Nike as the supplier of the Filipino boxer’s sports gear, Inquirer reported.

He further noted that no Philippine-based companies dropped Pacquiao despite the comments he made.

On Sunday, Feb. 21, photos of Pacquiao wearing red Under Armour shoes spurred speculation that he may be working with the brand. However, The Baltimore Sun, reported that the Baltimore-based fitness apparel and footwear brand is not in talks with Pacquiao. The publication further stated that Under Armour on Monday, Feb. 22, declined to comment on the issue.

Despite being dropped by Nike, Pacquiao was seen playing basketball in Nike shoes on Monday in General Santos City.

Hours after making his comments, Pacquiao, a devout Christian, posted an apology on Twitter while still standing by his beliefs. He also said he respected Nike’s decision, that the endorsement agreement had expired and that the company was only a clothing sponsor for him, according to GMA News.

TV5: Pacquiao’s video “edited in good faith” Television network TV5,

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A photo of Manny Pacquiao rocking a pair of Under Armour shoes made the rounds on social media, spurring thoughts of him endorsing the athletic-wear brand. Under Armour is not in talks with the boxer, however, reports say that he is negotiating with other brands after his contract with Nike was terminated.

where the video of Pacquiao’s controversial comments was aired, on Sunday, Feb. 21, issued a statement regarding the boxer’s remarks.

A 26-second clip was broadcast by the network. However, the complete one-minute-and-

China insists Philippines…

PAGE A1 t

Wang said.

The Philippines had filed an arbitration case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands. China, however, refused to participate in the proceedings.

Wang warned other claimant countries in the region from deploying naval power to enforce their claims.

“We don’t hope to see anymore close-up military reconnaissance or the dispatch of missile destroyers or strategic bombers to the South China Sea. This is something we have a responsibility for under our nonmilitarization commitment,” the Chinese Foreign Minister said.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of

State John Kerry stressed the importance of diplomatic solution in resolving the maritime dispute in the region.

“We think everybody benefits by true demilitarization, non-militarization. We also urged people to clarify the territorial and maritime claims in accordance with international law and to commit to peacefully resolve and manage disputes,” Kerry said.

A US think tank earlier reported that China may be building radars in some of its artificial islands at the Spratly Island Group in the South China Sea. A few weeks ago, Fox News reported that Beijing has deployed surface-to-air missiles at Woody Island, a part of the Paracel Island chain in the disputed sea. n

1986 People Power: Philippines’…

PAGE A2 t

he added.

“We did not know if our father was dead or alive. There are those even taking advantage and providing false information as to my father’s whereabouts at the time,” the President recalled.

He said they sought help from the Supreme Court which allowed him, his mother and his siblings to visit the senator.

He said he was relieved to see his father but was shocked to realize he had lost so much weight.

“My father told us that he had been praying for so long to see us his family even just once. He prayed to the Virgin Mary and that was his request,” Aquino said.

The President said his story and that of his family were just part of the millions of stories told

by Filipinos who experienced injustice at the time.

Aquino said he was doing his best to make sure people are always empowered.

“Here in Talavera, if I’m not mistaken in 2010, we were campaigning, it was here when an elderly woman told me, ‘You will be clashing with the heavyweights, you be careful.’ I lived with that. I knew that what I got into was dangerous,” the President said.

“We stopped their grisly wrongdoings, they would find a way to get even. That is okay with me for as long as in the end I could say that I would leave you in a much better place than what I found. With your help, we can continue the changes,” Aquino said. (With Paolo Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Romina Cabrera)

Legal woes threaten presidential…

PAGE A2 t

da said. “We don’t really know what the next survey will say.”

Should the court rule against Poe’s candidacy, it is unclear who would benefit. Poe has carried on, holding rallies across the country.

“The story of my life started in a church,” Poe told followers when she kicked off her campaign outside a downtown Manila church popular among the underclass. “So I decided to go in front of a church to launch the next chapter of my life.”

President Benigno Aquino III’s successor will need to grapple with poverty, corruption and Marxist and Muslim insurgencies in the south — persistent problems facing the country that three decades ago toppled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos through a “people power” movement.

Aquino’s anti-graft campaign led to the detention of his predecessor on an elections fraud charge and three senators, and the economy has grown steadily.

However, a tenth of the country’s 100 million people still seek better-paying jobs abroad. He ends his six-year term in June.

Aquino, who has had a falling out with Binay, has endorsed Roxas, a former investment banker who served as Aquino’s transport chief and later as interior secretary in charge of local governments and the national police.

Legal woes have also hounded Binay and Duterte, a tough-talking mayor who has caught national attention for threatening to

take down criminals, drug lords and corrupt bureaucrats within half a year if elected president.

Elections officials have dismissed petitions to disqualify Duterte, 70, but those could still be challenged in court. His party put forward another candidate while they convinced him to run, and some questioned whether he could replace the party’s initial nominee.

Binay, 73, faced several months of investigation by a Senate committee over alleged corruption when he was still mayor of Makati city, Manila’s version of Wall Street. He has denied the allegations, which have weighed down his popularity.

Anti-graft officials have found “probable cause” against Binay over alleged corruption in the construction of a parking building when he was mayor. But a government prosecutor said Binay would not be charged before a special anti-graft court until his vice presidency ends because he has immunity while in office.

Unlike in the past, the closelyfought battle now has left many undecided, including Macario Puno, a 48-year-old father of seven who ekes out a living by peddling boiled duck eggs and chips in Manila’s streets.

Puno backed the winning candidates in the last three presidential polls, including Aquino in 2010, because he said the choices always narrowed down to just two main contenders.

“Now there are four major candidates,” Puno said. “And they’re all sweet-talkers.” n

two-second video included the interviewer’s question and Pacquiao saying that he was not condemning the LGBT community in his response, but that he just believes such individuals getting married goes against

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der, Ph.D. As the 15th president of the Philippines, Snyder remarked that Aquino is “a world leader who has reinvigorated the Filipinos’ passion to build a nation of justice, a nation of peace, and a nation of inclusiveness.”

Rep. Maxine Waters also delivered remarks at the ceremony, welcoming Aquino to the country and to California’s 43rd district.

“I am immensely proud of the fact that are estimated to be over 21,000 Filipino-Americans in my district. These Filipino-Americans are a significant part of the multicultural fabric that makes the Los Angeles area a great place to live,” Waters said.

Mayor Eric Garcetti — whose accomplishments as a councilmember include the creation of Historic Filipinotown — went on to say that “Los Angeles [is] a great Filipino city.”

“In fact, if you took the population of all the Filipinos who live here, we would be a top 10 city in the Philippines by population,” he said.

Sharing the history of how Los Angeles came to be, Garcetti said, “it was Filipinos who helped in the founding moments of our pueblo and who’ve also come to find their unrealized destinies here.”

In his nearly 30-minute remarks, Aquino reflected on how a Jesuit education has shaped his path to the presidency.

“The be-all and end-all of our existence here is, how does it

lead to the bettering of the condition of the other?” he said. “We were taught not just that this was the right thing to do, but also that it is a moral imperative.”

Touting some accomplishments under his term, Aquino shared that the backlog of classrooms from the previous administration was finished in 2014. By the time he steps down from office, 180,000 classrooms will be added, he said.

“I can go on and on with the list of things that I keep saying we have done,” he said. “I have not done all of these things. It is the people who elected me to office. It is the people who write me…all of the vested interests… it is the people who continuously express their support.”

Edward James Asuncion, a senior at the university and president of Filipino student organization Isang Bansa, said it was a “very surreal experience” to present cords to Aquino.

Other Fil-Am students present at the ceremony commented that it was humbling to hear how Aquino has translated his Jesuit upbringing.

“His speech made me very thankful to attend a Jesuit university, and I am proud to say Loyola Marymount does such an incredible job of promoting the idea of service and justice to its students. President Aquino’s visit to the US and to LMU is a reminder that despite the different cultures of the two nations, people of the world should have the goal to care and love one another, as he emphasized that it

is simply the “right thing to do,” Heather Marie Domingo, a junior at LMU, said.

“It’s not every day that you get to see the President of the Philippines, so witnessing him receive an honorary degree, especially from your alma mater, was very surreal and cool,” added Kathleen Castillo, an alumna of the university. “The fact that it was held on campus just shows how the relationships between Jesuit institutions are so strong, even from across the world.”

The ceremony was co-sponsored by the School of Education’s Teach for the Philippines program and the university’s World Policy Institute.

“I think it was an honor and opportunity to recognize both the partnerships with LMU in the Philippines, especially with the Teach for the Philippines program, and it was great for students and faculty to have a chance to hear from a respected world leader. When conferring honorary degrees from a university, especially awardees of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, it’s a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate those achievements,” said Aristotle Mosier, faculty member and director of Asian Pacific Student Services (APSS) at LMU. Aquino has also received several honorary degrees from institutions, such as Fordham University in New York and University of the Philippines, Diliman. (With reports from Allyson Escobar / AJPress)

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Dateline USa

FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 3, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 616-4150

State effort urges immigrants to prepare…

PAGE A1 t

Cortes was among six speakers who, during a media roundtable on Wednesday, Feb. 17, addressed what immigrant families can do while waiting for the top court’s decision.

The roundtable was hosted by Ready California, a cross-sector collaborative effort of various organizations, consulates, and ethnic media.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments about the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs – which Obama announced in November 2014 – in the spring.

Concerns have risen following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia on Saturday, Feb. 13, as Scalia was the leading conservative voice on the top court.

Joyce Noche, directing attorney of Orange County pro bono law firm Public Law Center, said the high court may choose to move forward and hear oral arguments scheduled in April and then issue a decision in June.

If the outcome is favorable for the immigrant community, implementation of the programs would begin before the end of Obama’s term.

If the court comes to a 4-4 vote, the lower court’s ruling of an injunction will stand.

The court may also decide to hold off on making a decision

until a new justice is appointed in place of Scalia.

“What I do want to stress and reiterate is that the DACA and DAPA programs are an extension of the president’s authority to exercise prosecutorial discretion. Many legal experts and law professors believe that the president was within his power to do so,” Noche said during Wednesday’s roundtable.

Data from Ready California indicates that more than 1.5 million individuals in the state are eligible for DACA and DAPA. Members of Ready California also offered the reminder that the Supreme Court’s ruling is separate from the original DACA program. Eligible individuals are encouraged to apply, while those who have received deferred action through DACA are urged to request for renewal.

Three individuals who have benefited from the original DACA program shared their stories with media on Wednesday, including David Lee, a 22year-old Korean who arrived in the United States when he was about 11 or 12 years old. Lee said his visa expired when he was 21, that he had been homeless and had engaged in illegal activities to make money. He majored in theater in college and said he would use his passport as identification to get into clubs.

Now, he has a work permit and is working toward getting

a car.

“Thanks to DACA, I can have more fun, I feel more free, and I already have a couple of IMDB credits,” he said. “I got more opportunities to do the things that I wanted to do before I got DACA. And those of you who [are] in the situation like my past before DACA, I want to tell you that don’t be skeptical like I was. Take action. There are a lot of community services people [who] sacrifice their time and really help you out to [get] a job, get a car...”

Another issue discussed at Wednesday’s roundtable was what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrive at the residence of undocumented immigrants.

Carlos Perea, project manager at Resistencia, Autonomia, Igualdad, IideraZgo, also known as RAIZ, offered a threestep plan: 1) Have an emergency contact who can move easily if you were to be detained, 2) Have contact with a trusted attorney or advocacy community organization, 3) Have an emergency plan for your children and have a contact ready to take care of your child in the event of deportation. (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

Pacquiao…

PAGE A3 t

the Bible.

In a statement, TV5 said it had no intention of taking what Pacquiao said out of context.

“The video that was posted online was not spliced but minimally edited in good faith and with reasonable care. There was no intention to change the context or misrepresent the essence of Mr. Pacquiao’s statement,” the network said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

The complete video was sent to Pacquiao’s camp and broadcast on primetime newscast Aksyon on Feb. 16, TV5 said.

Pacquiao has announced that his last fight will be on April 9 against two-time former WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, Jr. The Filipino boxer is running for a seat in the Philippine Senate in May. Despite a poor attendance record as the representative for the Sarangani province, Pacquiao remains poised. (Agnes Constante/AJPress)

UNEXPECTED VISIT. International star Madonna hobnobs with orphans at the Bahay Tuluyan in this post shared on her Instagram account.

Philippine Catholic bishops called on the faithful to boycott the singer’s sexually charged concerts in Manila, “Rebel Heart,” calling them the “devil’s work.”

New report on home mortgages: Are Black & Latino Californians locked out of the market?

Study highlights Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland

BERKELEY, Calif. – A new analysis of federal home mortgage data finds a shockingly low level of lending to African American and Hispanic/Latino borrowers, both statewide and in three cities examined in detail: Fresno, Long Beach and Oakland. The report, Locked Out of the Market: Poor Access to Home Loans for Californians of Color, was prepared

by The Greenlining Institute and Urban Strategies Council using lending data from 2013.

Key findings include: • Statewide, African Americans and Latinos were far less likely to apply for or receive home mortgages than would be expected based on their percentage of the population, and lagged even farther behind in total dollars lent. Blacks and Latinos combined represent 44 percent of California’s population, but received just 10.6 percent of home mortgage dollars.

• Despite being comparable in population to Fresno and Long Beach, Oakland had less than one quarter as many loan applications and originations as those cities. Oakland blacks and

Hispanics, representing 56 percent of the population, received just 10 percent of mortgage dollars lent. The top 12 lenders financed only four Oakland home purchases for African American buyers and just seven for Hispanics.

• Fresno had the highest lending volume of the three cities, but again Latinos and African Americans lagged behind their share of the population. Latinos represent 48 percent of Fresno’s people, but got just 21 percent of mortgages. For blacks the figures were eight percent and three percent.

• Long Beach was the only city in which Asians lagged behind their population share in both applications and originations.

Whites in Long Beach were the only group that exceeded their population share.

• Incomplete data hampered the researchers, with over 15 percent of applications missing race/ethnicity data. Because all Asians and Pacific Islanders are lumped into one category, potentially significant differences between Asian ethnic groups can-

not be identified.

“Unfortunately, the federal data can’t tell us why black and Latino borrowers are so underrepresented, but the fact that these families are effectively shut out of the home mortgage market should set off alarms,” said lead author Zach Murray, Greenlining Institute Economic Equity program manager. “It’s time to ask whether banks are doing enough to reach African American and Latino borrowers with loan products that meet their needs and help them gain the benefits of homeownership.”

“Our analysis revealed several major concerns regarding the home mortgage market,” said Urban Strategies Council Research and Technology Director Steve Spiker. “We found that applications from, and loans to, black and brown communities were much lower than would be expected given their share of the population, and that too often applicants’ race, ethnicity and income data are either not collected or submitted by lending institutions.” (Greenlining Institute)

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 26-mARCh 3, 2016

Dateline PhiliPPines

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39% of Pinoys expect cheating in May

by Helen

Flores Philstar.com

MANILA—Four in 10 Filipinos, or 39 percent, expect cheating to take place in the elections in May, but 48 percent still expect it to be clean and credible, the latest survey by Pulse Asia found.

Twenty-nine percent said they did not expect cheating to occur, while 32 percent were undecided on the matter, according to the survey taken from Jan. 24 to 28.

Most of those who expect cheating in the upcoming elections were from Mindanao at 56 percent, followed by the Visayas with 42 percent, balance Luzon with 31 percent and Metro Manila with 29 percent.

Among those expecting cheating to occur in May 2016, 65 percent of respondents said votebuying was most likely to happen.

This was the predominant view in all geographic areas and socioeconomic classes, with 56 to 71 percent and 56 to 66 percent, respectively.

The second most mentioned form of cheating was tampering of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines at 37 percent, followed by attempts to change the actual vote count and the presence of flying voters at 32 percent and 31 percent, respectively.

Other forms of cheating cited by the respondents were hoarding of votes and the replacement of ballots inserted in the PCOS machines, at 25 percent and 24 percent, respectively.

Eighteen percent cited harassment of voters and election officers

The survey found 48 percent of respondents agreed with the statement “the May 2016 elections will be clean and the results credible because the counting of votes is automated.”

while 16 percent cited stealing of PCOS machines. Fewer than one percent cited blackouts as a form of cheating that may occur.

But the survey also found that nearly half of Filipinos expect the elections to be “clean” and the results “credible” with the use of the automated counting system.

The survey found 48 percent of respondents agreed with the statement “the May 2016 elections will be clean and the results credible because the counting of votes is automated.”

Fifteen percent of the respondents did not agree that the elections would be clean, while 36 percent were ambivalent on the matter.

Political dynasty Public opinion regarding electoral support or non-support for politicians belonging to political dynasties is split three ways, ac-

cording to the survey.

The poll found that 34 percent of Filipinos said they don’t see anything wrong with electing candidates who belong to political dynasties.

Thirty-two percent of them, however, have a contrary opinion, and 34 percent were undecided on the matter.

Fifty percent of respondents in Metro Manila disagreed with the view that candidates coming from political dynasties should not be elected, followed by the Visayas and Mindanao with 34 percent each, and balance Luzon with 29 percent.

The nationwide survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,800 registered voters 18 years old and above. It has an error margin of plus or minus two percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

PH to discuss Chinese missiles at ASEAN meet in Laos MANILA—The Philippines is keen on raising the issue of rising tensions in the South China Sea during the informal meeting of Southeast Asian ministers in Laos this week.

This follows reports that Beijing has deployed surface-to-air missiles in Woody Island, a part of the Paracel Island chain in the disputed sea.

“We are expressing concern over these developments, including the reported missile on Woody Islands. Of course, all these things raise our concern and its effect on freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded flow of com-

merce,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Jose said in a press briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Jose noted that the South China Sea issue will be inevitably discussed despite Laos being a known ally of China.

Any member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) may raise any issue in the ministerial retreat scheduled on February 25 to 27.

“Our priority is our maritime security and we will be focusing on that,” Jose said.

The Philippines is also eyeing to call for the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of

Parties in the South China Sea during the meeting.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario will lead the Philippine delegation to the informal ASEAN meeting in Laos.

Foreign ministers of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will also attend the meeting.

US President Barack Obama and Southeast Asian leaders recently released a joint declaration, expressing stronger commitment to protecting freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea. (Philstar.com)

UNITY CARAVAN. Vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. brings his Unity Caravan to Muntinlupa on Monday, Feb. 22 as he continues to bring his message of unity as a way bring the country to a progressive future.

Senate photo

Aquino richer by P20-M since 2010

by MicHael

Punongbayan Philstar.com

MANILA—President Benigno Aquino III’s net worth increased minimally during his stay in Malacañang since June 2010, but he is still expected to step down in 2016 richer by around P20 million.

Based on his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, Aquino’s total wealth amounted to P50.194 million when he assumed office on June 30, 2010.

His real properties then was collectively valued at P33.755 million, including the house he inherited in Quezon City declared to be worth P13.8 million.

Aquino’s first SALN said he has a residential lot in Antipolo, Rizal that he inherited worth P12.2 million; another residential lot in San Juan that he also inherited, valued at P7 million; another residential lot in Tarlac that he purchased worth P604,680 and agricultural land, also in Tarlac, purchased at P116,588.

He also had other personal and other properties like motor vehicles valued at a little over P9 million, investment in stocks in seven companies worth P4.774 million and cash totaling P3.635 million.

When he assumed office, President Aquino, a bachelor, listed one liability in the form of mortgage debts amounting to P2.430 million.

After six months in office, he filed his second SALN, which showed his net worth increasing to 54.999 million as of Dec. 31, 2010.

The increase in his wealth, as explained by Malacañang, was supposedly due to the income he earned from the sale of a residential lot in Antipolo City.

One year later, President Aquino’s wealth again increased to P65.130 million as of Dec. 31, 2011 supposedly because of the increase in the value of his house in Quezon City which went up from P13.796 million to P23.6 million.

His next SALN as of Dec. 31, 2012 showed a slight decrease in his net worth as he declared himself to be worth P65.128 million.

In 2013, Aquino’s total declared wealth of P66.494 million posted a considerably minimal increase of only P1.3 million.

The last SALN he has so far filed, for the year 2014, showed his net worth at P68.311 million, posting an increase of P1.8 million.

So far, from June 30, 2010 to

Based on his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, President Aquino’s total wealth amounted to P50.194 million when he assumed office on June 30, 2010.

Philstar.com photo

Dec. 31, 2014, President Aquino has increased his total wealth to the tune of P18.117 million.

He is expected to file his 2015 SALN before April 30 this year and another SALN after he steps down from office on June 30 as required by law.

Unless his next declarations reveal huge increases, the increase in his net worth during his presidency pales in comparison to his predecessor.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s wealth more than doubled during her nine-year stay in Malacañang, starting at only P66.7 million in 2001 and ending at P145.7 million by Dec. 31, 2010.

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OpiniOn Ideological

THIRTY years ago—on Feb. 25, 1986—the People Power Revolution on EDSA trampled the 20year-old dictatorship of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. For the generation who witnessed this peaceful uprising, the echoes of the People Power Revolution reverberated not only in the air, but in the consciousness of the Filipinos who were awaken to their senses about a leader who kept their democracy in chains.

According to the Malacañang Palace, the essence of People Power Revolution remains: to commemorate the heroism and greatness of the Filipino race that helped the country achieved freedom.

“The important issues here are free-

dom and justice. The EDSA People Power revolution became the answer of the Filipino nation to the suppression of their freedom and making a travesty of democracy by imposing martial law,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

Coloma also said that remembering this event would make Filipinos learn from the past. “We were united in EDSA in 1986 based on principles of democracy, freedom and justice. That is the true spirit of our EDSA 30 celebration,” Coloma added.

The People Power Revolution is embedded in Philippine history. To honor the people who have suffered and lost their lives for the sake of democracy, today’s

Editorial

Features

Filipinos must never forget the event that freed the country from the clutches of a tyrannical ruler.

Much has been achieved since martial law. But with present controversies hounding current government leaders, Philippine politics appears to be hampered by bureaucracy, manipulation of money, interests of capital and the status quo.

Filipinos must zealously guard that has been granted to them by the People Power Revolution. Filipinos must appreciate the genuine meaning of democracy, which is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving antics of politics. (AJPress)

Philstar.com photo

Fil-Am who started petition for Nike to drop Pacquiao gets death threats. Should Pacquiao Intervene?

FIL-AM Aries Dela Cruz spearheaded an online petition for Nike to drop the Philippines’ Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao as its endorser after the boxing congressman compared people in homosexual relationships to animals.

Now, this kababayan from New Jersey is getting death threats online.

The harassment and threats are reportedly not only aimed at Dela Cruz, but are also targeting many gays and lesbians. After all, their idol Manny Pacquiao has been humiliated all over the world, been labeled homophobic and a bigot, and has income opportunities following Nike’s decision to drop him as an endorser of their sports apparel.

Pacquiao supporters also burned their Nike shoes as a sign of protest and have urged kababayans to ban the brand.

An online petition, which has reportedly gained more than 18,000 signatures as for this writing, has also been created, urging the Philippine government to declare Dela Cruz ‘persona non grata’ in the coun-

try. The petition calls Dela Cruz a The Fil-Am “selfish traitor.”

Surprisingly, even Fil-Ams who Perspective are exposed to the “political correctness” and “inclusive culture of the American people, have not lost love for Manny because of what he did.”

Gel SantoS-ReloS In an online poll, The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” asked its viewers: “Were you personally offended by Pacquiao’s comments comparing people in homosexual relationships to animals?”

A big majority of those who voted, 66 percent, said NO. Some said Pacquiao was just expressing his opinion because of his religious convictions, and he has the right to do so because of free speech.

34 percent said YES. They opined that Pacquiao’s comments were hurtful, homophobic and unworthy of someone who is known as “The People’s Champ.”

However, many LGBT advocates, respected per-

SucceSSor to ScAlIA Why President Obama should quickly nominate an Asian American to the US Supreme Court Community Voice Faith BautiSta PRESIDENT Obama, as a result of the unexpected death of US Supreme Court Justice Antonio Scalia, has an opportunity to appoint the first Asian American to the US Supreme Court in its more than 225 year history. As the late Justice Scalia has frequently stated, the court needs more diversity.

In America’s history 112 justices have been appointed and confirmed. But despite more than 20 million Asian Americans, and the projections of the Census Bureau that the Asian American population will at least double in the next generation, no Asian American appointees have ever been made.

We believe that this decision to appoint an Asian American should not be political since the very conservative Justice Scalia has always raised the issue of lack of Supreme Court diversity. Many of us, including the authors of this article, disagree on what elements are crucial in President Obama’s appointment process. Therefore, we have sent to the President on February 16th, three names of Asian Americans who are 50 or under who cover the spectrum of political opinions from those probably approved by Senator Cruz to those probably approved by liberal governors such as Governor Brown. This includes California Supreme Court Justice Gordon Liu, who President Obama previously nominated to be a 9th Circuit Judge and is presently a brilliant scholarly progressive on the California Supreme Court.

Somewhere in the middle, we have mentioned Jacqueline Nguyen, a 9th Circuit (Western US) Justice. Farther to the right, we have

mentioned a former associate of Senator Ted Cruz, Sri Srinavasan.

We also believe there are at least a dozen other well qualified and scholarly Asian American judges in the mix.

The obvious political advantage to President Obama of nominating an Asian American is that it is likely to further unify the Asian American vote in favor of future presidential candidates. It also has the advantage of including the perspective of a community that potentially, within a generation, will have at least eight times the voting power of the entire Jewish community (Presently, three of the nine members of the US Supreme Court are Jewish.)

For Republicans, the advantage of such an appointment should they agree to hold hearings and support the nominee is that they will prove to the Asian American community that the Asian Americans are a key element in America’s future progress. It is our hope and expectation that the Republican leadership will join with the President in supporting the late Justice Scalia’s commitment to and concerns about the lack of diversity throughout the 225 year history of the US Supreme Court.

Our letter to the President will be followed, if possible, by meetings with both the Republican leadership and the President when the National Asian American Coalition and its allies from the Black and Latino churches and chambers of commerce are in Washington D.C during the week of March 1st.

It is also our hope that the leading Republican and Democratic candidates, including Clinton, Sanders, Trump, Cruz, Rubio, Bush and Kasich will begin to speak out on the need for the prompt confirmation of a fully qualified Asian American justice. As many Asian American leaders have often said, the US Supreme Court is far stronger by having three women, an African American and a Latino among the nine justices.

sonalities and human rights activists came to Dela Cruz’s defense.

They say Dela Cruz has been offended by Pacquiao’s remarks and has all the right to start a petition in a free country like America. He, too, has his freedom of speech which does not take away nor diminish Pacquiao’s freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

They explain that they respect Pacquiao’s stand against same-sex marriage/relationship because of his religious views, but what they said was offensive was the comparison to animals, insinuating that these people were even lower than animals because animals do not engage in homosexual relationships.

Of course those knowledgeable about science, as pointed out by Broadway superstar and Filipino singer/actress Lea Salonga on social media, know that there are many kinds of animals who DO engage in homosexual acts. They urge Pacquiao to do more

research before making such unfounded statements meant to discredit gays and lesbians.

They also say Nike dropped Pacquiao because Dela Cruz’s petition gained traction. Many people were offended by Pacquiao’s statements and signed the petition. They, too, are exercising their freedom of expression. Nike and other brands who have distanced themselves from Pacquiao also exercised their right to do what they believe is in the best interest of their business.

But what is really concerning are the death threats being thrown at Dela Cruz. To his credit, Pacquiao told his fans not to hate but to pray for Nike. But with the tension now elevated to death threats, shouldn’t Pacquiao categorically speak up in defense of Dela Cruz to avert any violence? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.

TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

How will they get things done if elected?

Demand and Supply Boo ChanCo THE first debate turned out well, but I doubt the debate convinced the core supporters of candidates to consider the good points of the others. If at all, they were only listening to what their candidate is saying and agreeing with all their hearts. That’s the impression I get from comments and posts on Facebook.

So we heard a lot of promises and good intentions last Sunday evening. But you have to be a fool to think the winner in May will remember what he or she was forced to say in the heat of a campaign.

Indeed, the most important question was not asked: How do they intend to implement all the good plans they say they will do if elected? This is a question that must be asked of them all, most specially Mar Roxas.

The generalities are meaningless. No one is expected to say he or she will not work to improve the lot of our farmers, deliver needed infrastructure quickly and work to make economic growth inclusive.

The only one who need not explain how he intends to make his key promise possible is Duterte.

He has a track record in dealing with crime and the drug problem.

The only question is how he can do what he has done in Davao for the entire country.

If the debate was an academic symposium on economics and development it would be easy to be impressed with Mar Roxas. He had a good grasp of the subject, even if his tone of delivery may seem condescending at times.

If this was 2010, I would be an all-out supporter of Mar. It was easy to believe Mar was competent then. But now, he must be asked the very basic question: How does he plan to act quickly to deliver his promises?

It is the most relevant question to ask Mar given his DOTC record.

I have no doubt Mar has the best interest of the country at heart, but the best of intentions don’t amount to much if we don’t get needed infrastructure and other projects on time.

Mar’s teka teka approach was confirmed in a sworn statement filed with the Supreme Court by former MRT GM Al Vitangcol.

Mar was accused by his former subordinate of ignoring his appeals to act expeditiously on the MRT maintenance contract months before the one with Sumitomo expired. Mar’s inaction led to DOTC resorting to an emergency procurement that is now being tried by the Sandiganbayan.

This is how the Inquirer reported on that SC filing by Vitangcol which is a useful indicator of how Mar is as a manager: “Vitangcol said when he learned the Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) maintenance agreement with Sumitomo Corporation would expire on Oct. 19, 2012, he wrote a letter to then DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas in May 2012 inquiring on who should undertake the procurement for new maintenance.

“However, getting no response from Roxas, on June 19, 2012, Vitangcol said he wrote a memorandum to (DOTC Usec) Lotilla asking him to act on pending request for MRT3. “’These issues were never addressed promptly—which, as I warned, caused future operational problems at MRT3,” he said.

“A month later, Vitangcol said he raised with Roxas again the need to bid out a new contract for the maintenance of MRT 3. He even suggested the bidding be carried out by MRTC for lack of time on the part of the DOTC. “Even chairman and president of MRTC Tomas de Leon Jr. sent a letter to Roxas on July 25, 2012 or three months before the Sumitomo contract expired. De Leon suggested they carry the bidding since they can focus on the procurement process under a favorable timeline and at a lower cost.

However, Vitangcol said no action was made on the letter.”

When DOTC Sec. Jun Abaya went to The Star office last month, he blamed tough procurement

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sec. Mar Roxas

procedures as the reason why they have failed to roll out projects faster. He said DOTC lawyers wanted to make sure everything is in accordance with the rules. Yet, they keep on getting into trouble with COA. If the procurement law is the hindrance to a faster roll out, how come the DPWH seems to have little or no problems and they operate under the same law? The question to ask Roxas now is, given the procurement law has not been repealed, how does he plan to move things faster as President Roxas that he was unable to do as Secretary Roxas?

Indeed, the same question ought to be asked of all the candidates. Jojo Binay does not have any problems with the procurement law. The candidates must tell us how to make the law effective against corruption, but at the same time not a hindrance to delivery of long needed projects.

Since a President cannot run government by himself, I think it is important to ask the candidates who will be their cabinet secretaries for the key portfolios of Finance, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Defense. It is also important to know who will be the principal economic adviser.

They have to convince whoever it is they want to appoint to those positions to allow their names to be revealed now. This is only fair because with some of them like Duterte, we know that outside of law and order, we are not confident he already understands the important issues at stake.

Making their health records public should also be demanded. With Miriam admitting having been afflicted by cancer and Duterte close to fainting on the campaign trail, we need to know if their health can make them last a full six year term.

It would be unfair for us to vote for Miriam or Duterte and for them to die in office or too sick to govern and turn the presidency over to, heaven forbid, Mr. Marcos. Fine if the VP is someone with the integrity and devotion to public service as Leni Robredo.

But any of the other candidates for VP would be bad news for the country.

The first debate was a good start in educating the voters. But if we are going to do this anyway, let us do this right. Let us make sure the voters are totally educated on who the candidates really are and what they can reasonably deliver.

Using the driver hiring analogy of Mar Roxas, he asked if we would hire a driver: “with a case of corruption, a hot-head who is prone to accidents, or someone who is just learning to drive?” I would say that neither would I hire a driver who hesitates to press the start button to get the car moving on the road because he is worried he may get a traffic ticket.

For the next debates, I hope the panels ask the right questions.

Anything short of that is a disservice to our democracy. *** Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail. com. Follow him on Twitter @boochanco.

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 • febRUARy 26-mARCh 3, 2016

A Celebration of Asian Tradition

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Island Pacific Supermarket Opens First Store in Washington State Seattle Store Grand Opening On February 8, 2016, Island Pacific Seattle held its Grand Opening and Lunar New Year Celebration in Seattle, WA. The event started with a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a series of speeches given by distinguished guests and Filipino-American community leaders. Among the speakers were Consul General Henry Bensurto from the Philippine Consulate of San Francisco, Seattle City Mayor- Mr. Edward Murray, EVP of Banner Bank – Ms. Cindy Purcell, President of the Filipino Community of Seattle- Mr. Alan Garcia, CEO of National Asian American Coalition (NAAC) Ms. Faith Bautista, and of course, Founder and CEO of Island Pacific – Mr. Nino Jefferson Lim.

As customary in Filipino tradition, a store blessing was performed by a local parish priest.

Fr. Alex Pablo of St. Edwards Parish led profound prayers of blessing for the store and its employees and blessed the entire store with holy water. After the blessing, guests and customers were virtually transported to Asia as the festivities began with the sound of fireworks crackling outside the store. This was then followed by a lion and dragon dance, intricately performed by a team of 35 members, to a musical accompaniment of gong, drums and cymbals.

A real and fully operational jeepney was also made available for guests to take pictures with and actually ride around the block. However, unlike the jeepneys in the Philippines, this jeepney is equipped with seat belts, glass windows and a glass door for safety. By riding the jeepney, the guests had an experience reminiscent of actual market shopping in the Philippines. The jeepney is a great representation of the Filipino culture and a celebration of Filipino ingenuity, which is also what Island Pacific is all about.

Lunch was served in the theme of the Lunar New Year. The dishes served were believed to bring good luck and prosperity for this year of the monkey and were all prepared in Island Pacific’s in-store fast food - Philhouse. During the luncheon, the guests were also serenaded and entertained by International singer, Ryan Gallagher.

Other key attendees of the event include: Ana Mariza Sanchez-Bensurto, Consul Reggie Bernabe (Philippine Consulate of San Francisco), Joaquin Uy (Seattle City Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs), Bob Trujillo (Banner Bank), Lee Salas (Crossings TV), Joy Fowler (Umpqua Bank), Gustavo Montoya, President & CEO of El Mundo Hispanic Newspaper, MundoSheila Burrus (Filipino Community of Seattle), Alma Kern (FCS Village Project), Eddie & Ellen Abellera (Fil-Am Resources for Educational Advancement Culture & Technology).

This new Island Pacific store sits at the heart of the Filipino and Vietnamese community in Seattle. Local residents in the vicinity are thrilled to have easy access to food that they grew up in. Founder and CEO, Jeff Lim aims to open more stores in the various underserved Filipino and Asian communities in the United States; as he is very passionate in his involvement in the Filipino-American and Asian communities.

Island Pacific Seattle and Philhouse is located in 6040 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S, Seattle, WA 98118. Open daily from 8:00 am – 9:00 pm. Bakery soon to Open.

For more info visit www.islandpacificmarket.com

Fr. Alex Pablo

Ms. Cindy Purcell

Mr. Alan Garcia

Mr. Henry Bensurto

Mr. Edward Murray

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COMMUNITY

(650) 616-4150 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 3, 2016

CJ

Journal

Why naturalize: To vote and for much more!

Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves RAfAel toRRes, III And nAncy MIlleR ELECTION season is upon us!

There are estimates that over 8 million people here in the United States are eligible to embark upon the naturalization process to become citizens and, if they submit their applications in the very near future, may be able to participate in the upcoming election in November of this year.

This year, citizens of the United States will have the opportunity to select the next President – the person who will lead us for the next 4 years. Citizens from various states, including California, will also have the opportunity to decide who will represent them in the Senate and the House of Representatives. And, of course, as is usually the case in California, citizens who reside in this state will be asked to weigh in on many, many propositions.

The ability to participate in the election of a United States President (and a member of the Senate) is incredibly powerful.

Article Two of the United States Constitution imbues the power of appointing Justices to the United States Supreme Court to the President of the United States. A presidential nomination is then confirmed by the Senate. As we are seeing, which party controls the Senate can have a tremendous impact on when, or if, a presidential nominee is voted upon.

As the President normally nominates Justices in line with their own ideologies, and as Justices serve for life, the impact of a citizen’s vote for a particular presidential candidate can be felt many years after their elected President leaves office.

Justice Scalia, whose death resulted in the current vacancy on the bench, was appointed over 25 years ago. Several presidents of both parties have lived in the White House since he first

took his seat on the Supreme Court. It is not unreasonable to expect his replacement to sit on the Court for a similar length of time.

Most people who come to the United States do so because they want to become full-fledged contributing members of the American society. What better way to do that than to become a citizen. But that does not happen automatically or by magic.

One has to be statutorily eligible and has to apply.

In general, the following individuals are eligible to naturalize and become citizens of the United States. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are over the age of eighteen (18), who have been continuous residents for five (5) years after retaining Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Status, and who can meet the good moral character requirement are generally able to apply for naturalization.

It should be noted that one who committed a misrepresentation to get a green card may still be able to naturalize. They may be eligible for various waivers that will validate their green card from the time it was initially issued. This will allow them to apply for naturalization as soon as the waiver is granted. Others who have been convicted of various crimes may find that changes in law have resulted in the removal of the dreaded aggravated felony bars so they can now apply to naturalize.

Special consideration is also given to those LPRs who are married to, and residing with, their United States Citizen spouses. They are eligible to apply for naturalization three (3) years after obtaining lawful resident status.

There are special considerations given to those LPRs or non-LPRS who have served in the Armed Forces of the United

States. In fact, some non-LPRs who have served in a time of conflict can get citizenship without obtaining a green card.

In addition, certain individuals born outside the United States may be able to acquire United States citizenship based on their birth to one or both parents who are citizens of the United States.

Of course, there are many more reasons to apply for US citizenship. A citizen can petition for their married children, for their parents and for their siblings. Petitions from US citizens for spouses and children under the age of 21 have no numerical limitation in the number of visas issued per year and that lack of visa-backlog can keep families together or reunite them in a short time. At this time, only US citizens can be the qualifying relative for the provisional waiver that allows persons to get their unlawful presence waiver approved before they leave to consular process.

Those people who are potentially eligible to become citizens of the United States and who would like to participate in this historic election should consult with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney to evaluate their eligibility to get that treasured US citizenship status. *** Atty. Reeves has represented clients in numerous landmark immigration cases that have set new policies regarding INS action and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

NORTH AMERICA

DOT sees sustained growth in tourism

by Ted

Torres Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is extremely confident the tourism sector would maintain its high growth rate, despite economic and political stress in relation to mainland China.

Tourism Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon Jr. said the year started with the hosting of the Asean Tourism Forum, the largest and most important tourism gathering in Southeast Asia.

“It was attended by 2,500 delegates, not only from the 10member nation Asean but from other parts of the globe. We had 450 foreign buyers, 800 sellers, domestic and regional delegates from media and national governments,” Bengzon said during the formal launching of Singapore Airlines (SIA) special travelers promotion in partnership with the Bank of

The Department of Tourism is extremely confident the tourism sector would maintain its high growth rate, despite economic and political stress in relation to mainland China.

Philstar.com file photo

the Philippine Islands (BPI) and the DOT. Next month, the Philippines will play host to Roots Asia, the largest aviation gathering in Asia.

“We are quite confident, to meet our target of six million arrivals and revenues of P300-bil-

lion this year, especially with the local, foreign airlines getting to be more aggressive, mounting more flight, introducing more services and more destinations,” he added.

The tourism department is

u PAGE CJ2

Foreign investors pledge P245-B in 2015 Committed amount rises 31.2 percent

by Czeriza

ValenCia and Ted Torres Philstar.com

In the fourth quarter of 2015, total approved foreign investments rose 45.6 percent year-onyear to P138.6 billion from P95.2 billion in the same period in 2014.

Philstar.com file photo

TAIPEI

The Best Link to Cross the

MANILA — Foreign investment commitments approved by the country’s seven investment promotion agencies went up by 31.2 percent in 2015 to P245.2 billion, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

This compares to total approved foreign investment pledges of P187 billion in 2014, the PSA said in a report.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, total approved foreign investments rose 45.6 percent yearon-year to P138.6 billion from P95.2 billion in the same period

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CJ

FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 3, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

The CTV Files Atty. LiLLi B. BAcuLi WITH all the news surrounding Immigration, noncitizens cannot lose sight of current programs still in place for those who are eligible. For example, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, first initiated in 2012. Many young individuals have already taken advantage of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was first announced by the Obama Administration on June 15, 2012. While this does not provide a pathway to getting lawful permanent resident status (i.e., a green card) or citizenship, this nevertheless allows young individuals to remain in the US and apply for a work authorization document.

A key element to qualify for deferred action is that an individual “must not have been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more non-significant misdemeanors, and not pose a threat to public

Community Journal

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 616-4150

Criminal history and US Immigration Laws: Deferred Action (DACA) safety or national security.” For example, a conviction for a felony, “significant misdemeanor,” or “multiple misdemeanors” will automatically bar eligibility for DACA unless the Applicant is able to show “exceptional circumstances.”

What counts as a conviction for a felony? A felony is a federal, state or local offense that carries a potential sentence of more than one year.

What counts as a conviction for a significant misdemeanor?

A “significant misdemeanor” is a federal, state, or local criminal offense punishable by imprisonment of one year or less, but more than five days and is an offense of domestic violence; certain crimes involving a controlled substances (distribution or trafficking of controlled substances); burglary; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; or any other misdemeanor for which the person received a jail sentence of

more than 90 days.

What counts as a conviction for multiple misdemeanors?

“Multiple misdemeanors” are three or more non-significant misdemeanors not occurring on the same day and not arising from the same act or scheme of misconduct. For this purpose, a misdemeanor is a federal, state, or local criminal offense punishable by imprisonment of one year or less, but more than five days.

What about Juvenile Delinquency Adjudications? Juvenile Delinquency is an act that would have been a crime if it were committed by an adult.

Juvenile delinquency adjudication varies from state to state.

However, under Federal Law, a disposition of juvenile delinquency is defined as a finding made by a juvenile court of a violation of law committed by a person prior to his or her 18th birthday.

u PAGE CJ4

But Nomura expects pressure on peso, BOP position

by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

THE growth in remittance flows from Filipinos abroad this year is seen exceeding the government’s 4-percent target, according to Japanese financial giant Nomura.

Nomura said in a Feb. 19 note titled “Asia Special Report-Philippines: Challenging portfolio flows … but resilient remittances” that there were concerns over the impact of lower oil prices on remittances, given that two million overseas Filipinos are based in the Middle East.

“However, we believe that these concerns are overblown.

Filipino workers in the Middle East who are most prone to layoffs are the semi/low-skilled workers with relatively low percapita remittances. In addition, the terms-of-trade benefits help to offset the potential impact of lower oil prices on remittances,” Nomura said.

“A number of other structural factors mitigate the risks to remittances from workers in the Middle East and the energy sector: we have observed increased geographical diversification of remittances in recent years, an increased proportion of the contribution from more skilled workers in service sectors with strong demand and higher per-capita remittances reflecting a higher

proportion of higher income workers,” it added.

Nomura said it expects OFW remittances to expand by 5.2 percent this year.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last week showed that cash sent home

by Filipinos abroad hit a record $2.47 billion last December— the biggest monthly amount to date—to bring the 2015 total to $25.767 billion, also the highest annual figure.

End-2015 cash remittances grew 4.6 percent from $24.628 billion in the previous year, hence exceeding the 4-percent growth target, albeit slower than the 7.2-percent year-on-year growth posted in 2014.

For 2016, the growth in cash remittances is also projected at 4 percent.

At the same time, Nomura noted risks to the country’s balance-of-payments position and the peso due to external developments.

These include increased financial market volatility and continued concerns over China’s economic slowdown, the impact of policy normalization from the Fed and worries over the impact of lower oil prices, Nomura said.

In general, external risks “resulted in material capital outflows from foreign and domestic investors and a flight-to-safety into US dollar bonds,” Nomura noted.

According to Nomura, “Philippine equity markets have similarly experienced outflows, possibly exacerbated by valuation concerns amid global risk-aversion.”

BSP data released last Friday showed that the Philippines started the year with more money leaving the country, posting a BOP deficit of $813 million in January mainly as the government settled maturing foreign exchange obligations that month.

The deficit recorded last month was the widest since January 2014’s $4.48 billion. It was also a reversal of the surpluses of $481 million last December and $136 million a year ago.

The BOP is a summary of all the businesses the country does with the rest of the world.

BOP data are tracked closely to ensure that the supply of dollars in the economy remains ample to allow the government and businesses to transact with the rest of the world.

Last year, the BOP swung to a surplus of $2.6 billion, a turnaround from the $2.9-billion deficit in 2014—the first annual deficit in a decade as well as the biggest on record, largely attributed to the normalization of monetary policy in the US during that time.

The BSP had projected the BOP surplus to reach $2.2 billion

u PAGE CJ5

Study shows most Pinoys hooked on cellphones

By Ted Torres Philstar.com MANILA — Mobile phone has become a necessity for the common man as more than three fourths of Filipinos look at their devices within 15 minutes after waking up, according to the Deloitte Global Mobile Consumer Survey.

The survey also showed that 73 percent of Filipinos still prefer to use SMS or text message over instant messaging (IM).

But those who use IM or 33 percent of the respondents turn to Facebook Messenger instead of pure Over-The-Top (OTT) IM services to communicate.

According to the report, 94 percent of Filipino IM users use Facebook Messenger, an app that has been downloaded three times more than Skype and 10 times more than WhatsApp in this country.

In Southeast Asia, IM emerged as the most popular messaging tool, with IM usage increasing and SMS decreasing across the board, except in the Philippines.

Filipinos also glance at their screens repeatedly, using their phones most frequently when commuting on public transport.

The survey likewise revealed

that a significant proportion of Filipino users (31 percent) listen to online radio via their smartphones.

About 82 percent of Filipino respondents use Wi-Fi at home, in the workplace, or their place of study while the rest use Wi-Fi in public places.

The popularity of IM will continue to hold in the region, with Filipinos finding it a convenient option for chatting with friends and family overseas.

Navarro Amper & Co. managing partner and chief executive officer Greg Navarro said telecommunication operators could

take advantage of this situation to increase revenues from data usage.

“They can, for example, tailor chat packages to specific IM applications that are widely used in their respective local markets,” Navarro said.

Navarro Amper & Co. is the local member firm of Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd., which conducted the survey, which covered 49,500 consumers across 31 countries.

The survey was done to determine the trending attitudes and behaviors of today’s mobile consumer. It was conducted in the third quarter of 2015. n

DOT sees sustained growth in…

PAGE CJ1 t

also allocating P24 billion this year for its convergence program with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure access roads to major tourist destinations are constructed and properly maintained.

Bengzon shrugged aside concerns that the China’s economic slowdown will hinter its tourists from visiting the Philippines and the rest of Asia.

The tourism industry reported

a 10-percent overall growth rate last year. It reported 5.35-million arrivals represents a growth rate of almost 11 percent, which is higher than the Asian average of five percent, and the global average of 4.5 percent.

The three growth drivers of the industry are better air access, new accommodation facilities and strengthened marketing and promotion strategies.

Tourism accounts for almost eight percent of the country’s

gross domestic product and directly employs almost five million Filipinos.

Broader outlook of the Asian Development Bank and the Organization of Economic and Cultural Development had a more modest outlook of six percent growth rate for Philippine tourism.

The OECD forecast Vietnam’s tourism growth rate would be 5.9 percent, Indonesia 5.2 percent, Malaysia 4.6 percent and Thailand 3.1 percent. n

share of 26.7 percent, while the US pledged P16.5 billion, a share of 11.9 percent.

The manufacturing sector received the largest share of investment commitments in the last quarter of 2015 with approved investments of P95.8 billion, making up 69.1 percent of total. The electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning sectors received investment pledges valued at P18.1 billion. Administrative and support service activities received commitments worth P14.3 billion.

In terms of location, the bulk of the approved investments would finance projects in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal,

and Quezon) region amounting to P52 billion, as well as projects in the Cordillera Administrative Region (Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province) and National Capital Region valued at P26.3 billion and P21.4 billion, respectively.

The investment commitments of foreign and Filipino nationals rose 43.7 percent in the last quarter of 2015 to P332.3 billion compared to P231.2 billion in the same period the previous year.

Out of the total, Filipino enterprise owners have a share of 58.3 percent, valued at P193.7 billion.

The bulk would be invested in the electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning sectors. n

Foreign investors pledge P245-B in…

PAGE CJ1 t

in 2014.

These represent total foreign investments approved by the Board of Investments, Clark Development Corp., Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, BOI-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

Most of the foreign investment pledges approved in the fourth quarter came from Japan, the Netherlands and United States.

Japan’s investment pledges reached P39.4 billion, a share of 28.5 percent to total. The Netherlands committed P37 billion, a

(650) 616-4150 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ MARRIAGES are usually governed by the laws of the place of celebration. In the Philippines, the Family Code deals with the validity, invalidity, and termination of local marriages. Despite these laws, some people “invent” their own marriage laws, based on gossip, rumors, hearsay, or statements from friends, relatives or barangay captains. However, this can be dangerous, as the USCIS and Embassy follow the official laws on marriage in the Family Code, not the “laws” that you create or invent.

Here are some typical rationalizations people offer, why their marriage is valid or invalid, despite the Family Code: My father-in-law “forced” me to marry his daughter. Therefore, the marriage is not valid.

While sometimes a marriage can be annulled due to fraud, duress, or mistake, the “forced” party must take immediate legal steps to annul the marriage.

Any person who continues living with his or her spouse for many years, has children, celebrate anniversaries, etc., cannot claim later that he or she was “forced.” It is difficult to reconcile a lengthy marriage with an alleged lack of consent based on

Community Journal

Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Part 2 of 2)

THERE seems to be a moral turpitude that ails a society when some of its members regard violence as an option.

This much is certain — when extreme hubris rules the heart and mind, there will always be a lack of personal responsibility and accountability when something goes wrong. It would always be because of someone else’s fault or because of a set of circumstances.

We tend to blame everything else but ourselves. The tendency to shirk responsibility is probably wired into our DNA right at the Garden of Eden with Eve originally playing the blame game early on. The devil made me do it. So did Adam. The woman gave me the apple.

It is our inability, due to pride, the deadliest of all human failings, to own up to sin. And so it was with the fallen angels.

There’s only one antidote to pride for us mere mortals and that is to cultivate daily a grateful, humble heart that thanks God for every moment of life on earth.

Our Blessed Mother Mary exemplifies the kind of heart that bears all. That is why she is worthy of emulation of the ultimate role model for a God-centered life. I say emulation but not ad-

CJ

You cannot make up your own marriage laws force or duress.

I haven’t seen my spouse in several years, so he must be presumed dead, and I am automatically “single,” and free to remarry. While there is a law in the Family Code concerning “presumptive death,” it is not something that happens automatically.

You still have to go to court, and obtain a judgment declaring the marriage terminated because the spouse may be presumed dead, based on his absence, unknown whereabouts (despite good faith search), and total lack of communication and contact. And even a “presumptive death” court decree is no guarantee. I know of several cases where people used this presumptive death basis and even obtain a court decree.

However, the Embassy investigated, and found out that the “dearly departed” spouse was very much alive, and the spouse who obtained the court decree was in regular contact with that “dead” spouse. If your spouse is alive, your “presumptive death” termination of marriage will not work or be accepted by the Embassy.

My former spouse has already remarried and has another family. Therefore, I can remarry now. Unless you or your spouse obtained a court decree termi-

nating your marriage (annulment/divorce), you are not free to remarry. If no court-ordered termination of your marriage was obtained, your spouse is committing bigamy. That doesn’t entitle you to also commit bigamy.

When your former spouse married a second time, he or she may not have disclosed to the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) he or she had an existing marriage, and so was able to obtain a marriage license. That doesn’t make that second marriage legal, nor would it terminate your existing marriage.

I obtained a church annulment, so I may remarry. While a church annulment may be acceptable for religious purposes, you need a court annulment to legally terminate your marriage for US immigration purposes. A church annulment would not be recognized for immigration purposes. Therefore, if you had only a church annulment of your first marriage, and then married a U.S. citizen, the marriage to the citizen may not be recognized for U.S. immigration purposes.

I was promised that the marriage contract would not be recorded. Therefore, even though it was recorded, I should still be considered “unmarried.” Many people believe they can obtain

Pressure cooker violence

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 3, 2016

“We tend to blame everything else but ourselves. The tendency to shirk responsibility is probably wired into our DNA right at the Garden of Eden with Eve originally playing the blame game early on.

The devil made me do it. So did Adam. The woman gave me the apple.” oration. Adoration belongs to God alone. That is why the devil works hard but fails miserably to marginalize the role of the Holy Mother Mary in Christian worship. Many Christian churches have fallen into the devil’s snare eliminating God’s choice for the most powerful of intercessors among humans.

“Thou shalt not kill” is a commandment that holds in good times and in bad. There’s no moral relativism on this. Each is precious to God or He wouldn’t have sacrificed His own Son if He didn’t think we were worth the time and trouble. Each murder, particularly abortion, is a grievous sin against the Holy Spirit from whom all life comes. Man has discounted his own worth.

Part of the reason we have discounted the value of human life is that modern society has become so desensitized to violence and death via the content in films, games and media that pass for entertainment these days, that we take life for granted as though

it means nothing.

Does hell exist? How is punishment meted out in the afterlife? In the physical universe, scientists claim that there are black holes in the known universe that cannot be seen by human eyes but with gravitation so strong that it suctions, as in a whirling cosmic cauldron stirred by mighty forces, all the stars and planetary systems that come within its orbit, so strong that not even light can escape. That must be what hell is like.

Need a visual image for hell aside from Dante’s Inferno?

Black holes could fit the bill as a repository for lost souls, a cold, dark, fetid, state of gnawing pain and bitter regret, filled with the piercing screams of the damned, without the presence of God for all eternity, and forever blotted out from all memory except their own.

Is it possible that the morally bankrupt and depraved, regard the taking of a life as an option

u PAGE CJ5

THIS WEEK ON “CITIZEN PINOY!” Leading US immigration lawyer Michael J. Gurfinkel continues to answer questions from Kapamilya in Rosemont, Illinois, such as “I petitioned my son without legally adopting him, can he still qualify for a visa?,” “Once I become a US citizen, can I invite my parents and siblings to come to the US as tourists?” Get answers to these and more on an encore episode of the information-packed, award-winning public service program -- “Citizen Pinoy,” this Sunday, February 28 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

a marriage license, go through a ceremony, say “I do,” but somehow remain “single,” because a well-connected relative or friend promised that the marriage contract would not be recorded.

However, by law, if you satisfied the legal requirements of the marriage (marriage license, ceremony, solemnizing officer with authority to perform weddings, etc.), then you would be considered legally married, notwithstanding the relative or friend’s “promise” not to record the marriage contract. Even if a marriage contract is not recorded, it does not affect the marriage’s validity and you could still be considered legally married.

The above are only a few of the excuses or rationalizations that people give as to why they believe they are single despite a marriage, or their marriage has been properly terminated.

Relying on myths and misconceptions could have devastating effects. For example, if you were petitioned by an immigrant parent as “single” but you were married, your petition is void.

Reliance on the fact that the marriage contract was not supposed to be recorded does not erase the fact that you are married. If you are married to your first spouse, and then marry a second spouse (who is a U.S. citizen), but you have not properly terminated your first marriage, the citizen cannot petition you, as you are not legally married to the citizen.

It doesn’t matter that your first spouse may have already married someone else.

That is why it is important that you seek the advice of a reputable attorney, who can analyze your situation and guide you according to laws that are “on the books”, as opposed to mythical

Calendar of Events across

laws, made up by friends, relatives, gossip, rumors, or misconceptions. *** 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 F E B R UA RY 26

New Americans Campaign FREE citizen workshops in LA A partnership with the Catholic Charities of Los Angeles and Immigrant Refugee and Immigration Service (IRIS) will help local green card holders take the first step towards becoming citizens through FREE event as part of the New Americans Campaign. The workshop will provide lawful permanent residents with free naturalization application assistance by professional and trained volunteers. Individuals will also receive legal counsel by pro bono attorneys and legal experts. Services are available in multiple languages.

WHERE/WHEN: Friday, February 26, 2016 at 10:30am Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Service (3621 Brunswick Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039) RSVP: Registration for the Immigrant Refugee and Immigrant Service (IRIS) workshop is required. For more information, call 213-819-1890. Services are available in English, Spanish, Russian, Farsi and Arabic.

F E B R UA RY 27

FREE Citizenship Workshop/legal assistance in North Hollywood

PAL poised to capture bigger slice of US market, firm says

by Miguel

R. CaMus

Inquirer.net

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines is poised to strengthen its position in the United States with the acquisition of new long-haul aircraft, aviation consultancy firm CAPA-Center for Aviation said in a report.

CAPA outlined strategies PAL may pursue after the carrier announced last week that it would buy six Airbus A350-900 planes in a deal that carries an option to acquire six more.

Its first A350 will be delivered in 2018 and will add to PAL’s existing long-haul fleet of Boeing 777-300 ERs, Airbus A340s and Airbus A330-300s.

PAL, which plans to retire its aging A340s with the delivery of A350 planes, is in a good position to capture a bigger slice of the US market, CAPA said.

Expansion in the United States has resumed since the Philippines’ category 1 safety status was restored by the US Federal Aviation Administration in 2014.

Using more efficient planes to

ply these routes is the next step, CAPA said.

US routes are being served using PAL’s B777s and A340s.

The A350 will allow the carrier to mount non-stop flights between Manila and New York in 2018.

“PAL’s load factor to the US is generally high, an indication that the market can support an increase in capacity. Its average load factor to Los Angeles and San Francisco is generally above 80 percent most of the year, and in peak months is often above 90 percent,” CAPA said.

“The Philippines-US market will likely grow at least modestly over the next several years. PAL should also be able to increase its Philippine US market share as it adds nonstop capacity,” it added.

PAL already has between 6,500 and almost 9,000 nonstops seats to the US during the year, through Los Angeles and San Francisco.

It will launch flights between Cebu and Los Angeles next month, which will add 10 percent

more seats, CAPA said.

CAPA noted that the A350 also makes it attractive for PAL to launch a new route in Europe, but it said the flag carrier was better off expanding in the US as this would provide “better returns” due to limited competition from Gulf carriers.

Bigger planes like the A350 also provide other benefits due to slot limitations in Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“The A350-900 is another example of upgauging as PAL phases out smaller A340-300s.

PAL can continue to grow its long haul operation at Manila by upgauging aircraft and redeploying slots now used for short haul flights,” CAPA said.

With the decision on long-haul planes settled, CAPA said PAL can turn its attention to “renewing and expanding” its regional aircraft fleet, which consists of older nine Bomardier Dash 8 turboprops.

New turboprop planes will be needed by PAL as not all airports in the country can handle larger aircraft, CAPA said. n

On Saturday, February 27, the Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles and Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) will help local green card holders take the first step towards becoming citizens through two free events as part of the New Americans Campaign.

These workshops will provide lawful permanent residents with free naturalization application assistance by professional and trained volunteers. Individuals will also receive legal counsel by pro bono attorneys and legal experts. Services are available in multiple languages (English, Khmer, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Spanish), and registration for both workshops is required. The Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles workshop will take Saturday, February 27, at 9:00am at 1145 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017. For more information, call 213-977-7500. The CARECEN workshop will take place Saturday, February 27, at 12:00pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (5250 Central Ave, Riverside, CA 92504). For more information, call 213-385-7800 X 152.

MARCH 4-6

GK USA National Summit 2016 There is no better time for Gawad Kalinga (GK) to present the Philippines as the new land of opportunity, with a steadily rising economy--the fastest growing in the world next to China, according to Bloomberg--and alleviating poverty. GK continues to evolve as a movement, starting with philanthropy expanding to sustainability, and creating hybrid, innovative systems to end poverty. The Summit will provide an opportunity for Filipinos, GK volunteers, partners, and millennials to reconnect with their homeland, contribute to their country and social entrepreneurship, and help to build bridges for a thriving nation. Asian Americans will have a taste of the emerging market of world-class, affordable Philippinemade products, such as Bayani Brew, First Harvest Peanut Spreads, Human Nature beauty products, and Theo Philo chocolates. Support GK’s humanitarian efforts to provide home and livelihood to the poorest of the poor, and learn about GK, GK USA, and GK Enchanted Farm programs. The Summit will take place from March 4-6, 2016, at the Radisson Midtown at USC, Los Angeles (3540 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007). To register, please visit gk-usa.org.

MARCH 5

“An Enchanted Evening” Dinner-Dance for Gawad Kalinga As part of the GK USA National Summit, you are cordially invited to a dinner-dance, themed “An Enchanged Evening,” to benefit programs of Gawad Kalinga and GK Enchanted Farm. The Dance will take place on Saturday, March 5, 7:00pm, at the Radisson Midtown at USC, Los Angeles (3540 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007). The cost is $100, with formal attire. The all-night program will include dinner, induction of the GK-USA Board of Directors, remarks from the Chairman of the Board, and all-night dancing. For more details on sponsorship packages for Gawad Kalinga builders and feeding programs, as well as GKEF programs and scholarships, please visit gk-usa.org. For tickets, please visit gk-usa.org/dinnerdance.

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

CJ

PeoPle & events

FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 3, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Criminal history and US… Purisima bags sixth award as Asia’s best finance minister

PAGE CJ2 t

The Board of Immigration Appeals has ruled that, “to determine whether state juvenile proceeding results in a criminal conviction or civil delinquency adjudication, [it] will compare the judgment in question with adjudications under the Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act (FJDA).”

Each Application is assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether, under particular circumstances, a favorable exercise of prosecutorial discretion will be granted to an Applicant.

So, an expunged conviction and juvenile convictions will not automatically disqualify an applicant. However, if you are a juvenile but was tried and convicted as an adult, you will be treated as an adult for purposes of the deferred action for childhood arrivals process.

The Application asks, “Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor.” Failure to disclose a juvenile adjudication might be considered fraud and lead to the initiation of removal proceedings. Even if the juvenile case is under seal,

EMPLOYMENT

there is no guarantee that the incident will not appear on the FBI rap sheet. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking biometrics (fingerprinting) of all DACA Applicants, and thus can access FBI rap sheets in each case.

It is important to know your options, and understand the process involving the DACA program. An experienced immigration law firm or attorney will be able to help you navigate through the DACA application process, including how to handle a criminal history or juvenile record. ***

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.

by Prinz

P. Magtulis Philstar.com

MANILA — Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima has been named the best finance minister of the year by Hong Kong-based business publication FinanceAsia for the second time and his sixth in total during his six-year tenure under the Aquino administration.

This is the second time the magazine is ranking finance ministers of the region’s 12 largest economies. Malaysia was at the bottom of the list.

“We have come full circle in restoring robust confidence in the Philippines. A pattern of recognition makes it clear this is no longer about me, but about the underlying vision President Aquino has led this country with. This does not speak of the excellence of individuals, but rather of the excellence of our guiding governance philosophy,” Purisima said.

“This is something we hope we can follow through on for the next six years,” he added.

FinanceAsia said Purisima deserves this award, having improved the country’s finances and avoided missteps that could have undermined the remarkable growth story in the Philippines,” FinanceAsia said.

The awarding ceremony was held last Jan. 27 in Hong Kong.

The 55-year old Purisima was first hailed

EMPLOYMENT

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima receives the Finance Minister of the Year 2015 award from FinanceAsia deputy and features editor Richard Morrow in Hong Kong on Jan. 27. The award is his second in a row and his sixth during his six-year tenure under the Aquino administration.

Photo by Philstar.com

as finance minister of the year for Asia by Emerging Markets magazine in 2011, an award he also received in 2013.

In 2012, Purisima was also named best

finance minister by Euromoney. He was once again the choice of The Banker the following year as finance minister of the year for Asia-Pacific. n

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CJ

SF Hep B Free partners with Team Cancer Sucks for 2nd Annual AJ Strong Memorial Run Event honors AJ Jabonero, a tragic victim of Hep B-induced liver cancer

SAN FRANCISCO-Team Cancer Sucks and San Francisco Hep B Free are partnering for the 2nd Annual AJ Strong Memorial Run, a 5k run/walk to honor AJ Jabonero, who passed away from hepatitis B induced liver cancer. This run serves as a remembrance of AJ and to raise awareness for the leading cause of liver cancer in the world, hepatitis B. AJ Jabonero, a triathlete and Iron Man, of otherwise perfect health, who didn’t drink, smoke, or eat unhealthy, was diagnosed at the age of 30, in December 2014, with stage 4 liver cancer from chronic hepatitis B infection.

AJ knew he was a carrier, having suffered an episode of jaundice at the age of three; however, after years of being symptom-free and not regularly monitoring his viral load, AJ passed away, two and a half months after his diagnosis, on March 5, 2015.

Unfortunately, AJ was not the only member of the family to have suffered from chronic hepatitis B infection. AJ’s aunt, father, mother, and sister were all carriers of the hepatitis B virus, his father having passed away from hepatitis B induced liver cancer in November 2005.

The 2nd Annual AJ Strong Memorial Run serves not only to remember Iron Man AJ Jabonero, but also to raise awareness for hepatitis B, where upwards of 80% of all liver cancer cases around the world are directly associated with it. As many as 1 in 10 Asian and Pacific Islanders are chronically infected with the virus, with 2 out of 3 not knowing they have it, and 1 in 4 developing liver cancer or liver disease from it.

Following the run there will be a health fair, food, and music, including free hepatitis B screenings provided by San Francisco Hep B Free.

About Team Cancer Sucks: Team Cancer Sucks started as a simple idea in 2013, when CoFounder AJ Jabonero, Mark, Louis, Darren, and Chris were looking for a way to raise funds for cancer patients in a novel way that combined their passion for endurance sports and camaraderie

that they shared in their training for races. Team Cancer Sucks is an endurance sports community on a mission.

While training hard for group and personal success, we also race to raise much needed funds to help cancer patients access the medical care they need. For more information, go to www.TeamCancerSucks.org About San AJ Jabonero Francisco Hep B Free: Launched in April 2007, San Francisco Hep B Free promotes collaboration between government, healthcare groups, community organizations, and businesses to end viral hepatitis B disease.

San Francisco’s Asian and Pacific Islander residents comprise of 34 percent of the City’s population and bare a disproportionate burden of liver cancer and undetected hepatitis B infection.

The campaign was launched in

Shown in photo is incoming President, Tina Sitjar, (in red) with the organization’s incoming officers.

Seven Lakes Association of NorCal 34th anniversary and induction of officers San Francisco and serves as a model nationally for (1) creating public and healthcare provider awareness about the importance of testing and vaccinating Asian and Pacific Islander for hepatitis B; (2) promoting routine hepatitis B screenings and vaccinations within the primary care medical community; and (3) facilitating access to treatment for chronically infected individuals. For more information, go to: www.SFHepBFree.org n

Pressure cooker…

PAGE CJ3 t

when things do not go their way or when the course of their lives hit a snag and overweening pride tells them to end it all, instead of getting down on their knees to pray to the God of their beings for the humility, the courage and the strength to endure and receive the grace to overcome the most severe of troubles?

Gone is the fear of God, much less the love of God. As we steer farther and farther away from God and place something else in the center of our lives, scenarios of helplessness and despair such as what we are witnessing more frequently these days may be expected to unfold with eerie regularity.

Particularly during the “Age of Selfies,” many have developed bloated images of their own selfimportance. Far too many have

become egocentric, overly individualistic, self-absorbed individuals.

Perhaps during this period of testing, we would be a lot happier, healthier and less prone to veer towards lives of quiet desperation if we focused less and less on ourselves and more on the welfare of the other person and commit spontaneous, frequent acts of kindness and generosity to family members, total strangers and even those we struggle to love. It would be a tough slog but with God’s help, all things are possible.

There was one telling incident I never quite forgot. Long ago, I was running breathlessly huffing and puffing in my stilettos to drop some coins on a parking meter on Wilshire Boulevard I knew had expired because of a long, drawn-out presentation I

THE Seven Lakes Association of Northern California, Inc. will be celebrating their 34th Anniversary & Induction of Officers for 2016-2017 on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 6pm. It will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Milpitas, CA. For 34 years, the association has consistently supported charitable institutions and projects in the hometown of San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines and in the Northern California.

In the Bay Area: • Bayanihan Community Center, serving the Filipino commuwas making on the upper floor of a nearby high-rise. Fortunately, I narrowly missed getting a hefty fine from the parking enforcer because a panhandler had dropped some coins for my car’s meter, from his can of coins. It stunned me to see him feeding all the meters that were expiring on that block.

Of course, he may have been merely trying to annoy the heck out of the parking enforcer. Who knows? I only saw the kindness in the act. That stayed with me.

From then on, I would remember and always be inspired by the completely anonymous gesture of that person who had practically nothing but still gave of the little he had.

That’s when I knew kindness is contagious like the flu. ***

nity in the Bay Area through the Filipino American Development Foundation; • Veterans Equity Center who assist Filipino American World War II Veterans, their families and also the South of Market (SOMA) Fil-Am seniors; • Scholarship for Deserving High School Students with roots from San Pablo City; • Outstanding senior citizens from San Pablo City Laguna residing to Northern California; Stop Hunger Now and other non-profit organizations that serves the community were the members live.

In San Pablo City, Laguna: • Bahay Pag-ibig at Pag-asa., the School of Love & Hope, a special education school for the handicapped ; • San Pablo City Puericulture Center and Family Planning, Inc. provides free medical, pre-natal, family planning and pediatric

care to thousands of poor San Pableno; • Bahay Nazareth, Home for the Aged; • Department of Education and Culture (DECS) Retirees provides academic scholarships for high school students; St Martin de Porres, an orphanage and home for street children; • Books for the Barrios; • Adopt-A-School Program: Major Juan Eseo Elementary School , Sta Veronica Elementary School & the San Bartolome National High School, • Gawad Kalinga Housing Program, • Sampaloc Lake Mini Park and other Development Projects • Disaster Fund for victims of flood, earthquake and other calamities and many more.

The Seven Lakes Association of Northern California Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. n

Faster remittance growth…

PAGE CJ2 t

this year and result into an increase in the gross international reserves to $82.7 billion, equivalent to nine months of import cover.

“With our forecast of two more interest rate hikes from the Fed in 2016 and our below-consensus forecast for China’s growth, Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP the risk is that subdued risk apof Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send petite may continue to pressure comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ the Philippines’ BOP via capital outflows,” Nomura said. asianjournalinc.com

“Domestically, the Philippines appears to be a victim of its own success: strong investment spending has kept capital goods imports elevated while higher tourism imports (Filipinos travelling overseas) have increased, possibly due to higher per-capita incomes. Although strong domestic growth prospects have indeed led to FDI [foreign direct investment] inflows, FDI outflows have picked up amid global risk aversion,” it added. n

CJ

FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 3, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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cover story

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 26, 2016

Filipina in charge: California Appointments Secretary Mona Pasquil

by Agnes ConstAnte /AJPress

In California’s Appointments Office, there are more than 12,000 applications in the system from individuals seeking to serve on various state boards and commissions.

But before any of them either secure a high-ranking position or get turned down, they are screened by California Appointments Secretary Mona Pasquil, 53, a Filipino-American who has served in her current role since 2011.

“It’s an adventure,” Pasquil said of serving her role under California Gov. Jerry Brown. “‘[The governor] has really challenged us to go out to find the best and the brightest who will want to serve in this administration.”

As the Golden State’s appointments secretary, Pasquil spends much of her time finalizing positions, talking about slots that need to be filled, and working with appointees who may be having issues. She and her team also invest time in traveling up and down California, talking to various groups about the opportunities available to serve in the government.

Growing up, Pasquil says she had her eye on becoming a public servant, as the first Filipina elected to the California legislature.

Life, however, didn’t play out that way.

Before Pasquil assumed her current position, she was heavily involved in public office and spearheading political campaign efforts.

From 2008 to 2009, she served as chief of staff to California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi. She also previously served as political director for former California Gov. Gray Davis’ gubernatorial campaign, California political director for Al Gore’s presidential campaign, deputy political direc-

tor for John Kerry’s presidential campaign and western political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs under former president Bill Clinton.

Most notably, she became the first Asian Pacific Islander and Filipino-American woman to serve as acting lieutenant governor when Garamendi was elected to

of the things I did learn is I felt like my calling at the end of the day was to be...nimble and get a lot of things done,” she said.

While working in government, Pasquil has had the opportunity to meet notable individuals including the Dalai Lama and Helen Thomas, a well-known journalist during John F. Kennedy’s

“

had the opportunity to continue mentoring other people. Her calling for the position came shortly after Brown was elected to office in 2011, which was also around the time she got married.

California Appointments Secretary Mona Pasquil Photo courtesy of Mount Saint Mary’s University Shortly after that, she received a call from Maeley Tom -- a member of the California State Personnel Board and an Asian

That foundation of family and hard work and recognizing their hard work is something, that is a part of who I am and I think about it every day. You have to have that drive and that appreciation for your history and your story.

Congress in 2009. For this feat, she was awarded a Presidential Citation by former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Pasquil served in the position from 2009 to 2010, at which point former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Abel Maldonado to replace Garamendi.

While she was acting lieutenant governor, Pasquil recalls a young girl and her mom coming into her office as part of the school tour. The girl was in awe at the office and told her mom she didn’t know girls could have that kind of office.

This particular moment inspired Pasquil to remember the importance of mentorship, particularly for females, whom, she notes, often aren’t aware of opportunities to serve in the government.

“Life many times presents different opportunities for us. One

presidency. But also on her top three list is a young man formerly involved in gangs earlier in his life, who she met through her involvement in the Asian Pacific Youth Leadership Project, a Sacramento-based organization that hosts leadership conferences for Asian Pacific youth in California.

While virtually nobody believed the young man would succeed, Pasquil and the organization did.

Years later, Pasquil came across the same man, who had achieved much success. He had graduated from UC Berkley and was working with ex-gang members in the public defender’s office.

“Had I not been in a place in that Capitol, starting this program for young Asian Pacific Islander kids, I never would have been able to help him or any other young people like him,” she said.

By becoming appointments secretary, Pasquil says she has

Photos courtesy of the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.

”

American who mentored her -- urging her to consider serving in Brown’s administration.

At the time, entering the political realm was not in her plan.

Instead, she wanted to focus on her consulting business and spend time traveling with her husband.

But she agreed to submit an application anyway.

One evening after Brown’s inauguration, Brown’s executive secretary, nancy McFadden reached out to Pasquil, asking her if she had ever thought about serving in the governor’s administration, specifically suggesting she work in appointments.

Truthfully, Pasquil says that at the time, that was the only department she would consider working in. “[This] just happened because, I think, of relationships that I built over the years and the mentorship of nancy McFadden to have the opportunity for her to think of me in this position and ultimately share with the governor that I should have it,” she said.

During the first two years, Pasquil said she would leave the office at around 8 or 9 pm, as Brown has appointed fewer people to boards and commission than his predecessor.

“That was pretty tough, but it meant making sure that we were getting things done and [boards and commissions] established,” she said.

Today, more than 2,500 appointments have been filled in various agencies, such as the California Public Utilities Commission,

Health and Human Services and state Highway Patrol. Pasquil no longer departs from her office as late as she used to when she first became appointments secretary, but she says time management still proves challenging.

That, and having to turn down applicants, because many of them are qualified, she said.

“The toughest part for me is having to say to people, ‘We didn’t pick you this time, but let’s stay in touch’,” Pasquil said.

But the most rewarding part of her job, Pasquil says, is finding individuals doing exceptional things for their communities and those who aren’t expecting such a request from her office.

In December of last year, Pasquil made her way to UC Riverside in Southern California, where she demystified the process it takes to become an appointee under Brown’s administration.

At the university, she noted that there is a lack of applicants from the Riverside area, with only 800 out of the 12,000 applications her office hailing from Riverside County.

She further pointed out that there are always fewer women applicants than men, and urges those who might be piqued by the idea of public service – including Filipinos – to contact their elected officials, including herself.

“This state is great because of the phenomenal mosaic and

tapestry that makes up California.

If we are not there as part of that tapestry, then we have failed the few generations that have come before us. It’s imperative for all of us to think of ways in which we can make our community and our state and our country better,” she said.

Pasquil is a third-generation Fil-Am who attributes her success to being a people person, and to her ability to acknowledge her mistakes and move on.

But perhaps more importantly, she credits where and who she is today to having been raised in a Fil-Am household. Pasquil is the eldest of five children -- she has one sister and three brothers, and all five of them had jobs when they were young.

“We were always taking care of our elders, we were always surrounded by the manongs…We always grew up hearing their stories and it had a great impact on all five of us,” she said.

They quickly learned the value of money and importance of supporting each other in pursuing their goals, and grew up with a sense of their Filipino culture.

“That foundation of family and hard work and recognizing their hard work is something, that is a part of who I am and I think about it every day. You have to have that drive and that appreciation for your history and your story,” she added.

Stars given ‘gag order’ on Pacman issue James Reid courted Nadine Lustre the Filipino way

by Dolly

Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer

SOME celebs begged off from commenting on the raging issue about Manny Pacquiao’s rift with the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

As much as they would want to share their sentiments with media, some stars have been “ordered” by higher-ups to refrain from doing so.

Could it be because the bigwigs are wary that their wards might also lose endorsements like what happened to Pacman if they make a faux pas?

It’s better to be safe from the knockout punch!

Indeed, Manny has endured all kinds of blows as a boxer, but nothing must have bruised him more than the controversy he is embroiled in because of his derogatory statements regarding the LGBT community.

Pacman has turned into “YuckMan.” Instead of getting ready to rumble, the People’s Champ stumbled and fumbled.

Be that as it may, the honor he brought to our country in the field of boxing remains. But for now, the hysterical reactions to his recent booboo eclipse his historic achievements.

Although he has made a

Jim Paredes

Noel Cabangon

public apology, Manny still has to roll with the punches.

Aiko Melendez: There are two sets of moral [values] that our church and government must provide and protect. Citizens have the right to marry regardless of their gender and religion. I’m a born-again Christian, but I must consider… even God gave us the freedom of choice.

MArk BAutistA: After watching some of his recent interviews, I must say he really is a fighter—so brave and strong in his conviction. I ad-

Aiko Melendez

mire him for that, but it was just the choice of words that should have been carefully expressed since the issue is very sensitive and, of course, universal. With that kind of thinking and attitude, I’m sure he’ll get through it. Let’s just continue to love and respect each other… as that is the greatest commandment given. noel CABAngon: Manny’s statement is a blatant disregard for LGBT [rights] and a clear disrespect for their guaranteed human right.

Continued on Page SF3

BEFORE going “official” with nadine Lustre, James Reid courted his “On The Wings Of Love” co-star Pinoy style.

The 22-year-old actor said he asked for permission from nadine’s father first before taking their friendship to the next level.

“I grew up in Sydney, the way that we court girls, it’s different there. But of course, the first person to know was her father. I asked permission from him first a while back.

I tried to keep that Filipino tradition,” tabloid Pilipino Star ngayon quoted James as saying.

The two admitted their relationship after their “JaDine in Love” concert on Saturday.

James said it was a “relief” to admit to the public the real score between him and nadine.

“For the longest time, I’ve had to suppress it or hide it,” James said.

He added, “now, it’s so liberating to just be able to hold her hand in public and say I love you out loud.”

Nadine Lustre and James Reid a kiss during the mall show for ABS-CBN’s primetime series “On The Wings of Love” at Market! Market! in Taguig City.

ABS-CBN photos

James further said: ““That’s the beautiful thing about her. She’s still my best friend. When we hang out, we are just like best friends,

buddies but there’s that extra connection. nothing changes, I just realized one day that wow, I’m in love with her.” (Chuck Smith/Philstar.com)

Lav’s 8-hr epic bags silver in Berlin Film Fest

by PAblo

A. tArimAn

Philstar

LOUD cheers and a rousing standing ovation greeted the screening of the Philippine entry “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery)”

by Lav Diaz in the 66th Berlin International Film Festival last Thursday, Feb. 18 at the 1,600-seater Berlinale Palast.

The movie won the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize, in memory of the festival head (1951 to 1976), “for opening new perspectives on cinematic art.”

Contacted by The Philippine Star after a long night and still catching up on sleep, Cherie Gil said she was stunned by the reception. “Oh my. There is so much to say. Happily, the feedback is highly positive.”

Cherie and other members of the cast had photo ops with Meryl Streep, head of the board of judges, after the awards cer-

emony last Saturday, Feb. 20.

The Filipino film was among the 19 entries competing for the top Golden Bear Prize.

Fellow castmember Joel Saracho felt the same. “The reception was just overwhelming.

Talagang grabe. Let me collect myself first before I answer the rest of your questions.”

The longest entry in the festival, Lav’s film took all of eight hours to watch with only a 45minute lunch break for cineastes coming from all over the world. It started at 9:30am and ended shortly before 7pm with more than half of the people in the theater still around.

The only member of the cast who got only three hours of sleep and raring to answer questions was Bernardo Bernardo who was also carried away by the positive reception.

From his Movenpick Hotel, Bernardo gushed: “With only

three hours of sleep, I am still smiling. I can’t help it. The reviews have come out mostly in German and Italian but from what I heard, they were quite positive. I just heard that the members of the jury watched the film in an isolated area at the balcony of the theater. now, I can finally say I breathed the same air as Meryl Streep and Clive Owens, another judge, that triumphant night.”

In the Berlin delegation headed by Lav were John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual, Angel Aquino, Cherie, Bernardo, Joel and executive producer Paul Soriano, among others.

Recounted Bernardo: “It was a long day for the Philippine delegation that started with a precisely-timed arrival of our limousine convoy at the Berlinale Palast for our red carpet walk under a sunny but Continued on Page SF3

Features SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – February 26, 2016

Filipino develops app to simply fitness and health

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJ Press

It’s well into the second month of the year — how many individuals have ditched their New Year’s resolutions to get healthy and shed some pounds?

But if you’ve stuck to your word or are looking for another way to stay active, there’s a new app for that.

Nikko Mendoza, a 30-yearold Filipino from Fairfield, California, recently launched “Fit in 15,” a fitness and health app that combines workouts with nutritious meal plans. the inspiration for the app came from Mendoza’s own experience when he gained several pounds to the point where he couldn’t tie his shoes without losing his breath.

“When I got married, I stopped caring and I blew up.

It wasn’t huge, but it got to a point where I would tie my shoes and I lost my breath…I would see my [stomach] in the way and I asked, ‘how did I get here?’” Mendoza shared. “so from there, I got back into working out, I read thousands of articles and it just kind of stuck with me.”

“Fit in 15” is essentially a portable trainer that was created to eliminate the various excuses people have for not getting in a daily workout: affordability (the app is free for a trial period but is only $2.99 a month), no time (workouts span just 15 to 25 minutes) or stuck in a fitness rut (workouts options are abundant).

With options for high-intensity interval training (HIIt), cardio acceleration or a fit test, users can perform the workouts anywhere, and can select whether they want to use

equipment or just their own body weight.

During a six-month development process, Mendoza looked at other fitness apps, but noticed that most of them didn’t have a nutrition component.

“If you don’t teach people the other half, I feel like you’re cheating them,” he said. “If you’re first starting out, you need to have the basics and this common foundation of knowledge if you really want to lose weight.”

Users can enter their basal metabolic rate and the app generates a customizable plan for up to every meal for a week. since the app was launched in the Apple store in late January, Mendoza shared that some users have reported losing an average of two pounds a week. some reviews of the app praise it for being “easy to navigate” and a “personal trainer and

As a public official, it is a pity that his knowledge of the Constitution, particularly on the Bill of Rights, is limited, if not nil. We should not allow his kind to be voted into the senate. He should use his common sense, [that is,] to remain a boxer.

Kim AtienzA: Pacquiao is like a brother to me, and I love him dearly.

He was coming from a deep conviction to stand by and share his beliefs, though he

Kim Atienza

made a mistake in the way he expressed himself. the Bible teaches us to share the word “with love and respect.”

My sins—vanity and pride—are just as unacceptable to God as homosexual sin, so who am I to condemn? Christ commanded us to love sinners.

He hangs out with them to give them light.

As Christians, we are to be like Christ—love the sinner, but hate the sin. Also, no one can be worse than animals. the Bible teaches us… to have dominion over them.

Jim PAredes: scary that a person may be adored by the public and condemned the next because of one statement.

I accept Manny’s apology and recognize his humility. We all make mistakes. No exception. But I still would not vote for him. I wish him a more loving understanding of God’s love for everyone.

Wency corneJo: It is a known fact that so many wars have been waged because of differing beliefs, and

Screenshot of Fit in 15 app

Lav’s 8-hr epic bags silver in Berlin...

Stars given ‘gag order’ on...

From Page SF2

nutritionist all rolled into one.”

Mendoza said the app is his way of making a difference in the lives of others. “the benefits of being healthy are unbelievable — confidence goes up, the pride you have, and it’s a snowball effect,” he said.

He added, “to me, it’s really easy to be healthy. 15 minutes a day, that’s all you need. You can eat rice, Kare Kare and lumpia — you can eat all this food because I do — and still look decent.”

More updates are planned for the app, such as progress tracking, incentives for completing achievements and different languages.

Fit in 15 is currently available for iOs, and a version for Android is expected to be released soon. For more information, visit http://www.fitin15. training/.

From Page SF2 below three-degree weather at 9am. Bravely, Lav, Paul and I wore the Pilipino barong. Piolo and John Lloyd were dapper (and warm) in their tuxedos and so was Joel who wore a gray suit. the courageous fashion

statements of the Pinoy gentlemen were nothing compared to the cold-defying, bare-shouldered, glamorous true fashionistas in high heels: Cherie, Angel, Alessandra de Rossi, Hazel Orencio, susan Africa, Queenmelo Esguerra and Bianca Balbuena.”

Bernardo added that the Hele team was met by journalists and fans of the film with a phalanx of cameras beyond the velvet ropes as their cheerful images were simultaneously flashed on a huge screen near the theater foyer. “For me, it Continued on Page SF4

Mark Bautista

that’s the reason I don’t believe in organized religion.

I refuse to accept that a book, line or verse can define me as a human being. I cannot condone acts that debase my fellow man. My one real truth in life is love, and anything that goes against that is what I call an abomination. mr. Fu: His stand on same-sex marriage is fine with me. that’s his choice. But overanalyzing the issue and giving offensive statements are not acceptable. Respect for each other is a must.

Gays like me may have animalistic appeal, but the masahol pa sa hayop tag is too harsh.

Lav Diaz (leftmost) in Berlin after the screening of Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) with (from left) executive producer Paul Soriano, Alessandra de Rossi, Hazel Orencio, Bianca Balbuena, Angel Aquino, Cherie Gil, Bernardo Bernardo, Susan Africa, Joel Saracho, John Lloyd Cruz and Piolo Pascual.

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celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 26, 2016

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar DAN Duggan, the President of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, heads the list of March birthday celebrants. He will be celebrating his birthday on Easter Sunday, March 27.

Duggan’s Serra Mortuary is highly trusted by FilipinoAmericans in the Peninsula, especially during their most trying times as they honor and pay respects to their loved ones who have passed away.

Other personalities celebrating their birthdays this March are: March 1 - Royal Dynasty founder Nellie Cojuangco Tuazon, and Premiere Appliances owner Tony Premiere; March 3 - Actress Maricel Soriano, Dr. Tita Martinez Picache of Danville, and United Airlines employee Edward Teofilo Cabrera; March 4 - Beautiful actress Dawn Zulueta, Fiesta Filipina Restaurant grand lady Dorie Guevarra, and Pedro “Jonjing” Ejercito de Castro (nephew of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada); March 6 - Isabelle Diaz (daughter of the first Filipina Miss Universe and actress Gloria Diaz), and actress Gretchen Barretto; March 8 - Former Senator Ramon Revilla, and actor Archie Alemania; March 9 - Veteran actress Rosemarie Gil, Atty, KJ Petsas, and hair stylist Edmond Dizon; March 10 - Philippines Today co-publisher Marilyn King Camilosa, Kapamilya actor JC de Vera, and character actor Paolo Contis; March 11 - Singer and songwriter Jose Mari Chan, and Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma; March 14 - Homeland Se-

Duggan’s Serra Mortuary President Dan Duggan heads the list of March birthday celebrants

Dan Duggan, President of Duggan’s Serra Morturay, heads the list of March birthday celebrants. He will be celebrating his birthday on Easter Sunday, March 27.

curity officer Ermin Apolinario, former Miss United Nations World winner Natty Averia Mendoza, and Pittsburg Filipina community leader Mathie Roldan Velasco; March 16 - Kapamilya actor Gerald Anderson; March 17 - Daly City Councilman Mike Guingona, former Mr. United Nations-USA winner Roberto “Bobby” Tuason, and retired Navy Captain Jimmy Velasco; March 18 - The pioneer of LuzViMin Association of Northern California Rey Reyes; March 19 - Kapamilya actress Julia Montes; March 20 - Batanguenos of Northern California best dressed matron Liza Manalo, and Kapuso actress Bianca King; March 21 - Statewide Re-

Marilyn King Camilosa, co-publisher of Philippine Today, will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, March 10.

Alice Gabriana Atienza, proprietress of Statewide Realty in Daly City, will celebrate her birthday on Monday, March 21. Mrs. Atienza is shown with matinee idol Dennis Trillo.

alty proprietress Alicia Gabriana Atienza; March 23 - Kapuso actors Geoff Eigenmann and Rocco Nacino; March 24 - Actor Aljur Abrenica; March 25 - Asian Journal Publications President Cora Macabagdal Oriel, photographer Ray Guarin and Kapuso actor Matteo Guidicelli; March 26 - Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi; March 28 - Miss Earth beauty pageant Executive Producer Ramon Monzon; March 30 - Thomasian USA founder Alice Pena Bulos, and SamTrans employee Eugene Cabugao; March 31 - Entertainment producer Lerma de la Cruz.

To all March celebrants, a very happy birthday!

Beautiful actress Dawn Zulueta who is now with Kapamilya Channel 2, will celebrate her birthday on Friday, March 4.

Edwin Teofilo Cabrera will celebrate his 50th birthday on Thursday, March 3. Edward is an employee of United Airlines.

Entertainment producer and recording star Lerma de la Cruz will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, March 31.

Jimmy Velasco and his wife, the former Mathie Roldan are both celebrating their birthdays in March.

Mrs. Velasco will be turning another year on Monday, March 14; while retired Navy Captain Velasco will be on Thursday, March 17.

Rey Reyes, the pioneer of LuzViMin of Northern California, will celebrate his birthday on Friday, March 18.

Nelly Cojuango Tuazon, president of Royal Dynasty Foundation, will celebrate her birthday on Tuesday, March 1.

Ermin Apolinario, an officer for Homeland Security, will celebrate his birthday on Monday, March 14.

Misguidance in Filipino folklore who plays tricks on the unwary so they are misled. I would later appreciate that in Lav’s awesome genius and fertile imagination, “Hele” is the forest of the mind where mythology, Philippine literature (the lost pages of “El Filibusterismo”) and history converge—with each character caught up in searching for something they consider urgent and life-changing. But maybe, just maybe, Lav is the Tikbalang himself, a playful, well-meaning catalyst for change, prodding napping searchers to wake up to what is truly important —because history repeats itself. In many ways, it was a timely film for me considering the current state of our country today.”

In the press conference that followed the screening,

Lav rejected being labeled as a creator of “slow cinema.”

He told the Berlin press: “We’re labeled ‘the slow cinema’ but it’s not slow cinema, it’s cinema. I don’t know why... every time we discourse on cinema we always focus on the length. Cinema is just like poetry, just like music, just like painting where it’s free, whether it’s a small canvas or it’s a big canvas, it’s the same... So cinema shouldn’t be imposed on.”

Film writer Deborah Cole reported hundreds of movie lovers emerged bleary-eyed but enthusiastic last Thursday after the longest competition contender in the 66-year history of the Berlin film festival, was shown in an eight-and-a-half hour marathon screening with just one break.

Lav’s 8-hr epic bags silver in Berlin...

From Page SF3 was the closest thing to a Hollywood premiere! Inside the theater, Lav and the “Hele” ensemble autographed blowups of our photos taken the night before that were now prominently displayed at the theater lobby. Everybody was all smiles. No one knew we had a late dinner and drinks the night before and by some miracle, we were up by 6am for breakfast and already dressed up.”

The actor, who won the Urian Best Actor trophy for Ishmael Bernal’s “City After Dark,” said he met Lav in the Sinag Film Festival in Taguig and later got word he was being considered for a role and it was a role of a lifetime. “The role, as it turned out, is that of a Tikbalang, the mythic man-horse and Master of

Entertainment

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - February 26, 2016

Baby Zia is Marian Rivera’s priority for now Gerald Anderson happy over ‘Nathaniel’ nomination at New York Festivals

by AllAn

PolicArPio Inquirer

BEING an only child, Marian Rivera has always wanted to have a big family. And the actress didn’t seem to be kidding when she giddily revealed that she wanted to have as many as five children.

This, despite her tough experience giving birth for the first time to daughter Maria Letizia—it took 18 hours and involved a whole lot of crying.

“Go pa!” Marian told reporters at a press conference. “Friends have been teasing us to hurry up with the next.”

But before she and husband, Dingdong Dantes, actively try for another baby, the GMA 7 star said she first wants to make sure that she has devoted enough time on Zia (her firstborn). “I want to focus on her.

I’m afraid that if I get pregnant so soon, I wouldn’t be able to take care of her well,” Marian said, adding that a two-year gap would be preferable.

According to Marian, it almost pains her to leave baby Zia, whom she described as “jolly and giggly.” “I’m a very hands-on mom,” she said. “I bathe her, feed her, play with her, tuck her into bed—every-

thing. And when I have to go to work, I leave her only with my mother or grandmother.”

“I haven’t given her (infant) formula so far in three months.

I try my best to breastfeed, even if it turned out to be more difficult than I expected. But I don’t mind because I know it will make her healthier… I’m willing to make sacrifices,” she added. “That’s why every day, I eat something with malunggay in it!”

A miracle But the reward is priceless.

Simply holding and looking at Zia, Marian said, make her and Dong emotional. “We’re so lucky to have been blessed with a child. It’s a miracle. I feel complete,” she related. “We have been looking forward to this moment since we got married.”

Zia, who was born last November, was christened last Valentine’s Day at the St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish in Makati City.

As per Marian’s request to Dong, the event was kept intimate, attended only by family, close friends and godparents— including Sen. Grace Poe. The 31-year-old celebrity mom stressed: “All the godparents we chose are people whom we think could stand as second

by Joyce Jimenez Philstar

Dingdong and Marian (center) with Baby Zia

parents to our child if we’re not around.”

While she needs to go back to work soon, Marian, who’s set to host a talk show and star as Ynang Reyna in the remake of the fantasy series “Encantadia,” admitted to feeling a little halfhearted about it—she loves her job, but Zia is her priority.

“That’s why I’m so grateful to my home network, which has taken those things into consideration. My load wouldn’t be so heavy and I’ll have a cutoff time, so I can still take care of my baby,” Marian said.

GERALD Anderson is happy for the nomination of his TV show “Nathaniel” at the New York Festivals World’s Best TV & Film competition.

His show with Marco Masa and Shaina Magdayao, which aired from April to September 2015, is nominated for the Best Family Program category of the prestigious award-giving body. “’Yong mga gano’ng achievements, mga gano’ng recognition malaking bagay,” he said during the online media conference for “Always Be My Maybe” on Saturday, Feb. 20.

“Lalo na sa atin, ang liit liit natin kumpara sa ibang bansa na nakapasok do’n, but we’re still recognized for our hard work, our skills, our talent,” he added. “’Yong values na nakuha ng mga bata iba po talaga,” Gerald further said. “You give them hope and inspiration, ‘yon ang gusto mo mangyari talaga.”

Presently, Gerald is busy promoting his film “Always Be My Maybe” with Arci Muñoz under Star Cinema.

The movie is about two people who came from a breakup and fell in love with each other.

The only problem? They’re still afraid to enter a new relationship after their recent heartache.

For the first time, Gerald was given a chance to write his own lines for a scene in the film.

“That’s one of the most honest scene na kailangan ko gawin,” he said about the scene where he had to do an online video.

“Sobrang close to home ‘yong mga linya ko kasi siyempre ako nagsulat,” he added.

Gerald Anderson

Belated Valentine for Maine Mendoza

by BAyAni

SAn Diego Inquirer

Jr.

IT was a belated Valentine for Dubsmash star Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza, the other half of the wildly popular AlDub tandem.

Curiously, what thrilled Maine was not a love letter from split-screen partner Alden Richards, but a poem written just for her by her favorite author, Lang Leav.

In a surprising twist in the ongoing national obsession that is the kalyeserye, Lang whipped up a two-stanza poem for Maine, who was naturally ecstatic.

Lang, who is based in New Zealand with her partner, fellow

writer Michael Faudet, wrote the bestsellers, “Love & Misadventure” and “Lullabies and Memories.”

Lang, who is active in social media like Maine, posted the poem, entitled “Stars in Love,” on her Facebook page on Feb. 14—saying that she found AlDub “cute.”

The poem even came with a matching portrait of Maine—like most of the popular wordsmith’s works.

Needless to say, Maine can’t help making her trademark pabebe (cutesy) wave because of this Valentine gift. She is undoubtedly on cloud nine. “I haven’t even talked to Alden about it yet.”

How does it feel that Lang

wrote a poem for you?

Super-flattered! The Lang Leav is one of my ultimate idols—and she just made my Valentine’s Day sweeter!

What was your initial reaction when you read the poem and saw the portrait?

I was surprised! I never expected that she’d be writing about me/us one day!

What led you to her poems?

I stumbled upon some of her writings online, and I immediately got hooked and bought all her books!

What do you like about her poems?

Her poems about love make me believe… Love is indeed bittersweet.

How did she find out about your request for a poem?

A fan tweeted her and requested for a poem dedicated to AlDub. Then, she replied that if I would ask for it, she’d do it.

And so I did!

Did you meet her when she was in town for a book signing in 2014?

Unfortunately not.

What are your favorite poems/books by her?

I love all of her books; I can’t even choose one!

What would you like to say to Lang if you get to meet her?

Thank you so much for the wonderful poem that you made for me/us! As a fan, I’m superkilig (thrilled)!

Maine Mendoza as “Yaya Dub”

Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes

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The Asian J our n al S F MAGAZINE - February 26, 2016

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