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Donald Trump holds first press conference since being elected

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Discusses Russian hacking, conflicts of interest, Obamacare

by ERIC

ANTHONY LICAS AJPress

PRESIDENT-elect Donald Trump discussed reports of Russian cyber-espionage, possible conflicts of interest stemming from his private business

ventures, and other concerns with reporters at Trump Tower in New York on Wednesday, January 11.

Trump also announced his choice of David Shulkin to head the Department of Veteran Affairs during his first press conference since his victory in the

2016 presidential election. He went on to reiterate his campaign promises to promote job growth, build a wall along America’s southern border at the Mexican government’s expense, and eliminate the Affordable Care Act. “We’re going to be submitting -- as

soon as our secretary’s approved, almost simultaneously, shortly thereafter, a plan,” Trump said of his alternative to the ACA on Wednesday. “It’ll be repeal and replace. It will be essentially simultaneously.”

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VP Robredo denies involvement in leaked emails

Fil-Am Jeff De La Fuente, 31, passed away on Friday, January 6, two days after an accident at a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station in San Francisco.

Photo courtesy of Dorothy Mak / Facebook

Fil-Am dies after being pinned by train in San Francisco

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

A SAN FRANCISCO resident whose body had gotten trapped between a transit platform and train car clung to life for days after he was freed, but eventually died of his injuries on Friday, January 6.

Investigators say that Filipino-American Jeff De La Fuente accidentally fell off of a platform at the 24th Street Mission Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4 and became pinned at his waist by a train car.

Firefighters had to use specialized airbags to push the car away from his body and release him. De La Fuente remained conscious during his rescue and was transported to a local hospital where staff attempted to save his life.

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PHILIPPINE Vice Leni Robredo has dismissed the allegations that she was involved in the alleged leaked emails about a plan to unseat President Rodrigo Duterte.

This comes after reports revealed that a Yahoo! group contained emails of Robredo’s supporters plotting to oust the president.

“Hindi ko alam kung ano ang participation ko. Nami-mention daw ang pangalan ko, pero hindi ako kabahagi nu’ng grupong iyon (I don’t know what is my participation there. I was told that my name was mentioned but I’m not part of that group),” Robredo said in an interview in Marinduque on Monday, January 9.

Pro-Duterte blogger “The Thinking Pinoy” posted the so-called ‘#LeniLeaks’ on its page, citing emails and information from a Yahoo group named “Global Filipino Diaspora Council.”

One of the emails in the thread suggested that Duterte resign.

Deadline to sign up for health coverage in 2017 approaching Pulse Asia Survey: Most Filipinos are DENR won’t allow construction against martial law reimposition of Nickelodeon underwater theme park in Palawan FAREWELL. Photo shows outgoing President Barack Obama waving to his followers after he gave his emotional final address to the nation on Tuesday night, Jan. 10 in Chicago, 10 days before he cedes power to president-elect Donald Trump. Joining him onstage are First Lady Michelle Obama, daughter Malia, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden.

White House Twitter photo

AFFORDABLE and invaluable health care is available for uninsured Californians in 2017.

But the deadline to enroll is drawing near: Covered California’s open enrollment ends on Jan. 31. Those who enroll by Jan. 15 will have their coverage begin on Feb. 1. Those signing up between Jan. 16 and Jan. 31 will have coverage starting March 1.

While rising rates are a real concern, Covered California members who are renewing their coverage now are finding real savings by shopping around within their health plan’s

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now to have martial law to solve the many crises of the nation.”

On the other hand, 12 percent agreed A PULSE Asia survey released on Wednes- with the statement while the remaining 14 day, January 11, revealed that seven out of percent were undecided.

10 Filipinos do not see the need to impose Results also show that the disagreement martial law as a form of addressing various was the majority sentiment across the counproblems currently faced by the country. try: 81 percent in Manila and 74 percent in According to the results, 74 percent of the Luzon overall, 75 percent in Mindanao, and respondents disagree with the statement: 65 percent in the Visayas.

“Candidly speaking, it may be necessary u PAGE A4

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Pope Francis selects Bishop Oscar Solis to head diocese of Salt Lake City

Solis makes history as first Filipino to lead large Catholic congregation

by ERIC

ANTHONY LICAS AJPress

POPE Francis chose Oscar Solis to become the next bishop of the diocese of Salt Lake City on Tuesday, January 10, making him the first FilipinoAmerican clergyman to lead such a large congregation of American Catholics.

Solis will serve a community of about 300,000 people in his latest role, according to Ange-

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lus News. The former auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has worked as a priest in both the U.S. and the Philippines for the better part of four decades.

“I know what it means to be a pastor, a shepherd of a particular diocese,” Solis told reporters during a press conference announcing his appointment in Salt Lake City, Utah on Tuesday. “It is a tremendous blessing and a responsibility and

a privilege to be of service to the local Church in the United States of America, coming from the Philippines.”

He was surprised to learn of the appointment, according to Deseret News and other sources. He reportedly called himself a “fool” for thinking he would spend the remainder of his career in Los Angeles.

Clergymen who have worked with Solis described him as

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by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that it will not allow the United States television network Nickelodeon to construct an underwater theme park in Palawan.

“I will never allow the corals to be harmed, that’s what we have, that’s our wealth. You can’t kill the corals for a theme park, no way,” Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said on Wednesday, January 11.

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Environment Sec. Gina Lope

Bishop Oscar Solis AJPress photo by Ding Carreon

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January 13-19, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

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From the Front Page

Donald Trump holds first press...

PAGE A1 t

The president-elect said dismantling the Obama administration’s signature health insurance law would be the first priority of his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, if the Senate affirms his appointment.

Trump added that he believed public support for Obamacare would have evaporated on its own as weakness in the legislation came to light during its implementation. He called the measure a political liability for democrats and said he was doing them a favor by avoiding public discontent resulting from attempts to overhaul the complicated law.

This year, Trump’s administration also plans on moving quickly to secure the United States’ border with Mexico, which he called an “open sieve.”

“I could wait about a year and a half until we finish our negotiations with Mexico, which we’ll start immediately after we get to

office, but I don’t want to wait,” Trump said.

Trump said that he planned to have the Mexican government reimburse the U.S. for the cost of the wall’s construction.

Trump had publicly cast doubt on allegations of covert foreign meddling in American politics before receiving a private briefing from the CIA on Friday, January 6.

However, on Wednesday, Trump conceded that hackers acting on behalf of the Russian government were likely responsible for the leak of terabytes of private e-mails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) during the 2016 presidential election.

“I think it was Russia, but I think we also get hacked by other countries and other people.”

Trump added that he believed the DNC had been lax in its cybersecurity efforts, leaving it vulnerable to data breaches.

During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, January 10, FBI Direc-

tor James Comey told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that the same operatives who had penetrated DNC servers had also managed to access private information from Republican organizations at the state-level as well as a defunct Republican National Committee email domain.

“Information was harvested from there, but it was old stuff,” Comey told Congress on Tuesday, according to various sources.

“None of that was released.”

He went on to publicly confirm the intelligence community’s assessment that the Russian government was working to assist Trump’s presidential campaign.

On Wednesday, Trump dismissed related reports stating that officials in Moscow had attempted to obtain his personal and financial information, which they could possibly use as leverage against him in the future. He went on to stress the importance of enhancing the federal government’s “hacking de-

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FREE CONTRACEPTIVES. Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial encourages the use of condom to stop the spread of HIV during press briefing in Paranaque City. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered government agencies to ensure free access to contraceptives for 6 million women who cannot obtain them, officials said on Wednesday, Jan. 11.

Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes

VP Robredo denies involvement in...

PAGE A1 t “The only way to fight this evil plot to unseat VP Leni is to ask Duterte to resign. After all, he promised to resign in six months if he has not solved the drug epidemic in the Philippines,” the email said.

It further read, “He (Duterte) asked for an extension of another six months. Extension denied!

Join Duterte Resign Movement.”

In response, the vice president said, “Wala, hindi rin ako kabahagi doon (No, I’m also not part of it).”

Robredo went on to remark that she has been on the receiving end of fake news.

The vice president said she’d rather focus on her job instead of the ‘ridiculous’ allegations against her.

“Pero sa akin, as much as possible, gusto ko sanang mag-

concentrate sa trabaho, kasi ang tingin ko lang, ang daming viciousness ngayon sa internet (For me, as much as possible, I want to concentrate on my job, because I think there is a lot of viciousness now on the internet),” Rodredo said.

Robredo also denied being in contact with Filipino-American philanthropist Loida NicolasLewis, a known supporter of the Liberal Party, who was part of the controversial thread.

“Ni personal meeting, ni tawag sa telepono, hindi po kami nagtawagan o nag-meet sa Amerika.

Kaya ‘yung kumakalat na balita hindi po iyon totoo (Not a personal meeting nor a phone call.

We didn’t even met in America.

The circulating news was fake),” Robredo said.

The vice president traveled to the United States with her chil-

dren last month to spend the holidays.

In response to the allegations, Malacañang said it is conducting an investigation regarding the matter.

“It’s a serious matter sapagkat may nakasulat doon kung paano nila papag-resign-in si President Duterte (It is a serious matter because it is written there how they will make President Duterte resign)... Siyempre, that does not sit well with us in the government because any move to oust the President is not good and it is definitely illegal,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told radio DZMM. He also acknowledged that Robredo may not be part of the rumored ouster plot.

“It’s possible she didn’t know,” Andanar said. n

DENR won’t allow construction of...

PAGE A1 t In a press statement early this week, Nickelodeon’s parent company Viacom, in partnership with Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc., announced its plan to develop a 100-hectare undersea attraction and resort in

Coron, Palawan.

The undersea park, according to Viacom, will feature Nickelodeon’s iconic properties like ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,’ and ‘Dora the Explorer.’

While the DENR said it has not received any application from

Nickelodeon, Lopez stressed that she will “not allow anything that will damage the environment.”

“No amount of money is worth the well being of our farmers and fishermen,” Lopez added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine

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From the Front Page

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 13-19, 2017

A

DENR won’t allow construction of...

PAGE A2 t Department of Tourism (DOT) said that it also hasn’t received any proposals for the underwater project.

“We don’t even know. We are not aware if they are building it.

Hindi namin alam sa DOT (We were not aware). Pero I’m sure Secretary [Wanda Teo] would like us to look. Diving nga ang gusto nating i-promote dito eh (DOT actually wants to promote diving). And Coron is already beautiful as it is,” Tourism Undersecretary Kat De Castro told DZMM on Wednesday.

The Nickelodeon underwater park is expected to open in 2020.

But contrary to Viacom’s statement that the development will “advocate ocean protection,” dif-

HUMAN BRIDGE. Thousands of devotees cram Jones Bridge as the procession of the Black Nazarene moves toward the Sta. Cruz district in Manila at noontime on Monday, Jan. 9.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Ranada

One in three women with breast cancer treated unnecessarily

by Liz Szabo Kaiser Health News

ONe in three women with breast cancer detected by a mammogram is treated unnecessarily, because screening tests found tumors that are so slow-growing that they’re essentially harmless, according to a Danish study published Monday in Annals of Internal Medicine, which has renewed debate over the value of early detection.

The study raises the uncomfortable possibility that some women who believe their lives were saved by mammograms were actually harmed by cancer screenings that led to surgery, radiation and even chemotherapy that they didn’t need, said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, who wrote an accompanying editorial but was not involved in the study.

Researchers increasingly recognize that not all breast cancers pose the same risk, even if they look the same under a microscope, Brawley said. While some early tumors turn into deadly monsters, others stop growing or even shrink. But assuming that all small breast lesions have the potential to turn deadly is akin to “racial profiling,” Brawley wrote in his editorial.

“By treating all the cancers that we see, we are clearly saving some lives,” Brawley said in an

interview. “But we’re also ‘curing’ some women who don’t need to be cured.”

Although experts such as Brawley have long discussed the risks posed by “overdiagnosis,” relatively few women who undergo cancer screenings are even aware of the debate.

The American College of Radiology, which strongly supports breast cancer screenings, acknowledges that mammograms lead some women to be treated unnecessarily, but said the problem is much less common than the new study suggests. Another study from Denmark – whose national health program keeps detailed records – estimated the overdiagnosis rates at only 2.3 percent.

“The amount of overdiagnosis really is small,” said Dr. Debra Monticciolo, chair of the American College of Radiology’s Commission on Breast Imaging. “Articles like this aren’t very helpful,” she said, because they leave women confused about how to be screened for breast cancer.

Yet treating women for cancer unnecessarily can endanger their health, said Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, an advocacy group. Radiation can damage the heart or even cause new cancers. Visco notes that breast cancer activist Carolina

Donald Trump holds...

PAGE A2 t fense” to avoid any attacks.

Addressing conflicts of interest Prior to him taking the stage on Wednesday, his attorney Sheri Dillon announced that the president-elect will hand over management of the Trump Organization to his two sons, Donald Jr. and eric. His daughter Ivanka will resign from her roles to avoid any conflicts.

Dillion also said that Trump would not divest from his business or set up a blind trust.

“President-elect Trump should not be expected to destroy the company he built,” Dillon said.

“This plan offers a suitable alternative to address the concerns of the American people.”

She went on to say that the organization will not engage in new deals in foreign countries while in office and that an ethics adviser will review future transactions made domestically. Any profits to the Trump Hotel made from foreign governments will be donated to the U.S. Treasury.

Though the president is exempt from conflict of interest laws, Dillion said, “he’s voluntarily taken this on.”

“So I could actually run my business, I could actually run my business and run government at the same time,” Trump said. “I don’t like the way that looks, but I would be able to do that if I wanted to.”

Trump will formally assume office next week on Friday, January 20. n

Deadline to sign up for health...

PAGE A1 t metal tier. (Plans are available in four metal tiers, also known as coverage levels.) Covered California found that renewing members who have switched their plan, but remain within the same metal tier, have saved an average of $38 per month or $456 per year.

In addition, more than half of all Covered California consumers, 59 percent, are eligible to choose a Bronze plan for less than $10 per month. Bronze plans offer three visits to a primary care physician or specialist that are not subject to a deductible. Also, nearly half of all Covered California consumers, 49 percent, can get a Silver plan for less than $100 per month. None of the outpatient services included in the Silver plan — such as primary, urgent and specialist care — is subject to a deductible.

For someone like Adam Kuns, 27, of Camarillo, the financial impact is secondary to managing his diabetes. Kuns was on his parents’ insurance plan until age 23, but he was depleting their retirement fund paying the $10,000 deductible for all of his needed care. That was until Covered California began offering coverage in 2014.

“I can get the care I really need without going bankrupt,” Kuns said. “I’ve been on both ends of the stick. I’ve gone from having no health care and draining my parents’ retirement to having health insurance that actually works for me. I’m willing to pay a higher premium to get a lower deductible.”

As a small-business owner, Kuns

said it can be tough paying more than $340 a month for coverage, but it certainly is better than the alternative. Along with diabetes, Kuns also has ulcerative colitis. He now has an insulin pump and sees an endocrinologist regularly to help him manage his conditions.

There are many more stories like his throughout the state, since more than 2.8 million Californians have purchased health insurance through Covered California. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the uninsured rate has fallen from 17 percent in 2013 to 7.4 percent in the first half of 2016.

Covered California has built a competitive market where the consumer is in the driver’s seat and health plans are fighting for their business. More than 90 percent of Californians have a choice between three or more carriers, and all will have at least two to choose from in 2017. Having coverage can also protect individuals and their families from spending tens of thousands of dollars on an unexpected emergency room visit.

Those interested in enrolling online can do so on CoveredCA. com. Free and confidential inperson assistance, available in a variety of languages, can be found by clicking on “Free Local Help to enroll.” Consumers can find a nearby enroller or have a certified enroller contact them through the “Help on Demand” feature. They can also enroll over the phone by calling Covered California at (800) 300-1506. n

Hinestrosa, a vice president at the coalition, died at age 50 from softtissue sarcoma, a tumor caused by radiation used to treat an early breast cancer.

Women should understand these risks, Visco said. Instead, women often hear only about mammograms’ benefits.

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ferent environment groups said that the park would destroy Palawan’s marine ecosystem instead.

“It’s sad and alarming because a theme park that big will not promote environmental protection by building those structures,” Greenpeace Southeast Asia told AFP. “Why build a viewing deck when you have the whole paradise to enjoy?”

A signature campaign, “No to Nickelodeon’s Underwater Theme Park in Palawan,” was also launched online to urge the network and the government to cancel its construction plan.

“For a channel that targets children, Nickelodeon is setting a terrible example to the younger generation by taking away their right to enjoy our natural resources. We don’t need

an underwater theme park — our underwater like is fascinating, entertaining, and educational on its own,” the petition read.

The campaign, authored by Anna Oposa, was posted on Bataris.org.ph and has reached 150,000 signatures as of Wednesday.

The petition argued the the artificial structures will “undeniably damage and disrupt” the Philippines’ “last ecological frontier.”

“If you are sincere and serious about marine conservation, the money allocated for the underwater theme park should be invested in marine protected areas, sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and environmental education programs,” it further read.

Fil-Am dies after being pinned by train in...

PAGE A1 t He was 31 at the time of his death.

“The doctor said that he fought,” De La Fuente’s longtime girlfriend, Dorothy Mak, told local ABC station KGO-TV on Friday. “He fought to stay alive, he really did.”

She also said that he had been working to become a lawyer and was scheduled to take the LSAT in February.

Fuentes made a living as a mechanic in San Francisco’s Mission district. He also worked as a taxi driver, which allowed him to build friendships in the area,

according to KGO-TV. “I just want his family to know that he was loved by many,” said Mak, as reported by AsAm News.

On Friday night, friends formed a candlelight vigil at the BART station to honor De La Fuente’s memory.

A GoFundMe campaign originally set up to cover his hospital bills on Thursday, January 5 had already exceeded $25,000 in donations to pay for funerary expenses by Sunday, January 8.

As requested by De La Fuente’s mother Alice, Mak is working with GoFundMe to refund any unused

money. She has directed those who still wish to make a contribution in his honor to donate to the nonprofit Feeding America, which works to fight hunger throughout the United States.

De La Fuente was raised by a single mother in the Philippines before immigrating to the U.S. His mother plans to bury him in his country of birth after hosting a local funeral.

Comments left in his memory on an obituary page describe Fuente as humble, hard-working, and devoted to his girlfriend and family. (Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)

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January 13-19, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

One in three women with...

PAGE A3 t

“Women have been inundated with the early detection message for decades,” Visco said.

The risks of overdiagnosis and false positives, which can lead women with benign growths to undergo biopsies and other follow-up tests, have caused some experts to reevaluate breast cancer screenings. Although mammograms don’t find all tumors, they reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by 25 percent to 31 percent for women ages 40 to 69, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Medical groups now offer differing advice on mammograms: The American College of Radiology takes the most aggressive stance, recommending annual mammograms beginning at age 40. Tumors should be found when they’re “smaller and easier to treat,” Monticciolo said.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent expert panel that advises the federal government on health, provoked a firestorm of criticism in 2009 when it bucked that advice, recommend-

ing that women get mammograms every other year beginning at age 50. The group noted that breast cancer risk rises with age, so mammograms are more likely to discover cancer – as opposed to benign growths – after age 50.

The American Cancer Society also scaled back its screening advice in 2015, recommending women get annual mammograms from 45 to 54, followed by screenings every other year after that.

In the new study, Danish researchers estimated the rate of overdiagnosis by comparing the number of early-stage and advanced breast tumors before and after the country started offering mammograms. If screenings work as intended, the number of small, curable breast tumors should increase, while reducing the number of large cancers by about the same amount.

Although mammograms in Denmark detected a lot more breast cancers, these were mostly small, early-stage tumors, said study coauthor Dr. Karsten Jorgensen, a researcher at the Nordic Cochrane Center in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The number of advanced cancers did not fall.

Dateline USa

The debate about overdiagnosis illustrates the limits of medical technology, Brawley said.

Although researchers can estimate the statistical rate of overdiagnosis, doctors treating actual patients can’t definitively tell which breast tumors need treatment and which might be safely ignored, Brawley said. So doctors tend to err on the side of caution and treat all breast cancers with surgery and, in many cases, radiation and chemotherapy.

An estimated 253,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women this year, with nearly 41,000 deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.

An additional 63,000 women will be diagnosed with ductal carci-

noma in situ, also known as DCIS, which has some, but not all, of the typical traits of cancer. Although DCIS cells have changed to appear malignant under the microscope, they haven’t invaded surrounding tissue.

The American Cancer Society defines DCIS as the earliest stage of breast cancer, and women with the condition typically undergo the same treatment given to women with early invasive cancers. Although DCIS isn’t life-threatening, doctors recommend treating it to prevent it from becoming invasive.

Other experts note that DCIS carries such low risk that it should be considered merely a risk factor for cancer. Researchers are conducting studies to measure whether it’s safe to scale back treatment of DCIS. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, a national health policy news service that is part of the nonpartisan Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. n

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Two Vegas families work to overcome differences after anti-Filipino rant goes viral TWO families are settling longstanding grievances after a Filipino-American resident of Las Vegas captured and published a video of his neighbor on Tuesday, January 3 in which she insults his ethnicity in a profanity-laden tirade.

Dexter Manawat told local ABC television station, KTNV, that hostilities between him and the unidentified woman in the footage were rooted in recurring disputes over yard work.

In the clip, she refers to the Philippines as a “...ghetto, living under a tarp, piece of [expletive] land,” and calls Filipinos “loincloth wearers” and “orange savages,” as she sweeps dead leaves away from her property.

The video went viral and elicited outrage from the Filipino community. Numerous comments on social media accuse the woman of being a racist.

Some individuals had even sought her identity, threatening violence, according to a followup post on Manawat’s Facebook page published on Wednesday, January 4.

He has since taken the video down and said that his family and their neighbors have begun a dialogue with the intent of

working out their differences.

In an interview with KTNV, the woman—whose face and identity remain hidden—can be heard sobbing as she extends her apologies to the Filipino community at large.

“I stooped to the lowest possible denominator to hurt someone because I was angry,” she told reporters on Tuesday. She added that “I’m not just saying that because I was…caught.

What I said wasn’t right and I wasn’t raised that way.”

She also said that her frustrations were directed at Manawat and not his culture.

The Fil-Am who shot the cellphone video admitted that he hasn’t always been the best neighbor, but said that the unidentified woman’s comments went too far. He said tension between him and his neighbors had existed for years, but he is averse to extreme suggestions of retaliation.

“I don’t believe violence or physical harm is the answer,” Manawat wrote on Wednesday.

He went on to say that “Instead of looking for her, we need to pray for her. Pray that God softens her heart.” (Eric Anthony Licas/AJPress)

Pope Francis selects Bishop Oscar Solis...

PAGE A1 t

humble, organized, and approachable. He is also known for his sharp sense of humor and work as a supporter of minority communities in the Church.

“He is well loved in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,” Father Albert Avenido, who currently serves under Solis in the San Pedro Pastoral District, told the Asian Journal during a phone interview on Tuesday. “We will be missing a great man of God. We will be missing a great pastor, and a great friend…”

In 2004, Solis became the first Filipino American to be ordained a bishop in the United States and moved from Thibodaux, Louisiana to Los Angeles, a city which boasts the country’s largest population of Filipino Catholics. There, he worked as vicar for ethnic ministry and displayed a talent for building relationships between diverse members of the community, according to Avenido.

He was later promoted to auxiliary bishop of the San Pedro Pastoral District in 2009. For the past seven years, Solis has been responsible for overseeing 67 parishes and eight Catholic high schools in Los Angeles and Long Beach. He has also been

the episcopal advisor for the National Association of Filipino Priests since 2011.

“Our loss will be a gift to the family of God in Salt Lake City,” Archbishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, Jose Gomez told Angelus News on Tuesday. He went on to say that “I fully expect that [Solis] will become the leading voice for the millions of Filipino Catholics in this country.”

Solis began serving as a priest in his hometown of San Jose City in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines after he was ordained by Bishop Vicente Reyes in 1979, according to Vatican Radio.

After traveling to Rome in 1984 to earn a doctorate in canon law, Solis emigrated to the United States and worked as a parochial vicar for the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey until 1988.

He then relocated to Thibodaux where he worked in four different parishes over the course of 15 years, according to various sources. In 2003, Solis was considering taking a sabbatical and eventually retiring in Louisiana before learning that he was a candidate for the position of auxiliary bishop on the

West Coast.

“I will miss friends and priests and LA, but I know God has something in store for us when he leads us to a new place,” Solis told Angelus News on Tuesday.

He will be officially installed as Salt Lake City’s Bishop during a ceremony at the Cathedral of the Madeline on Tuesday, March 7.

Avenido said that Solis’s experience as a community builder made him an excellent choice to lead and represent Utah’s Catholic community.

During Tuesday’s press event, Solis said he looked forward to working for all of the faithful in his new diocese and continuing interfaith cooperation with the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints (LDS). Representatives of the Mormon community, as well as Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski have issued statements welcoming Solis’s appointment.

“We look forward to building a friendship and partnership with Bishop Solis as we work together to serve the people of Utah. Mabuhay, Bishop Solis!” wrote LDS Church officials on Tuesday. n

Pulse Asia Survey: Most Filipinos are...

PAGE A1 t The poll, with an error margin of plus or minus three, was conducted from December 6 to 11 last year among a total of 1,200 respondents.

Following the survey results, Albay Representative Lagman urged President Rodrigo Duterte to “stop stalking about tinkering with the revival of martial law.”

According to Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate, the poll reflects the “sentiments of the people.”

“As a leader, dapat mapakinggan niya ang sentimyento ng mamamayan. Matagal nang sinasabi ng mamamayan ‘Never again’ (As a leader, he should listen to the sentiments of the people. The people has long been saying ‘Never Again’),”

Zarate said.

ACT Teachers Representative France Castro also expressed hope that the survey would serve as an “eye opener” for Duterte.

“Sana magsilbi ito na maging eye-opener, ito sinasabi na ng taumbayan at biktima [ng martial law]. Dapat irespeto niya din itong survey na ito (I hope that the survey would become an eye-opener, that this is what the people and the [martial law] victims want. He should respect the survey),” Castro said.

Last month, the president said that he is seeking to amend certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution to make it easier for any president to declare martial law.

Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution states that the president of the Philippines may

place the country under martial law in case of invasion or rebellion for not exceeding than 60 days; and that the president may suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law.

The law, however, also gives Congress and the Supreme Court the power to review and revoke a president’s declaration of martial law.

Duterte said that he wanted to amend the Constitution because it would be difficult to declare martial law if Congress and the high court have different stances about it. He also argued that waiting for approvals from these government branches invalidates the purpose of the power to declare martial law. n

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Pres. Duterte seeks stronger ties with international community

by Christina

Mendoza Philstar.com

MANILA – The Philippines highly values its “friendships” in the international community and is continuously pursuing “new ones,” President Rodrigo Duterte told the diplomatic corps on Wednesday, Jan. 11 in apparent reference to his vision of an independent foreign policy.

In his speech at the traditional vin d’honneur at Malacañang, Duterte also stressed the need for constructive engagements with other countries as well as for respect for each other’s sovereignty.

“The Philippines contends with the realities that are our own. We value partners as we seek strengthened existing friendships even as we pursue new ones,” he said.

“We believe that friends help each other and utilize constructive engagement to achieve common goals. In truth, we all share the same aspiration of greater peace, progress and prosperity,” the President added.

The President has been trumpeting his desire for an “independent” foreign policy since his falling out with the US, which called his attention to reports of rising human rights abuses in the conduct of his vicious war on drugs. In one of his speeches, he

even rained expletives on outgoing US President Barack Obama.

The United Nations and the European Union also drew Duterte’s ire for the same reason.

In his speech, he defended his campaign against illegal drugs before the gathering of ambassadors.

US Ambassador Sung Kim and Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jiantao were on opposite sides of Rizal Hall during the reception.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea was seen talking with the US ambassador, along with Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa and top military officials who milled around Kim. Zhao and Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev were seen separately talking with some Cabinet secretaries.

By veering away from the US, Duterte has openly cozied up to China and Russia, with which he vowed greater cooperation militarily and economically.

“In a world that recognizes our interconnectedness and respect each others’ sovereign independence, the horizons and frontiers of cooperation are virtually limitless,” Duterte said.

“Friendship, after all, knows no bounds. The Philippines has and will continue to build on our friendship founded on a common

objective, shared values and time honored principles of international law,” he added, without directly discussing the arbitral ruling on the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea dispute.

With the Philippines assuming ASEAN chairmanship this year, Duterte also appealed for “mutual beneficial collaboration” among nations.

“Let us together work to further expand the areas of mutual beneficial collaboration. This New Year, the Philippines takes on the ASEAN chairmanship with renewed fervor, a sense of purpose,” he said.

“It is an opportunity to exercise leadership to advance the regional development agenda of forging a rules-based community that puts citizens’ welfare at the heart of every initiative. The Philippines counts on your full support,” Duterte added.

“For the New Year more than anything, I wish for deeper and more meaningful engagements with our partners and friends,” he said, before proposing a toast.

Duterte drank apple cider instead of the champagne served to the guests.

“This will allow us to realize the positive and lasting changes that we seek for our nations, for our region and for our world,” he said.

Drug killings down to 5 a day

by CeCille

suerte Philstar.com

Felipe

MANILA – The number of suspected drug offenders who were shot dead allegedly after trying to fight it out with police dropped to an average of five persons a day during the first eight days of 2017.

Based on statistics provided by the Philippine National Police (PNP), there were 41 drug personalities killed from Dec. 31 to Jan. 8, or an average of 5.12 persons daily.

The PNP said the latest update on Project Double Barrel Alpha from July 1, 2016 to Jan. 8, 2017 indicated that 2,208 drug pushers and users were killed after

they tried to fight it out or “nanlaban” with police. The figure was higher by 41 compared to the report from July 1 to Dec. 31.

From July 1 to Dec. 14 last year, an average of 30 drug suspects were killed daily or a total of 2,102 during the first 167 days of the Duterte administration as the PNP carried out a brutal campaign against illegal drugs nationwide.

During the same period, suspected vigilantes killed 2,886 people. The cases were classified as “deaths under investigation” or DUI. From July 1, 2016 to Jan. 8, 2017, the PNP said a total of 44,132 drug pushers and users

were arrested in 41,029 police operations conducted in 18 regions nationwide.

So far, a total of 1,020,904 self-confessed drug addicts surrendered, of whom 75,481 were pushers and 945,423 users.

Police visited 6,112,289 houses through Oplan Tokhang.

Earlier, Sen. Richard Gordon said the PNP has enough funds to wage its campaign against illegal drugs under Double Barrel, simultaneously targeting highlevel drug traffickers and streetlevel pushers in one campaign.

The PNP is thankful for the needed budget in the campaign against illegal drugs.

GRAND PROCESSION. Hundreds of thousands of devotees surround the Black Nazarene as the Traslacion kicks off at Rizal Park on Monday, Jan. 9. Officials declared the Traslacion or the transfer of the Black Nazarene from Rizal Park to the Quiapo Church “generally peaceful” amid fears of a terror attack.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Randa

No threat to Miss U pageant – police THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it has not monitored any direct threat to the Miss Universe beauty pageant to be held in the country this month.

“As far as direct threat… as of now we don’t have any direct threat concerning the staging of the Miss Universe pageant… the monitoring is continuous,” Senior Supt. Emmanuel Licup of the Security Task Force for Miss Universe told a news briefing in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Since the beauty pageant is an international event, according to Licup, it will be a good platform for terrorist groups to stage attacks.

But, he said, the PNP will make sure that none will happen.

The last time that the country hosted the Miss Universe beauty pageant was in 1994, with Sush-

mita Sen of India being crowned the winner that year.

“The PNP will make sure that none of these things [attacks]will happen during the staging of this pageant,” Licup said.

The police official added that all eyes will be on the Philippines and that the PNP will take the opportunity to showcase the country as a tourist destination since the pageant will also highlight the peace and order situation in the country.

Licup said they will be deploying around 1,300 police personnel in Metro Manila alone to provide security, adding that the deployment of forces in the provinces where some pre-pageant activities will be held depends on the regional director.

Licup said the Aviation Security Group is also involved in coordination with airport authorities,

together with the Intelligence Group and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

An inter-agency security committee will be headed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, which has direct supervision over the PNP. Licup said police personnel have been told not to post for selfies with the Miss Universe candidates.

He added that the candidates will not be allowed to have appointments on their own, according to a briefing by organizers of the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

The police official said no roads will be closed during the staging of the pageant.

Licup said there is no plan to jam cellphone signals during the event. (Anthony Vargas/ManilaTimes.net)

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january 13-19, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan jOurnaL

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OpiniOn

Kidnap cops

Features

It was bound to happen, and sooner than later considering the environment of impunity that the police force has been seemingly granted.

After all, when no less than the President delivers the blanket assurance that whatever police officers do in the line of duty will not be subjected to sanctions as long as he is the country’s highest official—even if their actions cross the bounds of integrity, professionalism and the very codes of conduct of the police organization—then that promise of carte blanche protection will only serve to embolden the corrupt among the ranks.

And it has been happening in the administration’s brutal war on drugs and crime. Now entering its seventh month, the campaign has produced not only an ever-escalating body count but also mounting evidence of rogue policemen taking advantage of the extraordinary leeway given them by President Duterte. That some cops were doing double duty as vigilantes was on full display in the case of two Oriental Mindoro policemen caught and exposed as a riding-tandem execution team. They shot in cold blood a local crime watch leader, reaffirming the widespread suspicion that many in the police force are themselves part of the criminal enterprises they are sworn to go after.

Mr. Duterte’s flagship campaign was also ostensibly about rooting out the corruption and criminality that have tainted law-enforcement operations. By smashing the drug syndicates, he was cutting off the supply of money and influence routinely used to make cops look the other way, or worse, to protect and participate in the

drug business. But, as concerned sectors have repeatedly warned, using the same compromised police force without first cleaning up their ranks, urging them to employ the most ruthless methods while assuring them of ready pardon any time they violated their own protocols of conduct or engagement, was an open invitation to abuse.

“Operation Tokhang,” at this point, claims as metrics for its success nearly a million drug “surrenderers” and over 5,000 suspects killed, mostly allegedly because they resisted arrest. The total fatalities, as documented by independent observers, are closer to over 6,000 at this time; a number of those who died at the hands of unknown gunmen had earlier turned themselves in to the police, only to be targeted for extrajudicial killing just the same.

Activists have also complained of “Operation Tokhang” being used to harass their ranks and flush out suspected New People’s Army rebels, with members of progressive organizations in the countryside suddenly finding their names on the local drug watch lists. And suspects already in police custody, whether poor or not, don’t have it easier: The fate of the father and son who were killed by cops inside a Pasay police station was essentially the same as that visited on the imprisoned Rolando Espinosa, the mayor of Albuera, Leyte.

And now, cops appear to have upped their game by venturing into kidnapping for ransom in the name of the drug war. In an exclusive story, the

Guest Editorial

Inquirer.net photo

Inquirer’s Tarra Quismundo reports that a South Korean businessman, Jee Ick-joo, has been missing since October, after policemen barged into his home in Angeles City announcing a drug raid and then taking him away. The cops have been identified as from the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group in Camp Crame. The businessman’s distraught wife, who is appealing to Mr. Duterte’s administration for help in finding her husband, says their house was also ransacked and some P540,000 worth of jewelry and other

personal items stolen.

It was the PNP itself that suggested the kidnapfor-ransom angle; in the case referral letter it sent to the Department of Justice, it recommended that the suspects—one police officer plus four others and “several John Does”—be investigated for kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention.

One shudders at what other atrocities will be committed in the name of this out-of-control war on drugs. (Iquirer.net)

“#LeniLeaks” : Are criticisms of Duterte’s drug policy and the call for his resignation an act of sedition OR free speech?

MANY kababayans in the Philippines and here in the United States have been asking me about the truth behind #LeniLeaks — a trending topic on social media that talks about the alleged plot by supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo to oust President Rodrigo Duterte by discrediting both the Philippine president, as well as former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, who lost to Robredo in the VP race.

Front and center of the allegations are Filipino-American community leaders Loida Nicolas Lewis, her sister and former Commission on Filipinos Overseas Chair Imelda Nicolas, and Atty. Ted Laguatan.

As Balitang America reported, the #LeniLeaks topic trended on social media platforms all over the world because of the alleged involvement of people from the office of VP Robredo. In a Yahoo Groups page called “Global Filipino Diaspora Council,” Lewis, Laguatan, Nicolas, and the members of the page were reportedly exchanging messages that talk about mass protests calling for

Duterte’s resignation and how to counteract controversies The Fil-Am against Robredo.

Philippine Communication Perspective Secretary Martin Andanar, reveals that Malacañang is taking this matter seriously, and that no less than National Security Adviser Hermogenes Gel SantoS-ReloS Esperon along with online forensics experts are looking into the matter. They also want to ascertain if Robredo was part of the online exchanges in the aforementioned Yahoo group discussion board.

Robredo denies accusations against her and categorically stated that she is not part of any attempt to oust Duterte. She also clarifies that she has not met lately with Loida Nicolas Lewis as alleged and that the last time they talked was during the campaign season.

In many interviews, the vice president has said that she will continue to call out Duterte for issues

like the extrajudicial killings, human rights violations, and respect for women. However, she will fully support the president for causes they agree on.

Fil-Am community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis reiterated her previous statement that she is not plotting any overthrow of Duterte, but has just been calling on the president to resign based on his campaign promise that if he does not solve the drug menace after six months in office, then he would step down.

Lewis contends that she follows the rule of law, and that publicly and openly calling for Duterte to resign is part of the legal process, which also mandates that if and when the president resigns or becomes incapacitated to fulfill his/her job, the elected VP takes over the highest office.

Duterte’s followers allege that talking about the president’s resignation, criticizing him and not giving him the support but instead protesting

against his policies may be deemed as an act of sedition as it may incite the public to rebel against his lawful authority.

On the other hand, critics of Duterte contend that the Yahoo group, which has been formed in 2011 as a discussion board on how to help the Philippines in its fight against China’s bullying and other issues that beset the nation, was merely exercising the constitutional right to free speech. The group’s members argue that criticizing Duterte’s drug policy and calling for his resignation based on what he promised is exercising their free speech.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Do criticisms of Duterte’s policy and the call for his resignation serve an act of sedition OR an exercise of free speech in a democracy? *** 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

The four-letter word that can beat corruption Commentary

RicaRdo Saludo HOW can ordinary Filipinos help President Rodrigo Duterte beat corruption for good?

In his message on Monday’s Black Nazarene procession, he extolled the Filipino’s untiring faith and unrelenting fight against injustice and corruption.

Duterte now needs both to win against sleaze for good.

In my previous column, I presented the problem he and the nation face in fighting crooks: While a courageous leader can suppress crime and corruption cabals for several years, once he or she goes, lawbreakers resume their nefarious schemes — unless the citizenry is mobilized to sustain the war on graft.

Plus: The anti-corruption Office of the Ombudsman sorely lacks graftbusters. In 2010, the OMB had about 75 prosecutors and 150 field investigators. Even if one doubled them, the agency would have a mere 450 integrity sentinels watching 1.5 million people in the public sector, including the uniformed services.

With that ratio of one investigator or prosecutor for every

3,300 state personnel, most sleaze slips through, making corruption a high-reward, low-risk game many can’t resist.

To deploy one graftbuster for every 100 public servants — about the ratio for Hong Kong’s feared Independent Commission Against Corruption — the OMB would need 15,000 crook-catchers. But good luck getting lawmakers to budget money for that.

And that assumes the Ombudsman and his or her charges resist political pressures and inducements. In fact, there are instances of the OMB ignoring anomalies of a given administration, while fast-tracking cases against the regime’s adversaries.

Just think of those tanim-bala extortionists never held accountable, or the schemers who let more than 2,000 uninspected and untaxed cargo containers get lost in 2011. Even investigations ordered by the Supreme Court are delayed. When will perpetrators be charged for the Aquino-era P157-billion Disbursement Acceleration Program, the largest malversation in Philippine history, as the High Court instructed one and a half years ago?

We need a CCGG So what’s the solution?

CCGG. We need a Citizen Coalition for Good Governance (or some

catchier name). CCGG would be a nationwide organization harnessing key sectors — religions, academe, business, labor, civil society — and recruiting at least 15,000 volunteers with governance, investigation, prosecution, auditing, media, and other backgrounds useful in spotting, investigating, publicizing, and filling charges against corruption.

CCGG can bring together respected national institutions opposing graft, including the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and other religious entities, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and other professional bodies, the Management Association of the Philippines and other business groups, the Trades Union Congress of the Philippines and other labor federations, Kilusan ng MgaBrodkaster ng Pilipinas, and other media, leading universities and colleges, and non-partisan civil society groups.

To ensure integrity, impartiality and wide public support, CCGG should have a governing council of highly respected, non-partisan moral figures like the country’s four Catholic Cardinals, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, former Commission on Elections chairman Christian Monsod, GawadKalinga head Antonio Meloto, and business leader Washington Sycip, among others.

CCGG’s governing council can formulate its objectives, operating framework, and funding arrangements. Among parameters to consider: • CCGG shall independently probe anomalies, with priority given to size, prominence and lack of prompt government action; it also does undertake lifestyle checks.

• CCGG shall report lack of cooperation from state officials and agencies, and file appropriate administrative and judicial cases to obtain information and sanction inaction.

• CCGG shall publicly report findings and activities, file information and complaints with relevant state bodies, press for action on its filings, and publicize what’s done or not done.

• CCGG shall take steps to protect and support volunteers, upright civil servants, and other personages facing threats or reprisals for assisting the coalition.

• CCGG shall espouse legislative and administrative reforms toward good governance, transparency, and accountability.

Once created, the coalition can deter would-be grafters, who could be probed by CCGG even if political allies and connections derail or delay official inquiries.

Plus: State officials and entities reluctant or slow to investigate anomalies would face

unfavorable comparison with the coalition’s swift action.

Agencies and local governments blocking CCGG would contend with media exposure and charges in the OMB, the Civil Service Commission, and the courts. Plus Malacañang for agencies covered by President Duterte’s freedom of information order.

Investigative reports would be given wide publicity among CCGG member groups and media, heightening and informing public vigilance against graft.

Protect upright civil servants Probably most important, upright civil servants privy to irregularities would have a nationwide entity to act on their revelations and accord them protection. Such insider exposure would further deter corrupt politicians and officials. And with CCGG support, more and more righteous public servants would be emboldened to oppose and expose corruption.

Days before Christmas, President Duterte awarded exemplary public servants, the latest among hundreds cited by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) over the decades. More than accolades, however, what upright bureaucrats, police and soldiers need is protection from reprisal and bias.

Consider Bess. A seasoned agency executive, she regularly

tops ratings among midlevel officials, and often gets tough assignments requiring high-level expertise. Yet she is repeatedly passed over for promotion to assistant secretary.

Reason: her uncompromising stance against corruption.

Indeed, Bess is often removed as chairperson of bidding committees she is initially assigned to head.

The CSC and CCGG can mobilize and support honest public servants like Bess, showing them they’re not alone, and linking them to other paragons of integrity.

CCGG can also obtain scholarships, discount groceries and fares, medical assistance, and other privileges for upright civil servants and their families.

The CBCP, Catholic schools, the MAP, the IBP, the KBP, and other national entities have been railing against sleaze for decades. If they join together to form CCGG, they can deter, expose and penalize far more grafters than ever before.

Every three years, these organizations mobilize some 400,000 volunteers for clean, orderly, peaceful and credible elections.

If they also field 15,000 antigraft CCGG sleuths, and with President Duterte’s avowed war on sleaze this year, government crooks may get just as scared as street hoods now spooked by Digong. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

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s )NTEG R ITY s (ONESTY s *USTICE s )FMQJOH UIF JOKVSFE BOE UIFJS MPWFE POFT

MOCHA IN THE PALACE. President Rodrigo Duterte congratulates newly appointed member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Margaux ‘Mocha’ Uson (third from left) following the mass oath-taking of new appointees in MalacaĂąang on Monday, Jan. 9.

MalacaĂąang photo

Trump invited to attend ASEAN summit in the PH

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has extended an invitation to United States President-elect Donald Trump to attend the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit later this year.

According to Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Trump’s office has acknowledged the letter and said it would notify Malacaùang as soon as a decision regarding the invitation has been made.

Trump is slated to take his oath as the new president of the U.S. on Friday, January 20, succeeding current President Barack Obama.

Following the real estate billionaire’s win last November, he and Duterte spoke over the phone.

During the seven-minute conversation, Trump reportedly praised the Philippine president’s fight

against illegal drugs as “the right way.�

The ASEAN Summit 2017, chaired by the Philippines, will be held in November in Clark, Pampanga. “The year brings much excitement and challenge to the Philippines as we are hosting the ASEAN 2017 on its 50th or golden anniversary, which is an opportune time to show to the ASEAN region as well as to the world our capability to host international and important events, including the upcoming Miss Universe pageant,� Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ D. Sueno said.

The Philippines previously held the ASEAN chairmanship in 1987, 1999 and 2006.

Sueno said that the DILG has

been coordinating with other government agencies in beefing-up the overall security preparations as the Chair of the Committee for Security, Peace and Order and Emergency Preparedness and Response (CSPOEPR) for the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN. He added that the purpose of the ASEAN Summit is to show the Philippines “the importance of regional integration...and its benefits to ordinary Filipinos.�

The Philippine government is also set to officially launch ASEAN 2017 on January 15 in Davao City. “Filipinos are no longer just citizens of the Philippines but form part of the citizenry of the ASEAN Community since its formal establishment in 2015. Let us embrace our ASEANship and explore opportunities that are already in front of us,� Sueno remarked. (AJPress)

Sea code of conduct ready this year THE long-delayed framework for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea may be finally completed by the middle of the year, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said on Wednesday, Jan. 11.

In a news conference, the Cabinet official said that the Philippines, as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) this year, will intensify efforts to fast-track the discussions on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and eventually complete the COC. Discreet discussions are un-

derway and China has been “very cooperative� in the process, he added.

The COC has been in the works since 2002 but “intervening events� led to years of delays, Yasay said.

The COC might “open the door to speed up bilateral engagement� with China to eventually enforce the ruling of an international arbitral tribunal in the disputed waters.

The framework, Yasay disclosed, will include key elements and principles for the legally binding COC, and should be agreed upon by all parties

unanimously.

The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration last year nullified China’s excessive claims in the contested waters as it upheld the Philippines’ rights to areas within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China does not recognize the arbitral award. Apart from the Philippines, other Asean countries that have overlapping claims in the South China Sea are Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia. (Michael Joe. t. Delizo/ManilaTimes.net)

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 13-19, 2017

CJ

Journal

President-elect Trump nominations for DHS and attorney general Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller AS we said when we realized that Donald Trump had been elected president, we know what he said his intentions were during the campaign but what he actually plans to do remains to be seen.

So, what has happened since then? And what indications do we have about his plans for the immigrant community? Let’s begin by focusing on the president-elect’s prospective appointments (nominations) to cabinet positions that directly affect immigrants. These nominations must, of course, be confirmed by Congress but with both houses of Congress in the hands of the Republicans, the appointees may not be in for a hard fight.

President-elect Trump has nominated John F. Kelly to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). General Kelly is a retired United States Marine Corps General and the

former commander of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), the United Combatant Command responsible for American military operations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. He previously served as the commanding general of the Multi-National Force – West in Iraq and the commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine forces North. It has been said that the Trump transition team was drawn to Kelly because of his southwest border experience. He lists his political party affiliation as Independent.

So, what does that tell us about how Kelly would run DHS and what his policies and primary concerns would be? Essentially nothing. Assuming his nomination is approved, we will have to wait and see what his priorities are.

President-elect Trump’s other immigration-related nomination is more well-known to the immigrant community. Mr. Trump has nominated Republican Senator from Alabama Jeff Sessions to be the next Attorney General of the United States. Senator Sessions has been a proponent of reducing legal immigration. He also

led the fight in the Senate against Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2006 and in 2007. He also opposed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. He has said that a pathway to citizenship for immigrants here unlawfully undermines the rule of law and that guest workers and immigrants depress wages and raise unemployment for United States citizens. He is a supporter of E-Verify, the federal database that allows businesses to electronically verify the immigration status of potential newly hired employees.

Of course, the Attorney General deals with many issues besides immigration. How he will balance those issues (assuming he is confirmed) remains to be seen.

In the meantime, what can those who might be most affected by his administration do? Noncitizens should start by knowing their rights. They should also determine whether they can benefit under existing immigration laws. Talking to others in your same situation is not the best way to accomplish those goals.

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2016 GDP growth seen at 6.9% Budget chief cites muted impact of typhoons in 4th quarter on farm output

by Ben

O. De vera Inquirer.net

super-regions—the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and THE Philippine economy likely Central Luzon—is muted,” Diogrew by a robust 6.9 percent in kno told the Inquirer.

Diokno’s projection was close 2016 as the typhoons that hit the country toward the end of last to the high end of the governyear unlikely dented agricultural ment’s 6-7 percent gross domesproduction, Budget Secretary tic product (GDP) growth target for 2016. The government will Benjamin E. Diokno said.

“Typhoon ‘Nina’ hit parts of the announce the fourth-quarter and Bicol Region on the final week of full-year 2016 GDP growth figthe year. Its impact on the three ures on Jan. 26.

The GDP expanded by an average of 7 percent during the first nine months of 2016, among the fastest across Asian economies.

First-half economic expansion was partly boosted by electionrelated expenditures and sustained robust household spending as well as public and private investments.

In the third quarter of last

tor and head of project leasing markets Shiela Lobien told The Manila Times that while rental rates for ground floor retail in the Philippines are rising due to the high market demand, when compared to the regional landscape, retail rent in the country is still the cheapest.

“If you look at the rental rates in Asia Pacific, Manila is the cheapest. Hong Kong is the most expensive, Singapore maybe in the middle and even

Kuala Lumpur is one point or two times higher than us,” Lobien explained.

“So the Philippines is still the cheapest, though the rental is already increasing for the ground floor space. If you look at it on a macro level, it’s still very low.”

Based on figures from JLL, as of 2015, Manila continues to offer the most affordable shopping centers in the region at $555 per square meter per annum. In

Gaming hotel industries to get a boost from growth in tourism Low retail rents, rising incomes to attract international brands to PH by iris

GOnzales Inquirer.net

MANILA – The country’s gaming and hotel industries are expected to get a big boost from the steady growth of the tourism sector.

In its Philippine Real Estate Market Insight for the fourth quarter of 2016, Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services Inc., said tourist arrivals likely reached the six million mark by the end of last year.

“This is a very good news to the

operators of more than 20,000 deluxe hotel rooms in Metro Manila,” the property consultancy firm said in its report.

Okada Manila, the 44-hectare integrated casino resort by Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada is the latest to open inside the Entertainment City of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

The SM Group also opened its five-star Conrad Hotel in the SM Mall of Asia complex as operated by the Hilton Group. This 347-room hotel sits on top of

the two-floor high-end S Maison mall.

Pinnacle said the new hotels would be able to hitch a ride on the growing tourist arrivals in the country.

“Even Vista Land Group joined the hotel bandwagon. It intends to open six hotels under the Mella Brand soon. This is a three-four star brand, with an ideal size of 150-room hotel development,” Pinnacle said.

Incentives for companies operating inside tourism enterprise

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by Catherine

talavera ManilaTime.net

RETAIL rents in the country remain affordable compared to others in the region and this should attract more international brands into the country, further fueling the growth of the local retail property market this year, a property analyst said.

In an interview on Tuesday, Jan. 10, Jones Lang LaSalle Philippines (JLL) regional direc-

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CJ

January 13-19, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WHAT is a stomach ulcer?

A stomach ulcer, also known as a gastric ulcer or peptic ulcer, as the second part of the name suggests, is a “wound, an open sore,” in the mucosa (inner wall) that penetrates the muscle layer of the stomach or of the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine attached to the stomach). The main symptom is typically burning, gnawing or hunger pains in the epigastric (stomach pit) area, often relieved by food or antacids.

What causes a stomach ulcer?

There was a time when stomach acid hypersecretion (due to stress, spicy food, alcohol, tobacco, etc.) was universally accepted in the medical community as the cause of gastric ulcer disease. A brilliant Australian physician, Dr. Barry James Marshall, who was ridiculed by his colleagues in the scientific world for postulating that peptic ulcer disease was

Community Journal

Do you have a stomach ulcer? caused by a bacterial infection (Helicobacter pylori organism), ingested the organism himself and developed acute peptic ulcer disease, proving to the medical community in 1984-85 that his postulate was correct. Multicenter studies following his treatise proved that he was right.

Marshall has radically revolutionized the understanding of the disease, its diagnosis, and most importantly, its treatment.

How did this change the treatment?

Before Marshall’s discovery, gastrectomy (cutting part or whole of the stomach out) was very common as a treatment for peptic ulcer disease. Today, with appropriate triple antibiotic therapy, peptic ulcer disease is effectively managed, transforming a former surgical disease to a medical disease. Occasionally, however, surgery may still be needed for severe bleeding peptic ulcer disease but this is not as common today, with proper antibiotic treatment.

How does the H. pylori bacteria cause ulcers?

There are theories as to how this organism causes peptic ulcers. H. pylori produces urease,

an enzyme that catalyzes urea to ammonia. The ammonia, which enables the bacteria to survive the acidic environment in the stomach or duodenum, also causes erosions into the mucosal lining and causes epithelial damage. Cytotoxins from the bacteria also damage the epithelium. The organism also produces mucolytic enzymes (protease and lipase) that lead to the degradation of the mucosa, making the epithelium more vulnerable to acid damages. Also, cytokines produced in response to the inflammation may damage the mucosa and lead to ulcer formation.

Do aspirin and arthritis medications cause peptic ulcers?

Yes, aspirin and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal arthritis medications) are known to cause peptic ulcers and severe bleeding. The irritation is both local (on the mucosa of the stomach) and systemic (inhibiting prostaglandin production adversely affecting mucosal defenses, and thinning the blood), leading to ulcerations and hemorrhage.

Is alcohol bad for those with peptic ulcers?

Yes, most definitely. The same

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MonEttE aDEva Maglaya

(Part 2 of 4) ANGElS were strong proactive characters when the story of humanity unfolded during biblical times. And while today, cynics, atheists and those on the dark side might argue that angels are figments of the human imagination, there are countless people who will brave the scorn of scoffers, fight back vehemently and attest to the very real presence of angels in their lives.

Trawl the internet and social media and read about how angels, though unseen in many instances, can be felt by many who believe in them. There are many instances when the presence and oftentimes the direct interventions of one’s personal guardian angel are a part of the twists and turns of the unraveling story of many people’s lives.

Many have written about their encounters with angels, documenting how their guardian anu PAGE CJ3 gels are a real part of their lives guarding, guiding and protecting them from harm and on many occasions, even from death, because their time had not yet come. I am sure many others have their own personal stories to tell about this unseen entity that can be ascribed to the presence of God himself – an ever-present help to aid us in navigating life on earth.

The common image of an angel is a beautiful heavenly being with piercing eyes, big white pair of wings and long cascading golden

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

Angels among us “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” — From Frank Capra’s film “It’s a Wonderful Life” hair, robed in androgynous white gown and who is neither male nor female but to which we ascribe the word “he” just for convenience.

An angel, who is an eternal celestial being, is not subject to the constraints of gravity, time, space or language problems. Communication between protector and protectee is often wordless and automatic. Some are messengers and some bring punishment and death but each has a definite purpose, most of which are beneficial to humans.

Some claim to have seen their angels appearing differently from the common image we believe of winged beings. Some morph into human form to lend a hand, to protect from danger or avert disaster then disappear quickly.

They appear specially when the humans they are protecting find themselves in dire straits and need help. As one might imagine, angels are extremely busy considering the weakness of humans and their predilection to stray from the straight and narrow.

In Frank Capra’s classic Christmas film, “It’s a Wonderful life,” Clarence, a portly, bumbling character aspiring to become an angel must earn his wings by doing something good for a human being in desperate need and contemplating suicide. “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings,” is a memorable

line in this classic film that is intended never to get old and aptly becomes new again for a new generation around the Christmas season.

On the other hand, in the warped imagination of liberal film makers, “Michael” supposedly about Michael, the Archangel, the highest seraphim who fought Satan and flung him to the burning sulfurous depths of hell and believed to be the protector of the nation of Israel, is portrayed as somewhat of a sleaze who is more human than angelic.

In this film, Archangel Michael can charm females because he smells of cookies and who is a bit of a lothario to boot. It may be somewhat funny to color outside the lines in portraying angels but don’t be fooled by the liberal yarn on angels. Hollywood, in my opinion, has no gravitas on angelic matters.

Trust your own instincts. Your own personal experience will color the lens with which you view and relate with your personal guardian angel. God so loved the world, He sent His only son to redeem us from sin and death so we may gain eternal life — not unlike His angels.

(To be continued …) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Prognostications, predictions and prayers for 2017 The Metamorphosis

ErniE D. DElFin (PART 1 of 2)

A HAPPY, healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2017 to all!

I am one of millions of people who want to predict things (especially this time of the year), subliminally praying for the same things to happen. Just to give a seedbed for these dreams to germinate, I would like to share them with my dear readers in coming up with my own prognostications, predictions and prayers for 2017.

Here’s the top ten, randomly created from my medulla oblongata: For the United States: 1. I pray that the American people will have more upbeat news in the socio-economic, foreign, diplomatic, political, and trade areas to fulfill Pres. Donald Trump’s promise to “Make America Great Again” beginning this January 20, as he begins his term as POTUS. Despite his unorthodox campaign style, often laced with contradictory messages and flip-flopping on many issues, his generic promises resonated to the millions of marginalized voters, especially in red states all across the country.

His millions of supporters were pinning their hopes that they too can rise to experience the American dream that has eluded them for decades.

His campaign rhetoric won him the White House, but turning his promises to reality will be a different ball game. Trump may have been successful in running his business but running the government will not be the same. This is one area where potential problems will come: the millions of unemployable Americans will still remain the same, and will soon be frustrated and disappointed. As the White House and Congress is controlled by the Republicans, there will be faster “overhaul” for many socialistic programs, including the ObamaCare that the Democrats have implemented the last eight years. However, the members of Congress will also try hard not to swing the pendulum too much to the right, as they will also look very closely what their political constituency desires in order to be reelected again in the next election.

Although I had doubts that Trump will be good for the country, I also pray that he can be like Saul, who used to be persecutor of Christians but was converted and eventually became St. Paul, one of the most ardent followers of Christ. I am praying that Trump, despite his many “unpresidential”

antics and tweets, can be made to be a great president and can do a lot of actions that will benefit the country.

His anticipated appointments of more conservative members to the Supreme Court during his term will have lasting effect to the country’s direction for decades to come. During the next four years, if he can at least convert the huge government bureaucracy, modeling after an effective private-business enterprise to become more effective and efficient, then he has a good chance that he can be re-elected for another term, should he choose to run again in 2020.

2. The wisdom, practicality and fairness of the Electoral College in electing the POTUS should be revisited and debated, so that in a generation or so, if necessary the Constitution can be amended to solve the seemingly “unjust” or “unfair” value of each American voter. It has been documented that the one vote in California, for instance, is worth much less than one vote in a rural red state like Wisconsin simply because there are fewer voters represented by one electoral delegate.

3. There should be an overhaul of immigration laws and regulations, and stricter implementation of them so that the abuse of many nationalities, especially those with money to suck the privileges and rights that are granted in the books centuries ago, which are now quite obsolete in the 21st century. The government or Congress should revisit and amend those “benevolent but unjust” provisions of the Constitution to discontinue the automatic American citizenship of children born in the United States of alien mothers. It is a known fact that thousands if not millions of pregnant mothers come to the U.S., with the primary purpose of giving birth often in county or government hospitals “free of charge.”

To add insult to injury, it has been documented these pregnant mothers are brought here by “smart” business operators in collusion with some doctors and apartment owners. They house them and when the time comes, are brought to the hospital to give birth. These mothers’ families pay hefty fees to these crooked businessmen to take advantage of America’s privileges. And often, these babies and their mothers can be “legally” be given food stamps as our benevolent government will not want mother and child die of hunger or get sick! (While disabled Veterans and those suffering for Post Traumatic Syndrome are left alone crying in quiet desperation!

4. I also predict and pray that

President Rody Duterte will exercise a delicate balance in his self-imposed war against drugs vs. the rights of the citizens (especially those who are innocent but being killed or imprisoned as “collateral” damages). For him to succeed and become a great president, he should also show some degree of humility to listen to the voice of the millions of people, including those who did not vote for him. He should not continue to antagonize many segments of allies or friends the Filipino people, like the United States. Decent and diplomatic leaders can still show great displeasure without going to the gutter. Using foul language often connotes inability to express oneself due to language deficiency or simply bad manners.

For Duterte to become a great president, he has also to work hard and improve other areas of concern throughout the Philippines. These include the quality of education, fairer taxes, enhancing exports, the delicate control of imports that kill local businesses and building muchneeded infrastructures. Other concerns like climate change and the horrendous damages caused by annual typhoons and flooding, to perennial traffic problems, to health care delivery to peace and order, are equally important that must not also be neglected.

On the global financial view, the exchange rate of the peso has shown some decline and hopefully will not further erode, say to P60 pesos to the dollar. Despite that the American dollar is not as valuable as it used to be, with the Trump presidency, it is expected that the dollar value will increase that may result to further decline of the Philippine peso. If that happens, it will be worse for the Philippines’ economy.

5. The welfare of OFWs who are often lauded as the “unsung heroes” of the Philippines who have contributed much to keep the economically afloat, due to their billions of remittances to the homeland every year. These silent heroes should not be made as the milking cows of many government agencies and employees, taxing them heavily of fees just to leave (the country) to be able to live and feed their families. One way to help them become more productive, nationalistic and patriotic is for the Executive Department to appoint true servant leaders from among them who understand their plight who will work 24/7 to protect them from exploitation abroad and maximize their families’ welfare as well. *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.org

President-elect Trump nominations...

PAGE CJ1 t

The best thing to do is to consult knowledgeable and experienced immigration lawyers.

Ideally, the lawyer you speak to should be certified by the State Bar as a specialist in immigration & nationality law.

Now is still a time of unknowns and unknowns are always scary.

But knowledge is power and we at Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza stand ready to help you arm yourselves knowledge – about your rights and possibilities. let’s talk. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila.

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

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

Community Journal

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 13-19, 2017

CJ

The February 2017 priority dates The priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:

Immigration Corner

FAMILY CATEGORY:

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

May 1, 2006

December 1, 2005

First Preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

Second Preference

(2A) Spouse and minor children (below November 22, 21 years old) of green 2015 card holder

April 15, 2015

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

February 1, 2007

April 8, 2006

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

January 1, 1995

September 8, 1994

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

April 1, 1994

June 22, 1993

Application Filing Date

LABOR CERTIFICATION: Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

Do you have a stomach...

of these pediatric patients have PAGE CJ2 t bleeding ulcers. Peptic Ulcer due thing is true with cigarette smok- to H. pylori infection is not very ing, chocolate, tea, coffee, spicy common in children. Any persisfoods, which are also irritants for tent abdominal pains in children the stomach. They increase hy- warrants prompt medical consuldrochloric acid production in the tation.

How is the diagnosis made? stomach, which bathes and damAfter a good history-taking and ages the stomach mucosal lining, making it more susceptible to the physical examination, the physiH. pylori bacteria. Milk, which cian can already make a strong used to be prescribed decades presumptive diagnosis of peptic ago as a part of peptic ulcer ther- ulcer disease. Fiberoptic gastrosapy, is now avoided since it also copy (a lighted magnifying flexcauses “rebound” acid produc- ible scope passed through the mouth down to the stomach used tion and slows ulcer healing.

Do children develop peptic to view its inside) is today a part of the state-of-the-art investigaulcers?

Yes, but it is relatively uncom- tive tool in the diagnosis of peptic mon among children compared ulcer disease or malignant tumor to among adults. About 15 per- (cancer) of the stomach. Bacterial cent to 20 percent of abdominal cultures may likewise be taken pains in children is due to peptic to check the presence of Helicoulcer. Most primary peptic ulcer bacter pylori organism. Through disease in children are seen in the scope, cytology (microscopic the ages between 8 and 17. The examination of cancer cells), culpains usually wake the child from tures for bacteria and tiny biopsleep, and are sometimes aggra- sies may be done to make a divated by eating. About 25 percent agnosis.

Visa Issuance Date

Current

Current

September 1, 2013

October 15, 2011

September 1, 2013

October 15, 2011

What are the possible complications of peptic ulcer disease?

Hemorrhage is the most common complication, leading to vomiting of blood or blood in the stools, coloring them black, anemia, weakness or even dizziness and syncope (passing out spells).

Perforation of the wall when the ulcer “eats” the entire thickness of the stomach wall, creating a hole, allowing stomach contents to spill into the abdominal cavity causing peritonitis (severe inflammation and infection). Inflammation from peptic ulcer involving the stomach outlet into the duodenum can cause spasm and scar that blocks this outlet, causing vomiting. Stomach cancer has been reported 3 to 6 times more common in peptic ulcer due to H. pylori infection. Gastric lymphomas have also been linked to this bacteria.

Are TUMS and ROLAIDS safe for ulcer pains?

Tums, Rolaids and other overthe-counter self-proclaimed “treatment” for peptic ulcers or

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AN ENCORE EPISODE ABOUT A ’SPECIAL CHILD’ ON “CITIZEN PINOY!” When Mommy Conchita (center) immigrated to the US in 2007, she had to make a difficult decision of leaving her special needs daughter, Nina (left) behind in the Philippines. It was a difficult time, because mother and daughter had never been separated before. Nina was left behind with her older sister Ruth, who was later about to migrate to Australia in May 2016. With Mommy Conchita and Ruth gone, who will take care of Nina?

Find out how leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring Nina to the U.S. through Humanitarian Parole, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 6:15 p.m. PST on TFC.

Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. ***

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 re-enactments) 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 attorney-client 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)

Low retail rents, rising incomes to...

PAGE CJ1 t

contrast, Hong Kong commands the most expensive retail rents at $15,661 per square meter per annum.

With retail rates in the country relatively lower compared to neighboring countries, Lobien noted that more international retail brands are expected to enter the Philippine retail market.

In addition, the rising income of Filipinos is also attracting international brands to set up shop in the country.

“Almost all the big brands that are in Singapore, Hong Kong and even in the US are now here.

We see H&M, Forever21 and all the other big brands, they’re here. Even the brands as prestigious as Apple, they’re looking at the Philippines now, to have their flagship store because they don’t have one yet. So it’s going to grow because of the rising in-

comes of the Filipinos,” Lobien explained.

According to Jones Lang Lasalle’s Global Cross Border Retailer Attractiveness Index 2016, Manila is classified as a growth retail city, as it ranks 29th on the list of top 50 attractive cities for retail.

Growth cities are those that have displayed significant growth of the retail sector, according to JLL. “Strong retail sales growth is driven by an expanding population, rapidly rising middle classes and fast track urbanization,” JLL said.

Lobien also noted that the Filipino consumer market is becoming more “sophisticated” and is being more exposed to what is happening abroad, as travelling cost has become less expensive.

“Before, we don’t know those

Calendar of Events across

brands. Nowadays, we are familiar with all the international brands and we’re looking for that in the Philippines,” Lobien said.

Some of the new international brands that have recently entered the Philippines, according to JLL, are Vera Wang, Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, Fatburger, Sugar Factory, and Morganfield’s, among others.

In order to enter the Philippine market, these foreign brands would have to partner with the big local retail players, and almost all the big local players are willing to partner with the popular brands, she said.

“Like SM, they partnered with Forever21, H&M etc. There are a lot of others like the Bench Group, they have their international brands also,” Lobien said. n

America

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

why ORGANIC? Organic products meet stringent standards Healthier for you & kids Organic food tastes better Organic farming respects natural resources Avoids pesticides & are artificial-fertilizer-free Non-GMO, no synthetic pesticides, no growth-promoting antibiotics There are many, many more reasons to go Organic. But in short: You’ll leave the world a better place than when you found it

JA N UA Ry 1 5

Feast of Santo Niño in Los Angeles On Sunday, January 15, 2017, at 3:30 pm, a mass sponsored by Santo Niño Cruzada USA, will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to celebrate its 30th year anniversary of the solemn Feast of Santo Niño, the Divine Infant Jesus.

The Southern California Sinulog Dance Co. will perform traditional Sinulog dances after the mass.

Although the devotion to the Divine Infant has roots in Europe, Filipinos are known for their fervent devotion to the Infant Jesus, celebrating with religious and civic activities.

As a result, Filipino immigrants brought their Santo Niño to the United States to be their spiritual recourse, assistance, and protector.

We celebrated the first Feast of Santo Niño in 1986 at then Saint Vibiana’s Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles. It was in the summer of 1988 that the original group of Santo Niño devotees formally organized under the name, Cruzada de Santo Niño. The organization’s name was eventually changed to its present name, Santo Niño Cruzada, USA. As in any organization, the organization’s path to success is measured by the dedication and commitment of the officers and members whose primary goals are to promote devotion to Santo Niño, provide individual sanctifications, give aids to needy families and be united with other Santo Niño groups.

For more information in this year’s celebration, please contact any of the following officers and members: Romy & Tess Esturas: (213) 387-6982 Rey & Tess Edpao: (818) 469-7292; Carmen Estrada: (213) 413-2881; Fe Montano: (323) 218-1587; Ester Paredes: (213) 864-1149; Lilia Figuracion: (626) 394-2661; Fe Reyes: (213) 413-5286; Cherry Guerrero: (213) 747-6508; Tessie Cruz: (213) 361-0937; Vicky Samia: (818) 851-2262; Laurie Dolorfino: (213) 407-0097; Maria Oclarino: (213) 427-0353.

JA N UA Ry 28

Historic Filipinotown Scavenger Hunt Explore the cultural gems of HiFi (Historic Filipinotown) by joining the 2nd HiFi Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser on Saturday, January 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m! Meet Filipino-specific challenges (from a Balut eating contest to dancing Tinikling to a hip hop beat!). You may find yourself meeting a little-known community hero, tasting a Filipino food challenge or receiving your very own Filipino nickname! You will be having a blast while building your bayanihan spirit by asking your friends and family and even your Facebook fans to donate money to sponsor your Team to take this challenge. You and your team choose your own fundraising goal! Funds raised by this event will go to the programs and services of 2 HiFi community organizations, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) to provide vital services to families, workers and seniors in our community. Services include free or low-cost citizenship application assistance, human trafficking survivor support, civic engagement, wage theft claims assistance, cultural programs and more! Have fun, Discover Historic Filipinotown win prizes and support your community while doing it! Go to www.pwcsc.org/HiddenHiFi to sign up now. PWC is located at 153 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026.

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

January 13-19, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

The CTV Files AurorA VegA-Buzon, esq.

WITH the incoming Trump presidency, there is a lot of fear and a lot of questions and uncertainties on what happens to immigration policies and enforcement when he takes office in January 2017. Mr. Trump’s campaign promises include banning Muslims; building a wall along the US-Mexico border; and immediately detaining and deporting all the 11 million or so undocumented aliens.

For those of you who wish to know what immigration-related applications or benefits maybe available, get the facts and know your rights. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) strongly urges you to consult only with qualified immigration attorneys and stay away from scammers or notarios who will capitalize on the post-election fears and uncertainties.

More recent pronouncements made by President-elect Trump and/or his advisers indicate modified versions of his campaign promises: instead of deporting all the 11 million undocumented aliens, he will now focus on detaining and deporting 2-3 million “criminal aliens”.

But the Obama Administration has been detaining and deport-

Business news

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

The Trump presidency 2016 GDP growth seen at...

- What happens next?

PAGE CJ1 t

ing criminal aliens for so many years now. During Obama’s 1st term of office, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) enforcement priorities focused on removing both aliens and legal permanent residents - who are threats to national security, border security, and public safety. There are 3 groups prioritized for removal: (1) Suspected terrorists, convicted felons (including aggravated felonies), convicted gang members, and persons apprehended on the border; (2) Persons convicted of significant misdemeanors (including DUIs, domestic violence, sexual abuse, unlawful possession or use of a firearm, drug offenses, etc.) or multiple misdemeanors; and recent border crossers (those who entered after January 1, 2014); and (3) Other immigration violators like those who, after January 1, 2014, failed to leave under a removal order or returned after removal. It remains to be seen whether Mr. Trump will include those with convictions for minor offenses as part of the so-called “criminal aliens.”

The San Diego Union Tribune reported that in the past 2 months alone before the November elections, DHS’ immigrant detainees (aliens and permanent residents combined) jumped from 33,957 in August

year or the first three months of the Duterte administration, the economy grew by a better-thanexpected 7.1 percent partly as the agriculture sector recovered.

During the July-to-September

to 41,037 detainees (November 22, 2016 article). And it’s costing the government $5 Million per day to house these detainees. The Tribune also published the statement of 12 former immigration judges regarding the increased detention: “On the basis of our experiences as immigration jurists, this comes at the expense of basic rights and due process. Eighty-six percent of detained immigrants do not have lawyers representing them, and due to the complexities of the immigration system, it is extremely difficult to win a case without a lawyer. It’s virtually impossible for someone who doesn’t understand the system and isn’t a lawyer to Philippine Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno successfully represent themselves. “ Be informed about the law and available relief, get the PAGE CJ1 t facts and know your rights. *** zones would also strengthen Atty. Aurora Vega-Buzon is a partner in tourism-related industries, PinChua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal nacle also said in its report.

Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm “More importantly, the governwith offices in San Francisco, San Diego and ment through the Department of Philippines. The information presented in Tourism (DOT) and its attached this article is for general information only agency Tourism Infrastructure and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal and Enterprise Zone Authority advice nor the formation of an attorney- (TIEZA) have been promoting client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an Philippine tourism and ancillary in-person or phone consultation to discuss infrastructures. your particular situation and/or how their Recently, BIR Revenue Reguservices may be retained at (619) 955-6277; lations No. 7-2016 was signed (415) 495-8088; auvega@ctvattys.com and published, spelling out the (Advertising Supplement) fiscal incentives that can be given to firms operating inside tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) under the Tourism Act of 2009.

This will further boost the development of tourism infrastructure and facilities around the Philip-

period, the agriculture sector grew 2.9 percent year-on-year, reversing five straight quarters of decline. The services and industry sectors, meanwhile, registered growths of 6.9 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively.

Gaming hotel industries to get a... pines,” it said.

Citing data from the Department of Tourism, Pinnacle said total visitor arrivals from January to August 2016 reached 4.04 million, registering an increase of 12.59 percent for the same period in 2015 and at a pace to reach the six-million tourist arrival target.

Meanwhile, for the condominium sector, Pinnacle said this continues to grow.

Manila City condominium projects that were launched from 2009 to 2015, for instance, reached over 20,000 units.

Similarly, Quezon City condominium projects for the same period breached the 40,000 unitmark.

Similarly, the commercial

Do you have a stomach...

PAGE CJ3 t

Peso forecast for 2017 weakest at P52:$1

by Mayvelin

Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

As such, the economy needed to grow by only 3.4 percent in the fourth quarter to reach the lower end of the government’s “conservative” growth target for 2016.

After President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in July last year, the Cabinet-level, interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) cut the 2016 GDP growth target to 6-7 percent from the earlier goal of 6.87.8 percent set by the Aquino administration, explaining that the new administration still had to adjust.

The government targets GDP growth of 6.5 to 7.5 percent this year before further rising to 7 to 8 percent until the end of President Duterte’s term in 2022. n

of a hardline trade stance between China and the United States.

PRIVATE financial institutions The peso closed at P49.72 forecast the peso to weaken to a against the greenback at the end range of P50:$1 to P52:$1 toward of last year. For the entire 2016, the end of the year, with the most the peso depreciated by 5.35 perpessimistic view seeing a scenario cent from the year earlier. of worsening risk sentiment in case Among the four institutions

that provided the forecasts, Fitchowned BMI Research placed the peso-dollar rate at its strongest position at P50:$1 by end-2017.

BMI said a robust economic growth outlook and anchored inflation will offset the drag posed

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

u PAGE CJ5

hyperacidity are quite popular among lay people. These will not cure hyperacidity or peptic ulcers.

If the symptoms persist, it is most prudent to seek medical consultation. Remember, peptic ulcers can have life-threatening complications if not properly treated, and cancer of the stomach must be ruled out as the cause of the symptoms.

What is the treatment?

For peptic ulcers caused by the H. pylori infection, the combination of bismuth, metronidazole and tetracycline cures about 80 percent of this infec-

tion, leading to ulcer healing.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) capsules, H2 Blocker pills, and antacids are other adjunctive modalities of the comprehensive regimen many physicians use in conjunction with the triple antibiotic therapy above.

How about surgery?

Surgery used to be very common for peptic ulcer disease.

With the discovery of H. pylori infection as the major cause of peptic ulcer disease, surgery has declined precipitously. Today, surgery is relegated to the complications, like uncontrollable bleeding, perforation, gastric out-

EMPLOYMENT

retail malls also went on with their usual way of generating income.

“Pinnacle Research monitored that the SM Group has 58 malls and are targeted to reach the 60-mall mark in the very near future, while the Robinsons Group has 42 malls. The Cosco/Puregold Group has 40 big stores,” it said.

Occupancy of malls has always been healthy especially during the Christmas holidays when every bit of commercial space are leased out to take advantage of the shoppers’ propensity to spend.

“Commercial mall rents have been very stable, and this property segment is still a landlord’s market,” Pinnacle said. n let obstruction, suspected cancerous peptic ulcer, and symptoms refractory to medical treatment.

With this new triple antibiotic therapy, even the complications of peptic ulcer disease have been reduced significantly. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 13-19, 2017

CJ

Harness the power of our top 10 blog posts Storm preparedness: Sand bags and AT Social Security, we’re always looking for ways to improve how we communicate with you.

It’s been a year-and-a-half since we joined the blogosphere, and we couldn’t be happier with the content we’ve been able to provide! This blog is exactly what we envisioned: an honest conversation with you about our programs, the topics that matter to you, and how our agency can better serve you.

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• Scammers Fake Social Security email at blog.socialsecurity.gov/scammers-fake-socialsecurity-email/ • The Disability Insurance Program — Securing Today and Tomorrow for 60 Years at blog. socialsecurity.gov/the-disability-insurance-program-securing-today-and-tomorrow-for-60years/ • have You Seen Your Social Security Card Lately? at blog.socialsecurity.gov/have-you-seenyour-social-security-card-lately/ • Your Social Security Statement Is Now at Your Fingertips at blog.socialsecurity.gov/yoursocial-security-statement-isnow-at-your-fingertips/ • A Special Arrival! Top Baby Names in 2015 at blog.ssa.gov/ a-special-arrival/ • What is Social Security at blog.socialsecurity.gov/what-is-

social-security/ Going Online with Social Security isn’t hard Work at blog. socialsecurity.gov/going-onlinewith-social-security-isnt-hardwork/ And these are only a fraction of the topics we’ve covered in this busy year. Visit our blog to learn about these and many other topics that may interest you. Stay informed, join the over a quarter million subscribers of Social Security Matters.

With financial benefits, services, and information, Social Security is here to help support you throughout life’s journey.

Go check out our 10 most popular blogs and learn more about how our agency helps secure today and tomorrow. (Eric Phillips/ Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Sacramento, CA)

Peso forecast for 2017 weakest at P52...

PAGE CJ4 t

by the yuan’s renewed weakness.

At the other end of the spectrum, ING Bank Manila expects the peso to trade on the weak side for most of 2017, finishing the year at P52:$1.

ING said a “hardline trade stance between China and the US is not our base case. But if such a hardline stance develops, risk sentiment would worsen, leading to an even weaker Philippine peso.

A more difficult local political environment would also lead to a significantly weaker PhP.…”

Late last year, US Presidentelect Donald Trump signaled that he would take a hardline stance against China on trade, in line

with his campaign message that he would move to change the balance of trade with China.

The local unit of the Dutch financial institution had said ChinaUS trade relations and geopolitical issues were keeping investors cautious of emerging markets like the Philippines.

P50:$1 with central bank intervention The government has an exchange rate assumption of P48 to P50 per US dollar in 2017 to 2018.

“We are comfortable with P50:$1 as an upper bound assumption for the exchange rate because we have a steady inflow of dollars. In the past, we had a

crisis in our dollar reserves but that is no longer the case,” Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno had said.

BMI is not ignoring the impact of external and political factors on the currency but sees the strength of the economy and central bank intervention supporting the peso at P50:$1 in the end.

First, over the short term, BMI said it holds a slightly constructive view on the Philippine peso as the Chinese yuan and Japanese yen have temporarily halted their downtrends against the US dollar, and that is likely to provide some respite for the peso in the coming months.

Anchored inflation expectations

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SAND bags are available to San Bruno residents for pick-up from the San Bruno Fire Station No. 51, 555 el Camino Real. A self-serve sand bag station is also available at the south east corner of the San Bruno City hall parking lot.

To report storm related issues, please use the following important contact phone numbers: (650) 616-7180 - Tree issues (650) 616-7160 - Other storm issues (650) 616-7100 – Police Nonemergency (650) 616-7096 – Fire Nonemergency For emergencies call 9-1-1. n

Learn about successful retirement investing The Concord Senior Center is hosting a workshop for people who want to learn about the role of social security, Medicare, pensions and plans such as 401Ks and IRAs in retirement. Participants will learn how stocks, bonds, ReITs and other investments can provide a continuous stream of income.

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Register at www.ConcordReg.org or for more information contact Program Coordinator Dario Sanchez at (925) 671-3017. n

and a robust economic growth outlook, facilitated by the government’s expansionary fiscal plans, rising foreign direct investment (FDI) and steady remittances inflow are likely to be constructive for the peso, it said.

“Additionally, although strong data releases in the US and a more expansionary fiscal policy under the incoming Trump administration are bolstering market expectations for a steeper US monetary policy trajectory, we are less hawkish than consensus, expecting only two rate hikes rather than three, which should be negative for the dollar,” it said.

For the long term, however, it considered risks that remain tilted to the downside, such as: the risk of a sharper-than-expected devaluation of the Chinese yuan continues to cast a shadow on emerging market foreign exchange; the peso could face more downside pressure if the US Federal Reserve adopts a more aggressive rate hiking cycle than expected;

and the peso is likely to suffer a great deal if the incoming Trump administration in the US moves ahead with more a unilateralist and protectionist approach, given that the US is one of the Philippines’ largest sources of foreign direct investments and a key trade partner.

BMI explained that acute weakness in the currencies of the Philippines’ two largest trade partners, Japan and China, had led the peso’s real effective exchange rate (ReeR) to strengthen quite sharply in the last quarter of 2016 – despite the peso weakening in nominal terms against the greenback – and is looking slightly expensive again.

“We believe that further yuan and yen (to a smaller extent) weakness over the longer-term will likely prompt the central bank to intervene in the foreign exchange market to prevent a further loss of export competitiveness,” it said.

“Over the longer horizon, we expect the peso to pare back

some of its short-term gains, and stabilize around the P50.00/USD level,” it added.

Weak throughout the year Investment bank First Metro Investments Corp. (FMIC) sees the peso trading this year at P51 against the dollar, remaining under pressure as the US economy continues to gain traction, leading to the strengthening of the US currency.

FMIC’s forecast is in line with that of global financial firm UBS, which said in an earlier report that the peso could fall to P51 to a US dollar next year on the back slower economic growth, deteriorating external position and a higher inflation rate.

“We expect growth to slow in the Philippines–while the external balance has deteriorated, removing a buffer to global capital flows as the Fed is due to raise rates.”

UBS forecast Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) to moderate to 5.6 percent in 2017. n

CJ

January 13-19, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

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

Friday, January 13, 2017

SF2

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 13, 2017

Fil-Am artist Rea Lynn de Guzman: Reconnecting with her roots, heritage and history

by Malou liwanag-Bledsoe/AJPress

ONE way to reconnect with one’s roots is by creating artistic pieces, whether in writing, sculpting, painting and more. In mixed-media installations, some people would think it is just a mish-mash of junk, but in reality, it is a collection of materials that has a deeper connection to the artist.

Minus words, artist Rea Lynn de Guzman conveys a message of how it is to be a Filipina.

“I draw inspiration from personal experiences and memories of growing up in the Philippines, attending an all-girl Catholic school as a child, revisiting my native country, reconnecting with family yet recognizing the disconnect, and reflecting on how all of these converge with my everyday life as an immigrant in the U.S..”

After Maria Clara Sleeve

she said. “As a Filipina-American artist, I am passionate about questioning inequality, power dynamics, stereotypical views and expectations on Filipinas and investigating their historical ties with colonialism and partiarchy.”

Born in Manila, Philippines in 1985, de Guzman’s parents separated when she was only six years old. Her father then immigrated to Italy to work. She and her mother moved to the United States in 1999 when her late grandmother’s petition was approved. Unfortunately, de Guzman’s two other siblings were left behind because they had exceeded the age limit (21) to emigrate with a parent.

They initially lived with relatives in San Diego then moved to the Bay Area, eventually settling in the Tenderloin, where she spent most of her formative years.

She shared that although she loved art when she was a child, she didn’t have the privilege of

being exposed to it.

“I was initially a business major at the University of California Riverside. It wasn’t until I attended the City College of San Francisco, where I took art classes on a whim to fulfill some requirements, when I rediscovered my passion for art.

“My painting instructor saw some potential in my early work and encouraged me to pursue art. The CCSF art department nominated me for a scholarship, which enabled me to transfer to the San Francisco Art Institute.

That’s where I gained further foundational skills, and found catharsis and more meaning in art; it helped me deal with the displacement and familial disconnect I experienced from my immigration to the United States from the Philippines at age 14. A few years later, I received my MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.”

De Guzman’s “Retaso”

series reflects on how we view “the ideal Filipina” through the iconography of “Maria Clara,” specifically symbolizing the longstanding stereotype.”

“I am drawn by the materiality of the synthetic organza (organza as an ingredient in the ‘Maria Clara’ dresses, woven with piña fiber) and its subtle, sheer beauty, amidst its haunting/ghostly, and mysterious qualities. I focus on the synthetic to emphasize its fake-ness, echoing the expectations of the ‘Maria Clara’ embodiment in Filipinas.

“In addition, I select colors that evoke skin tone variations to highlight the spectrum of brownness to ‘Maria Clara’’s preferred whiteness as a mestiza, which has been equated to the ideal female beauty and status in the Philippines. Essentially, I want the viewer to question these imposed stereotypes, to think about unbalanced power structures and hegemony in colonized cultures.

I want my work to empower Filipinas and inspire them to stop bleaching their skin and injecting glutathione. Shades of brown skin are beautiful and in no way shape or form inferior to whiteness,” she said.

Imahe

Pi˜a Offerings

Rea Lynn de Guzman

At present, de Guzman is the first Filipina Teaching Artist Fellow at Root Division. Root Division is a visual arts non-profit that connects creativity and community through a dynamic ecosystem of arts education, exhibitions, and studios.

“Through this fellowship, I will be teaching art to underserved children in the Galing Bata program at the Filipino Education Center in Bessie Carmichael Elementary School,” she excitedly shared.

Her advice to other struggling Filipino artists trying to make it in the mainstream?

“As an artist, I believe it’s important to be honest with yourself and to not force anything in the work. Engage with your interests and passion, obsess, create, re-

Photo by Ramon Pintado

search, experiment, play, fail, and try again.” *De Guzman is having a solo show called, “TL Dreams” at the Tenderloin Museum in San Francisco, which will open on Thursday, January 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. De Guzman will also present an artist lecture at the closing reception on Thursday, February 23. (This show is co-presented by the Tenderloin Museum and Root Division. For more information, visit: www. tenderloinmuseum.org/publicprograms/2017/1/12/tl-dreamsrea-lynn-de-guzman.)

She will also be in a group show called “Burnt Rice” with my fellow Epekto Art Projects artists and select local Hawaii artists, at the Wailoa Arts and Cultural Center in Hilo, Hawaii. The opening reception is on Friday, January 13, at 5-7p.m.

For more information, visit: www.epektoartprojects.com.

Visit her website at www. readeguzman.com. *On cover: “Piña Offerings, Detail” “After Maria Clara’s Piña Fiber Sleeve, 2014.” Abaca fiber & spray paint on abaca pulp cast, 26” x 48” x 18” “Imahe, 2015.” Image transfers on synthetic organza sewn together, approx. 24” x 60” All photos by Mido Lee Productions

entertainment SF3

2017: What’s IN and what’s NOT

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – January 13, 2017

By Monet

GETTING READY FOR MISS UNIVERSE Trivia through history

Lu

THE year 2016 has been an interesting year in terms of fashion and lifestyle, which also means the fashion icons and newsmakers of 2016 had their moment. 2016 was a like retro year as it reeked of countless throwback trends. Our instagram feeds were filled with people sporting chokers from the ‘90s, pins and patches, faux fur clothes, sock boots, bomber jackets and an 80s showdown of off-shoulder tops and dresses. now that we have said farewell to all of that, let’s talk about who and what are trending in 2017, not to mention who and what are no longer relevant! Well, i read up and gathered some predictions for what’s in and what’s not this year. So far, it’s looking to be a quite adventurous preview.

Celebrities and public figures Obviously, Barack and Michelle Obama are out of the White House, but at least, they will not be out of Washington.

Donald Trump will be our president and as always, a Twitterfavorite. Despite the Obamas’ “irrelevance” this year, it’s still highly likely for the Obamas to offer president Trump sound advice – that hopefully would not fall on deaf ears.

The Kardashian Saga – or their reality show at least – was in last year but it would be out this year and would be overtaken by cooking reality shows. One of which is VH1’s “Martha and Snoop’s potluck Dinner party.” Sources say it is predicted to be a blockbuster as HGTV’s Fixer Upper, starring the 2016’s “dynamic-andvery-much-in couple” Chip and Joanna Gaines.

Entertainment The Queen is in! Beyoncé is definitely in, and thanks to her latest Grammy-nominated smash album “lemonade,” lady Gaga is out as an outré disco queen.

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

The Enterprise says, “Streaming, meanwhile, is even more in than cable, because it’s cheaper, it’s wireless and it has ‘Stranger Things.’ (“Stranger Things” is in.) netflix is of course the in streaming service, but Amazon prime is catching up, or at least it was until it put on that awful Woody Allen show. Woody Allen is out.

(Sorry, Woody.)”

Food i hear that the fusion-style restaurants will spread its ‘delicious’ wings and land into the breakfast market. The food creators will be more experimental with their breakfast entree and offer us more than traditional omelets and breakfast burritos. ingredients will be a mixture of Asian, Middle Eastern and African palettes.

Speaking of ingredients, some predict that the battle over sugary soda is going to be big in 2017, and since food waste had been an issue since forever, advocates in 2017 will continue searching for a way to make reducing food waste as automatic as recycling is in many places now.

According to an article i read, unconventional cuts of meat, such as oyster steaks or Merlot cut steaks, will be a key menu trend in 2017. Another article says that the quest for a meatless burger that actu-

A FilipinA first made it to the Miss Universe winning circle when lalaine Bennett was third runner-up to ieda Maria Vargas of Brazil in 1963.

The previous year, Josephine Estrada was the country’s representative to the pageant, and there were no Filipinas competing in the world’s prestigious beauty pageant in 1960 and 1961, won by linda Bement of USA and Marlence Schmidt of Germany, respectively. ally tastes good will continue. in 1964, Maria Myrna panin fact, a “bleeding” veggie lilio bannered the philippines burger was the latest effort made by impossible Foods and in the year Corinna Tsopei of is expected to sell out in Whole Greece won the crown.

The next two years, howFoods in minutes this coming ever, proved auspicious for Filifall. pinas successively placing in the With all these stomachgrumbling predictions, foodies pageant’s Top 15. They were like me expect 2017 to be one louise Vail Aurelio in 1965 [Miss Universe was Apasra Hongheck of a food trip! sakula of Thailand], and Maria Beauty Clarinda Mariano in 1966 [Miss 2016 was a year of “less is Universe Margarita Arvidsson of more.” i’m predicting that this Sweden]. coming year would be quite pilar Delilah pilapil, who the contradiction. it’s the year would later join show business, of color, bold and big hair and party looks from 1999 to 2016! was the country’s representative in 1967, where USA’s Sylvia And speaking of less: We will definitely be seeing less of tat- Hitchcock won the crown.

The following year, Rosario too eyebrows and faux freckles Zaragoza competed for the to give way to…(drum roll) “mircroblading,” a new type of philippines in a pageant won by tattooing that gives you the ap- Martha Vasconcellos of Brazil.

Then came 1969—the bigpearance of thick eyebrows! gest year for the philippines in Fashion the Miss Universe pageant. if 2016 is year for hashtag Just as American astro#throwbackootd, then this nauts landed on the moon for coming year would be like an the very first time, 19-year-old ‘80s resurgence.

Gloria Aspillera Diaz mesmerA Washington post article says, “it’s less about the actual ized the universe with her wit and beauty. look of the ‘80s, and more Diaz was a student at St. about some of the ideas, So, Scholastica’s College in Manila for example, we can expect when she was scouted for to see a lot of voluminous the sixth edition of Binibining clothing with bigger proporpilipinas. tions. instead of skinny jeans, Coming from a large family think slouchy trousers. instead of 12 children, she said later of ultra-tailored outerwear, Continued on Page SF5 that she was convinced to join

Forever a Philippine pride, Gloria Diaz as Miss Universe

the contest to “escape home” amid restrictions imposed on them by their parents.

An early favorite as soon as she arrived in Miami Beach, Florida, USA, Diaz did not disappoint and successfully sailed throughout all the pageant’s events, making it to the Top 5 at the glitzy coronation night at the Miami Beach Auditorium. in the final Q&A, host Bob Barker, best known in these islands as the host of iconic game show price is Right, asked Miss philippines, “in the next day or so, a man will land on the moon. if a man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him?”

Wittingly, the lovely Filipina answered, “Oh! Uh, just the same things i do. i think if he has been on the moon for so long, i think when he comes over he wants to change, i guess.”

Diaz wrote history for the philippines in the international beauty arena with her win on July 19, 1969.

She pursued an acting career soon after her reign and is remembered most for her breakthrough performance in Ang pinakamagandang Hayop

Gloria Diaz wears replica of Miss Universe crown in Santacruzan as Emeperatriz.

Sa Balat ng lupa (The Most Beautiful Animal On The Face Of The Earth). it was in that movie she popularized the wetlook scene on the big screen in 1974. She was nominated as Famas Best Actress for her role as isabel the following year.

The beauty queen finally got her first acting award as Best Supporting Actress in the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival as Teodoro Alonso in Jose Rizal. Her succeeding awards include Famas and Urian Best Supporting Actress for her role in Batang West Side in 2002; pMpC Star Awards for Movies Best Supporting Actress for nasaan Ka Man in 2006; and Famas Best Supporting Actress for Sagrada Familia in 2010.

Diaz is also known as the mother of TV host-actress isabel Daza and the sister of the late beauty queen-TV host-actress Rio Diaz.

The Department of Tourism proudly announced that the 65-year-old beauty queen has agreed to be present in all the important events of the philippines’ hosting of the 65th Miss Universe coronation night in Manila. *** Continued on Page SF4

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celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 13, 2017

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar

Fans of Popstar Princess sarah Geronimo and actor John Lloyd Cruz are excited that their favorite loveteam are set to reunite on the big screen. a tweet by aBs-CBn reporter MJ Felipe confirmed this saying that sarah and John

Flor Mayapis of Crowne Plaza Hotel in Burlingame will celebrate her birthday on Sunday, January 29, with her family at the Mayapis residence in Daly City.

Lloyd are teaming up again via the new film “Dear Future Husband.” although the title is still a working one, reports say that the film is set to come out this year.

The team’s chemistry was evident in the first romanticcomedy they made, “a Very special Love” in 2008. John Lloyd and sarah played Miggy Montenegro and Laida Magtalas respectively.

The film’s box office success spawned two other sequels namely, “You Changed My Life” in 2009 and “It Takes a Man and a Woman” in 2013.

We’re sure that their new film will be another blockbuster, as fans weren’t able to hide their excitement about the reunion project. Just recently, fans tag “Dear Future Husband” and became one of the top trending topics in Twitter. *** actress Camille Prats tied the knot with businessman John “VJ” Yambao last saturday, January 7, in a resort in Batangas. It was the perfect day for the outdoor garden wedding, with the bride look-

John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo to reunite on the big screen

ing angelic in an immaculate white gown designed by Patricia santos.

John proposed to Camille in July 2015, at a resort owned by the actress’ family in Batangas.

The actress previously said that she wanted an intimate wedding, but based on the number of chairs at the venue, they had more than a hundred guests. Her bridesmaids included Camille’s sister-inlaw Isabel Oli (married to her brother, actor John Prats), celebrity friends Kaye abad, sarah abad and Pauleen Lunasotto.

The celebration was attended by showbiz personalities like Diana Zubiri with husband andi smith, sam Milby and girlfriend Mari Jasmine, sheena Halili, Rochelle Pangilinan and arthur solinap (who are now engaged).

Other celebrities spotted were nikki Valdez (with her non-showbiz boyfriend Luis Garcia), newlyweds Kaye abad and Paul Jake Castillo, comedian Pooh (of “Banana sundae”), and couple sarah

Actor John Lloyd Cruz will be teaming up again with singer/actress Sarah Geronimo in the new movie, “Dear Future Husband.”

abad and Jay Contreras. also in attendance are her good friends Yayo aguila and sherilyn Reyes.

This is Camille’s second marriage, as she was previously married to the late anthony Linsangan in March 2010, following their civil wedding in Los angeles in 2008. anthony passed away in 2011. They had a son together, nathan.

The actress never thought that she would have a second chance with love. That was why Camille told VJ, “Because of you, I am a firm believer of second chances, destiny and fate.”

Our congratulations to the newlyweds!

Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo will reunite on the big screen with actor John Lloyd Cruz in the new movie, “Dear Future

Kapamilya actress, singer and host Toni Gonzaga (who recently became a mother to a baby girl) will celebrate her birthday on Sunday, January 15.

Actress Camille Prats tied the knot for the second time with businessman VJ Yambao last Saturday, January 7, in a resort in Batangas. Camille was first married to Anthony Linsangan, who passed away

ERRaTUM Rev. Fr. Abraham Alonzo of Saint Catherin Church in Vallejo officiated the liturgical celebration of the 38th Annual Fiesta of the Nuestro Senor Padre Jesus Nazareno held last January 1 and 9 at the Villar residence in South San Francisco. Shown in photo are (L-R) Fr. Alonzo, San Mateo Supervisor Dave Canepa, Lilly Smith, Ferdie Villar and Annie Chan.

David J. Canepa took his Oath of Office as Supervisor of District 5 of San Mateo County last Tuesday, January 3 at the Board Chambers Inn, Redwood City. Shown in photo with Supervisor Canepa is Daly City community leader Vic Barba.

It has come to the attention of the Asian Journal that in last week’s Celebrity by the Bay, columnist Ferdie Villar did not mean to write “4th President” but rather “45th President.” We apologize for this error.

Drew and Iya: Just like Trivia through history home in ‘People vs. The Stars’ From Page SF3

THEY may be hosting a game show but come sunday, the premiere of GMa network’s “People vs. The stars,” well-loved husband and wife Drew arellano and Iya Villana will give an extended peek into their home life on air.

“Excited ako kasi iba itong show na ito for us kasi more enjoyable and light ang environment. Hindi siya yung acting like sa mga shows namin 10 years ago. Dito mas makikita nila kung sino kami inside our house, na ganun lang talaga kami,” enthused the ever upbeat arellano at the program’s press launch.

Described by producers as a “comedy gameshow,” they had no other co-hosts in mind who can pull of the original concept among the studio’s roster of talents but the funloving arellanos. Their positive and wholesome vibes are

Drew Arellano and Iya Villania

just perfect in enjoining both contestants and audiences into an hour-long quiz show. “actually, this is the first time I will be hosting this kind of show na makulit and entertaining. Natutuwa ako kasi I consider this my rest whenever I am not on my ‘mommy duties’ kay Primo [their months old first born] kasi nakakatawa lang talaga dito. It’s as if I don’t work. Plus kasama ko pa asawa ko, so yung fun talaga nandun,” she said.

The program allows celebrities to play for a chance to win P200, 000 via a variety of eight mind-boggling questions with respective cash values. If the stars fail to answer any of the questions correctly, the question’s cash value will be given to the televiewers by answering the “People Question of the Week” through text.

Did you know that the Miss Universe pageant started as a local “bathing beauty” competition spearheaded by Catalina swimwear in Long Beach, California, Usa in 1952?

The pageant was first televised in 1955 and since then it has become an international annual tradition with countless young women around the world vying to become part of its history.

Fast forward to 1996, business mogul Donald Trump— soon to be the 45th President of the United states—bought the operating company Miss Universe Inc. from ITT Corporation, and struck a broadcasting arrangement with CBs. Two years later, the company morphed into the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and moved its headquarters from Los angeles, California to new York City.

In 2002, the broadcast rights went to nBC until 2014.

The following year, there was an issue with Latin american company Univision, and Trump bought out nBC’s 50-percent stake to become the company’s single proprietor only to sell it to WME/IMG three days later.

Broadcasting rights changed to Fox and azteca.

The MUO presidency remains in the hands of Paula shugart to this day. With renewed vigor, the motto “confidently beautiful” strongly asserts the Miss Universe mission: “To provide the tools which help women to be their personal best. self-confidence is the key. Every woman should have the confidence to stand up in any situation and declare, ‘I am secure and that’s what makes me beautiful’!”

First PH connection The Miss Universe crown may not have been won by a Filipina until 17 years after its inception in 1952, but the heart of the first Miss Universe ever crowned, armi Kuusela of Fin-

land, had been won by Filipino businessman Virgilio Hilario.

Kuusela and Hilario first met at the International Trade Exposition in Baguio City, and after a whirlwind courtship the Finnish beauty decided to give up her crown in favor of marriage, which happened in Tokyo, Japan.

They settled in Manila, built the Gilarmi [a combination of their names] apartments, which was a landmark along ayala avenue until its demolition to give way to commercial establishments.

They had five children— arne who now lives in Chile with own family; anna-Lisa who now lives in spain with own family; Jussi Hilario, married, and now living in Canada; Eva-Maria, married with two children, living in the Us; and Miguel or Mikko, the only one left living in the Philippines.

Hilario died in 1975, and Kuusela married american diplomat albert Williams in 1978. after living in spain and Turkey as part of Williams’ assignment as envoy, they now live in La Jolla, san Diego, California.

In an interview with The san Diego Union-Tribune in 2014, the now-82-year-old first truly universal beauty queen remains modest. she rarely goes home to her native Finland without getting much media attention, the price she pays for making history in 1952.

“That happened a lifetime ago, I don’t talk about it much.

I want to be remembered for other things, not just for being Miss Universe,” she said.

Kuusela supports cancer research, numerous cultural and arts organizations, and among others is co-chair of the san Diego Youth symphony’s program for the disadvantaged youth in La Jolla.

Filipinas in ‘50s The year armi Kuusela was named first Miss Universe, the Philippines was represented

The very first Miss Universe married Filipino businessman Virgilio Hilario

The couple settled in Manila and had five children

by Teresita sanchez. In 1953, Cristina Pacheco vied for the crown.

It was in 1954 when the Philippines made it to the Top 16 with Blesilda Ocampo.

Yvonne Delos Reyes competed in 1955; Isabel Rodriguez in 1956; and Mary ann Carmen Rosales in 1957.

In 1958, however, Miss Philippines Carmen Tuazon did not compete in in the pageant, and neither did Christina Matias in 1959.

Meanwhile, another European became the “Most Beautiful Girl in the Universe” when Christiane Martel of France was

crowned successor to Kuusela in 1953.

Miriam stevenson of Usa won the title in 1954; Hillevi Rombin of sweden in 1955; the crown went back to Usa thru Carol Morris in 1956.

The first Latina Miss Universe was Gladys Zender of Peru in 1957; and another Latina in 1958—Luz Marina Zuluaga of Colombia.

Before the close of the decade in 1959, akiko Kojima of Japan became the first asian to be crowned Miss Universe.

Sources: www.missuniverse.com, wikipedia, sandiegouniontribune.com

entertainment

SF5

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 13, 2017

Filipino movie line-up to open 2017 Justin Alva as Michael Jackson, Sam Shoaf as Bruno Mars, Alonzo Muhlach as Harry Styles, Xia Vigor as Selena Gomez, AC Bonifacio as Britney Spears, Awra Briguela as Dionesia Pacquiao, Lyca Gairanod as Katy Perry, Elha Nympha as Beyonce

‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ kids’ poised to be a hit MANY viewers nationwide tuned in to the premiere of “Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids” as the program’s cute performers impersonated local and international music icons.

“Breakout Child Star” Awra Briguela was named the edition’s first weekly winner, winning 24 points, for his spot-on impersonation of Dionesia Pacquaio. He not only impressed jurors Sharon Cuneta, Gary Valenciano, and Ogie Alcasid, but also the social media, where his performance video trended and was widely shared. Briguela won P50,000, and an additional P50,000 to be given to his chosen charity, Harvesters’ Foundation, Inc. Following him in the ranking were “Dance Sweetheart” AC Bonifacio as Britney Spears (19 points); “Big Shot Belter” Elha Nympha as Beyonce (18 points); and “Talented Cutie” Sam Shoaf as Bruno Mars (17 points). Getting 12 points each were “Bibong Child Wonder” Alonzo Muhlach as Harry Styles of One Direction (12 points); “Musikerong Charmer” Justin Alva as Michael Jackson; “Young Diva ng Masa” Lyca Gairanod as Katy Perry; and “Daytime Princess” Xia Vigor as Selena Gomez.

Others have a chance to improve their rankings because in the show, no one will be eliminated, as their scores are tallied up each week.

This weekend, Briguela will impersonate Daniel Padilla, Bonifacio as Sandara Park; Nympha as Sharon Cuneta; Shoaf as Alicia Keys; Muhlach as Rico J. Puno; Alva as Adam Levine; Gairanod as Lady Gaga; and Vigor as Taylor Swift.

2017: What’s IN and... knows, it could be the opposite of everything I just said. think cocoon-like, floor-grazing Either way, it’s fun to watch overcoats.” how everything from lifestyle to I also read that Stripes are politics change—or don’t—evgoing to be in this 2017. Acery year. cording to Roopal Patel, fashion All I can say is I look forward director of Saks Fifth Avenue, to what 2017 has in store for us.

“Stripes [are] the equivalent to Join me as I welcome 2017 with what a white t-shirt used to be a bang! *** back in the day. They have nine Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winlives...” Sneakers will continue ning celebrity beauty stylist with his own to be hip this upcoming year. chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern I’ve no doubt in my mind that California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, shoe designers will come up Monet is known as an all-around artiste who with different styles for every produces sold-out fashion and awards shows occasion. One cannot have too as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. many sneakers, am I right?

Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary There you have it; what’s in all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, and out this year! Yet, just like your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or any prediction, we give room email him at monetsalon@aol.com for other possibilities. Who From Page SF3

‘Extra Service’ Star Cinema and Skylight Films starts the New Year with a bang as the sexy action-comedy film, “Extra Service,” brings together three of today’s hottest Kapamilya actresses Arci Muñoz, Jessy Mendiola and Coleen Garcia to cinemas.

The movie, helmed by Chris Martinez [director of “Kimmy Dora And The Kyemeng Prequel” and writer of the two installments of “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank”] multiplies the excitement as it presents the beauteous trio in a movie showing girl power defying the odds.

“Extra Service,” written by the writer of the highest-grossing local film in history “The Super Parental Guardians” “Alpha Habon,” is a story about three female ex-convicts Aw (Muñoz), Em (Garcia) and Gee (Mendiola), who due to their criminal records, have a hard time finding jobs. Faced with this dilemma, the girls have no other choice but to work in a spa as masseuses.

However, unknown to their clients, theirs is only a day job because at night, they transform as secret agents: Aw is Kapitana, Em is Maldita, and Gie is Henya.

“When you ask for ‘extra service’ you are actually asking for their service as secret agents,” explains Habon about the title of the film. “As secret service agents, they encounter a mission that will cost them their lives and freedom —they must retrieve the three most impor-

Coleen Garcia, Arci Muñoz and Jessy Mendiola

tant pearls of the country that are collectively called Perlas ng Silangan.”

‘Ilawod’ Box-office director Dan Villegas (“English Only, Please!”; “#WalangForever”; “The Break-Up Playlist”; “Always Be My Maybe” and “How To Be Yours”) tries his hand at the horror genre via the movie Ilawod due for theatrical release on January 18.

Villegas said he and Palancawinning writer Yvette Uy Tan bring to the screen a story about “possession,” not in the expected concept of demons or curses as horror films go, but about “the force of life and survival.”

In the movie, Dennis (Ian Veneracion), a reporter and Carlo (Epi Quizon), a photographer, work for an online news publication covering both supernatural and bizarre stories.

Dennis accidentally brings home the “ilawod” (meaning downstream in Filipino), which then possesses his wife, Kathy (Iza Calzado), daughter Bea (Xyriel Manabat), and the youngest child, Ben (Harvey Bautista).

The ilawod wrecks havoc on Dennis’ family whom he fights to save.

An initial post of the film’s trailer on social media immediately earned over a million likes, views and shares, sure to make “Ilawod” the first scream-fest of 2017.

‘Moonlight Over Baler’ This February, T-Rex Enter-

Ian Veneracion and Iza Calzado (second from left and right respectively) with Xyriel Manabat, Therese Malvar and Harvey Bautista

tainment will bring to the big screen “Moonlight Over Baler” a timeless love story encompassing two important events in the country—World War 2 in the ‘40s and Edsa Revolution in the ‘80s.

Starring Elizabeth Oropesa, Ellen Adarna and the love team of Vin Abrenica and Sophie Albert, the film is written by Eric Ramos and directed by Gil Portes.

With the haunting “‘O Maliwanag na Buwan” as theme song, “Moonlight Over Baler” is set in the scenic and historical Aurora Province town opening with a Japanese journalist (Abrenica) visiting Baler after covering the 1986 People Power. By coincidence, he turns out to be the spitting image of the great love of a retired spinster teacher (Oropesa) who was killed during the war. Their paths meet, leading to a special friendship.

The Japanese falls in love with the town’s beauty (Adarna), which the retired teacher approves of, but misfortune breaks them apart when another suitor pounces on him and banishes him from Baler.

The events lead the teacher to reckon with her tragic past, feeling all over again she was to blame for the death of her life’s only love.

The ending is bittersweet yet proves that love conquers all.

Matteo Guidicelli

‘across the Crescent Moon’ With a playdate this early 2017 soon to be announced, director Baby Nebrida has announced the release of “Across the Crescent Moon,” a “meaningful action-drama” tackling problems facing the country, including human trafficking and differences in religious beliefs.

Matteo Guidicelli portrays the dedicated and brave Muslim solider who fights criminality.

He is married to an enlightened Christina girl, portrayed by theater actress Alex Godinez in an introductory role. Completing the cast are Christopher de Leon andy Andolong as Guidicelli’s Muslim parents, and Gabby Concepcion and Dina Bonnevie as Godinez’ Catholic father and mother.

“Across the Crescent Moon” does not pass judgement on either religions but shows unity in diversity.

Bong Tan is executive producer.