San Francisco Edition -- June 17 -- 23, 2016

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Volume 15 - No. 25 • 3 Sections – 22 Pages

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JUNE 17-23, 2016

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY

Senators, military official: ‘Martial law is the answer’

by Fernan

and

Marasigan JeFFersOn antipOrda ManilaTimes.net

SoMe senators are open to a proposal to declare martial law in certain areas in Mindanao to stop the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) from sowing terror and taking hostages for ransom.

A military official also said declaring martial law in Abu Sayyaf lairs will enable the military to go after the bandits and their supporters in full force.

DATELINE

Senator Vicente Sotto III told The Manila Times on Wednesday, June 15, he is willing to support the proposal to impose martial law in areas in Mindanao if that will help resolve the Abu Sayyaf problem.

“I have no objections. I will agree,” Sotto said.

Incoming Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who once served as head of the Philippine National Police, also said he is open to the idea.

He said he is willing to join a move granting additional powers to incoming President

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PH FLAG ON SHOAL. Filipino youth group Kalayaan Atin Ito on Sunday, June 12 successfully planted the Philippine flag at the Scarborough shoal in commemoration of the country’s 118th Independence Day. Chinese Coast Guard ships blocked the Filipino group as they attempted to plant the Philippine flag on the shoal to show that the country still has sovereignty over the disputed shoal. The group also attempted to plant the United Nations flag to highlight its Convention on the Law of the Sea. Photo from Facebook/Kalayaan ATIN ITO

PH condemns execution of Canadian hostage

USA

fRoM THe AJPReSS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

49 dead in Orlando shooting

Abu Sayyaf says killing was for Duterte

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

Suspect had no direct ties to terror groups

THe person who murdered 49 people and injured 53 others at an orlando gay nightclub on Sunday, June 12, may have been inspired by extremist propaganda, but was not associated with a larger terrorist plot, according to sources.

No evidence suggests that the gunman, omar Mateen of fort Pierce, florida, had been directed by either a foreign or domestically based terror organization, according to sources for NBC News.

He had, however, been interviewed twice by the federal Bureau of Investigation (fBI) in reference to comments he made to coworkers about radical Islamic propaganda in

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New bill to allow undocumented in Calif. to buy health insurance UNDoCUMeNTeD residents in California who lack adequate health care may soon be able to buy coverage through the state’s health insurance exchange, Covered California. on friday, June 10, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 10 (SB 10), which petitions the federal government for a waiver allowing people who lack legal resident status to purchase health care plans made available by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These patients will not receive state or federal assistance to pay for their coverage.

California is the first state in the country to

ISLAMIST militant group Abu Sayyaf beheaded a Canadian national after the ransom payment deadline passed, the Philippine government said on Tuesday, June 14.

A man’s severed head was found in A still image captured from video footage of the kidnappers and their victims is shown in this SITE a plastic bag near a Catholic cathedral Intelligence Group video made available to Reuters. On Monday, June 13, intelligence reports said the in the southern island of Jolo on Monday night, June 13. The Philippine milAbu Sayyaf has beheaded Canadian Robert Hall (second from left).

itary’s Western Mindanao Command confirmed that it belonged to Robert Hall, a 50-year-old Canadian who had been under the captivity of the Abu Sayyaf since last September.

The beheading was reportedly captured in a one-minute, 35-second video, the New York Times said.

The militant group demanded a P600 million payment by the 3 p.m. deadline on Monday, which both the Philippine

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Filipino bakery workers UN rights chief warns Duterte vs encouraging violence, bounty offers win $15.2-M case against

employers, awarded T visas

by CaMille

diOla Philstar.com

by eriC

MANILA — Incitement to violence and offer of bounties for the killing of suspected criminals are outdated steps and are prohibited under conventions the Philippines has signed, the United Nations’ human rights body reminded incoming President Rodrigo Duterte.

High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said in a global update released Tuesday, June 14 that Duterte can reconsider initiatives that tend to violence and violate international law.

“I remind the incoming President of the Philippines that international law, which is binding on his administration, requires him to protect the rights of all his people, including journalists, civil society activists and human rights defenders who expose malfeasance,” Zeid said.

Duterte’s camp last week, responding to a statement of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon against the president-elect’s apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings, insisted that the leader was misunderstood. Duterte’s spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, said Ban’s statement was based on misleading

“I remind the incoming President of the Philippines that international law, which is binding on his administration, requires him to protect the rights of all his people, including journalists, civil society activists and human rights defenders who expose malfeasance,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

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UN/File photo

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anthOny liCas AJPress

fILIPINo workers, who prevailed in a yearlong legal battle against the owners of a french bakery in Southern California, now have temporary authorization to live and work in the US. After winning a $15.2 million

case against the owners of the now shuttered L’Amande Bakery (which had locations in Torrance and Beverly Hills), the 11 plaintiffs have been awarded T visas, which allow victims of human trafficking to temporarily live and work in the United States.

The arrangement was made

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Robredo to grant Duterte’s wish for separate inauguration Boyet Dy, the head of Robredo’s transition team, said their Philstar.com camp is respecting the presiMANILA — The camp of Vice dent-elect’s preference to conPresident-elect Leni Robredo on duct a separate inauguration Wednesday, June 15, said that separately.

“We were informed by the there will be no joint inauguration ceremony with President- team of President-elect Rody u PAGE A2 elect Rodrigo Duterte. by rOsette

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JUNE 17-23, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

Senators, military official: ‘Martial…

PAGE A1 t

Rodrigo Duterte for him to solve the problem posed by the jihadists from the Abu Sayyaf group who beheaded another Canadian hostage–Robert Hall–early this week.

The group executed Hall after their demand for a P600-million ransom was not met.

A senior military official said declaring martial law in areas where the terror group holds sway will enable the Armed Forces of the Philippines to crush the rebel group.

“Declare martial law. Tama yun, di ba ang sinasabi ko sa inyo kung gusto ninyong malutas kaagad, total control ng military at gawin lahat ng solutions [Declare martial law. That is the right thing to do. If you want the problem solved, there should be total military control],” the official who requested anonymity, said.

He added that a state of martial law should be limited to known lairs of the ASG. The jihadists have strongholds in Sulu and Basilan provinces in southern Mindanao.

If martial law is put in place, the official said, the military would also be able to go after local government officials conspiring with the rebel group.

“Kasi ang local government ang tumutulong sa mga kalaban, alam nyo naman yun [The local government is helping the enemy]. The local government is the one making this issue grow in perpetuity, sino nagne-negotiate? Di ba sila [They are the ones negotiating, aren’t they]? Who is in charge of the LGUs? DILG,” he said, referring to local government units and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The official said his idea is similar to what former President Gloria Arroyo did in 2009 when she declared martial law in Maguindanao province after the massacre of 57 people in Ampatuan town.

The declaration suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the province except “for certain areas.”

The writ suspension authorized the military to make arrests even without court orders.

But the official said strong political will is needed to put an end

to the Abu Sayyaf problem.

“We can only make recommendations but we are not the government, we are just part of the government. So do not always look at the military as the provider of solutions. The military is not being capacitated to provide the solutions,” he pointed out.

According to him, it is easy for the Abu Sayyaf rebels to hide because they only have to conceal their firearms and blend with the community.

He explained that the martial law he is proposing is different from what former President Ferdinand Marcos declared in 1972.

“It’s not like that. Napaka-professional na ng Armed Forces, pagdudahan nyo pa [Your Armed Forces are so professional, do not doubt us],” the official said.

“Pagtiwalaan ninyong gawin [namin], hindi naman yan [martial law] aabot ng Maynila [Trust us. It will not reach Manila],” he added.

Incoming PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa has also said he would support the declaration of martial law if it would lead to the neutralization of the terrorist group. n

Filipino bakery workers win $15.2-M case…

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possible through the collaboration between the advocacy group Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles and the office of House Rep. Ted Lieu, who represents California’s 33rd congressional district.

“They used to call us trafficked workers, but now you can also call us survivors,” said Romar Cunanan, a former employee of

L’Amande, at a press event hosted by Advancing Justice - Los Angeles on Thursday, June 9.

The victims said they were lured to work in the US by Analiza Moitinho de Almeida, who had owned the L’Amande bakeries along with her husband, Goncalo. The Filipino nationals entered the US legally with E-2 guest worker visas, then were subjected to harsh conditions

shortly after they arrived.

According to court documents, the bakery employees were paid as little as $3 per hour, endured 12-hour or more workdays for extended periods without days off, were made to sleep on floors, and were regularly demeaned and intimidated by the Almeidas.

“I once asked Ana, ‘Ma’am, could you please treat us like human beings?,’” said former L’Amande employee, Gina Pablo. “She said ‘who are you to say that? You are just a maid.’”

Workers who wanted to stop working for the Almeidas were told they would be deported and would each have to pay back $1,000 in immigration fees.

None of the guest workers acknowledge ever making that kind of agreement. Cunanan said that he had been in the US for seven months before ever hearing of his supposed debts.

The workers also alleged that the Almeidas also threatened to use their political connections in

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VISITING THE PAST. President Benigno Aquino III visits the room where his father, Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., was detained in Fort Bonifacio. The President recalled his family’s happy and sad moments when they visited his father in this four by five meter room.

Malacanang photo

PH condemns execution of Canadian…

PAGE A1 t

and Canadian governments refused to meet.

In a statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the Philippine government condemned “the brutal and senseless murder” of Hall.

“We truly regret that our people’s cherished tradition of extending gracious hospitality toward foreign nationals has been marred by a small band of criminals,” Coloma added.

Hall was abducted by the militant group from a resort in Samal Island last year along with three other individuals, John Ridsdel, a Canadian former mining executive, Norwegian national Kjartan Sekkingstad and a Filipina named Marites Flor.

Ridsdel was executed last April 25, five hours after the deadline for to pay the P300 million ransom passed. Two unidentified men riding a motorcycle dropped his severed head in the streets of Barangay Walled City, Jolo, according to reports.

The Abu Sayyaf said that the group beheaded Hall to prove a point to incoming President Rodrigo Duterte, who has vowed to curb militant activity in the Philippines.

“Para kay Duterte, ang bagong presidente, ito ay alamin mo kung ano gagawin namin sa Ca-

nadian (This is for Duterte, the new president. This is for you to know what we will do to the Canadian),” Abu Raami, a spokesperson for the group told Inquirer on Monday.

Last month, SITE Intelligence, a jihadist monitoring group, reported that Hall, Sekkingstad and Flor appeared in a video addressed to Duterte.

The incoming president previously told Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he would curb militant activity in the Philippines.

“You can rest assured that when the time comes, we will be able to apprehend the criminals and exact justice,” Duterte told Trudeau, according to CNN. As of press time, Duterte has not released a formal statement in response to the execution.

Incoming presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the beheading was to “taunt to the present administration.”

“If they do that during the administration of Duterte, then that could be a challenge to him [Duterte], but not now,” he said,

adding that the new president “will not tolerate or condone the illegality in this country.”

Calling it “another difficult day for Canada,” Trudeau said the country is committed to working with the Philippines to make sure these “heinous acts” are stopped and that those responsible are brought to justice.

The prime minister added that Canada will continue its policy to not pay ransom for hostages because doing so “would endanger the lives of more Canadians.”

“Canada will not give into their fear mongering tactics and despicable attitude toward the suffering of others,” he said.

The Abu Sayyaf — which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) — reportedly still has seven hostages, including Sekkingstad and Flor.

Flor’s family is hopeful that Duterte can help save her life.

“There is still hope for my daughter and the other victims.

I am pleading Duterte to please do everything to save them,” Flor’s mother, Flordelisa, told Inquirer. n

Robredo to grant Duterte’s…

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Duterte about their preference to hold the inauguration separately,” Dy said in a statement.

“While we have been prepar-

ing for a joint inauguration, we respect their decision and will begin our own preparations for a simple and modest ceremony,” he added.

Dy said Robredo’s inauguration ceremony will still be held in Metro Manila but the incoming vice president wished to be sworn in by Ronaldo Coner, captain of the “smallest, farthest and poorest” barangay Punta Tarawal Calabanga in Camarines Sur. Duterte’s camp earlier said he will hold his inauguration rites at Malacañang to avoid lavish preparations and save expenses.

He said he will only deliver a fiveminute speech after he takes his oath. Guests will be served finger food.

“May finger food lang siguro (There will may be just finger food) because it’s nearing noontime, but there will be no eating after. Before lang, tapos magoath ako. Then I will go nationwide on TV and then I will just spell out my governance in five minutes,” Duterte said.

His transition team spokesman Peter Laviña, however, said the five-minute speech is one of Duterte’s “jokes.” “’Yung sabi niyang five minutes lang, another one of the jokes na naman ‘yun. Malamang abutin ‘yan [inauguration speech] ng mga kalahating oras (What he’s saying it will be only five minutes, it’s one of his jokes again. It will probably last half an hour),” Laviña said. n

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

Dateline USa PAGE A1 t

FINAL SAY. Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Kenneth Hartigan-Go and Dr. Esmeraldo T. Ilem recently addressed the media to clarify that the management of the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (Fabella) has the final decision with regards to the ongoing transfer and modernization of the hospital. The transfer of Fabella from its existing site in the Old Bilibid Prison compound to the DOH compound was due to the structural hazards of the existing buildings that may affect the patients, staff, and the general public. At present, the existing hospital is operating at 350-bed capacity in an area that is prone to flooding and surrounded by informal settlers.

DOH photo

New bill to allow undocumented in Calif…

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ask the federal government to lift restrictions to the ACA that have prevented undocumented immigrants from getting insurance.

Those who may qualify for SB 10 will still need to wait for the federal government to grant the state a waiver.

“The current policy disallowing immigrants from purchasing care with their own money is both discriminatory and outdated,” said state Senator Ricardo Lara, who authored the bill.

The signing comes after SB 75, a bill also authored by Lara, took effect last month. Under the bill, also known as “Health4All Kids,” low-income children under the age of 19 can apply for full-scope Medi-Cal coverage, regardless of their immigration status.

Groups in favor of stricter enforcement of immigration laws

warn that provisions like SB 10 and SB 75 would encourage more immigrants immigrants to enter the country illegally.

“It sends a message to the world that if you come to our country you will be rewarded,” Robin Hvidston, the executive director of We The People Rising, told the Los Angeles Times in a statement.

A study by the UC Berkeley Labor Center projects that between 1.4 and 1.5 million of the roughly 2.5 million undocumented residents in California will remain without health care coverage by 2019. The new law will allow nearly as many as 390,000 people, who make too much to qualify for Medi-Cal, to purchase affordable plans, according to sources for the LA Times.

Aquilina Soriano-Versoza, executive director of the Pilipino

House Rep. Ted Lieu shakes hands with Filipino worker Ronaldo Suratos. Lieu helped Suratos and 10 other former employess of L’Amande Bakery petition United States Customs and Immigration Services for T visas, which are meant to protect victims of human trafficking.

AJPress photo by Eric Anthony Licas

Filipino bakery workers win…

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the Philippines to harm the former L’Amande workers’ families living there.

“I’m still afraid for my other daughter [still in the Philippines],” former L’Amande employee Ermita Alabado told the Asian Journal. “It’s safer here.

In the Philippines, P20,000 [approximately. $434] would be enough to send someone out to hurt her.”

The Almeidas declined to comment on the default judgment when the Asian Journal reached out.

“The default judgment is a miscarriage of justice, brought about by the abuse of both the justice and immigration systems by the plaintiffs and their lawyers,” Analiza Almeida had told NBC News in an e-mail back in May. In addition to providing work authorization and a pathway to citizenship, T visas allow recipients to petition their spouses as well as their unmarried children under the age of 21 for entry into the United States.

John Trang, the lead attorney in the L’Amande employees’ immigration proceedings, called the T visa program an important “incentive to testify,” in cases of migrant and guest worker abuse.

Rather than succumb to blackmail and despair, the employees sought help. They got in touch with Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, who enlisted the aid of Latham and Watkins for filing

complaints against the Almeidas.

A Filipino American who works for Rep. Lieu shared the workers’ stories with the congressman, who then met face-to-face with the former bakery employees.

Lieu helped advance the workers’ immigration proceedings so they could finally reunite with their families and earn decent wages.

“I haven’t seen my son since 2013,” said former L’Amande employee, Armelinda dela Cerna.

“Now I am planning to have him come here.”

Dela Cerna says she has known Ana Almeida for 13 years. She was told she would serve as purchasing manager for their bakeries, but instead found herself performing a variety of menial tasks in addition to her duties as a manager. Now she works as a food and beverage manager in the hospitality industry.

She, as well as many of the other Filipino workers, have found jobs in their respective fields since leaving the employment of the Almeidas. Most of them live in the vicinity of Lomita, California, and still keep in touch with one another, according to former L’Amande employee, Recky Puzon. Some are entertaining the possibility of becoming naturalized citizens.

“The Filipino workers’ story ultimately ends with a victory in justice’s name,” said Rep. Lieu in a statement announcing Thursday’s press event. “Sadly, their story is just one of many.”n

Workers Center (PWC), told the Asian Journal that a significant number of Filipinos live without legal resident status in the US. They fill valuable roles in society, while some of their basic needs are neglected. There are Filipino caregivers and other medical professionals who currently lack access to affordable health care, according to Soriano-Versoza.

“In order to have truly healthy communities, we all need to have access to affordable, quality health care,” said Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, in a statement praising the bill’s passage. (By Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 17-23, 2016

49 dead in Orlando…

2013, and again in 2014 regarding possible ties to an American suicide bomber for the Al Nusra front in Syria.

Police told the Associated Press that Mateen fired at a uniformed officer working security detail outside Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, before entering the crowded gay bar at about 2 a.m. on Sunday, June 12. Sources say he shot indiscriminately into the crowd with an assault rifle before police arrived on the scene. A gunfight with police ensued, and Mateen was forced to retreat and bunker down with hostages in one of the club’s bathrooms, prompting a three hour standoff.

Attempts to yield a peaceful resolution stalled until 5 a.m., according to the Wall Street Journal. Police suspected that another round of murders was imminent.

Officers used an explosive and an armored vehicle to punch a hole in the bathroom’s back wall. Mateen appeared in the newly created passage armed with at least two firearms. Another firefight occurred, this time resulting in gunman’s death.

Mateen had called 911 dispatchers and declared allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) amidst the carnage that unfolded on Sunday morning, the Wall Street Journal reported. Islamic state representatives called him “brother,” and “one of the soldiers of the Caliphate in America,” on the extremist group’s official radio station, Al-Bayan.

However, FBI Director James Comey said Mateen had claimed he was a member of Hezbollah and that he had familial ties to Al Qaeda while working as a courthouse guard in 2013, according to the Los Angeles Times.

UN rights chief warns Duterte…

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A

reports.

Still, Zeid echoed Ban’s stance and defended the journalism profession, noting which crimes are defined under international convention.

“Criticism of people in power is not a crime. However, incitement to violence, and extrajudicial assassination, are crimes and are prohibited under multiple conventions to which the Philippines has acceeded,” he said.

Zeid also took a shot at Duterte’s proposal to offer bounties for vigilantes to murder suspected crooks and Duterte’s “encouragement of

extrajudicial killings by security forces.” “[These are] massive and damaging steps backwards which could lead to widespread violence and chaos,” Zeid said.

The human rights official, who was appointed president of the UN Security Council in 2014, also expressed disapproval of plans to reinstate capital punishment in the Philippines.

“I urge the Government to reconsider such initiatives, and to refrain from its plans to reintroduce the death penalty, in a country which has been a leading force in the campaign to end the practise,” Zeid said. n

The following year, the FBI investigated Mateen a second time for allegedly watching Al Qaeda propaganda videos and attending the same mosque of a man who became a suicide bomber for the Al Nusra Front. Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and the Al Nusra Front all oppose IS. “What he did was completely an act of terrorism,” said Mateen’s father, Seddique, in statements released on social media.

The elder Mateen added, “I didn’t see any unhealthy behavior on his part,” and said he was shocked by his son’s actions.

However, the suspected shooter’s current wife, Noor Mateen, told the FBI that she had driven her husband to Pulse before, and had tried to talk her husband out of the shooting spree, sources told NBC news. The alleged gunman also made visits to Walt Disney World earlier this month while the park was celebrating Gay Days 2016, according to CNN. Investigators believe Mateen was conducting reconnaissance for a potential attack during those visits.

Members of Mateen’s family have said they believe his actions were motivated by hatred towards the LGBT community.

Sources told the AP, however, that Mateen used gay dating apps and had been a regular at Pulse.

“Sometimes he would go over in the corner and sit and drink by himself, and other times he would get so drunk, he was loud and belligerent,” Pulse patron Ty Smith told The Orlando Sentinel.

The suspect’s ex-wife, Sitora

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JUNE 17-23, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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

Panel urges victims to report scams and frauds to authorities

Most common scams targeting immigrant communities bared

by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

SCAMMERS defraud members of the ethnic communities across the United States every day by selling worthless products and fake services for everything from immigration, housing and health, debt collection, jobs and education.

During the recent tax season, scams involving impostor IRS and US Department of Treasury officials experienced a spike.

Consumers and potential victims are told that they owe back taxes, and are then threatened with the prospect of being arrested or being charged with a felony unless they pay-up immediately.

A lot of these scams now happen online and through mobile phones via calls from weird and unknown area codes to unsolicited text messages. From a legitimate looking but fake email from your primary bank asking you to change your password to yet another email sent by the company you use to send money to relatives back in the Philippines. A quick and cursory click later and you have given these con artists your bank account number and passwords.

New America Media (NAM) and The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) arranged a briefing with members of the community media and invited law enforcement officials, community advocates and consumers to discuss the types of fraud that are on the rise, what people can do to pro-

tect themselves and the importance of reporting these scams to the authorities.

“It is an epidemic and the perpetrators are targeting the most vulnerable in our communities,” said NAM executive director Sandy Close. “Information is the best defense for people not to be victimized. We’re all vulnerable to being scammed.”

Terrell McSweeny, FTC commissioner, said that a lot of scams and fraudulent activities are underreported, sometimes undetected. These scams range from impostor scams, debt collection, debt relief, mortgage modifications and student loans.

Due to a variety of reasons – ranging from fear or shame, or even their immigration status, people are reluctant to report these scams when they get victimized.

McSweeny encourages people who have been victimized by scammers to come out.

“You should tell your story, come out and report it. It is very challenging and very hard to talk about being defrauded but your story might help other people to avoid being defrauded and victimized as well,” she said.

Jane Azia, chief of the Bureau of Consumer Fraud and Protection under the New York Attorney General’s office, echoed this sentiment.

“People should not be embarrassed about being victimized as we’re all vulnerable. File a complaint if you believe you have

been victimized,” she said.

She also warned people to be wary and always be on the lookout.

“Do not trust someone just because they are part of your community or they speak the same language,” Azia said. “Do not blindly trust, learn how to say no and don’t sign any contract easily.”

And for people who owe the Internal Revenue Service?

“If you owe the government money, they will send you a letter but they will not call you or threaten you with deportation,” she said.

The US Department of Treasury and IRS have posted warnings on their websites about phone sams by operators using their agencies’ names. Neither of them will contact consumers by phone to demand money or threaten legal action.

Next time you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from one of these agencies, demanding money or threatening legal action, do not engage in a conversation with the caller and hang up the phone.

Top scams According to the FTC, 10.8% of US adults are victimized by scams.

William Efron, FTC’s director for its Northeast Regional office, explained that FTC maintains a national database which includes all these fraud complaints.

In 2015, FTC received 1.2 million complaints about fraud and

Sandy Close (right), New America Media executive director, welcomes the panelists and guests who attended an ethnic media briefing on spotting and avoiding scams in our communities.

AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

where victims lost an estimated $765 million.

For scams in New York region, top on the list is debt collection, with more than 25,000 New Yorkers filing complaints, which has led to the cracking down on these unlawful debt collectors who use abusive tactics.

Among the other scams New Yorkers reported are impostor scams, telephone and mobile services, banks and lenders, shop-at-home and catalog sales.

Camille Mackler, director of legal initiatives at New York Immigration Coalition, cited numerous reasons why members of the immigrant communities do not report their cases.

“For some, there is shame and fear in coming forward and for others, even if they want to, they don’t know where to go and they

don’t see a benefit in reporting,” Mackler said. “One’s immigration status is not relevant in these cases, we just want to catch the perpetrators.”

For those who are harassed by debt collection agencies, Nancy Schindler, associate commissioner of Legal and Regulatory Compliance Division at the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, offers the following tip.

“Check (through DCA) if they are licensed. Debt collection agencies should be licensed by the DCA, along with second-hand auto dealers, employment agencies, immigration service providers, tax preparers,” Schindler said.

If they are not listed as licensed, you can report it directly to the DCA. And even if they are

listed and you feel that they have gone out of bounds in harassing you, then report the case to the FTC. Claire Rosenzweig, President and CEO, Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York, issued a warning to job-seekers to be wary of employment scams, where scam artist attempts to convince the victim that he must pay money as a requirement of employment.

“So far in 2016, nearly 10 percent of submissions to BBB’s online Scam Tracker tool filed by metro New Yorkers, claim t have been targeted by fake offers of employment,” said Rosenzweig.

“Never pay money to an “employer” to get a job. Legitimate offers of employment do not require that you pay money for training classes, or anything else.” n

NAFCON: Fil-Ams welcome peace efforts of incoming Duterte administration

TWO weeks before his inauguration, Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte follows through with his campaign promise to continue the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), which were stalled for four years under the Aquino administration.

A 3-day exploratory meeting is currently taking place in Oslo, Norway between the NDFP representatives and Duterte’s incoming peace advisers. The two parties are discussing draft documents on the release of political prisoners, an interim ceasefire, and a plan to accelerate the peace negotiations that are anticipated to be signed as offi-

cial agreements as early as next month after Duterte assumes office. Filipino-Americans fervently welcome and support these initiatives in tackling the Filipino people’s urgent issues.

Poverty, landlessness, and joblessness have long plagued the Philippines. Yet the Philippine government has historically made no genuine effort to address the root causes of these issues. It has merely instituted band-aid solutions such as the Labor Export Policy, which forces Filipinos to migrate and look for work abroad due to the lack of jobs and opportunities in their home country.

Without the political will to resist international trade agreements and policies benefiting

only the multinational corporations that exploit the natural resources of the country, the Philippine government cannot enact real change. Without nationalist and pro-people values informing the work of legislators and government officials, politicians will continue to treat government as a cash cow instead of a vehicle to provide services to the Filipino people.

Filipinos have unceasingly been forced to seek accountability from the Philippine government. We saw this in Kidapawan last April, where thousands of farmers and indigenous Lumad starving from drought protested for the release of calamity relief only to be met by bullets by government forces. The outpouring

of support and donations of sacks of rice from Filipinos around the world, including celebrities like Robin Padilla, Nora Aunor, Monique Wilson, and Aiza Seguerra, highlight the strong collective spirit of the Filipino people on the one hand and the detestable lack of services they receive from their own government on the other.

It is in this context that Fil-Ams view the resumption of the peace talks — to truly address the causes of the Filipino people’s suffering.

NAFCON strongly supports and advocates for the resumption of peace talks and release of political prisoners as first steps in fulfilling the people’s clamor for a just and equitable Philippines.

We welcome Duterte’s actions to seriously follow through with his pronouncements, and we urge him to honor the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and other previously signed agreements with the NDFP, and to ultimately reach a comprehensive and detailed agreement with the NDFP that would resolve the root

President-elect Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte’s chosen peace panel on Tuesday began its informal meeting with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) headed by Jose Ma. Sison in Oslo, Norway.

Photo from Jesus Dureza / Facebook

causes of societal ills in the Philippines.

NAFCON calls upon all peaceloving Filipinos, Fil-Ams, and allies to launch public forums on the people’s priorities for the next presidential administration

and to engage in actions in support of genuine peace talks and the release of political prisoners as an act of goodwill.

To learn more about the peace talks, please email info@nafconusa.org. (NAFCON)

DFA, Johns Hopkins sign MOU on training of diplomats

WASHINGTON, DC – A leading school of international studies and the Philippines’ foreign service institute signed a cooperation agreement towards the advanced training of professional diplomats.

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs – Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed at a special SAIS Philippines Roundtable held at the Johns Hopkins University on June 6.

The MOU establishes institutional ties and collaboration between the FSI and SAIS. Such collaboration enhances institutional capability and competence in line with the mission of The Johns Hopkins University, according to its representative.

“Our respective institutions are engaged in similar activities. which include training young pro-

PAGE A3 t

fessionals to play leading roles in conducting the foreign relations of our two countries,” Professor Peter Lewis, SAIS associate dean for academic affairs, said in his remarks.

“This type of training is vital in this fast moving, globalized and connected world but even more vital is the development of analytical skills and critical thinking which are the key elements in international relations and are essential tools for our students to succeed as diplomats, policy makers and leaders of NGOs,” Lewis added.

Ambassador Claro Cristobal who is the current director general of FSI represented it.

“Diplomacy is of crucial importance. For a country so small, we’ve got to have people to push, sell and work for the achievement of our aspirations and do the work that we need to perform for our country,” Cristobal said after the MOU signing.

After the signing, Cristobal also presented a brief scan of the socio-political, socio-economic and foreign policy agenda of the incoming Philippine administration at the roundtable. US government officials, private sector representatives and FilipinoAmerican community members were at the gathering.

Professor William Wise, SAIS associate director of the Southeast Asia Studies Program also recognized Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia Jr. for his contributions to the SAIS Philippines Roundtable and SAIS Southeast Asia Studies Program.

The SAIS Philippines Roundtable is the only forum in the United States that meets regularly to discuss Philippine affairs and the Philippines-US relationship. The special roundtable event was co-sponsored by SAIS and the US-Philippines Society.

(Inquirer.net) n

49 dead in Orlando…

Yusufiy, told members of the press that Mateen used to beat her and attempted to isolate her from her family.

“When he got in his tempers he would express hate towards everything,” Yusufiy told reporters in Colorado.

One of Mateen’s co-workers at G4S secure solutions, Omar Mateen Daniel Gilroy, described the security guard as a “conscientious” employee, but “very excitable” and racist, according to NBC news. “[Mateen] always referred to every other race, religion, gender in a derogatory way,” said Gilroy.

“It was all the time.”

However, Patience Carter, a survivor of Sunday morning’s violence, told CBS news the shooter expressed sympathy towards

African Americans.

“I don’t have a problem with black people. This is about my country. You guys have suffered enough,” said the suspect, just before police breached the Pulse’s bathroom, according to Carter.

Hours after Sunday night’s massacre, police in Santa Monica, California arrested a man who was on his way to the gay pride parade armed with a cache of weapons as well as chemicals that could potentially be used to make a bomb. Law enforcement officials told AP that James Howell of Jeffersonville, Indiana, was found in possession of several firearms including high-powered rifles, as well as extended capacity magazines and other suspicious materials.

In a statement, relatives of Howell, who is bisexual, told National Public Radio that he bore

“no ill will to the LGBT community.”

Howell was placed on parole last year in Clark County, Indiana for allegedly threatening his exboyfriend and his neighbor with a gun on two separate occasions.

He was not permitted to leave Indiana or possess a firearm at the time of his arrest in California.

The annual LA Pride event in West Hollywood, which drew hundreds of thousands of people, went on as scheduled.

Despite prior suspicions from the FBI, the suspect in the Orlando shooting was licensed to own a firearm and all of his weapons were purchased legally.

In a statement released Sunday, President Obama criticized “how easy it is for someone to get their hands on a weapon that lets them shoot people in a school, or in a house of worship, or a movie theater, or in a nightclub.”

As of press time, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said there were no reports of Filipinos affected by the shooting.

(Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Duterte, advisors, communist groups initiate peace talks

by Eric

Anthony LicAs AJPress

PRESIDENT-elect Rodrigo Duterte and rebel communist leaders will reinitiate formal peace talks in July in hopes of ending a decades long insurgency, according to a joint statement signed in Oslo, Norway on Wednesday, June 15.

The development is the result of informal talks between Duterte and his advisors, and officials from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Duterte will not take office until June 30th, so the recently concluded meetings in Oslo cannot yield binding commitments from the Philippine government.

Participants of the planned negotiations intend to broker amnesty and a ceasefire in a decades long insurgency that has claimed 40,000 lives to date, according to sources for Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal. A delegation of Filipino leftists, including CPP

founder Jose Maria Sison, and a chief negotiator for the NDFP, Luis Jalandoni, will meet with Duterte and his advisors in the third week of July, according to ABS-CBN news.

Both sides had extended gestures of goodwill ahead informal exploratory negotiations in June.

Shortly after winning the presidency, Duterte announced that Sison, who was one of the President-elect’s professors at Manilla University before living in exile in the Netherlands, would be welcome to return to the Philippines, according to the Inquirer.

Rebel groups have released several policemen from their custody, and Duterte said he would include leftist (though not necessarily CPP or NDFP members) in his administration’s cabinet, according to the WSJ. Appointments would be in the departments of Labor, Environment, Agrarian Reform, and Social Welfare, according to Bloomberg.

In May, the incoming presi-

2 PH universities among top 100 in Asia

MANILA—The University of the Philippines (UP) and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) were named among the 100 top universities in Asia in an annual list by Quacquarelli Symonds.

The QS University Rankings: Asia released Tuesday, June 14

ranked UP 70th in Asia with an overall score of 58.40, retaining its 2015 ranking. AdMu, meanwhile, scored 47.80 to land at 99th place, leaping from 114th last year.

The regional rankings, stemming from the original world list, are based on consultation with regional experts and stakeholders.

QS said in its methodology that the set of criteria is “designed to reflect key priorities for universities in Asia, drawing on as much available data as possible.”

Key indicators for the study are academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per paper and papers per faculty, staff with doctorate degrees, proportion of international faculty and students, and proportion of exchange students.

UP, whose flagship campus is in Diliman, Quezon City, earned a score of 74.8 in terms of academic reputation, 87.9 in employer reputation and 69.2 in faculty-student ratio. It has a student population of 53,160.

Ateneo’s Manila campus, on

SC affirms Napoles, Reyes indictment in ‘pork’ scam

by Edu

PunAy Philstar.com

MANILA—The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed with finality the bids of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes to stop the trial of plunder charges filed against them before the Sandiganbayan.

In session on Tuesday, June 14, the justices of the high court decided to deny the motions for reconsideration filed by Napoles and Reyes, former chief-of-staff of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile who is also facing plunder trial in the anti-graft court.

Both Napoles and Reyes had asked the SC in their separate petitions in 2014 to nullify the resolutions of the Sandiganbayan and the Office of the Ombudsman approving their indictment for plunder over the alleged misuse of the multibillion-peso pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund of lawmakers.

The court also junked the appeals of Napoles’ children Jo Christine and James Christopher on the issuance of arrest warrant against them by the Sandiganbayan over graft cases related to the PDAF scam.

The SC instead affirmed its the other hand, scored 59.1 in academic reputation, 59.1 in em- decisions last March dismissing ployer reputation and 55.4 in fac- their separate petitions for lack ulty-student ratio. It has a student of merit. body of 12,172.

Beyond the top 100, six other Philippines-based university figure in the chart, with the De La

by JAnvic MAtEo Salle University making a major Philstar.com jump from 181st place last year to 143rd this year.

MANILA—The Office of the The University of Santo Tomas ranked 143rd last year was this Vice President (OVP) has reyear surpassed by De La Salle, leased the data on the number of Filipinos that were provided with dropping to 157th place.

Ranking among the top 300 direct support and assistance by universities in Asia, meanwhile, the office under the term of outare Ateneo de Davao University, going Vice President Jejomar Silliman University, Xavier Uni- Binay.

Citing the transition report versity and the University of San submitted to the camp of vice Carlos.

In Asia, the National University president-elect Leni Robredo, of Singapore was hailed as the the OVP said it has served 56,722 best institution of higher learning Filipinos that sought medical, by the QS ranking, with an over- burial and transportation assisall score of 100. It was followed tance from July 2010 to March by the University of Hong Kong 2016.

It said the office has provided and the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore at ranks relief assistance to 642,143 famisecond and third, respectively. lies, medical and dental checkup to 143,251 beneficiaries, educa(Camille Diola/Philstar.com) dent had promised to free communist political prisoners if CPP and NDFP representatives agreed to convene for peace talks. Prior negotiations between rebels and the Filipino government ended when the administration of outgoing president Benigno Aquino III refused to meet demands for the unconditional release of communists, according to the Philippine Star.

The NDFP had claimed that rebels charged with criminal offenses were acting as peace consultants, and therefore immune to prosecution. However government officials from the prior administration said it would be impossible to verify the identity of communists and isolate them from non-political prisoners.

There were about 3,200 soldiers in the armed body of the CPP, the New People’s Army (NPA), according to the Philippine Star. In February, clashes between rebels and the Filipino military left three dead and seven injured.

A

Janet Lim-Napoles

“The Court denied with finality the various motions for reconsideration filed by counsels for petitioners from its March 15, 2016 decisions which dismissed the petitions challenging the finding of probable cause for lack of merit,” read the dispositive portion of the ruling read by SC spokesman Theodore Te in a press conference.

The ruling means the trial of four petitioners in the anti-graft court should proceed.

Petitioners all claimed violation of their right to due process in assailing their indictment over the PDAF scam.

Napoles is currently serving jail term at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong

Gigi Reyes

City after a Makati City regional trial court convicted her for the serious illegal detention of PDAF scam whistleblower Benhur Luy. Reyes, on the other hand, is detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Meanwhile, former Customs commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon, who won a congressional seat to again represent Muntinlupa in last month’s elections, posted a P90,000 bail before the Sandiganbayan.

Facing graft, malversation of public funds, and direct bribery charges for alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam, he personally appeared before the antigraft court’s Seventh Division to undergo processing.

OVP bares achievements under Binay tional support to 124,416 children of indigenous groups, and wheelchairs to 734 differently abled individuals.

The programs were funded through the annual budget provided to the second highest position in the country.

The figures were on top of those who were assisted by Binay in his capacity as housing development czar and presidential adviser for overseas Filipino workers’ concerns.

Earlier, OVP chief of staff Benjamin Martinez Jr. said the team of Robredo would have fiscal flexibility, as most of the budget for this year is still intact.

Martinez said only around P78.8 million of the P500-million budget has been spent by the outgoing administration.

Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay

The funds, lodged under the office’s maintenance and other operating expenses, may be used for various programs that the sitting vice president would wish to pursue.

The camp of Robredo, headed by her transition team leader Boyet Dy, expressed gratitude to the camp of Binay for the assistance in relation to the transition.

A

june 17-23, 2016 • nORCAL ASIAn jOuRnAL

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Features

OpiniOn

Terror attack

GRIM news of insurgency and terror attacks are thrust onto international headlines every day. Although modernization demolishes geographical barriers and moves the world toward an amalgamated economy, clashes among cultures continue to have a damaging impact on world peace and security. Because of cross-cultural ignorance, the essence of civilization is compromised.

In one senseless act of violence, 49 people were shot to death and 53 more were injured after a gunman went on a shooting rampage inside a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida last Sunday, June 12.

Details about the worst mass shooting in American history revealed that the gunman, 29-year-old Omar Marteen, had claimed allegiance to the Islamic State and that the bloodbath was fueled by his hatred of gays.

The Associated Press reported that the gunman was wielding an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle and a handgun as he opened fire at the club in a threehour shooting rampage and hostage siege that ended with a SWAT team killing him.

Pres. Barack Obama has condemned the apparent terror attack and vowed to counter extremist ideology.

“Our hearts go out to the families of those who have been killed. Our prayers go to those who have been wounded. This is a devastating attack on all Americans. It is one that is particularly painful for the people of Orlando, but I think we all recognize that this could have happened anywhere in this country,” Obama said. “And we feel enormous solidarity and grief on behalf of the families that have been affect-

ed.”

While the suspect has no direct link to the Islamic State, Obama pointed out “this kind of propaganda and perversions of Islam that you see generated on the Internet, and the capacity for that to seep into the minds of troubled individuals or weak individuals, and seeing them motivated then to take actions against people here in the United States and elsewhere in the world that are tragic.”

To counter terrorism, he vowed to after known terrorist organizations and “hit them hard.”

The Philippines is no stranger to this kind of conflict. Since the 1960s, armed conflicts have persisted in the Mindanao. Major fronts such as the New Peoples Army (NPA), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Abu Sayyaf have long fought for communist insurgency in the region, leaving national reconciliation as still an ultimate goal for its government.

The prevailing discord in Mindanao stems from what Moros believe as historical and continuing injustice committed against them, resulting in a majority-minority relationship that manifests itself in underdevelopment and dispossession in Muslim areas.

Just recently, the Abu Sayyaf has been involved in an alarming atrocity after it was confirmed that it has

Editorial

Commentary

RigobeRto D. tiglao THE late Jesse Robredo must have turned in his grave when his widow, Leni, declared that her (purported) victory in the vicepresidential contest was made more meaningful as it happened on his birthday.

The indications of cheating that made Leni “win” are so obvious.

For starters, Robredo won over Marcos in the Congress’ official count by 263,473 votes. This is almost exactly the same as her margin of 263,840 over Marcos in just two provinces. And perhaps, you guessed them right – Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. Controlled by warlords and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), these areas can deliver the number of votes a candidate wants, if the price is right.

This has been going on for decades. Then presidential candidate Miriam Defensor-Santiago

ManilaTimes.net photo

beheaded a Canadian hostage after a ransom was not met. The Philippines and Canada have condemned the killing of Canadian Robert Hall, whose head was recovered in front of the Jolo Cathedral in Sulu on Monday, June 13. Hall is among four people who were abducted at a resort on Samal island late last year.

Hall was the second victim beheaded by the bandits. Canadian John Ridsdel was killed in April after a P300-million ransom was not met.

People behind such terror attacks must be reminded that it took millions of lives, thousands of

years and hundreds of wars to achieve some sense of international order. While there is a lack of a comprehensive data on the total number of people affected and resources lost or destroyed as a result of these conflicts, reported estimates have been disturbing.

In this turbulent times, It is easy to aggregate power and instigate war. To foster peace and security remains the world’s formidable challenge and greatest hope for its citizens. This goal must be initiated through mutual respect and humanitarian resolve.

(AJPress)

Marcos was cheated, should file protest for country’s sake also lost by a landslide in these two provinces in the 1992 elections.

The following are the results of votes in these provinces, according to official Comelec data. Do you honestly think their residents, dominantly Muslims, were such big fans of Robredo as to give her such landslide margins?

This means that if the votes— which weren’t really votes—from these two provinces were not included, Marcos would have won.

But there are other provinces where Robredo very suspiciously won by a landslide.

Can somebody please give me a rational explanation why Robredo won by a landslide in these provinces?

The vice presidential race, as well as that for the president, was to a great extent a tribal contest, with a candidate’s tribe and its expanded territory (regions) overwhelmingly voting for him or her.

For example, Marcos received about 300,000 votes, with Robredo getting a measly 4,000 in Ilocos Norte. (Figures here are rounded

TAKE it from a senior citizen: nothing Demand worries us more than the thought that we and Supply might outlive our savings… or be afflicted with some medical condition or get into an accident that will boo ChanCo deplete funds intended for 20 or more years in retirement.

Sure, we appreciate the senior citizen discounts we get for prescription maintenance medicines and VAT-free indulgences in our favorite restaurants.

But the fear of a catastrophic disease or unforeseen emergency is always in our consciousness.

That’s because we don’t have a good enough pension system. We want to believe our culture mandates our children to take care of us. But with children living in all parts of the world or with financial problems themselves, more and more Filipinos end up poorly in their twilight years.

Our Social Security System, like PhilHealth, hardly scratches the surface of our actual needs. Retirement benefits of private companies mostly comply with the minimum requirements of labor laws.

If you didn’t save enough on your own in your productive years, you are in trouble.

Maybe, if I stayed on with Petron, I would have managed to get a better retirement benefit when I turned 60. Petron had as part of its benefits package, a provident savings plan wherein Petron contributed to an employee’s account depending on how much he has set aside as monthly savings.

off for easier reading.) But Robredo garnered 800,000 votes from her bailiwick Camarines provinces, leaving Marcos with only 67,000.

Cebu gave Marcos a severe beating by delivering 400,000 more votes for Robredo. Cebu, of course, has continued to be a bastion of anti-Marcos sentiment, partly because of presidential candidate Sergio Osmena, Jr.’s colossal loss to Marcos in the 1969 presidential race, Sergio Osmena 3rd’s imprisonment by the strongman, and the fact that the so-called “oligarchs” he targeted during his regime were mostly from Cebu and Negros.

That President Aquino 3rd and his yellow cabal junked Roxas to throw resources into Robredo’s campaign to win the vice presidency (amid rumors of a Plan B under which President-elect Duterte is to be ousted later) is also quite obvious in that Robredo got significantly more votes than Roxas in several provinces. For instance, in the two provinces that gave Robredo the edge, Lanao del

Sur and Maguindanao, she received 400,000 votes while Roxas got only 163,000.

Marcos’ bailiwicks (the “Solid North,” several Mindanao provinces and Leyte) cancelled out Robredo’s “bailiwicks,” which I put in quotation marks as these include areas into which the Liberal Party threw their resources, such as Negros, Cebu, and several provinces in Mindanao).

One thing that makes me very suspicious that Aquino and his yellow horde moved heaven and earth to cheat to have Robredo win, while throwing Roxas under the bus, are the results seen in the National Capital Region.

Marcos won by a landslide in the nation’s premium region, gaining 46 percent of the votes in the NCR, while Robredo got only 29 percent and Cayetano 13 percent.

This should worry Aquino and his rabid anti-Marcos forces. In the NCR, which has the ahighest literacy rate and the most developed media and information infrastructure, Filipinos either have for-

given Marcos’ father, forgotten his father or don’t believe in the yellow propaganda that Martial Law was a dark period of our history.

There is not a single city in metropolitan Manila where Robredo won over Marcos. Even Quezon City, the site of anti-Marcos centers such as the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo voted 2 to 1 for Marcos.

The NCR results are so radically different from those of the entire Philippines. This is an anomaly – the farther away from the capital and metropolitan region, the more significant the decline becomes of the media’s reach to disseminate a new name like “Robredo.” Where I voted in a southern province just two hours’ drive from Makati, I often even overheard people asking, “Sino ito si Lini Roberto?” How could Robredo, who campaigned only for a few months, win against somebody with a household name that started being disseminated 40 years ago?

The NCR results in past elections mirror the national results,

Reform our pension plans

I don’t remember the details now but when I left Petron after 11 years of service, I had enough money in my account plus the severance package to pay for the house I bought under Petron’s housing plan as well as to pay for the balance in my car loan.

The next Group I worked with for nearly 20 years after Petron didn’t have a provident savings benefit. I was expected to manage a retirement plan on my own plus whatever SSS would eventually provide.

Trying to manage a retirement plan on your own is not always easy nor is it as efficient as one done by professionals with all the tools and connections of the trade.

This is where the PERA or the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) Act of 2008 could have made a big difference.

PERA was the pet project of then Sen. Ed Angara. This particular law is designed to promote capital market development and savings mobilization. It does this by establishing a legal, regulatory framework of retirement plans for persons composed of voluntary personal savings and investments.

As a voluntary retirement account, PERA could have allowed guys like us in the employed middle class to have some kind of “forced savings” every payday.

Over the course of a 20 to 30 year career, principal and earnings would have accumulated to provide a comfortable cushion against the uncertainties of life in the final

years.

PERA would have been better than just SSS at the end of one’s working years.

PERA would have also been a good way to capture some of the OFW earnings to help finance bankable projects and provide the worker enough savings in his retirement. Even the local stock market would have benefited from the resulting broader capital formation.

But the farsightedness of Sen. Angara in sponsoring PERA through the legislative mill was not matched by the executive branch. The BIR and DOF officials were too shortsightedly focused on meeting the tax collection quota for the year and failed to see PERA’s social and economic benefits.

So PERA remained a dead law because DOF and the BIR refused to write the implementing rules and regulations. It is therefore refreshing to hear incoming DOF Secretary Sonny Dominguez saying that it is time to revisit PERA and put those implementing rules in effect.

“Is it a correct approach to think that a reduction in revenue is the way it should be interpreted [under the Aquino administration] rather than [as] an investment that encourages business activity that will result in more savings, in the case of PERA?” Mr. Dominguez said.

In any case, Mr. Dominguez thinks the government should be able to offset foregone revenues… Instead of looking at it as a reduction in income or revenue, maybe it should be looked at a different way: it’s an investment in the future.”

I no longer have a vested interest in seeing the early implementation of PERA because that route is too late for me to

take. I am fully supporting it because it is the right thing to do. It will benefit the financial security of future generations and the country’s future economic growth as well.

The early implementation of PERA has also become important in the light of the strong commitment expressed by president-elect Duterte to the P2,000 monthly pension increase for SSS retirees. This increase was rejected by the outgoing Aquino administration because it will shorten the life of the trust fund of the system from which benefits are sourced.

My colleagues in the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) have issued a position paper calling for “a thorough review of the entire Philippine pension system to improve its structure and governance for a more adequate, affordable, sustainable, and robust system.”

Maybe, in addition to making PERA operational, we also ought to merge the government pension system — GSIS, SSS, PAG-IBIG housing fund and the police and military pension plans. Having so many systems reduces management efficiency and increases opportunities for corruption by the fund managers.

Questions are also being asked why the GSIS is better able to take care of its members than the SSS. We have heard of so many horror stories how the police and military pension systems have been misused to buy golf courses and cuddle high ranking officers.

It isn’t as if we don’t know what to do.

Studies have been made and it is time to implement some recommendations.

For instance, a study on Structural and Governance Reform of the Philippine

probably since the region is actually a melting pot of migrants from all provinces. For instance, Duterte won 43 percent of the votes in NCR, just 4 percentage points higher than the 39 percent he received for the entire Philippines.

How can Robredo explain that Marcos won 46 percent of votes in the NCR, and yet he garnered only 35 percent of the votes nationwide, a huge drop of 11 percentage points? How can she explain she received only 29 percent in the NCR, yet got 6 percentage points more for the entire Philippines?

It will be expensive for Marcos to file an election protest, since he would have to pay for the costs of opening and examining each Election Return and Certificate of Canvass. Yet, the weaknesses of our electoral system must be corrected, or our democracy will continue to be a sham. He has to do it for the sake of the country.

Robredo’s “victory” must be exposed as a sham, representing the last gasps of the Yellow Force.

(ManilaTimes.net)

Pension System commissioned by the Department of Finance in 2006, already pointed out persistent weaknesses of the Philippine pension system that need to be addressed.

These include: 1) investments decisions need to be protected from political processes; 2) pension assets need to be sufficiently diversified and well matched to risk/return needs; 3) supervision, regulation, and auditing need to be holistic and adequate; 4) mandatory system needs to be sustainable and equitable; 5) benefit formulas need to be harmonized; 6) the defined-contribution, fully-funded element of the pension system needs to be bigger; 7) taxation needs to be harmonized and consistent; 8) administration of the system needs improvement; and 9) the system needs to expand its coverage and sufficiently reach the poor elderly.

It is easy to be overwhelmed by all these things that ought to be done but have been left undone. Suffice it to say that if Sec. Dominguez can jumpstart everything by getting PERA on line and work steadily to accomplish everything else through the next six years, the working class will be forever indebted to him and Mr. Duterte.

As in everything else that needs to get done in government, Sec. Dominguez will need political will to make a difference. I am sure he can convince Mr. Duterte all these must be done. The president-elect in turn, will provide his political capital to do the things the Aquino administration didn’t have the balls to accomplish.

That’s what change should be about! *** Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com.

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

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

Your Immigration Solution AngelA K. Ho And nAncy Miller A NEW policy issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will allow family-members of Filipino WWII Veterans to come to the US now and remain here while they wait for their familybased petitions to become current.

Starting June 8, 2016, eligible individuals under this policy are able to request parole into the United States on a case-by-case basis to join their families here. The Filipino World War II Veterans Parole (FWVP) policy allows certain beneficiaries of WWII veterans’ family-based immigrant visa petitions to be “paroled” into the US before a visa is available in their category to wait out their time with their veteran family memberhere instead of outside the US. This policy is intended to recognize the “extraordinary contribution and sacrifices of Filipino veterans” who fought for our country during World War II and to enable these veterans to reunite with their family in their old age.

This policy would be an invaluable benefit for eligible individuals, as it allowsfamily members tobypass the extremely long wait time that typically accompanies many family-sponsored petitions. Some family members, for example, have been waiting for over two decades for a visa to become available. This policy would provide, at the very least, the ability for veterans and their faraway family members to be together in the US sooner.

Of the 260,000 Filipino enlisted soldiers, an estimated 26,000 became US citizens. In turn, these veterans petitioned their family members to immigrate over to the US Currently, between 2,000 to 6,000 Filipino-American veterans remain living today in the United States, many with family members still outside the US waiting for a visa to become available for them. The new FWVP policy aims to remedy this wait period and assist beneficiaries in reuniting with

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 17-23, 2016

CJ

Journal Filipino WWII Vet’s family members may be able to come to US now

their families. USCIS will have discretion to approve parole requests for such relatives so that they may wait in the US until they are able to move forward with their permanent resident applications.

The benefit, in the government’s eyes, is twofold. In addition to honoring the sacrifice of Filipino WWII veterans by providing a faster means to family reunification in the US, this policy will also provide a significant public benefit in the form of substantive familial relief. Paroled family members will be able to provide their aging veterans and their spouses with much-needed substantive support—physical, financial, emotional—intheir twilight years.

So, who is eligible under the Filipino WWII Veteran Parole Policy?

In order to qualify for FWVP parole, individuals must first be beneficiaries of an approved family-based immigrant visa petition whose qualifying relationship existed on or before May 9, 2016.

Second, the petitioning relative must be residing in the US If the petitioner is deceased, then they must have been residing in the United States at the time of death.

Third, the petitioning relative must be either a Filipino WWII veteran or the surviving spouse of the veteran, with the Department of Defense recognizing the veteran’s military service. USCIS can verify this information with government records, but in cases where this information is not available, beneficiaries will have the burden of proving eligibility. If the family member has inadmissibility issues, such as criminal history, misrepresentations or prior deportation orders, it may be more difficult to obtain parole.

If the Filipino veteran is still living, the individuals eligible for parole consideration include all family-sponsored preferences, including brothers and sisters. If the Filipino veteran is deceased and the surviving spouse is the

petitioner, parole consideration can only be given to the biological children of the surviving spouse and the Filipino veteran. If the petitioning relative is deceased, eligible individuals can also attempt to seek parole on their own behalf by seeking reinstatement of the family petition for humanitarian reasons. These would include qualifying children and brothers and sisters of the deceased Filipino WWII veteran.

This FWVP policy has been implemented by USCIS for the public benefit of Filipino WWII veterans.

However, this policy is not a permanent benefit; it is set to expire five (5) years after June 8, 2016.

Therefore, time is of the essence.

Applications should be submitted as soon as possible. Once parole is granted, individuals can apply for entry at the port of entry (including airports and land borders) to the United States. Department of State consular officers will interview all applicants to determine whether a favorable grant of discretion is appropriate.Individuals must continue to seek re-parole upon parole expiration.

Anyone whose Filipino WWII veteran family member filed a petition for them before May 9, 2016 should consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney to see if they or their family member qualifies under this very exciting new and temporary policy. ***

Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 795-8009 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)

Investment potential pegged at billions of dollars

by Kristyn

niKa M. ManilaTimes.net

Lazo

MORE than 20 investors from Japan and Europe have either pledged to invest, or expressed interest to invest, in the Clark Green City of the Base Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Describing the investor response as “remarkable interest,” BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova said on Tuesday, June 14, that among the

potential investors are Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Mitsui, Sumitomo, Sojitz and other major Japanese companies. They are interested particularly in utilities, land development and infrastructure.

They are also considering industrial estate investments.

The industrial estate is identified in the first phase of development covering some 288 hectares. “We are encouraging Japanese educational institutions and research institutes to set up shops in Clark to improve our

technological capability,” Casanova said.

Investors from France and Germany are considering investing, given the large-scale projects in the city.

Some 20 Japanese companies have already visited the area for ocular inspection, while a French company is scheduled to visit this month.

About the industrial estates included in the plan, Casanova said: “It’s a strategic partnership

u PAGE CJ2

Bank deposits grow to P9.4 T

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA — More Filipinos continue to entrust their money in banks as deposits went up 10.8 percent in the first quarter amid the money laundering scandal that rocked the country’s financial system last February.

Data from the state-run Philippine DeThe total resources of big banks or universal and commercial banks increased 9.8 posit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) showed percent to P11.25 trillion from P10.24 billion, while that of mid-sized banks or thrift bank deposits reached P9.39 trillion from January to March, P916 billion higher verbanks surged 16.7 percent to P1.05 trillion from P899.3 billion.

Philstar.com/File photo

u PAGE CJ2

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JUNE 17-23, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

The CTV Files Atty. LiLLi B. BAcuLi ALL we need is love, says a love song. Love will keep us alive, says another. Unfortunately, real life is not a three-and-a-half minute power-ballad love song. Love and marriage in the real world involves trying to put order in the chaos of work, maintaining a home, and raising a family all the while maintaining the relationship between husband and wife.

Sometimes, divorce happens.

The following seeks to address or clarify some common misconceptions about divorce.

“What if my husband/wife does not want to sign the divorce?” or “My husband/wife does not want to sign the divorce papers, what can I do.”

California is a no-fault divorce state. A party filing for divorce does not need the consent of the other in order to file a Petition for Dissolution (Divorce) or, in some instances, to get a judgment of divorce.

Perhaps the confusion lies in the part where the other party

Community Journal

California divorce: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

(your soon-to-be ex-spouse) needs to be served with process.

In proceeding in an action for divorce, there are procedural requirements dictated by law that must be followed to ensure that the other party has notice of the action (that is, that s/he is being brought to court for an action of divorce) and that s/he is given time to respond. However, there is no requirement for the other party to respond. There is no requirement that s/he sign any document at all. All that needs to happen is that s/he is properly served with process according to the rules.

“What? I have to share my retirement earnings? This is mine, I worked hard for it!!” Generally, all of your assets prior the marriage is just your own separate property. However, California is a community property state and so once you get married, all property acquired during marriage is community property.

And if anything out of the community property is used towards separate property, the community might turn out to have a claim on part(s) of separate property.

Separate property are “all property acquired before marriage; all gifts, bequests, devise, or descents. All property acquired or exchanged with traceable separate property; and all property acquired after separation.”

“S/he is the one who left our family. I shouldn’t have to pay support.”

Again, California is a no-fault divorce state. There is no assignment of blame or fault; fault does not factor in the equation in the issue of support. Some of the factors that the Court will look at to determine whether there is basis for support, and if so, in what amount, are – length of marriage, age of parties, if there are minor children in the marriage, income of both parties.

“I’m smart enough to handle my own divorce. Why do I need an attorney?”

You don’t need an attorney.

There is no requirement that you must have an attorney. However, in cases involving issues such as domestic violence, custody disputes, child support, spousal support, and division of com-

u PAGE CJ3

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAgLAyA IT’S been said time and again that if you want anything done, give it to a busy person. That may very well be true, but only up to a point. One’s carrying capacity can be maxed out.

The truth is that anyone who is both efficient and effective has mastered many times by trial and error over some length of time that fine blend of mixing the art and science of planning his work and working his plan.

How? By thinking things through, prioritizing, sequencing and when necessary, improvising to stay within timetables and resources and keeping a laser-like focus on the goal, anyone can get things done.

Nowhere is this life skill more put to the test than here in America where a person’s worth, whether you like it or not, is measured by his productivity, his creativity, and his results. It is a skill needed to navigate a person’s day-to-day life.

The major strides in technology have enhanced man’s capability to multi-task. Picture the modern version of Everyman running on a treadmill fulfilling multiple roles. No matter how much you want to buck the system, there is no way you can get around the fact that in order to thrive, let alone survive at this time and in this place, the life skills one needs to acquire and develop some level of competence in, are in the areas of planning and working the plan.

You know what a delight it is to work on a project that has been well conceived and well planned.

And when a plan comes together in seamless fashion, everything

The Metamorphosis

ernie d. deLfin (Part 1 of 2)

“THERE is no peace without (social) justice.” — Pope John Paul II When this issue comes out, it will be another June 12, the “Independence Day” holiday of the Philippines, which changed from July 4 (coinciding with that of the United States granted the country her independence in 1946) during the Macapagal administration in 1964. Happy Independence holiday to all Filipinos, especially those in the homeland!

With the forthcoming inauguration of President Rody Duterte and his Vice President Leni Robredo, and many other elected officials in the Philippines on June 30, I feel it is quite timely and appropriate to count our blessings as free people living in a democratic society — despite the many problems that the country still has to overcome. The Independence Day holiday is not just being off from work, but to celebrate our freedom and give honor to those who made the supreme sacrifice that resulted into our independence as a nation.

As we celebrate, it is an ideal goal for the Filipino people to be also free from fear and hunger, caused by criminal elements and poverty. Yes, we are now an “independent” nation, but this state of independence demands eternal vigilance and continuous hard work from all Filipinos to maintain it, and to make it even better, hopefully. In my almost two months in the Philippines recently, I have seen that there is still a lot of room to improve everywhere, especially in urban areas where there are thousands

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

The secret of getting things done “O Lord, Thou givest us everything, At the price of an effort.”

— Leonardo da Vinci

is as smooth as silk. On the flip side of the coin, you know how aggravating it is to be involved in one that is a mess from the beginning conceived by one who seems to be running around like a headless chicken.

History bears out that most of the great leaders of all time, whether in politics, in industry and in business are supreme planners. And contrary to common belief, these planners see the big picture but do not feel that it is beneath them to roll up their sleeves and work on the nitty-gritty themselves.

Planning helps you to see the goal very clearly. Planning makes it possible to signal your intentions to others so adjustments can be made in the early stages of the project. In freeway driving, it is not only courteous to signal your intention when changing lanes to let other drivers either speed up or slow down to make room for your move, it is the safe and prudent thing to do. Planning, like your left and right turn signals on your car, is a communication tool that gets feedback from within the team.

Henry Ford once said, “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.” As you flesh out the details of a project, the number of sub-tasks and the sequence with which these smaller tasks need to be done becomes clearer. Assigning who does what further breaks down the job to smaller and manageable bite sizes.

Of course as the overseer, your task is to monitor progress of each component of the project and see that each one contributes to the overall goal.

Ultimately, the value of planning brings you full circle as it helps you stay focused on the goal and get the job done on time and within budget.

Here’s a caveat. Lest we think that planning is foolproof, remember that “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

Even with all the seemingly perfect planning that scientists at NASA do and even with the use of cutting edge technology, the agency still experiences monumental failures - sometimes.

Things may not work out as planned. There are absolutely no guarantees that something will work out because of a great plan. When things don’t work out as planned, accept it. Perhaps, there is a much better plan.

However, it has been proven that unless mighty cosmic forces are conspiring against something from happening, chances are stacked heavily towards transforming an idea to reality because of the simple act of planning and tenaciously working the plan. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

PH Independence Day should also mean freedom from fear and hunger

— if not millions — who are very poor.

Amidst the thousands of highrise condominiums and office buildings in big cities, the poor exist within a few blocks. Young children beg for some money in streets to have some money for their basic necessities of life, especially food. The very wide chasm between the very rich and the very poor is quite prevalent and obvious along congested streets.

For these millions of our poor kababayans, they are still not free or independent, as they remain shackled by the pangs of poverty.

For many of these families, their poverty has been inherited from several generations before them.

Many do not have this so-called “independence” or freedom and access to basic things like food shelter, clothing and education, due to economic and financial constraints.

It has been documented that many poor people salvage thrown food in garbage cans, recook them and then eat this kind of recycled food called “pagkaing pagpag.” In a country where fertile soil and rich natural resources are quite abundant, this situation seems insane and criminal!

Many still live under bridges and even in cemeteries where the wealthy dead even have better “shelters!”

There are news stories that due to poverty, many young girls and boys are lured into prostitution, or “sold” to human traffickers. I even heard sad stories that some poor people even sell their body parts like kidneys or lungs to the “highest” bidder underground to feed their families!

With the incoming Duterte ad-

ministration, change is expected to occur as he promised. I pray and hope those changes are for the better, not only to eliminate those heinous crimes committed by drug lords, kidnappers, corrupt politicians and police without blatant disregard to basic human rights. I believe it is equally important to do more in the areas of social justice, where the mighty and powerful stop exploiting the powerless and voiceless in our society. His dream of creating more livelihood programs especially in the provinces to ease unemployment and reduce poverty is long overdue.

There will be no real peace when there is no social justice.

Poverty is exacerbated when there is human exploitation and social injustice. When wealthy landowners continue to keep most of the produce of the land and just give enough food to their tenants or hired help just for them to survive, poverty will increase as even poor people multiply. When employers continue to keep most of their profits by not sharing justly with their employees, poverty worsens.

When the primary reason for most businesses is just to make more profits at all costs, ignoring the principles of social justice and the common good, society is doomed. When unemployment rises to unmanageable proportions, when people go hungrier and restless, there could eventually be an “Arab Spring,” a civil uprising to turn the economic pyramid in the Philippines upside down. (To be continued next week) *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.org www.gk1world.com

Foreign incestors keen about Clark…

PAGE CJ1 t

because once we do industrial estate development in Clark, you create expansion growth area in Clark for Japanese manufacturing firms to also come in.”

Japanese companies, he noted, are looking for alternative sites of manufacturing facilities, and they look at the Philippines as “one of their priorities in investments.”

“The Japanese have been very, very optimistic about the Philippines. They don’t have much [issues]. They’re optimistic about

Clark Green City. They look at the scale of the project, and it is something that they’re really interested in. If they’re going to spend time and resources, they wanted it to be on a scale that would create value for them. Small contracts they’d rather leave to domestic players,” Casanova said.

BCDA had signed an agreement with the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corp. or JOIN in February to form a joint venture company that will support and encourage Japanese

firms to invest in Clark Green City. This joint venture is owned 55 percent by JOIN and 45 percent by BCDA. BCDA is now considering crafting the necessary legal framework that would help foreign investors and businesses.

According to Casanova, the potential foreign investment can easily be pegged at “billions of dollars” given the sizable scale of projects within the 9,450-hectare project area which will be fully developed in about 30-40 years. n

same quarter last year.

Earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported the total resources of Philippine banks went up 10.1 percent to P12.52 trillion in the first quarter from a year-ago level of P11.37 million.

The total resources of big banks or universal and commercial banks increased 9.8 percent to P11.25 trillion from P10.24 billion, while that of mid-sized banks or thrift banks surged 16.7 percent to P1.05 trillion from

P899.3 billion.

On the other hand, total assets of small banks or rural banks fell 9.7 percent to P213 billion in the first quarter from P236 billion in the same quarter of last year with the exit of more weak players in the industry.

Last year, total resources of the Philippine financial system increased 7.4 percent to P12.4 trillion from P11.5 trillion in 2014.

As a percent of gross domestic product (GDP), the country’s banking resources stood at 93.4 percent. n

Bank deposits grow to…

PAGE CJ1 t

sus the P8.48 trillion recorded in the same period last year.

PDIC said peso deposits increased 10.9 percent to P7.79 trillion from P7.03 trillion, while foreign currency deposits owned by residents grew 9.9 percent to P1.59 trillion from P1.45 trillion.

Statistics showed the number of peso and foreign currency deposit accounts increased 7.5 percent to 51.85 million in the first quarter from 48.23 million in the

Community Journal

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

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

Avoiding an affidavit of support (Form I – 864) by working 40 quarters (10 years)

FAMILY based petitions and some employment-based petitions (where a relative owns a 5% interest in the petitioning company) require the petitioner to submit an affidavit of support (Form I – 864) in order for the beneficiary to adjust status or obtain an immigrant visa.

The petitioner must be domiciled (or living) in the US to submit the affidavit of support. If the petitioner is living outside the US (such as an elderly US citizen parent now retired to the Philippines), he cannot submit an affidavit of support, and the beneficiary will not be able to obtain a green card.

In some cases, the petitioner may have passed away after the petition was approved. In those cases, the beneficiary must seek humanitarian reinstatement. If the beneficiary was in the US when the petitioner passed away, he can rely on the “Survivor Law” (Section 204(l)) in lieu of the more difficult and burdensome humanitarian reinstatement.

However, the beneficiary would still be required to submit an affidavit of support by a “substitute sponsor”, who are certain US citizens or lawful permanent resident relatives, at least 18 years of age, and domiciled in the US. The substitute sponsors include spouse, parent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother or sister,

child, son-in-law, daughter-inlaw, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, or legal guardian. (A legal guardian is a court-appointed representative, where the beneficiary is a minor or mentally incompetent).

But what happens if a petitioner dies, and the beneficiary has none of the above relatives who can act as a substitute sponsor?

In that case, the beneficiary may not be able to seek humanitarian reinstatement or benefit from the Survivor Law, since there is no qualified substitute sponsor who can submit an affidavit of support.

There is another provision of the affidavit of support law that provides that an affidavit of support is not required if, at the time the beneficiary seeks permanent residence, the beneficiary can show he or she has already worked, or can be credited with, 40 qualifying quarters of earnings, based on certified earnings records from the Social Security Administration. In other words, if a person has worked for at least 40 quarters (10 years), he or she may not be required to submit an affidavit of support by a substitute sponsor. (A person could also get credited with quarters earned by his/her parent when he/she is under 18, and by his/her spouse during the marriage (but only if still married to the same spouse

Immigration Corner

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 17-23, 2016

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or if the spouse is deceased).

If you are under petition, and you have issues/problems relating to the affidavit of support (i.e. your petitioner is not earning enough, the petitioner has died, you cannot locate a substitute sponsor, etc.), but you already have 40 qualifying quarters of earnings/coverage, you may not need an affidavit of support. If this applies to you, consult with an attorney, who can evaluate your situation, especially if the lack of an affidavit of support is the last hurdle to your obtaining a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

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

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

Business News

PROVISIONAL WAIVER FOR CREWMEN DISPELS FEAR IN GOING BACK TO MANILA FOR VISA PROCESSING – ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY”! Cindy was a crewman who jumped ship and had been a TNT for more than 10 years. After seeing a “Citizen Pinoy” episode about another crewman who also jumped ship, Cindy and US citizen husband, Tom decided to consult with leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel about her chances of legalizing. Through Atty. Gurfinkel’s help, Cindy’s Provisional Waiver was approved.

She went back to the Philippines, was processed for her immigrant visa at the US Embassy in Manila, and returned to the US less than a month later as a legal permanent resident. Watch an encore episode on Provisional Waivers, which could benefit: (a) crewmen without 245(i): (b) those who entered the US without inspection(EWI) without 245(i); or (c) K-1 fiancees who did not marry their US petitioner, on “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday, June 19 at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

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 J U N E 26

Cabiao USA annual picnic Join Cabiao USA for its annual picnic on Sunday, June 26 at Wilderness Park in Downey, California from 11 am to 5 pm. There will be food, games, prizes and karoke! Meet kababayans, relatives and new friends and help plan for our 25th anniversary next year. For more information, call Allan Ocampo (323) 684-1820, Irma Ocampo Alcaraz (323) 861-6101, Gardy Parungao (562) 754-7511 or Andy Tecson (323) 467-5096.

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42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has delisted 250 pawnshops, foreign exchange dealers, money changers, and remittance agents in the first five months

BSP weeds out 250 erring pawnshops, forex dealers

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has delisted 250 pawnshops, foreign exchange dealers, money changers, and remittance agents in the first five months.

On top of the list were Philrem, Peso Remittance Express Inc. and WerQuick Inc. The three companies were delisted last May 31.

Last June 1, the BSP announced the Monetary Board revoked the certificate or registration of Philrem, WerQuick, and Peso Remittance for various violations in connection with the $81 million bank heist coursed through Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC).

The BSP said it would work closely with other relevant govt agencies such as the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in their investigation of possible criminal and administrative violations under the Anti Money Laundering Act (AMLA) or RA 9160 and its implementing rules and regulations.

The bank regulator said it would run after the companies as well as their directors and officers.

Philrem chair Michael Bautista and his wife Salud who is president of the company attended the hearings conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

Both were charged by the AMLC for their role in the illegal transfer of $81 million stolen by

hackers from the account of the Bangladesh Bank with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York last February.

Last April 5, the BSP said it would go hard on banks violating the rules on transactions with foreign exchange dealers, money changers, and remittances companies.

The BSP issued Memorandum No. M-2016 – 004 reminding all banks on sound risk management practices when dealing with foreign exchange dealers, money changers, and remittance agents.

Violations of the rules provided under Part 8 or the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations of the Manual of Regulations for Banks should be subject to applicable sanctions and penalties. n

PhilHealth insists funds remain in robust condition THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) reiterated Monday that its fund is still in robust condition and there is no indication that it will be bankrupt in the next 128 years.

PhilHealth president and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Alexander Padilla repeated the pronouncement in the sec-ond quarter “Kapihan with the CEO (of PhilHealth) event” wherein the print and broadcast media can throw questions that they want to clarify held at PhilHealth head office in Pasig City.

Padilla assured that PhilHealth funds were going strong and confident that PhilHealth reserve funds would not go down and eventually became prone to collapse or turned to bankruptcy because of the good investments it had made, aside from collection efficiency.

“While we paid Php 1 billion more than what we collected in premium contributions in 2015, we gained about Php 7 billion from investment income, resulting in positive numbers still,” Padilla added.

He further said that the PhilHealth reserve funds had been steadily growing from P112 billion in 2012 to P128 billion in 2015.

It can be recalled that PhilHealth paid about P34 billion in benefit claims in 2011; P44 billion in 2012; P55 billion in 2013; P77 billion in 2014; and P97 billion in 2015.

It can also be recalled that clarification was made when news report came out misquoting a PhilHealth Board director.

United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) invites everyone, Bicolanos, devotees and friends to come and celebrate the 42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The festivities will start on Sept. 9, with the translacion at 5pm at the Immaculate of Mary Church (4954 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029. A nightly novena Mass follows from Sept. 9 to Sept. 16 at 6 PM except on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 3:30 PM and Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2;30 PM and culminates on Saturday, Sept.

17, with the ninth day novena at 8am, foot & fluvial procession at 9 AM, and a Concelebrated Mass at 10 am at Lincoln Park, 3501 Valley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90031. Main celebrant will be HE Most Rev Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon. For details, please call Lanie Berrei (818) 281-3169 or Gene Leano (818) 439-6896.

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

Villar rejects plan to build $13-B Mla Bay airport by christina

Mendez

Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Cynthia Villar appealed to the incoming administration of president-elect Rodrigo Duterte not to pursue the proposed reclamation of Manila Bay as a site for a new international airport.

Villar, a known advocate of environmental protection, said the reclamation of Manila Bay would destroy the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA). On March 16, 2012 Villar filed before the Supreme Court a petition or writ of kalikasan.

“I appeal to president-elect Duterte to look beyond the claim of decongesting existing airports and realize that the planned reclamation will cause flooding as high as eight meters in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite. It will also deprive 300,000 fishermen of their livelihood,” Villar said.

“Attracting tourists and investors should not be proposed at the expense of the Constitutionally-guaranteed rights of citizens for a safe and secure environment to live in,” she added.

Villar lamented that the airport project was being resurrected after San Miguel Corp.’s proposal to build a new airport in Manila

Bay did not push through during the Aquino administration.

She issued this statement after re-elected Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez urged the incoming administration to push through with the proposed $13-billion international airport in Manila Bay. Under the plan, the proposed airport will make use of 157 hectares of Freedom Island. Villar pointed out that contrary to the claim of Olivarez, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), proposed the Sangley Point in Cavite as a viable site of the airport and not Manila Bay in Parañaque.

Villar cited the 2002 ruling of the Supreme Court, which struck down the Public Estates Authority (PEA)-Amari deal as unconstitutional. The ruling stated that private companies cannot own reclaimed lands.

LPPCHEA is a declared critical habitat and a protected area by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1412 and 1412-A in 2007.

It is the first critical habitat to be declared in the country. Covering around 175 hectares of wetland ecosystem, LPPCHEA consists of two islands – Freedom Island and Long Island.

In March 2013, it was also listed as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar

Convention because of the critical role it plays in the survival of threatened and restricted-range bird species. It is the only wetland in Metro Manila and in an urban setting.

The five other Philippine sites in the list are: the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan, the Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park in Sulu; the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, the Naujan Lake National Park in Oriental Mindoro; and the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu.

LPPCHEA’s 35 hectare mangrove forest is the thickest and most diverse within Manila Bay. At present, there are 11 mangrove species growing in the area. It is the spawning ground of fishes in Manila Bay which gives livelihood to 300,000 poor fishermen and related livelihood.

The mangrove forest is also home and known breeding area of the Philippine Ducks, Chinese Egret and Black-Winged Stilts vulnerable species as listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources along with 82 other wild bird species coming from as far as China, Japan and Siberia. About 1,000 of the Black-Winged Stilts of only 100,000 existing in the whole world can be found in the area. n

California divorce: Frequently Asked…

As a result then, the PhilHealth official made the clarification and inform further the public about PhilHealth conditions to allay fears and assured that the state-owned health insurance corporation can keep up with its mandate, relying to its continued coverage expansion.

As a health insurance, PhilHealth continues to improve and expand its health coverage by formulation of updated policies and enhancing the system to serve better its clients in line with the achieving the goals of the Universal HealthCare Program of the government to ensure that every Filipino has access to quality healthcare. (PNA)

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munity property assets it would be wise to seek advice from a licensed and experienced attorney so as not to waste your time and money, not to mention the court’s time and resources, especially when you have to keep going back to court because of incomplete or missing documents that could have been addressed from the very beginning by a competent and knowledgeable attorney.

Not all divorce cases are the same. It is important to be properly informed about your rights and responsibilities under California law in divorce proceedings.

The wrong advice or information can and will hurt you, and waste your time and money. Consult a licensed and experienced family law attorney to help you navigate through your divorce. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A

Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship.

Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 4958088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys. com. For general information visit www. chuatinsayvega.com.

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JUNE 17-23, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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People & Events Long term Sunday rentals available Concord’s Music and Market, special events offer free family fun at Antioch Recreation Facilities

THE City of Antioch has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for long term Sunday rentals at their community rental facilities.

This RFQ is ideal for churches and other organizations that are in need of space, of all sizes, for meetings and services. The City has three locations; The Antioch Community Center, 4703 Lone Tree Way; The Antioch water Park, 4701 Lone Tree Way; and the Nick Rodriguez Community Center, 213 F Street to host churches and other organizations of all sizes.

The City of Antioch’s Recreation Facilities have several large rooms available for a long term rental. The Recreation Department can accommodate organizations up to 425 people for services and/or meetings. These organizations can meet in any of the three facilities and design a floor plan that works for them on a weekly basis.

Long term rentals on Sundays offers local community organizations and new or growing churches clean, convenient and safe facilities for meetings and/or services. Rental facilities come

with a committed staff to work with meeting organizers and ensures competitive rental rates, including a discount for organizations with a 501(C)(3) status.

The City of Antioch enjoys a vast network of community organizations, civic leaders, and religious institutions that support programs and services aimed to improve the quality of life for all residents.

Renting with the Recreation Department will allow for increased outreach to the community by churches and organizations, and provide members with a pleasant experience close to home.

For more information, please contact Mike Heller, Interim Recreation Specialist, at mheller@ci.antioch.ca.us or (925) 779-7077. n

Men’s health and Social Security

THIS year, we observe National Men’s Health Week from June 13 to 19. It so happens that Father’s Day falls on the last day of Men’s Health Week, a perfect time for focusing on health education and awareness, disease prevention, and family.

Social Security encourages you to support fathers and friends everywhere in their efforts to stay healthy. The right balance of diet, exercise, regular visits to doctors and health care providers, and overall healthy living can go a long way to help everyone remain a part of your daily life for years to come.

Part of staying healthy and happy is reducing the amount of stress in your life. That’s where opening a my Social Security online account can help. Our online services make doing business with us fast and easy. At my Social Security, you can: • Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year; • Get an estimate of your future benefits, if you are still work-

EMPLOYMENT

ing; • Get a letter with proof of your benefits, if you currently receive them; and; • Manage your benefits: - Change your address; - Start or change your direct deposit; - Request a replacement Medicare card; and - Get a replacement SSA-1099

or SSA-1042S for tax season.

In some states, you can even request a replacement Social Security card online using my Social Security. Currently available in the District of Columbia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wisconsin, It’s an easy, convenient, and secure way to request a replacement

THE much-anticipated launch of this summer’s Thursday Night Music and Market series takes place in Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord started last May 19. The series continues through Sept. 15 with the Farmers’ Market in the plaza from 4 to 8 pm and music on the Todos Santos stage from 6:30 to 8 pm.

The 28th annual Music and Market Series is one of the longest running, most popular free civic concert series in the Bay Area.

The series is funded through donations collected from attendees during last year’s concert series and by local sponsors. The 2016 sponsor list is led by Concord Disposal, Pacific Service Credit Union, Tesoro, Dolan’s Lumber, Chevron, Ashby Lumber, Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market, Concord Police Association, Brenden Theatre and the tourism consortium Visit Concord with its “Diablo Valley, Defying Expectations, Concord California” campaign.

Music and Market highlights This year’s schedule offers an eclectic mix of music from a wide variety of genres, when Cajun Fiddle Master Tom Rigney & Flambeau authentically re-create the sounds and feel of a Louisiana Mardi Gras. Tom Rigney was recently featured in his own hour-long segment of the film series “Music Gone Public” that was broadcast on over 100 PBS stations nationwide.

The series closes on Sept. 15

card online. We continue to add more states, so we encourage you to check www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber to see where the service is available.

Tell dad to check out the healthy amount of features we have to offer at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

In addition to using my Social Security, there are a number of other things you can do online with Social Security. For example, you can use the Retirement Estimator to plug in different numbers, retirement dates, and scenarios to help you decide the best time for you to retire. It’s available at www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator.

And when that time comes, you can apply for retirement benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov/ planners/about.htm. It can take

with The Purple Ones in a farewell tribute to Prince. Three additional shows in the series commemorate the music of performers who have passed on. The Jean Genies Tribute to David Bowie takes the stage June 23, Hotel California’s ‘A Salute to the Eagles and Glen Frey’ is slated for July 14, and Foreverland honors the music of Michael Jackson on July 26.

Handsome, youthful, Americana rockers Kingsborough will appear on Thursday, June 30, with rich four-part harmonies, and genuinely appealing, energetic, original songs.

Soul, funk, and R&B fans will enjoy Project 4 on Thursday, August 18. Band leader Gerald Glasper will bring the house down dressed as James Brown and other funk superstars.

World and Latin music lovers should attend the David Correa Group on Thursday, June 16 for some great flamenco and Spanish guitar. The co-bill with Dakila and Da Island Way on Thursday, July 21 blends Polynesian dance with Latin Rock. Violin and harp virtuoso Carlos Reyes and the Electric Symphony return on Thursday, August 11.

Many of the concerts are broadcast live (as well as rebroadcast) on Concord Cable TV channel 28 (Comcast), 29 (Astound) and 99 (U-Verse).

Tuesday Night Blues Series July’s Tuesday Blues series returns this year with four shows

from 6:30 to 8 pm from July 5 to July 26. In a nod to “Women in Blues”, this year’s series will open with Concord’s own Annie Sampson, and close with LA’s charismatic blues singer Shari Puorto. The July 5 opener will also include Cool Concord Cars - a display of vintage autos that encircles the plaza. The Fargo Brothers perform July 12, with perennial favorite Willie G taking the stage July 19.

Todos Santos Plaza special events In addition to a year-round Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm and the summer music series’, downtown Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza features a number of special events this summer.

The July 4th Independence Day celebration features a pancake breakfast at 7:30 am, the Concord Police Association Stars and Stripes run at 8 am, and parade at 10 am. Entertainment and fireworks presented by the Todos Santos Business Arts Foundation at Mt. Diablo High School starts at 4 pm.

Free parking Todos Santos Plaza is located in downtown Concord on Willow Pass Road between Mt. Diablo and Grant streets. Free parking is available in two municipal garages and on the street. For a complete listing of musical guests and event information, visit www.concordfirst.org. n

Santiago City Association, USA (Northern California Chapter) annual reunion and picnic THE Santiago City (Formerly: Santiago, Isabela) Association, USA (SCAUSA)-Northern California Chapter is cordially inviting All Santiaguenos to come and join us on our Annual Reunion and Picnic (Potluck) on July 23, 2016, Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm at Cardoza Park, 1358 Kennedy Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035.

Registration starts at 10 am.

For more information, please contact: Alice @ (510) 305-6504; Pabs @ (415) 225-3545; Vingin @ (408) 505-0361; Celia @ (408) 799-4947; Chato @ (954) 292-4928; Dolly @ (408) 4397095; Carol @ (831) 456-5221.

Come and reminisce, renew old acquaintances and meet again your classmates and old neighbors. n

as little as 15 minutes from start to finish. In most cases, once you submit your electronic application, that’s it, you’re done—no papers to sign or documents to submit.

Learn more about Social Security retirement benefits by reading our publication on the subject at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

When you’re ready to retire, the best place to apply is from the comfort of your home computer, with some of your favorite music playing in the background. Now that’s a great start to a healthy retirement! (Anne Parker Social Security Public Affairs Specialist / Sacramento, CA)

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JUNE 17-23, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Friday, June 17, 2016

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cover story T he Asian Jo ur n a l SF M A G A Z I NE - J une 17, 2 0 1 6

Celebrating Father’s Day: History and facts about fatherhood The idea to create a day for children to honor their fathers has a very interesting history embedded in it. A holiday to celebrate fathers and fatherhood in general -- including father figures such as guardians and grandfathers -- came to the mind of Sonora Smart Dodd while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909 in Spokane, Washington.

After the death of her mother, Sonora and her sibling were raised by her father, William Jackson Smart. Though her father fought in the Civil War, Jackson was still able to raise Sonora and her six sibSonora Smart Dodd started the tradition of lings. She wanted to tell her celebrating Father’s Day to honor her own father, father how special he was and Continued on Page SF5 William Jackson Smart.

President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day in 1972.

Academic regalia: Origin of the graduation gown A CoMpleTe account of the origin and background history of the graduation gown would fill a book. But to make a very long story short, the early academic dress in colleges and universities came from Medieval europe.

Sometimes also known as academical dress, academic regalia, and graduation cap and gown, it has its origins in the everyday dress of the medieval clergy.

The dress which secular clergy wore was no different from that worn by all classes of

the community. everyone from highest to lowest wore, as did the clergy, a hood to protect the head in bad weather.

The distinction between dress and various academic levels was seen to have originated in the 13th century. prior to that, no academical dress was accorded to the undergraduate level, as it was originally a distinction accorded only to masters, unless the founder of a college prescribed a special livery for members.

By 1500 the academical dress became more simple and comfortable, with the result that the heavy outer, closed dress being left off, the sleeved or sleeveless tabard, or some form of sleeved tunica, or other such dress, now the outer garment, assumed a new significance.

Throughout the years, lay fashion was changing rapidly and the academical dress was later on influenced by the three forms of association that grew up in universities. The first of these was the Faculty, less strong in the english universities than elsewhere, the second the College, strong at first at all universities, but later only really so in France, england, Spain, and the Austrian Netherlands, and the third the Nation, strong Continued on Page SF6

Infographic by AJPress. Sources: Pew Research Center, Economic Policy Institute, Mic.com, National Association of Colleges and Employers and “U.S. Job Growth Expected to Hold

Steady in the New Year, CareerBuilder’s Annual Job Forecast Finds.”

features SF3

Top of their class: Pinoy celebrities who graduated with honors Celebrities have a busy life — shooting schedules, appearances, concerts, red carpet premieres — that people assume they have no time to go to a regular school. but there are some who managed to continue their education and even finish with honors. Here are some artists who shuffled their time between work and school and managed to come out on top: 1. Carla Abellana, Cum Laude, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, De La Salle University, Manila As the daughter of 80s matinee idol rey “PJ” Abellana, it was expected that Carla was to follow suit. However, she made sure that she finished school first, then entered show busi-

Benjamin Alves

Agot Isidro

ness right after she graduated. she was given a major project right away by GMA Network, portraying the lead role in the Filipino remake of the Mexican telenovela, “rosalinda.”

2. Benjamin Alves, Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, University of Guam

3. Agot Isidro - Magna Cum Laude, Fashion Buying and Merchandising, New York Fashion Institute of Technology 4. Giselle Sanchez, Magna Cum Laude, Broadcast Communication, University of the Philippines even with her mindless and Continued on Page SF6

by Dolly

Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net

Ogie Alcasid

These Filipino celebrity dads make fatherhood so adorable

By Monet

Celebrity dads share their fave fatherhood moments FAtHer’s Day this year is more significant because after we celebrate it with our own fathers on June 19, we will welcome the new “paternal figure” of our nation, President-elect Duterte on June 30.

Of all the roles that celebrities play, being a dad is what they relish the most. i cornered some stars and asked them about their favorite fatherhood moment.

T h e As ian Jou r n al S F MAGAZ IN E – Ju n e 1 7 , 2 0 1 6

Ryan Cayabyab

Jose Mari Chan

Kim Atienza

Noel Cabangon

the “Papalicious Papas” of show biz come and go, but dads remain: Ryan Cayabyab: seeing my son toma smile happily during his first airplane ride was a relief. it was quite a struggle to convince him to ride a plane at 4 years old. He had this notion that we might fall off from the plane when we were airborne.

i hid newspaper and magazine photos of airplane crashes. this was one of those father moments—to convince a son that everything will be alright. so, finally, on a flight to Cebu, when i tucked him in his seat and put his seatbelt on, he declared: “it’s just [like] riding a bus, after all.”

Continued on Page SF7

Lu

They say, “Anyone can be a father but it takes a real man to be a dad.” As Father’s Day approaches, I would like to pay tribute to all the amazing fathers of the world. And what better way to do that but to talk about how great fathers are in spite of all the challenges that come along. And where else is a more challenging place to be a father but in show business, right?

These Filipino celebrity dads are so adorable; they could be your hashtag #fatherhoodgoals.

Richard Gomez In an article Richard Gomez told his daughter, “Don’t have a boyfriend like Dad. But if you have to marry, marry someone like Dad.” Gomez admitted to being a hands-on dad to Juliana. And I don’t blame him one bit. Reason being is first, he knows exactly how “players” think (considering he was one during his younger years), secondly; his daughter is growing up to be a beautiful and fine young lady – I am sure a lot of guys are trying to get her attention. While Gomez admits that he is worried about boys taking an interest in his daughter, he also says that he trusts her. he and his wife, TV host/Congresswoman Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez, say that they support whatever dreams and aspirations Juliana has for her future.

A man known to have very active lifestyle; aside from acting, he is an athlete, a model, a director, and is now the mayor of Ormoc city.

Gomez plays a lot of different roles outside the home but to his precious daughter, Juliana, he will always be her dad – a great one at that.

Albert Martinez Being a dad to three gorgeous children is tough. But being a dad – and a mom – to them is even tougher. After his wife, actress Liezl Martinez lost her battle to cancer last year, he has been adjusting to doing everything by himself. he says he misses his late wife so much but has to stay strong for Alfonso, Alissa, and Alyanna, who are all adults now.

To help him ease his longing for Liezl, Martinez said he enjoys spending time with his children. he and Liezl seem to have raised their children well. It shows on how the

three carry themselves and how they try to maintain a peaceful and private life.

Martinez said in an interview, “Gusto ko lang to take [care] of them, make sure na makapag-asawa sila nang maayos at mabigyan sana ako ng apo soon, kung sino man sa kanila.”

Zoren Legaspi Who can forget the fairytale proposal–turned–wedding that he made to his longtime partner, actress Carmina Villaroel in 2012?

It made women wish they one day find someone like Zoren Legaspi. It was a perfect plan, not only because Continued on Page SF7

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celebrityworld T he As ian Jour n a l SF M A G A Z I NE - J une 17, 2 0 1 6

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar

Miss Philippines Earth 2016 is from Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Viva Entertainment Inc. big boss Vic del Rosario was quick to dispel any rumors about Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo being pregnant. According to him, Sarah is taking a well-deserved two-month vacation after working so hard for the last 10 years.

Happy 8th grade graduation to Eric Hartman of San Jose, CA, who is shown in photo with his younger brother, City Model Management kid model Chris “Kit” Hartman and parents Christopher and Cecilia “Cece” Hartman.

Joining Miss Philippine Earth 2106 Imelda Schweighart in her court are Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism Melanie Mader, Miss Philippines Water Loren Mar Artajos, Miss Philippines Air Kiaragiel Gregorio, and Miss Philippines Fire Shannon Rebecca Brigdman.

The new Miss Philippines earth 2016 has been crowned last Saturday, June 11 at UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.

Standing out amongst 45 other candidates from all over the Philippines—and the world, was Imelda Schweighart from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The 21-year-old lass is also a veteran of beauty pageants. She joined Bb. Pilipinas in 2013, the same year Pia Wurtzbach—who is now Miss Universe—joined the pageant. however, Imelda shared that she has been trying to prove her Filipino nationality, because of her German roots. The newly crowned Miss Philippines earth 2016 also described her win as a “vindication of her hard word and the criticism she went through prior the pageant night. Still, she is happy that things turn out the way they did, and is confident in winning the crown for Miss earth, for the third time.

Imelda is a Theatre Arts student and has always dreamed of being a pop star.

During the question and answer portion of the pageant, she said that given a chance to speak with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, she would push for the banning of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and seeds in the country.

The other winners are Miss Philippines Air Kiara Giel Gregorio of London (who was also named Miss hana Shampoo), Miss Philippines Water Loren Mar Artajos of Laoag City, Miss Philippines Fire Shannon Bridgman of Rosales, Pangasinan and Miss Philippines eco-tourism Melanie Mader of Vienna. *** Viva entertainment Inc. big boss Vic del Rosario recently dismissed all rumors about Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo pregnancy.

“Paano mabubuntis, e, virgin pa yun?,” said del Rosario in an interview with PeP.ph.

Of course, the pregnancy rumors are also fueled by the fact that Sarah has been serious about her relationship with current boyfriend, actor-singer Matteo Guidicelli.

however, Boss Vic explained that Sarah is taking a two-month vacation to avoid getting burned out. he also added that the 27-year-old actress has been working hard for the last 10 years and deserves a break.

Besides, he believes that Sarah is of legal age to decide what she wants to do with her life.

Imelda Schweighart from Puerto Princesa, Palawan was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2016 last Saturday, June 11.

Photo from Miss Philippines Earth website

James Adkins (4th from left) of San Ramon, CA just got back from his three-month vacation from the Philippines to promote PAL’s Los Angeles-Cebu direct flights. He also visited major TV networks back home.

Shown in photo with him are friends Jenny Mesares, Marlene Sanchez, Maricar Garcia, Tyrone Garcia, Lita Eubank, Bobby Eubank, Jr. and GMA Network executives Joseph Francia, Jojo Aguio and Kai Palaganas.

Club Royale grand dame Jett Viray Navarro (4th from left) attended the San Carlos-Pangasinan Association of California held last weekend at the South San Francisco Conference Center. Others in photo are Benny Petrkowski, Linda Standcliff, Claire Viray, Lilly Smith and Louie Rubio.

The San Carlos City-Pangasinan Association of California headed of Romulo Arenas presented and crowned its new Queen for 2016, Marilyn Ilagan, held at the South San Francisco Center last weekend. Shown in photo is outgoing queen Fe Baronia, escorted by Club Royale president, Gil Navarro.

Clint Ramos wins Tony Award for Costume Design Only three Filipinos have won the Tony: Lea Salonga for her “Miss Saigon” performance in NEW YORK—Clint Ramos 2001, Robert Lopez for “Avenue made history on Sunday, June 12 Q “in 2004 and “Book of Morwhen he won the Tony Award for mon” in 2011 and Jhett Tolentino Best Costume Design in a Play, (with his partner Joann Raffe) in becoming the fourth Filipino to 2014 for being co-producers of win the coveted award and the “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love first person of color to win in and Murder” (Best Musical), “A his category. This year marks a Raisin in the Sun” (Best Revival milestone, the 70th year of the of a Play, which starred Denzel Antoinette Perry Awards, more Washington) and in 2013, “Vanya famously known as Tony Awards. and Sonia and Masha and Spike” Ramos won for his work (Best Play). in “Eclipsed,” penned by The The Tony statuette will stay Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira and in his apartment for now, he said, starring Academy Award winner on the top shelf along with the Lupita Nyong’o. He was nomiother awards that he has amassed nated along with Jane Greenthrough the years. wood (“Long Day’s Journey Into “I love, adore and respect Night”), Michael Krass (“Noises you! So excited for this win for Off”) and Tom Scutt (“King you!! You are a consummate artist Charles III”). to me,” Eclipsed creator Gurira “From one to Pia Wurtzbach, tweeted when Clint’s name was I would say I was a six,” a playful announced as the winner.

Ramos told the Asian Journal Team Ramos when asked about his confidence At the Tony Gala held at The level on Sunday evening. “I did Plaza Hotel, a few hours after the not expect to win. I thought the awards telecast, Ramos said he British guy was going to win. My was still floating from the euphomother mentioned a survey that ria of the win. At that point, he I was the one favored to win but was just letting it sink in.

I didn’t want to pay attention.

“It’s unbelievable that it hapNakaka-nerbiyos na eh (It’s nerve- pened,” he said, in between bites racking).” of sliders.

That feeling of uncertainty A few moments later, we made the victory sweeter for passed through where his team Clint, who wished he was more was camped out. prepared when he went onstage Team Ramos had his mom, to receive his award. His category Atty. Linda Boiser-Ramos, his was among the first awards to sister Regina, his husband Jason be given last Sunday and he was and his husband’s parents, David chatting with David Zinn who won and Bunny Moff. the Tony for Best Set Design for A practicing lawyer in Cebu, a Play (“The Humans”) when his Atty. Ramos is ecstatic about this name was called. incredible and historic win.

“It caught me by surprise. I “Masayang masaya ako got up there, managed to say tonight. Bihirang mangyari ito sa a couple of thank yous and as I atin,” Ramos’s mom Linda told looked at the crowd, I saw Oprah the Asian Journal. who was smiling and I went The Tony winner, whose full blank,” Ramos said. “I was really name is Clint Edward, was named overwhelmed. I don’t think I ever after his father Eduardo. He is the considered in my own reality that eldest among the Ramos children.

I’d see myself up on that stage “I have two lawyers, and accounreceiving a Tony Award.” tant, and now a Tony Award winBy MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

His jolly personality goes well with how he wants to be seen by the people who look up to him

Willie Revillame keeps giving back by anGel JaVier Philstar.com

Cruz

“WOWOWIN” host Willie Revillame reflects on his journey to Clint Ramos with his Tony Award success and says that he would not AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya want to have reached it any other ner, how’s that?” she said proudly. way. What his followers should learn from the popular host is to “never As for the history of Clint, his forget the people who helped you mom quipped before breaking through your journey and to keep into a hearty laugh, “Gusto ko si giving back to those who supported Clint Eastwood nung araw eh.”

“I’m just so glad that my mom you.”

Years and years in show came. My dad passed away three business taught him to become years ago and he would have resilient despite the controversies been really, really happy to have seen this. When I decided to pur- and the storms he had to face that sue a life in theater, my mom and almost cost him his career. Being able to rise above these trials gave dad expressed their concern for him the favor of the people. He me because I was choosing a life recovers well after each setback of uncertainty, but they still gave — stronger, wiser, with his head held their blessings,” Clint shared.

“It’s slowly starting to sink in,” high — and remains true to what he believes in.

Clint told the Asian Journal on “I don’t mind the detractors.

Tuesday morning, June 14, a full What I tell myself is, these people will day after the awards show. “I’m like me once they see the real me. diving into other work now, and Basta ako, gusto ko lang na maayos, trying to meditate on what it all may sistema,” the Kapuso host means.” reveals.

He went to work on Monday But who is Willie Revillame? and spent time giving a few interStarting his career as a drummer, views. He then started working Willie recalls how he used to be a on his next projects, responded to emails and congratulatory mes- nonchalant ladies’ man who only sages posted on his various social cared about his music and the money he earned. He shares,“I never media accounts. had any dream but to become a Historic Tony night drummer or to work abroad. My Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamdream was really to become Michael ilton” was the evening’s biggest Jackson’s drummer. I wanted to winner, bagging 11 out of the audition before him. I would find record 16 nominations spread time to practice. Pero isipin mo kung across 13 categories. It was one naging drummer ako ni Michael win shy of tying the record 12 Jackson, eh patay na siya ngayon, wins achieved by “The Producers” in 2001. Hamilton lost in two kanino na ’ko tutugtog?”

His jolly personality goes well Continued on Page SF7

with how he wants to be seen by the people who look up to him. He is very approachable and warm. His generosity towards his staff makes them feel more like family than co-workers. This is proven true as his co-hosts and production team show their unending support to him. They are willing to go the extra mile just to bring out the best in their program.

Yvette Corral, one of Willie’s most loyal staff, started as a dancer for his show when she was 16. She used to borrow money from him just so she could juggle studying and working. Willie saw her potential and appreciated her hard work. Now, she is one of his co-hosts.

“I’ve learned so much from Kuya Wil. I’m happy that I became part of the show. Kasi nag-pe-pay off yung mgapinaghihirapan namin sa rehearsals. Lalo na po kapag nakikita naming yung mga tinuturo po sa’min ni kuya ay nagagawa namin ng maayos. We do our best since it is our way of thanking him and returning all the goods things he has done for us,” says Yvette.

Meanwhile, for beauty-queenturned host Ariella Arida, the newest addition to the “Wowowin” family, all the fun and entertainment that their program provides are a reflection of how they are off-cam.

“Perhaps, people see that the show has a heart — and it is not pretentious, what you see on-cam is the same thing you see off-cam.

So yung bonding, kung paano kami makisalamuha sa isa’t isa at sa mga tao, it’s all natural and organic. That’s the reason why people love the show.”

“Wowowin” has been running for a year now on GMA 7, and the secret to its success is the team behind it. Willie takes pride in his well-disciplined staff that he personally trains by example.

Being the perfectionist that he is, Willie shares,“From the start of the day nandito na ‘ko. I supervise them and then, I study everything. I watch different game shows — Japanese, Chinese, etc. — because I have to research. I check out the stage (design), the lighting, the games and even the music.”

His equally passionate team has imbibed Willie’s dedication. Even if he calls them up at 2 a.m., they will pick up the phone and attend to the impending concern without any questions. He admits that he tends to be too hands-on, but shouldn’t one be anything less in order to give his audience a well-crafted entertainment program?

Knowing what he does and who he is doing it for are the roots of his achievements. Willie believes that in the entertainment industry, it is important that the people behind a show are happy with what they are doing and he doesn’t end there.

His show is not only for the people, but it’s also about the people.

“You give importance to those who are neglected or disadvantaged. I think that speaks of success. Yung mga taong di nabibigyan ng chance sa buhay, bibigyan natin. And it’s not a competition, it’s more of a performance,” he says.

Willie loves hearing other people’s stories. Giving them an Continued on Page SF7

features

Southkey Place NorthgateCyber Zone Alabang breaks ground NorTHgaTe, alabangSouthkey Place, the latest residential condominium development in Northgate alabang Cyber Zone broke ground last Thursday, June 9, 2016, its

T h e As ian Jou r n al S F MAGAZ IN E - Ju n e 1 7 , 2 0 1 6

17-storey building located right next to the successful Southkey Hub. The ground breaking ceremony was led by Keyland Corporation president and Ceo Jose Ma. g. Montinola, South-

key Development Corporation directors Julian garcia and Tonet ramos. also in attendance were other key officials of Keyland Corporation, architect ed Pinga, Vice President for Project Development, abraham “Noy” Mercado, Vice President for Sales and Marketing and other officials. The laying of the capsule was preceded by a mass, while the formal blessing of its fully leased Southkey Hub building followed.

SoUTHKeY PLaCe is the latest development that is redefining residential development at the heart of Northgate Cyberzone, alabang’s leading IT business district and home to some of the fastest-growing Business and Knowledge Process outsourcing (BPo/KPo) companies in the Philippines.

This 17-storey condominium offers a perfect balance of convenience, affordability, and practically perfect, for the

Celebrating Father’s Day...

From Page SF2 what role he played in her life and wanted to honor her father’s parental sacrifices he made them. Lastly, she wanted him to know what a courageous, selfless and loving man he was.

Since Sonora’s father was born in June, she chose to hold the first Father’s Day celebration at the YMCa Center in Spokane, Washington on the June 19, 1910.

The tradition stopped when Dodd left for school in Chicago, although several cel-

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ebrations were held to honor fathers. When she returned, she took up holiday promotion, but this time nationally.

Her strategic efforts included working with business groups that would profit from such a holiday, such as men’s clothing companies and tobacco companies. Unfortunately, Dodd’s efforts only made the day “too commercialized” that many saw as too shallow and unimportant.

Though President Woodrow Wilson wanted to make the holiday official in 1916, its commercial nature stopped

In 2015, it was estimated that there were 199,000 stay-at-home dads.

Congress from passing the bill.

It wasn’t until Margaret Chase

Smith, a senator from Maine, stated that it was unfair to

emerging class of independent young professionals with active lifestyles and a passion for life.

It is located at Indo-China Drive, Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest City, alabang, Muntinlupa City.

The project is Keyland Corporation’s response to the growing demand for residential housing for BPo/KPo employees in the booming Northgate Cyber Zone in alabang.

Southkey Place is only the third residential building develop-

ment in the area and only the other residential building that caters to mid-range customers and regular BPo/KPo workers to rent. It provides for an excellent opportunity for investors to own and rent out studio and one-bedroom units to BPo/KPo workers in the zone.

Studio Units start at PHP 1.9 million while one bedroom units cost starts at PHP 3.8 to PHP 6 million. (Gerry P. Palabyab)

honor mothers and not fathers in 1957.

In 1966, President Johnson issued a proclamation. Then finally in 1972, President richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. Thus, Father’s Day was born in memory and appreciation by a daughter who believed that her father and all other fathers should be honored with a special day just like mothers are honored on Mother’s Day. Facts about Father’s Day you should know • roses are the official flower for Father’s Day. a red

rose is worn in the lapel if your father is alive, while a white rose represents a father who is deceased.

• Most places celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June, but not everywhere. Spain and Portugal for instance, honor their fathers on St. Joseph’s Day, March 19. In australia, it’s the first Sunday of September.

• Sons and daughters send 50 percent of the Father’s Day card to their dads. Nearly 20 percent of Father’s Day cards are purchased by wives for their husbands. That leaves 30 percent of the cards that go to Continued on Page SF6

*Advertising Supplement

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The As ian Jour na l SF M A G A Z I NE - J une 17, 2 0 1 6

Janella Salvador steps into the limelight

by Honey

orio-escullar Philstar.com

“There’s a feeling of excitement and a little pressure,” says Janella salvador, referring to her and elmo Magalona’s first team-up via the kilig series “Born For You” which premieres on the Kapamilya Primetime Bida on June 20.

As the newest love team that ABs-CBN is building up, Janella knows that she and elmo are up to the challenge of living up to the network’s expectations, thankful that they are to be entrusted with such an important project like the popular love teams of James reid and Nadine Lustre, enrique Gil and Liza soberano, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, and Kim Chiu and Xian Lim. “We’re hoping naman (it will be successful) but it’s not good to expect too much also,” says Janella.

“I guess we couldn’t avoid the comparison but we’re not trying to compete with anyone. We’re just really enjoying what we’re doing.

We’re just hoping the best for this show.”

“Born For You” tells about how fate works for two people destined to be together. Janella plays the aspiring Pinay singer sam Kazuko who grows up in Japan. A hopeless romantic, she believes in the concept of the red string of fate, which means there’s an invisible string that connects two people set to meet each other wherever they are in the world.

“This is my first soap that really focuses on romance because my first soap was about family (‘Be Careful with my heart’); while my second soap (‘Oh my G!’),

Janella Salvador

yung ka-love team ko talaga is God. so this time, it’s the sam and Kevin characters talaga ang magmamarka and I’m excited,” shares Janella.

The star Magic talent considers portraying sam her most challenging role yet because “this one is far from my being maarte, different from my previous kikay roles, so you will see a different side of me in this show. so doon ako nachallenge na maalis yung ka-kikayan ko sa pag-arte.”

After a six-week preparation, including shooting “Born For You” in Japan, Janella couldn’t wait to finally see its pilot episode.

“I have a good feeling about the show. I’m excited because music is gonna be a big part of it and we have so many surprises here,” says Janella who is grateful

Celebrating Father’s Day...

From Page SF5 grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles and “someone special.”

• It was estimated that there were about 199,000 stayat-home dads in 2015. These married fathers with children younger than 15 have remained out of the labor force for at least one year so they can care for the family while their wives work outside the home.

• The number of single fathers last year was 1.9 million. About 45 percent were divorced, 33 percent were never married, 17 percent were separated, and 6 percent were widowed.

• 70.1 million: Estimated number of fathers in the US in 2008 (The most recent year for which data is available).

(AJPress) Source: www.census.gov

Academic regalia: Origin of the graduation...

From Page SF2

at first in France and Italy, and in due course in Germany.

This association was a result of the gathering together of those who taught the same subject and who found that only by a united effort could their common aims be made known to their university at large. It also to secure them against the unqualified, who might try to set up for themselves at the university. The second was a corporate body, which enjoyed the benefits of an endowment; and the third was an association based on nationality to defend the rights of an alien in foreign land.

Some examples of faculty colors will show that no exact code of colors, but there were certain tendencies. Thus black at Paris, Oxford, and Cambridge, and white at Salamanca, Coimbra, and Perpignan were the colors of the Faculty of Theology. Green, yellow, or sanguine were at various universities the colors of the Faculty of Medicine, while blue of various shades very often denoted the Faculty of Philosophy. The most constant was scarlet for Canon Law, but even this by no means always held good.

In some countries, in England and Spain especially, founders of colleges ordered certain kinds of dress to be worn by members of their foundations.

Today, it’s useful to know where we are now with graduation robes. The modern graduation gown employs a different robe, gown, hood, tam, mortarboard, cap, and cowl for different

for being able to showcase another skill aside from singing and acting, which is playing the ukulele.

“This soap gave me the opportunity to play an instrument that I haven’t shown (the public) yet. I played the ukulele here and I planned to learn more about it.”

Their three-week taping in Japan gave Janella and elmo the chance to get to know each other.

After all, this is their first project together.

Asked what’s her first impression of elmo, she replies,“I didn’t expect na siya ang makakapartner ko. When I first met him, I thought he was a quiet person but when we started warming up towards each other at nagkasama na kami ng matagal lalo na sa Japan, we really bonded. We have the same likes when it came to food, pets and pareho kaming mabilis makatulog, mga ganun lang.”

Janella, who turned 18 last March 30, admits she’s never had a boyfriend. she was last paired with Marlo Mortel in “Be Careful” and “Oh My G!.”

When asked further if the kilig moments in the series could go as far as having a kissing scene, Janella says,“Let’s wait and see! But actually, basing on the script that I’ve read, there are lots of scenes na nakakakilig even without it.”

“Born For You” also stars Ariel rivera, Vina Morales, Bernard Palanca, Ayen Laurel, Gina Pareño, Freddie Webb, Jimboy Martin, Joj Agpangan, Francis Magundayao, smokey Manaloto, Ogie Diaz, Katya santos, DJ Durano, Alfred Labatos, From Page SF3 Kyline Alcantara, Paulo O’hara, Neil sometimes very foolish stand up Coleta and Young JV. acts, comedienne and actress Giselle is nevertheless a very smart lady.

5. Cristine Bersola-Babao - Cum Laude, Mass Communication, University of the Philippines 6. Paula Peralejo - Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a minor in Tourism, University of the Philippines (2008) Maria Elena Paula Peralejo in real life and the sister of Rica Peralejo was a famous teen star during the late 90’s and Sons and daughters send 50 percent of the early 2000’s. She quit showbiz Father’s Day cards to their dads.

individuals and groups within the school or religious institution.

Robe or gown The three types of degrees each have a different style gown.

Bachelor’s gowns have pointed sleeves, and are worn closed.

Master’s gowns have oblong sleeve, open at the wrist, with the base hanging down, and rear part of the oblong cut square while the front arc cuts away.

These robes have fasteners so they can be worn open or closed.

Doctoral gowns have bell-shaped sleeves, also designed with fasteners so it is worn closed or opened. For the doctor’s robes also have trimmings including velvet panels down the front and three bars of velvet on the sleeves. All three gowns are usually black, though some colleges and universities use the color of the school.

Hood Academic Hoods are black, made from the same fabric as the gown. They vary in length depending on the degree from three feet to four feet, and the doctoral hood is wider. Lined with college or university colors, they typically have one field color and one chevron color, though sometimes there are school specific variations. The edge of hoods is velvet in the color of the degree subject.

Cowl Cowls are typically made from velveteen rather than velvet, and are used for Associate Degrees. They do not display a degree or discipline color, just the institutional colors on the lining. The outside is generally

black.

Tam Tams are typically used for Doctoral degrees, though some Master’s programs do use them.

Tams are made from velvet, and usually have a ribbon over the fabric, and in black. Color variations do occur with some colleges. The number of sides vary, and can be four, six, or eight-sided, eight, six, or four sides. Four-sided is usually only used for Master’s degrees, while six and eight sided are used for Doctor’s degrees depending on which the University prefers.

Tams are “poofed” at the top instead of flat, and come with a tassel usually in gold, with one or two buttons and sometimes in a gold bullion color.

Mortarboard or cap Mortarboards are flat rather than “poufy” at the top, are not made from velvet, and are also usually black but come in a variety of colors and variations are more frequent than with tams.

Mortarboards have only four sides, and typically have a tassel with a single button at the top, usually in the color of the degreegranting institution.

Tassel is worn on left after graduation (on right before the big moment). Usually black for undergraduates, but Masters have the option of wearing discipline color while Doctors usually wear gold. (AJPress) Source: “The History of Academical Dress in Europe Until the End of the Eighteenth Century,” by HargreavesMawdsley, WN, Oxford University Press 1963

Top of their class: Pinoy celebrities...

Lea Salonga

right after the final episode of “Tabing-ilog”, the popular

youth-oriented show during the early 2000’s. The show ran for 3 years, and one of the top-rated shows during those times. She left show business for her to focus on her studies.

7. Lea Salonga - Valedictorian, Elementary and High School, OB Montessori Even at a very young age Lea was already performing on the theater stage, TV and film. She also started her recording career and was a teen star via “That’s Entertainment.” However, in spite of her busy schedule, the international Broadway star and Tony awardee still managed to finish grade school and high school with high honors.

Luis Manzano & Jessy Mendiola: They are on!

Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola

Celebrity dads share their fave...

From Page SF3 My daughter Krina came home one day from school crying. At 6 years old, she joined a singing contest and lost. For one so young, Krina had perfect pitch, but she had such a faint voice. [My wife] Emmy and I had to comfort her and tell her that her voice wasn’t good for singing contests.

Bo Cerrudo: On a stormy day in August 2003 in Boracay, I went swimming despite the big waves that almost drowned me.

Before I knew it, I was struggling helplessly and was being

swept further out into the sea.

I heard my then 3-year-old son Diego crying and screaming at the top of his lungs for me to come back to shore.

As I managed to get my head above water, I faintly saw that he was all alone by the shore, all wet and crying, fearing for my life.

At that moment, tired and all, I swam safely back to shore for almost 40 minutes. He didn’t leave my side till the next day.

Ogie Alcasid: I always love the Father’s Day cards that my girls give me every year. I actually have two Father’s Days,

EvEn as they insist that they are “only friends,” Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola (photo from Jessy’s Instagram) are actually already an item, according to somebody privy to Luis’ personal life.

Luis has been fancy-free since he broke up with Angel Locsin and so has Jessy been since she called it quits with JM de Guzman (who is currently into “soul-searching”).

“They are on their way to a beautiful romance,” the Funfare DPA said. “They click, don’t they?”

Luis fondly calls Jessy Chokie (for whatever reason). Jessy probably considers Luis her “hero” and “savior” because it was Luis who protected Jessy when she was harassed by a drunken actor on a flight to London.

“You know how Luis is,” added the DPA, “he’s a champion of damsels in distress.”

Funfare asked the DPA to give a definite answer about the status of Luis and Jessy.

“Yes, they are on!” (Philstar. com)

because Australia celebrates it on another date. Nate is planning a Father’s Day surprise for me this year.

Noel Cabangon: One of the more unforgettable bonding moments I had with my son was watching a concert of John Mayer at SM Mall of Asia. We were drenched, and while alternately sharing one umbrella, we sang along to Mayer’s songs.

Jose Mari Chan: I own a complete collection of Classics Illustrated comics (circa 1950s).

When my kids were growing up, I would read to them the different classic stories in these comic books.

And as we went through the

pages of the comics, I would alter my voice according to the characters depicted in the stories, which helped bring the characters come to life.

I also made up enchanting bedtime stories to expose them to the songs of my generation.

Kim Atienza: When I got sick and had GBS (Group B strep, a type of bacteria) in 2013, [my kids] volunteered to take turns watching over me in 12-hour shifts at the Intensive Care Unit.

I had so much quality time with each of them telling jokes, stories, taking pics and just enjoying every minute. It was then that I realized how much my kids loved me.

These Filipino celebrity dads make...

From Page SF3 of how romantic it came out, but because of how their children were part of it all.

Lately, the twins are more visible on TV. With parents who are both in showbiz, they have big shoes to fill.

But their dad had never put that kind of pressure on them. In fact, Legaspi makes it a point to spend time with them doing normal activities instead of shaping them to act as “celebrity kids” Legaspi and Mavy are very much alike. In an article written about Legaspi and his son Mavi, it reads: “They run together, pull pranks against each other, play basketball and tennis together, and even to this day, also sleep together. He is

also always on top of things when it comes to his studies.” Yet despite his closeness to his children, Legaspi makes sure their children know their place and respect him, saying that “he is a father first and a friend second.”

Martin Nievera He has always been very open about how his experiences as a father. Despite his annulment with estranged wife Pops Fernandez, he never stopped being a great dad to their children and a friend to their mom. His two sons, Ram and Robin, always loved this about their mom and dad.

Nievera is also glad to have his son Santino (his child with Katrina Ojeda) meet Robin and Ram and

Willie Revillame keeps...

From Page SF4 opportunity to achieve their dreams is reason enough for him to keep going. Asked about the goals he still wants to reach, he maintains that he

is already settled. If there is one thing he wants to do, it is to support the people in his team and to maximize their potential.

“OK na ko eh. Ang ‘di ko na lang

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Pops Fernandez. “It’s a happy moment,” he said, describing the meeting of Pops, Santino and their two kids Robin and Ram. “I don’t know how everyone will accept it, what matters is my kids were together, which is what I want for Christmas and I got my wish.”

Aga Muhlach “When I look at the kids, I can’t wait for the day when Andres asks me for a car, or when Atasha shares her heartaches. Sure, it’s going to be hard, but it’s something to look forward to because you know they’re growing up and they’re growing up with me. It’s such a wonderful thing to be a father.” This is what Aga Muhlach said when asked about being a father. nararating ay yung Mars at saka Moon,” he jokes.“Honestly, I want all of them (my staff) to have a good life. Someday, I want to see them having fulfilled their dreams.”

One thing he wants to remind people is to keep learning:“Develop your talent. Kahit anong mangyari,

Aga Muhlach is a doting father to twins Atasha and Andres, who are perfect replicas of their parents.

When Muhlach married beauty queen Charlene Gonzales, he vowed to always be present in the lives of their children and to put his family above all.

I must say, he made the right decision. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

‘di pwedeng mabait ka lang. Kahit mabait ka o mayabang ka, at the end of the day, what matters is you’ve proven something.”Words of wisdom from a man who has gone through hell and back and yes, he still stands proud on the stage of success.

T h e As ian Jou r n al S F MAGAZ IN E – Ju n e 1 7 , 2 0 1 6

Clint Ramos and his mom, Atty. Linda Ramos.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

Clint Ramos wins Tony Award...

From Page SF4 categories – scenic design and lead actress in a musical, and three other acting nominations, for Jonathan Groff, Christopher Jackson and Miranda himself.

Miranda won for Best Score and delivered an emotional sonnet that reflected the evening’s restrained sentiments about the mass shooting in Orlando.

He ended it with a powerful message that resonated to the viewers and the social media, “And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love cannot be killed or swept aside. Fill the world with music, love and pride.”

Tony host James Corden set the tone of the evening and talked about the industry’s message to the Orlando victims.

“Your tragedy is our tragedy.

Theater is a place where every race, creed, sexuality and gender is equal, embraced, and loved.

Hate will never win,” he said.

“There was no way that the theater community could ignore what happened in Orlando. That particular part of the community that was affected is almost an extended part of the theater world. I think it was appropriate as it was a little somber,” Clint added. “The theater has always been about inclusion, acceptance and tolerance.”

Actors of color also made Tony Awards history by winning all four musical acting categories. Three cast members from “Hamilton” – Leslie Odom, Jr., Renee Elise Goldsberry and Daveed Diggs won as lead actor, featured actress and featured

actor, respectively. Cynthia Erivo won lead actress for “The Color Purple.”

The talk on diversity on and off stage is something that Ramos is passionate about. In the Asian Journal’s first interview with him a month ago, he lamented the fact that what happens backstage does not fully reflect what’s happening onstage.

And this is why he is happy that this year’s batch of Tony Award nominees – and eventual winners – is diverse.

“The diversity means a lot.

This means that even children or young artists of color who are considering a career in theater can see themselves up there.

It’s pretty major and I wish there were more people of color in the design categories as well,” Ramos said. “I was just told that I am the first person of color to win in my category, it is important that people see that. When I was growing up, I couldn’t see myself up there, I had to seek examples out like Eduardo Sicangco and Loy Arcenas.”

The newly-minted Tony Award winner also expressed his profound thanks to his supporters and everyone in the diaspora who prayed for him.

“I would like to thank all my family and friends and kababayans in the Philippines and here in the U.S. who have extended their prayers and support. I feel the love and I just want to say that I am not taking that for granted,” Ramos said. “I know what responsibilities this kind of recognition comes with.”

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