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Volume 15 - No. 36 • 3 Sections – 22 Pages

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Rody: Obama must listen to me on rights

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

mANILA, Philippines — he is ready to discuss anything under the sun with Us President Barack obama, but President Duterte said the leader of the world’s most powerful nation must listen to him first before raising the issue of human rights for a better appreciation of the extent of the drug problem in the Philippines. “he can raise any topic at all. I am ready

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

to talk to him,” Duterte told reporters last Wednesday, August 31, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 2 where he welcomed returning filipino workers from saudi Arabia.

When asked whether he is ready to discuss human rights with obama, Duterte replied: “It depends to what degree because they must understand the problem first before we talk about human rights.”

“I would insist, ‘Listen to me. this is what the problem is.’ then we can talk. No

problem,” he added.

Duterte also said he is excited to meet russian President Vladimir Putin, who has expressed eagerness to meet the Philippine leader. “that I look forward to,” he said when asked about his bilateral meeting with the russian leader in Laos. “I like Putin…We have similarities.”

When asked to elaborate on the similarities, Duterte replied: “Perhaps when it comes to girls.”

Duterte and obama are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the Association of southeast Asian Nations (AseAN) summit in Laos on sept. 6.

In a statement, the Department of foreign Affairs through spokesman Charles Jose said the meeting would be an opportunity for Duterte to “communicate his advocacy to improve the peace and order situation in the country, especially towards eradicating the scourge of illicit drugs.”

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Paynor named PH ambassador to US

USA

DATELINE Chinese American arrested at Clark airport for smuggling cocaine from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

by DAnA

sioson AJPress

PresIDeNt rodrigo Duterte announced on monday, August 29, that he has appointed malacañang Palace chief protocol officer marciano Paynor as the Philippines’ new ambassador to the United states.

Duterte said Paynor has already accepted the position. “he is a seasoned foreign career envoy,” the president Marciano Paynor said of Paynor.

Paynor previously served as protocol chief to former presidents fidel ramos and Gloria macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno s. Aquino, III. he also served as Arroyo’s presidential assistant for state and foreign visits.

Born and raised in Baguio, Paynor was the director

the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) on tuesday, August 30, filed charges against a 68-year-old Chinese-American for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than two kilos of cocaine into the country. the suspect, identified as Alan soo hoo of New York, was arrested last sunday, August 28, at the Clark International Airport (CrK). he is now in the custody of the Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDeA). soo hoo allegedly violated republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, a non-bailable offense with a fine of P500,000 to P10 million.

Airport personnel discovered 2.4 kilograms of contraband hidden in a secret compartment of soo hoo’s bag when it went through an X-ray machine at the Customs clearance. the PDeA confirmed that the cocaine has a street value of up to P18 million. “for being a drug mule, his presence here poses a serious threat to our youth. he

GOODWILL VISIT. Two Japanese Navy destroyers – J/S Yuugiri and J/S Yuudachi – dock at the Manila South Harbor for a goodwill visit.

The visit aims to strengthen the ties between the Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Photo by Rene H. Dilan/Manilatimes.net

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Cardinal Tagle asks Filipinos to condemn all forms of murder

by Joseph

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White House proposes new immigration rule to attract international entrepreneurs

Henry Sy Sr., John Gokongwei Jr., Jon Ramon Aboitiz, Ramon Ang, Edgar Sia II

Philstar.com photos

Forbes: Record number of Filipino billionaires in 2016

ings’ John Gokongwei Jr. with a net worth of $6.8 billion, and the Aboitiz family with a net worth of $5 billion.

Percentage-wise, the magazine said this year’s biggest winner was new billionaire edgar sia II who ranked No. 17 with a net worth of $1.2 billion. he was also named as the youngest richest filipino. the 39-year-old tycoon’s wealth increased by 200 percent due to the fastgrowing mall and residence developer, DoubleDragon Properties, which he coowns with tony tan Caktiong who ranked no. 6 on the list with a net worth of $4.3 billion. Caktiong is also the founder, chairman and Ceo of Jollibee foods, the biggest fast food restaurant chain in the Philippines.

Also occupying the top 10 spots on the

by DAnA

sioson AJPress

the obama administration on friday, August 26 announced a new proposed rule that would allow certain international entrepreneurs to come to the United states to start their businesses.

Under the International entrepreneur rule, the Department of homeland security (Dhs) would grant parole—temporary permission to be in the United states—to entrepreneurs if their startups show significant potential to grow and create jobs.

“America’s economy has long benefitted from the contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs, from main street to silicon Valley,” U.s. Citizenship and Immigration services (UsCIs) Director León rodríguez said in a statement. “this proposed rule, when finalized, will help our economy grow by expanding immigration options for foreign

for the year 2016, American business magazine Forbes released its new list of the 50 richest filipinos on thursday, August 25. “several tycoons with interests in development and construction enjoyed a particularly robust year, and the new administration of President rodrigo Duterte, with its plan to invest in a ‘golden age of infrastructure,’ could boost them even higher,” it said.

Ninety one-year-old shopping mogul henry sy still topped the annual ranking of Forbes for nine years consecutively, despite his net worth declining from $14.4 billion in 2015 to $13.7 billion in 2016. sy was followed by JG summit hold-

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AlmeR B. peDRAJAs AJPress

mANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal tagle has finally broken his silence on the recent spate of killings in the Philippines as he asked filipinos to condemn all forms of murder happening in the country.

In an interview on sunday, August 28, by Church-run radio Veritas, tagle called for his countrymen to denounce not just the issue of extrajudicial killings, but also other kinds of killings including abortion, unfair labor practices and wasting food.

“As long as one is alive, whoever he or she is, that life is sacred.

I know that the spate of killings is becoming a big issue nowadays — they say, it affects even those who are not guilty, those who are innocent — but whether be a person guilty or not, we should give importance to life. And if a person is already proven guilty, give another chance to live — give chance to rise from old life,” tagle stressed in filipino. the manila archbishop released his statement against the issue after the deaths of more than 1,800 illegal drug-related

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Donaire to fight on Pacquiao-Vargas card

by DAnA

sioson AJPress

tWo internationally-renowned filipino boxing champions will be fighting on the same event on November 5 in Las Vegas.

In an ABs-CBN report, boxing promoter Bob Arum announced that Nonito “the filipino flash” Donaire Jr. will fight against Jes-

sie magdaleno at the co-main event of manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s comeback fight.

“We are looking to do something really spectacular for all filipino people,” Arum said.

Donaire will defend the crown against magdaleno after reclaiming his WBo super bantamweight title last December, following a

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A

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

Rody: Obama must listen to me on…

PAGE A1 t

The Philippine leader’s vicious war on drugs and crime has caught the attention of the international community, with the US State Department expressing its “deep concern.”

Duterte resented the US criticism and reminded the Americans of the deaths of several African-Americans at the hands of their law enforcers.

He also lashed out at the United Nations after its human rights representatives urged policemen to be mindful of the rule of law in carrying out their anti-drug operations.

About 2,000 suspected drug offenders have been killed since Duterte assumed office last June 30. Almost half of the killings were carried out in police operations and the rest by unidentified assailants.

On Tuesday, White House Deputy National Security Ad-

viser Ben Rhodes said Obama is expected to raise concerns about human rights in his bilateral meeting with Duterte. But the issue is something Duterte would rather set aside.

“At this time, I’m talking to China and China wants to talk to me bilateral. It’s good and if it’s to the advice of my team, the military, the police and these guys, then good work,” the President said. China will be represented at the Laos meeting by Premier Li Keqiang.

Rhodes has said the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea dispute may be raised during the meeting between Duterte and Obama.

“I think we’ll want to review the state of play as it relates to our treaty alliance in the situation in the South China Sea in that dialogue with the new president of the Philippines,” the White House official said in a press briefing last Tuesday.

Last July, an arbitral tribunal based in The Hague invalidated China’s nine-dash line territorial claim in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. Beijing, however, refused to recognize the ruling and even called it “illegal.”

The tribunal acted on a 2013 case filed by the Philippines against China’s claim, which covers about 90 percent of the resource-rich South China Sea. Putin skipped the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit hosted by the Philippines last November. Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medveded represented Putin during the event, which was attended by delegates from more than 20 countries.

The leaders of Australia, Japan and India are also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Duterte on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Laos. (With Pia Lee Brago)

Paynor named PH ambassador to…

PAGE A1 t

general of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 National Organizing Council and has served Philippine diplomatic posts in countries, including Israel and Cyprus.

Although it is the president who appoints ambassadors, Duterte said Paynor’s new post still needs to be approved by the congressional Commission on Appointments.

Paynor, whose previous appointments included Consul General in Los Angeles (2002-2006) and San Francisco (2007-2014),

will replace former ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia, Jr. Before his foreign service career, Paynor was a military officer. He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1971 and retired in 1983 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

According to a news report from Inquirer, Duterte earlier offered the position to current Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. However, Lorenzana declined, asking the president to reconsider his age.

The president also offered the same post to former Defense Sec-

retary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro who turned down the offer as well.

Meanwhile, the president said he is eyeing Robert Borje to take over Paynor’s post as the new protocol officer. Borje was previously the second secretary at the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations (UN).

“I have one nominee, I don’t know if he’s qualified, Borje,” Duterte said, as reported by Rappler.

Borje, a former newscaster in Davao, is the son of retired Commodore Adolf Borje of the Philippine Navy. n

Donaire to fight on Pacquiao-Vargas…

PAGE A1 t unanimous verdict over Cesar Juarez.

Earlier this April, he defended his belt after coming off a TKO win Hungarian Olympian Zsolt Bedak in the third round.

On the other hand, Magdaleno has a 23-0 professional record with 17 of his wins coming by way of knockout. His fight with Donaire will be his first shot at a world title.

In his latest match, Magdaleno knocked out Pinoy boxer Rey Perez in the seventh round.

“When we made the fight, one of the reasons why we are in Thomas and Mack, it sets up so that we can have more than 6000 seats that we are charging 50 dollars from, so that the Filipinos who come here who usually watch it on closed circuit can watch it for as low as 50 dollars,” Arum said.

“It’s gonna be packed with Filipino fans,” he added.

The Pacquiao-Vargas fight will take place at the Thomas & Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. Mack Center in Las Vegas. n

33TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF NINOY AQUINO. In partnership with the family of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino in the Bay Area, headed by Mrs. Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara, a mass was held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate in San Franciso to commemorate the 33rd death anniversary of Sen. Aquino.

Photo from DFA

Forbes: Record number of Filipino…

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list are: Lucio Tan (no. 4 with $4.9 billion), George Ty (no. 5 with $4.6 billion), Jaime Zobel de Ayala (no. 7 with $4.1 billion), Enrique Razon Jr. (no. 8 with $3.5 billion), David Consunji (no.

9 with $3.1 billion) and Andrew Tan (no. 10 with $3 billion).

Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., the 95year-old co-founder of Rustan’s Group, was the oldest businessman on the list with a net worth

of $165 million, ranking 46th.

“At least five of the 50 richest are invested in San Miguel, one of the nation’s oldest conglomerates. They have benefited nicely from the company’s growth strategy in energy and other infrastructure, which propelled its stock’s value up 50 percent,” according to Forbes.

Ramon Ang, the leader of San Miguel Corporation, ranked 16th with a net worth of $1.21 billion.

While Forbes’s record consisted mostly of males, five businesswomen made it to the list.

Filipina tycoons include Ayala Corporation and San Miguel Corporation stakeholder Mercedes Zobel who ranked 14th, Mercury Drug’s Vivian Que Azcona who ranked 24th, Monde Nissin’s Betty Ang who ranked 26th, Unilab’s Beatrice Campos who ranked 27th, and Banco De Oro’s Juliette Romualdez who ranked 48th. n

Cardinal Tagle asks Filipinos to condemn…

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people have been recorded since the end of June.

Tagle believes that there are also other forms of killings that the people need to condemn.

“I hope that we’re also worried about abortion. Why are only a few people speaking against abortion? It’s also a form of murder.” he said. “Let’s guard against abortion. Those who are not yet born can’t do anything.”

The cardinal also emphasized that “unfair labor practices” also “kill the reputation of the workers.”

He went on to add that wasting food and pushing children to go into vices are also forms of killing.

“Whenever we waste food, why does it have to be put in the garbage first before someone would pick it up and eat, it is also a kind of murder, it kills children who have nothing to eat,” he explained. “Selling illegal drugs, pushing the youth to go into vices — that’s also a form of murder against their dreams, their minds, their good relationships with their families.”

The archbishop ended his plea as he said that everyone should “be consistent to promote whole or integral life” and

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.

“not be selective.”

Tagle has now joined other religious groups and pro-life individuals who have criticized the recent killings in the country.

Earlier in August, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), issued a statement expressing that he is in “utter disbelief.”

“If drugs indeed kill, will killing the suspects remove the menace? Are we providing our children a safe haven, by teach-

ing them by our tolerance of murders, that killing suspected criminals without fair hearing is a morally acceptable way to eradicate crime? From a generation of drug addicts shall we become a generation of street murderers?

Will the do-it-yourself justice system assure us of a safer and better future?” Villegas said.

Meanwhile, Fr. Amado Picardal, head of the CBCP’s Commission for Basic Ecclesial Communities, said that “the Church is powerless to stop the killings.” n

White House proposes new immigration…

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entrepreneurs who meet certain criteria for creating jobs, attracting investment and generating revenue in the U.S.” Under this proposed rule, DHS may parole, on a case-by-case basis, eligible entrepreneurs of startup enterprises who have at least 15 percent ownership in the startup and have “an active and central role to its operations.”

The startup must have been formed in the U.S. within the past three years and demonstrate potential for rapid business growth and job creation. The basis for that, the USCIS said, is that the startup must have received at least $345,000 from reputable

U.S. investors or awards and grants of at least $100,000 from federal, state or local government entities.

In a Medium post, Tom Kalil, deputy director for Technology and Innovation at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and Doug Rand, assistant director for entrepreneurship at OSTP, noted the contributions that immigrant entrepreneurs have made to the U.S. economy.

Immigrants have co-founded one of every four small businesses and high-tech startups across the country, and over half the high-tech startups in Silicon Valley.

Further, more than 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants.

Max Levchin, co-founder of PayPal, Affirm, Glow, and Slide, also praised the proposed rule.

“I believe that the most promising entrepreneurs from around the world should have the same opportunity I had—the chance to deliver on their potential, here in America,” Levchin said in a statement released by the White House.

The rule would also allow entrepreneurs to be granted an initial stay of up to two years to oversee and grow their startup

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016

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NaFFAA mourns the loss of former National Chairman Ed Navarra WASHINGTON, D.C. — Eduardo Navarra, who served as NaFFAA National Chairman from 2010-2014, died August 26 of intracranial hemorrhage. He was surrounded by his family, who kept vigil for days until he passed away at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital of Oakland in Pontiac, Michigan. He was 72.

“We lost a pillar of the community,” said NaFFAA National Chairman Brendan Flores. “Tito Ed was always extremely dedicated and we all looked up to him with great admiration and respect. He was the epitome of servant leadership. His legacy will live on.”

A charter member of NaFFAA, Navarra was among the nearly 2,000 Filipino-American community leaders who converged in Washington, D.C. in August 1997 to organize the first National Empowerment Conference (NEC). Michigan sent one of the largest delegations to the historic event, due in no small measure to Navarra’s influence. He has consistently attended all 12 national gatherings in the last 19 years.

“Ed Navarra was completely dedicated to NaFFAA and its empowerment goals,” said Loida Nicolas Lewis, National Chair Emeritus and one of the founders of the organization.

“He shepherded NaFFAA when it needed tender loving care, infusing it with his passion for advocacy, especially on issues that matter to Filipinos in the United States. We are all enriched by his leadership.”

Greg Macabenta, whom Navarra succeeded as National Chair, called Navarra’s passing “a great loss to NaFFAA and to the entire Filipino-American community.

He was dedicated to the cause of unity and empowerment and he worked hard at it - but he went about it in his own charming way, always good-natured and always with that mischievous quip in the course of a heated discussion. Ed was also a very sweet and thoughtful person.

On at least two occasions after a NaFFAA conference, he handed me a box of chocolates to bring home to my wife.”

Boardnember Rozita Lee also shared that Navarra was a delightful person with a wry sense of humor, which has endeared him to many friends and colleagues. “He kept us laughing all the time, providing comic relief

NaFFAA National Chairman Ed Navarra welcomes delegates and guests to the 11th National Empowerment Conference held August 2014 in San Diego, Calif.

Photo by NaFFAA Communications

especially after a tense discussion,” she said.

Gloria T. Caoile, National Vice Chair Emeritus and a NaFFAA founder added, “We love the way he loved life, his devotion to his wife Vicky and his children and grandchildren, and the way he laughed about the absurd things that came his way.” Caoile notes that on his Facebook page, Navarra posted as his personal motto this tongue-in-cheek quote: ‘To reach for the sublime and the ridiculous!!!’”

Youth mentor and champion Navarra attended his last National Empowerment Conference held four weeks ago in Philadelphia, as a member of NaFFAA Region 3 East. “Although he looked frail and weak, he told me he came because he wanted to be there to celebrate a millennial moment, when youth leadership at the national level becomes a reality,” recalled Rita Gerona Adkins, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and colleague. “I could tell from his broad smile after the conference that he felt something truly significant happened, that he was thinking, happily, for the young leaders who are now taking leadership roles and, hopefully, bring NaFFAA to even greater success.”

Region 10 Chair Myrna Farinas Reyes recalls how Navarra called her a number of times during the planning of the 2014 NEC in San

Cal State system to combat student homelessness

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

ABOUT a tenth of all students in the California State University (CSU) system are homeless, and about one-fifth of them are food insecure, according to reports from the CSU. Until recently did the CSU — which is the largest public university system in the United States — seek to identify and understand the system’s homeless and food insecure student body.

“The idea that one in five Cal State students is food insecure is a gasp, when you think about it,” CSU Chancellor Timothy White said at a conference on Monday, August 22. “It’s a gasp when you talk to someone in my neighborhood or an elected official because when they come to the campuses, they see the lights on, the lawns manicured, the classes full, the energy high and they don’t see the fact that one in five students on any five of our campuses is food insecure at any time and that one in 10 have an

issue with respect to their housing.”

The CSU’s study is the first of its kind to put the issue into focus and seek ways to combat the quiet but rampant problem within the entire system.

Previously, the only indicator of student homelessness was through self-identification on federal financial aid applications, which found that more than 56,000 students identified as such.

But the problem is that most students do not admit their status as homeless, either because of the stigmas associated with homelessness or they don’t think their situations qualify as homelessness.

Homeless students are classified as those who do not have a permanent living situation and use unconventional means like couch-surfing and living in cars, among others.

The first phase of the study involved interviewing 92 students, four focus groups, student and

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Chinese American arrested at…

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should be expelled, blacklisted and banned from re-entering our country,” BI commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.

Morente noted that Soo Hoo will not be deported yet due to his criminal charges but added that the BI will soon be issuing the order for Soo Hoo’s summary deportation.

“If he is convicted, he should first serve his jail sentence after which we will deport him and place him in our blacklist,” the BI chief said.

Soo Hoo took Emirates flight EK 338 from Dubai and arrived at CRK after a stopover in Cebu on

the night of Sunday, August 28.

It was reportedly his first time to disembark in the Philippines.

The American citizen is an accountant who works for small companies in the United States, according to a report by Inquirer.

According to BI spokesperson Atty Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, the United States Department of Homeland Security alerted BI intelligence officials of Soo Hoo’s impending arrival in the country.

The BI subsequently tipped the PDEA and Customs agents after confirming that Soo Hoo was aboard the flight, leading to his arrest. (By Dana Sioson / AJPress)

White House proposes new…

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entity in the country. A subsequent request for re-parole (for up to three additional years) would be considered only if the entrepreneur and the startup entity continue to provide a significant public benefit as evidenced by substantial increases in capital investment, revenue or job creation.

After five years, there are other immigration paths for the entrepreneurs, such as the EB-2 visa, Rodriguez said on Friday.

The DHS will also publish

guidance to clarify when entrepreneurs can self-petition for a green card.

The notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register invites public comment for 45 days, after which USCIS will address the comments received. The proposed rule does not take effect with the publication of the notice of proposed rulemaking. It will take effect on the date indicated in the final rule when a final rule is published in the Federal Register. (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)

Diego, Calif. “He wanted to make sure we gave the younger generation the lead in chairing the planning committee,” she says.

“We listened to his advice. As a result, we had a very successful conference headed by our youth leaders, working hand in hand with their elders.”

Among the young people Navarra mentored is Kelly Ilagan, who studied International Studies and Political Science at Michigan State University. Inspired by Navarra, she attended the NEC in Philadelphia for the first time.

“Tito Ed was a father figure who believed in me,” she said. “He

encouraged my generation to be engaged in our country’s political process. Everyone claims to want the youth to be involved in community organizations, but he always acted on it.”

Rebuilding NaFFAA’s infrastructure In his acceptance speech after being sworn in as National Chair in 2010, Navarra vowed to re-establish NaFFAA’s political presence in the nation’s capital through active advocacy, voter education, corporate partnerships and coalition building.

“While we will continue to be concerned about events in the

Philippines, our collective energies will be directed towards issues that affect our community here in the U.S.,” he declared.

“We will undertake these initiatives not as an umbrella organization but as an equal partner with other national formations and local groups that have a stake in protecting and promoting the interests of Filipinos and FilipinoAmericans in this country.”

During his four-year term, NaFFAA started rebuilding its infrastructure to strengthen the FilAmVote program, a key vehicle for political empowerment in this country. Internally, he paved the way for a revision of NaFFAA’s By-Laws, the creation of the Board of Governors, and publication of a monthly newsletter. He also expanded regional memberships by partitioning Region 3 into East and West, due to rapid growth among Midwest states.

Armin Sayson, Region 3East Chairman, remembered how Navarra always set high standards for officers and members of the region to strive for and maintain.

“As a leader, he recognized the talent within the region and mentored the individuals who would replace him,” Sayson says. “I am grateful that Ed encouraged me to take on a leadership role within the region. He always told me, ‘Panahon mo na, Armin!’ Until the day he died, Ed continued to provide advice, guidance, and friendship.”

Community Service Navarra’s long track record of outstanding community service started from the community

where he and his family had resided for many years – Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He became an editor of a Filipino American newspaper, and an agent in promoting Philippine-based performers to raise funds for local organizations in Michigan.

His leadership at the Filipino American Community Council (FILAMCCO) brought relevant fund raising initiatives that fueled the organization’s projects for the Filipino American community. FILAMCCO is the umbrella organization of over 52 FilipinoAmerican organizations in Michigan. Navarra was one of the founding members of the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), which is a consortium of Asian Pacific organizations and leaders composed of Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Asian-Indian, Filipino and other Asian Pacific groups in Metro Detroit.

In 2003, Navarra became NaFFAA Region 3 Chair, occupying the same position four times.

During his term, he organized highly successful regional conferences and the hosting of the 6th national conference in Chicago in 2004.

In 2006, he received the prestigious Presidential “Banaag Award” for Community Service by then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

A dedicated Republican Party member, Navarra was appointed by the Republican National Committee in 2013, one of four Filipino American leaders to sit in the Asian Pacific American Advisory Council.

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SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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

Clinton bolsters Asian American support in three states

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

MANY polls show that Asian Americans prefer Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in this election cycle. However, the Clinton campaign is still extending its reach to the Asian American community, specifically in three critical states: Nevada, Pennsylvania and Virginia, the state which running mate Tim Kaine represents in the Senate.

Due to the tight races in these states, Asian Americans have the potential to swing voters to Clinton.

According to Jason Tengco, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) outreach director, the Clinton campaign will deliver content in a plethora of Asian languages — including Tagalog —and mobilize the help of volunteers representing a wide range of AAPI ethnicities and cultures.

Nevada, in particular, has a crucial Asian American electorate that can tip the scale, and they’ve proven it in the past.

In 2010, early polls predicted long-time Senator Harry Reid losing the Senate seat. With additional efforts to appeal to Asian Americans — including securing an endorsement from Manny Pacquiao — Reid ended up securing the Senate seat with the help of 79 percent of the Asian American electorate.

“The fact that [Asian Americans] tend to be organized and well-informed, I think, puts them ahead of the curve,” Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nevada) told Politico.

Catherine Cortez Masto, Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, rallied for Asian Americans to vote Democrat in the upcoming elections, citing Trump’s disparaging remarks on Philippine immigration.

“Under a Trump presidency, no immigrants from the Philippines would be able to come to the United States,” Cortez Masto said during an Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) reception in Las Vegas.

“With Donald Trump in power and Congressman Heck enabling him and supporting him, the [AAPI] community here in Las Vegas and across the country would suffer.”

Nevada boasts an abundant Filipino community, with a vast majority living in the Las Vegas area.

According to the 2010 census report, Filipinos comprise more than half of the Asian American population, with an estimated total of 100,000 Filipinos.

Clinton’s opponent, however, discredited her extended efforts to reach out to minority groups as pandering.

“Hillary Clinton is a bigot who sees people of color only as votes, not as human beings worthy of a better future,” Trump said in a speech on Wednesday, August 24.

But with Asian Americans’ overwhelming distaste for Trump’s rhetoric regarding immigration and Muslims, it’s clear that Clinton has a far better chance at taking the Asian American vote. A recent survey from APIAVote concluded that three-

fifths of the Asian American electorate harbor negative views of Trump and only one-fifth hold a positive impression.

And Filipinos’ views mirror the larger population.

As the Asian Journal previously reported, Filipinos generally prefer Clinton over Trump, according to a study from APIAVote, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and AAPI Data. The study found that 59 percent of Filipinos approve of Clinton while Trump pales in comparison at 23 percent.

“Not surprisingly, what we saw in the primaries, and what we continue to see as we’re organizing in the general is that the AAPI community is standing with Hillary Clinton. That’s because our community knows that Hillary has a record of defending our best interests,” Tengco told the Asian Journal in June.

“While Donald Trump continues to espouse hateful rhetoric and policy proposals that will damage our economy, Hillary is doing everything she can to ensure our community continues to thrive. The choice couldn’t be clearer in this election.”

With the growing Asian American population in the United States, the AAPI electorate is poised to be one of the most influential in this election cycle.

But a major drawback is voter registration. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that in 2012, Asian voter registration was at a mere 56 percent compared to black voters’ 73 percent and white voters’ 72 percent white voters. n

Cal State system to combat student…

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faculty surveys and an overview of the services that already exist in the CSU. The study found that less than half the 23 CSU campuses offer services for the homeless and food insecure, and only 15 percent actively seek out students in need.

Last year, Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) awarded a $100,000 grant for researching homelessness and food instability among CSU students. The project was headed by Rashida Crutchfield, assistant professor at CSULB’s School of Social Work.

Many of the students who are classified as homeless typically allocate all their money and resources to their tuition — which is about $5,500 a year at the CSU — over housing. The definition of homelessness is far more nu-

anced than literally living on the streets, but most people don’t know that, according to Crutchfield.

“Students who experience homelessness are invisible,” Crutchfield said in a statement.

“They are not required to identify themselves, and because of the stigma associated with homelessness, they purposefully hide their circumstances from those who might be able to help

them.”

Studying the homeless population in higher education institutions is far more difficult. Social services geared toward homeless and food insecure students exist in K-12 institutions, but are far less common in higher educations, Barbara Duffield of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth told the Los Angeles Times. n

ECO-SCHOOLS AND ECO-CITIES. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Asst. Secretary for Environment Juan Miguel T. Cuna underscores the role of schools in developing environmentally aware kids in his message during the opening of the National Forum for Eco-Schools and Eco-Cities at the Grand Menseng Hotel in Davao City.

Statement of the San Francisco Kontra Libing Coalition against a hero’s burial for dictator Marcos WE oppose President Rodolfo Duterte’s order of a hero’s burial for Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery), not because we harp on the past, but because we care about our country’s future.

Marcos is a criminal, not a hero A hero’s burial for Marcos glosses over the crimes he committed against the Filipino people during the 14 years he usurped power. When a people power uprising finally booted him out of the country in 1986, he fled with an estimated $10 billion worth of plundered loot hidden worldwide. He left the economy in shambles, with • $28 billion of external debt • an inflation rate of over 50 percent • 58.9 percent incidence of poverty, and • a negative economic growth rate.

Marcos dealt brutally with those who opposed his one-man rule. Amnesty International estimates the • number of opponents killed by the Marcos dictatorship at 3,240 • number raped and tortured at 34,000, and • number imprisoned at 70,000.

Marcos deserves condemnation, not hero’s honors. He does not deserve praise, instead, the victims of martial law deserve justice. All victims of the regime’s brutality must be granted indemnification under the Human Rights Victims Repatriation and Recognition Act of 2013. And the day of reckoning must come for his family to return the enormous wealth he stole from the people.

The Real heroes A hero’s burial for Marcos erases the memory of the Filipino people’s hard-fought and heroic struggle for freedom from his tyranny. Many true heroes gave up their lives in brave defiance of his illegitimate authority, and in courageous struggle against corruption and injustice.

Throughout the dictator’s reign, there were activists who refused to be silenced, and in the end,

over 2 million Filipinos spilled into the streets, stood in front of army tanks and forced the dictator, his family and minions to flee for their lives.

Reject the Marcos legacy A hero’s burial for Marcos plays into the hands of the Marcos family, who are staging a political comeback, as with the recent vice-presidential electoral bid of the dictator’s son, Bongbong Marcos. Marcos Jr’s brazen refusal to acknowledge his father’s human rights abuses and theft of billions of dollars, and his bald-faced glorification of his father’s rule, makes him a threat to the country should he succeed in getting elected to the highest offices of the land. A hero’s burial erases from memory the sins of the Marcos dictatorship, and removes another obstacle in the path of the Marcos family’s political ambitions.

Most importantly, a hero’s burial for Marcos negates the hard and important lessons learned from the negative example of his dictatorial rule. The Filipino people deserve to move on – away from corruption, away from the old politics of patronage and people’s disempowerment, away from tyranny and abuse of power, away from the sordid state of affairs that was the Marcos era, and into a new politics of principles, reform, social justice, human rights, genuine democracy, good government and accountability.

These principles continue to be relevant today, 30 years after the dictator’s fall, in a country where poverty, inequality, injustice and impunity in public office remain rampant. These principles are even more relevant at this time when talk is rife of martial law as the solution to the country’s problems, given President Duterte’s cynical statements against due process and human rights, and his bandied about threats of imposing martial law in his war against drugs.

No hero’s burial for dictator Marcos We support the petitions filed before the Philippine Supreme Court to stop the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani set for September 18. President

Duterte should not hide behind technicalities that, he argues, make it permissible for Marcos to be buried in a cemetery reserved for heroes. Marcos must not be consecrated a hero by this burial, because he destroyed democracy, committed gross violations of human rights and plundered the nation. The Supreme Court must continue to restrain the Duterte administration from proceeding with the current and any future plans to bury Marcos at the Heroes’ Cemetery.

To declare our vehement protest against a hero’s burial for dictator Ferdinand Marcos, we assemble at noon on September 7, 2016 in global protest in front of Philippine Embassies and Consulates worldwide.

During the years of the dictatorship, Filipinos here in the U.S. refused to be cowed, and constituted a resounding voice of opposition against the dictatorship in their homeland. And despite the U.S. government’s support of Marcos, allies here in the U.S. stood with Filipino activists to call for an end to the dictatorship. We call on everyone once again to oppose the attempt to rehabilitate the image of this fascist and plunderous dictator.

Marcos is not a hero!

No to Marcos burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani!

Justice and indemnification for all martial law victims!

Recover Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth!

Never again to fascist dictatorship!

Never again to martial law!

Signed: San Francisco Kontra Libing Coalition (Partial List) • Coalition Against the Marcos Dictatorship (former members) • EDSA People Power@30 Committee • Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) • Katipunan ng mga Demokratikong Pilipino (former members) • National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) • U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG) • West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center n

Bob Santos, Seattle’s beloved community activist, dies at 82 SEATTLE — Bob Santos, 82, known affectionately as Uncle Bob and the Unofficial Mayor of Seattle’s International District, died Saturday, Aug. 27, after being hospitalized in recent weeks.

A popular community activist, Santos was part of the so-called Gang of Four, who mobilized Latinos, African Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans to fight for jobs, affordable housing and services for Seattle’s communities of color.

In the course of his civil rights activism, Santos was arrested six times. He became executive director of InterIm (International District Improvement Association). Later, he was appointed by the Clinton administration as the Pacific Northwest’s Housing and Urban Development director.

Santos is survived by his wife, State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, 5 children, 19 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. His wife, Sharon Tomiko Santos, is a Democratic Washington state representative.

The son of Filipino immigrant Sammy Santos, of San Mateo, Rizal, and a Native American/

Bob Santos, the Unofficial Mayor of Seattle’s International District, passed away at 82.

Wikipedia photo

Filipino mother, Virginia Nicol, Bob Santos was born in Seattle in 1934 and grew up in the city’s Chinatown. He served in the U.S. Marines after high school in the early 1950s and returned to Seattle in 1955 to work for Boeing.

Washington’s Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement Sunday “Washington is a better state because of Bob Santos’ passion

for justice. Bob was a forward thinker. His early days as an activist with the ‘Gang of Four’ helped bring communities of color together in one unified voice to fight for equal rights.

“Washington’s strong API community is a testament to his leadership and commitment to mentoring. Trudi and I send our thoughts and prayers to his wife, Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, his family, and his friends. His passing is truly a loss but his legacy will live on.”

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray also released a statement: “Michael and I were heartbroken to hear of today’s passing of ‘Uncle’ Bob Santos, one of our city’s great community leaders.

Bob Santos touched countless lives across every race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and age in Seattle. He was everyone’s ‘uncle’ because of his universal and unwavering friendship, and he was a hero to many marginalized Seattleites who he tirelessly advocated for. I have been fortunate to have worked with him on many of these issues for over two decades.” (Inquirer.net)

NaFFAA mourns the loss of former…

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Systems Engineer After completing his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in FEATI University in the Philippines in 1965, he worked for Northern Motors Company. In 1967, he immigrated to the United States and completed his Master’s in Computer & Electronics Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. He worked at Burroughs

Company, then transferred to Ford Motor Company in 1973, where he worked for 30 years as Systems Engineer until his retirement in 2003.

The youngest of three children, Eduardo Navarra was born on Oct. 27, 1944 and grew up in Sigma Capiz, Philippines. He is survived by his wife Dr. Victoria Gallardo Navarra; their children John, Laura and Nicole; daughterin-law Rachel; sons-in-law Jeffrey Haxer and Kyle Winkelman; and

grandchildren Tristan, Lucas, Evelyn, Eleanor and Zoe Victoria.

A wake is scheduled on Friday, September 2, at the A.J. Desmon & Sons Funeral Directors, 2600 Crooks Rd.,Troy, Michigan. Visitation is from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm EDT. The memorial mass is slated for Saturday, September 3, at their parish, St. Hugo’s of The Hills, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303. (Ryan Tejero and Emraida Kiram contributed to this press statement.)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Palace dares int’l media to come to PH 5-year-old girl youngest victim in PH drug war

by Joseph

Almer B. pedrAJAs AJPress

MANILA — As the Philippines’ war on drugs continuously draws criticisms and earns attention from the international media, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar has dared foreign journalists to “come to the Philippines” and experience firsthand the threat of drugs in the country.

In an interview during the JapanASEAN Media Forum on Monday, August 29, Andanar stressed that the members of the international press should personally witness the lives of “those who are affected by [illegal] drugs” because it is a real “responsible journalism.”

The communications secretary said that the journalists must write stories not just about extrajudicial killings, but also about the human rights violations committed by illegal drug suspects.

“It’s not fair for just anybody to conclude about extrajudicial killings, that there’s so much dead without even qualifying which one is dead because of authorized police operation, which ones were

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar

killed because of a gang war or regular murders,” he said.

Within two months of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against drugs, international media organizations, such as the New York Times, Washington Post, TIME Magazine, and BBC, have continually reported on the loss of lives in this anti-drug campaign.

Thai journalist Nopporn WongAnan compared Duterte’s antidrug campaign to Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin

Shinawatra’s leadership.

Shinawatra’s governance recorded 2,8000 extrajudicial killings in just three months. But the investigation showed that more than half of the recorded victims had no connection with illegal drugs.

“It’s like, the only place for drug dealers was hell. They did not deserve to live on Earth,” WongAnan said. “It was a license to kill to a police soldier,” he added.

Japanese journalist Naoji Shibata also advised that Duterte’s government should issue a clearer statement because “the rest of the world does not know him.”

Andanar went on to say that he can’t change Duterte’s style because the president is committed to eradicating the illegal drug problem in the country.

Despite all the negative coverage in the press, the president said he is not bothered.

“They said I am the most unpopular among the international press. I don’t care,” Duterte told reporters in Catbalogan, Samar on Monday. n

by KlArize

medenillA AJPress

A FIVE-year-old girl has become the youngest fatality in the ongoing drug killings in the Philippines, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Friday, August 27.

Local police said that kindergartener Danica May Garcia was having lunch with her family in the Dagupan, Pangasinan when two unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire.

HRW said the likely target was her grandfather, Maximo Garcia, who had turned himself into the police three days prior to clear his name; he was later returned to his family.

“We are still investigating the real motive, but since Maximo Garcia surrendered last Friday for drug use, we have reason to believe the attack was related to

his drug activities,” Dagupan police chief Neil Miro told CNN. Maximo Garcia was shot three times and is currently in the hospital under police watch.

Danica May was shot the same day that Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision for ridding the country of illegal drugs.

“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Aguirre said.

“So this is what the president is doing and we support it.”

HRW has repeatedly denounced the violence ensuing in the war on drugs.

“Aguirre’s perverse endorsement of extrajudicial violence as crime control suggests that Danica May is unlikely to be the last child victim,” Phelim Kine, deputy director of HRW’s Asia Division, said in a statement.

“Each day, the death toll from the government’s ‘war on drugs’ climbs higher and higher.”

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), there have been a total of 1,916 drugrelated killings since Duterte’s inauguration on June 30. Approximately 756 of those killings were suspects pursued by the police while 1,160 of them were “unsolved killings.”

Duterte has encouraged the public to do anything to stop the illegal drug cartels. In June, he announced, “Please feel free to call us, the police or do it yourself if you have the gun...you have my support.”

The rising number of killings has raised concerns from human rights groups around the world as well as the United Nations, which has planned to investigate the killings. n

De Lima files last-minute petition opposing Marcos burial by dAnA

m. sioson

AJPress

SENATOR Leila De Lima filed a 38-page petition on Tuesday, August 30, against the burial of late and former president Ferdinand Marcos at Heroes’ Cemetery, a day before the Supreme Court’s (SC) set date for the oral argument regarding the issue.

De Lima, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, argued that “no President has the power to rewrite history.”

“The Honorable Court must not allow the judgment of history and of the Filipino people to be frustrated and thwarted by letting Marcos be honored in a state funeral and burial among heroes,” the petition read.

“Otherwise, the spectacle we will witness is not only the state funeral of the dictator and tyrant Marcos, but the burial of our own history as a nation, together with the memory of the real heroes who truly shed their blood for the freedom and liberty of the Filipi-

no people.”

The senator also argued that Marcos’ interment at heroes’ cemetery “would go against the very spirit of the 1987 Constitution and the will of the Filipino people that ratified it.”

De Lima insisted that the burial is actually poison to the country’s “history and humanity,” rebuffing the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG)’s earlier statement that said, it “shall promote national healing and forgiveness.”

“This supposedly benign and even beneficent act of so-called ‘reconciliation,’ no matter how those who support it may attempt to paint it as such, is as close to being wholesome and salubrious as sugarcoated arsenic to our hard-earned history, humanity, our democratic way of life and future,” she argued.

The SC earlier issued a status quo order, effective from August 23 to September 11, that halts Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s memorandum. The

memorandum, dated August 7, informed Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya of Duterte’s verbal order on July 11 to prepare for Marcos’ hero’s burial.

“As a former soldier and former president of the Philippines, I see nothing wrong in having Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” the president said on August 7.

Since Duterte’s announcement, petitions opposing Marcos interment were filed by critics before the court.

The first petition filed was led by former congressman and martial law-era political detainee Satur C. Ocampo; the second by former congressman Edcel C. Lagman; the third by former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales; the fourth by former senator Heherson T. Alvarez; and the fifth by University of the Philippines student Jesus N. Falcis III. n

SUPPORT FOR TALKS. Advocates hold a rally at the Peace Bell of the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Sunday, Aug. 28 to support peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels. Both sides agreed to an indefinite ceasefire last Friday, August 26.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

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SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Features

OpiniOn Edified

ARTICLE III Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution states that: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

This is recognized to give people a conducive environment for participation and to allow them to contribute to development, democracy and dialogue.

On July 25, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the executive order on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill before he delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The measure aims to promote transparency in the government and let people have access to information regarding the government’s transactions and processes by making federal documents more available to the public.

If enacted, the FOI bill would grant Filipino citizens the access to any information held by a government agency on matters of public concern, such as documents on government expenditures and the bidding of government projects.

However, this progressive measure has its limits.

Based on the recommendation of the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General, Malacañang’s draft of the Freedom of Information (FOI) act manual lists 166 exceptions, including those involving national security, executive privilege and invasion of personal privacy.

Gone are the days of secrecy and authoritarianism. Filipinos deserve the truth, and they now have the power to sway the future of this country to the right direction—through a transparent and accountable government leadership. What’s left is a law to protect it.

According to Inquirer, the list of exceptions include “matters that may put at risk national security and the state’s external and internal defense, as well as information on foreign affairs which may jeopardize diplomatic relations or weaken the government’s position in ongoing negotiations.

“Also on the list is executive privilege involving information on the President’s appointing, pardoning and diplomatic powers. Minutes of decisionmaking and policy formulation meetings, which the President considers privileged, are also included.

Data that may compromise military or police operations and immigration controls and border security, or put witnesses in danger, are also excepted.”

As contentious as it is, the passage of the FOI bill is covered with greater enthusiasm, both from its representatives in the government and Filipino citizens. It will be subjected to healthy (if not heated) debate for sure. But if the Philippines is to continue its positive streak on good governance, this is a welcome development in fostering public awareness and participation in nation building.

Filipinos people are not denied the chance to witness the progression or regression of what the current administration. Thanks to this measure, civic participation is encouraged now more than ever.

A transparent government allows information about its policies and its implementations to be ac- allows for a more dynamic participation in policy cessible to the public. In turn, an informed public discussions and elections.

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

More than that, it allows people to keep the government in check. (AJPress)

Kababayans comment on Duterte’s controversial and bloody war on drugs EVEN U.S. President Barack Obama has raised concern about the recent statements of Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and his war on drugs, which has already claimed the lives of more than 1,800 people since Duterte took office.

Obama is set to meet with Duterte in Laos next week to talk about the alleged issue of human rights violations with the Philippine president who has blatantly said “No one can stop me!”, when confronted with criticisms and questions on his controversial fight against the drug menace in the Philippines.

Many kababayans in the Philippines — who are opposed to Duterte’s means to achieve his end of eradicating drugs and criminality in the country — have been criticizing Filipinos in America who support Duterte’s policy and action.

Duterte won by a big margin in North America in the May 2016 Presidential Elections.

In a recent viewer poll of The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America,” a big majority (75 percent) of those who voted agree with Duterte’s “shoot-to-kill order,” which grants the right for police officers to kill drug dealers, pushers and traders who resist arrest and fight back violently.

Here are some of the comments of

kababayans shared about this contentious The Fil-Am issue, which have been presented and Perspective edited for clarity: “It’s a question of tipping point of the Filipinos before they resist the killings. Gel SantoS-ReloS Maybe the 1,900 is still too small. And maybe the respondents are too far [from] or are not connected [to] the people living in the slums who got hit by vigilantes and police.”

— Ago Pedalizo “Well what did you expect? Of course, there will be casualties on both sides. It’s war. on drugs. casualties of war. for the greater good.” — JP Pat “The problem is not that good cops kill the drug users or drug dealers, but the corrupt cops that need to silence their distributors, their users, the pushers they protected or else they will be reported on. Also, the problem with the law is when there are corrupt lawyers and judges in the system that dismiss the criminals cases. Where were the human rights advocates when there were innocent people getting robbed or killed by users or dealers...if the dealers or users were innocent, they would not put up a fight let alone start shooting at cops, but comply like those

Postcript

Federico d. Pascual Jr. WE TRUST that President Rodrigo Duterte, the consummate lover, will know how to play this geopoliticalménage à trois among China, the United States and the Philippines.

With the fair Philippines as the object of the escalating rivalry between China (a neighbor since the earth came to be) and the US (a latter-day colonizer that came into the neighborhood only at the turn of the Century), watch Mr. Duterte perform another balancing act.

At the moment, this miron sees President Duterte as being more open to China. Its Ambassador Zhao Jinhua has been reaping points, because of his patience and persistence born out of his keen understanding of Asian, particularly Filipino, psychology.

In the case of the US, not only does the American suitor comes

that volunteered to surrender. By fighting with cops, it shows an admission of guilt and places good cops lives in danger. What about the human rights of the good cops or good politicians that have been killed by the bad people.You must realize there are people that don’t want to make the Philippines a better country. Look at Japan, Korea, and some other countries that are now thriving. Wouldn’t you want to be proud [of the] Philippines to get out of third world country status? And as Duterte said why doesn’t Human rights talk about the war in Syria or Iraq or even the innocent African Americans that are shot and are already having hands up or have done nothing wrong and get killed for no reason? Double standards?” — Gerald Cabildo “Everyone wants drug pushers and other criminals off the street. But, we are a society of laws. I believe due process should be observed. However, if the suspects resist arrest and fight back that could endanger the lives, not only of the police officers, but the innocent bystanders, then yes, I agree with it. Sadly, that is not what I see happening right now. Suspects are killed even

when they are not fighting. Most of the extra-judicial killings recently were done execution style. Extra-judicial killings create opportunities for corruption, abuse of power, and brutality because cover ups happen, no clear evidence is presented, and there simply is no check and balance.” — Roselle Alejandro Enriquez “Yung mga nahuhuling Chinese at mga ibang mayayaman na drug lords buhay pa...pero yung mga mahihirap at tunay na mga biktima ng droga yun ang mga shoot to kill...bulok na sistema!” — Renz Epilef “How do you know kung nanlaban ang mga tao’ng pinatay? Bitayin ang ang lahat na drug lords at mga kriminal, wala akong paki doon. Pero bakit si Peter Lim buhay na buhay pa? Selective due process ba? Wow! Point ko lang...Addiction is an illness na dapat gamutin, to make it fair and square.

Dapat isali na rin d’yan ang mga adik sa sugal, adik sa alcohol, adik sa pain medication, at adik sa sex (mga tao’ng mahilig manghalik,mambabae at maraming kalaguyo)...kung sa palagay ninyong makatwiran ang nangyayari ngayon. At isa pa...ang rapist,nakadrugs man o hindi...kung may pagkakataon,mangre-rape pa rin!” — Lawrence Enriquez “Economic consequence [of

Duterte’s war on drugs]? Peace and order if achieved will invite more investors, incite OFWs to go home.

More new hires for BPO industry... as Filipinos now can trust the police and feel safer than ever.” — Percy Flores “My thought is that: none of us have the right to even comment as we all see what is going on as by standers... not unless of course, if we put ourselves into the shoes of parents and families that have been victims for over 3 decades at least in living and accepting graft, corruption, drugs, mass killings by private armies, etc. Sad to say, since most of us Filipinos grew up with this hopeless society, it is now embedded in our mind and heart -- accepting that it is now a culture of the Filipinos living this way. Either another big cathostrophic [event] happens or this BIG change is now happening for a BIG change. There is something deeper going on is this plan for change in our beloved country, the Philippines.”

— Erich Joseph Alcedo *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

PH, China, US: A ménage à trois

projecting like a used-car salesman despite a coterie of expensive PR advisers helping out – while the envoy from Beijing, in a manner of speaking, simply comes bearing hopia wrapped in wax paper and delivered with a smile.

The US embassy in Manila is handicapped by Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg’s having given a bad impression on President Duterte. To complicate matters, the psychology of the brand-new Philippine president does not fit the stereotype US tuta (lapdog).

While Beijing is busy courting the new President, the White House and the State department distracted by the election campaign are not giving Manila the attention it deserves as a key card that could be played against China as the US pivots to the Asia-Pacific theater.

A few days after repeating his undiplomatic remark that Goldberg is gay, Mr. Duterte made it known that in his dealings with China on territorial issues, he would not start by playing his

best card, which is the July 12 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

The award (ruling) upheld most of the 15 submissions of the Philippines based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It also assailed as without legal basis China’s ninedash line theory for claiming as its own the choice areas of the South China Sea. The ruling that the US had helped win for Manila and for which it had gathered supportive reactions from its allies is now to be put aside momentarily by the Philippines in its neighborly conversations with China?

The decision of President Duterte to discuss directly all territorial issues with China is another departure from the White House suggestion to Malacañang (that the Aquino administration had adopted) to present such issues using a multilateral front.

Along that US advice, Manila has tried, but failed, to gain a consensus in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – where

the Philippines is a member together with nine others – to include in the final communique of its foreign ministers’ meeting a paragraph mentioning the territorial tiff with a neighbor throwing its weight around.

With the Philippines upcoming as the next ASEAN host and chairman, and with President Duterte’s influencing the conference, the Philippines may yet get that portion included next time.

Washington could not have been surprised by the frame of mind of the new Philippine president about pursuing bilateral talks with China, but it appears that Mr. Duterte has mounted the stage without having been given a Made in the US script.

It seems the runners of the US embassy in government, business and media were caught dozing in thepansitan, the Chinese noodle house.

• Duterte willing not to invoke ruling AS REPORTED by PhilStar. com’s Patricia Lourdes Viray, President Duterte expressed

willingness to not invoke the UNCLOS decision averse to China when substantial talks between the two neighbors open on territorial issues.

His explanation was clear enough: The Philippines is not yet ready to go to war to back up its territorial claims versus China. So it will not flaunt the favorable UNCLOS award and risk scuttling the dialogue or pushing the two countries to an armed confrontation.

Again employing his now-famous joking manner of driving home a point, the Commanderin-Chief said being more forceful may become an option when the country is able to develop adequate military muscles.

His remarks were made in a National Heroes Day program at the Libingan ng mga Bayani which Ambassador Zhao attended.

The President told the ambassador who was seated with the audience: “I will not use the judgment (of the arbitral tribunal) now, but I would one day sit in front of your representa-

tive or you and then I will lay bare my position and I would say that this paper, I cannot get out of the four corners of this law and that is the arbitral judgment.”

He appealed to China to allow Filipinos to also fish in the Panatag (Scarborough) shoal off Zambales. After President Aquino withdrew in 2012 Philippine vessels keeping watch there, the Chinese took over and banned Filipinos who have been traditionally fishing in the area.

Sovereignty over Panatag was not among the submissions of the Philippines. The tribunal did not rule as to which country should legally possess it, although it is just 120 nautical miles from Zambales and within the 200-nm Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines.

But since China is in physical control of Panatag, it could dictate who should fish there despite the ruling of the tribunal that the shoal be opened to all fishermen of whatever nationality who have been traditionally fishing there. (ManilaTimes.net)

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

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016

‘Philippines no longer needs ASEAN unified statement’

A

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA – The Philippines is no longer concerned about getting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to issue a unified statement on the South China Sea as the July 12 ruling of an international court invalidating China’s massive maritime claim is enough “legal foundation� to support Manila’s position, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said.

He said convincing fellow ASEAN member-states to take a common stand against China’s aggressive staking of its claim in disputed waters now appears to be a “hopeless� task. “If you ask the Philippines, we already have the arbitral ruling.

We have legal foundation. The Philippines is not concerned with a united ASEAN statement but you have to live up to the founding principles of ASEAN,� Yasay told journalists attending the Japan-ASEAN Media Forum at the Shangri-La EDSA Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

The Philippines is urging China to respect the July 12 ruling since the Asian power is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “As the Constitution dictates, we will seek out bilateral solution.

We say this in context of the arbitral ruling,� he added.

The DFA chief emphasized the Philippines remains committed to engaging with friends.

CLEANER ELECTRICITY AT LOWER RATES COMING THIS OCTOBER Participants in the 2nd Japan-Asean Media Forum in Manila tour the MalacaĂąang museum yesterday. The balcony is where Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos and their children waved goodbye to the nation for the last time before they were flown into exile in the 1986 people power revolt.

Philstar.com photo Krizjohn Rosales

“Even if we move relations with China, it shall not diminish our relations with Japan and the US,�

Yasay said.

Early this month, Yasay accused China of using its allies Cambodia and Laos in downplaying Manila’s victory in the arbitral tribunal during the recent ASEAN meeting in Vientiane, Laos.

Yasay said China succeeded in blocking the release of a joint ASEAN statement on the maritime dispute with the help of Cambodia and Laos. “If there is only one who will object, then no statement can be made,� he said.

Asked what made him say that China was using its ASEAN allies to downplay the Philippines’ legal

victory and block the issuance of a unified statement, Yasay said, “Of course it’s discussed in the ASEAN meetings.� “Even China says that. That’s also international knowledge. They know that China was really campaigning for ASEAN not to get that unified statement,� he stressed.

Meanwhile, presidential communications secretary Martin Andanar said the Philippines is talking to China from a position of strength while taking into account the common interests of the two countries as well as those of their allies.

He said President Duterte is “happy� with the way former president Fidel Ramos is conducting informal talks with the Chinese.

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Joma Sison off the European terror list on a building that one must build from. Just like lovers, you have to Manilatimes.net build on that relationship, trust, PRESIDENTIAL Peace Adviser and it takes time,� Dureza said in Jesus Dureza returned to Manila a news conference at the Ninoy on Monday, Aug. 29 after the re- Aquino International Airport.

Dureza, along with Angeles City sumption of talks with communist rebels, announcing that Commu- Mayor Ed Pamintuan, arrived from nist Party of the Philippines (CPP) the peace negotiations in Oslo, founder Jose Maria Sison has been Norway aboard a Thai Airways removed from the European Union flight.

Pamintuan, who is a governlisting of terrorists.

But the CPP, its armed wing the ment peace panel adviser, said SiNew People’s Army, and political son expressed a desire to conclude arm the National Democratic Front the negotiations in six months.

But the government expects the (NDF) remain classified by the EU process to take eight months, he as a terrorist group, he said.

Nonetheless, Dureza is confi- said.

Dureza cautioned that the peace dent both sides will achieve peace given a “high level of confidence.� process would have bumps along “In a peace process, every agree- the way and there would be a lot of ment is a foundation. It is a brick “sensitive issues.�

by Benjie

Vergara

The negotiating panels of the Philippine government and the NDF reached agreements on six major items, he recalled.

These are: reaffirmation of previous agreements, reconstitution of the list of NDF members covered by safe passes under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees, acceleration of peace negotiations, release of NDF consultants, a government amnesty proclamation for prisoners listed by the NDF, and an indefinite ceasefire.

Both parties agreed to resume talks on October 8 to 12 in Oslo.

The government panel is looking toward a final peace agreement with the NDF to end almost half a century of armed hostilities in the Philippine countryside.

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A

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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COMMUNITY

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016

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Journal

Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller COMMITTING a crime can get you into a lot of trouble. But entering into a plea agreement in criminal court may get you into even more trouble. If you don’t know the immigration consequences of the guilty or no-contest plea you enter, your troubles may just be beginning. That great deal that kept you out of jail may also get you removed from the United States. That is why the United States Supreme Court has held that criminal defense attorneys must inform their noncitizen clients of whether the plea they are considering entering into carries a risk of deportation.

The Court recognized that deportation is sometimes the most important part of the penalty that may be imposed on noncitizen defendants who plead guilty to specific crimes. For that reason, a defendant is entitled to the effective assistance of competent counsel before deciding to enter into a plea agreement.

Criminal defense attorneys are not required to become experts in the area of immigration law.

Courts have acknowledged that immigration law can be complex and that there will be numerous situations in which the deportation consequences of a particular plea may be unclear or uncertain.

In those circumstances, the criminal defense attorney’s obligation is to advise the noncitizen that the pending criminal charges may carry a risk of adverse immigration consequences.

This limited obligation may, however, raise more problems than it solves. As Justice Alito said in his concurring decision in Padilla v. Kentucky, “nothing is ever simple with immigration law”. Terms such as “conviction”, “moral turpitude”, “single scheme of criminal misconduct” are terms of art and have different meanings in immigration law than in state law. Other concepts

Why you need an immigration attorney when you have been charged with a crime in the Immigration & Nationality Act are ambiguous or confusing to attorneys not versed in the intricacies of immigration law. Is someone an alien (or are they a citizen without knowing it)?

What is the difference between being inadmissible, removable or ineligible for naturalization? The criminal defense attorney does not need to know the answers to these questions. But the alien trying to avoid deportation does.

The question then for the noncitizen accused of a crime is, how can he best protect himself from a “good” plea bargain that results in his deportation? The immigrant quite plainly must consult an immigration attorney experienced and knowledgeable in the immigration consequences of criminal offenses and convictions and he must do so before he enters into any plea agreement.

Ideally, his criminal defense attorney and his immigration attorney should work together to obtain a “deal” that is beneficial from both a criminal defense and an immigration standpoint.

This “good deal” can take several forms. It may involve convincing the prosecutor to agree to an amended charge that does not render the alien either inadmissible or removable. A noncitizen who is removable may be in the United States in lawful status but be subject to removal because of the conviction. A noncitizen who is not in lawful status may be inadmissible as a result of a criminal conviction, even if they are the beneficiary of an approved, immediately available petition. And a non-citizen who is in lawful status (and whose specific conviction does not render him removable) who leaves the United States for a temporary purpose may be charged with being inadmissible upon their return. Each of these instances can end the non-citizen’s ability to remain in the United States. So

it is best if the charge to which the non-citizen pleads does not result in his being either inadmissible or removable.

Unfortunately, many prosecutors take the position that the immigration ramification of the plea is not their concern and will not agree to a charge amendment that will keep the alien safe from all negative immigration consequences. However, the criminal conviction with immigration consequences may be subject to a waiver that would allow the alien to either obtain status, if she is otherwise eligible, or keep her green card and, potentially, apply for U.S. citizenship at a later time.

And “crimmigration” (the interaction of criminal and immigration law) changes all the time. Last year, Governor Brown signed a bill that lowered all sentences for misdemeanors to no more than 364 days. A recent court ruling held that a greencard-holder who adjusted status may still be eligible for a waiver of an aggravated felony conviction. Other court rulings have addressed immigration consequences of burglary and crime of violence convictions.

To the alien who says “why do I need two attorneys to deal with one criminal problem?” the answer is “because you have two problems and you want to be able to legally stay in the United States.” *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 795-8009 or visit www.rreeves.com.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

Erring banks risk losing insured status

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) vowed Tuesday, August 30, to terminate the insured status of erring banks in its bid to protect the depositing public.

PDIC president Cristina Que Orbeta said it would terminate the insured status of banks engaged in deposit-related unsafe and unsound banking practices as part of the enhanced depositor protection measures.

Orbeta said RA 10846 that amended the PDIC Charter restored the agency’s power to terminate the insured status of banks that fail or refuse to comply with cease-and-desist orders or corrective actions imposed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

According to Orbeta, banks have within 30 days from notice to comply with the CDOs and corrective actions imposed by the bank regulator for deposit-related unsafe and unsound banking practices.

“The restoration of PDIC’s authority to terminate the insured status of banks is aimed at promoting market discipline and deterring bank officers and employees from engaging in unsafe and unsound banking practices,” she said.

Orbeta explained the termination of the insured status of a bank serves as a warning to the depos-

PDIC president Cristina Que Orbeta said it would terminate the insured status of banks engaged in deposit-related unsafe and unsound banking practices as part of the enhanced depositor protection measures.

Photo from www.pdic.gov.ph

iting public the bank is engaging in deposit-related unsafe and unsound banking practices.

It also prevents the bank from further enticing depositors to entrust their hard-earned money or add to their existing deposits in the subject bank.

The termination of insured status will take effect upon publication of the notice of termination in a newspaper of general circulation.

“The notice will also inform depositors of the bank that their deposits, less all subsequent withdrawals, remain insured up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000 for a pe-

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Budget gap widens to P50.67 B in July

by Prinz

P. MagtuLis Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s budget deficit widened to its largest in four months in July, which saw slower revenue growth failing to offset a revival in spending.

The gap – which indicates more revenues were spent than earned – hit P50.67 billion in July, wider than the previous year’s P32.2 billion, the Department of Finance reported Tuesday, August 30.

It marked the widest deficit since March’s P74.39 billion and brought the seven-month tally to P170.98 billion.

The ceiling for the year was pegged at The budget gap – which indicates more revenues were spent than earned – hit P50.67 billion in July, wider than the previous year’s P32.2 billion, the P388.87 billion.

“Tax collections of state revenue agencies Department of Finance reported on Wednesday, August 31.

Philstar file photo

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Community Journal

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Humanitarian Parole for urgent medical and family cases

The CTV Files AurorA VegA-Buzon, esq.

CARLOS is a married child petitioned by his US citizen father. His priority date is October 30, 1992 and it’s just a matter of months before his visa becomes available. Unfortunately, his father who is 87 years old, suffered a heart attack after Christmas and is now in a care facility. He applied for a tourist visa so he can visit his father but his application was denied. His family wonders if there is a way for Carlos to see his ailing father.

Foreign nationals or aliens who have urgent medical and family needs like Carlos —but cannot obtain visas from embassies abroad — can try to apply for a Humanitarian Parole.

Humanitarian Parole is highly discretionary and is not an immigration benefit. It is considered as an “extraordinary measure, sparingly used only in urgent or emergency circumstances, by which the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security may permit an inadmissible

alien temporarily to enter or remain in the United States.”

It is “not intended to bypass immigration procedures or avoid visa processing procedures and timelines” and is granted only upon clear evidence that the “parole applicant has exhausted visa processes, including any waivers to grounds of inadmissibility.”

Section 212(d)(s)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to “in his discretion, parole into the United States temporarily under such conditions as he may prescribe only on a case-bycase basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit any alien applying for admission into the United States,.. .” In practice, the Secretary’s parole authority is delegated to the 3 bureaus of the Homeland Security — the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — who all exercise parole authority concurrently.

Humanitarian Parole is cat-

egorized based on which agency will receive and adjudicate the application. The following cases must be submitted to the USCIS: 1. Urgent medical, family, and related needs; and 2. Aliens who will participate in civil proceedings where all parties are private litigants.

On the other hand, ICE will be the adjudicating authority for the following cases: 1. Aliens who will participate in administrative, judicial, or legislative proceedings, and/or investigations, whether at the federal, state, local, or tribal level of government; 2. Aliens in removal proceedings or who have final orders, as well as aliens granted deferred action by ICE at any point after the commencement of removal proceedings, regardless of whether the alien is within or outside of the US; 3. Aliens who will participate in events hosted by an international organization located within the US (e.g., UN, OAS); 4. Section 7 parole (50 USC 403[h]); and 5. Intelligence.

Aliens who are registered sources of a member of the US Intelligence Community and whose

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

Take a stand, you all!

Fight for dear life

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdeVA MAglAyA (Part 2 of 2)

WHILE we may think we can choose to play God and decimate our own humanity in the name of a woman’s right to choose or in the name of scientific research, God alone gives the gift of life and He chooses when and how to take it away. That must have been the deal from the beginning of time.

How special is man in the scheme of creation? Consider the big picture. Some wise person once said that if the beginning of time till now can be thought of as a 24 -hour day, the spark of life that is human life today only came to be in the last 2 seconds before the stroke of midnight.

As best as our most brilliant scientific minds through the centuries can figure out, the universe is about 15 billion years old and our sun which was born in the last 4.5 billion years with yet another 5 billion years or so left u PAGE CJ5 before it dies, is a common yellow star that makes it possible for man, the highest form of life as we know it, in the solar system, to live on planet earth.

We seem to take it for granted that it took a really long time, before man, in his present form, became the crowning glory of creation in this neck of the woods of the physical universe. Although this can sometimes be debatable when we come to realize our individual and collective stupidities throughout history.

Man is a thinking, feeling, spiritual being in physical form, capable of so much good or of so much evil. In between these two extremes are the obscure multitudes, who in their lifetimes, come to learn, appreciate, enjoy and fight for that gift of life to

“… We seem to take it for granted that it took a really long time, before man, in his present form, became the crowning glory of creation in this neck of the woods of the physical universe.” continue for generations yet to come. Of course, along with that gift of life comes the gift of free will and therefore, the opposite can also be true. We can choose to do nothing and allow the terrifying prospect of abortion, death and decay to overcome and overwhelm us.

Sometimes, we feel that by ourselves alone, we are powerless to stop this horror from being indelibly imprinted into the fabric of our lives. But together as one voice, countless silent prayers by steadfast, faithful prayer warriors are sent heavenward by millions, maybe even billions, among us who believe in the power of prayer.

Our prayers are heard and miracles rain down upon us in our time of need. When we assault heaven with our prayer arrows, the Spirit comes and moves the chosen ones to action, those special human beings, a bit larger than life, who can lead and make the world turn on its axis for humanity to do God’s will.

In 2008, New York’s Cardinal Egan wrote, “…We are rightly worried about a country that is so casual about the destruction of innocent human life and indifferent about the attacks on the institution of marriage.

The time has come for Americans to get on their knees and beg Our Father for mercy for our Nation.”

The cardinal released a photo of a 20-week old unborn child together with his letter. He then

asked all to look at the photograph and ask themselves if there is any doubt that the picture is a human being. He closed his letter with these powerful words asking: “Do me a favor. Look at the photograph again. Look and decide with honesty and decency what the Lord expects of you and me as the horror of “legalized” abortion continues to erode the honor of our nation. Look, and do not absolve yourself if you refuse to act.”

The Lord told us in 2nd Chronicles: “If my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land.”

The consequences of doing nothing and allowing the horrible evil of abortion to continue unchallenged, are dire.

CHOOSE LIFE. Along with free will, nothing in our physical world can be greater.

If God himself in His infinite love, so valued human life that he sent His only Son in human form, for the ultimate sacrifice to save man for eternal life, where do we get the gall and the temerity to think any less of it? Who do we think we are to even think that we can choose to take it? *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Business News

EVA revealed to be world’s 3rd most loved airline

WE ARE

HIRING Asian Journal Publications is now looking for:

Customer Sales and Service Representative

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Global airline quality ratings website SKYTRAX scored EVA Air as the world’s third Most Loved Airline. SKYTRAX invited travelers to rate overall flight experiences among more than 420 carriers worldwide and ranked the Most Loved Airlines on an aggregate of those passenger scores. Travelers can learn more about EVA and the quality service that sets it apart or book flights at www. evaair.com.

Of the World’s Top-10 Most Loved Airlines, eight are Asiabased. All 80 of the airlines on SKYTRAX’s Most Loved list received a minimum of 225 reviews and traveler scores. Using a scale of one-to-10, travelers rated their flights in eight categories, including seat comfort, onboard services, food and beverages, inflight entertainment, onboard Wi-Fi, airport services and value for the money spent. Garuda Indonesia is number one based on an 85 percent satisfaction score, Asiana Airlines, second with 83 percent and EVA third at 81 percent.

Quality service with emphasis on passenger comfort is an EVA priority. It makes consideration, interaction and mindfulness key to frontline delivery on the ground and in the air. SKYTRAX elevated EVA to the elite ranks of the world’s 5-Star Airlines earlier this summer. The quality-focused website began rating EVA in 2008, immediately awarding it four stars and recognizing the airline’s high product standards and staff

services across different cabin classes inflight and at the airline’s main hub, Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei. SKYTRAX also ranked EVA number one for Best Airline Cabin Cleanliness in 2015, Best Trans-Pacific Airline and Best Business Class Comforts and Amenities for 2016, and one of the World’s Top-10 Best Airlines for 2015 and 2016.

AirlineRatings.com recognized it as a carrier of choice among the World’s Top-10 Airlines for 2015 and 2016 and rated its Elite and Economy Classes in the world’s top-10 “best for economy plus and economy class travel for 2015.” Travel + Leisure readers ranked it among the World’s Best Top 10 International Airlines in 2012 and 2016.

EVA Air, a Star Alliance member, is known for high service

continued to grow during the first seven months of 2016, helping the government finance its accelerated spending program to further boost the country’s economy and transform it into a more inclusive one,” National Treasurer Roberto Tan said in a statement.

Higher spending, particularly on infrastructure, has been promised by the Duterte administration as it also bats for lower income taxes, higher oil excise levies and sugar and junk food charges.

Expenditures rose five percent to P220.92 billion, following a seven-percent slump in June

which was a result of the election ban on public spending.

Before June, however, disbursements increased seven percent in January, 22 percent in February, 23 percent in March, 22 percent in April and 24 percent in May, data showed.

“Normally, there is always a spending slowdown because of adjustments of the new administration,” Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a phone interview before data was released.

Broken down, interest payments dropped by a quarter, while agency spending rose 15 percent.

“Adjustments will really affect

Erring banks risk losing…

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and safety standards. The carrier was established in 1989 as Taiwan’s first privately owned international airline. It is part of the respected Evergreen Group and a sister company to global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. It flies a fleet of more than 70 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to over 60 destinations throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America where gateways are Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver and, starting on Nov. 3, Chicago. With just one easy stop in Taipei, travelers can connect onward to most major cities throughout Asia, including 30 destinations in Mainland China.

Travelers can learn more about EVA’s schedule and book and buy tickets at www.evaair.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Budget gap widens to P50.67 B in…

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Fax résumé to:

EVA Elite Class Flt Attend entertains boy with pilot bear.

riod of 180 days upon effectivity of termination,” she added.

Orbeta said depositors would be given ample time to withdraw their deposits from the bank should they choose to do so.

After the date of effectivity of the termination of the insured

status of a bank, PDIC would no longer insure any additions to, or renewal of existing deposits and new deposits.

The BSP has so far ordered the closure of 15 banks after stepping up its campaign to protect depositors by getting rid of weak players. Last year, it closed down 14 rural banks. n

expenditures, but should not have an impact on revenues,” said Alvin Ang, economist at Ateneo de Manila University.

But revenues in July dipped one percent to P150.20 billion led by a 36-percent slump in the Bureau of the Treasury’s collection performance.

Collections by other offices also dropped 26 percent, while the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recorded its first revenue slump in seven months by one percent.

BIR commissioner Caesar Dulay declined to comment, saying he has not seen the numbers.

BIR accounts for more than 80 percent of state revenues.

The Bureau of Customs, meanwhile, improved it take three percent to P30.99 billion.

“The idea is that the management change affected the outflow of money which is the expenditures. But as far as inflow or revenues are concerned, there should not be any slowdown,” Ang said.

“Adjustments on spending however could last for one quarter. After that, we may see some changes,” he added. n

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Community Journal

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016

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The ‘logistics’ of deporting 11 million people

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ A CORNERSTONE of Donald Trump’s “solution” to our immigration issues is to deport the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants, “and let the good come back in.”

I’m not quite sure if he’s talking about some form of “provisional waiver,” which is currently in effect, where certain people have to leave the US and apply for their immigrant visas abroad. They first apply for a waiver of the 3\10 year bar, and if granted, leave the US, and then return (come back) after obtaining their immigrant visa.

But putting aside exactly how Trump plans to identify, gather up, and deport 11 million people, there are also the LEGAL aspects on deporting/removing people: • The government cannot simply knock on a person’s door or come to their place of work, grab and handcuff them, and take them to the nearest train station or airport and send them out.

• Instead, each person is entitled to his or her “day in court.”

They must be served with a Notice to Appear (NTA), which sets forth the charges or reasons they are deportable.

• The person then has the

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

• Some forms of relief, which exist under current laws, could include cancellation of removal, adjustment of status if they were petitioned by a relative and their priority date is current, waivers- if they are in removal/deportation because of some previous immigration violation such as fraud or crimes, to name a few.

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

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

• Last year, approximately 60,000 children from Central America came across our southern border, and were put in removal proceedings at the front of the line. Existing cases that already had hearing dates, were

pushed back, some as far back as November 2019. How long will the backlog be if we now add 11 million new removal cases? A person might get a hearing date sometime in 3016, or thousand years from now. Moreover, there are already at least 500,000 existing cases in backlogs in our immigration courts.

The bottom line is it is just not feasible to gather up and deport/remove 11 million people, especially with 11 million removal proceedings. Instead, the answer is comprehensive immigration reform. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

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

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

Business News ‘Energy security vital to Duterte’s economic plan’ Reliable, affordable power to attract big investments — Citizen Watch, Stratbase

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS SEPTEMBER 3

Filipino Association of Leisure World Annual “Luau” The Filipino Association of Leisure World will hold its Annual Hawaiian Luau at the LW Hall (1232 Golden Rain Rd. Seal Beach, California) on Saturday, Sept. 3. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. Please call the president of the association, Ren Villanueva at (323) 854-6209 for other related questions.

by Aberon

VoltAire PAlAñA ManilaTimes.net

ENERGY security is crucial for the success of the Duterte government’s economic agenda and this can be met by encouraging investment in infrastructure that could expand access and provide affordable and reliable energy for all, according to consumer advocate group Citizen Watch and the Stratbase ADR Institute. ”The success of President Duterte’s economic agenda will directly be affected by the ability of the government to provide reliable and competitive electricity prices that will encourage the influx of big investments in infrastructure and job intensive industries,” Citizen Watch organizer Paco Pangalangan said.

At a recent forum held in Manila, government energy officials presented their new energy plan to various stakeholders and energy experts. At the forum, Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella said that the DOE will focus on quality, reliable and affordable supply, and crafting a balanced energy mix.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Committee on Economic Affairs, said, “Building a stable and sustain-

THREE PETITIONS BY TWO MOTHERS AND A “SISTER/MOTHER” CREATE VISA CONFUSION — ON A SPECIAL ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY.” A teenage pregnancy forced Armi (middle) to keep the birth of her son, Kevin (right), a secret. Kevin’s birth certificate listed his grandmother (Armi’s mother) as his mother. Years later, Armi became a US citizen. She petitioned her mother immediately. When Armi’s mother arrived in the US as an immigrant, she petitioned all of Armi’s brothers, including Kevin, who is actually her grandchild (Armi’s son). Armi also filed a sibling petition for Kevin. After much guilt and reflection, Armi decided to come out with the truth to set things straight and admitted to Kevin that she is his biological mother. After that major revelation, Armi filed a petition for Kevin (now as parentchild petition). This resulted in three distinctive petitions filed for Kevin (as a grandchild, Armi’s brother, and son) which caused a major confusion for the National Visa Center. Watch this inspiring story and find out how Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel helped Armi and Kevin on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” — on Sunday, September 4 at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.

S E P T E M B E R 9 -1 7

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

17, with the ninth day novena at 8am, foot & fluvial procession at 9 AM, and a Concelebrated Mass at 10 am at Lincoln Park, 3501 Valley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90031. Main celebrant will be HE Most Rev Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon. For details, please call Lanie Berrei (818) 281-3169 or Gene Leano (818) 439-6896. able energy supply will be critical to achieving industrialization, dignified domestic jobs, bolstering household incomes, improving consumer welfare, and fostering sustainable inclusive economic growth across the entire Philippines.”

Meanwhile, House Committee on Energy chairman Lord Allan Velasco emphasized the need to reduce the heavy tax burden on the energy sector.

Quoting data from the DOE, Velasco showed that royalty taxes, the value-added tax, universal charge, and feed-in-tariff are taxes that are all passed on to the consumers and push up the final cost of electric service.

“The energy tax is another such burden on consumers. It is our legislative priority to make our electric power rates more affordable to create a conducive environment for manufacturing and commercial businesses, and to ease the burden on Filipino households,” said Velasco.

Pangalangan supported Velasco’s point, saying that, ”The findings and recommendations of the DOE Task Force to Study Ways to Reduce the Price of Electricity show that the energy sector is overtaxed.

Hence, an immediate review is needed to support the President’s directive to rationalize our tax system.” n

SEPTEMBER 10

17th annual Asian Small Business Expo The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-to-business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. Admission to the expo is FREE! It will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Almansor Court Banquet & Conference Center, 700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801. To register, please visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-asiansmall-business-expo-tickets-23824155691. Walk-ins are also welcome on the day of the expo. For more information, please visit www.apisbp.org.

SEPTEMBER 16

CAC to celebrate Town Fiesta The Cabatuan Association of California will celebrate their Annual Town Fiesta in honor of their Patron Saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino on September 10, 2016 with a mass at 11:00 am at Nati Matitu-Mercado’s residence - 15255 Knapp St. North Hills, CA, 91343. Please invite four friends and relatives. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa. For other inquiries, please call Esoy Tavarro, president, (714) 797-0073; Sally Bilbao, adviser (951) 8785589; Boboy Mosqueda, adviser (714) 519-8973; or Nati Matitu-Mercado, adviser at (818) 894-5142.

SEPTEMBER 17

Lorenzo Ruiz: A musical play On Saturday, September 17, the St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Parish Community will present a musical play entitled Lorenzo Ruiz: the First Filipino Saint. This play will star Mat Ranillo III, a Filipino TV, film and stage actor. Purchase your tickets today, for a donation of $20 for one event or $25 for both events. Seats are limited so get your tickets early. For ticket sales, please contact St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish office at (909) 595-9545. St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Parish Community is located at 747 Meadowpass Rd., Walnut, California 91789.

S E P T E M B E R 23

AAPA’s leadership symposium

BPO workers driving demand for bedspace

by CAtherine

tAlAVerA

ManilaTimes.net

THE gap between an average worker’s salary and the price of properties in the major central business districts is driving demand for bedspace, according to a property listing portal.

Bedspace provides the average Filipino worker, employed in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, a cheaper alternative place of dwelling, Lamudi Philippines Managing Director Jacqueline van den Ende told the Manila Times in a recent interview.

“People need to live closer to work. At the same time, it’s also about the affordability gap.

You’re average call center worker who works in Makati, BGC, Ortigas, cannot afford to buy or even rent a condo in those places,” Van den Ende said.

Employees who received the lower end of the salary range under P20,000 find it quite difficult

to rent an apartment.

The bedspace is the “next best option” for BPO workers who prefer to live near the place of work, she said.

The country’s Information Technology- Business Process Management(IT-BPM) industry is expected to further grow this year and yield more employment.

Data from the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) projected $25 billion in revenue and 1.3 million in direct employment this year, prompting developers to take a closer look at a potential market.

“It’s definitely an opportunity.

We see a lot of serious developers actually looking into that space,” Van den Ende said.

Colliers International director for research and advisory Julius Guevara echoed Van den Ende’s sentiments.

“Yes, especially for workforce housing. BPO workers . . . usually

live in the fringe areas and their cost for commuting is very high.

So it’s almost equivalent to the rent. So rather than commuting all the way, spending two hours on their way to their homes, they would now choose to live in affordable housing. But it is of highquality . . . parang mga condo standard,” Guevara said.

“Actually what we’re seeing right now would be worker housing, which is for rent—especially in the fringes. So that is a need that is found not only in Metro Manila but in all cities where you find BPO,” Guevara said.

A developer that is quite interested in the trending demand for bedspace is Anchor Land Holdings Inc., with its recently announced plans to cater to the mobile employees and students by building an urban dwelling project.

Another is local dormitory builder My Town, which estimated a bedspace inventory of 6,000 by 2018. n

Join the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) for an all-day event from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with exceptional and diverse keynote speakers and panelists, as well as multiple workshops on diversity and leadership topics. The symposium is open to everyone, and will be held at the Pacific Palms Hotel, 1 Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry, CA 91744. For more information, please visit http://aapamentoring.com/.

S E P T E M B E R 24

8th Regional Celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Region invites everyone to the 8th Regional Celebration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the First Filipino Saint. Festivities will be on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at this year’s host parish, Holy Family Church - Glendale (209 East Lomita Avenue, Glendale CA 91205). Procession starts at 4:30 PM , then Mass at 5:30 PM with Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, as Principal Celebrant. Reception , fellowship and program will immediately follow at the Holy Family Grade School Auditorium across the church. For more information, please contact Ping Bayani at(913) 558-4332 or bayani0950@yahoo.com.

S E P T E M B E R 25

FAPCCA Media Awards The Filipino American Press Club of California invites you to The First FAPCCA Media Awards Gala Night 2016 at Glendale Hilton Hotel, 100 W. Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale CA 91202, Sept. 25, 2016 Sunday 5pm (www.facebook.com/fapccamediaawards/) Tickets: $65/person includes dinner and entertainment. Call: 626.475.3052; 310.600.9913; 818.357.4566 or pay by Paypal at www.paypal.me/fapcca (please indicate the amount, number of tickets, name, mailing address and cell number on the Special Instruction field).

FAPCCA Contact Persons: Chairperson Thelma Calabio - 301.600.9913; President Andy Z. Edralin - 626-475-3052; VP Isidric Panganiban - 818.357.4566; Treasurer Christie Rosacia -818.451.6606; Auditor Sonia Bermejo - 818.653.3177; Joe Cobilla - PRO - 323.804.9959; Director Rose Sarreal 213.321.1119

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

CJ

Business news

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

BSP to take different path from US Fed

by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

Plan to boost exports studied by raadee

S. SauSa ManilaTimes.net

THE Export Development Council (EDC) aims to improve local exporters’ ability to deal with non-tariff measures (NTMs), including sanitary and phytosanitary standards (SPS), fumigation testing, and labeling requirements.

The technical working group (TWG) on non-tariff measures has met to discuss ways to boost the export competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) stymied by the burdensome measures.

NTMs are policy measures other than customs tariffs that

can potentially have an economic effect on international trade in goods, including price changes and volume of traded.

On the difficulty of exporters to comply with SPS because of high fumigation costs, the group pointed to the scarcity of fumigation firms in the Philippines as one of the reasons. In one region, for instance, a lone fumigation company serves the whole area’s needs, and the lack of competition allows it to monopolize business and impose high prices.

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, which regulates fumigation operations, will be tasked to map all fumigation establish-

ments, identify gaps and spread out their presence in the countryside.

The team intends to ask the government to fast-track negotiations on Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) such as the ongoing talks on food, cosmetics, and drugs within the Asean and ensure their effective implementation.

The TWG also called for more training and coaching sessions for MSMEs on product quality and certification requirements including on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, an internationally recognized system for reducing the risk of safety hazards in food. n

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is not expected to move in synch with the US Federal Reserve when it hikes policy rates anew as early as next month as part of its normalization path.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a text message to reporters the Philippine central bank would not necessarily match a possible interest rate increase by the US Fed as early as September.

“The BSP will not necessarily have to move in sync with the Fed should they indeed hike either in September or December as the Fed chair’s comments indicate that they are getting closer to their next move,” he said.

Tetangco attended the economic policy symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where US Fed chair Janet Yellen announced the US is getting closer to raising interest rates again.

“The Fed chair’s statement is more or less as expected, well balanced and nuanced,” the BSP chief said.

He explained inflation in the Philippines remained manageable amid the strong economic growth. The gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated to seven percent in the second quarter from 6.8 percent in the first quarter amid the boost from election related spending.

The country’s inflation was steady at 1.9 percent in July, bringing the average inflation to 1.4 percent in the first seven months of the year. The BSP has set an inflation target of between two and four percent for 2016 to 2018.

“Our current inflation outlook continues to be manageable. We are however mindful that there could be some near term financial market volatility as markets react to the Fed statement and rebalance dollar holdings,” he said.

Tetangco said, monetary authorities have enough tools to deal with volatility arising from another round of interest rate increase by the US. “Nevertheless the BSP has tools to keep market volatility in check. We will continue to monitor developments including changes in tax levies and weather-related disturbances, that could impact

BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr.

US Fed chair Janet Yellen

on domestic price and demand dynamics, and make adjustments to our monetary policy stance as appropriate,” he said BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said interest rate differential is not the only factor driving capital flows.

Other factors include the macro economy, stable inflation, good external payments position, and sound banking system.

“Of course, it has been demonstrated in the past that herd behavior is very strong. I think by this time, investors can also take hint that a safe haven economy may not necessarily produce growth in the process,” Guinigundo said.

Robust domestic demand and the benign inflation environment allowed the BSP to keep interest rates unchanged since September 2014. Last June 3, the BSP implemented an operational adjustment reducing the overnight lending rate to 3.5 percent from six percent as well as the overnight reverse repurchase rate to three percent from four percent as it shifted to the interest rate corridor (IRC) system.

“Why should we follow the US Fed? We don’t necessarily need to be in step with the US Fed. The US Fed has a lot of catching up to do. The BSP is in an appropriate level of policy rates which have contributed to high-growth and low, stable inflation,” he said.

Likewise, the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at a record $85.49 billion in July enough to cover 10.5 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and income. n

People & Events

San Mateo County: Together towards recovery Feel the music through CityDANCE New Health System outreach team launches to support people with a serious mental illness

SAN MATEO, Calif. — A specialized service for San Mateo County residents, living with a serious mental illness without psychiatric treatment and recovery support, is now available to provide them with a team devoted to helping improve their quality of life.

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is now operating and open to receiving referrals. Individuals considered for AOT are people living with a serious mental illness who have fallen “through the cracks.” Without proper treatment, people with mental

AUTO SALES

EMPLOYMENT

illness experience increased symptoms that can lead to increased hospitalizations or incarceration.

To be eligible individuals must be 18 years or older and a resident of San Mateo County with an untreated serious mental illness that causes them to be unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision. Additionally, the person’s mental health must have either resulted in a psychiatric hospitalization or incarceration two or more times in the past three years or resulted in threats or acts of violent behavior towards

themselves or someone else in the past four years.

Referrals can be made by: • Immediate family members who are adults • Adults who reside with the individual • Director of a hospital, facility or other organization treating the person • Mental health providers treating the person • Probation, parole or police officer AOT services include outreach, assessment, intensive case manage-

EMPLOYMENT

u PAGE CJ5

ON September 1, 2016, Plaza de César Chávez in the heart of Downtown San José will be transformed into a festive dance party with a live band, professional Salsa instruction, food trucks and a beer and wine garden. This will be the first of eight Thursday evening events through October 20.

Based on Chicago’s long-standing and highly successful SummerDance model, CityDance San José is designed to provide a fun, engaging after-work experience for downtown workers.

The beer and wine garden and the food trucks will offer food and refreshments for purchase, while dance instruction and the spectating are free and

open to the public.

Each CityDance event starts when the dance floor opens at 5:30 p.m. One hour of dance instruction in that week’s genre starts at 6 p.m. and open dancing to a live band runs from 7 to 9 p.m. The first week’s genre is Salsa. In following weeks, the line up includes Country Two Step, Bollywood, Tango and even the Hustle.

The series was developed by the City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs after Mayor Sam Liccardo and District 3 Councilmember Raul Peralez gathered input from downtown employers on their interest in additional social and entertainment opportunities for their workers in the Downtown area. n

FOSTER HOMECARE

SERVICES

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016

CJ

Join the Cause - Fremont’s Habitat First Annual ALS Awareness concert to raise Restoration Days for Sabercat Creek funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association

LOVE nature and serving the community? Join the City of Fremont’s Environmental Services for a day of habitat restoration work on Sabercat Creek from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 10. Heavy rain cancels the event.

Volunteers will assist with removing invasive plants, planting new native trees and shrubs, and caring for previously-planted ones by refreshing plant basins and installing browse protection cages. This work will help stabilize soils and creek banks, filter pollutants, increase native plant diversity, and improve food and shelter for wildlife.

No experience is necessary.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome, and a signed waiver form is required for each participant.

Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Habitat stewards will guide you through the projects.

Come dressed for the weather and prepared to get dirty (sturdy, closed-toe shoes/boots, long pants, hat, sunscreen, and longsleeved shirt are recommended). Bring a signed waiver form, a reusable water bottle, and

LOS GATOS, CA — Three bands, the Los Gatos Lodge, and their patrons are putting their muscles behind finding treatments and cures for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at the First Annual ALS Awareness Concert on Saturday, September 3, to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

The event will be held at the Los Gatos Lodge from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests will enjoy a night complete with entertainment provided by The Dick McConville Swing Sextet, Maurischat & Melshor, and One Country, all while raising critical funds and awareness for individuals living in the Bay Area with ALS. This concert will help accelerate care, support, treatments and cures for people whose ability to walk,

community service hour forms, if applicable. We’ll provide tools, some gloves, and water to refill bottles. If you wish to bring your own gloves or tools, please label

buriano. Private interment was held at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery last August 27.

The family is asking for prayers for the repose of his soul. n

Humanitarian Parole for…

PAGE CJ2 t

parole furthers the National Intelligence mission, or aliens whose parole is sought by the Department of State Cooperative Threat Reduction Program or by the Intelligence Community.

The above list is non-exhaustive and USCIS will adjudicate all other parole applications that are not otherwise assigned to ICE and/or the CBP. Only a foreign national or alien who is outside the United States can apply for Humanitarian Parole. Anyone may file the application - the parole applicant himself, a sponsoring relative, an attorney, or any other interested individual or organization. The application must be accompanied by supporting documentation of the emergency or urgent nature of the applicant’s circumstances, and proof that applicant has tried to secure a visa and/or applied for waiver of inadmissibility but was denied. In cases of medical emergencies, there must be an accompanying medical certificate regarding the diagnosis; lack of appropriate treatment in the home country or neighboring country;

duration and cost of treatment in the United States; ability to pay for the treatment; and evidence of strong ties to the home country to guarantee applicant’s return to his/her home country.

An initial grant of parole is only for a set period of time that corresponds with the length of the emergency or humanitarian situation, but not to exceed one (1) year. However, an extension may be requested. Humanitarian Parole does not give a parolee any permanent immigration status and does not authorize a parolee to work in the United States. *** Atty. Aurora Vega-Buzon is a partner in Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorneyclient relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; auvega@ctvattys.com (Advertising Supplement)

San Mateo County: Together…

PAGE CJ4 t

ment, psychiatric interventions, community supports, housing assistance, and a 24/7 response capacity.

To make a referral, call 650372-6125 or email AOT@smcgov.org.

“Those who qualify for Assisted Outpatient Treatment services are often unable to recognize that they need help or do not know how to get the help they need,” said Stephen Kaplan, Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. “We want to help people recover. Our goal is to reach out to prospective clients, help motivate them to participate in treatment and work collaboratively with, family members, friends and key service providers in order for the individual to live safely and successfully in the community.”

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ AOT team upon receiving a referral will determine if the person meets the criteria for the program and if so, will begin engaging the client in accepting services voluntarily. If that does not occur, the team will make a referral to the San Mateo Superior Court who in some cas-

MDA’s services, please contact the San Francisco MDA office at (415) 673-7500 or visit www.facebook.com/ALS-Awareness-Concert-2016-103447150106718/.

About MDA MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one; and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America.

Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org. n

Household Hazardous Waste collection event on Sept 10

Jaime Del Rosario Diaz, 77 CONCORD businessman Jaime Del Rosario Diaz joined his Creator on August 15, the day of the Feast of Our Lady’s Assumption to Heaven.. He passed away due to heart failure.

Jaime, who was born on October 9, 1938 in the Philippines, is survived by his wife Nini; children Manolet and his wife Mitz, Tricia Diaz Santos and husband Johnny; grandchildren Monica, Alex, Ryan, Ella; siblings Francisco Diaz, Pacita Mendieta, Inday Syquia, Elo Santamaria; and nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.

According to the Diaz Family, Jaime was a kind, gentle, simple and compassionate man, whose most outstanding attribute was his humility.

A Holy Mass was offered for the deceased last August 26 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church celebrated by Fr. Richard Mangini and Fr. Mark Re-

run, hug, talk and even breathe have been affected by ALS. Dollars raised during this event help support more than 500 Bay Area families living with ALS through MDA’s life-enhancing programs such as state-of-theart support groups and clinics at Stanford and California Pacific Medical Center at Forbes Norris.

Entrance to the First Annual ALS Awareness Concert is FREE OF CHARGE. However, donations are welcomed and encouraged. A percentage of the sales of food and beverages, generously provided by Los Gatos Lodge, will go to the MDA. So please join us for a night of music and fun on Saturday September 3rd and if you can’t join us, you can go online to http://mda.donordrive.com/campaign/ALSconcert to donate.

For more information about

es may order the person to enter treatment involuntarily. For individuals who do not meet the AOT guidelines, the Team will help connect them to other services in the community.

AOT is the local implementation of the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act of 2002, more commonly referred to as Laura’s Law. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in June 2015 to enact the law on a one-year trial basis.

San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley, who moved adoption by the Board of the pilot, said he is eager to see the positive outcome he knows AOT will provide to the participating clients and the community as a whole.

“Research indicates that treatment results in decreased emergency room admissions, arrests and harm. I’m proud our County and our Health System now has this extra tool to provide resources to those who need help, even to those who don’t necessarily know they do,” Horsley said.

For more information about AOT services, please visit smchealth.org/aot. n

them.

View complete details and register online. Be sure to check the location on the map, and print the map and waiver form.

For more information, or to arrange a large group work day, contact Sabrina or Barbara, or call the Environmental Services Division at (510) 494-4570. n

SAN MATEO County residents can make an appointment to dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) for free at a special collection event in Daly City on Saturday, September 10, 2016, from 8:30am-12:15pm.

To participate, you must schedule an appointment at San Mateo County’s HHW Program: www. smchealth.org/hhw or by calling (650) 363-4718, select option 3. The event location will be disclosed once your appointment has been confirmed. No commercial waste is allowed.

Accepted items include cleaning products, fertilizers, pesticides, flammable liquids, fluorescent lights (compact and tubes), paint, acids/bases, aerosol cans, automotive supplies (car batteries, motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid), inks, and photo chemicals. All waste collected is reused, recycled, or stabilized for proper disposal to achieve zero waste and prevent any items from going to the landfill and contaminating our water and soil. No radioactive, explosive, or medical waste. n

CJ

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Friday, September 2, 2016

SF2

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 2, 2016

‘Ba-e Makiling’: Sending an empowering message to rediscover the indigenous self World premiere on Friday, September 9 at Bindlestiff Studio, San Franciso

NOT all love stories are the same. In fact, stories of the heart become more interesting and passionate because of other dynamics — the time period, the culture and the twists surrounding it.

‘Ba-e Makiling’ gives a different angle to this, as it does not present itself as a mere love story, but rather, re-imagines it through an indigenous genre of Philippine dance theater performance.

A collaboration with Bay Area Filipino master artists — Philippine dance choreographer Jay Loyola, composer Florante Aguilar of the award-winning documentary “Harana,” and Kularts’s Artistic Director Alleluia Panis — “Ba-

Stephanie Herrera

e Makiling” is inspired by Philippine myths and native spirituality. Set before the coming of Europeans, in an imagined remote village at the foot of Mount Makiling, the deity Ba-e Makiling, guardian of the dormant volcano, unexpectedly falls in love with an injured hunter, Lakai. Their relationship serves as an empowering message to rediscover and reclaim the indigenous, self-denied by centuries of colonization.

Isa Musni

Loyola’s innovative dance movements deliberately draw upon “barrio or rural,” celebratory native dances by Christianize Filipinos of the Luzon and Visayas islands. Rooted in deep pre-colonized cultures, when the Spanish came, these dances were strategically disguised as depictions of happily content farmers and fishermen to prevent Spanish Catholic priests from banning them as dances of the devil.

Having created over 50

Clan of “Ba-e Makiling”: Back row (L-R): Ron Inocencio, June Arellano; Front (L-R): Danielle Galvez, Stephanie Herrera, Isa Manon Musni, and Jonathan Mercado.

Filipino folk dances performed

worldwide, Loyola shared that “Ba-e Makiling” is unlike any other work he has created throughout his career.

“My past projects were focused on the indigenous nonChristianized dance movements from the isolated islands and far-flung highlands of the Philippines. ‘Ba-e Makiling explores the deeper cultural concepts these movements were based in, and how these movements are connections to our pre-colonial practices,” he said.

Loyola also explained that “Ba-e Makiling” will explore the love affair between a human and a deity as a “metaphor for discovering and claiming the indigenous self” that has been denied by centuries of colonization.

“Our investigation is based on the theory that as the Spanish colonial era unfolded, sacred dances were hidden within the Christian religious practice,” he added. “For example, the Sublian and celebratory dances were pushed forward. The choreographic approach for ‘Ba-e Makiling’ is to deconstruct these rural dances, compare and contrast them with the tribal and ‘lumad’ dances to come up with the best possible core.”

The full-length 50-minute

Isa Manon Musni

dance theater piece will be performed by eleven dancers: Isa Musni, Jonathan Mercado, Danielle Cruz Galvez, Frances Sedayao, Ronald Inocencio, June Arellano, Stephanie Herrera, Darren Garza, Eden Alcomendas, Aly Beltran and Dennison Gallardo to an original score of Florante Aguilar.

For more information about the characters, story and “BaeMakiling” production, visit: http://kularts.org/wp/kulartspresents/works-by-jay-loyola/ bae-makiling/.

Presented by Kularts, the world premiere of “Ba-e Makiling” is on Friday, September 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the

Bindlestiff Studio, 185-6th Street, San Francisco. Other shows are as follows: September 10, Saturday, Matinee — 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

September 11, Sunday, Matinee — 2:30 pm.

September 16, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

September 17, Saturday, Matinee — 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

September 18, Matinee — 2:30 p.m.

Advance online tickets are $18 (http://ba-emakiling.bpt. me/), at the door $22. *All photos on cover and inside by Wilfred Allen Galila.

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‘Scripted in Heaven’ screening night

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – September 2, 2016

Star Magic artists test negative for drugs And what of John Lloyd Cruz and Daniel Padilla?

by Tessa

Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

By Monet

Lu

The trailer of “Scripted in heaven,” the movie inspired by Lou Baron’s book, premiered during a red carpet screening event at the Wilshire Screening Room in Beverly hills, California on Saturday, August 20. Many investors, media and guests attended the highly-anticipated event during which the team presented the concept and trailer of the movie.

It is being produced by Timeless entertainment, Inc., which aims to start production next year on sets across the US, Italy, France and the Philippines.

Together with Alkavida, the sponsor of the “Scripted in heaven” screening, the first shots were well-received and acclaimed by the audience that has have been eagerly anticipating the trailer for months. From the mysterious shots of Padre Pio in the wild to the surgery room scenes where the destiny of the main character begins its journey, the trailer opened the door to the imagination.

The story is haunted by anger and fears but those will soon lead us beside its characters to love, faith and a fantastic spiritual ascension—a real awakening captured on film.

Author and actress, Lou Baron posing with her real husband, Dr. Robin Baron (left) and her reel husband, Clint Jung (right).

“This film will bring about a spiritual renaissance. It will instill hope and faith among the audience,” Baron said.

Starring as Dr. Robin Baron—who has undergone physical and metaphysical healing—is Clint Jung. Playing herself is Lou Baron. Other cast members include holgie Forrester who plays Marie Costado, the bearer of the message from Padre Pio; Jean Kinsella as Padre Pio; Dr. Cabebe, Robin’s best friend and surgeon plays himself; and Michael Walker as Jesus.

The movie was written and directed by Jean Kinsella, while casting was done by Jeannine Fisher. *** 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

ShORTLy after President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed that he also has in his possession a list of celebrities involved in both drug use and/or drug peddling, speculations as to which famous names figure on the list quickly spread like—well—illegal substances.

While most hunches have generally been made via day-today whisperings among tinsletown insiders, and as blind items in several tabloids, top ABS-CBN actor enrique Gil was explicitly named in a certain column as part of Duterte’s list.

Gil has recently been seen in the prime time drama Dolce Amore, across leading lady Liza Soberano. The pair forms the widely popular “LizQuen” tandem both in television and film.

Alarmed over such damaging accusations, The Manila Times learned that ABS-CBN’s talent management arm, Star Magic, who sees to the careers of Gil and most of the network’s prized and upcoming artists, quickly mounted a supervised drug testing effort over the weekend to belay rumors of illegal substance abuse in its community.

In a statement sent via text message, Star Magic reported, “Results were 100-percent negative for Jake Cuenca, enrique Gil, Diego Loyzaga and the rest of the

Enrique Gil and Jake Cuenca were among 40 Star Magic artists whose drug test results were ‘100-percent negative’

Star Magic artists [who took the drug test].”

A total of 40 talents volunteered to test for drug use, but the official list of names is still unavailable to media as of press time.

The statement ended with the company’s pledge to support the administration’s unwavering war against drugs: “Star Magic believes in the efforts of the current campaign to keep our homes and working environments drug free.”

JL and DJ In an effort to give two other major celebrities whose names have also emerged in this controversy the opportunity to clear their reputation, The Manila Times asked a reliable source within Star Magic if John Lloyd

Cruz and Daniel Padilla had submitted themselves for testing.

Cruz—a multi-awarded movie actor who is often considered the best in his generation—while known to keep a very private life has long been written about for drinking escapades, some of which have ended in notorious squabbles. More recently, several blind items have heavily suggested he is also into drugs.

On the other hand, there are rumors that Duterte supporter and action star Robin Padilla requested the President to hold off on releasing the list of celebrity drug users because his nephew Daniel is allegedly on the list.

Without confirming or denying any knowledge that the two celebrities are involved in Continued on Page SF4

Arci Muñoz reveals what makes her rock

by Mylene

Mendoza-dayriT Philstar.com

Fit for TV: “I’ll have to be more serious about my workouts. I want to be lean and fit,” says Arci Muñoz.

both in her career and when it comes to her fitness.

We visited her during the BeAUTIFUL, sexy, and talcover shoot of Shape Philipented — Arci Muñoz is one to pines. We cornered her for watch. The 27-year-old singeractress is the lead singer of rock some quick questions about her latest project, workout, band Philia and has made a lasting impression on primetime and nutrition secrets.

Philstar.com: Why do you TV’s “Pasion de Amor” and the value health and fitness? rom-com flick “Always Be My Arci Muñoz: exercise Maybe.” In her latest endeavor, makes us healthier and, espeArci stuns in her new movie cially for a career in both act“Camp Sawi,” alongside Bela ing and singing where we are Padilla, Andi eigenmann, yassi Pressman, Kim Molina, and Sam practically on call 24/7, it’s very important to work out once Milby. This girl is a go-getter

a week at the very least for health. I’m asked to do some roles, many of which I can only pull off if I’m fit. I’m not pressured to be in top shape by anyone else but myself.

What is your current fitness goal?

My current fitness goal is to gain a little weight but to stay lean and toned. I’ll have to be stricter and a lot more serious about my workouts.

I was never that serious but I plan to be now. I want to be lean and fit.

How do you maintain your body nowadays?

I used to be at the gym every day when I wasn’t so busy with showbiz. I would be there after lunch until the gym closed. Now, I just work out at my condo, run around the condominium and swim twice a week for 30 minutes to one hour. I easily get bored at the gym so I really need to have a trainer or else I’ll just play.

I prefer activities like boxing and badminton. even if I’m not Continued on Page SF4

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celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 2, 2016

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar MULTI-awarded actor Jericho Rosales heads list of September birthday celebrants Jericho Vibar Rosales, also known as Echo to his fans and friends, will celebrate his 37th birthday on Thursday, September 22, with his wife, model Kim Jones.

Other prominent celebrities celebrating their birthdays this month of September are: September 1 - Singer/actor Ariel Rivera, senior tax specialist Myrna Diaz Cabrera, Batanguenos of Northern California leader Rudy Manalo, former Mutya ng Pilipinas winner Azenith Briones, and former Fiesta Filipina executive producer Isidro “Sid” Protasio; September 3 - Philippine Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares, singer and recording artist Nonoy Zuniga, and Denton’s Law

Multi-awarded actor Jericho Rosales heads list of September birthday celebrants

Firm billing coordinator Ozelle Orence; September 5 - President of the Fil-Am Democratic Club of San Mateo Dorie Paniza; September 7 - Journey’s lead singer Arnel Pineda; September 8 - Hillsborough socialite Virgie Corpuz Gualberto, and Filipina certified public accountant Connie Protasio; September 10 - Former Miss RP-USA winner and singer Fatima “Helga” Yusuf, and actor JC de Guzman; Multi-awarded actor Jericho Rosales will be celebrating his 37th September 11 - Costway birthday on Thursday, September 22, with his wife, model Kim products business associate Jones.

Jonathan Tan; September 14 - Actor/TV host Edu Manzano, and Kapamilya actor Patrick Garcia; September 15 - Former Miss RP-USA winner Patricia Torres of Hayward, and the late multi-awarded movie director

Daly City Vice Mayor David Canepa, who is a frontrunner for the San Mateo Board of Supervisors this coming November election, celebrated his 41st birthday last Sunday, August 28. Shown in photo with Vice Mayor Canepa is the president of Forever Young Association, Tess Gregorio.

Myrna Diaz Cabrera, a tax specialist with the Fremont Group in San Francisco, will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, September 1.

Actor and host Edu Manzano, will celebrate his birthday on Wednesday, September 14.

Former Mrs. Ilocandia-USA winner Gloria Junio will celebrate her birthday on Monday, September 19.

Fil-Am Democratic Club of San Mateo president Dorie Cachuela Paniza will celebrate her birthday on Monday, September 5.

Veteran actress Miriam Jurado will celebrate her birthday on Wednesday, September 28.

Hillsborough Filipina socialite Virgie Corpuz Gualberto will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, September 8.

Wenn Deramas; September 16 - San Francisco community leader Violet Orence; September 18 - Asian Journal editor-in-chief for Northern California Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe; September 19 - Former Mrs. Ilocandia-USA winner Gloria Junio;

September 20 - ABS-CBN actresses Cristine Reyes and Erich Gonzales; September 23 - Philippine Delicacies owner Lina Quiambao, and the late well-loved Daly City community leader Lina Mesina Susbilla;

September 25 - Computer expert analyst Jun Jun Villar; September 27 - Entertainment host and announcer Dave Rodriguez; September 28 - Law office assistant Agnes Marabella; September 29 - Veteran

actress Miriam Jurado of Larry Santiago Movie Production (now residing in Las Vegas); September 30 - Former “Pilipinas Got Talent” winner Marcelino Pomoy.

To all September celebrants, a very happy birthday!

Atom Araullo clarifies resignation as reporter nothing to do with political views

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

NEWS reporter Alfonso Tomas “Atom” Araullo has denied that his resignation from reportorial duties in ABS-CBN was because of his expression of political views.

“I quietly resigned as news reporter of ABS-CBN a few weeks ago to explore other areas of media and to grow as a journalist. However, I continue to work with the network and our programs. My political views were not a factor in making this decision,” Araullo said in a statement which he also posted on his Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Araullo made the clarification after some reports said he resigned to prevent damaging the integrity of ABS-CBN News Department and being labeled “biased” after he openly expressed his opinion on issues, such as the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. He clarified that as a journalist the media must stand up for the truth and be open to criticisms.

“As we face tougher scrutiny from the public, we in media also strive to be more transparent and open to criti-

Despite his resignation, Alfonso “Atom” Araullo will still be seen on screen as he is still an ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs on-camera talent.

cism,” he said.

Araullo’s resignation was confirmed by ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs head Ging Reyes. She clarified that while Araullo resigned, he would remain an on-camera talent ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.

“Atom Araullo had filed his resignation from his reportorial duties but will remain an on-camera talent of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs as an anchor in ‘Umagang Kay Ganda’ and ‘Red Alert.’ He said he arrived at this decision to be able to pursue other endeavors that would also help him grow as a journalist and as a host,”

Arci Muñoz reveals what...

From Page SF3 that good, I make the effort to go out and sweat.

Do you follow any special diet?

I follow a proper diet, but I still eat whatever I want with proper moderation. I eat homecooked meals most of the time and only eat take-out once in a while. I eat a lot of salads and grilled chicken. I don’t really like the taste of many kinds of food. When I’m trying to lose weight, I don’t eat anything fried. I can really eat anything, just in small portions. I never, ever starve myself. I hate depriving myself because it puts me in a bad mood and I take it out on other people. Dieting makes

me sad. I only eat salads when I have to prepare for shoots or a project. When I see or feel I am gaining weight though, I double my efforts in sweating it out which means I force myself to go to the gym and get a trainer.

Do you have any favorite cheat food?

My favorite cheat food is fried chicken. Also, I drink a glass of red wine, or sometimes beer, every night to unwind.

They say that a glass of red wine is an hour in the gym, but I make sure never to take more than one. Just earlier, I had two burgers and fries (laughs).

When we are too busy to cook, we just take out food. Spicy chicken is my favorite.

Reyes’ statement read.

“He is aware that the news organization has included him in its future plans and will continue to assign him stories, coverage and events, befitting his position as a journalist,” it added.

Araullo, meanwhile, thanked the public’s support on social media and mentioned that he looks forward to playing his role in debates and issues to come.

He started his career in media at a young age as part of “5 and Up” and eventually became a segment producer that led to his field reporter career at ABS-CBN.

Star Magic artists test...

From Page SF3 any way with illegal substances, The Manila Times source simply said that JL and DJ—Cruz and Padilla’s respective monikers in the biz—had been busy over the weekend.

“They are both Star Magic artists,” the source categorically stated. “But JL had previous commitments out of town when the testing took place; as well as DJ who had shooting schedules for [his upcoming movie] Barcelona.”

“For the record, the 40 artists who volunteered to be tested for drugs just comprise the first batch; Star Magic is committed to hold further drug testing for its artists.”

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 2, 2016

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The As ian Jour na l SF M A G A Z I NE - Septem b e r 2 , 2 0 1 6

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