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US official airs concern on Philippine’s drug war

by EMMANUEL

TUPAS

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — While the United States recognizes the Philippine government’s commitment in the fight against illegal drugs, it is concerned about the way the campaign is being implemented under the Duterte administration, with rising reports of rampant killings and human rights abuses.

“The United States does rec-

ognize the Philippines’ commitment to fight drugs but… the Philippine government approach raises some significant concerns relating to human rights and due process,” Luis Arreaga, principal deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, said in a teleconference from Washington Tuesday, March 28.

“We are deeply concerned about reports of extrajudicial killings by or at the behest of gov-

ernment authorities in the Philippines,” Arreaga said.

On Monday, March 27, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported 6,011 deaths labeled as homicide cases since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in July last year.

Drug-related killings totaled 1,398 while 3,785 of the cases were classified as deaths under investigation and the rest committed with different motives.

The killing of a Korean busi-

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Duterte confronts US envoy over past ‘inaction’ in South China Sea dispute China assures commitment to code of conduct

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, March 29, disclosed that he confronted United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim over Washington’s supposed ‘inaction’ when China began its building activi-

ties in the South China Sea years ago.

Duterte said he told Kim that the U.S. should have sent its Navy ships and stopped China from building man-made structures along the contested waters “had America really wanted to avoid trouble early on.”

“Why did you not send the Ar-

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Trump admin warns anew that sanctuary cities could lose federal funding

STATES and cities that continue to shield undocumented immigrants and refuse to abide by federal immigration laws may face the risk of losing federal funding, the Trump administration said.

During an announcement at the White House on Monday, March 27, Attorney General Jeff Sessions urged the so-called sanctuary jurisdictions to “consider carefully the harm they are doing to their citizens” by resisting federal immigration enforcement.

“Such policies make their cities and states less safe — public safety, as well as national security, are at stake — and put them at risk of losing federal dollars,” he said.

The attorney general added that if these sanctuary jurisdic-

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Filipino faces murder, burglary charges in Las Vegas shooting

Rolando Bueno Cardenas was arrested on Saturday, March 25 for shooting at passengers inside a public bus on the Las Vegas Strip.

The incident left one man dead and another hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries.

Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

A FILIPINO man was arrested for a deadly shooting inside a public bus on the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday, March 25.

Rolando Bueno Cardenas faces charges of open murder with use of a firearm, attempted murder with use of a firearm, burglary while in possession of a firearm, and discharging a gun within a vehicle, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) announced on Sunday, March 26.

The 55-year-old Filipino peacefully surrendered to police after a nearly four-hour standoff that left one male dead and another injured.

He had been sitting toward the back on the second floor of the double-deck-

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mada and the seventh fleet which is stationed in the Pacific to just make a U-turn and go there and tell them right on their face ‘stop it’ because there is another set of the law which says you cannot build man-made structure there?,” Duterte recounted telling Kim in his speech during the

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PNP: Crime rate lower under current admin

by AJPRESS RECENT statistics from the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed that the crime rate in the country has significantly decreased under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to the data from PNP Directorate for Investigative and Detective Management (DIDM), recorded crimes from July 1, 2016 until March 24, 2017 — which include murder, homicide, robbery, theft, carnapping, and physical injuries — reached an estimated 78,900.

The figure is lower compared to the 158,900 cases recorded from July 1, 2015 until June 30, 2016 under the previous administration of former President Benigno Aquino III. “The reduction of carnapping, theft, and robbery is huge. Have you heard of a violent carnapping lately? In the past, reports of this would always be on TV on prime time news. Now, you won’t see or

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FAMILY DAY. Photo posted by Manases Carpio (left) shows President Rodrigo Duterte surrounded by daughter Kitty and grandchildren during his birthday las week. Carpio, husband of Davao Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio, holds the president’s youngest grandson, Stonefish.

Duterte spent a quiet and simple birthday.

Photo from Mans Carpio’s Facebook

EU hits back at DSWD exec’s sarcasm: Child porn is a serious issue

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

EU ambassador to PH Franz Jessen

To fight Jeff Horn or not: Arum gives Pacquiao an ultimatum

a match against Australian Jeff Horn in Brisbane this coming July 2.

“They have to make a deciTOP Rank chief executive Bob Arum has given Filipino sion by Wednesday, March 29, boxing champion Manny “Pac- (March 30, Thursday in Manila),” man” Pacquiao a deadline to de- Arum said, as quoted by Manila u PAGE A2 cide whether he wants to have

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

CHILD pornography is a very serious issue that should be addressed properly and responsibly, the European Union (EU) said in response to a recent controversial Facebook post made by an official from the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“The issue of child pornography is extremely serious and a grave crime. It should be addressed in a serious and responsible manner,” EU ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said in a statement on Tuesday, March 28.

Jessen made the remarks following Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Lorraine Badoy’s seemingly unsolicited and sarcastic advice that EU should just engage in child pornography instead of criticizing Philippine

President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

In a Facebook post dated March 26, Badoy wrote: “Iyong mga taga-EU, mag-online child porn muna kayo. D’yan naman kayo magaling e (Those in the EU, just engage in online child pornography. Since that’s what you are good at).”

The EU Parliament has been critical of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, condemning the alleged summary killings and human rights violation. The bloc also expressed “grave concern over credible reports to the effect that the Philippine police force is falsifying evidence to justify extrajudicial killings.”

Apparently, Badoy also blasted Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of Duterte’s staunchest critics: “In the meantime, learn a craft. Mag-gantsilyo

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MARCH 31-ApRil 6, 2017 • NORCAl ASiAN JOURNAl

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From the Front Page

US official airs concern on Philippine’s…

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nessman by policemen right inside Camp Crame prompted Duterte to temporarily remove the PNP from his anti-drug campaign last January. Before the suspension, police reported killing 2,555 drug offenders who allegedly fought it out with law enforcers.

Since the resumption of the PNP’s participation in the war on drugs this month, a total of 60 suspected drug pushers and users have been killed in police operations.

Sought for comment, PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos insisted they are following Duterte’s instructions to respect human rights and the rule of law in dealing with lawbreakers.

He said the president had never ordered them to shoot drug offenders on sight.

Moreover, police officers are fully aware of the criminal and administrative cases they would be facing if they violate the law, Carlos said.

“We will only use lethal force

when our lives are in danger,” he said in a brief interview.

In the Washington news briefing, Arreaga also cited the growing danger posed by heroin and designer or synthetic drugs such as fentanyl.

“Synthetic drugs are dangerous. They are spreading quickly and the international architecture that exist to control them is inadequate,” he said.

He cited a study showing 33,000 Americans have died from opioid overdose. (With Christina Mendez)

Duterte confronts US envoy over past…

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People’s Day in Oriental Mindoro.

According to him, Kim responded by saying that he was not yet an envoy to the Philippines when China began its constructions, adding that he was assigned in North Korea during that time.

Last week, Duterte said the

U.S. could have “cut the problem in the bud” had it taken decisive action in the disputed the South China Sea a few years ago.

He then accused Washington of waiting “for the problem to ripen into an international issue.”

Despite this, Manila and Washington assured that both countries enjoy a strong partnership and friendship.

According to Philippine Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella, Duterte told Kim during their meeting earlier on Monday in Davao City that the relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. “at the bilateral level remain strong,” adding that “there is readiness to discuss more matters of mutual interest with the U.S.”

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FIRST MISS PNP. Miss PNP 2017 PO1 Arla Ray Paciencia and other finalists pose for a group photo after the “Ganda Pulis” Grand Coronation Night last Tuesday, March 28, at Camp Crame. Paciencia, a registered nurse-turned-police officer hails from Tacloban City and is the first Miss PNP titleholder.

Inquirer.net photo by Julliane Love de Jesus

EU hits back at DSWD exec’s sarcasm…

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club muna kayo (Join a knitting club), Trillanes, Leni, etc. Bake ng red velvet cupcakes.”

Defending Badoy, DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said in a separate statement that the issue “has been twisted out of context and sensationalized.”

According to Taguiwalo, Badoy’s statement “was obviously sarcastic and under no circumstances was

she advocating child pornography or making light of it.”

“To what purpose, we do not know; but what is evident is that this is being blown out of proportion,” the secretary said.

Pointing out that Badoy “loves children and cares about their welfare,” Taguiwalo said “it is unfair that her personal character is being questioned because of one sarcastic sentence she

wrote in her own social networking page.”

Recognizing the risks of being “misinterpreted,” Taguiwalo acknowledged that government officials “should be more circumspect and careful about what we post on social media.”

“All of us in the DSWD executive committee and even our staff will take lessons from this incident,” she added. n

To fight Jeff Horn or not: Arum gives Pacquiao…

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Bulletin in its report.

Pointing out that the Australian government, who is backing up the match, won’t be able to keep the money on the table forever, Arum insisted that Pacquiao has to make his final decision.

Arum has been endorsing Pacquiao’s match against undefeated Horn this coming April 23 at the Suncorp Stadium.

His proposal, however, was put on hold as the possibility of a match against Britain’s Amir

Khan this coming May in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was explored.

After the proposed UAE fight against Khan dropped, Arum began to rework his original offer.

“If we can’t get a fight for him this July, we’ll look at November,” Manila Bulletin quoted Arum in its report. “Unless it’s a big fight, we are looking at Manny fighting outside the U.S.” Meanwhile, Horn told Courier Mail that he was “extremely frustrated’’ by the drawn-out process of his possible match

against Pacquiao.

“I’m training for it but not training super hard yet because Manny still hasn’t signed,” Horn said. “It’s a waiting game and it’s taking a lot longer than I thought.’’

Dubbed as “The Hornet,” Horn has a record of 16-0-1 and 11 KOs. Pacquiao, with a record of 596-2 win-loss-draw, won his last match via unanimous decision and defended his WBO welterweight title against Jessie Vargas last year. n

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Dateline USa

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 31-ApRIL 6, 2017

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PNP: Crime rate lower under current…

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hear about it,” Police Director Augusto Marquez, who heads the DIDM, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Using the same timeline, the PNP has recorded 9,200 murder cases, 2,400 homicide cases, 66,500 theft cases, 27,300 robbery incidents, and 12,950 carnapping cases during the Aquino administration.

These were relatively higher compared to figures during Duterte’s first eight months: 8,500 murder cases, 1,600 homicide cases, 27,500 theft cases, 12,300 robbery incidents, and 4,800 carnapping cases.

Marquez also clarified that of the reported 7,000 killings in the drug war, only over 1,400 cases were actually related to the cam-

paign while the remaining cases were homicides or still under investigation.

Likewise, PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa discouraged various sectors, particularly the media, of using “extrajudicial killings” as the term to refer to “homicide incidents.”

“Some sectors want to make it appear that the killings are (state)-sponsored when in fact we deny in the highest possible terms the claim,” Dela Rosa said. “I myself can’t stomach that I will give the order to kill a person.”

Karapatan, an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, said that the PNP should “stop giving illusory statements that everything is

fine and people are living well.”

“To say that there are no extra-judicial killings in the country, whether perpetrated through counter-insurgency programs or through the war on drugs, is covering up State accountability when its official policies sanctioned the sufferings of the poor majority of Filipino people,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said in a statement.

Palabay also branded the PNP’s recent claim that there have been no extrajudicial killings in the country as an “outright lie” wielded by those “who think that press statements and powerpoint presentations are sufficient excuses to rid them of the responsibility for the series

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Duterte confronts US envoy over past…

PAGE A2 t SUPPORTING THE DRUG WAR. More than a thousand joined the fun run in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao local officials organized to show community support to Malacañang’s anti-narcotics campaign. Security officials were elated with the enthusiasm of local executives in enforcing Malacañang’s nationwide program against drugs and corruption in Maguindanao province.

Philstar.com photo by John Unson

Filipino faces murder, burglary charges in…

PAGE A1 t er bus before he began opening fire from a handgun around 11 a.m. The bus had come to a stop on Las Vegas Boulevard in front of the Cosmopolitan Hotel to unload passengers.

The deceased victim has been identified as 57-year-old Gary Breitling of Sidney, Montana, who died at a nearby hospital, various reports show. The other victim, who was shot in the stomach, has not been identified. He remains hospitalized but is expected to survive.

Cardenas proceeded to barricade himself inside the bus, leading the LVMPD to call in crisis negotiators and a SWAT team to help. No gunfire was exchanged with police.

During the standoff, the usually bustling tourist destination had been closed off, while people were advised to stay inside other hotel-casino properties nearby.

“He was on the bus. He was shooting people on the bus. He was just contained to that loca-

tion. He never exited the bus,” Clark County Assistant Sheriff Tom Roberts told reporters.

The gunman began shooting “for no apparent reason,” police said. An article by the Las Vegas Review-Journal said that Cardenas told police that he meant to threaten a “large male” sitting next to him. He supposedly intended to fire into the back of a seat, but instead hit the two men as they exited the bus.

According to the arrest report, the suspect “felt bad about what happened and reiterated that all he wanted to do was scare the large male.”

Cardenas, who moved to Las Vegas from Hawaii in 2008, is said to have been a transient with no prior criminal history.

He is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center and had a hearing on Monday, March 27.

Saturday’s shooting is the 35th homicide investigated by the police department this year.

Hours before, masked robbers

President Donald Trump

Trump admin warns anew…

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tions had not protected criminal undocumented immigrants, “countless Americans would be alive today and countless loved ones would not be grieving today.”

About $4.1 billion in law enforcement grants will be allocated through the Department of Justice this year. In order to receive a portion of that funding, cities and states must comply and share citizenship and immigration status if requested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Sessions said.

The attorney general, however, did not offer any new policies with regard to how the administration would handle the defiant areas.

“The American people want and deserve a lawful system of immigration that keeps us safe, and one that serves national interests,” Sessions said. “This expectation is reasonable, just, and our government has the duty to meet it and we will meet it.”

In late January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that called for the stripping of federal funds for areas that do not cooperate with federal law enforcement agencies and do not hand over undocumented immigrants who are subject to deportation.

Those who do not comply “are not eligible to receive federal grants, except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposes by the Attorney General or the Secretary,” the order read.

It also called for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue a “Weekly Detainer Outcome Report” that highlights crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and a list of jurisdictions that choose not to cooperate with ICE’s detainers or requests for notification.

Last week, the department released its first report, which found that Clark County in Nevada had the highest number of declined detainer requests at 51. It also showed that 206 out of 3,083 detention requests were

declined by local law enforcement across the country.

The requests call for local law enforcement to hold individuals who could be deportable for an extra 48 hours after they are jailed for their arrests so they can be picked up by ICE agents.

“Our goal is to build cooperative, respectful relationships with our law enforcement partners.

We will continue collaborating with them to help ensure that illegal aliens who may pose a threat to our communities are not released onto the streets to potentially harm individuals living within our communities,” Acting ICE Director Thomas Homan said in a statement.

Cities and towns across the United States, including Los Angeles and New York, have made it clear that they would continued to defy the administration’s moves.

On Monday, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti reiterated that he would fight any attempts to take away federal funding.

“Slashing funds for first-responders, for our port and airport, for counterterrorism, crimefighting and community-building serves no one — not this city, not the federal government, not the American people,” he said, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

He added that he would work closely with members of Congress “to make sure that Los Angeles does not go without federal resources that help protect millions of people every day.”

Last week, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed a brief in support of a Santa Clara County lawsuit against the president’s executive order on sanctuary cities.

“California has a sovereign right and responsibility to protect the safety and the constitutional rights of its residents, and that is what we will continue to do,” he said, arguing that the threat to take away state and local resources “raises serious constitutional questions and threatens the safety of our communities.”

(AJPress)

used sledgehammers to break into the Rolex store at the Bellagio Resort & Casino and stole several items. No injuries were reported and police say the two incidents are not related. (By AJPress with reports from Bev Llorente / ABS-CBN News North America Bureau)

Abella said Kim also assured Duterte that the U.S. “understands the security concerns of the Philippines” and is “ready to provide more military equipment, assistance and training.”

“They agreed that the PH and the U.S. have mutual interests and shared values. Both stressed that these fruitful engagements and discussions are very important in ensuring that both states are on the same page,” Abella related.

On the other hand, the U.S. Embassy in Manila described Duterte and Kim’s meeting as “friendly” and “productive.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the Embassy said the two officials “discussed the extensive bilateral partnership over the years as well as cooperation on counterterrorism, child protection, piracy, and economic development in Mindanao.”

‘Bilateral mechanism’ Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua assured Beijing’s cooperation with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) towards a ‘bilateral mechanism’ and code of conduct in the South China Sea. “Through this bilateral mechanism, mutual trust and mari-

time cooperation will be forged and misunderstandings will be avoided,” Abella added. According to him, Zhao assured Duterte of China’s commitment during a meeting in Davao City.

Based on a “nine-dash-line,” China has claimed sovereignty on almost all of the South China Sea, resulting in territorial conflicts with its neighboring countries including the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

To address the tensions the ASEAN, with Philippines as its chair this year, has been fast-tracking the framework of a code of conduct to ease the maritime conflicts in the South China Sea. n

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MARCH 31-ApRil 6, 2017 • NORCAl ASiAN JOURNAl

Dateline USa

Fate of DACA still uncertain despite immigration crackdown

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

Bonta introduces legislation to phase out use of private prisons

CALIFORNIA Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) has introduced legislation this week AMID reports of increased dethat will put an end to private portations under the Trump adcompanies making a profit from ministration, beneficiaries of the incarcerating Californians.

Deferred Action for Childhood AB 1320 will prohibit the reArrivals (DACA) program connewal of state government continue to be concerned about their tracts with for-profit prisons by statuses in the United States.

2018 and remove all state prisDACA, an executive order that on inmates from these facilities was signed by former President by 2028.

Barack Obama in 2012, granted “The built-in incentives are undocumented youth — also all wrong,” said Bonta. “A priknown as DREAMers — a renewvate for-profit company that’s able two-year work permit. Over traded on Wall Street inherently 750,000 individuals have been will try to maximize profits and President Donald Trump spared from deportation. minimize costs through wareAs of this writing, President apply or renew for the relief to ed, similar to those who came to housing our inmates. They have Donald Trump and his adminis- seek legal advice from a qualified the U.S. without legal papers. a duty to shareholders, not to tration have not addressed the and licensed attorney.

Ruch added that AAPI citizens California.” future of DACA. However, many “We want to make sure that ev- and legal permanent residents immigrant communities are on erybody has a detailed, in-depth are worried as well how they edge as the signature program consultation with an immigra- would be affected by the Trump could be rescinded at any time, tion attorney in order to assess administration’s actions.

“The short answer is that citias it was one of Trump’s prom- whether they should apply for ises when he was campaigning. DACA for the first time or apply zens are generally not going to be Mariam Kelly, senior immigra- for renewal,” Kelly said, adding affected by this. Citizens are not tion attorney and DACA program that each client will be handled deportable, including naturalized citizens. But legal immigrants supervisor at Community Legal on a case-by-case basis.

Services in East Palo Alto, CaliHowever, organizations like may want to consult with an imSACRAMENTO — The Senate fornia, advised communities to the Immigrant Legal Resource migration attorney or licensed Judiciary Committee on Tuesunderstand that the program is Center, Community Legal Servic- practitioner to discuss whether day, March 28, passed Senate still in a wait-and-see mode. es and Asian Americans Advanc- criminal issues or potential inter- Bill 16 by Sen. Bob Wieckowski “That is something we really ing Justice-Los Angeles (Advanc- national travel may be a problem (D-Fremont) to assist Califorwant to communicate to anybody ing Justice-LA) have put new for them,” she said. nians struggling to repay their who has DACA...and is looking applications for DACA on hold Speakers participating in private student loan debts by to renew, it’s really important to since they are unsure how the in- Thursday’s briefing also urged lowering the cap on how much know that to date there has been formation of the undocumented individuals to know their rights lenders can garnish from their should they be confronted by Im- paychecks. Wieckowski told the no change to the program at youth would be used. all,” Kelly told reporters during a Depending on the advice of an migration and Customs Enforce- committee reducing the cap from press call on Thursday, March 23. attorney, those who were already ment (ICE) agents.

25 percent of a borrower’s wages “However, we do know that some granted DACA could seek renew“Whether they are U.S. citizens to 15 percent, the same level as al because their information is in or undocumented or permanent federal student loans, will enkind of change will be coming.” residents or on some kind of visa, courage lenders to work more Though a lot of DACA recipi- the system.

“When it comes to risks, peo- these are rights that are available closely with students to create ents wonder if they could be deported should the program get ple who have DACA already are to everyone solely by virtue of be- manageable repayment plans. canceled, Kelly reminded them already known to immigration, ing on U.S. soil,” Kelly said.

“Students, graduates and pathat they have certain protec- their names are in the database Some of these rights include ask- rental co-signers are being burof DACA recipients, so we have ing for a search warrant, due pro- ied under a pile of debt that is tions and rights.

“One thing to note for those found they are at less risk of any cess, and access to an attorney. a growing burden on the backs who are in fear of deportation is kind of activity against them…so “The reason why we’re empha- of families,” said Wieckowski, a that so long as a DACA holder has doing a renewal would not re- sizing know your rights at this member of the Senate Judiciary not been deported before, they ally change anything so long as time is because increased immi- Committee. “We need more have the right — the same as every there hasn’t been any change in gration enforcement means that college graduates to meet the other person who is present here circumstance of that particular ordinary people are perhaps go- demands of our 21st century without immigration status lawful- client,” Kelly explained. ing to be subject to questioning A legal screening could also about their country of origin [or] ly — to go before an immigration it’s really important for DREAMjudge, to fight their case [and] con- point these immigrants to other their legal status,” Ruch said. tract a lawyer who can help them options, such as special immiShe went on to say that un- ers and other segments of the in representing them for some gration juvenile status or family- documented immigrants should undocumented population to reother form of relief,” she said. also make a general plan for their main visible and to remain strong based petitions.

Another possibility is whether For the Asian American and Pa- families and workplaces in case and to not bow down to the fear the program would be replaced cific Islander (AAPI) community, they are detained. The details that and pressure,” Kelly said. “The with legislation that would be Advancing Justice-LA staff attorney should be included are emergen- only reason that DACA happened more permanent.

Martha Ruch said there are a lot of cy contacts, who would take care in the first place was from the reGiven that there are so many questions and concerns about who of their children or elderly in the sponse of the amazing organizing unknowns surrounding DACA, qualifies as undocumented. home, and where to go to help, of the students, the DREAMer movement trying to get someorganizations represented on the Those who overstayed their visa among others. call encouraged those looking to are also considered undocument“From an advocacy standpoint, thing passed for themselves.” n

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

California houses more than 9,000 inmates in 10 privatelyoperated, for-profit prisons, including two located out-of-state in Arizona and Mississippi. For the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Governor Jerry Brown has proposed to set aside $247,053 million for contracted private, for-profit correctional facilities.

“Defenders of for-profit private prisons will say they are cost effective. So is child labor, but it’s still wrong. In California, we put our money where our values are, even if it may cost a little more,” Bonta said.

According to a 2012 report by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the state has one of the highest

recidivism rates with 54 percent of former prisoners returning back into the system within three years.

“Their businesses flourish by having more people behind bars.

For-profit prisons have no real incentive to invest in the human capital of our prisoners. AB 1320 will help to redirect our criminal justice system to value and prioritize effective rehabilitative programs, which will ideally minimize recidivism rates and maximize successes for inmates upon their reentry into society,” Bonta said.

AB 1320 has been referred to the Assembly Public Safety Committee and can be set for a hearing as early as next month. n

Senate Judiciary Committee passes bill to provide relief to private student loan borrowers SB 16 lowers cap on the amount lenders can garnish from private borrowers economy, but by allowing so much to be garnished from their pay checks when they default on a private loan, we are not giving enough assistance to borrowers who are juggling paying off their loans with everyday living expenses. There should be parity between federal and private student loans.”

SB 16 will benefit thousands of borrowers in California, which has an estimated $20 billion in outstanding private student loan debt. Unlike with federal student loans, private lenders are not required to offer different repayment options, such as deferments, income-based repayments and temporary postponements of payments. Student loans are also not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

“This bill would provide much needed protections to private student loan borrowers and work

to create more uniformity for all loans students receive,” said David Lopez, president of the California State Student Association.

“As the costs to attend college rise, and as students take on more debt to finance their education, CSSA supports efforts, like SB 16, aimed at leveling the playing field for all student borrowers.”

Other organizations supporting SB 16 include the California Faculty Association, Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, the Consumer Federation of California, the California Association of Nonprofits, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, and several others.

SB 16 next goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senator Wieckowski represents the 10th District, which includes southern Alameda County and northeast Santa Clara County. n

PNP: Crime rate lower…

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of killings.”

She then encouraged journalists “to report on the increasing number of political killings, illegal arrests, bombing of communities and other human rights abuses of State actors, in relation to the counter-insurgency program and all-out-war of the

Duterte regime and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines).”

“We encourage the media to look deeper into the context of the dire lack of public housing, land, secure jobs and living wages, and transgressions on national sovereignty,” Palabay added. n

PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG NG LUNGSOD NG ALAMEDA TUNGKOL SA PLANONG AKSIYON NG CDBG SA FY 2017-18 Ang Lungsod ng Alameda (Lungsod) ay isang Lungsod ng Karapatan sa Programang Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (Community Development Block Grant, CDBG) ng Kagawaran ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Kalunsuran (Housing and Urban Development, HUD) ng U.S. Sa ika-2 ng Mayo, 2017, susuriin ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang iminumungkahing Planong Aksiyon ng FY 2017-18. Ang Taunang Planong Aksiyon ng FY 2017-18 ay nagtatatag ng plano ng Lungsod para sa pagtugon sa Mga Pangangailangan ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad kabilang ang paggamit ng mga pondo ng CDBG at HOME. Ang mga ispesipikong layunin para sa darating na taon ay tutugunan sa Planong Aksiyon na sasaklaw sa panahon na ika-1 ng Hulyo, 2017 hanggang ika-30 ng Hunyo, 2018. Ang iminumungkahing Planong Aksiyon ng FY 2017-18 ay maglalaan ng humigit-kumulang sa $1,059,118 sa Mga Pondo ng Karapatan ng CDBG at tinatantiyang $150,000 na Kita ng Programa ng CDBG at humigit-kumulang $156,659 ng mga pondo ng HOME.

MAKUKUHA PARA SA PAGSUSURI NG PUBLIKO Simula sa ika-1 ng Abril, 2017, ang Planong Aksiyon ng FY 2017-18, kabilang ang mga detalye ng pagpopondo, ay makukuha para sa pagsusuri ng publiko sa lahat ng mga sangay ng Alameda Free Library, sa opisina ng Klerk ng Lungsod sa 2263 Santa Clara Ave, at sa website ng Awtoridad sa Pabahay ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa www. alamedahsg.org.

PAGKAKATAON NA MARINIG Ang publiko ay hinihimok at iniimbitahan na lumahok sa Planong Aksiyon na proseso ng pagpopondo ng CDBG/ HOME at upang magkomento sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad, nang pabigkas o nakasulat, sa mga sumusunod na nakatakdang Pampublikong Pagdinig: 5/2/2017 Pulong ng Konseho ng Lungsod, 7:00 p.m., Tanggapan ng Lungsod, Mga Bulwagang Pulungan ng Konseho ng Lungsod. Pampublikong pagdinig na nauukol sa FY 2017-18 na Iminumungkahing Planong Aksiyon para sa mga Pederal na pondo ng CDBG at HOME. Attn: Claudia Young Housing Authority of the City of Alameda 701 Atlantic Ave. Alameda, CA 94501 cyoung@alamedahsg.org Ang mga nakasulat na komento ay maaaring isumite sa address na nasa itaas hanggang 4:00 p.m. sa ika-1 ng Mayo, 2017.

MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN Kung ang sinumang taong may interes sa paglahok sa programang Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (CDBG) / HOME at isang taong may kapansanan gaya ng nilinaw ng Seksiyon 504 ng Batas ng 1974 sa Rehabilitasyon na nag-aatas ng isang kaluwagan upang lumahok o magkainteres, na ang tao ay dapat gumawa ng kahilingan para sa kaluwagan kay Marie Long, (510) 747-4316 o magpadala ng email sa mlong@ alamedahsg.org. Ang naturang kahilingan ay dapat kabilang ang isang paglalarawan ng kaluwagang hinahangad, kasama ang isang pahayag ng kapansanan na nangangailangan ng kaluwagan. Anumang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay dapat suriin at ang isang sagot ay ipagkaloob sa loob ng limang araw ng trabaho pagkatapos matanggap ang naturang kahilingan. Ang paunawa ng anumang kaluwagan na iginawad ay agad ipagkakaloob sa humiling. Mangyaring kontakin ang Lungsod sa (510) 747-4326 (Boses), (510) 522-8467 (TDD), o email mlong@ alamedahsg.org upang humiling ng anumang ibang makatwirang mga kaluwagan na maaaring kailangan. Ang tagapag-ugnay ng Seksiyon 504 ng CDBG/HOME ay si Vanessa Cooper. Si Ms. Cooper ay makakausap sa (510) 747-4325 o vcooper@alamedahsg.org. Ang isang kopya ng 504 na pamamaraan sa karaingan ng Lungsod ay matatagpuan online sa www.alamedahsg.org.

MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG INGLES Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may ugnayan ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na maaaring kumilos bilang mga tagasalin para sa mga residente na naghahangad ng impormasyon na nauukol sa mga programa ng CDBG/HOME. Kung binigyan ng paunawa nang maaga ng limang araw ng trabaho, makikipag-ayos ang Lungsod upang makakuha ng isang interpreter. Mangyaring kontakin ang Lungsod sa (510) 747-4326 (Boses), (510) 5228467 (TDD), o email mlong@alamedahsg.org.

PATAKARANG WALANG-DISKRIMINASYON Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay hindi nagdidiskrimina laban sa anumang mga tao dahil sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, bansang pinagmulan, angkan, seks, kasarian, kinikilalang kasaraian, pagpapahayag ng kasarian, oryentasyong sekswal, katayuang marital, katayuang pampamilya, pinagkukunan ng kita, henetikong impormasyon, kondisyong medikal, kapansanang pisikal o kapansanan ng isipan, o anumang ibang kategoryang protektado ng batas.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Bongbong to PET: Affirm ruling on protest vs Leni

by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA - Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has asked the Supreme Court to affirm as a Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) its ruling in January allowing his election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo to proceed.

In a 25-page comment filed Friday, March 24, he asked PET to dismiss the appeal filed by Robredo and affirm its earlier finding that the protest is sufficient in form and substance.

“More than nine months have already gone by and all (that) Robredo has done is to file one dilatory motion after another. If (she) has nothing to hide, then she should do everything in her

power to encourage—rather than hinder—this election protest to move forward,” read the pleading of Marcos’ lawyer George Garcia.

“The millions of voters who trooped to the polls nine months ago deserve no less. They want the truth to come out. The sooner the better,” it also read.

Marcos urged PET to order the immediate collection, retrieval, transport and delivery of ballot boxes from all 36,465 clustered precincts during the May 9, 2016 elections and to proceed with the preliminary conference as provided under Rule 29, aside from asking for a manual recount, judicial revision, technical examination and forensic investigation under

Rule 37.

Garcia said the tribunal should not tolerate the duplicity of Robredo who has been insisting that she won the vice presidential race but has been opposing every move to prevent the truth from coming out.

“Robredo cannot have it both ways. She cannot keep claiming that she won the elections fair and square and yet, behind everyone’s back, keeps finding ways to stop the truth from coming out. The evidence of Marcos is probably the same evidence that Robredo has by now. If this is the case, one cannot help but wonder why she does not want the proceeding to move forward,” Garcia pointed out.

Australia: IS may declare caliphate in Mindanao by audrEy

Morallo Philstar.com

MANILA — Australia warned over the weekend that the so-called Islamic State (IS) might declare an Islamic caliphate in Mindanao as the group is already being pushed out of the Middle East.

Speaking to Sky News Australia, Julie Bishop, the country’s foreign minister, said that Canberra was concerned about IS fighters returning from the Middle East back to their home countries in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

Bishop, who has just returned from the United States for talks with countries about eradicating IS, said that around 600 Southeast Asian fighters were monitored to have been on their way home after fighting for IS in the Middle East.

“So there’s concern that ISIS may well seek to declare a caliphate, an Islamic caliphate in southern Philippines,” she said.

Bishop said that Australia had relayed its concern to President Rodrigo Duterte when she visited the Philippines recently.

“I was in the Philippines recently. I met with President Duterte. We spoke about the reemergence of some of these terrorist networks particularly the southern Philippines,” the foreign minister said.

Bishop said that a local terrorist group, the Abu Sayyaf, had established links with IS in the Middle East following the declaration of senior Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon as emir or leader in Mindanao.

“The Abu Sayyaf group, a particularly dangerous terrorist group. Their leader, Hapilon, has recently been declared an emir by ISIS in the Middle East, an emir, a leader in southern Philippines,” she said.

She said Australian security and intelligence PAGE A9

OUTSTANDING YOUNG LEGISLATOR. Sen. Bam Aquino smiles as he receives the Outstanding Young Legislator Award during the 10th LPU Awards of Excellence at Lyceum of the Philippines University in Batangas City. Also in photo are university officials, led by (from right) Cecilia Pring, assistant vice president for academics and research; university president Dr. Peter Laurel; Geraldine De Erit, head of student services; Frederick Badillo, VP for finance; and Atty. Reynolds Beredo JD, director of Office of Students Affairs.

PH, China to craft sea row mechanism

by CathErinE

S. ValEntE Manilatimes.net

THE Philippines and China have agreed to set up a mechanism on how to “properly handle” maritime disputes and representatives from both countries will meet in May to craft a bilateral scheme, Malacañang said on Tuesday, March 28.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua and President Rodrigo Duterte discussed the issue during a meeting in Davao City on Monday, March 27.

“He (Zhao) conveyed that China looks forward to the convening in May 2017 of the first meeting of the bilateral mechanism set up to properly handle the SCS [South China Sea] issue,” Abella told reporters.

“Through this bilateral mechanism, mutual trust and maritime cooperation will be forged and misunderstandings will be avoided,” he added.

Duterte is set to visit China again in May for the “One Belt, One Road” summit upon the invitation of President Xi Jinping. Duterte first visited China in October last year.

In his meeting with Duterte, Zhao reiterated China’s “determination” to cooperate with ASEAN

President Rodrigo Duterte greets Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua.

to tackle the completion of the code of conduct, Abella said.

“Zhao expressed China’s determination to work with ASEAN member states in finalizing the Code of Conduct Framework on the South China Sea middle of this year,” he said.

The ASEAN is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Four ASEAN members—Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam—are claiming parts of the SCS, while China and Taiwan are claiming most of its features.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said that China will host a meeting in May with members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss the completion of a framework on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which mandates self-restraint and non-militarization in the contested waters.

Abella said Zhao also acknowledged the “successful” meeting of Philippine and Chinese coast guards.

“He looks forward to the Philippine Coast Guard delegation’s visit to China to hammer out actions, PAGE A7

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March 31-april 6, 2017 • NOrcal aSiaN JOUrNal

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OpiniOn

Features

Critical time

MILLIONS of people turned the lights off for at least an hour in some of the world’s most famous cities on Saturday, March 25, as they joined the global initiative to raise awareness and take action against climate change.

Now in its 10th year, the Earth Hour called for the world to collectively act together to protect the planet. More than 170 countries and territories joined the biggest Earth Hour event to date, which aimed to focus attention on people-driven solutions to building a bright, sustainable future.

“Each light turned off or profile picture changed represents an individual who has made the switch from being a passive bystander to someone eager to be a part of the solution...” said Sid Das, executive director of Earth Hour Global.

The United Nations led the event in the U.S. as it dimmed the lights at its iconic headquarters in New York.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Climate change continues to imperil lives and livelihoods around the world. From the darkness, we can create a sustainable and inclusive world for all” In the Philippines, this year’s observance of Earth Hour is a milestone as it comes after President Rodrigo Duterte’s ratification of the landmark Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The country has been actively participating in Earth Hour since 2008 and has topped global participation records from 2009 to 2012 – earning it the title Earth Hour Hero Country.

“The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, but has a very small climate footprint. However, this should not prevent the

country from achieving economic development while adopting lifestyles, systems and measures that can slow down climate change,” Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said.

According to Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and UN Global Champion for Resilience, the Paris Agreement would allow the country access to the Green Climate Fund, which will allow developed countries that are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG) to aid vulnerable, low-emitting nations like the Philippines.

Every year, the world experiences weather-related disasters that cause significant loss of life, and economic and social development setbacks.

The planet is exhausted and the world stands witness to the devastating effects of climate change.

This dreaded phenomenon has brought signals of unimaginable changes such as increasing trends in change of temperature, sea level rise and extreme climate events. These manifestations have brought floods, droughts, forest fires, and an increase in tropical cyclones—all amounting to billions.

For now, the world is not forced to take drastic measures to let the Earth survive. Natural hazards are normal. But hazards become disasters when people’s lives and livelihoods are swept away. When this happens, poor countries are the ones that suffer most—even though they are the least responsible

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

for such disasters.

As experts warned and as the warming continues, the effects are sure to become more catastrophic. There are no exact ways to stop the impending consequences climate change has brought, but this is an endeavor every human be-

ing will have to surpass.

While we can’t undo the damages done, we are still capable of decelerating the rate of the effects of climate change and produce a desirable future for the planet altogether. Everyone is simply responsible. (AJPress)

Trump, Republicans in Congress give companies that steal their workers’ wages a gift AS the news gets inundated with headlines about the failed Trumpcare and the ongoing muddled investigation on the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, President Donald Trump signed a bill into law that will end Obama-era regulation that protects ordinary folks from unscrupulous employers from abusing and neglecting them.

Under the Fair Pay and Safe Work-

places Rule, companies who have outrageously been stealing hard earned money from their employees by not paying them the right wages, and companies who do not follow safety laws at the expense of their workers, would

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS

lose their government contracts if they did not comply with labor laws.

Unfortunately, Trump and the Republicans in Congress do not believe in this, and side with businesses who say

these regulations are excessive and are job killers. They argue that the Obama rule was too punitive and unfair to businesses.

When Trump signed this bill into law, he made sure that the regulation would not only die, but also that no similar regulation could be imposed by the Labor Department again.

Who are the real winners here? Is this

law good for American workers or the millionaires and billionaires and greedy businessmen? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

The NYT’s hatchet job on Duterte: We should all be outraged Proposes economic sanctions as those vs Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria Commentary

RiGobeRto D. tiGlao IF, after reading with a critical eye, the New York Times’ editorial last Friday, March 24, entitled “Accountability for Duterte,” and you aren’t outraged and even cheer it—as Vice President Robredo and the news website Rappler seem to have—you have lost all sense of being Filipino.

Because of the stupidity and temerity of that NYT piece, bylined by the paper’s “Editorial Board*”, I am convinced that it is part of a Yellow plot to oust President Duterte.

What the NYT piece asked the US government and the world to do is an outrage: “The EU has proposed hitting his government where it may hurt the most — by imposing tariffs on Philippine goods. Other democratic trading partners should do the same,” the editorial proposed. This sentence alone indicates how rushed or ignorant the NYT piece is, that it is simply a cheap black propaganda.

The NYT—whose biggest stockholder is the world’s second richest man, the Mexican businessman Carlos Slim—is disseminating fake news: that European nations have condemned Duterte and are in the process of imposing sanctions against us.

Or perhaps the NYT editors are ignorant of what the EU is and its institutions.

It is not the EU—the union of 28 nations in Europe of 510 million citizens—that has proposed reducing our access to European markets to punish us.

Rather it was only a resolution—and not even a bill—of the European Parliament (EP),

which is just one of the three institutions of the EU, the other being the more powerful Council of the European Union (which passes laws with the EP) and the “executive” body, the European Commission. Members of the Council and the Commission are appointed by the governments of the EU nations; the EP by direct vote of each EU nation, in special elections.

Parliament resolution A resolution of the EP has as much chance of being implemented by the EU as the thousands of resolutions by members of our Congress which are approved only for the sake of camaraderie but which everyone there knows won’t be implemented, since a law—an entirely different thing—would be required for that. House Resolution CR 0004 “granting consent to Senator Drilon to accept the Grand Cordon of Order of the Rising Sun from Japan” by any stretch of the imagination can’t be interpreted as the wish of the entire nation.

More importantly, though, how can the NYT so cavalierly—or ignorantly—ask that our country’s “democratic trading partners,” which includes the US, renege on their multilateral commitments to the World Trade Organization and bilaterally to the Philippine state and impose economic sanctions that will hurt not just our businessmen but the poor, especially destitute farmers? When China slowed down their exports of bananas because of President Aquino’s belligerent stance against it, was it Davao’s banana magnates who cried, or was it rather the thousands of minimum-wage banana plantation workers?

The short 400-word (a third of the length of this column) NYT proposal is so idiotic as it is appalling that it could have been drafted not by a professional journalist concerned with facts or logic or even human rights,

but by a Filipino political partisan launching a black propaganda drive against Duterte. Was it something a rich New Yorker Filipina handed over to a NYT editorial writer after dinner at her posh Manhattan apartment, telling him: “Just my draft, do whatever you want with it.”

How many countries in the world have the US and the EU imposed trade and other economic sanctions against in the postwar period?

Seven, four of which are troublesome—or “hate-America”— Middle East countries: 1) Iran, as a means to force it to stop its nuclear-bomb program; 2) Iraq, when it invaded Kuwait in 1990; 3) North Korea, also over its nuclear-bomb and missile delivery system; 4) Russia, for its invasion of the Ukraine’s Crimea territory; 5) Burma (Myanmar), in order to force it to free the renowned democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and undertake free elections; 6) Libya to stop alleged killing of anti-government protesters; and 7) Syria, ostensibly to stop its President Bashar al-Assad from killing the opposition, but in reality to force him out of office.

Burma case The Burma case is informative, as the NYT or the New Yorkbased Yellow leader, wants the world to confuse what happened to that sorry country with us, or wish would happen. But it was not the European Parliament which ordered the sanctions against Burma, but the Council of the European Union, which means that all of the EU states approved the move.

The NYT thinks we’ve done something as “bad’ as what Iran, Iraq, Russia, North Korea, Libya, Syria did that we deserve to be punished by trade sanctions?

That’s why I’ve said we should all be outraged. Our government must issue a formal protest against the NYT editorial, and our Embassy there request the

millions of Fil-Ams in the US to boycott it for their insult to our nation.

I cannot fathom how the NYT concluded that Senator Leila de Lima’s jailing for her alleged involvement in illegal drugs and the deaths due to police operations against suspected drug dealers are as threatening to the world as Iran and North Korea’s nuclear-arms programs, and Russia’s invasion of Crimea.

Is our system of republican democracy and rule of law on the same level as Burma? Does the NYT think we’re a failed state like those in Africa that it thinks the US can bully us to comply with its notions of human rights, that actually do not correspond with Philippine reality?

As atrocious as NYT’s putting us in the league of Iran, North Korea, Russia and Burma deserving trade sanctions, are its arguments for proposing to do so.

The NYT claimed: “More than 7,000 suspected drug users and dealers, witnesses and bystanders—including children—have been killed by the police or vigilantes in the Philippines since last July.” The NYT piece came out March 24, and I’ve written two articles, March 20 and March 22, debunking that lie the news website Rappler spread around the world, which was fabricated by adding the 2,555 deaths the police claimed were killed in its anti-drug operations to the 4,525 of murders and deaths due to any reason. That Rappler made a mistake is incontrovertible, yet NYT uses that false number?

To argue that Duterte is so bad that trade sanctions are needed to force him out of office, the NYT claimed: ‘The Philippine lawmaker Gary Alejano filed an impeachment complaint against Mr. Duterte, accusing him of corruption, murder and crimes against humanity in connection with his bloody antidrug campaign. ‘We are of the firm belief

NO LONGER IN AMERICAN HANDS? NYT’s biggest stockholder, the Mexican Carlos Slim, who vies with Bill Gates for the title of the world’s richest man.

that he is unfit to hold the highest office of the land,’ Mr. Alejano said.” Are the NYT writers so ignorant that they didn’t know that Alejano isn’t your ordinary “lawmaker” but the lackey of coup leader Antonio Trillanes IV, who has lied so much against Duterte few people believe him?

Jude Jose Sabio To claim that Duterte is so bad he will be tried by The Haguebased International Criminal Court, the NYT said: “Jude Josue Sabio, a lawyer for two men who say they belonged to a death squad that operated under Mr. Duterte… says he intends to bring a case against Mr. Duterte in The Hague.” Didn’t the NYT bother to do a background check on this mediocre lawyer Sabio, who got

to be mentioned in jurisprudence because the Integrated Bar of the Philippines reprimanded him in 2007 for violating the lawyer’s Code of Professional Responsibility, which the Supreme Court in 2007 upheld and even fined him? What was his violation? For filing a groundless suit against a judge, who ruled against his client. Is that a habit of Sabio’s?

To claim that we have no rule of law, the NYT said: “Last month, Mr. Duterte’s Justice Department ordered Senator Leila de Lima, one of Mr. Duterte’s most vocal opponents, arrested on spurious charges that she took bribes from drug traffickers.” Spurious charges? Didn’t NYT’s fact checkers check that six former drug lords PAGE A7

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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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 31-ApRIL 6, 2017

A

Bill moving barangay polls to 2020 filed

by LLanesca

T. PanTi

Manilatimes.net

An administration lawmaker has formally sought the postponement of the October barangay (village) and youth polls to October 2020 to allow President Rodrigo Duterte to appoint caretakers.

Representative Robert “Ace” Barbers of Surigao del norte made the proposal under House Bill 5359, arguing that incumbent officials must be terminated to give way to a set of untainted officers in charge to be appointed by the President.

Congress had postponed the October 2016 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) polls to this year, a move supposed to cleanse the more than 42,000 barangays of leaders involved in illegal drugs. As a result, barangay officials retained their posts for another year.

Barbers claimed village officials did nothing to eliminate drugs during the one-year period.

“Incumbent officials enjoyed an extended term but failed to address the drug problem that our President has been seeking to exterminate since Day 1,” Barbers said. “The smartest move would be to delay the elections and to appoint incorruptible officers in charge.”

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del norte said there would be enough time to pass the law postponing the polls and allowing Duterte to appoint around 300,000 barangay officials.

Congress is on a Lenten break and will resume sessions on May 2.

“We have time to approve the bill postponing the barangay polls, especially when the President certifies the bill as urgent,” Alvarez said in a separate interview.

A bill certified as urgent by the

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal: Appointing caretakers to village posts ‘unconstitutional.’

ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

President can be approved on second and third readings on the same day.

“The President’s objective is valid,” Alvarez said.

Duterte has said that in appointing officers in charge, he would accept nominations from the Catholic Church, Islamic leaders as well as other religious and people’s organizations.

Malacañang on Monday backed the bill seeking to postpone the barangay elections, as it warned that politicians linked to the illegal drug trade could be elected to office if polls push through.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said concerns over the possible impingement on the public’s right to vote must be “carefully weighed” against the possibility of electing “narco-politicians.”

“Moving the schedule of the barangay elections, which is scheduled October this year, needs an amendment of the law.

Without this new law, barangay elections will push through,” he said.

Therefore, according to the Administrative Code of the Philippines, it is within the powers of the President to fill up declared vacant positions,” Abella added.

Some senators from the majority bloc however have expressed reservations over the plan to again postpone village polls, saying it was time to allow barangays to elect a new set of officials.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, in a text message, said he was not inclined to support another postponement because there have been too many postponements.

“I believe it’s time we allow the 42,036 barangays to elect their new village leaders or give those who deserve their vote of confidence to continue serving them,” the senator said.

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito is also hesitant, saying there should be a clear justification for any deferment.

The NYT’s hatchet job on Duterte...

PAGE A6 testified that they gave bribes to De Lima, which her own former lover and an assistant had confirmed? If NYT bothered to do some quick research, they would have discovered that De Lima asked the Supreme Court to be released. Does the NYT think it is just a tool of Duterte, when its chief justice and four other justices were appointed by former President Aquino?

The Yellow pieces all fall into place, into a plot: the 7,000 false figure fabricated and dis-

seminated by Rappler’s yellow editors, the impeachment complaint by Trillanes’ minion, the suit purportedly to be filed at the International Court of Justice by a mediocre lawyer, and then De Lima’s portrayal of herself as a human rights victim. All to make up the narrative that Duterte must be taken out, with Filipinos threatened to be hurt through trade sanctions if they don’t move against him.

What a worn-out script. * Unlike the set-up in most Philippine newspapers, the NYT’s

editorial board that writes its editorials consists of 16 full-time journalists. They take turns writing the editorial for the day, edited and approved by the editorial page editor, currently James Bennet. Although the NYT claims that the editorials represent the voice of its board, its editor and publisher, the paper’s deadline constraints do not require each editorial to be approved by the board. none of the current editorial board member are described as having covered Southeast Asia, or the Philippines.

(ManilaTimes.net)

CADRES IN CUBAO. Young members of the Communist Party of the Philippines stage a lightning rally in Cubao, Quezon City to mark the 48th anniversary of the New People’s Army and urge others to join their ranks. The communist insurgency in the Philippines, which began in 1968, is one of the longest running in the world and has claimed an estimated 30,000 lives, according to the military.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan

Australia: IS may declare caliphate...

PAGE A5 agencies were working closely with their counterparts in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia to coordinate efforts to rid the region of the threat of terrorism.

Bishop said the attack in London last week demonstrated the limits of what government au-

thorities and surveillance could do to stop “self-radicalized” individuals.

“It’s this idea that an individual can take a vehicle and use it as a weapon to kill innocent people, to kill civilians, that is so deeply troubling,” she said.

Bishop was referring to the

PH, China to craft sea...

PAGE A5 activities and new engagements to ensure that SCS is a sea of cooperation,” the Palace official said.

Abella added that China was looking forward to the resumption of a bilateral defense cooperation with the Philippines as well as the completion of projects funded by Beijing.

“Zhao hoped that the infrastructure projects in the pipeline will soon be launched, implemented, and completed within the term of [Duterte],” he said. “Zhao reported that China hopes for Philippines to soon utilize donations for anti-poverty.”

Duterte’s refusal to flaunt the ruling of an arbitral tribunal that invalidated China’s sea claims based on its nine-dash-line policy had thawed the once icy relations between Beijing and Manila.

The President also admitted early this month that he allowed

Chinese ships to pass through Benham Rise.

Despite fears on China’s militarization at the South China Sea, Duterte had doggedly refused confront China about its construction activities in some disputed islands, saying he will discuss the matter at an auspicious time.

“Let’s not fight about ownership and sovereignty at this time.

Things are going great for my country,” the President said earlier.

China also denied militarizing the disputed South China Sea, insisting that defense equipment Beijing has installed on artificial islands is “primarily” for civilian use.

“Even if there is a certain amount of defense equipment or facilities, it is for maintaining the freedom of navigation,” Premier Li Keqiang said when he visited Canberra last week.

recent terrorist attack in London involving an individual who plowed an SUV into crowds on Westminster bridge before stabbing to death a police officer at the entrance to the British parliament, leaving four people dead.

The assailant was later shot dead by police officers.

“Because without such freedom, or without stability in the South China Sea, the Chinese side would be among the first to bear the brunt of it.”

Li said China “never has any intention to engage in militarization in the South China Sea,” adding installations — which include airstrips and missile batteries — are “primarily for civilian purposes.”

Li said aircraft and ships that transit through the South China Sea were from trading partners with Beijing, “so one can easily imagine how many Chinese interests are at stake here.”

Australia has followed key ally the United States in carrying out several so-called “Freedom of navigation” over-flights and sailbys in the region, which China previously described as “provocations.”

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has also said the building of artificial islands and possible militarization by China create regional mistrust.

A

March 31-april 6, 2017 • NOrcal aSiaN JOUrNal

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal The importance of an immigration attorney

Your Immigration Solution Devin Connolly THERE are countless numbers of people who dream about lawfully living and working in the United States. Making this dream a reality is a possibility for many of them, but only if they are able to successfully navigate the United States’ confusing and complex immigration laws. Given the incredible importance placed on being granted permanent resident status (green card) or U.S. citizenship, it is surprising how many people attempt to achieve their immigration goals without the assistance of an experienced attorney that specializes in immigration law. It is true that some do succeed, but many others fail.

And this failure may lead to their ultimate nightmare – being deported.

A person that is presently living in the United States must file their request for immigration benefits with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). However, do not think that the process merely requires the completion of a simple form. First, the forms are not always easy to understand. Many of the forms contain complicated questions that require a person to understand terms and language which have a precise meaning unique to immigration law. This meaning may differ from what many people expect it to be. Thus, a person may deprive themselves of lawfully residing in the United States simply because they did not understand the question they were being asked.

More important than the forms though is that an applicant should carefully review their eligibility for the requested benefit before submitting any application to the USCIS. This assessment requires a review of many things, including dates of entries and exits from the U.S., type of visa (if any) held at entry to the

U.S., the immigration status and history of the applicant and their family members, etc. The failure to make this assessment before submitting the application may lead to something much worse than a denial – it may lead to being deported, perhaps within a matter of hours.

After eligibility is established, the applicant must submit a welldocumented request for an immigration benefit. The submission of sufficient documentary evidence, ranging from a birth or marriage certificate to complex medical records, is vital since it is the applicant who has the burden of proving that they are

“

tioned by an experienced USCIS officer who has conducted many of these types of interviews. In addition, the USCIS officer may aggressively question the applicant, they may pressure them to answer questions to which they do not know the answers, and they may also allow the applicant to make statements that are harmful to their case. Saying the wrong thing during an interview can make it significantly more difficult to ever lawfully reside in the U.S. And while the applicant may later realize they misspoke or that they did not actually understand the questions they were being asked, it may too late to fix the problems created. The application may already be denied and the Department of Homeland Security may have already begun the process of deporting them to their native country. As you can see, the personal interview is extremely important.

In conclusion, it is always advisable for immigrants to retain the services of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who is dedicated solely to the practice of immigration law. Hiring the right attorney may be the difference between obtaining a green card and being deported. It is therefore one of the most significant decisions that a person will make in their lifetime. ***

Saying the wrong thing during an interview can make it significantly more difficult to ever lawfully reside in the U.S. eligible for the requested benefit. Since it is the applicant who must prove admissibility, they should do everything they can to maximize their chances of being granted the requested benefit by submitting evidence that is thorough and persuasive.

It is clear that an assessment of eligibility is important, as are properly completed forms and sufficient supporting documents, but perhaps the most important reason to retain an experienced immigration attorney is to be adequately represented at your personal interview before a USCIS officer. A decision on the application will frequently be made based off statements made by the applicant during their interview.

These interviews can be stressful, nerve-wracking experiences, but the aspiring immigrant needs to do everything possible to ensure their personal interview is successful. That is not always easy though. It may be the applicant’s first time attending a personal interview for an immigration benefit with the USCIS, and they are likely to be ques-

”

Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila.

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

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

(Advertising Supplement)

by Richmond

S. meRcuRio

Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Business executives in the country remain highly optimistic in their outlook on the Philippine economy despite anticipation of higher inflation and interest rates this year coupled with a critical outlook on trade, a survey conducted by the Makati Business Club (MBC) showed.

MBC’s First Semester Executive Outlook Survey for 2017, released Tuesday, March 28, revealed that the bullish outlook on the economy is prompting most firms to continue pouring big investments into the country in the

coming year.

A majority or 83 percent of the senior business executives polled said they expected a higher or the same level of gross domestic product growth for 2017 compared to the previous year’s 6.8 percent growth rate, while only 17 percent projected it to be lower.

On consumer prices, most of the executives or about 85 percent expect the country’s headline inflation this year to be higher than 2016’s average rate of 1.8 percent.

Meanwhile, 12 percent of the respondents expect inflation to stay at the same rate, while three percent project it to be lower

than that of last year.

More than half of the businessmen or about 57 percent are also expecting a higher 91- day Treasury Bill rate this year than 2016’s 1.5 percent.

Some 39 percent still foresee constant interest rates and expect it to stay the same, while four percent expect it moving.

The survey showed that majority or 47 percent of the respondents expected lower exports turnout for the year, For imports, 64 percent see it finishing lower this year, while only 12 percent expect it to end higher than last year.

More than half of the business-

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$45-B economic hub planned for Clark Freeport Zone

by Reicelene Joy ignacio ManilaTimes.net

THE head of a 177-hectare mixed use estate in the Clark Freeport Zone said his company will pour $45-billion into the development of a world-class economic hub in the former US military base.

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) said in a press conference on Tuesday, March 28, that Michael Russel, president of Global Gateway Development Corporation (GDCC) sees the

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Community Journal

MARCH 31-ApRil 6, 2017 • NORCAl ASiAN JOURNAl

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THE U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported last week that “nine deaths and hundreds of cases of a rare cancer have been linked with breast implants.”

The malignancy here is not breast cancer but an immune system cancer known as anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL).

The cancer nurtures itself in the breast, notably in the scar tissue around the foreign body implant.

Fortunately, in most cases this is treatable.

The implant-cancer link was noted in 2011. As of February 2017, the FDA has recorded 359 cases of ALCL linked to breast implant.

The Times reported stated “the disease is most likely to occur with textured implants that have a pebbly surface rather than a smooth surface…and of the 359 reported cases, there was information about the implant surface in 231.

Of those, 203 patients had textured implants and 28 had

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

Breast implant and cancer smooth implants. Whether the implants contained silicone gel or saline appeared much less important than surface texture in disease risk.” The number of this ALCL cases worldwide is not known.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons there were about 290,000 women in the United States in 2016 who had implants for breast enlargement and 109,000 received implants for reconstruction after breast cancer surgery.”

Any pain, lumps, fluid accumulation or swelling of the breast after an implant, no matter when surgery was done need to be evaluated by the surgeon.

To prevent blindness A retrospective study published in the JAMA Ophthalmology found that many children and adolescents with diabetes are not being screened in a timely fashion for diabetic retinopathy, a common cause of blindness among diabetics.

Diabetic retinopathy is a dangerous complication of diabetes which causes blood vessels in the eyes to leak, causing distortion of vision and can eventually lead to blindness. In early stages,

this disease of the retina may not have symptoms.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology strongly recommends retinopathy screening be performed five years after a diagnosis of type 1 (Juvenile) diabetes is confirmed to reduce the risk of blindness. For those with type 2 diabetes, common among adults, screening is done at the time diagnosis is made, not later.

Diabetics and parents/guardians of diabetic children are advised to confer with their attending physician about this retinal screening.

Dangers of body art Body Art is a popular fad especially among adolescents and young adults, which includes tattooing or body part piercing.

The tattoos are usually on the chest, arms, belly, butts, ankles, or on just about any area of the body. They come in different shapes, design, color and various objects, like a girl, snake, flag, heart, words of protest or love messages. It is estimated that 10 percent to 25 percent of young adults (25 and under) have at least one tattoo.

A survey in one university involving 454 students (236 fe-

pared to the conservative communities. The most popular sites were the back among women males and 218 males), which and the arms and hands among was 14 percent of the total enroll- men. One hundred twenty nine ment, revealed that 23 percent (51 percent) of those surveyed (106) of them had one to three had a least one body piercing, 90 tattoos. This could well mirror percent of men having had ears the prevalence in other schools pierced, and 54 percent of the and universities in the country, females had pierced navel, 49 perhaps higher in big cities, com- percent ears and 27 percent, the

tongue. Some of both the males and females had pierced nipples, eyebrows and genitalia.

Complications of body art include infection of the tattooed or pierced skin, transmission of hepatitis B and C, and HIV (AIDS).

Allergic reaction, besides pain, swelling and bleeding, are potential complications of tattooing

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How to build a house of bricks

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette aDeva Maglaya (3rd of 3 parts)

THIS is the third and final installment of the 15 Tips on How to Build A House of Bricks Series.

11. Pray without ceasing to the God of your being. Realize that when you do, you will never be alone. The single, most important foundation of any life begins with the realization that by yourself alone, without help, you can do nothing of real meaning and lasting value. No obstacle is too big, no situation too difficult, or setback too overwhelming that cannot be helped by constant, heartfelt prayer and a foundation of faith so strong, it can move mountains. In the physical world, gravity holds everything together. In the spiritual world, where transitional human life is ultimately headed, prayer is the most powerful force there is.

12. Bring it all together. Once your circumstances become stable and you are able to choose the type of work you love to do and more importantly, that which makes you happy — GO FOR IT. The shift will be uncomfortable and unnerving at first. Seek the path that makes use of the abilities and the talents that you were born with. Listen to what

your whole being says you were meant to do and enter that rare, enviable state of being that finally feels like coming home.

13. Rein in the spirit of the crab. Put a number of live crabs in a basket and witness how crabs behave. Any crab successful enough to rise above the heads of the other crabs to escape the confines of the basket will be pulled down by the pincer claws of the other crabs underfoot. The crab mentality is nothing more than envy in disguise— alive and well in human nature. Lest you think the Severe Acute Crab Syndrome (SACS) — a name I coined for this social phenomenon — is endemic or unique only to a specific community, take heart, for we’re not alone. Other immigrant communities report the same thing. To counteract this, try and be happy for others (even if it kills you).

14. Strive to learn any way you can. Learning is a lifelong process of adaptation. To copy Yoda’s transposed way of making a point, “Adapt, you must. Or die early, you will.” The dodo bird of the Galapagos never learned to adapt, never learned to defend itself against predators and became extinct. It’s been said that the human mind is like a cup with a hole at the bottom. You just have to keep trying to fill that bottomless cup. But be warned: intelligence alone is sorely inadequate. The whole person’s mind and heart

must evolve. Of the two, the heart should lead. A good heart has a wisdom all its own. Blaise Pascal, a noted French philosopher noted: “The heart has its reasons that reason does not know.” Draw from the strength of one’s native culture and weave it into the new one. The hybrid is often better suited to the new environment.

Yet, we must never lose sight of the fact that in the end, all learning means nothing if we never learn how to love.

15. See the big picture. Between birth and death is life.

How you live your life is up to you. Many of the wisest men who have pondered the meaning and the purpose of life over thousands of years, have defined life according to their own perceptions and circumstances. In the end, if you are in full control of all your faculties as an average human being, you and you alone define your own life with the set of gifts, talents and the circumstances that life gives you.

Remember what someone wise wrote so succinctly long ago about the essence of any worthwhile life and that is — TO LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN AND LOVE MUCH. May the house of bricks you build allow you to do all that. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Business News

‘Peso broadly stable’ – BSP

by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com.

And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event.

To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.

The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

THE Philippine peso remains broadly stable despite the strength of the greenback, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said on Tuesday, March 28, noting remittances and other dollarearning sectors will continue to support the local currency.

During the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) Economic Briefing 2017 in Makati City, Tetangco said prospects of higher interest rates in advanced economies like the United States have affected emerging markets like the Philippines in terms of foreign exchange.

“We have seen that kind of volatility from the Philippine peso in recent periods,” he said.

The Philippine peso touched the P50:$1 level on November 24 last year on expectations of interest rate hikes in the US, which actually happened in December. The peso depreciated by 5.35 percent against the U.S. dollar in 2016.

The peso depreciated back to the P50:$1 on February 17 and is currently trading at around

P50.18.

“However if we take a longer term view on the peso movements. We can see the peso has been broadly stable and has maintained its broad competitiveness over the medium-term,” Tetangco pointed out.

Looking ahead, he said the peso is expected to continue to draw strength from overseas Filipinos workers’ remittances and dollar receipts from tourism and business process outsourcing.

Latest available data showed

that personal remittances from OFWs rose by 4.9 percent yearon-year to $29.7 billion last year, exceeding the projected growth rate of 4 percent by the BSP for 2016.

In January this year, personal remittances rose by 8.5 percent to $2.39 billion from $2.20 billion a year earlier.

Six million foreign tourists visited the Philippines in 2016, surpassing the 5.9-million target set by the Department of Tourism (DOT). n

PH better off with 2 telcos tech expert by rainier

allan Philstar.com

ronda

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines may be better off having two profitable telecommunication companies providing mobile internet connectivity, a telco industry executive said.

Sean Gowran, president and country manager of telecommunications network operator Ericsson Philippines, said while having a third or even a fourth player could be good for consumers as it provides them more choices, having two strong players allows the companies to raise enough revenues to support massive capital expenditures for infrastructure investments.

Gowran said in an assessment of the local telco industry, currently with the two big players PLDT-Smart and Globe Telecom, the two companies are engaged in fierce competition that forces them to pour massive investments to improve their network infrastructure as they seek to improve the quality of their service to consumers.

“Thirty percent of their revenue were spent for network infrastructure, so that means they are competing, and they are competing for the same number of subscribers,” Gowran said in his presentation on “Investment and Bandwidth Management”at the 2nd day of the first-ever Philippine Telecoms Summit 2017 held recently at the PICC in Pasay City.

‘We don’t have an investment problem, we have a revenue problem,” Gowran said. “Philippine operators’ capex (capital expenditures) intensity has been

among the highest.”

Philippine telecom service providers are investing on network infrastructure above the global average in terms of capex and revenues, he said Gowran also said a 4th quarter Ericsson speedtest intelligence data study from Ookla they made on the internet speeds in the ASEAN region showed the Philippines was not really lagging far behind its neighbors when it comes to connectivity speed.

“The Philippines today is right in the middle of our neighbors,” Gowran said.

While Singapore was far ahead in internet speed among its ASEAN counterparts, he said the average cost of connectivity in the city-state was $50 while in the Philippines, it was only $2.

Gowran also aired doubts on the financial viability of a third player entering the market.

The executive said they estimated a third player needs to pour an investment of around P500 billion just to catch up with

PLDT-Smart and Globe and grab a decent market share.

He pointed out if given an already optimistic time frame of five years to do this, the third player will still have a long way to recoup its P500-billion investment.

Gowran said in the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2017 held in Barcelona last week, there was a discussion about the disadvantages of having four or more mobile telcos in a country.

He said GSMA chairman, Indian telecom tycoon Sunil Bharti Mittal, had said a country only needed at most three players while smaller nations could have two carriers.

The analogy, Gowran said, was that in a telco industry with three or four players, there could be two strong players, and the remaining one or two could just be struggling players.

‘We need to be careful about that,” Gowran said.

In his presentation at the sum-

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Community Journal

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

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ AN open letter to the president: Dear Pres. Trump: BEFORE you were elected president, you were one of the world’s premier builders. Your buildings fill the New York City skyline, and skylines of so many other cities within the US and around the world. Before starting a building project, you naturally obtained cost estimates from contractors for the various supplies and labor, to bring those projects in “ahead of time and below budget.”

Have you given that same careful consideration in connection with building a wall between the US and Mexico? It is supposed to be over 30 feet high, and run for thousands of miles. Many engineers and contractors estimate it will take tens of billions of dollars to construct that wall. This includes millions of cubic yards of concrete, steel rebar, labor costs of workers, excavation, maintenance roads, buying up rights to private prop-

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 31-ApRIL 6, 2017

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Pres. Trump: Build bridges, not walls! erty to build the wall, etc. The annual cost to maintain that wall would be in the billions of dollars as well.

And, will it really accomplish the purpose or goal of keeping people and drugs out of the US? If you build a 30 foot wall, people will buy 31 foot ladders. They will also build tunnels dozens of feet beneath the existing walls, and use catapults to launch drugs and other items over the existing walls.

Moreover, a large number of overstays did not necessarily come across the Mexican border.

Many arrived on valid US visas, and remained in the US. Are we can now going to build walls at the seaports and airports?

Rather than spending all of those billions of dollars on a wall, you should spend that money on building bridges. On filling potholes. On building roads, hospitals, public transportation, and other worthy job – creating projects within the US. If given the choice between spending billions of dollars on that wall versus infrastructure, I believe the vast majority of

Calendar of Events across

Americans would want to see our infrastructure built, upgraded, and repaired.

All I’m asking is that you, as a former builder with intimate knowledge of cost overruns, take another look at the wall, and what other worthy, productive uses that money can be put to for the betterment of America. *** 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)

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 ApRIL 8

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

ApRIL 14

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

ApRIL 15

‘A Musical Odyssey’ in Cerritos, CA Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, Inc. and DreamAgeGroup presents Rudolf Paleaz Golez, an internationally acclaimed Filipino virtuoso pianist in “A Musical Odyssey” on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Other local singing talents will be present at the concert, such as recording artist Sean Collado, aspiring actress and singer Sheila Tejada, Sabrina Oxciano and Samantha Murray. Ticket prices are $35, $65 and $100. Proceeds of this performance will go toward the Pangansian Brotherhood-USA’s scholarship funds, which helps academically successful seniors who are college-bound in both the greater Los Angeles area and the Philippines. The performance will be at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts’ Sierra Room at 12700 Center Court Drive South, Cerritos, California 90703. Interested parties may contact project managers Dan E. Nino at (562) 921-5116 or denino1951@gmail.com; E. Mendoza at (623) 341-6247 or thedreamagegroup@gmail.com; Lino F. Caringal, Jr. at (714) 808-2642 or linojr.caringal@gmail.com; Bong Soriano at (909) 851-1493 or believe1156@gmail.com; Neil Estrada at (562) 301-9972 or bluezero2sixty@yahoo.com; or Feliz Lopez at (562) 572-2301 or fblopezinsurance@msn. com.

ApRIL 20

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

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

ApRIL 21

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

A p R I L 29

12th annual Sikad ng Bayan bike ride in Anaheim Hills, CA The Sikad ng Bayan (Cycling for the Nation) is an annual bike ride that raises funds to build preschools for less fortunate communities at Gawad Kalinga (GK) villages in the Philippines. It is a non-competitive ride that will be held on Saturday, April 29, where cyclists traverse the Orange and Los Angeles counties. And in true Filipino fashion, this fun ride culminates in a Pinoy-style luncheon where cyclists can get together and know more about Sikad. It will be held at the Yorba Regional Park (7600 E La Palma Ave, Anaheim, CA 92807). For more information or to register please visit www.sikad.org or call Rey D. at (562) 964-1445 or Robbie V. at (949) 351-8344.

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

BEAUTY QUEEN’S CASE DENIED BECAUSE OF FRAUD, ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Karen married U.S. citizen Paul in 2007. It was a match made in heaven, until their beautiful life was put under extreme hardship when Karen’s adjustment of status was denied, after she was found guilty of immigration fraud. They submitted a fraud waiver, and even that was denied. The couple was devastated and all plans for their family and businesses were shattered. Everything seemed hopeless until leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel took over Karen’s case and fought to convince USCIS Karen never committed any fraud. Watch how the “Beauty Queen” and her family regained their charmed life and Karen’s name was cleared, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.

PAGE CJ2 t

Breast implant and…

or body piercing. Keloid and scar formation is another. Infection is common because the needle and instruments used for tattooing or body piercing are mostly not medically sterile. A significant number of patients with hepatitis subsequently develop hepatoma, cancer of the liver, which is deadly.

Botox Clostridium botulinum is a bacteria, whose toxin produces muscle paralysis among the victims of botulism food poisoning.

Advances in medical technology has made it possible for physicians, usually plastic surgeons, to use the botulinum toxin (botox) as a shot in the face to induce transient and localized paralysis in the facial muscles to smoothen out wrinkles between the eyebrows, for frown lines and furrowed brows. The cosmetic effect has been impressive, but this is temporary. Besides this, botox shot has also been found to stave off migraine headaches among individuals who are resistant to conventional therapy. There are many more uses of this “good” toxin in clinical medicine today.

Colonoscopy saves lives Colonoscopy is a procedure where a flexible endoscope (malleable tube like a telescope), equipped with fiberoptic lighting and (video CCD) camera, is

passed through the anus, to view and examine the inner walls of the colon (large bowels) and distal part of the small bowels for any abnormality, like bleeding, ulcers, or the presence of benign poly(s), or cancer. Thru the colonoscope, excision of polyps, or biopsies may also be performed for a definitive microscopic tissue diagnosis. A sigmoidoscope is another scope that examines the final two feet of the colon, while the colonoscope examines the rest of the entire colon which is about four to five feet long. Many times it is done in conjunction with colonoscopy.

Colorectal cancer is the thirdmost common cancer in humans, topped only by cancer of the lungs and female breasts. More than 150,000 people in the United States each year discover they have cancer of the colon or rectum, and approximately 46,000 will die from it this year alone.

The incidence starts to rise at the age 40 and the peak is between ages 60 to 75. Colon cancer is more common among women and cancer of the rectum among men. About 5 percent of the patients have both (synchronous cancer).

It appears that meat eaters have higher risk for the development of colorectal cancer. This malignancy is found more prevalent in populations whose diet is low in

fiber and high in animal proteins, fats, and refined carbohydrates.

The incidence of colorectal cancer is indeed high among those who eat red meat (pork, beef, etc) compared to those who eat high fiber diets (vegetables, fruits, wheat, bran, etc) and fish.

The other predisposing factors include chronic ulcerative colitis, ganulomatous colitis, and familial polyposis. The older the person is, the higher the risk. Smoking and alcohol abuse increase the risk for cancer in general.

Everyone 50 years old and older should have an annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT), a rectal digital exam, and a prophylactic colonoscopy every 3 to 5 years.

Those with a strong family history of cancer should have the examinations more frequently in accordance with the physician’s determination. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States.

For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

CJ

MARCH 31-ApRil 6, 2017 • NORCAl ASiAN JOURNAl

Business news

Clark Intl Airport eyes increase in flights

by Reicelene joy ignacio ManilaTimes.net

CLARK International Airport (CRK) officials are in discussions with domestic and international airlines to encourage them to increase their flights from the region.

CRK President and CEO Alexander Cauguiran, said in an interview that Philippine Airlines wants the airport to become its second biggest hub, next to the Ninoy Aquino Internati-onal Airport.

PAL recently had its inaugural flight to Busuanga from CRK. Cauguiran also said that PAL committed to build its own passenger terminal building and a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility inside the Clark Civil Avia- tion Complex.

Caguiran said that flights to all major tourist destinations are already taking off from Clark except for Bohol, which is still under negotioation with PAL. Meanwhile, he also disclosed that negotiations

U. caRaballo

ManilaTimes.net

THE government needs to draft a comprehensive framework amending certain laws to create a conducive environment for driverless vehicles in Philippines, the Insurance Commission said on Monday, March 27.

“The commission understands that when the time comes, the regulatory frameworks would have to be set in place in order to address the various concerns that will arise with the advent of driverless vehicles,” Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa said.

Funa gave a keynote speech during the 5th Asia Motor Insurance & Claims Management Conference in Makati City on Monday, on the theme “Future of Motor Insurance in Asia.”

When autonomous vehicles start to rule the roads, 90 percent of traffic accidents caused by human error will be avoided, as cars are not going to crash nearly as frequently as before, and if they

agcaoili Philstar.com

are ongoing with China Eastern Airlines.

“The talks between Clark and China Eastern are going well. They are interested in flying to Clark from Shanghai, and Clark to Beijing as well,” Caguiran also said that plans are afoot for the construction of a new airport terminal. “The catalyst of development for Region 3 is the full development of the airport,” he added. n

do, cars will not crash as severely as seen in the past, Funa said citing a Forbes report.

Allied Market Research also predicted that driverless cars will reduce insurance costs by 30 percent, he said.

“Taking this into account, I, as the Philippine Insurance Commissioner, would like to lead the way in exploring how driverless cars may affect the industry,” he said.

Driverless cars will have impact on automobile prices, as well as claims and underwriting processes of insurance companies, Funa noted, saying new technologies installed in vehicles will raise prices.

With respect to claims, driverless cars will change how Philippine laws deal with accidents depending on the type of driverless car, he added.

With the advent of driverless cars, regulators will face challenge of developing standards and regulations to guide the insurance industry in adjusting to

such changes and safeguard it from collapse.

“With respect to Philippine laws, it is not only the insurance regulatory framework that would have to be reevaluated, but also more importantly the Civil Code on torts and damages,” Funa said.

As things now stand, the driver and the owner of a vehicle may be held liable in case the vehicle is the cause of the accident.

Subsequently, the owner may have a right to recover from the driver. But if the car is a driverless car, the owner would then have to recover from the manufacturer or the network provider, Funa noted.

“Clearly, Philippine laws would have to be amended,” he said.

With the help of the private sector—insurance companies and motor vehicle industry stakeholders—policymakers can formulate a comprehensive framework regulating driverless vehicles in the Philippine jurisdiction in the future, Funa added. n

Businessmen upbeat on PH economy…

PAGE CJ1 t

men or about 57 percent are also expecting a higher 91- day Treasury Bill rate this year lower in 2017.

On trade, the MBC said the general outlook was slightly critical, as a significant number of its members had forecast a decrease in both imports and exports.

The survey showed that majority or 47 percent of the respon-

EMPLOYMENT

Fewer OFW households save, invest in 1st quarter

by lawRence

PH needs new framework for driverless cars

by Mayvelin

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

dents expected lower exports turnout for the year, with 29 percent seeing it exceeding last year’s level and 24 percent believing it will stay at the same level.

For imports, 64 percent see it finishing lower this year, while only 12 percent expect it to end higher than last year.

“On investments for 2017, the projection remains bright. A pos-

itive outlook remains in terms of corporate performance for 2017, with a large majority of the respondents projecting an increase in both gross revenues and net income in the coming year,” the MBC said.

About 74 percent of the firms said they would make additional investments in the coming year, with an average amount of P785 million. n

EMPLOYMENT

MANILA, Philippines — Fewer Filipino households allocated portions of remittances they received from their loved ones abroad to save and invest during the first quarter of the year as they prioritize their spending amid the sharp rise in consumer prices, results of a quarterly survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

Teresita Deveza, deputy director of the BSP’s Department of Economic Statistics (DES), said results of the Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) for the first quarter showed a decline in the percentage of households allocating a portion of their remittances for savings to 36.9 percent in the first quarter from 46.8 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

“The decline in the percentage of households that allotted remittances for savings could be due to the higher prices of goods and expected increase in expenditures on their basic goods and services,” Deveza said.

Despite the decline, the percentage of OFW households using remittances to save as of the first quarter of the year was more than five times the 7.2 percent recorded in the first quarter of 2007 when the CES was launched.

On the other hand, she added the number of households that allocated remittances for investments slipped to 6.2 percent in the first quarter from 10 percent in the fourth quarter.

The percentage of OFW households investing remittances is almost three times the 2.3 percent level when the survey was first

conducted.

Of the 485 households included in the survey that received OFW remittances for the first quarter, more than 98 percent used the remittances that they received to purchase food and other household needs.

The proportion of households which used part of their remittances for education reached 68.2 percent and for debt payments, at 31.3 percent.

About 22.5 percent of the respondents said they use the money that they received to purchase consumer durables followed by 12.4 percent to buy houses, and 6.4 percent to acquire motor vehicles.

Deveza said the spending outlook index of households on basic goods and services remained steady at 28.7 percent for the second quarter.

More respondents expected an increase in expenditures on house rent, furnishings, water, electricity, fuel, and transpor-

tation while fewer expected to spend more for clothing and footwear, medical care, communication, education, recreation and culture as well as personal care and effects.

She added respondents are expecting inflation to increase to 3.1 percent for the first quarter from the 2.7 percent inflation rate expectation in the fourth quarter.

Inflation kicked up to a 27-month high of 3.3 percent in February from 2.7 percent in January due to higher food and oil prices.

According to her, fewer respondents expect an increase in interest rates.

Likewise, respondents are of the view that the peso would continue to depreciate against the dollar this year. The peso is the worst performing currency this year after weakening by 1.7 percent against the greenback.

The stronger dollar means higher peso conversion for recipients of remittances from overseas Filipinos. n

PH better off with 2 telcos tech…

PAGE CJ2 t

mit, Gowran said from 2012 to 2015, local telecom service providers have been investing in network infrastructure at a level significantly higher than the global average in terms of capex and revenues.

Neighboring ASEAN countries such as Thailand and Myanmar put back 20 percent of their revenues into capex over the same period, while Vietnam’s ratio was at 17 percent. Countries such as

Singapore and Malaysia were even lower, with a capex level of less than 15 percent. Only Indonesia spent more than the Philippines at 27 percent.

Both PLDT and Globe increased their capex- to-revenue ratio even further in 2016, as they spent 30 percent of their total revenues on network improvement and expansion.

Gowran said the significant investments in Philippine networks are a result of the enor-

EMPLOYMENT

mous growth in data traffic in the country, which is driven in large part by video demand and the increased adoption of smartphones.

“Migration to newer technologies such as LTE is the key to providing an efficient network and better customer experience to subscribers, said Gowran, adding “service providers must also capitalize on various business industries’ digitalization revenue opportunities.” n

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 31-ApRIL 6, 2017

CJ

Bataan Death March 75th Anniversary commemoration, April 8 at SF Presidio SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Bataan Legacy Historical Society (BLHS) in partnership with the Presidio Trust, the National Park Service, American Battle Monuments Commission and Fil-Am Racing will commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Bataan Death March on Saturday, April 8, at the Presidio Officers’ Club at 50 Moraga Ave., San Francisco to honor the thousands of Filipino and American soldiers who perished during this tragic moment in history. Unlike Pearl Harbor, this seminal point of WWII history has been almost forgotten.

The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with the Bataan Legacy 7.5KM Valor Run starting at Barnard & Fernandez Aves. off Moraga Ave. At 9 a.m. memorial wreaths will be placed at the American Battle Monuments Commission WWII West Coast Memorial. At 10 a.m., the Commemorative Program will start with a 21-gun salute by the Pacific Division/75th Training Command followed by a parade on the Presidio Grounds

by Bay Area ROTC cadets led by Master Sergeant Stanley Kamiya and the 91st Division. They will

then proceed to Moraga Hall of the Presidio Officers’ Club, where the rest of the program will take place. Veterans of the Battle of Bataan as well as WWII in the Philippines will be honored during the ceremony.

Major Generals (Ret.) Eldon Regua and Antonio Taguba, Filipino-Americans whose uncle and father fought in Bataan, are among the speakers.

The Bataan Death March is a seminal event in WWII history that took place in the Philippines starting on April 9, 1942 wherein 75,000 Filipino and American troops of the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), were forced to surrender to the Imperial Japanese Army. They marched approximately 60 miles to their prison camp at Camp O’Donnell under extreme tropical conditions with no provisions for food, water, shelter or medicine.

Those who could no longer go on were beaten, bayoneted, shot and some were even beheaded by their Japanese captors. Approximately 10,000 Filipino and 650 American soldiers died dur-

ing the march. They fought in the Bataan Peninsula for 99 days without any reinforcement or air support but they were able to disrupt the 50-day timetable of the Imperial Japanese Army before their surrender. This delay prevented Japan from reaching Australia. B BLHS worked successfully with the California Department of Education to include the Bataan Death March and WWII in the Philippines in the U.S. history curriculum framework for Grade 11. It is now starting the next phase to help enable its implementation by creating sample lesson plans.

To RSVP for the commemorative program, go to http://bit. ly/BDMCommemoration.

To register for the Bataan Legacy Valor Run, please go to www. filamracing.com. Proceeds from the run will benefit BLHS and the Congressional Gold Medal FAREPA INDUCTION. The Fil-Am Real Estate Professional Association (FAREPA) had their induction ceremony last March 18 and the Hilton in San for the WWII Filipino Veterans. Francisco. Photo shows inducting officer and San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa with Inducting officer San Mateo County Supervisor For more information about the David Canepa (seated, right) with Atty. Hartnett and State Commissioner Dr. Fel Amsted (center, standing).

Valor Run, contact (973) 7138053 or info@filamracing.com. #BataanLegacy, #Filamracing, #ValorRun. n

As Tax Day approaches, get your benefit statement online SOCIAL Security is with you through life’s journey, putting you in control of your finances and future. With this in mind, we have made getting a replacement Social Security Benefit Statement even easier. Now you can instantly print or save a replacement any time you want. That’s control!

The Benefit Statement, also known as the SSA1099 or the SSA-1042S, is a tax form Social Security mails each year in January to people who receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits you received from Social Security in the previous year so you know how much Social Security income to report to the IRS on your tax return.

An SSA-1042S is for a noncitizen who lives outside the United States and received or repaid Social Security benefits last year.

If you currently live in the United States and you need a replacement form SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S, simply go online and get an instant, printable replacement form with a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

If you already have a my Social Security account, you can access your online account to view and print your SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S. If you don’t have a my Social Security account, creating a se-

APAICS National Leadership Academy deadline March 31

ARE you interested in running for public office? The 2017 National Leadership Academy is a two-day leadership training program in Washington, DC for current elected officials and individuals seeking to run for public office.

The program consists of interactive leadership training with topics

ranging from planning your campaign, developing and telling your campaign story, base building and outreach, fundraising strategies and tips, and special guest speakers. Travel and lodging accommodations are provided.

Applications are due by Friday, March 31, 2017. We will notify applicants no later than April 21,

2017 if you have been selected.

The event will be on May 1516, 2017 at the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009.

For questions, contact Cathy He, Program Director at cathy@ apaics.org or at (202) 296-9200.

To register: http://apaics.org/ national-leadership-academy/ n

$45-B economic hub planned for Clark Freeport…

PAGE CJ1 t

cure account is very easy to do and usually takes less than 15 minutes.

Keep in mind, your Social Security benefits may be taxable. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/ taxes.html if you have other substantial income.

Securing today and tomorrow doesn’t have to be difficult, and Social Security continues to improve our customer service with easy-to-use online features. Find out more about what you can do online at www.socialsecurity.gov. (By Eric Phillips/Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Sacramento)

Clark Freeport as a viable investment destination.

“President Duterte is rightly prioritizing infrastructure. We are very, very pleased,” CDC quoted Russel’s statement.

“It will be a 7-10 year build out; we expect a good return on investments and generate 300,000 jobs once the economic hub is fully operational,” Russel said.

GGDC, formerly known as Global Gateway Logistics City, was founded by The Port Fund, a

private equity fund managed by the Kuwaiti firm KGL Investment Company, with Kuwaiti government and other GCC countries as lead investors.

GGDC offers office and retail spaces for leasing to its investors, accommodating business process outsourcing firms, modern transportation facilities, and healthcare industries.

Russel said that American investors in Clark are unfazed by US President Donald Trump’s American First policy, and the

latter’s pronouncement that he will “cut regulations and taxes to make it more attractive for businesses to operate in the US. Russel said that they will stay in the Clark Freeport to fulfill their vision for the estate property.

Once completed, the Economic hub will be divided into four zones: Aeropark, Business Park, Town Center and Logistics Park.

The One West and Two West buildings inside the Aeropark are set for completion in July this year, according to CDC. n

CJ

MARCH 31-ApRil 6, 2017 • NORCAl ASiAN JOURNAl

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

Friday, March 31, 2017

SF2

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 31, 2017

Bishop oscar solis of

salt lake city catholic Diocese:

Bringing the church to the people

by Christina M. Oriel/AJPress

O

n a recent morning in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bishop Oscar Azarcon Solis reflected on the change of weather. The sun was out as temperatures rose to the mid-70s — a stark contrast to the week prior when he was welcomed into his new home with inches of snow.

“That’s what makes Utah very interesting for people to come: you keep on guessing,” Solis remarked during an interview with the Asian Journal.

The 63-year-old native of nueva Ecija, Philippines made history on March 7 when he was formally installed as the 10th Roman Catholic bishop of the Salt Lake City diocese.

With this position — to which he was appointed to by Pope Francis in January — Solis is the first Filipino to lead such a large congregation of Catholics in the United States.

The ceremony earlier this month followed ancient rites, including a formal reception and knocking of the doors, and the celebration of the Solemn Mass and Rite of Canonical Possession. Both were held at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in the Utah capital and were witnessed by nearly a thousand individuals, including a whole host of special guests like Archbishop José Palma of Cebu and

Hon. Salvador Medialdea, executive secretary of the president of the Philippines.

“Firsthand, I experienced the warm hospitality of the people of Utah…So embracing, so warm, so welcoming, very hospitable. I have so many adjectives that I can use to describe it,” Solis shared.

Despite this momentous role that Filipino and FilipinoAmerican Catholics — hundreds of them from across the country and overseas traveled to Salt Lake City to witness the bishop’s installment — have hailed, Solis said being a Filipino immigrant is simply a sidebar to his ministry work.

“I really don’t dwell on that, being Filipino and the historical element of being appointed as bishop here in Salt Lake City,” he said. “I consider myself as a priest and a bishop for everyone. It just so happens that I am a Filipino by birth and a Filipino American by citizenship.”

“But in essence, I am just a regular, ordinary priest and Catholic bishop,” he continued.

“I represent the universal Catholic Church that serves not only the Filipinos, but everybody.”

The Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, which covers the entire state of Utah, is home to over 300,000 Catholics, 48 parishes, 19 missions and 16 Catholic schools. (About 15,000 of those Catholics identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander, a majority of whom are Filipino, the diocese said.)

In his homily during the installa-

Photo courtesy of Fr. Albert Avenido

Bishop Oscar A. Solis presents the apostolic mandate naming him Salt Lake City’s bishop during his installation Mass March 7 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. Bishop Solis, 63, a native of San Jose City, Philippines, had been an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles since 2004 when he was named to head the statewide Utah diocese Jan. 10.

tion Mass, he laid out his mission “to teach, to govern and to sanctify.”

“Working to build an inclusive community of faith in a rich multicultural setting like Utah is both a challenge and an opportunity. The attitude and perspective with which we approach our reality colors the outcome of our ministry,” he told the audience.

He added that during his time in Utah, he would continue the agenda of his predecessors to “bring the Church to the people.”

“As I have told my brother bishops, it is quite frightening to follow these ‘big dogs.’ And as I look up to them, I could not help but think of myself as a little puppy. And the sad part about it, I said, is that I am a little puppy and a mixed breed,” he mused during his message. “These men, my predecessors, were all dedicated leaders of our faith, who carried out their episcopal ministry with great zeal and enthusiasm, and who worked collaboratively with leaders of other faith denominations.”

The Desert State is known for having a population that predominately belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. However, even with the relatively small number of Catholics in comparison to the over 2 million Mormons in the

state, Solis said he is looking forward to engaging with other faiths.

“The Catholic Church in Utah has a longstanding, wonderful partnership between the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as other interfaith and interreligious groups. We have an ecumenical group here in Salt Lake City and I heard they meet regularly,” he said.

Becoming Bishop Solis — who was born in San Jose, nueva Ecija — attended the Christ the King Seminary of the Society of the Divine Word, Tagaytay City, to study philosophy and the Pontifical Royal Seminary at the University of Saint Thomas in Manila for his theological studies.

He was ordained a priest in 1979 for the Diocese of Cabanatuan and served as chaplain to a number of organizations, as Prefect of Seminary Studies and as Diocesan Vocations Director, according to the Catholic Church.

He emigrated to the United States in 1984 and was a Parochial Vicar in the Archdiocese of newark, new Jersey until 1988.

He then moved to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, Louisiana, in 1992, where he served in four different parishes.

Pope John Paul II appointed Solis as the auxiliary bishop for the Roman Catholic Arch-

Bishop Oscar A. Solis, taking in the cathedra at the Cathedral of the Madeleine March 7, becomes the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Fellow bishops congratulate him as he becomes the first Filipino to lead a U.S. diocese.

Salt Lake City Bishop Oscar A. Solis greets Elder Russell Ballard and Elder Quentin Christofferson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during his installation Mass on March 7 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Photos by J.D. Long-Garcia/Angelus News

diocese of Los Angeles in late 2003, and it was made official during a ceremony at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown LA the following year. It was a historic moment as well, for he became the first Filipino to be installed as a bishop in the U.S. He was later promoted to auxiliary bishop of the San Pedro Pastoral District in 2009. For the past seven years, Solis has been responsible for overseeing 67 parishes and eight Catholic high schools in Los Angeles and Long Beach. He has also been the episcopal advisor for the national Association of Filipino Priests since 2011.

Beloved and embraced by the greater LA Catholic community for his quick wit and humor, Solis said his personality stems from the “joy of sharing [his] faith with others.” This charisma is what he will continue to grace his new environment with.

“I want them to feel excited about it because it is exciting for me to have this opportunity and share the presence of Christ in my life and the love that I have experienced and the love that God has bestowed upon me all my life. It’s a simple message that God is love, God is good and he loves us all,” he said.

“Joy is contagious — that’s why I always smile and bring the joy of the Gospel to everyone…

When you have God in your life, you don’t need all of those [material] things…That’s what the Gospel of God is all about.”

As previously written in the Asian Journal during a MDWK Magazine feature in 2011, Solis shared that he questioned if he was truly meant to dedicate

his life to being a priest. But he eventually knew it was his destined path and is committed to helping others consider ministry work.

While stationed in Utah, one of the demands he will be addressing is how to encourage more individuals to become priests or nuns. “…As the population grows, that means the Catholic population is growing as well. We need more ministers in order to make themselves available to give service to people, to bring the Church to the people. That’s our main goal, really, trying to bring the Church where the people are, instead of waiting for the people to come to the Church,” he said.

Given the political climate and divisiveness in the country right now, Solis said the Church “sets the example of inclusivity” and can be a safe space for individuals.

“In fact, we welcome...all, even the strangers among us,” he reflected. “That is the basic principle of what the church stands for: it is open, inclusive, hospitable and welcoming, especially to those who are in need.”

“That is why it’s not surprising that the Church stands in support of refugees, people living in poverty, the homeless, people suffering from addictions [of] drugs. It’s a normal thing for the Church to stand in support and on behalf of those people who need our love and compassion so they may be able to uphold their innate human dignity as human beings, as members of our faith community and as members of God’s family.”

Luis Manzano finds ways to Megan Young to penetrate stay fit despite busy sched Hollywood and Europe entertainment

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

COMInG from showbiz royalty, Luis Manzano—son of Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos and actor Edu Manzano—has managed to successfully carve a name for himself in the entertainment industry, both on the big and small screen.

As a versatile actor, he has appeared in a string of box-office hits straddling both comedy and drama such as “In My Life,” “Petrang Kabayo,” “Moron 5” And “The Crying Lady,” and “This Guy’s In Love With U Mare!”

In the television realm where he’s a highly talented host of top-rating TV game shows, his wit, sense of humor, and instant rapport with contestants and the audience cannot be denied, earning him awards and legions of loyal fans and followers from shows such as “The Voice,” “Pilipinas Got Talent,” “Kapamilya, Deal Or no Deal,” “Minute To Win It,” and “Family Feud.” noticeably, with his chiseled

abs and over-all robust physique, Manzano is a fitness buff. With these fun and wholesome attributes and more, Manzano is truly a perfect fit as he got tapped to be the latest endorser of Century Corned Tuna.

During the press launch, Manzano said that despite his busy schedule, he still manages to find time to engage in vigorous physical exercise or training to keep him in good shape.

“I try to make time for it. It’s not very easy because I am very blessed, I have a very busy schedule so it’s fortunate if I get to work out maybe four times a week. If I have a late call, I’ll go in the morning and then when I finish early, I’ll go straight to the gym so it’s something to put an effort to it,” Manzano told the media.

“If you want to be fit, if you want to get in shape—you need to get ready, find ways, and everything will fall into place,” he added.

Describing himself as a body Continued on Page SF4 Luis Manzano

MEGAn Young, accompanied by her manager, recently flew to new York City and signed a five-year talent agency contract with Innovative Artists Agency.

The contract assures the beauty queen-actress-host of career growth, training, guidance, as well as promising opportunities and challenging projects to further hone her acting prowess on television or the silver screen.

Young’s manager, Arnold Vegafria, who now holds the franchise of Miss World as well as Mr. World in the Philippines after Cory Quirino gave up the responsibility, is ecstatic about this development.

“With Megan’s talent and this company’s stewardship, we are optimistic that she will soon penetrate Hollywood, the rest of the United States, and maybe Europe as well,” he said.

In his post on Instagram during the contract signing, Vegafria congratulated Young

Miss World 2013 Megan Young

for signing up with Innovative Artists Agency, “launching her bid for international stardom as she secures her rightful place as the Philippines’ pride in the annals of Hollywood and the bustling American showbiz industry.”

He said further, “With her partnership with the new

York-based agency, she will be assured of her career growth, training, guidance as well as promising opportunities and challenging projects to flaunt her acting prowess on television and the silver screen.”

He ended by wishing the most popular Miss World, “May you continue to remain grounded and humble as you move close towards clinching your Hollywood dream!”

Innovative Artists was established in 1982. It has offices in new York and Los Angeles and since expanded into the areas of voice over, commercials, beauty, comedy and hosting, and speakers—always affirming the company’s initial vision of aggressive service from highly experienced agents in an intimate setting. Among its current talents are Amanda Seyfried and Ashley Greene.

Young started in showbiz as part of GMA network’s talent reality search, “StarStruck” Continued on Page SF4

A chat with The Beautiful Life’s 2017 Award of Distinction Awardee: Mrs. Corazon Rosete

features SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – March 31, 2017

Atom Araullo gets into acting by ricky Lo Philstar.com

San FranciSco

By Monet

Lu

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.â€? - Confucius Not many of us can say we have found what Confucius would have described as “a perfect job.â€? Most people hold their jobs because they need to make ends meet; but can they honestly say that they love doing what they’re doing? Not very often and it’s because it is not their calling. today, we will be talking about a woman who may be the most dedicated person I have ever known. She’s served in the nursing department for 47 years. Now retired, this amazing person tells us what it’s like to ‘choose a job you love and never have to work a day‌’ Meet Mrs. Corazon Rosete: the Beautiful Life Celebration 2017 Awardee of Distinction in the field of Nursing Services.

Question: So, 46 years.

What was it like to love a job for 46 years?

Cora: First, let me start with the facts: I am a registered nurse and I just retired, after 46 years of service at Kaiser Permanente. I started as a head nurse at a community hospital in Hollywood. that was my first job when I arrived in the U.S. in 1968. After that, I transferred to Kaiser in 1970, where they trained me to be to be a critical nurse for three months: one month for intensive care (ICU), another for critical care (CCU) then one month in open heart unit. they asked me to choose my specialty and I wanted to choose the open heart unit at the time but due to the shortage of successful open heart cases, they couldn’t train for that specialty. Instead, they transferred me to the coronary or intensive care unit, which is

a combination of critical care patient, respiratory, medical and surgical. that was my life for over four decades and I loved every single day of it. My only prayer every day was that I wouldn’t make a mistake that would kill a patient. It was not an easy job, I admit. In my first few months of working, I did not own a car so I took the bus to work and my sister would pick me up at midnight.

I loved being a nurse because I learned a lot, the salary was stable that it allowed me to support my family back in the Philippines, and I felt like a doctor! ICU nurses are trained to do their best when there’s a “code blue� in the event that the doctor is not around, it is our job to try and save the patient in the best way possible, the best way we can.

Q: What would you say most motivates you to do what you do?

Cora: Initially, my goal was to provide for my family and to help support my sisters too. We were not rich and my father would always remind me to love my job--whatever it may be.

Secondly, I feel fulfilled in caring for emergency or ICU-patients.

As a matter of fact, I helped save quite a few patients who suffered from heart attack.

FRESH

It wasn’t as “painful� as the rite of passage that young boys undergo during summer. In fact, it was “painless.� that’s how an eyewitness graphically described the “baptism� of Atom Araullo on the set of Mike de Leon’s “Citizen Jake (CJ)� that marks the revered director’s much-awaited comeback after more than 17 years of pregnant silence. “It was Atom’s first shooting day and Mike told him to simply walk casually toward the De Leons’ house in Baguio which is used as the set,� recalled the eyewitness. “In fact, Atom was made to do light scenes muna and his heavier scenes will follow, in which he is required to ‘act,’ and show more emotion.�

For what some people described as his “swan song,�

Mike was supposed to do a movie about the De Leon Clan, eyeing Vilma Santos as lead actress. that would have been their second movie together (after the controversial “Sister Stella L.,� the 1984 political drama produced by Regal Films in which Vilma plays an activist nun inspired by a real person).

Unfortunately, Vilma was too busy with the May election campaign to allot time for the movie’s shoot that was set for early January this year. “Sayang,� said Vilma about the abortive project. “I would

have loved to work with Mike again. Sayang at hindi nagkatugma ang schedules namin,� adding that she’s still hoping (against hope?) that someday, maybe not soon, she and Mike can work together again. “Citizen Jake� could be as political as Sister Stella L. (for which Vilma won a Best Actress Urian). “CJ� is a noir crime drama set in the world of journalism and social media today. Cast as a journalist, it must be easy for Atom to be in character since he’s a journalist in real life noted for covering life-threatening events (such as the storm surge caused by Yolanda that virtually erased tacloban City from the map three years ago.) Atom himself co-wrote the movie with Mike and Noel Pascual, so he should know what he is navigating in his acting debut. (Photography is by Dix Buhay.)

Reared by an activist mom, Atom in “CJ� co-stars with theater actor teroy Guzman as his senator father and Gabby Eigenmann as Atom’s congressman brother. (Atom’s reel character hates politics.) Interesting, isn’t it? Atom doesn’t have to act (not so much, anyway), he just has to be natural. the role is so challenging that Atom said yes when offered to him by Mike who is producing the movie under Cinema Artists Philippines. In an interview, Atom called his decision “a leap of faith,� describ-

Being somehow responsible for the life of my patients kept me motivated, from caring for a newborn to a senior patient. I am overjoyed whenever I check a patient out of the critical care unit. the best part of my day is when my patients actually say, “I remember you, you took care of me when I was in ICU.�

Q. Who do you consider your greatest influence?

Cora: My Dad. He is a very religious man and what he may have lacked in his ability to earn for us (when he quit his job), he makes up for being so domesticated. He would do laundry, clean the house; he would pick up my dirty uniform at the dorm every Saturday, wash and iron it, then he would bring it back to me on Sunday so I have something clean to wear the next day. He would always tell me to think positive.

Q: What was your childhood like?

Cora: I grew up in the Philippines and like I said, we were very poor. there were 22 of us in the house because my father took in my cousins from the province so they could go to school in Manila. We would only get to eat spam and corned beef when it was a special occasion. And that was shared among all 22 of us. In Continued on Page SF4 Atom in Baguio on the set of Citizen Jake, the comeback film (after 17 years) of director Mike de Leon.

ing Mike as “a genius� who makes socially-relevant movies, also including Itim (1976, his first starring Charo Santos who won an Asia Best Actress award), “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising� (1977, also shot in the same De Leon house in Baguio), “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?�

(1980), “Kisapmata� (1981), “Batch ’81� (1982) and “Bayaning 3rd World,� his last film now a classic made in 1999.

Mike described Atom as “an intelligent person with deep social conscience� and since Atom is reputed to be a journalist and not an actor, he will be billed as “featuring� and not as “starring.�

Playing Atom’s love interest is Max Collins (“Mike finds her a very good actress,� said the eyewitness). “No,� clarified the eyewitness, “Atom and Max won’t have a torrid love scene. Siguro light kissing-kissing lang.� other members of the cast are Cherie Gil, Lou Veloso, Luis Alandy, Noni Buencamino, Anna Luna, Allan Paule, Richard Quan, Victor Neri, Ruby Ruiz, Nanding Josef and Dina Bonnevie, all of whom are Mike de Leon firsttimers, except Dina who starred in “Hindi Nahahati Ang Langit�

(Mike’s only komiks-based work) with Lorna tolentino, Edu Manzano and Christopher de Leon.

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celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 31, 2017

celebrity world

Calif. Governor Jerry Brown heads the list of April birthday celebrants

By Ferdie Villar EdMund Gerald “Jerry” Brown Jr., Governor of California, was born on April 7, 1938 and heads the list of prominent celebrities celebrating their birthdays for the month of April. He will be turning79.

Serving as the 39th governor of the Golden State since 2011, Brown also was governor from 1975 to 1983. Before and after original two terms as governor, he served in numerous state and party positions.

He was a member of the Los Angeles Community College district Board of Trustees (1969-1971), Secretary of State of California (1971-1975), chairman of the California democratic Party (1989-1991), Mayor of Oakland (1999-2007) and Attorney General of California (2007-2011).

Other celebrities celebrating their birthdays this April are: April 1 - Box Office King

“Eat! Bulaga” main host Vic “Bossing” Sotto will be celebrating his 63rd birthday on Thursday,

Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo will be celebrating her 52nd birthday on Sunday, April 23.

of Philippine Movies Tirso Cruz III, and Antioch beauty Abigail Larcy Perez; April 2 - San Mateo Chief Inspector head Captain John F. Warren; April 4 - First Filipina Miss universe Gloria diaz, and Vallejo Ilocano community

TV talk show host and Philippine Star entertainment editor Ricky F. Lo will be celebrating his birthday on Friday, April 21.

leader Mike Calilan; April 7 - Matinee versatile actor Richard Gomez, and actress KC Concepcion; April 10 - “Eat! Bulaga” co-host Ryan Agoncillo; April 12 - AnK Home Care proprietor Allan Roces; April 13 - Health Professional, Inc. office administrator Lelith Adriano, and Statewide Realty president Rolly Lavarias; April 14 - Former Miss united nations Queen Queenie Salazar of San Jose; April 15 - Hayward community leader Marie Kimley; April 17 - San Francisco hotel employee Mohammad Yusuf, multi-awarded actor Albert Martinez, and Star Cinema actress Kim Chiu; April 19 - Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada, singer/band leader George Elizalde, TV show host Luis Manzano, and veteran actress Rosemarie Sonora; April 20 - Oakland Hills antique collector and socialite Sylvia Ford, and former Miss Philippines-uSA and now a church chorus member Mary Grace Garcia;

California Governor Gerald “Jerry” Brown Jr. (here shown in photo with beauty impresario Ferdie Villar) heads the list of prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays this April. Gov. Brown will be turning 79 on April 7.

Oakland Hills antique collector and Filipina socialite will celebrate her birthday on Thursday,

Game show host and actor Luis Manzano will celebrate his 36th birthday on Wednesday, April 19.

Health Professional Inc. administrative assistant Lelith Adriano will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, April 13.

April 21 - “Startalk” co-host and Philippine Star entertainment editor Ricky F. Lo, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez Estrada, Songbird Regine Velasquez Alcasid, and Signature Band leader Cesar de la Cruz;

April 23 - Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo, “Eat! Bulaga” co-host Anjo Yllano, and former Barrio Fiesta owner Marjorie Ongpauco Barretto; April 25 - Filipino-American commercial and fashion model dane Kitchen;

April 27 - “Eat! Bulaga” host Vic “Bossing” Sotto who will celebrating his 63rd birthday; April 30 - Visayan movie actress dolly Fuentes.

To all celebrants, a very happy birthday!

A chat with The Beautiful Life’s 2017 Award...

Lea and Rachelle Ann still reaping the fruits of ‘Miss Saigon’ From Page SF3

ordinary days, we’d eat galunggong. It’s one galunggong per person. And it’s cooked in many different ways – sautéed, fried, stewed, name it!

When my dad got ill, he had to quit his job. Since my mom didn’t work also, it was my sister who worked and supported us. I have six siblings. When my other sibling finished school, she supported the next one, then the

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

IT was a wonderful surprise.

I mean opening the Sunday magazine of the New York Times and finding an article about “Miss Saigon” with quotes and reminiscences from the Filipino cast members among those prominently featured. The revival of the musical created by ClaudeMichel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, opened at the Broadway Theater last March 23 to excellent reviews.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, “Miss Saigon” was the first musical to feature a lot of Asian actors. While a few were cast in musicals like “The King and I,” “Pacific Overtures” and “Flower drum Song” in the past, the usual practice then was to have Caucasians made up as Asians to play the major roles.

But then “Miss Saigon” came along and the casting of British actor Jonathan Pryce as the Vietnamese pimp called The Engineer drew a lot of flak from Asians in the u.S. Jonathan gave an excellent performance and even won Tony and Olivier awards but from that time on, an Asian actor, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese or Filipino, etc. has always played the part.

I do not think that it was a decision that caused sleepless nights for Cameron. By that time, he had already been to the Philippines and discovered the only 18-year-old marvel that was Lea Salonga. He knew there would be a lot of Engineers and Kims to-go in Manila. In fact, given what was termed “an embarrassment of talents” in this country, Miss Saigon and other musicals can be performed anywhere with an all or at the very least almost all-Filipino cast.

This was what happened in London with the “Miss Saigon” revival in 2014 with Jon Jon Briones, who was in the chorus of the original production in 1991, as The Engineer; 18-year-old Filipina from new York Eva noblezada as Kim; and local singing champion Rachelle Ann Go as Gigi. They have all been cast in the Broad-

next one supported the next sibling and the pattern continued until all of us graduated to get good jobs.

Q: For you, what is “A Beautiful Life?”

Cora: A Beautiful Life is having a job that gives you the capability to give back. Also, a beautiful life is being blessed with a wonderful husband. God gave me a husband who loved me dearly.

***

Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning 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

Luis Manzano finds ways to..

From Page SF2 Lea Salonga (left) and Rachelle Ann Go are two of the Filipino talents who have graced the Cameron Mackintosh musical.

way revival. In fact, the producers have even upped the Filipino quotient in the show by casting another Filipino, Kevin Ilaw as Thuy.

Cameron’s discovery of Lea was the start but I think the even bigger discovery was that Lea could not only sing, she was also pretty and a good actress. She delivered the goods. And that is what Pinoys who followed in her wake, have been doing since then, proving themselves true actors, no matter what race a role might traditionally call for. Of course, Cameron was also most helpful in this regard casting most of the Kim’s either as Fantine or Eponine in “Les Miserablés” which is set in Paris with French characters.

The doors of Broadway are now open for Jon Jon, Eva and Kevin. Rachelle Ann in true “Miss Saigon” fashion had already finished her run as Fantine in “Les Miz.” She is set to hang up her bar girl togs as Gigi later this year to move into bonnets and petticoats and hip-hop sounds while romancing an American founding father. She is playing Eliza Schuyler in the West End production of the blockbuster hip-hop musical “Hamilton.” nobody is wondering anymore why an Asian is playing the part.

As for Lea, who helped pave the way, she is back home singing in concerts and coaching contestants in “The Voice.” Occasionally, that is when a good role comes along, she takes to the

stage again. Last week saw her in the final shows of the Tony-winning musical Fun Home, which turned out to be an extraordinary experience for everybody.

Originally a graphic novel, Fun Home was written by Alison Bechdel. It is about a girl’s recollections of life with her parents, particularly that of her father, who was a high school teacher and funeral parlor owner who liked the company of young men. It raised a question about our parents that we may have thought about but dismissed as unnecessary.

They are the two people we are supposed to be closest to but it turns out also the ones we do not know at all.

A daring choice by director Bobby Garcia, who by the way, was also part of the original “Miss Saigon,” “Fun Home” was presented with well-paced precision in an intermission less one hundred minutes. It was studded with superb performances from a cast that left audiences stunned and gasping. How does one cope with such stark honesty?

Lea played the mother Helen, a pitiful figure of pent-up resentment. It is another crowning achievement, one that confirms what a remarkable talent she has matured into. There will be more roles to come and we will feel proud every time of her and all the other talents she helped bring into the fold. And we will always remember, it all started with “Miss Saigon.”

weight type of guy, the 35-yearold actor-host shared he continues to do the sport he loves.

“For the longest time I’ve been doing MMA (mixed martial arts). I also make it a point to do Muay Thai or Thai boxing, a striking art that uses the eight limbs for punching, kicking, elbowing and kneeing, and also Jiu Jitsu,” he said.

“Although I also swim and run, those are for reflex training,” he noted.

Also considered funny man, he is definitely one of the goodlooking TV personalities around, but does not wallow in the distinction.

With 1.7 million followers on Instagram, most of Manzano’s posts are self-deprecating jokes,

funny photos and viral videos.

Some of his followers don’t appreciate that kind of content in their feed, and would comment how arrogant he is.

“People follow me on Instagram, there I do a lot of my pogi ako jokes but I am the number one believer that I am not handsome. I’m not like any other leading men at ABS-CBn. That for me is sarcasm and selfdeprecating humor,” Manzano explained.

“It’s just unbelievable that there are people who believe that I am really guwapong guwapo sa sarili. I will be the first one to say I have a long chin, I know my flaws. I’m not like Piolo Pascual-handsome. I make fun of myself and it’s kind of funny that some people take it seri-

ously. It just happened that I am naughty—I am not saying I am funny. There is a big difference,” he pointed out. despite all that, he still thanked those people who took notice of how he looked happy and how he is in good shape.

“When you’re inspired, that’s what people see and feel, so thank you,” he shared.

With summer coming, Manzano updated that he and girlfriend Jessy Mendiola will go to places they had already planned, including the beaches.

“The place will still be a secret but we’re definitely going to the beach. We make time, we’re both busy but we have to put in that extra effort to spend time with each other,” he ended.

Megan Young to penetrate...

From Page SF2 Season 2 as Top 6 in 2004. She transferred to ABS-CBn in 2007, following her sister Lauren.

She joined Miss World Philippines in 2013 and became the most awarded candidate, winning the title and honor to represent the country in the largest beauty pageant in the world in Bali, Indonesia.

She became the first Filipina to win the blue crown since the pageant started in 1951. She hosted Miss World in 2014 before bequeathing her crown to Miss South Africa Rolene Strauss. She has also been co-hosting Miss World and Mr. World for three years. not too long ago, Young confirmed fellow Kapuso talent Mikael daez’s revelation that they have been a couple since 2010, an open secret, she said, but felt relieved that people understood and have accepted their status. (ManilaTimes.net)

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 31, 2017

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