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Volume 16 - No. 2 • 3 Sections – 20 Pages

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US gov’t downplays Philippine USA 115th Congress sworn defense cooperation with Russia in, agenda targets Obama initiatives DATELINE

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by JOSE

THE United States’ 115th Congress was sworn into office on Tuesday, January 3, ushering a GOP-controlled Legislative Branch.

Thirty-four senators and the entire House of Representatives was sworn in, including Speaker of the House Sen. Paul Ryan (R-Wis-

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Filipino-American participants celebrate history, promote heart health awareness at 2017 Rose Parade CLOUDY skies could not hamper the high spirits of thousands of cheering spectators who lined the five-and-a-half mile route of the 128th Tournament of Roses Parade in the City of Pasadena, California on Monday, January 2.

A collection of 41 floats, 19 marching bands and 20 equestrian units from across the country captivated people of all ages and walks of life who came out to witness the iconic celebration of the New Year.

“The vibes from everybody, everyone’s energy, it’s really cool!” said Filipino-American snare drummer Kai Domingo, who had marched in three prior Rose Parades with the Los Angeles Unified School District’s All City Band.

“It’s a thrill,” he told the Asian Journal at the sidelines of Monday’s spectacle.

Filipino Americans were also among the riders and marchers at the annual event.

Recognizing Filipino World War II Veterans This year, a historical society commemorat-

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KATIGBAK Philstar.com

WASHINGTON – Any bilateral defense ties between the Philippines and Russia will not affect how the United States views the importance of its bilateral relationship with the Philippines, a long time ally, State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

He said the defense relationship between the United States and the Philippines remains “very, very strong.”

“Our overall mil-to-mil relations remain robust, they remain multifaceted and that’s the way we want to see it continue,” Kirby added.

In recent months President Duterte, seething at the outgoing Obama administration’s criticism of extrajudicial

killings in his war on drugs, has been moving to lessen the country’s foreign military dependence on the United States and veering toward Russia and China.

“I’d let the Philippine government and the Russian government speak to the degree of their bilateral defense relations and how that is taking shape.

I’ve said many times – and this is a

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

ALLIES. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met on the sidelines during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima, Peru last November 19, 2016. In recent months, Duterte, seething at the outgoing Obama administration’s criticism of extrajudicial killings in his war on drugs, has been moving to lessen the country’s foreign military dependence on the United States and is veering toward Russia and China.

Malacañang photo by King rodriguez

A year of political surprises, uncertainty in US-PH relations and more

CANLAS ManilaTimes.net

WITH 2016 now behind us, the Asian Journal editorial team takes ognition for Filipino World War II veterans, the Asian Journal has a look back at the top news stories of the past year. From the elec- been there reporting as these stories unfolded, and how they have tions of Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte as the presidents of the impacted Filipinos in the United States and around the globe.

United States and the Philippines, respectively, to long-awaited recHere is our roundup of top issues and events — broken down the top court ruled in favor of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which was signed by the Philippines and U.S. in 2014 but was not implemented due to legal challenges. The agreement, which has a 10-year lifespan, also allows U.S. troops access to Philippine military bases. The decision comes amid the ongoing dispute between the Philippines and China regarding conflicting claims in the South China Sea. Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach returns to PH after win More than a month after she was crowned as Miss Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach returned home to the Philippines. Wurtzbach arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on January 23 after triumphing at the international beauty pageant held in Las Vegas in 2015. It was later followed by a Grand Homecoming Parade on January 25, where she received a warm welcome from

Pres. Benigno Aquino III was conferred an Honorary Degree in Humane Letters by the Loyola Marymount University.

PIA.gov photo

her fans and thousands of fellow Filipinos. During the coronation night on December 20, the pageant’s host Steve Harvey, incorrectly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner instead of Wurtzbach.

February PH Pres. Benigno Aquino visits LA Fil-Am community,

earns honorary degree from Loyola Marymount University More than 800 members of Filipino community groups from the southwestern United States gathered in Los Angeles to hear Philippine President Benigno Aquino speak about the progress of the country. Some of the

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PHILIPPINE Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday, January 4, said she does not believe the existence of a “blueprint” allegedly left by former United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg that outlines plans to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ako, hindi ako naniniwala na mayroong ganoon (I do not believe that it exists),” Robredo said in an interview during her visit to Tiwi, Albay.

In its earlier report, The Manila Times, citing a “highly placed source,” said Goldberg supposedly left behind a “blueprint to undermine Duterte.”

According to the report, among the ouster tactics Goldberg allegedly suggested include the support for

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Comelec told: Move faster on Marcos protest

by JOMAR

By AJPress

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtbach

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Robredo denies existence of US blueprint to oust Duterte

The Asian Journal’s 2016 roundup

by month — that have dominated the front pages of our six editions: January PH Supreme Court rules EDCA constitutional The Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday, Jan. 12, upheld the constitutionality of an executive agreement between the Philippines and the United States that permits increased rotational presence of US military troops in the country. In a 10-4-1 vote,

good example of it – that foreign relations aren’t binary. Right? And these choices that countries have to make are not binary choices, and every nation-state has the right to pursue bilateral relations of its own choosing,” Kirby said in a press briefing.

“And so again, I would leave it to both of their governments to discuss

to immediately conduct the Automated Election System (AES) THE Supreme Court (SC), sit- Project’s closure/stripping acting as the Presidential Electoral tivities for all the Vote Counting Tribunal, has ordered the Com- Machines (VCMs) covered by the mission on Elections (Comelec) u PAGE A2

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January 6-12, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

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From the Front Page

US downplays Philippine defense...

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it. What it – what I can promise you is that it won’t affect how we view the importance of our bilateral relationship with the Philippines,” he said.

Russian anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs and tanker Boris Butoma made port call at the Manila South Harbor.

In September, Duterte announced that he would establish alliances with China and Russia

as part of his independent foreign policy.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines and Russia have agreed to speed up work on a legal framework and plan of action for cooperative activities aimed at enhancing Philippines-Russia defense engagement.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana visited Moscow last month and discussed with Rus-

sian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov expanding Philippines-Russia defense cooperation.

The visit was a first for a Philippine defense chief since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 40 years ago. It also came on the heels of a meeting between President Duterte and President Vladimir Putin in Lima, Peru last Nov. 19. n

Comelec told: Move faster...

PAGE A1 t election protest of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo.

In a resolution dated November 8, 2016 that was released just recently, the electoral tribunal mandated the election court to fast-track the closure/stripping activities that are covered by the poll protest.

In his protest, Marcos alleged that the Liberal Party headed by then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd rigged the May 2016 elections in favor of Robredo.

“Authorize the Comelec and Smartmatic to immediately conduct the 2016 Automated Elections System Project closure/stripping activities for all the VCM and CCS [Consolidation and Canvass System] kits including the immediate disposal of the VCM external batteries, with prior notice to this tribunal, the protestant and protestee and other interested persons,” the resolution read.

The Presidential Electoral Tribunal also ordered the Comelec “to allow the parties and representatives of the tribunal to observe and comment during the conduct of the closure/stripping activities.”

“Approve the conduct of preliminary discussion between the Comelec and the counsel/watchers of the parties and the tribunal on the protocol and procedures to be observed during the closure/ stripping and backing-up activities, including an ocular inspection of the Comelec’s warehouse in Santa Rosa, Laguna, where said activities will be conducted,” the resolution also read.

The electoral tribunal also ordered the modification of the “Precautionary Protection Order

BLACK NAZARENE DEVOTION. A young boy gets some help from his adult companion to reach up and kiss the exposed toes of the Black Nazarene figure which is kept in a glass case inside Quiapo church in Manila.

Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon

Robredo denies existence...

PAGE A1 t Former Sen. Bongbong Marcos

such that election materials and paraphernalia used in the May 2016 elections which do not contain election results dated, as listed in the letter of the Comelec.”

“Authorize the Comelec’s Election Records and Statistics Department to back up the contents of the VCM SD [Secure Digital] cards of all municipalities, cities and provinces covered under the PPO,” it further ordered.

In the meantime, the electoral tribunal also ordered the Comelec to present the itemized cost that it may be required to pay should the automated election paraphernalia will still be in the possession of the Comelec on account of the Marcos protest.

“Direct the Comelec to inform the tribunal within a period of 10 days from notice the itemized cost that it may be required to pay should the automated election paraphernalia covered by Article 6.9 of the AES contract still be in the possession of the Comelec by December 1, 2016 on account of the instant election protest,” the resolution further read.

The Comelec has manifested that it will spend P2,078,304,225.76 on account of the election protest by holding

Inquirer.net photo

the VCMs. “Direct the Comelec to inform the tribunal, within 10 days from notice hereof, of (i) what transpired during the stripping of the 1,356 VCMs on October 26, 2016 and (ii) the status of protestee’s request for decryption,” the resolution also read.

The Presidential Electoral Tribunal early on ordered the preservation of the “automated election equipment and records such as Vote Counting Machines (VCMs), Consolidation and Canvass System [CCS) units, Secure Digital (SD) cards (main and back-up) and the other data storage devices in all of the ninety two thousand five hundred nine (92,509) clustered precincts used in the May 2016 elections, effective immediately and continuing until further orders from the tribunal.”

Marcos lost to Robredo by 263,473 votes, prompting him to accuse her of “massive electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities” such as pre-shading of ballots, pre-loading of Secure Digital cards, misreading of ballots, malfunctioning VCMs and an “abnormally high” unaccounted votes/undervotes for the position of Vice President. n

“Robredo-led opposition groups” and fueling public dissatisfaction with the president.

In a statement, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel said that “[t]hese allegations of a blueprint are false.”

“No such blueprint exists,” Russel stressed.

He also reiterated that the United States’ relationship with the Philippines is “one of our most enduring and important relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“It has been a cornerstone of stability for over 70 years. It is built on shared sacrifices for democracy and human rights and strong people-to-people and societal ties. We continue to focus on our broad relationship with the Philippines, and will work together in the many areas of mutual interest to improve the livelihoods of the Philippine people and uphold our shared democratic values,” Russel added.

Malacañang, meanwhile, downplayed the rumors that the U.S. participated in any destabilization moves against Duterte.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella noted that Duterte has a high trust rating in the country. The Social Weather Stations poll last month shows that Duterte has an ‘excellent’ +72 trust rating.

On the other hand, Robredo clarified that she and Goldberg

CORDIAL TIMES. Vice President Leni Robredo and President Rodrigo Duterte share a light moment for the camera at the Armed Forces of the Philippines turnover ceremony last July 1, 2016.

Photo from the office of the Vice President

only talked about the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Philippines.

“Unang una, nagkausap kami ni Ambassador Goldberg noong nasa isang event, pangalawa nag-courtesy call siya sa opisina.

Wala kaming pinag-usapan tungkol kay Pangulo [Duterte] (I had a talk with Ambassador Goldberg in a particular event and when he paid a courtesy call to my office but we did not talk about the president),” Robredo said.

She also said that calling for the president’s resignation every time there is an upheaval in the government will do the country no good.

“Paniniwala ko makakabuti sa Pilipinas na instead humingi tayong matanggal ang iyong

pangulo, hingiin na lang natin sa pangulo na pakinggan ang ating hinaing (I believe that it would be best for the Philippines that instead of wanting to unseat him, we should ask that he hear us requests),” Robredo added.

Last month, Robredo resigned as the housing secretary after Duterte ordered her to “desist” from attending all Cabinet meetings. Following her resignation, Robredo announced that she will become the “unifying voice” of the opposition.

Duterte accused the ‘yellows’ of plotting to oust him, apparently referring to the Liberal Party, which uses the color as its political symbol. Robredo and the Liberal Party have denied the allegation. n

The Asian Journal’s 2016...

PAGE A1 t achievements under Aquino’s leadership include 91 percent of health coverage of Filipinos, the country’s reputation as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, and the addition of 180,000 classrooms around the nation.

Earlier in his trip, Aquino received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Loyola Marymount University for his administration’s work in improving the lives of Filipinos.

Manny Pacquiao under fire for homophobic statements Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao apologized on Tuesday, Feb. 16 after he said that those who are in same-sex relationships are “worse than animals.” In an interview with TV5 network, Pacquiao — who ran in the Senate under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party — was asked to share his views on same-sex marriage.

Responding to the backlash, Pacquiao issued an apology on social media for his remarks,

Manny Pacquiao

saying he was “just telling the truth of what the Bible says,” however, he said his stance on same-sex marriage remains unchanged. The boxer was criticized by local and international figures and was dropped by Nike as an endorser.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

March Obama visits Cuba, re-opens diplomatic ties President Barack Obama made history on Sunday, March 20 when he became the first sitting president to visit Cuba since

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From the Front Page

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The Asian Journal’s 2016...

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1928. Human rights and a potential end to a 54-year-old economic embargo were among the topics discussed by Obama and his Cuban counterpart, President Raul Castro. Obama also visited the recently reopened U.S. Embassy in Havana and paid tribute to Cuban independence hero Jose Marti during his trip. At the outset of his journey, the American president said the island nation was ripe for change and later encouraged the Cuban people to play an active role in their country’s future.

Fil-Am director of “Inside Out” wins Oscar Filipino-American Ronnie del Carmen, co-director of the Pixar Film “Inside Out,” bagged this year’s Best Animated Feature Film at the 88th Academy Awards. Del Carmen, who hails from Cavite, is the first Filipino to co-direct a Pixar film, and, at the same time, the first Filipino to win an Oscar award. “Inside Out” was also the seventh Pixar movie to win an Oscar.

Gov. Jerry Brown

April Gov. Jerry Brown signs bill making California’s min. wage $15/hour California, along with New York, became the first states to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022. The California legislation will raise the statewide minimum to $10.50 on Jan. 1 for businesses with 26 or more workers, the first of several incremental increases to $15, with future raises tied to inflation. Smaller businesses will have an additional year to phase in each increase. The law follows measures in Los Angeles and San Francisco, among other cities, to gradually raise their own minimum wages to $15. It is expected to affect millions of low-wage workers and businesses that employ them, especially in the state’s agriculture, restaurant and retail industries. By 2022, a full-time minimum-wage worker would see annual earnings increase to $30,000 from $20,000 today.

Canadian hostage beheaded

by Abu Sayyaf Canadian John Ridsdel was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf after Canada’s refusal to pay the terrorists his ransom. Ridsdel and his companions — another Canadian Robert Hall, Kjartan Sekkingstad of Norway and Hall’s Filipino girlfriend, Marites Flor — were abducted at a resort in Samal Island, Davao in September 2015 and were taken to the island of Jolo. In November, the terrorists demanded $80 million for their release. In March, the group set a one-month deadline, then released a final 10-day warning in mid-April, setting April 25 as the last date to receive a ransom payment. Hall, the other Canadian, was beheaded in June.

May Duterte, Robredo elected president & vice president of the Philippines After a tumultuous campaign,

Rodrigo Duterte

former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo won as president and vice president of the Philippines, respectively.

Based on the final official tally, Duterte won the presidential race with 16,601,997 votes beating out other aspirants, including former Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe, former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas, and the late Sen. Miriam Defensor- Santiago. The mayor’s victory was in spite of accusations of having ties to death squads in Davao, his hands-on style of leadership and off-color remarks. For vice president, the race was tight, as the numbers were a cliffhanger between Robredo and closest rival, Bongbong

Marcos. In the months following the election, Marcos filed a protest with the Presidential Electoral Tribunal for election fraud against Robredo.

Filipino World War II veterans can reunite with family under new parole program A new policy introduced by the White House is now helping Filipino World War II veterans be reunited with their families in the U.S. The policy will allow certain family members of veterans who fought in the second world war to seek parole under a program set up by the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS). It is estimated that as many as 26,000 Filipino vets (of the over 260,000 who fought) are U.S. citizens, and their petitions for family members in the Philippines have to wait as long as more

July Philippines wins arbitration case against China On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the The Hague sided with the Philippines and ruled that China has no legal basis over its territorial claims in South China Sea. After several months of deliberations, the Tribunal declared China’s claim to ‘historic rights’ to resources within the sea areas that fall within the ‘nine-dash line’ as invalid. According to the Court, China also violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by interfering with Philippine fishing and petroleum exploration, construct-

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Filipino American participants...

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ing the legacy of a U.S. Army unit made up of Filipino soldiers was featured for the first time in the parade’s history.

The Philippine Scouts Heritage Society (PSHS), a nationwide living history group, made its Rose Parade debut on Monday. The 26th Ceremonial Mounted Unit (CMU) of the PSHS’s Nininger chapter in Los Angeles rode proudly down Colorado Boulevard fully adorned in World War II regalia.

“It’s a great honor,” PSHS Membership Chair Gil Mislang told the Asian Journal during a phone interview on Saturday, December 31. “We also worked very hard to get in there so that the Filipino soldiers can be shown to the world.”

Members of the 26th CMU paid thousands of dollars to cover their own equestrian maintenance and transportation costs in order to take part in Monday’s parade as well as other events held throughout the year, according to Mislang.

He said the PSHS’s efforts seek to do more than educate people about the sacrifices made by the Philippine Scouts. They also celebrate the history of cooperation between the militaries of the Philippines and America, as well as the triumph of Filipinos who U.S. President Barack Obama started families in the U.S. That mission reflects the theme of this than 20 years due to statutory visa year’s parade, “Echoes of Succaps. Decisions will be made on cess.”

In 2016, American lawmakers a case-by-case basis for a temporary period of time based up- helped take the hidden history of on “urgent humanitarian reasons the Philippine Scouts out of the or significant public benefit.”

June U.S. Supreme Court fails to decide on Obama’s immigration orders On Thursday, June 23, the U.S. Supreme Court arrived at a deadlocked decision on a landmark case concerning President Barack Obama’s immigration policies, leaving 5 million undocumented immigrants uncertain of their future. The 4-4 ruling delayed a definitive judgment on the president’s executive order that would have implemented the Deferred Action for Parents of US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and granted expansions to the championed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The tied ruling further ignited the ongoing national conversation concerning immigration reform in the contentious election year with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s strict immigration promises and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s commitment to creating a pathway to citizenship.

Orlando, Florida nightclub shooting claims 49 lives A terrorist attack in an Orlando gay nightclub on Sunday, June 12 claimed the lives of 49 people and injured 53 others. The attack occurred at around 2 a.m. and witnesses said the gunman fired shots into the crowd with an assault rifle before police arrived on the scene. A gunfight with police ensued which prompted the shooter to retreat to the club bathroom, holding hostages in a three-hour stand-off. That was followed by a second gun battle which killed the shooter. There was no evidence that suggested that the perpetrator, Omar Mateen of Fort Pierce, Florida, was tied to any major terrorist group, but the FBI had interviewed him twice regarding comments he made to co-workers about radical Islamic propaganda in 2013 and 2014.

Leni Robredo

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 6-12, 2017

shadows. On Thursday, December 15, President Barack Obama signed legislation that awards Filipino veterans of WWII with the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal.

Despite progress made last year, Mislang admitted that more still needs to be done in order to bring the contributions of those soldiers out of obscurity. He and other people working to bring recognition to the Philippine Scouts are pushing for the passage of California Assembly Bill 199, which would add the stories of Filipino soldiers into the history curriculum of the state’s public schools.

Promoting heart health Every person’s education should also include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

It invited Filipina-American Celine Showman, a cardiac arrest survivor, to ride on the organization’s parade float to help bring awareness to health issues affecting Filipinos and many other people in the U.S. In 2007, the resident of Oceanside, California had been momentarily declared deceased after her heart stopped beating while she was out to dinner with her daughter, Megan.

“It didn’t feel real. It felt like I was watching a movie,” said Showman’s daughter, who began screaming for help after watching her mother unexpectedly collapse. During a phone interview with the Asian Journal on Thursday, December 22, she

The Philippine Scouts Heritage Society made its Rose Parade debut on Monday, January 1.

AJPress Photos by Eric Anthony Licas

went on to say “I was freaking out because no one was doing anything.”

Showman could have died or suffered permanent brain dam-

age that day, surrounded by helpless bystanders. Thankfully, an ambulance was nearby and a group of three Navy Corps-

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January 6-12, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

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Filipino Lakers fan wins $95K after sinking half court shot

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

A FILIPINO Lakers fan on Tuesday, January 3, took home $95,000 after hitting an improbable half court shot during a Los Angeles Lakers game at Staples Center.

Between the third and fourth quarters, Jerald Acoba, from Tulare, California, sank the Aria Big Shot Jackpot contest.

Following his successful

shot, the 30-year-old pointed at his wrists, mimicking D’Angelo Russell’s trademark “ice in my veins.”

“It’s good to see a lot of fans keeping that ‘ice in the veins’ going,” Russell said after the game, according reports from NBA.com. “I appreciate everybody for that. That’s a lot of money, man. Take care of it.”

Acoba told the crowd that he plans to buy his mother a new car with the money he won. He said that he wanted to upgrade

his parent’s old van.

“She’s always been there for me when I need her,” Acoba said. “She’s always there to help me out. It’s my turn to repay the favor to her.”

Acoba went to watch the the game with his wife, Lenslie, Jerald Acoba won $95,000 for hitting a half court shot during a Lakers game. and his nieces. He is the fifth winner of the Lakers’ Big Shot Jackpot and also the second winner for this season.

“It’s surreal right now,” Jer- PAGE A3 t her family and loved ones, and ald said. “I can’t believe it’s men who happened to be having learned to let go of unnecessary just happening right now.” n dinner at the same restaurant stressors. She has also led and stepped in to administer life- participated in efforts to raise saving CPR. awareness of heart health conThe experience was a wake- cerns in her community.

Cortez Masto is the first Latina up call for Showman, who has On Monday, Showman and to ever be elected to the U.S. since maintained a healthier, other survivors of cardiovasSenate. less stressful lifestyle. cular-related issues rode on Trump criticizes House Re“I was on the go, working 50 the AHA’s float titled “Keep publicans on ethics office to 60 hours a week, and not get- the Beat Alive” to promote In a shocking move that ruffled ting enough sleep,” Showman CPR training and healthy livfeathers, House Republicans told the Asian Journal on Thurs- ing. The AHA’s entry won the voted behind closed doors on day.

Judges’ Special Trophy in this the night of Monday, January 2 After the incident, Showman year’s event. to put Congress’ ethics office took stock of her circumstancDespite the gray weather and — which independent from both es, refocused her priorities on abundant competition for good houses — under the control of the House of Representatives’ ethics committee.

However, the vote was dropped after President-elect PAGE A3 t PH gearing up for Miss UniDonald Trump criticized House Republicans for the move, which ing artificial islands, and failing to verse next year; Duterte opposhe considered a reverse to his prevent Chinese fishermen from es Steve Harvey as host Philippine Department of Tourcall to “drain the swamp” — his fishing in the zone. The Philippromise to end corruption in pines filed its case at the PCA in ism officials said President Rodri2013 after engaging with China go Duterte was displeased to learn Washington.

“With all that Congress has to in a stand-off in 2012. China, that Steve Harvey had been sework on, do they really have to which refused to take part in the lected to host the upcoming 2017 make the weakening of the Inde- proceedings, has said it will not Miss Universe Pageant set to take pendent Ethics Watchdog, as un- recognize the ruling and will con- place in the Philippines next Janfair as it is may be, their number tinue to take measures to protect uary. Although the president has one act and priority. Focus on tax its sovereignty over the disputed downplayed certain comments as jokes in the past, D.O.T. Secretary reform, health care and so many sea.

Clinton, Trump win nomina- Wanda Teo said the president was other things of far greater impornot laughing when he expressed tance! #DTS,” Trump tweeted on tions for respective parties On the final night of the Republi- his disapproval with Harvey.

Tuesday morning.

The move — which was only a can National Convention in Cleve- When the comedian hosted the part of the House’s rules set for land, Ohio, Donald J. Trump defied pageant in 2015, he mistakenly approval on Tuesday by the new the odds and clinched the Republi- announced that Miss Colombia, Congress — was intended to re- can nomination for president, gar- Ariadna Gutierrez, had won bestrict the powers of the indepen- nering a whopping 1,725 delegate fore retracting his statement and votes. Some Filipino-American proclaiming victory for Filipino dent office.

However, the reversal may Republicans shared their praise contestant, Pia Wurtzbach. Teo only be temporary as Republi- for the results, saying they believe said the DOT would recommend can leadership confirmed a bi- Trump’s family, religious and busi- a local media personality to take partisan effort later in the year ness values will benefit the com- Harvey’s place.

October to negotiate with other Congress munity. The following week at the Democratic National Convention U.S. celebrates Fil-Am Hismembers on the issue.

The independent ethics office in Philadelphia, former Secretary tory Month People observing Filipinowas established during the reces- of State Hillary Clinton formally sion in 2008 after three Congress became the Democratic presi- American History Month this members were jailed for involve- dential nominee, making history past October had even more reament in corrupt scandals. (Klarize as the first woman to be on the sons to celebrate this year. 2016 top ticket of a major U.S. political marked the 70th anniversary of Medenilla/AJ Press) party. Many Democratic Filipino the Philippines’ independence Americans expressed faith in the from the U.S. and several other seasoned politician and saw Clin- momentous events in Fil-Am histon’s nomination as an open door tory. 1946 was also the year of for more representation of women the Great Sugar Strike in Hawaii, as well as ethnic minorities in the during which roughly 6,000 forgovernment. eign Filipino field workers joined August picket lines and demonstrations PH wins Silver Medal at 2016 instead of undercutting the wages Summer Olympics in Brazil of fellow laborers. In Los Angeles, The Philippines has earned its the Fil-Am community held severfirst Olympic medal in 20 years al events to celebrate the month, after Filipina weightlifter, Hidi- including the Festival of Philiplyn Diaz, won the silver medal pine Arts and Culture (FPAC). in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Duterte marks first 100 days held in Brazil. Diaz, who hails in office with rise in death toll from Zamboanga city, scored 88 and China visit in snatch and 112 in clean and President Rodrigo Duterte jerk, with a total of 200 points. marked his first 100 days as presiChinese Taipei’s Hsu Shu-Ching dent with a “very good” satisfacwon the division with a score tion rating from the Filipino pubof 212, while South Korea’s lic, anchored by his strong stance Yoon Jin Hee, who placed third, on his anti-drugs, anti-crime and finished with 199. anti-corruption agenda. However, Filipinos angered by Trump’s his intense campaign against ilimmigration plan, suggesting legal drugs has left more than PH is a ‘terrorist nation’ 3,600 suspects dead, including In his speech on August 4, more than 1,300 killed in gun Donald Trump, who was then battles with authorities—an avera presidential nominee, pro- age of 36 killings a day since he posed a ban on immigration took office on June 30. Despite from countries with high rates drawing ire from the international of terrorism. Trump narrated community, Duterte has been names of what he described as adamant on his ways and manterrorist nations, mentioning the aged to alienate himself from the Philippines in his list. Trump U.S., European Union, the United also suggested that immigrants Nations and other international should be heavily scrutinized, organizations that have criticized even those who obtained citizen- his anti-drug campaign. Additionship legally. Many Filipino immi- ally, he made headlines for his grants condemned Trump’s pro- state visit to China that seemingly nouncements, asserting that his suggested reopening diplomatic remarks disregarded the con- ties with the country, despite the tributions Filipinos have made years-long territorial dispute in to the country. Some however, the South China Sea. argued that Trump’s comments November were taken out of context, citing Fil-Am shortstop helps Cubs that Trump previously professed win World Series his love for the Philippines durThe Chicago Cubs made hising the launch of his 57-story tory when they won game 7 of the luxury apartment in Makati.

World Series against the CleveSeptember land Indians, for the first time in Duterte, Obama meeting at 108 years. The Cubs fought back ASEAN Summit canceled from a 3-1 deficit in the series, U.S. President Barack Obama winning four matches in a row to canceled a much-anticipated end one of sport’s longest running meeting with Philippine President dry spells. That win was fuelled in Rodrigo Duterte, that had been no small part by the contributions scheduled to take place at the of 20-year-old Filipino-American sidelines of the Association of shortstop Addison Russell, who Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hit a grand slam in the third inning summit in Vientiane, Laos. The and sent home five other runners move came after Duterte ap- that evening to tie a Major League peared to use an expletive to refer Baseball record with six runs batto Obama while responding to a ted in during a single world series question about extrajudicial kill- game. In doing so, he became ings during a press conference on the first Cubs player to ever hit a September 5. However, Filipino homerun with the bases loaded in officials explained that Duterte the season’s final series. was actually directing his comDonald Trump elected as 45th ments at the news media. The two president of the United States world leaders did wind up speakIn a truly stunning victory, Reing informally and shaking hands publican nominee and real estate before a gala dinner at the sum- billionaire Donald Trump -- whose mit on Wednesday, September 7. campaign slogan was “Make It was the first face-to-face meet- America Great Again” -- was deing between the two presidents. clared the 45th president of the

Filipino-American participants...

115th Congress sworn in, agenda targets...

PAGE A1 t consin).

Once President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on January 20, the GOP will be in control of both the Executive and Legislative branches —the first time in a decade.

That being said, the future of several key initiatives from President Barack Obama look bleak, especially the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

The dismantling of Obamacare — which has been a fixture in the Republican agenda since Obama entered office in 2008 — is likely to happen after Republican lawmakers announced a bill that may repeal the law within the next month.

Democrats fear that repealing Obamacare will leave millions of Americans without health care.

Although the future of Obamacare doesn’t look good, Democratic lawmakers are committed to fighting to sustain it.

“We have the responsibility and the power to lift the lives and the hopes of the American people. Yet every American should know: if there’s any attempt to destroy Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security or ACA, we will stand our ground,” Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said on Twitter.

But, as Republican lawmakers previously mentioned, conservative lawmakers are seeking to replace it through bills and proposals under the Committee on Ways and Means.

“We’re doing what we promised,” Rep. Doug Collins (RGeorgia) said. “What we have seen so much with Obamacare is that what has happened is that

what sounded good turned out to be a disaster.”

Republicans also plan to do away with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The law — which was a direct response to the 2008 financial crisis — brought significant regulations and reform to the financial system and sought to prevent another Great Recession.

Collins proposed a bill called the Reins Act, which would essentially make it easier for Congress to eliminate multiple regulations at once.

“We’re simply saying, you’re not going to be able to do these in the undercover agencies with people not having input and knowing what happens,” Collins said of his new bill.

Some of other Republicanbased ideals this Congress has planned include cutting funding toward Medicaid, repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, privatizing Veteran’s care and cutting taxes.

Although minority representation remains low, the 115th Congress features the widest array of ethnic and gender representation than any Congress in U.S. history.

Asian American and Latino representations is at an all-time high with 15 Asian Americans and 38 Latinos serving in both houses.

Female representation is also at a record high with 21 women serving in the Senate. Moreover, there is a record four women of color serving in the Senate: Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Kamala Harris (D-California).

Photo from LA Lakers’ Twitter account

viewing positions, most of those who came out for Monday’s celebration left with a smile.

“The first time I saw [the Rose Parade live], it was pretty impressive, but I think, through the years, it’s gotten bigger,” Filipino-American Manny Zamora, a system’s analyst for the city of Los Angeles, told Asian Journal while in attendance of the parade on Monday.

Later in the day, University of Southern California football fans found an extra reason to cheer after the Trojans claimed victory in a hotly contested Rose Bowl game over Penn State’s Nittany Lions. (Eric Anthony Licas/AJPress)

The Asian Journal’s 2016...

Donald Trump elected as 45th president of the United States

United States, beating Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who had been leading in the polls leading up to Election Day. With ballots still being counted weeks after the election, Clinton leads the popular vote with over 2 million votes, while Trump has 306 electoral votes to her 232. Trump, who will be inaugurated into the presidency on January 20, 2017, has drawn criticism for his administration picks so far, including Steve Bannon as chief strategist and senior counselor, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson for the Housing and Urban Development secretary.

Former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos buried at the Heroes’ Cemetery In a ceremony on November 18, former Philippine president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ‘secretly’ buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Manila. Surrounded by his surviving family and military personnel, Marcos was given honors and a 21-gun salute. This ceremony came after the Philippine Supreme Court dismissed petitions that sought to stop the former president’s interment, which was supposed to be scheduled back in September. Though Malacañang was not informed about the surprised burial, President Rodrigo Duterte previously said Marcos was worthy of a hero’s burial because of his military and presidential service. Meanwhile, many activists and martial law victims have opposed the burial, saying it does not heal the country’s wounds. The remains of Marcos -- who died of kidney, heart and lung ailments while in exile in 1989 -- were brought back to the Philippines in 1993 and have stayed in a glass coffin in Ilocos Norte before the burial.

December PH Vice President Leni Robredo resigns from Cabinet, vows to finish term Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo stepped down as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council on Dec. 5 after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered her not to attend future Cabinet meetings. She said that being barred from meetings would prevent her from doing her job properly. However, she will remain as Vice President, and said she will continue to voice her opposition to the administration’s actions she disagrees with. Robredo, whom Duterte and his supporters have accused of being involved in a plot to unseat him, asserted that she is not eyeing the presidency.

Trump praises Duterte’s drug war In a call with President Rodrigo Duterte, United States Presidentelect Donald Trump reportedly praised the Philippine leader’s war against the illegal drug trade as the ‘right way’. The two leaders — whom many have drawn comparisons for their unfiltered way of speaking — spoke for the first time earlier this month during a seven-minute phone call.

Trump went on to invite Duterte to visit the White House next year.

Duterte said hearing the real estate billionaire’s praise made him ‘feel like a saint.’ n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A

New Year injuries drop by 60% due to ‘fear of Duterte’

by Dana

M. SioSon

AJPress

The average number of firecracker-related injuries for New Year’s eve dropped to the lowest in 10 years, the Philippine Department of health (DOh) reported on Sunday, January 1.

The DOh has recorded a total of 350 firecracker-related injuries as of 6 a.m. on January 1, 2017, which is 60 percent lower compared to the average 1,000 cases from 2006 to 2016.

“People are now afraid to light firecrackers because of the president (Rodrigo Duterte),” health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said in a press conference on Sunday.

She added that Filipinos have “this impression” that they would be punished if they

use firecrackers.

Last month, Duterte said he would issue an order to ban people from using firecrackers, just like what he as mayor of Davao City, where he limited community fireworks displays.

“The least that I can say or do is just to issue a warning that it’s very, very dangerous,” Duterte previously said, pending the order’s release.

Among the 350 cases, Ubial said 348 were caused by firecracker injuries. The remaining two, on the other hand, were caused by firecracker ingestion.

Ubial also noted that more than half of the victims were children below 15 years old, with two years old as the youngest and 71 years old as the oldest.

84 percent of the total injured were male.

The DOh recorded the “piccolo” as the most common cause of injuries with 132 cases, followed by Boga with 18 cases. Both are considered illegal firecrackers in the country.

The National Capital Region (NCR) has been reported as the place with the highest number of firecracker injuries nationwide, with 211 cases or 60 percent of total injuries. It was followed by Western Visayas (Region 6) with ten percent and Central Luzon with eight percent.

Ubial said the fireworks surveillance, which started on December 21, 2016 will continue until January 5 of this new year.

The DOh previously recorded a total of 932 firecracker-related injuries from December 21, 2015 to January 5, 2016.

THE RUSSIANS ARE IN PH. THE RUSSIANS ARE HERE The Russian submarine destroyer Admiral Tributs (above) arrives at South Harbor’s Pier 15 on Tuesday, Jan. 3 for a goodwill visit until January 7. Below, left, Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov, deputy commander of the Russian Navy’s Pacific fleet, answers questions from the press. Below, right, Russian sailors stand guard at the gangway leading to the Admiral Tributs.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

PH gov’t will not ‘hide’ street dwellers PH population may exceed 105.7M due to contraceptive shortage during Miss Universe pageant

by Sheila

by Dana

SioSon

AJPress

The Philippine government will not ‘hide’ street dwellers during the upcoming Miss Universe 2016 beauty pageant later this month, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Tuesday, January 2.

“In fact, we would like to show them this is the Philippines,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo told CNN Philippines in an interview.

Teo noted that most candidates in the Miss Universe pageant are also not from rich countries.

“Sila naman din they have also the squatters (They also have squatters), they also have the homeless in their country. hindi naman sila mayayaman din (They were also not rich), so we would let them see that the reality that we are not a rich country,” she said.

The DOT also noted that the Philippine government would not shell out any money for the event.

“We are not spending any

money. That was my promise to the president,” Teo added.

In 2015, the previous Aquino administration was heavily criticized for allegedly hiding poor families from Manila by sending them to a resort in Nasugbu, Batangas during Pope Francis’s visit to the country.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), however, clarified that it was a “family camping workshop” for the poor.

The DSWD said these families were under its Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) program which provides monthly cash grants for health and education assistance to “families with special needs.” homeless families were also reportedly rounded up in Manila during the Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) Summit hosted by the Philippines in November 2015.

Last week, Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte

wants the street dwellers to be left alone.

“What I heard but this is anecdotal, not policy, is the fact that the President apparently has said ‘go leave them there so that the people see exactly where we are,’” Presidential Spokesperson ernesto Abella said in a press briefing on December 27, 2016.

“As far as I know anecdotally that he has said we’re not hiding our true situation,” Abella added.

The beauty pageant’s coronation night will be held on January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, with Steve harvey as its host.

Maxine Medina will represent the Philippines in the pageant and attempt to succeed the crown from reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach, who received the Miss Universe honor in December 2015.

Wurtzbach is the third Filipina to win the title, following Margie Moran in 1973 and Gloria Diaz in 1969. n

CriSoStoMo Philstar.com

MANILA – Lack of available contraceptives would easily make the Philippine population balloon to over 106 million this year, the Commission on Population (PopCom) declared yesterday.

In an interview with reporters, PopCom executive director Juan Antonio Perez III said the country’s population might exceed its projected rise by a million this year if contraceptive supply in the market continues to dwindle due to the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order (TRO) issued in July 2015.

Last week, PopCom projected the Filipino population to hit 105.7 million by December 2017, based on Philippine Statistics Authorities’ data showing that women of reproductive age in the country continue to increase, coupled with higher-than-national-average fertility rates in most regions of the country.

“It could be more than 106.7 million if, let’s say, the SC decision becomes final,” Perez said. “We are slowly running out of modern family planning methods.”

Congress passed the Reproductive health law in 2012, and the executive department approved its implementing rules and regulations in March 2013. But some temporary restraining orders from the courts have constrained the law’s implementation.

For one, in July 2015, the Supreme Court stopped the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from renewing the licenses of all contraceptive products, as petitioned by the Alliance for Family Foundation Philippines Inc. With the 2015 TRO, the FDA had to first re-certify that the products are safe and not abortifacient.

The high court has also prohibited the Department of health (DOh) from including some P250 million worth of contraceptive implants in its family planning program. These products are set to expire in DOh warehouses by late 2017.

The DOh and other reproductive health advocates have filed a motion for reconsideration with SC. But in August 2016, the SC ordered the FDA instead to recertify the products again.

According to Perez, the licenses of 15 of 48 contraceptive brands in the Philippines had expired since the TRO was issued. he cited a contraceptive pill for breastfeeding mothers that is no longer available in the market.

“This is the reason why we are hoping that the TRO will be lifted soon,” he stressed. “If it is going to last for the whole year, that would mean one million new pregnancies, so we will have not only 105.7 million new babies (this year).”

Perez said the TRO would also lead to 1,000 more maternal deaths annually.

PopCom’s projected population growth included over 27 million women aged15-49, the supposed beneficiaries of DOh’s Rh services under the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive health Law. Perez said the continuing increase in population is due to the “relatively high fertility rates of Filipino women, which is three children on average.” eleven of the country’s 17 regions were noted to have higher fertility rates than the national

A

january 6-12, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan jOurnaL

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OpiniOn

Features

Collateral damage

In war, there is collateral damage. In the case of the vicious war on illegal drugs, President Duterte acknowledged last week that there have been “unintended killings” that have claimed the lives of innocents including children. In fact practically everyone killed in the drug war was legally innocent since guilt beyond reasonable doubt was never established in court, and most of the slain weren’t even indicted.

For the unintended killings, the President said he’s sorry, although he made it clear that it would not stop his relentless war. Such a cavalier attitude toward human life is likely to rub off on the forces fighting the drug menace, making them careless about hitting innocents in the crossfire. It can encourage them to continue disregarding laws and rules on armed confrontations and the conduct of arrests and searches.

The forces of the Marcos dictatorship at least went through the motions of presenting arrest, search and seizure orders—the dreaded ASSO—that were used to crush political dissent. These days, polic—and masked vigilantes who may also be lawmen – simply enter neighborhoods and private homes and start shooting, unmindful if toddlers are caught in the crossfire.

Sorry, even from the president of the republic, isn’t enough for those who have lost their children in the course of Oplan Tokhang.

The bereaved need justice, which starts with competent investigation and the arrest of the killers.

The government must show that the rule of law still prevails in this country and that there is justice for rich and poor alike.

Every “unintended killing” must be investigated and the killer brought to justice. Law enforcers cannot just keep saying “oops!” each time they pull the trigger and hit the wrong target. They must be reminded that under most circumstances, they must first aim to disable rather than kill, and not the other way around.

In armed police operations, utmost care is required particularly when children are around. Callous disregard for human life can only erode public support for the police in its bloody campaign against the drug menace, especially when cases of “unintended killings” soar and more children become collateral damage. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Do you feel optimistic and excited about US politics in 2017?

CRYSTAL BALL — what do you reveal? After a divisive, toxic and confusing election season in 2016, will it be an enlightening, hopeful and promising year for U.S. politics in 2017?

On Tuesday, January 3, Re-elected Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and the newly-elected members of Congress were sworn into office.

In his speech, Ryan said that all the elected officials, regardless of party affiliations, are in office right now because they want to help the American people and get things done to serve the country, promising to work with Democrats on things they agree on while treating each other and the institution with respect on issues they do not agree on.

Ryan is excited about the fact that the Re-

publicans control both the Executive and the Legisla- The Fil-Am tive branches of government, which means that there may Perspective be more actual results and action, instead of gridlock and bickering that held the American people in the past Gel SantoS-ReloS years.

Minority Leader Democrat Nancy Pelosi affirmed the Democrats’ commitment to work with Republicans for the good of the American people, but also vowed in her speech before introducing Speaker Ryan: “We will stand our ground wherever in good conscience we must. If there is an attempt to destroy the guarantee of Medicare, harm

Medicare, Social Security or the Affordable Care Act, Democrats will stand our ground!

If there is an assault on clean air and clear water, on civil rights, women’s rights or LGBT rights, if Dreamers and their immigrant families face the nightmare of deportation.”

On January 10, President Obama is set to deliver his farewell speech to the nation in Chicago, just as the first President of the United States George Washington did before his term ended.

On January 20, Obama’s successor, President-Elect Donald Trump will take his oath, and will be America’s president, chief execu-

tive and commander-in-chief for the next four years.

However, as most political experts point out, Trump is not really an ideological President.

This makes them wonder if he will really champion Republican principles and platform.

DO YOU THINK Trump will stir the country in the right direction? Do believe he will be able to fulfill his campaign promise to “make America great again”? Do you feel optimistic and excited about U.S. politics in 2017? *** 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 ABSCBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Duterte won’t beat drugs and graft if we don’t help Commentary

RicaRdo Saludo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is losing the battle against crime, drugs, and sleaze.

Huh? Didn’t this column just argue last Thursday that his antidrug campaign has slashed not narcotics and crime? We also lauded him for firing two college fraternity friends over a P50million bribery at the Bureau of Immigration, the very opposite of his predecessor’s constant defense of schoolmates, allies, and shooting buddies.

For sure, Duterte has shown toughness and resolve in fighting drugs, lawlessness and corruption. Problem is, there’s no way he and his administration can beat those entrenched scourges without help from the citizenry, key national sectors, and the international community. No way.

Make no mistake: Unless the nation itself makes a commitment and adopts policies and practices to combat and prevent crime and corruption over the long term, the globally linked narco-syndicates and their corrupt protectors in the government would be back after Duterte leaves office, as he will in 2022 or sooner.

Ditto grafters like those Immigration crooks, as well as the tanim-bala extortionists banished by election campaign threats to let them eat the bullets they plant in airport luggage.

Even now, Duterte cannot catch

every bribe-taker.

Plainly, major religions, local communities, business, civil society, and the citizenry must join hands with and give support to anti-graft reformers, honest officials and upright public servants. Otherwise, the dirty ones will find ways to continue and even expand and spread their venal ways.

The rise and fall and rise of drugs We saw it in the drug trade over the past two decades. In the 1990s, the Philippines was not a major narcotics hub. For one thing, in those years, then-Customs Commissioners Salvador Mison and Guillermo Parayno squeezed smugglers, and the International Monetary Fund even hired the latter as consultant on customs reform.

But under the Estrada administration, contraband escalated, and the country became one of the top five narco-trafficking centers. In the 2000s, thenPresident Gloria Arroyo cracked down on drugs, as chronicled in “Beating The Odds,” a book on crisis management co-authored by this writer and former Cabinet Secretary. Thousands of dealers were arrested, and shabu labs dismantled, with no rash of extrajudicial killings.

Under President Benigno Aquino 3rd, however, smuggling skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Based on IMF data, contraband tripled from $7.9 billion in 2009 to $26.6 billion five years later. Guns and drugs gushed in, as Aquino himself admitted in his 2013 State of the Nation Address. And that fueled the tripling in crime to more than 1 million incidents a year in 2013 and 2014, from 324,083 in 2010.

The lesson, of course, is that no presidential crackdown on crime and narcotics will win if the next Malacañang occupant abets the syndicates. And that backsliding can so easily happen — unless we as a nation forge a commitment and entrench policies and programs to combat drugs, lawlessness and sleaze. It’s the only way to win for good.

How to stop the killings Is President Duterte mobilizing the nation toward an active, intensive, resolute and broadbased campaign against addiction, crime, and corruption? Or is he relying mainly on police powers, tough talk, and blood on the streets to shock and awe crooks, grafters, pushers and addicts into surrendering and mending their ways.

For sure, the body count is having a massive impact, with more than 1 million drug users and traffickers giving up, nearly 45,000 arrested, including 73 government officials accused of narco-links. Law enforcers have dismantled several huge shabu labs, and the Bureau of Customs reports that it has seized P1.27 billion worth of illegal narcotics.

But fast-forward to 2022 or maybe 2019, when Duterte said he would step down if charter change establishes federalism.

Will the next regime, including perhaps autonomous regional governments, continue to battle global drug rings, especially if most Filipinos don’t help or care?

Even now, with hundreds of thousands of addicts needing rehabilitation, and millions more mired in drugs, Duterte’s campaign looks set to be overwhelmed if his government

alone grapples with the nationwide challenge of getting addicts to kick their habit.

Yet the solution to the nearimpossible task of rehabilitating more than 3 million addicts is all around them: the families, communities, parishes, and local governments in which the users live.

Plainly, if the drug problem is to be decisively and humanely solved, it will have to be through the collaboration of Filipinos families, barangays, religious and social welfare groups, and city and municipal authorities.

Indeed, if they were involved from the start, the anti-drug war casualties would have been much lower.

Take San Juan City. Recently, Mayor Guia Gomez presided

over the “graduation” of 300 former addicts now pronounced clean after undergoing a rehabilitation program involving their families, Christian groups like Christ’s Commission Fellowship, and city health and law enforcement personnel.

The city police also shut down a massive shabu lab secretly operating on posh Wilson Street a week ago. Some P3.6 billion in drugs were seized, and three Chinese nationals and three Filipinos were investigated and charged. President Duterte said he would have killed the six suspects, but San Juan has shown that his campaign need not be fatal to succeed.

Now, if the San Juan example is replicated nationwide, with the Catholic Church actively

involved like other Christian groups, it would not only forge the grassroots commitment and solidarity needed to fight drugs. This collaboration among government, religion, family, and community would reduce killings far more than all the finger-wagging by the Church, the opposition, the West, and the United Nations.

Last week, President Duterte lashed out at the Church for condemning narco-deaths without providing help or alternative solutions. This new year, let both sides of the controversy end their war of words, and work with Filipino families and communities to stop drug abuse by helping addicts break free.

Otherwise, the drug lords will win sooner or later.

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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De Lima, Trillanes tagged in NBP attack

by Jomar

Canlas Manilatimes.net

SenatorS Leila de Lima and antonio trillanes 4th were taggged in the stabbing incident at the new Bilibid Prison in September, Justice Secretary Vitaliano aguirre 2nd said tuesday. aguirre however admitted that there is no evidence to prove the allegation. “one of the inmates said it was instigated to stop Jaybee Sebastian (from testifying on De Lima’s drug links),” aguirre told reporters, adding that the same inmate claimed that an official of the Philippine navy ordered the stabbing incident that claimed the life of convicted drug lord tony Co and injured four other inmates. “nababanggit dun si trillanes and De Lima (trillanes and De Lima were mentioned) but no supporting (evidence),” he added.

Inmate tomas Doniña, in an affidavit read before the House of representatives, said a former colleague at the Philippine navy ordered him to attack Sebastian to prevent the latter from spilling the beans on De Lima’s links to illegal drugs.

De Lima had said she had

nothing to do with the stabbing incident on September 28 at the nBP. Because of the attack, Sebastian was transferred from the nBP in Muntinlupa City to the national Bureau of Investigation (nBI) headquarters in Manila to secure his safety.

Duterte named ‘Person of the Year’ by Chinese magazine

by Catherine

s. Valente Manilatimes.net

Year” by a Chinese magazine, Malacañang announced on tuesPreSIDent rodrigo Duterte day, Jan. 4.

Presidential spokesman erneshas been named “Person of the

to abella said Yazhou Zhoukan, “the time magazine of the Chinese-speaking world,” gave the honor to Duterte following the Filipino leader’s “announcement of an independent foreign policy that consists of his distancing away from the US and forging closer ties with China.” “the article also praises Duterte’s program of good governance and anti-corruption campaign as a reason for his popularity among the Filipinos,” abella told reporters.

Yazhou Zhoukan, he noted, is the world’s only Chinese language international affairs magazine, circulated in major markets including Hong Kong, taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. the weekly magazine is owned by the Malaysia-based Media Chinese International Ltd., which is listed on the Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur stock exchanges.

Since taking power on June 30, 3016, Duterte has made headlines for declaring a “military and economic separation” from the US and hitting hard on Washington and United nations officials critical of his bloody war on drugs. to pursue a more independent foreign policy, Duterte is seeking closer ties with US rivals China and russia through economic and arms deals.

AFTERMATH. Chief Supt. Elmer Cruz Beltejar, PNP regional director, inspectes the blast site at the Hilongos Rizal Plaza on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Police are tracking down three men believed to be responsible for two explosions at the plaza here that wounded 32 people during the town fiesta on Dec. 28.

Inquirer.net photo by Vicky Arnaiz

Creation of Philippine Space Agency sought ManILa — Sen. Loren Legarda proposed the creation of the Philippine Space agency which will address the country’s issues related to space science and technology applications. the senator filed Senate Bill 1259 or “an act establishing a Philippine Space Development Policy and creating the Philippine Space agency (PhilSa), defining its purpose, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes.” the proposed policy will serve as the country’s primary strategic roadmap for space development, Legarda said.

“It must be considered that the The proposed Philippine Space Agency will be established as the central government Philippines is lagging behind its agency addressing all national issues and activities related to space science and technology neighboring countries such as In- applications. donesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore, each having Space development policy will focus on the office of the President and will be headed by a director general. agencies with satellites devoted six key development areas: • national security and developUnder the proposed measure, a on telecommunications or earth ment sum of P1 billion will be approprimonitoring,” Legarda said.

• hazard management and cli- ated as initial operating fund for the senator noted that many the PhilSa, taken from the budget Filipino space scientists opted to mate studies • space research and develop- o the office of the President, Deserve in space agencies abroad partment of Science and technoldue to lack of local support in the ment • space industry and capacity ogy and Department of national field.

Defense.

“Space programs and develop- building • space education and aware“the Philippine Space Policy ment are not limited to sending will focus on space applications astronauts to space or engineering ness • international cooperation that can preserve and enhance space crafts and technologies, but the PhilSa will be established the country’s national security they, in fact, address basic needs in our daily lives such as the ap- as the central government agency and promote development that is plication of global navigation satel- addressing issues on space sci- beneficial to all Filipinos, and on lite systems which directly affects ence and technology applications. conducting research and develthe agency will be the primary opment endeavors in vital areas industries, transportation management, national security, health policy and administrative entity of of space science, technology and management, and the expansion the executive branch of the gov- allied fields,” Legarda said in a of scientific and engineering re- ernment in promoting the national statement. (Patrick Lourdes Viray/ space program.

Philstar.com) sources,” the senator said.

It will be an attached agency of the proposed Philippine space

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COMMUNITY

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Journal

Your Immigration Solution Devin Connolly & nanCy Miller THE ability to lawfully live and work in the United States is a dream of so many people.

The fulfillment of this dream requires the aspiring immigrant to navigate the United States’ immigration laws, which are considered to be a very confusing and complex area of law. However, despite this complexity, and the incredible importance placed on being granted permanent resident status or U.S. citizenship, countless numbers of aspiring immigrants attempt to achieve their immigration goals without the assistance of an experienced attorney who specializes in immigration law. Sure some may indeed succeed, but many others do not; and this failure may lead to their ultimate nightmare – being deported.

A person born outside the United States, commonly referred to as an “alien,” files their request for immigration benefits with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The USCIS is a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Prior to filing any

The necessity of being represented by an immigration attorney application with the USCIS, it is imperative for the applicant to confirm their eligibility for the requested benefit. This assessment requires a review of many things, including dates of entries and exits from the U.S., type of visa (if any) held at entry to the U.S., the immigration status and history of the applicant and their family members, etc.

Successfully applying for immigration benefits requires much more than merely completing required forms. It must include an accurate assessment of the applicant’s eligibility for the requested benefits. Eligibility must take into account the impact of any and all prior immigration history and criminal history – in this country or any other. This assessment is essential, because applying for an immigration benefit when you are not actually eligible may lead to a person being immediately deported.

Previous immigration problems may mean that the alien is not eligible for the relief that they are seeking. It may also mean that the alien will require a waiver of a ground of inadmissibility. The same is true for criminal history. They type of

conviction or the sentence may preclude the alien from relief (and result in deportation). Alternatively, it may require a waiver with a showing of extreme hardship to the qualifying relative(s).

Criminal immigration problems may exist even if the alien was not actually convicted of a crime if the event causes the officer to have a reason to believe that they are ineligible.

It is crucial to submit a welldocumented request for an immigration benefit. The submission of sufficient documentary evidence is vital since the applicant has the burden of proving that they are eligible for the requested benefit. In light of the fact that the burden of proof is on the applicant, they submit evidence that is thorough and persuasive to maximize their chances of being granted the requested benefit.

Aspiring immigrants should do everything possible to ensure their personal interview is successful. These interviews can be stressful, nerve-wracking experiences. It may be the applicant’s first time attending a personal interview for an immigration benefit with the USCIS,

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Filipina cited as ‘Global Visionary’ Growing up poor didn’t stop Analisa Leonor Balares from getting an Ivy League education, working at Wall Street, and sharing similar opportunities with other women and girls through her Womensphere Foundation.

Inquirer photo

by Doris

DUMlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net

able world by helping empower women and girls made her quit the corporate world in 2008 to She was born into a poor fami- put up Womensphere Foundaly—her father was a family driver tion, a global organization that and her mother a househelp—but seeks to accelerate women’s adbrains, perseverance and innate vancement in leadership, innoleadership skills propelled Anali- vation and entrepreneurship. sa Leonor Balares into getting an New York-based Balares was Ivy League education that eased recently handpicked by Swiss her way into becoming a rain- global banking giant UBS as one maker at Wall Street, a valuable of its inaugural batch of “Global manager who brings in business Visionaries,” described as a sefrom wealthy clients. lect pool of 10 extraordinary But wanting to work toward people who dedicate their lives a more inclusive and sustain- to projects, research, move-

Big business groups collaborate to address job-skills mismatch BSP extends deadline for exchange of old banknotes by riChMonD

MerCUrio Philstar.com

est and most influential business organizations in the country—are embarking on several initiatives MANILA – Big business together with the government that groups are collaborating to find will solve the country’s job-skills ways to address the problem of mismatch concern. job-skills mismatch in the coun“We, together with other busitry which they said have long ness groups like PCCI and MAP, hampered the growth of various are working with the government industries. to ensure the matching of skills The Makati Business Club with the requirement of industry (MBC), Management Association because what we need is to make of the Philippines (MAP) and Phil- sure that the needs of the industry ippine Chamber of Commerce and in the next five to 10 years is met Industtry (PCCI)—the three larg- and that our education system

and our population would match,” MBC chairman Ed Chua told The Star.

In a joint study published last year by the International Labor Organization and Employers Confederation of the Philippines, jobskills mismatch was identified as a significant factor hampering the country’s manufacturing potential and constraining its economic growth.

The mismatch is also said to be a contributing factor to the high

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by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTime.net

demonetization program until March 31, 2017 from the original THE public can still exchange deadline of December 31, 2016.

The old NDS banknotes, which their old New Design Series (NDS) banknotes into the New consist of 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, 100-, Generation Currency (NGC) se- 200-, 500- and 1,000-peso deries until end-March next year, nominations, were first issued on June 12, 1985. As of January the central bank said.

In a press briefing last week, 1 this year, they can no longer be Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas used for purchases.

But these old banknotes can (BSP) Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said this is because still be exchanged without charge the central bank extended its u PAGE CJ3

ments and technologies that have the potential to profoundly impact our lives and the society we live in.

“Analisa understands the economic benefits of higher participation rates of women in the workforce and that a holistic approach needs to be applied to women’s education and development,” said Simon Smiles, chief investment officer at UBS Wealth Management.

Added Smiles in an Inquirer e-mail interview: “Analisa has

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Community Journal

January 6-12, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

Failed relationships of fiance visa beneficiaries

The CTV Files atty. DenniS Chua, eSq. One advantage in filing a fiancé visa petition is that the fiancé beneficiary will be able to enter the United States faster compared to a spousal immigrant petition to be filed for the fiance.

Once the fiancé beneficiary enters the United States, he or she must marry the US citizen petitioner within ninety (90) days.

After the marriage, the fiancé beneficiary must file for an application to adjust his or her status to that of a permanent resident alien.

Since the purpose in the issuance of a fiancé visa is for the beneficiary to enter the United States to marry the US citizen petitioner, there are certain restrictions imposed on the fiancé visa.

The fiancé beneficiary can only adjust status based on marriage to the US citizen petitioner who filed the fiancé petition. neither can the fiancé beneficiary change status to another type of nonimmigrant visa (such as a student visa, working visa, investor’s

visa) nor extend the fiancé visa.

Two different case scenarios will best illustrate the implications on the fiancé beneficiary’s failure to marry the US citizen petitioner or adjust her status after marriage to the US citizen petitioner.

• Jose filed a fiancé visa petition for Gilda. Upon Gilda’s entry into the United States, both of them discovered that they were not meant for each other.

Since Gilda was already here in the United States, she decided to remain in the country and stayed with her relatives. After a few years, Gilda met Mario and the two fell in love. Gilda and Mario eventually got married. Thinking that she was now married to a US citizen, Gilda filed for an application for adjustment of status based on her marriage to Mario. After their interview, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denied Gilda’s application for adjustment of status because Gilda entered the US using a fiancé visa and she was not adjusting her status based on her marriage to the

person who filed the fiancé visa petition for her. Gilda may still be allowed to stay in the country and fix her status if she has been in the country for at least ten years. Gilda has the option to exit the country and undergo visa processing and to file for a waiver before the US embassy so that the government could waive her unlawful presence if she has been in the United States unlawfully for more than 180 days. The option of filing a stateside waiver is also available to her where she could file the waiver here in the United States first before going back to her home country.

• norman filed a fiancé visa petition for Daisy. norman and Daisy got married within 90 days upon Daisy’s entry into the United States. Daisy then filed for her application for adjustment of status with the USCIS. During the early stages of their marriage, Daisy discovered that norman was not the person she fell in love with. norman had a temper and he began abusing her verbally and physically. Since

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette aDeva Maglaya (Part 1 of 4) DO you believe in angels? I do. Most people do.

The strong presence of angels in the various books of the Bible, specially during the birth of Jesus Christ attests to the role of angels in human history.

The Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bring forth a son. Zechariah received a message from an angel. It was an angel that told Joseph to take Mary for his wife. It was a multitude of angels that told the shepherds where to find the newborn child while angels hovered above the stable during that wondrous night.

It was also an angel that warned Joseph of a clear and present danger to the child Jesus. Herod, the unhinged, murderous king descended from a long line of power-mad monarchs, wanted to make sure no one stood between him and his throne.

In haste, Joseph left with

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Angels among us “I think that someone is watching out for me, God, my guardian angel, I’m not sure who that is, but they really work hard.” — Mattie Stepanek Mary and the child during the night after the Magi had left for a long and arduous trek to a town in egypt some scholars estimate to be 200 miles away where Herod had no authority to commit mass murder.

You can bet a host of angels guided them in seeking refuge.

Herod’s murderous rampage began when he realized that the Magi had tricked him and had taken a different route home ignoring his sly request to tell him of the child’s location.

It is believed 14,000 innocent male babies from the age of two and below were killed in Herod’s most cruel, preemptive strike against this perceived threat to his kingdom. The holy family stayed safely away for years until the king died and the danger had passed.

Did these holy innocents become cherubs, angels without wings? Do the millions of the unborn of our time the world

over cut down by murderous abortionists become cherubs?

Does God repurpose innocent souls upon their deaths to become angels themselves?

There is a belief that souls are indestructible. If so, do souls get recycled back to be born at another time and place? Only God knows for certain.

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.

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

A tribute to Benjamin G. Maynigo: An idealist and dreamer till the very end The Metamorphosis

ernie D. DelFin (PART 2 of 2)

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

Ben was one guy who just loved to make up acronyms and/ or repetitive letters to remember things easier, like his four Hs = Humility, Honesty, Honor, and Hope (and Humor, as added by his Tanya, when she read her eulogy).

I still remember also his 5 Ms for a successful business to have: Money (or capital) Management, Manpower, Materials (logistics) and “Mansion” or a great ROI (rate of investment). For many of his friends and readers, Ben was known as a wordsmith who created many things out of the 26 letters of the alphabet. That is one of the things I will miss from his always active and prolific mind amidst his weakened heart.

When he semi-retired from his newfound love affair with AI (Artificial Intelligence) field that allowed him to travel extensively in many countries, I introduced him to my Asian Journal-San Diego publisher friends Genny and Sim Silverio and shortly thereafter he started penning his almost weekly columns “Take it from my Barber” and also on “Tech IT” (on technology) that made his mind always on high gear.

The many times that we were together both in his residence in Virginia or in our house in Southern California, our friendship and respect deepened because of common values and ideals on so many aspects of life in general. We talked about what kind of legacy we can leave to our world. Knowing his family and children — Tanya, Traci and Raul — at close range, without doubt, I can say that “ang bunga ay hindi mahuhulog na malayo sa puno” (the fruits will never

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THe holidays may be behind us but their physical effects, among others, will linger for a while. Medically speaking, it is actually a time for “damage control” for those of us who overindulged during the festivities.

The post-holiday “makeover” is just as a healthy preemptive measure, more so for those who really want to maintain their normal weight or those who have diabetes, heart disease, hypertension or hypercholesterolemia.

As with anything else, damage control is best as a preventive strategy. However, the holidays and special celebrations (like a birthday or a wedding reception), which could go on for more than a week, expose all of us to that great irresistible gastronomical temptation.

For dieters, those who are watching their weight or counting calories, these occasions are tough times. Blessed are those strong-willed souls, whether or not they carry a calorie counter on one hand and a scale on the other. These health-conscious

fall far from the tree).

Unlike many of my friends and business associates, I don’t remember Ben and I ever discussing any business deals to get super rich. That was probably due to our humble beginnings in Pangasinan where our parents and grandparents were not materially driven except to get the best education that we can obtain within our means.

To end this unusual tribute to a dear compadre and soulmate, let me reprint what he wrote about two years ago, when he stayed with us for a few days at our Fountain Valley home. You can see and savor the flavor of his unique descriptive writing that comes from a sharpened provincial pen. That visit was the last time we saw each other, with my wife and my son eJ, his inaanak (godson) : “….I also had a chance to see and meet old friends. My compadre (I am godfather to his only son, eJ) ernie Delfin and his beautiful and forever young wife Benita, hosted me to a nice dinner. In fact, eJ who is a school teacher actually taught at my Alma Mater, Huntington Beach High School, as an American Field Scholar during my high school senior year. My Facebook updated status described my visit with them: Yesterday, a welcome dinner for me was hosted by one of my closest friends, ernie Delfin. The food was great but it was not what amazed me.

He brought me to his house for 36 years in Fountain Valley — only about 10-15 minutes from Huntington Beach. It was also the house where the late editor-publisher Max Soliven and I used to stay every time we came for a visit.

He showed the guest room which was renovated, for me to know that next time, I should stay with them as I used to. But again that was not what amazed me.

His front and backyards are only as small as mine in McLean, Va. This was what amazed me:

He was able to convert both into a combination of a little FARMYARD and floral garden.

He planted and is producing the following: A. VeGeTABLeS: eggplant, Ampalaya, Kalabaza, Pipino, Leek, Kamatis, Kamote, Basil, different Mints and Herbs, Alugati, Malunggay, and a few more American salad vegetables that I cannot name.

B. FRUITS: Avocado, Guava, Banana (Saba), Persimmon, Papaya, Apple, Tangerines, Oranges, Grapes, Mango, and Palm trees.

C. FLORAL: Roses, Orchids, Arias, Annuals and Perennials, and hundreds of succulents.

Doesn’t that make you jealous? My friend, who has proven himself as a good CPA, an Innovative entrepreneur, a Pioneer of e-Rotary, and a Patriotic Community Leader, is also an excellent Small Urban Farmer.

I ate some of the fruits we picked in the small farmyard for breakfast.”

What kind of a person can’t be touched by reading and savoring such a beautifully written essay, on a seemingly mundane or ordinary “farmyard” and human activity? As an insanely idealist like him, I am humbly moved and this is one reason that makes me sad that my compadre left this world so sudden.

With his family, however, I want to remember and celebrate his life where he did his best to leave this world a better one than he found it.

Compadre Ben, you are one of a kind! I will never forget you!

So, until we meet again in heaven and I promise you, together we will replicate our beautiful farm-garden in Paradise!

To you Compadre and those who you have left behind, HAPPY BIRTDAY, and yes, let me shout your signature Season’s Greetings: “ MALIGAYAnG PASKO AT MAYnIGOnG BAGOnG TAOn!” *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.org

Post-holiday ‘damage control’ individuals will reap their rewards in terms of stamina, energy, a stronger immune system, and even longevity, as shown by medical statistics.

Bear and horse analogy Here is an analogy to clarify a point: “The bear, a carnivorous, eats with impunity in one sitting, gaining pounds after pounds, and then sleeps, slowing down its body metabolism, while the horse grazes on grass several times the whole day, and runs around very frequently, and as such, is a more agile, much leaner, and healthier animal.”

Our physiology is at the optimum when we exercise and consume just the right amount of calories of the right foods to maintain our normal weight and when our glucose (blood sugar) levels are on an even keel most of the time. When we overeat and then try to starve ourselves to compensate for our indiscretion, our blood glucose spikes up and down — a phenomenon described as yo-yo dieting. This severe fluctuation in our blood glucose levels has adverse effects on our bodies and on our immune systems. And this poses an even greater danger for persons with diabetes. eating several times a day, even five or six times a day, not exceeding the total 24-hour caloric need of our body, is a

healthier habit, which helps maintain our blood glucose level in a more stable, less erratic, pattern during the day. But the key is calorie-control, especially the ones from carbohydrates (rice, bread, soft drinks, cakes, ice cream, candies, and other sweets).

Several years ago, we wrote about two main hormones that control our appetite, which is apropos to our discussion. Here is a segment of that column: What triggers hunger and satiety?

The urge to eat (hungry or not) is, to a large extent, controlled by hormones in our body. And these hormones fluctuate depending on how much sleep we get, what types of food we eat and how many calories we take in, and on how much physical activities we indulge in daily. Scientific researchers are focusing on four specific substances they call “fat hormones,” which our own endocrine glands in the body produce. There are hormones that make one eat and there are also hormones that signal the brain to tell the person to stop eating. These substances control hunger and satiety.

Which is the “hunger hormone”?

The hunger hormone is

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What to do if you get a ‘knock on the door’

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ MANY people are justifiably afraid and concerned about their future in America once Donald Trump becomes president. When he kicked off his campaign, he stated his intention to deport the approximate 11 million illegal aliens who are in the US. He later changed his position to focusing on the approximate 3 million he referred to as “bad hombres,” or those who pose a danger to society, such as criminals, terrorists, and possibly those with previous deportation orders.

However, people are still worried that ICE will come to their home or workplace, handcuff them, and take them off to the airport, to be flown back to the Philippines. But it is not that simple or easy for the government to deport/ remove people. You have rights and are entitled to Constitutional due process, and if you are ever faced with a knock on the door, you should have an attorney represent you, to protect your rights

and determine if you are possibly eligible for some sort of relief from deportation/removal.

With respect to fearing a knock on the door, you should be aware of the following: The government cannot simply knock on a person’s door or come to their place of work, grab and handcuff them, and take them to the nearest train station or airport and send them out.

Instead, each person is entitled to his or her “day in court.” They must be served with a Notice to Appear (NTA), which sets forth the charges or reasons they are deportable.

The person then has the right to appear in court, and apply for various forms of relief, if eligible, which must be heard and ruled on by the immigration judge in a trial-like setting.

Some forms of relief, which exist under current laws, could include cancellation of removal, adjustment of status (if they were petitioned by a relative and their priority date is current), waivers (if they are in removal/deportation because of some previous immi-

gration violation such as fraud or crimes, to name a few).

Court proceedings could involve several appearances. If their case is denied by the immigration judge, they can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), which could take several more years.

Where is Mr. Trump going to find enough courtrooms and judges to handle the approximate 11 million new removal proceedings? It will cost billions of dollars to build new courtrooms and hire and pay new judges (and their staff) to handle all of these removal proceedings and appeals.

The bottom line is it is not feasible to gather up and deport/remove millions of people. But if you are among the “unlucky ones” who are facing removal, or are later placed in removal, it is vital you have an attorney represent you, and protect your rights. *** 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.

HUGE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

S. SauSa Manilatimes.net

THE market for chocolate in the growing health and wellness confectionery market is expected to generate up to $2.5 billion in sales by 2020, presenting huge business opportunities for producers.

“Over the past decade or so, chocolate has had plenty of positive coverage from a health and wellness angle. While it is still primarily seen as an indulgence product, the words ‘chocolate’ and ‘healthy’ no longer form an incompatible contradiction in consumers’ minds,” the Euromonitor Digest, a publication of the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau said.

While chocolate for a healthy

and happy brain fortified/functional (FF) is carving out a niche for itself, organic is a well-established category for now.

Organic accounted for 40 percent of sales positioned as a health and wellness product in 2015.

“For the third year in a row, it delivered solid 7-percent growth, proving its worth as a credible offering, where organic and health and wellness values are not perceived as being in conflict by consumers,” according to the Euromonitor Digest.

It identified the top five leading growth markets for the product in 2015 as Israel, Norway, Australia, South Africa and the United States.

In the heartlands of organic,

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)

BSP extends deadline...

295.7 million pieces of NDS bills need to be exchanged, equivalent to 8.86 percent of the 3.34 PAGE CJ1 t have already been replaced and billion pieces in circulation.

Espenilla also reminded banks manufacturers are becoming ever with the BSP or its authorized a small amount is still circulating that they are required to exin the system,” he said. agent banks and financial instimore innovative, capitalizing on Espenilla said a BSP count change or replace old banknotes, the fact that the organic market is tutions for the NGC series. Howas of end-November this year whether these are from their cusever, they will become worthless hungry for more sophisticated ofshowed that about P23.3 billion tomers or not. beginning April 1, 2017. ferings and ingredients,” the pub“Banks should fulfill their reworth of the three-decades-old Espenilla said the extension lication noted. sponsibility and accept the old series still have to be exchanged was the Monetary Board’s answer While Asia Pacific only accountbanknotes,” he said, adding that ed for 7 percent of global health to the “public’s clamor for more for NGC banknotes.

BSP would apply the relevant A total of P979.9 billion in time to exchange or replace the and wellness sales in 2015, it led in provisions of the BSP Charter to banknotes are currently in cirold banknotes” which have been the FF segment by claiming a third those banks found refusing to acculation, 2.4 percent of which circulating since 1985. of global value sales, with Japan cept the old banknotes. n are NDS bills.

In volume terms, “Most of the NDS currencies the largest market in the region.

“Asia Pacific may be dominating FF right now, but in the mediumto long-term, attitudes are likely to shift more in favor of FF chocolate PAGE CJ1 t dealing here may not be. So what competent and job-ready human confectionary offerings in thus far unemployment rate in the Philip- I told them is you lead us. You resources that will contribute to rather conservative corners of the have the resources to look at what the productivity and sustainability globe, a trend that will be driven pines.

PCCI president George Bar- industry sector that we can now of enterprises, generate employby population ageing,” the publiment and reduce poverty in our celon had asked the National invest in our young,” he added. cation noted. n Through the help of the Ger- country,” Barcelon said.

Economic and Development AuHe said more member-chamthority (NEDA) to come up with a man Federal Ministry of Ecolong-term master plan to identify nomic Cooperation and Develop- bers of PCCI in cities and provemerging industries in the country ment, PCCI launched last month inces, industry associations and so that the education sector could the second phase of the K to 12 enterprises would be cooperating be done with the help of an ex- prepare a qualified workforce.

Plus Project to provide employers with senior high schools and techperienced and knowledgeable “We have been fortunate that a sustainable supply of a future voc education and training instiattorney who is dedicated solely we speak English very well and workforce whose technical-voca- tutes in designing curricula that to the practice of immigration with the advent of computeriza- tional skills match those that in- reflect employable skills. law. Hiring the right attorney tion, business process outsourcing dustries need.

He said graduates of senior may be the difference between sector became a hit for us,” Bar“The project serves as the high school in the country should obtaining a green card and be- celon said.

German government and the be equipped with “21st century ing deported.

“NEDA should come out with a Philippine project partners’ com- skills” relevant not only to labor *** master plan because 25 years from mitment to be at the forefront of market needs here and abroad, Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, now, new industries will rise and instituting programs and projects but also relevant to requirements largest and most experienced immigration the present industry that we are that will create a pool of qualified, for national development. n

Chocolate carves niche in health-wellness market

by Raadee

SHE TRIED TO COMPLY, BUT HER CASE WAS DENIED — A MOTHER’S DESPAIR AND AN ATTORNEY’S RESCUE ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Rowena and Mike came to the U.S. in 2010 to build a better life. Rowena was sponsored as a teacher. As she was filing her third extension for her H1-B visa in 2016, the shocking news hit her. She was denied! Then her adjustment (green card) application was denied because, according to the USCIS, she worked a mere 14 days without the necessary DHS authorization.

Three lawyers tried handling her case, to no avail, and her family was urging her to “give up” and return to the Philippines. She finally decided to consult with “the attorney of last hope,” Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel in a last-ditch effort to be able to provide a better life for her children.

Watch how Atty. Gurfinkel was able to solve the problem in a record 43 days, turning a disastrous denial into green cards for the entire family, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.

Big business groups collaborate...

The necessity of being represented...

PAGE CJ1 t and they are likely to be questioned by an experienced USCIS officer who has conducted many of these types of interviews. The USCIS officer may aggressively question the applicant, they may pressure them to answer questions to which they do not know the answers, and they may also allow the applicant to make statements that are harmful to their case. Saying the wrong thing during an interview can make it significantly more difficult to ever lawfully reside in the U.S. And while the applicant may later realize they misspoke or that they did not actually understand the questions they were being asked, it may too late to fix the problems created. The application may already be denied and the Department of Homeland Se-

curity may have already begun the process of deporting them to their native country.

Representation by an attorney includes not just preparing and submitting the application, it also includes preparation for the interview and attendance at the interview with the alien. What an applicant said or did not say may be the basis of a delay in adjudication or a denial. The attorney should be there to ensure that the questioning is fair and lawfully permissible – and to stop an interviewer who oversteps his or her bounds.

Federal Court judges have said that the only area of law that is more confusing than immigration is tax law. Maneuvering one’s way through the statutes, regulations, case law and personal interviews should only

firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila.

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

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

(Advertising Supplement)

Filipina cited as ‘Global...

PAGE CJ1 t drawn on her own experiences to design Womensphere’s distinctive community and ecosystem approach (and) apply it for women’s development in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) subjects across all socioeconomic classes and generations.”

Since its launch in early 2008 when the markets were crashing, Womensphere has reached more than 10,000 leaders, and inspired and trained more than 5,000 emerging women leaders on leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation and STEAM. “That is just the very tip of the iceberg,” Balares said in an email interview with Inquirer. “As we scale through technology, our digital initiatives alone will enable us to reach, inspire, educate and empower many times that number within one year.”

Born in Leyte, Balares juggled living in the world of the ultrarich, urban poor and rural countryside when she was growing up. Both her parents worked for a benevolent American family who lived in Forbes Park, where she stayed while attending Guadalupe Elementary School in Makati.

“Despite growing up poor in the Philippines, I felt empowered to succeed because of the mentors and role models I had when I was really young,” she said in a video produced by UBS. Balares spent the first 16 years of her life in the Philippines before going abroad on educational scholarships. While she lived in North Forbes Park, she was wellexposed to Makati’s poor neighborhoods which she had to traverse on her way to school.

Since age 13, Balares had been organizing leadership training conferences and science camps

for high school students in Metro Manila as Manila and NCR chair of the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs.

At Manila Science High School, as part of the team that won national competitions, she found herself representing the country in science fairs in Singapore and Thailand.

By the time she was 16, Balares’ academic achievements and student leadership experience opened up a number of scholarship opportunities. She accepted an offer from the Canadian International Development Agency and Ayala Foundation for a twoyear International Baccalaureate program at Lester Pearson United World College in Vancouver.

While in Canada, she received a full scholarship to study at Mount Holyoke College, the first college for women in the US, where she majored in Economics and Math.

In New York, Balares joined Goldman Sachs in High Technology Investment Banking, where she worked on $1.5-billion worth of high-tech corporate financing and merger and acquisition deals.

She also worked at asset management firm Milestone Capital.

In 2005, she obtained her MBA from Harvard Business School.

Prior to the UBS citation, Balares was honored as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum. She was also handpicked as one of “30 Outstanding Women Leaders” by the National Council for Research on Women, and received the Madam C.J. Walker Leadership Award from the National Minority Business Council.

The New Leaders Council honored her as well as one of its “40 Under 40 New Leaders in America.”

Balares takes such leadership

recognition in stride. “Within Womensphere, we have a view that everyone can be a leader, an innovator, (or) an entrepreneur and that you don’t have to go to an Ivy League institution to achieve this.

“This is why it is important to democratize access to knowledge. We need to take the best practices coming from Ivy League institutions, companies, governments and communities, and disseminate this information,” Balares said.

Womensphere, she said, is building a global network of incubators designed to empower women and girls, with each incubator offering them five things: ecosystem, community, connections with inspiring role models, training and education, as well as recognition and awards.

It is also important to have a digital component to reach the over 1.5 billion internet users who are women and girls, Balares added. The internet allows Womensphere to deliver the same type of training and education it offers live in communities.

For women in rural communities without internet, Womensphere reaches out through local partnerships. An example is its partnership with Sen. Bam Aquino, which enabled the group to reach women in rural areas.

“For a program to succeed, it needs to be integrated— through partnerships—into local communities and within institutions where women are learning and working,” Balares said.

“We also have a range of programs that focus on women— from first-time entrepreneurs or those just starting college, to women who are in the middle of their careers and need help progressing to the next level of leadership.” n

Calendar of Events across

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 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

Business news

January 6-12, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

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

Residential property price growth slows in Q3

by Mayvelin

Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

PSE starts first trading day of 2017: Top officials of the Philippine Stock Exchange marked the first trading day of 2017 with a special bell ringing ceremony at the Ayala and Tektite trading floors. In photo are (from left) Securities Clearing Corp. Philippines deputy COO Jenny Cueto and PSE treasurer Omelita Tiangco, COO Roel Refran, director Edgardo Lacson, chairman Jose Pardo, and directors Ma. Vivian Yuchengco, Ramon Monzon and Alejandro Yu.

PSEi starts 2017 on high note by iris

Gonzales Philstar.com

MANILA – The first day of trading for 2017 managed to end in positive territory despite trading mostly in the red in the early part of the day.

The market opened on a negative note but the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) managed to close higher as foreign buyers gobbled up some stocks.

The main composite index closed higher by 20.67 points or 0.30 percent to finish at 6,861.31.

Similarly, the broader All Shares finished in positive territory, up 10.49 points or 0.25 percent to end at 4,166.56.

Most of the counters likewise closed in the green except for the services index, which declined 1.36 points or 0.10 percent.

The mining and oil index led the gains with an increase of 0.83 percent followed by the industrial sector.

However, total value turnover remained thin at P2.68 billion.

Nevertheless, advancing stocks outnumbered decliners, 89 to 79 while 42 stocks were left unchanged.

Commenting on the market performance, Justino Calaycay of A&A Securities said the technical indicators aren’t exactly encouraging going into 2017 but the fundamentals are still embracing a rather optimistic narrative.

He said the new year offers a clean slate.

Calaycay said investors still committed funds to equities. At the same time, he said investors must be more circumspect and selective when putting their money in stocks. n

RESIDENTIAL property prices grew in the third quarter of 2016 but at a slower pace than the preceding quarter and from a year earlier, marked by rising vacancy rates.

According to the Residential Real Estate Price Index (RREPI) report released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) over the weekend, residential property prices from July to September this year increased by 2.2 percent from a year earlier.

“Residential real estate prices grew at a slower pace of 2.2 percent in Q3 2016 as the RREPI rose to 113.4 from 111.0 for the same quarter a year ago.

The annual growth in residential real estate prices was lower than the 11.3 percent increase registered a quarter ago,” the BSP said in a statement.

By type of housing unit, townhouses posted the highest year-on-year growth in prices at 4.9 percent, followed by condominium units at 3.1 percent and single detached housing units by 2.4 percent, while prices of duplexes dipped by 5.1 percent.

Growth in real property prices in the National Capital Region

Post-holiday ‘damage...

PAGE CJ2 t

assess various reliefs that may be available depending on the cirDaisy could no longer stand the cumstances of each case. �� �� �� abuses of Norman, she left their home and went to a shelter. This Atty. Dennis E. Chua is a partner in The Law Firm angered Norman who then with- of Chua Tinsay and Vega (CTV), a full service law drew the affidavit of support he firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego submitted for Daisy in her ad- and Manila. The information presented in this justment of status application. article is for general information only and is Daisy’s adjustment application not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor was eventually denied. Under the formation of an attorney-client relationship. this factual scenario, Daisy can Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone file for a battered spouse petition consultation to discuss your particular situation and adjust her status without and/or how their services may be retained at (415) 495-8088; (619) 955-6277; Dchua@ctvattys.com.

Norman’s participation.

It is important to note that the The CTV Attorneys will be at Max’s Restaurant in factual antecedents of each case Vallejo on October 19, 2009 from 5pm to 7pm to are different and it is essential to hold a FREE legal clinic. (Advertising Supplement)

Ghrelin, which is secreted by our guts (stomach and intestines). When its level goes up, we feel hungry and have the urge to eat. The level of Ghrelin goes up when we get less sleep or not enough sleep. This is the reason why those who are trying to lose weight should get adequate amount (about eight hours) of sleep.

An imbalanced meal and stress also elevate the Ghrelin level. Food deprivation obviously increases the Ghrelin level, hence it is better to keep the level of this hormone on an even keel and not fluctuate too much by eating regularly (or even more than three times a day) but at a controlled total calorie ceiling, to maintain health and body weight. So, starving oneself is not a good way to lose weight, since this will lead to a Ghrelin “boomerang” in the latter part of the day.

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

Failed relationships...

PAGE CJ2 t

(NCR) dropped marginally 0.2 percent from 8 percent a year ago, but prices in areas outside NCR (AONCR) grew faster by 4.9 percent compared to the 2.8 percent rise recorded in the third quarter of 2015.

“This is due mainly to the faster rate of increase in prices of single detached housing units and townhouses in AONCR compared to those of NCR. Meanwhile, the prices of condominium units increased in both NCR and AONCR,” the BSP explained.

IHS Markit Asia Pacific chief economist Rajiv Biswas said despite the strong domestic economy and rapid gross domestic product growth, the rapid rise of residential property prices in recent quarters has impacted upon affordability for new buyers, while a strong pipeline of residential project completions is expected to result in some increase in the stock of unsold properties as well as increasing vacancy rates for rental properties.

“This could dampen the outlook for the residential property market in the near term,” he said.

However, Biswas noted that the medium term fundamentals

What is the “satiety hormone”?

The opposite or counter-hormone, which is called Leptin, signals the brain when to stop eating. It controls the appetite.

This “satiety hormone” is produced by fat cells in the body.

When a person loses weight, the leptin level in the blood stream also goes down. As a result, there is a “rebound” weight gain. The best strategy for losing and maintaining a desired weight level is to lose in a slow and steady pace, about one to two pounds a week, and not more. In this manner, there will still be an effective level of leptin in the body to control the urge to eat.

Are appetite suppressants safe?

Most appetite control pills, juices, solutions and powders on the market are not the physiological and unnatural way to suppress (by force) the appetite for weight control. While they are readily available and very

for the residential property market remain favorable, helped by the rapidly growing size of the middle class, favorable demographics due to a youthful workforce, and the strong pace of economic growth projected for the Philippines economy over the medium term.

“The buoyant growth of the IT-BPO [information technology-business process outsourcing industry]is another positive factor for the residential property market over the medium term, as IT-BPO clusters creating thousands of professional, white collar jobs continue to develop in major cities across the nation, including Manila, Cebu, Davao, Metro Laguna and Bacolod City,” he said.

By region, NCR accounted for 46.3 percent of the residential real estate loans granted in the third quarter of 2016, followed by Calabarzon (29.6 percent), Central Luzon (6.1 percent), Central Visayas (4.7 percent), Western Visayas (4.5 percent), Davao Region (3.4 percent), and Northern Mindanao (1.7 percent).

The index also showed that about seven out of 10 residential real estate loans granted were for the purchase of new

housing units.

By type of housing unit, about 48 percent of residential property loans were for single detached units, followed by condominium units (44.3 percent) and townhouses (7.6 percent). Condominium units were the most common house purchases in the NCR while single detached houses were mostly acquired in AONCR. The RREPI measures the average changes in the prices of different types of housing units over a period of time across different geographical regions, and the growth rate the index records indicates price inflation, the central bank said.

It is computed as a weighted chain-linked index based on the average appraised value per square meter weighted by the share of floor area of housing units.

Besides the overall index, sub-indices have also been constructed for the different types of housing units, such as single, duplex, apartments, and residential units.

The BSP said the index could serves as a measure to assess trends in real estate and credit market conditions in the country. n

popular, they have potential adverse side effects on the heart, liver, kidneys and brain in the long haul. Some serious complications and even deaths have been reported from the use of these diet substances. Since greater calorie intake than output is the cause of an increase in body weight, the safest, most natural strategy is to eat less and burn more calories with physical exercises, making the output of calories (energy) greater than the intake of calories (food). The use of appetite suppressants could be dangerous.

The healthier “damage control” for our post-holiday misadventures includes daily gradual incremental reduction in the food we eat, daily physical exercises, as simple and easy as brisk walking for about 30 minutes a day, and hitting the scale daily (yes, daily) to check on any progress. Drinking a lot of water (not fruit juices and, especially not toxic soft drinks!) can help a lot. Excess weight that does not come down only means a greater reduction in

food intake is needed. The excess weight gained over the holidays could be safely eliminated within a week. For those really overweight to begin with, the same strategy (output of calories must exceed the intake) could be used.

Simply put, more exercise and less food, until the scale tells you that you have achieved your dream weight for the NEW YOU and the new year.

Please visit www.philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

EMPLOYMENT

������ 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 6-12, 2017

CJ

Get replacement Social Security tax forms online with ease

IT’S that time of year again.

Preparing for tax season can seem overwhelming. Some forms and paperwork might be difficult to track down. If you misplaced your Benefits Statement or haven’t received it by the end of January, we’ve made it easy for you to go online to request a replacement with my Social Security.

An SSA-1099, also called a Benefit Statement, is a tax form Social Security mails each year in January to the more than 60 million people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits received HERCULES CYCLING CLUB. Want to get into cycling or looking to ride with a group? Established in August 2013, The Hercules Cycling Club from Social Security in the prewas organized to promote the enjoyment of cycling in our local community. We are a collection of cyclists from different backgrounds vious year so people know how and skill levels that organize fun group rides open to everyone, and support events and activities that encourage cycling. Membership is much Social Security income to not limited to Hercules City residents, we have members all over the Bay Area including San Francisco, Fremont in the south and Fairfield report to the IRS on their tax reup north. Safety comes first on our rides, and no one gets dropped nor left behind! For more information on the club and ride schedules, turn. go to www.herculescyclingclub.net or email herculescyclingclub@gmail.com.

For non-citizens who live outside of the United States and received or repaid Social Security benefits last year, we’ll send The workshop will take place ber 102512. The instructor, form SSA-1042S instead. The The Concord Senior Center is hosting a workshop for peo- for an hour a week over three Dr. Speed, is an experienced forms SSA-1099 and SSA-1042S ple who want to learn about weeks on Tuesdays, Jan. 10, registered investment adviser are not available for people who who has been working with receive Supplemental Security the role of social security, 17 and 24, from 7 to 8 pm.

The sessions will be held at retired clients in the east Bay Income (SSI).

Medicare, pensions and plans such as 401Ks and IRAs in the Senior Center, 2727 Park- for over 25 years.

Register at www.Concorretirement. Participants will side Circle. This class is most learn how stocks, bonds, Re- appropriate for those who dReg.org or for more informaITs and other investments can have $100,000 or more in re- tion contact Program CoordiThe Concord City Council provide a continuous stream tirement savings. The work- nator Dario Sanchez at (925) seeks candidates to fill the vashop fee is $15, course num- 671-3017. n of income. cancy on the Council created when Tim Grayson was elected to the State Assembly in November. The term runs through November of 2018. The deadline for applications is Jan. 13 at 5 p.m.

Applicants must be registered SAND bags are available to voters and residents of Concord, 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 The Mabuhay health Center also available at the south east is offering free health services corner of the San Bruno City every 2nd Saturday of the month hall parking lot. from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (last To report storm related ispatient accepted at 12:30 p.m.) sues, please use the following at the Bayanihan Community important contact phone numCenter, 1010 Mission Street, San bers: Francisco. They are also work(650) 616-7180 - Tree issues ing in conjunction with UCSF. (650) 616-7160 - Other storm Offered health services and issues clinic dates for 2017: (650) 616-7100 – Police Non• health screening - April 8 emergency • Blood pressure check - May (650) 616-7096 – Fire Non13 emergency • Diabetes monitoring For emergencies call 9-1-1. n June 10

Learn about successful retirement investing

If you currently live in the United States and need a replacement form SSA-1099, we have a way for you to get a replacement quickly and easily. Go online and request a replacement form with a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Online replacement

forms are available beginning February 1, 2017. every working person in the U.S. should create a my Social Security account. The secure and personalized features of my Social Security are invaluable in securing a comfortable retirement — for today and tomorrow. n

Applications open for vacant Concord City Council seat

Storm preparedness: Sand bags and important contact phone numbers

United States citizens, 18 years of age or older, and not disqualified from holding office by the Constitution or laws of the State of California. The City Council plans to interview applicants on Jan. 24.

Applications may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office at 1950 Parkside Dr., by calling

(925) 671-3495, or from the City website at www.cityofconcord. org/ApplyForCouncil. All applications must include a Fair Political Practices Commission Form 700, Statement of economic Interest.

For more information, contact Joelle Fockler, City Clerk, at (925) 671-3390. n

Free health services offered by Mabuhay Health Center

WE ARE

HIRING Asian Journal Publications is now looking for:

Customer Sales and Service Representative Fax résumé to:

info@asianjournalinc.com

• Medication counseling - January 14 / July 8 • health education - February

11 / August 12 • Care from UCSF providersMarch 11 / September 9 n

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January 6-12, 2017 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

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Friday, January 6, 2017

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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 6, 2017

Something Filipino in 2016: A year of diversity and success in the community 2016 was a whirlwind year for the Filipinos. Two unexpected wins from unlikely presidential candidates (Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines and Donald Trump in the United States), as well as Filipinos making their mark in the community. Asian Journal looks back at some of those successes that made it on the cover of Something Filipino last year:

The PH at the 2016 Winter Fancy Food Show (January) The 2016 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco featured the Philippines Pavilion — the fourth year in a row the country has participated in the event’s 41-year history.

Organized by the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and the Foreign Trade Services Corps-Philippine Trade and Investment Center, the pavilion featured 16 Philippine companies offering an array of products, including heirloom rice, banana chips, coconut juice/milk/ oil/sugar, seafood, sea salt, condiments, syrups and even ice pops and jellies.

What is interesting to note about the Philippines Pavilion is the unique story and presentation it had to offer to visitors – that of offering “Food Products with a Heart.”

According to Trade Commissioner Nicanor Bautista, this is in response to global trends which demand accountability, the preservation of good practices, and a sense of community.

“Thanks to the Filipino heart, social entrepreneurs have made it a vocation to support, mobi-

lize and engage local farms and fishers, and work to ensure their success. The future is seeing through stories considerable promise in the industry’s landscape where cultural heritage and entrepreneurial prosperity reach harmony,” Bautista said. (By Joseph L. Peralta)

Salupongan International: Fighting for the rights of indigenous people (April)

According to available data, it is estimated that there are at least 2 million Lumads living in Mindanao, mostly in remote areas where multi-national logging and mining companies come to

extract from the country’s abundant natural resources. Mindanao is home to more than half of the Philippine’s mineral wealth and major crops. The Lumads are now forced to abandon their

homes and livelihoods so they can live safely. However, many leave not only their homes, but also their fields and ancestral domain.

Today, the fight for indigenous peoples’ rights continues.

One organization that has come forward in advocating this is Salupongan International (SI).

Founded in February 2015, the organization was formed in the spirit of “Salupongan Ta’Tanu Igkanugon,” meaning “Unity in Defense of Ancestral Land;” or literally “a gathering (salupong) for a land (tanu) that cannot be alienated (kanugon) from its people.

Salupongan Ta’Tanu Igkanugon is a unifed group of Manobos that was formed in 1993 to defend themselves from a logging corporation that was ravaging their ancestral land and threatening to destroy their livelihood.

Diversity matters: Fil-Ams in the Obama Administration (Part 1 & 2, July)

The Organization Organization founder, Jiliane Patriarca: On controlling space and keeping it together (January) Personal organizer Jiliane Patriarca understands how people can just give up in the middle of decluttering, as it can become overwhelming. She founded The Organization Organization (TOO) in 2014, to help others create the most intuitive organizing system and process.

As the sole owner of TOO, Jiliane’s current challenge is not having enough hands to help her.

At present, she has a blog with three regular contributors and collaborates with her alma mater, Franklin University Switzerland for internships.

Pin@y Educational Partnerships: Understanding race beyond skin color (April) Pin@y (Pinay/Pinoy) Educational Partnerships (PEP) is a service learning program that has been using that connection to students since 2001. Founded in 2001 by Dr. Allyson TintiangcoCubales and her students from San Francisco State University (SFSU) Claudine Del Rosario, Kimmy Maniquis, Gwen Agustin, tracy Buenavista, Ivan Santos, Jeff Ponferrada, Mark Bautista, Perci dela Cruz, Maricel Elacio, Christine Bernard, Christopher Rini and Anjela Wong; PEP started as a lunchtime mentoring program at Balboa High School in San Francisco.

From the conversations with students came out issues like high rates of dropouts, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, gang violence and mental health issues, as well as identity, low numbers of Filipino/a teachers and faculty

representation as well as in the curriculum, and a fractured sense of community. From there, Dr. Tintiangco-Cubales and her students organized workshops to address these issues and develop solidarity.

At present, P@P is currently serving 220 students—from kindergarten to college, with 52 teachers weekly. They also have

an after school cultural enrichment program at Longfellow Elementary school, an 8th grade elective course at James Denman Middle school, and an elective course at Balboa and Philip Sala Burton High Schools. PEP is also partnered with Step to College at SF State, Claudine del Rosario at USF and Dr. Daus-Magbual at Skyline College.

Myla Ramos, President of SearchPros Solutions: From small to making it big (June) From humble beginnings as a housekeeper, Myla Ramos and her company, SearchPros Solutions (with co-founders Heather Kocina and Rayna Pearson), is now one of the most successful and fastest-growing companies in the United States.

A national human resource and staffing company, SearchPros in 2010 won a 10-year, $250 million annual contract to provide labor for national technology defense and aerospace giant, Lockheed Martin Corp. In 2011, the company was named Small Business of the Year for California and Small Business Subcontractor of the Year in the district of Sacramento.

Fast forward to 2016, Ramos and SearchPros are still flying high.

The company was awarded by the US Chamber of Commerce as the 2016 DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year last month and became a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year. They were also recently featured in Forbes magazine’s Women Business Leaders issue.

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo and the beautiful change in the PH (August)

The Obama administration has been touted as the most diverse in American history, according to a study made by UC Berkeley. Of the many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in President Barack Obama’s administration, there

are fifteen (15) Filipino-Americans who serve in different capacities. These Fil-Am appointees have brought not only their skills and expertise to serve the public, but their Filipino heritage as well.

PART of the new direction of the administration in making positive changes in the Philippines is newly appointed Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon TulfoTeo. As an archipelago rich and brimming in biodiversity, culture, heritage, and history, the Philippines is indeed a place where amazing tourist destinations are around every corner.

Last July 28, Teo made an announcement that the grand Miss Universe Beauty Pageant will be held in the Philippines on January 30, 2017, making it a strategic opportunity to promote tourism in the Philippines.

Twenty years ago, it was not

the case. That time, it was very difficult to endorse the Philippines, according to Teo. Today, the DOT secretary wants tour-

ists — Filipinos or not — to see the beauty and changes that are happening in the country.

(By Dana M. Sioson)

Peninsula Family Service-Senior Peer Counseling: Making ‘Ba-e Makiling’ on a difference in the lives of older adults (September) rediscovering the indigenous Founded in 1987 by Della McGrath, the Senior Peer Counseling (SPC) program was initially part of the San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. In 1989, La Esperenza Vive was added to serve the Spanish-speaking population. By 2009, the program was contracted to Peninsula Family Service and was expanded to three additional target populations — Chinese, Filipino and LGBTQ older adults. The program is funded by the Mental Health Services Act, which was passed in 2004.

During its 25th anniversary,

self (September)

McGrath, a licensed clinical social worker expressed, “It is certainly wonderful to think that I had a hand in starting something that blossomed with program specialties for Filipino, Chinese, Latino and LGBT communities. Carry on the good noble work. You will receive the reward of feeling you contributed to the community.”

The SPC program a one-onone service provided by trained volunteers who listen carefully, offer confidential emotional support, guidance and empathy to older adults facing challenges such as loneliness, depression,

A collaboration with Bay Area Filipino master artists — Philippine dance choreographer Jay Loyola, composer Florante Aguilar of the award-winning documentary “Harana,” and Kularts’s Artistic Director Alleluia Panis — “Ba-e Makiling” is inspired by Philippine myths and native spirituality. Set before the coming of Europeans, in an imagined remote village at the foot of Mount Makiling, the deity Ba-e Makiling, guardian of the dormant volcano,

Continued on Page SF3

Continued on Page SF3

What does the crystal ball say for Pinoy celebs this 2017?

entertainment SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – January 6, 2017

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

When the Rooster crows at the start of its year (Jan. 28, 2017, according to the Chinese Calendar), will somebody from showbiz recoil consciencestricken? hard to tell. It’s much easier to predict (with an old, sometimes hazy, Crystal Ball as usual) what could happen to showbiz denizens in the next 12 months which could witness a lot of, well, “cockfighting” since, as I just said, it’s The Year of the Rooster.

To borrow the words of Miss World Organization (MWO) head Julia Morley, we’ll do it in reverse order — you know, we’ll

Kris Aquino

Ruffa Gutierrez

start with the “Wide-Awake Items”: • Kris Aquino will bounce back and spring a big surprise on all of us, proving to all and sundry that she’s not done yet, career- and romance-wise. Is a dashing foreigner lurking

Luis Manzano

nearby?

• Ruffa Gutierrez and her foreigner boyfriend will not elope (too old for that) but will seriously think of getting married despite the objection of her Mom Annabelle Rama (over her dead body?).

Angel Locsin

• Luis Manzano will not fall on his knees to propose to Jessy Mendiola even if that’s the “trend” among their colleagues, Luis and Jessy not being known for being gaya-gaya, puto-maya. But they will enjoy Continued on Page SF5

Kapuso stars’ new Year goals The beginning of every new Year brings with it the opportunity to reflect on the past while looking forward to the future. Since each day is a reminder that there is always a chance to improve ourselves, and the hope of starting anew can give us motivation to pursue our dreams, Kapuso artists share their goals and the things they want to accomplish in the next 12 months.

What do you want to achieve this 2017?

Megan Young: I hope to learn a new skill, whether it be in the form of music or in sports.

Dingdong Dantes: I want to do a 70.3 Iron Man, I want to join a full marathon and also, I want another baby.

Nar Cabico: For 2017, I want to hone my craft as a singer, musician or songwriter.

I want to provide more available materials to the audience and fans as well.

Continued on Page SF4

Something Filipino in 2016 Filipino-American History Month: Highlighting Pinoys’ roles in the US (October)

October is Filipino American history Month (FAhM), and 2016 marked the 70th year since the Philippines gained independence from the United States and other landmark events that shaped the way Filipinos lived in America for generations.

Although Filipinos have had a documented presence in America since October of 1587 via Luzones Indios (now Morro Bay, California), it is only in recent decades that Filipino-Ameri-

can contributions have been highlighted from the margins of society.

The Filipino American national historical Society (FAnhS) began celebrating FAhM in 1982, but the commemorative event was only officially recognized by the federal government in november of 2009.

U.S. Census data from 2010 reports that Filipinos are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country. They are the

Megan Young

largest Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) ethnicity in California, and the second largest nationwide. This increasingly influential segment of America has

Peninsula Family Service-Senior...

From Page SF2 grief, change in health or isolation from family and friends — sometimes caused by a cultural or lan-

guage barrier — and life changes.

Apart from the emotional support, the program also offers access to community services.

Today, the program has 330 clients, 71 of whom are Filipinos.

This includes group counseling, or the “Kapihan sa Lincoln,”

‘Ba-e Makiling’ on rediscovering...

From Page SF2 unexpectedly falls in love with an injured hunter, Lakai. Their relationship serves as an empowering message to rediscov-

er and reclaim the indigenous, self-denied by centuries of colonization.

Loyola’s innovative dance movements deliberately draw

upon “barrio or rural,” celebratory native dances by Christianize Filipinos of the Luzon and Visayas islands. Rooted in deep pre-colonized cultures,

worked to benefit the U.S. with labor, culture, and the lives of those who fought for the security of their adoptive home. (By eric Anthony Licas) which was formed in 2013 to support older adults who gather at the Lincoln Community Center to pick up their Second harvest bags during Wednesday mornings. when the Spanish came, these dances were strategically disguised as depictions of happily content farmers and fishermen to prevent Spanish Catholic priests from banning them as dances of the devil.

Dingdong Dantes

SF4

celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 6, 2017

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar AmericAn businessman and TV personality Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is scheduled to take office as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, January 20.

Born and raised in the new York city borough of Queens, Trump got his degree in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. He took charge of his family’s real estate and construction firm, elizabeth Trump & Son, in 1971. The business was later renamed to The Trump Organization.

During his business career, Trump has built, renovated and/or managed numerous office towers, hotels, casinos and golf courses. He also owned the miss USA and miss Universe pageants from 2004 to 2015, and has lent the use of his name to brand various products.

From 2004 to 2015, he hosted “The Apprentice,” a reality television show on nBc. As of 2016, Forbes listed

Trump as the 324th wealthiest person in the world (113th in the United States), with a net worth of $4.5 billion.

Trump sought the reform Party’s presidential nomination in 2000, but withdrew before voting began. in the 2012 presidential election he considered running as a republican, but ultimately decided against it. in June 2015, Trump announced his candidacy for the 2016 election, and quickly emerged as a frontrunner among 17 contenders in the republican primaries. His final opponents suspended their campaigns in may 2016, and in July he was formally nominated at the republican national convention with mike Pence as his running mate.

As a presidential candidate, his campaign received unprecedented media coverage and international attention. many of his statements in interviews, on social media, and at campaign rallies were either viewed controversial or false. numerous anti-Trump

Donald John Trump to take oath as 4th President of the US on Jan. 20

President-elect Donald John Trump will take his oath of office as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, January 20, in Washington, D.C.

Bea Alonzo, one of the most beautiful actresses in the Philippines, will return to ABS-CBN 2 via the primetime teleserye, “A Love to Last.”

Actress and “Magandang Buhay” host Melai Cantiveros happily revealed that she and husband Jason Francisco are having another baby girl. The announcement was done during the morning talk show last Monday, January 2.

The one and only Megastar Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan will be celebrating her birthday on Saturday, January

Glenn Acosta Sylvester (middle), a retired sergeant of the San Francisco Police Department and respected political leader, is the newly elected Mayor of Daly City. Shown in photo with him are Vic Barba (right), co-chairman of the board of directors of the U.S. Ilocano National Association of Northern California, and the mayor’s wife Nida Soreben (left).

Kapuso stars’ new Year...

From Page SF3

Aicelle Santos: i want to achieve a better career, better family life and a better Philippines.

Allan K.: Actually, i just take things as they come because i’ve already reached my peak. i started with a very simple dream yet, the Lord provided me with blessings that exceeded my dreams. i just count my blessings and don’t aim for more.

Andrea Torres: i’m hoping for more projects and more characters that the viewers will love. i also just want to focus more on work and my family.

Arianne Bautista: i want to have a movie. not necessarily a lead role, i just want to be a part of a movie or indie film in order for me to widen my horizons. max collins: Probably to become business-savvy. i’ve started some businesses; i’m working on them. They’re not yet running but i really hope that they’d flourish and i hope that they’d do well.

Gabby eigenmann: i want to have a healthy lifestyle. i need to be mindful of what i should eat. i’m not getting any

Handsome actor Ian Veneracion is the lead actor of the newest primetime teleserye on ABS-CBN 2 entitled “A Love to Last.”

protests occurred during his campaign and after the election.

Trump won the general election last november 8, gaining a majority of the U.S. electoral college, while receiving a smaller share of the popular vote nationwide compared to Democratic nominee Hillary clinton. At 70 years old,

The Global Kababayan

Trump will become the oldest and wealthiest person to assume the presidency, and the first without prior military or government service.

Trump’s platform emphasizes renegotiating U.S.-china relations and free trade agreements such as the nAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, strongly enforcing immigration

“Eat Bulaga” co-host Paolo Ballesteros was awarded Best Actor at the Metro Manila Film Festival for the film “Die Beautiful.”

laws, and building a new wall along the U.S.-mexico border.

His other positions include pursuing energy independence while opposing climate change regulations, replacing the Affordable care Act, abolishing common core education standards, investing in infrastructure, simplifying the tax code while reducing taxes

across the board, and imposing tariffs on imports by companies offshoring jobs. Trump also advocates a largely non-interventionist approach to foreign policy while increasing military spending, “extreme vetting” of muslim immigrants to preempt domestic islamic terrorism, and aggressive military action against iSiS.

Chef Charleen wins Chopped

with collard Green Laing and champagne Butter Sauce.

Alex Guarnaschelli commented, “Your sensibility really G. TönGi comes through and i respect that.”

SOme really exciting news chef charleen added her for 2017 for our community!

Sharing the success of charleen own twist on laing, by making it with collard greens; it is typically caabay – a chef based in Oakstewed taro leaves in coconut land, california and the owner milk. Scott conant really loved of the Kainbigan restaurant the richness from the coconut – who won the “new Year’s milk. She also used the blini as Bash” episode of the realitybased cooking television game a binder and mixed it with the king crab legs, and made it all show “chopped” on the Food into a into torta, a Spanish-innetwork. spired Filipino omelet dish that chef charleen is the first she loved to eat while growing Filipino-American female chef up. Aarón Sánchez apprecito win the Food network’s ated the big chunks of crab that “chopped.” She also happens younger so i know now what’s were welcoming and brought a to be my blood-related cousin best for me and what’s not. sense of comfort when he ate as my grandmother and her isabelle de Leon: i want to the torta. grandmother are siblings. perform again in a children’s moving into the second As michelle caabay wrote: hospital, though i did it last round, chef charleen shined it was the first time that year, i want to do it again and through with her special entrée “chopped” hosted a new hopefully, do it annually. dish of martini Steamed Lobster Year’s party and the four chef rich Asuncion: i hope to Tail with Barbecue Strip Loin competitors got to prepare a grow more as an actress. i and curried Black-eyed Peas. festive three-course meal with have been receiving positive She wanted to create a party traditional and extravagant feedback that makes me feel holiday ingredients. The show is on the plate for the new Year’s good and makes me want to divided into three rounds: each theme, and that she did! chef focus more on my work. chef is given a basket of several charleen always finds a way to Solenn Heussaff: i want to bring people together through unrelated ingredients and the discover new places like Tibet the food that she makes. She prepared dish must contain all and i also want to attend a said, “in my culture, barbecue of them. photography class and go to stick is popular, so my first At the end of each round, Africa for that. Traveling, for instinct is to marinate it with all the panel of rotating culinary me, it’s the richest thing you judges decides which chef gets the yummy seasonings.” can possess. Basically, i just Growing up in a Filipino “chopped” based upon presenlike to travel more. tation, taste and creativity. The household, she was always mike Tan: i want to do featured judges for this episode surrounded by amazing food indie films to further develop were: Alex Guarnaschelli, Aarón shared with family and friends. my skills.

Sánchez and Scott conant. The it’s no wonder she ended up mark Herras: i want to opening her own Filipino comcomforting flavors of Filipino work out more. Also, i want fort food restaurant, it’s like a cuisine and chef charleen’s to make several investments heritage served as an inspiration family party every day! like for example, buy some Aarón Sánchez commented throughout the competition. land, to start a new business to the other judges, “charleen’s chef charleen proclaimed, — those are my targets next “We’re gonna celebrate, We’re going to show us a window year. into Filipino cuisine, she’s doing gonna cook good food, and Katrina Halili: i’ve been it her way, i really appreciate saving up this year, so i’ll prob- we’re gonna party!” She got that!” Then Alex Guarnaschelli ably buy next year like a house the celebration started with an chimed in by complimenting appetizer dish of crab Torta and lot, for example.

Chef Charleen Caabay

chef charleen, “There’s some really great cooking here!” i love the meat, it’s deee-licious, when i pull the lobster out of the shell and i get the marinade on it, it’s delicious!” Then Scott conant said it simply, “it’s good eating!” chef charleen topped the party off with a Funnel cake with Pomegranate Grape compote. The dessert round can be a challenge at times, and kept us at the edge of our seat, but she made it! chef charleen commented, “i looked at matt’s plate and see this fluffy white stuff…

Oh-Oh! He used some kind of technique that i don’t even know…” She transformed the featured ingredients into a playful twist on a festive holiday funnel cake with a last-minute sprinkle of toasted coconut, but it was a tad too sweet and needed more balance.

Scott conant said, “Your in-

Photo by Shar g. photography

stincts are great, but those are the nuances that you learn as time goes on.” chef charleen’s own recipe of true passion for food, pride in her Filipino heritage, determination and creativity won the judges over!

Thanks Michelle for writing this article and a special thanks to shar g. photography for Chef Charleen’s photos. Congrats Pinsan! The community rejoices in your success and accomplishment. Watch out for Chef Charleen in 2017! *** Giselle “G” Töngi is the host and producer of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that features relevant topics for Filipino’s living in America. Her aim is to bridge not only the cultural gap between America & the Philippines but to help with the generational gap between our own people. She is married with two children and is based in Southern California and makes frequent trips in the Pacific Rim to Hawaii and Manila to feature fellow kababayans who are empowering the FilAm community.

entertainment SF5 Right buttons pressed in ‘Die Beautiful’ The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 6, 2017

by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

Friends gather to celebrate Manny’s birthday.

A fun birthday celebration for Manny Ilagan It was another memorable birthday for Manny Ilagan at their residence in Fullerton, CA on December 24, 2016 as he celebrated his special day on Christmas Eve. Christmas carols, delicious

food, lot of drinks and games marked Manny’s birthday party which was hosted by his wife Meg. Colleagues from the Filipino-American media, friends and co-choir members from the St. Pius V Parish

Church of Buena Park, CA were among those who came together and wished him well.

Entertainer Joseph Gelito, with his witty humor, brought the house down with his performances.

ExCELLEnt story, good direction and superb acting make a “Class A” movie. If one aspect sagged, “Die Beautiful” would have not been as beautiful as it is. Good thing, it has all the right buttons pressed at the right time.

A good-looking boy from a conservative family whose single dream was to become a beauty queen as transgender has all the children with his ex-wife). But Vhong promised to give tanya elements of a story for all ages and all cultures. After all, isn’t be“the best wedding ever.” As ing gay universal? Doesn’t it exist he marks his 40th birthday across races, cultures, classes, natoday, Vhong is keeping his tionalities, religions and regions? fingers crossed that his starrer, the movie mirrors what is Cineko Productions’ “Mang common in society—young efKepweng Returns” (inspired by feminates who have crushes on the Chiquito movie first shown handsome boys consequently in 1977, remade in 1979 and abhorred by kin especially fathers 1981), will attract a long queue who can’t take their sons as gays; their wish to become women to as it opens nationwide today, the point of spending a fortune with Kim Domingo as one of to grow breasts and even to his leading ladies, directed by have their manhood cut-off to GB Sampedro. make them women—in form at • Isabelle Daza and least, but never in substance. husband Adrien Semblat will the movie also represents the welcome the stork’s visit before common work as parloristas and the end of the year, following beaucon (beauty contestant) her cousin Georgina Wilson habitués, the act paying men for who has already given birth sexual gratification, the reality of growing old alone and or keeping to her and husband Arthur boys so someone can look after Burnand’s first child last Dec. 26. their “It Girl” friend Solenn them at old age or over them at death—as what Lou Veloso Heussaff (also married like Isacharacterizes as the owner of the belle and Georgina last year) is funeral parlor where the wake not following suit, not this year transpires. anyway.

Behind their made-up faces,

What does the crystal ball say...

From Page SF3 another year of blissful togetherness, with the blessing of Luis’ mother Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos who said she found Jessy mabait at maganda.

• Angel Locsin, Luis’ ex, will finally (finally!!!) find her own new happiness since she claimed to have already moved on…without looking back with anger. Everybody deserves to be happy, right?

• Claudine Barretto will let bygones be bygones and accept a peace offering if extended to her estranged husband Raymart Santiago. It isn’t nice to carry a heavy 2016 emotional baggage, is it?

• Miss Universe (2015) Pia Wurtzbach will make an “important announcement” after she relinquishes her crown to the winner (will she be somebody from Asia?) in the 2016 Miss Universe Miss Universe pageant on Jan. 30, the third

time it’s being staged in Manila?

• Sen. Manny Pacquiao will defy age and prove that he’s invincible by having another fight (with Floyd Mayweather? not too soon!) middle of the year. In God, he trusts.

• Papa Jack will quit Love Radio after many years, leaving his followers (this one included) orphaned. Asked why, all that PJ said was, “Long story,” adding that he planned to take a well-deserved rest. Will he resurface in another station?

Stay tuned.

• Although his “It’s Showtime! co-hosts Billy Crawford and Anne Curtis are engaged (to Coleen Garcia and Erwan Heussaff, respectively), Vhong navarro is not going to be a copycat and propose to his long-time girlfriend tanya Winona Bautista, probably shrugging that he’s “been there, done that,” with his first marriage annulled (he has two

flawless skin, flowy dresses, high stilettos and flirty gaits though are human beings who love and are capable of loving without expecting in return; people whose heartaches, dreams and aspirations are the same as anyone else’s.

“Ang galing ng story, ng screenplay,” one moviegoer remarked. Anyone who’ve heard it agrees, for this is the story na may puso, punumpuno ng puso, hindi lang kababawan at katatawanan tungkol sa kabaklaan.

As Patrick who becomes trisha Echevarria, Paolo Ballesteros is both funny and arresting; some of the lines he delivers are admittedly adlibs, according to producer Perci Intalan. And the best thing is that, Ballesteros’ adlibs are intelligently caught and replied with equally funny and witty adlibs by his best friend Barbs, played by straight Christian Bables.

Making “Die Bautiful” truly an excellent movie is the beautiful acting of Ballesteros and Bables, as in reality, they are not flamboyant gays, only excellent actors who played their characters according to the story.

Director Jun Robles Lana’s use of flashbacks has been very effective to understand how things came to be and what they have become. Even the old puzzle “Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?” comes into fore with a funny conclusion.

Always a runner-up and never a titleholder, all trisha wanted was to become the queen, complete with crown, sash, sceptre and victory walk—then he can die. And it happens when the only question-and-answer he ever memorized is what’s picked up for him in the biggest gay pageant he ever joined. Sickly since he was young, he dies of brain aneurysm soon after his declaration as winner.

Going back why he looks a different beautiful celebrity everyday during his wake, trisha jokingly (with premonition) told Barbs that for seven days, he wanted to look like his favorite celebrities—as Angelina Jolie on the first day—they’ve been copying with their make-up skills on

their free time together. there are unanswered issues in the film—like what happens now with trisha’s adoptive daughter, Sheila May (Inah De Belen), how trisha became close to Jesse’s wife, what happened to the boylet whom he spent to have a nose job but left him for another gay, his father’s (Joel torre) non-presence during the wake and Barbs’ own love story if ever there was.

But it’s the humanization of the transgender—who abound in Metro Manila and could be a family member, kin, friend, acquaintance, friend of a friend or just anyone you know up close and personal or from afar—that is the most important thing achieved in this movie.

Having all these elements, it is no wonder that “Die Beautiful” became a favorite in the tokyo International Film Festival held in October where Ballesteros also got his first Best Actor award.

It is funny and entertaining, yet emotionally wrenching. the success of this film in the Metro Manila Film Festival may produce a clamor for another Ballesteros starrer next year, which means a slapstick real transgender Vice Ganda movie could be, well, a thing of the past—for intelligent paying movie going public, at least.

Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films is credited as one of the producers, along with her daughter Roselle, making this production not an indie movie after all. So it was surprising that the Regal matriarch blurted out words that undermine the indie realm when her solo-produced “Mano Po 7” did not make the cut.

We can only thank the MMFF executive committee for truly bringing change to the movie industry and choosing the likes of Die Beautiful as treat to Filipinos during the holiday season.

A big congratulations to Paolo Ballesteros and Christian Bables for winning Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively during the 42nd MMFF Awards.

More of movies like this, please!