101318 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

OCTOBER 13-16, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 81 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

House restores VP in line of succession in draft charter by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

A PHILIPPINE lawmaker on Thursday, October 11, revealed that House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has “readily agreed” to bring back the vice president as the first successor to the presidency in the draft federal constitution. Cebu City First District Representative Raul del Mar said that he urged the House speaker to put back the vice president ahead of the Senate president in the line of succession during the proposed transition period. “[I told Arroyo] I will introduce the amendment in that provision to put back the vice president as the first successor. Now, she not only readily agreed. She said, ‘We can’t wait! That has to be done immediately,’” del Mar said as reported by The Manila Times. Vice President Leni Robredo

Inquirer.net photo

USA

DATELINE Fil-Am federal prosecutor nominated by Trump to 9th Circuit FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Patrick J. Bumatay to be first Fil-Am judge to serve on federal appeals court FILIPINO-AMERICAN attorney Patrick J. Bumatay was nominated by President Donald Trump to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Wednesday, October 10. If confirmed, Bumatay would become the first Fil-Am judge to serve on a federal appeals court, and the second Fil-Am Article III judge ever in U.S. history. Bumatay would also become the second openly LGBT federal circuit court judge. The Ninth Circuit — considered to be the most liberal of circuits — is the largest federal appeals court with 29 judges, serving nine

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Duterte names Panelo as his next spokesman by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

PRESIDENTIAL Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Thursday, October 11 announced that he will be President Rodrigo Duterte’s next spokesman after Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque Jr. took an indefinite leave of absence. The chief legal counsel answered affirmatively when asked if he would replace Roque, who is reportedly vying for a Senate post in the midterm 2019 elections. Panelo noted that there will be no drastic change as he had started

speaking on behalf of the president since his campaign. “Actually wala namang pagbabago kasi (nothing has changed) because day one of the presidential campaign of the president, I was already his spokesman, and day one, when he assumed the presidency, I was also his spokesman. In fact, the executive order creating this office, my present position, states that I am the spokesman for the president,” Panelo said in a video sent to reporters by Presidential Communications Operations Office chief Martin Andanar. He also said that he has been

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by TETCH

TORRES-TUPAS Inquirer.net

SENIOR Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has accepted his automatic nomination for the Chief Justice post. Carpio himself confirmed in a text message that he was officially joining the chief justice race. After Maria Lourdes Sereno was ousted via quo warranto proceedings, by tradition, the five most senior justices of the Supreme Court have been automatically nominated for the post. However, they have to accept the nomination before they are considered candidates. Carpio earlier declined the nomination, saying he does not want to benefit from a proceeding that he opposed. President Rodrigo Duterte then appointed Teresita Leonardo-De Castro who served as Chief Justice for one

Voter enthusiasm soars as the midterm elections approach

IT’S election season, and voters are fired up. Recent events in Washington have mobilized American citizens to exercise their rights to vote. The bi-yearly national public service announcements by lawmakers, celebrities and organizations to vote are spreading through social media. Although the midterm elections, historically, draw significantly less voter turnout, the preponderance of voter encouragement has been on the rise with a vast majority of voters unhappy with many Congress decisions: the passage of the tax code last year, the Cabinet appointments and the recent confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The Asian American and Pacific Islander

Duterte’s spokesman since the 2016 campaign. The only difference now, he added was that he would be “more visible.” “So wala namang pagbabago (nothing has changed). The only difference I think would be I would be more visible this time kasi (because) as chief presidential legal counsel, I was really speaking for the president on matters of national sensitive issues that require my articulation on the thoughts and ideas of the president,” he added. Despite his new title, Panelo would still remain as the presiPresidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo

Philstar.com photo

Carpio accepts SC chief nomination Siargao, Boracay, Palawan

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New survey finds increased enthusiasm among the Asian American electorate, Filipinos’ intention to vote ranks highest among surveyed groups

SUCCESSFUL TRIP. President Rodrigo Duterte bids farewell to Indonesia Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita and Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Sinyo Harry Sarundajang during his departure at the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia following his successful participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Gathering on October 11. Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio

Inquirer.net photo

top Conde Nast list by AJPRESS

THREE Philippine islands nabbed the top spots as Asia’s Best Islands voted by readers of international travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler for its 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards. Ranking first is the teardropshaped island of Siargao, “home to more than 15 separate surf breaks, including the legendary Cloud 9, which counts Kelly Slater and Anthony Kiedis among its fans,” as written by Verena von Pfetten for Conde Nast. u PAGE A2 “We like to say that surfers are the vanguard of travelers, scoping out some of the more re-

New poll finds: Majority of Filipinos claim to be poor by AJPRESS

A SURVEY from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) concluded that there is an increase in the number of Filipino families claiming that they are poor from the 48 percent in June to 52 percent at the most recent. More than a million Filipino families joined the ranks of the poor in the self-rated nationwide poll. The said survey conducted from September 15 to 23 indicated a significant spike from the previous 11.1 million in June as it jumped to 12.2 million families in u PAGE A4 September.

mote parts of the world for surf breaks before the rest of us get there… but our readers, an adventurous sort, have caught on. There’s enough white sand to go around,” the write-up read. Boracay secured the second spot — proving that tourists remain interested in the popular island despite its temporary closure. The magazine raved: “This itty-bitty island (just under four square miles) in the Western Philippines is as close to a tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and made-for-Instagram sunsets.

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“This is the second consecutive increase in self-rated poverty in 2018. Since the 42 percent recorded in March 2018, self-rated poverty has increased by 10 points in total,” SWS said as reported by The Manila Times. Among the 52 percent who rated themselves poor, only 8 percent were “newly poor,” meaning they did not consider themselves poor one to four years ago. The poll revealed that 36 percent, or about 8.5 million families, considered themselves food-poor. It increased by 2 percent or about 700,000 families from 34 percent Ms. Susan del Mundo, representing the Department of Tourism ofﬁce in New York, received the Top in June. Island in Asia award for Siargao at the 2018 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award in New York The increase indicated in the study could City. Flanking her are Craig Kostelic, chief business ofﬁcer of The Lifestyle Collection and Melinda

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Stevens, editor-in-chief of Conde Nast Traveler.

Contributed photo

A October 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Duterte names Panelo as his... PAGE A1 t dent’s top lawyer, according to Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. The presidential aide confirmed that Panelo will have “concurrent” designation. Go also denied the rumors that Roque was dismissed from his post. “He [Roque] is still weighing his options. Walang sibak (There’s no

dismissal),” the president’s top aide said. This is the second time that Panelo will be the president’s spokesman. He was Duterte’s spokesperson in 2016, before being replaced by Ernesto Abella, who was initially designated deputy presidential spokesman. Roque still undecided Panelo’s reappointment as the president’s spokesman came

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From the Front Page

days after Roque filed a leave of absence after being kept in the dark about Duterte’s whereabouts and hospitalization. Roque, when sought for comment, responded that he will not issue any statements until Monday since he is still in China. He also denied claims that he resigned from his post. However, he reiterated that he has not yet decided on whether he will stay or vacate his post to seek public office considering that the end of the filing of the certificate of candidacy (CoC) would be until Thursday next week. The said filing period is from October 11 to 17. Government officials are considered resigned from their respective posts once they file their CoC. Roque admitted on Tuesday that he has already shot a campaign advertisement despite being undecided about joining the Senate race. “Still not sure I will run for Senate,” he said then. However, Duterte earlier advised Roque to continue working for the government and not vacate his post since he would not win in the 2019 polls. A nationwide Pulse Asia survey showed Roque ranking 29th to 36th place among wannabe senators. n

Carpio accepts SC chief... PAGE A1 t

month and a half. Following De Castro’s retirement, Carpio said he does not see any more reason to decline the nomination. Carpio has been at the Supreme Court since October 2001, being the first appointee of then President, now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He is the third candidate to accept his nomination — first was Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin, followed by Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta. Carpio’s nomination will determine if Duterte will stay true to his word that seniority was his biggest factor in appointing De Castro. Carpio has not minced words in criticizing the government’s inaction on China’s militarization on the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea. n

AMPHIBIOUS LANDING EXERCISE. U.S. and Philippine Marines participate in an amphibious landing during KAMANDAG 2 at Naval Education Training Comman in the Philippines. KAMANDAG 2 is an exercise used to promote cohesion between nations in counter-terrorism, humanitarian operations, and disaster relief. This exercise is executed using assault amphibious vehicles. Photo by Lance Cpl. Kevan Dunlop/U.S. Marine Corps

House restores VP in line of...

PAGE A1 t Del Mar is a member of the Liberal Party (LP) led by Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. He made the motion to recommit Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 15 to the committee level. According to Article 17, Section 4 of the Transitory Provisions of RBH 15: “In case a vacancy arises by reason of removal, resignation, permanent incapacity or death of the incumbent President, the incumbent Senate President shall act as President until a President shall have been chosen and qualified.” The lawmaker noted that both he and Arroyo believed that the said provision is questionable and amending such should be

necessary. He added that Arroyo had assured him she would immediately “take care” of the matter. “Both of us (Arroyo) shared the sentiment that it needs to be corrected,” Del Mar said. The said RBH 15 drew criticisms far and wide as it skipped Robredo for the sole reason that there is an election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against her. “I thought that it was too desperate. They have been thinking of all possible ways to remove me from my post,” Robredo said. The draft charter also indicates that the president and the vice president must come from

the same political party. They must also be elected as a team during the elections in 2022. It also removes the term limits of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives and gives Congress the power to create federal states. House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez previously described the constitutional amendment as a “gargantuan effort” in both chambers of the Congress. “It is possible but difficult. Frankly, I think amending the Constitution will take a gargantuan effort for (the House of Representatives and the Senate),” Suarez said. The House expects to submit the draft to the Senate in February 2019. n

New poll finds: Majority of Filipinos... PAGE A1 t

be attributed to the nine-year high inflation at 6.7 percent in the same month. Along with it were increase in the prices of rice and fuel and a weakening peso. The University of Asia and the Pacific School of Economics Dean Cid Terosa said that inflation and the rising cost of food propelled the rise in self-rated

poverty nationwide. The said survey used face-toface interviews with 1,500 respondents and had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3 percentage points. Worker unions call Duterte ‘ineffective’ Labor groups attributed the said increase to President Rodrigo Duterte’s incapacity to

provide a comfortable life among his constituents. They labeled the administration “ineffective” in keeping campaign promises. There is a possibility that senatorial candidates could end up losing in the elections in May 2019 because of the government’s failure to ease poverty, according to Nagkaisa Labor Co-

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DATELINE USA

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 13-16, 2018

This is how LA County is preparing for the upcoming storm season Local officials predict “El Nino” season, seek to expand county efforts for storm season and water management projects through Measure W by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

MARAWI PHOTO EXHIBIT. A student contemplates while viewing photos of Marawi City after it was occupied by the Maute terrorist group exactly a year ago through the photo exhibit at the National Museum on Thursday, October 11. The historical photo exhibit started on October 10 up to Nov. 25, 2018 and will be transferred to another venue for public viewing. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Siargao, Boracay, Palawan top... PAGE A2 t Fold in a thriving nightlife scene, and you have one of the top tourist spots in the region.” It also noted Boracay’s White Beach, with its “with powdery white sand and shallow azure water ideal for swimming and snorkeling.” Palawan, in third place, is lauded for being a regular on the magazine’s list of the world’s best islands. Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River was highlighted for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is “worth the trip alone,” but also noted El Nido and its blue lagoon. “Puerto Princesa is one of the longest underground rivers in the world, traveling five miles through a subterranean cave sys-

Ofﬁcials from the Philippine Department of Tourism New York ofﬁce led by Ms. Susan del Mundo (center) with Luz Navarro and Joey Chanco received the award for Best Island in Asia at the awarding ceremony of the 2018 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. Contributed photo

tem. Guided boat tours take visitors down a portion of the waterway, where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestone, loom in every direction,” Conde Nast said. “It is an honor for our destinations to be voted once again in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. This serves as an invitation to the tourists in time for the winter vacation,” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said. CNT editors noted that their readers have caught on the popularity of the teardrop-shaped island, electing Siargao, a newcomer of the list, as the 2018 Top Island in Asia. Boracay, which is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is Guyam Island, Siargao AJPress photo by Joyce Balansag set for its soft opening on Octo-

ber 26, was voted as second and described as “close to a tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia with gentle coastlines and made-for-Instagram sunsets.” “We would like to take this opportunity to tell our tourists to manage their expectations on Boracay’s soft opening. We also encourage them to be mindful and responsible tourists of the island,” Romulo-Puyat added. This year’s ranking was broken down into regions compared to the previous years where only the top 30 islands outside the United States were cited. In 2017, the Philippines topped the said list with Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan, respectively. Langkawi, Malaysia and Bali, Indonesia complete the 2018 Top 5 in Asia listing. ■

THE temperatures are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter, and that can only mean one thing: winter is coming. With winter comes higher chances of precipitation, and even Los Angeles County, a region that is famously sunny all year around, is not immune to storm season, which typically occurs from October to April. In order to combat the challenges of increased rainfall in a city and county that rarely receives it, the LA County storm management system must be up to the task, and so far county officials and experts have been preparing for the last couple years. On Thursday, Oct. 4, the LA County Dept. of Public Works (LACDPW) hosted a briefing at Oxford Basin in Marina del Rey in which county officials discussed the importance of securing funding for water management and conservation projects to help the county and residents prepare for impending rainfall. The Oxford Basin Multiuse Enhancement Project was designed to improve flood protection and reduce water pollution while also enhancing the local ecosystem and biodiversity in and around the facility. The basin was first build in 1959 for flood risk management, but was reconstructed in 2015 and 2016. The county constructed bioretention water filtration systems to remove contaminants and sediment from storm runoff. Contaminated non-native plants and vegetation were replaced along the perimeter of the basin

The renovated Oxford Basin in Marina Del Rey exempliﬁes the county’s stormwater management efforts.

with more than 45,000 native plants and trees and are continually maintained to provide a safe and secure habitat for wildlife. Around the basin, walking trails and signage detailing what the facility does were created to educate the public about water management as well as safety amenities. In essence, the Oxford Basin was created “to make the water multi-use and multi-benefit” as well as to improve the community by furnishing a new recreation area, according to Jolene Guerrero, principal civil engineer with the LACDPW. “The great thing about the Ox-

The staff and storm season experts from the LADWP and the LA County Flood Control System

ford Basin is that, now we look at projects as multipurpose, and not single purpose,” Guerrero said at the briefing held adjacent to the Oxford Basin. And this year, water management facilities like the Oxford Basin may see an increase in water supply. Climate experts say there is a 70-75 percent chance that this upcoming storm season will be an El Nino year, which means that the ocean’s temperature near the equator will be higher than usual. Although anchored in tropical areas closer to the equator, El Nino affects the seasonal climate of the United States and the Northern Hemisphere, and that usually correlates with “an above average percent of rainfall,” according to Eric Batman, senior civil engineer at the LACDPW. “There’s no guarantee, but the odds are tipped in our favor that we will receive above average precipitation when an El Nino event does occur,” Batman said, adding that before every storm season, the county meticulously tests the systems to make sure

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A October 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USA

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Doctors give Medicare’s proposal to pay for telemedicine poor prognosis by Phil

Galewitz Kaiser Health News

The Trump administration wants Medicare for the first time to embrace telemedicine across the country by paying doctors $14 for a five-minute “check-in” phone call with their patients. But many physicians say the proposed reimbursement will cover a service they already do for

free. And the Medicare reimbursement — intended to motivate doctors to communicate with patients outside the office — could have a chilling effect on patients because they would be required to pay a 20 percent cost-sharing charge. Medicare said the call would be used to help patients determine whether they need to come in for an appointment. But doctors and consultants said the virtual ses-

sions could cover a broad array of services, including monitoring patients starting a new medicine or those trying to manage chronic illnesses, such as diabetes. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, which provides guidance to Congress, panned the proposal last month, saying it could lead to excess spending without benefiting patients. “Direct-to-consumer telehealth services … appear to expand access, but at a potentially significant cost and without evidence of improved quality,” the commission’s chairman, Dr. Francis Crosson, said in a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). “Due to their greater convenience, these services are at risk of misuse by patients or provider.” Congress has shied away from expanding the use of telemedicine in Medicare — even as it has become commonplace among private insurers — because of concerns about higher spending. Budget hawks worry that rather than replace comparatively expensive in-person visits, extra telemedicine billings would add to them. Lack of coverage — except in rare circumstances — means fewer than 1 percent of the 50 million Medicare beneficiaries use telemedicine services each year. Federal law forbids Medicare from paying for telemedicine services that replace in-person office visits, except in certain rural areas. That’s why CMS called the new benefit a check-in using “virtual” or “communications technology,” said Jacob Harper, who specializes in health issues at the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. In addition to the check-in call, CMS has proposed starting to pay physicians to review photos that patients text or email to them to evaluate skin and eye problems, as well as and other conditions. It also has proposed paying physicians an unspecified fee for consulting electronically or by phone with other doctors. “Innovative technology that enables remote services can expand access to care and create more opportunities for patients to access personalized care management as well as connect with their physicians quickly,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma when announcing the proposal.

The 2018 Asian American Voter Survey found that 92 percent of Filipinos are planning to vote.

Voter enthusiasm soars as the midterm...

PAGE A1 t (AAPI) community, as previously reported by the Asian Journal, has steadily become a more viable electorate; the United States Census Bureau found from the 2010 census results that the AAPI electorate is the fastest growing demographic, and the population is slated to double by 2040. A coalition of AAPI groups led by APIAVote released its quadrennial midterm election survey of Asian American voters this week, and it found that 48 percent of participants are “more enthusiastic about voting this year.” In 2014 — which received a poor showing of votership in general — the APIAVote survey only found 28 percent of AAPI voter enthusiasm. “We have seen great enthusiasm from Asian American voters increase as community organizations and college campuses participate in our regional trainings and organize voter registration and engagement programs,” said Christine Chen, executive director of APIA Vote. When broken down by ethnicity, Filipino Americans are the group with the highest intention to vote in November; 92 percent of the surveyed Pinoys said they are planning to vote while 6 percent and 4 percent said they were planning not to vote or don’t know, respectively. The more-opaque-than-usual voter enthusiasm overall could be attributed to the possible partisan majority/minority shift u PAGE A6 in Congress if voter turnout in-

creases this year. In 2016, the Republican Party gained majority of the Senate and the House, which resulted in legislative decisions essentially dependent on the GOP, but with key Senate and House seats up for grabs this election and the vast disapproval of congressional decisions since the 2016 election, the partisan sway may begin to veer blue. In terms of party preference, a high proportion of AAPI voters — 38 percent — do not identify with either major political party, while 38 percent identify as Democrat and 22 percent identify as Republican. Within the Filipino-American electorate, it’s more of an equal distribution with 34 percent identifying as Democrat, 30 percent Republican and 32 percent not identifying with either party. “These data show why it’s vital to survey the Asian American community,” Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of AAPI Data, said in a statement. “Not only is the Asian American community the fastest growing racial group in the country, it is also a politically dynamic population whose vote still remains up for grabs.” On the approval for President Donald Trump, 3 in 5 Asian American voters disapprove Trump’s job performance since he got elected, a significant shift from AAPI Data’s 2014 midterm survey wherein half of the AAPI votership approved of President

Obama’s performance and onethird disapproved. The Democratic Party has claimed the Asian American vote in elections past, which runs true for many minority groups. Generally, the Democratic Party brands itself as a champion for workers’ rights, pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, affirmative action, gender equity and other social justice causes which Asian American voters tend to prioritize and favor. “Our communities will not stand for the extreme anti-immigrant, anti-worker agenda that has disproportionately impacted communities of color, including Asian American workers and families,” said Alvina Yeh, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), who added that the AAPI electorate is “uniquely positioned to be the margin of victory in key races across the country this November and in 2020.” Are you registered to vote? If not, your application for voter registration must be postmarked or submitted on or before Monday, October 22. To vote by mail, the deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 30. If you are a new citizen and would like to vote in the midterms, the deadline to apply for New Citizen Eligibility registration is Tuesday, October 23. For more information, please visit: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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Dateline USA

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ October 13-16, 2018

Filipino fishermen stranded in West Fact check: Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right on protections for Philippine Sea rescued by US Navy ship preexisting conditions? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complicated by AJPress FIVE Filpino fishermen who have been stranded in the West Philippine sea for five days were rescued by a United States Navy vessel on Monday, October 8. According to a report from the U.S. 7th Fleet, cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra was conducting a routine mission when the distressed Filipinos were spotted adrift in the sea. The Filipino fishermen were waving their arms and a flag in the air when the watch officer and a lookout saw them, as stated by Wally Schirraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s master Capt. Keith Sauls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Luckily, we were going at a slow enough speed to have spotted the fishermen,â&#x20AC;? Sauls said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were also flashing a white light that was previously thought to be a fishing buoy. The watch officer notified me, then the chief mate of a possible rescue situation.â&#x20AC;? The fishermenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boat sank on October 3 after its hull was punctured by the bill of a six-feet long blue marlin. USNS Wally Schirra chief mate Leon Hadley said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fishermen salvaged what they could from the rapidly sinking boat, removing the outriggers and planks to turn it into a raft with floats and barrels

by Julie

Rovner Kaiser Health News

A rigid-hulled, inflatable boat deployed off the USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) circles a distressed and adrift boat in the South China Sea, October 8. Five Filipino fishermen survived for five days aboard a makeshift boat after their fishing boat sank at sea and they were rescued by the crew of USNS Wally Schirra. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7th Fleet

underneath for floatation.â&#x20AC;? The Filipinos were able to take with them some rice, clothes, batteries, a light bulb, an AM-receive only radio and a handheld GPS but they did not have water, as reported by The Star. Hadley said the fishermen could have died after two to three days without water so they were lucky they found them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On average, death results two to three days after a diet of drinking undiluted salt water or urine in survival-at-sea events as it takes more water than is consumed for the body to process the waste and salt out of the kidneys, leading to a build-up of salt and toxic ammonia in the body which only deepens the cycle

and quickly leads to death if not stopped,â&#x20AC;? he said. The Wally Schirra crew deployed an inflatable boat along with search and rescue swimmers to pull the fishermen to safety after the fishermen swam toward the U.S. ship when it came close to their boat. An initial assessment and security search was conducted among the rescued fishermen when they came aboard the U.S. ship, and then they were transferred to the Philippine Coast Guard after the U.S. Navy vessel received clearance to go into Subic Bay. The Wally Schirra is operating under the area of responsibility of the U.S. Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7th Fleet, which is part of the Pacific Fleet. n

Fil-Am federal prosecutor nominated... PAGE A1 t

western states including Alaska and Hawaii. Currently, Bumatay serves as the Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office for the Southern District of California in San Diego, where he is a member of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces Section. Detailed to the Office of the Attorney General, Bumatay serves as Counselor to Attorney General Jeff Sessions on various criminal issues such as the national opioid strategy and transnational organized crime. Bumatay has also served in the Department of Justice in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the Office of the Associate Attorney General where he oversaw aspects of the departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s civil enforcement program, and the Office of Legal Policy. A graduate of Harvard Law School, and an alumnus of Yale University, Bumatay started his career as a law clerk for Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Court, and for Judge Sandra L. Townes of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. He is also a member of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the Tom Homann LGBT Law Association, and the Federal Bar Association. In congratulating Bumatayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nomination, NFALA president David Mesa said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong qualifications, including his breadth of experience as a

federal prosecutor, a defense at- with no judicial experience who torney, and a senior Department had not previously been suggestof Justice attorney make him ideu PAGE A6 al for the Ninth Circuit.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Patrick is a proud first generation Filipino-American, the son of Filipino immigrants to the United States, and I have no doubt he will serve the Ninth Circuit and the people of California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands with excellence, fairness, integrity, and intellect,â&#x20AC;? added Mesa. Resistance among California senators Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris said on Thursday, October 11 that they would oppose the confirmation of Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three nominees, which includes Bumatay, for the open California seats on the Ninth Circuit. Aside from Bumatay, California nominees include Los Angeles appellate attorney Daniel P. Collins, and Los Angeles litigator Kenneth Kiyul Lee. Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote to the White House last week saying that she was hopeful that they could work together in coming up with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;consensusâ&#x20AC;? package that included one of her picks being U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I repeatedly told the White House I wanted to reach an agreement on a package of 9th Circuit nominees, but last night the White House moved forward without consulting me, picking controversial candidates from its initial list and another individual

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Ensuring that people with preexisting health conditions can get and keep health insurance is the most popular part of the Affordable Care Act. It has also become a flashpoint in this fallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaigns across the country. And not only is the ACA, which mostly protects people who buy their own coverage, at risk. Also potentially in the crosshairs are preexisting conditions protections that predate the federal health law. Democrats charge that Republicansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opposition to the ACA puts those protections in peril, both by their (unsuccessful) votes in Congress in 2017 to â&#x20AC;&#x153;repeal and replaceâ&#x20AC;? the law, and via a federal lawsuit underway in Texas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;800,000 West Virginians with preexisting conditions in jeopardy of losing their health care,â&#x20AC;? claimed Sen. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.). Republicans disagree. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Preexisting conditions are safe,â&#x20AC;? President Donald Trump declared at a rally in West Virginia for Manchinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GOP opponent, Patrick Morrisey. Morrisey, West Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attorney general, is one of a group of state officials suing to overturn the ACA. Who is right? Like everything else in health care, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complicated. What is clear, however, is that voters want protections. Even majorities of Republicans told

pollsters this summer that it is â&#x20AC;&#x153;very importantâ&#x20AC;? that guarantees of coverage for preexisting conditions remain law. Here are some key details that can help put the current political arguments in perspective. Preexisting conditions are common. Preexisting conditions are previous or ongoing medical issues that predate health insurance enrollment. The problem is that the term is a grab bag whose limits have never been defined. It certainly applies to serious ongoing conditions such as cancer, heart disease and asthma. But insurers also have used it to apply to conditions like pregnancy or far more trivial medical issues such as acne or a distant history of depression. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimated in 2016 that more than a quarter of adults younger than 65 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; about 52 million people â&#x20AC;&#x201D; have a preexisting health condition that likely would have prevented them from purchasing individual health insurance under the pre-ACA rules. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.) Protections vary by what kind of insurance you have. But what protections people with preexisting conditions have depends on how they get their coverage. For that reason, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not right to say everyone with health problems is potentially at risk, as Democrats frequently suggest. For example, Medicare, the

federal health program for seniors, and Medicaid, the federalstate health plan for low-income people, do not discriminate in either coverage or price on the basis of preexisting conditions. The two programs together cover roughly 130 million Americans â&#x20AC;&#x201D; nearly a third of the population. The majority of Americans get their coverage through work. In 1996, Congress protected people with preexisting conditions in employer-based coverage with the passage of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA. HIPAA was intended to eliminate â&#x20AC;&#x153;job lock,â&#x20AC;? or the inability of a person with a preexisting condition (or a family member with a preexisting condition) to change jobs because coverage at the new job would likely come with a waiting period during which the condition would not be covered. HIPAA banned those waiting periods for people who had maintained â&#x20AC;&#x153;continuousâ&#x20AC;? coverage, meaning a break of no more than 63 days, and the law limited waiting periods to one year for those who were previously uninsured. In addition, it prohibited insurers from denying coverage to or raising premiums for workers based on their own or a family memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health status or medical history. HIPAA was less successful in protecting people without jobbased insurance. It sought to guarantee that people with preexisting conditions leaving the

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A October 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USA

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This is how LA County is preparing for... PAGE A3 t

they’re prepared and maintained. Batman added that water captured from storms is “critical” to the county’s water supply, saying that “being able to capture and store that stormwater is key for being locally sustainable, and that’s our focus as we prepare for the upcoming storm season.” Currently, the county dips into the General Fund to launch stormwater management projects, but the goal of a new ballot measure that will show up on LA County residents’ ballots this

November hopes to establish a dedicated fund to stormwater management. Voting on safe clean water Enter Measure W, the Safe Clean Water Parcel Tax, the funding measure for stormwater management and conservation projects that LA County voters will vote on. Approved by the LA County Board of Supervisors last year, the measure entails a 2.5 cent per square foot parcel tax for private property owners in LA County. It would generate roughly $300 million a year to fund projects

dedicated to improving existing stormwater management systems and work on new systems like the Oxford Basin project. Fifty percent of that $300 million will go to building regional property projects that capture and clean stormwater, 40 percent of the revenue will go back to the cities and 10 percent will go to the flood control district for technical studies, administrative purposes and community outreach efforts. Measure W also promises to increase the local supply of drinkable water captured from rainfall. According to the LACDPW, roughly two-thirds of the water used in LA County is imported from places like Sacramento and Arizona, which is “an energy-intensive project” that is “not very reliable,” said Edel Vizcarra, assistant head of community and government relations at the LACDPW. “We need to increase our local supply. Most of our local bodies of water here in LA are impaired, so we need to treat our stormwater and capture our stormwater, and we don’t have the money to do it,” Vizcarra said. n

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PAGE A2 t alition spokesperson Rene Magtubo. Federation of Free Workers vice president Julius Cainglet said that the survey results should prompt the administration to provide better wages to workers who could “no longer cope with the abnormal rise of the inflation rate.” Alarmed over the findings Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said that the Palace “understood the people’s sentiment,” noting that the survey

PAGE A5 t

IMMIGRATION

FAMILY LAW

New poll finds: Majority of Filipinos... was done last month when the inflation rate rose to 6.7 percent. “For one, the destruction to agriculture and infrastructure caused by Typhoon ‘Ompong’ in the Cordillera, Ilocos and Cagayan regions contributed to higher inflation,” Roque said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. “This would explain why selfrated poverty in Balance Luzon [outside Metro Manila] rose to 47 percent in September,” Roque added. Roque assured the public that

measures had been implemented “to cushion the impact of inflation and bring food on the table of poor families.” “This includes the directive of the president in the recent meeting with his Cabinet members that there will be no limits in the importation of rice to further increase our supply of rice and lower its price,” Roque said in a statement. “No Filipino family should be hungry. That is the order and desire of the president,” Roque said. n

Fil-Am federal prosecutor nominated...

CIVIL AND PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION

• Family and employment based green cards • Business and Investor Visas • Deportation defense • Motions to Reopen • Appeals • Humanitarian Reinstatement of revoked petition • Naturalization • H-1B and student visas

NEWLY-PROMOTED SENIOR AFP OFFICERS. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (center right) chair of the Commission on Appointments, and Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto (center left) pose with the 74 newly promoted senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Plenary Hall of the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday, October 10. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Darrick V. Tan, Esq. Licensed in California for over 17 years Licensed in Nevada for over 12 years* UCLA, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science with Cum Laude honors Southwestern University Law School, Juris Doctor Admitted to U.S. District Court, Central District of California Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association Member, Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles Former Member, Board of Governors, Philippine American Bar Association *Inactive

ed,” said Feinstein in a statement on Thursday. “Instead of working with our office to identify consensus nominees for the 9th Circuit, the White House continues to try to pack the courts with partisan judges who will blindly support the president’s agenda, instead

of acting as an independent check on this administration,” said Harris’ spokeswoman Lily Adams. Being the most liberal district, the Ninth Circuit has been the bane of conservatives and the Trump administration; the president has before blamed the Ninth Circuit for a “broken and

unfair” federal court system. Since Trump came into office, the Ninth Circuit’s moves have included blocking the president’s travel ban order, blocking the shutdown of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and striking down restrictions on so-called sanctuary cities. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

PAGE A4 t CMS said it hopes to enact the changes in 2019. Officials will announce their final rule after evaluating public comments on the plan. Verma and other CMS officials say they believe the change would end up saving Medicare money by reducing unnecessary office visits and catching health problems early, before they become more costly to treat. But in its detailed proposal, CMS acknowledges the telehealth service will increase Medicare costs. CMS said the telehealth will result in “fewer than 1 million visits in the first year but will eventually result in more than 19 million visits per year, ultimately increasing payments under the [Medicare physician pay schedule] by about 0.2 percent,” or eventually about $180 million per year. Because the change must be budget-neutral, CMS is paying for this by decreasing some other Medicare physician payments. CMS doesn’t expect rapid adoption of the telehealth service, partly because doctors can get paid from $35 to $150 for an inperson visit. “Because of the low payment rate relative to that for an office visit, we are assuming that usage of these services will be relatively low,” CMS said in its proposal. The virtual check-in can be conducted by physicians or nurse

practitioners or physician assistants working with a doctor. Only patients who have established relationships with a doctor would be eligible for the service. Doctors also would not be allowed to bill for the check-in service if it stems directly from an in-person visit or is followed by an appointment with the doctor, according to the CMS proposal. Dr. Michael Munger, a family physician in Overland Park, Kan., and president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, said many doctors routinely check on patients by phone. Still, he applauded the effort to increase physician pay. “Anytime you can tie payment to what many of us are already doing is good,” he said. Mercy, a large hospital system in St. Louis, has been offering telehealth services even without reimbursement because it helps patients access care and lowers costs in the long run, said Dr. J. Gavin Helton, president of clinical integration at Mercy Virtual. “We are already on this path, and this will help to continue to grow our programs and make them financially sustainable,” he said. Still, Helton said the “checkin” fee from Medicare won’t be enough to motivate providers to start telehealth services. He said the new reimbursement signals that Medicare wants to pay for services to keep pa-

tients well rather than just treat them while they are sick. Other physicians were more skeptical, particularly while Medicare has also proposed reducing some fees for in-person office visits. In a letter to CMS, Dr. Amy Messier, a family medicine doctor in Wilmington, N.C., raised concerns about the effect this could have on patients’ expenses. “I worry about implementation of this from the patient perspective now that we are charging patients for this previously free service and they have to pay their portion of the charge,” she said. “Patients will be less likely to engage their physician outside of the office visit and more likely to seek care face-to-face at more expense, when perhaps that visit could have been avoided with a phone call which they will no longer make because it comes with a charge,” she said. Dr. Todd Czartoski, chief executive of telehealth at Providence St. Joseph Health in Renton, Wash., predicts most doctors won’t use the proposed telehealth service. “It’s still easier for a doctor to go room to room with patients lined up,” he said. “It’s a step in the right direction, but I don’t think it will open the floodgates for virtual care.” This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

Doctors give Medicare’s proposal to pay for...

Fact check: Who’s right on protections... PAGE A5 t group market could buy individual coverage if they had remained continuously covered. But the law did not put limits on what individual insurers could charge for those policies. In many cases, insurers charged so much for these “HIPAA conversion” policies that almost no one could afford them. The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, built on those 1996 protections, and specifically sought to help people buying their own coverage. It barred all health insurers from excluding people due to preexisting conditions, from charging them higher premiums and from imposing waiting periods for coverage of that condition. While the protections were mostly aimed at the individual insurance market, where only a small portion of Americans get coverage, the ACA also made some changes to the employer market for people with preexisting conditions, by banning annual and lifetime coverage limits. Will protections on preexisting conditions become collateral damage? In 2017, the GOP-controlled House and Senate voted on several versions of a bill that would have dramatically overhauled the ACA, including its protections on preexisting conditions. Under the last bill that narrowly failed in the Senate, states would have been given authority to allow insurers to waive some of those protections, including the one requiring the same premiums be charged regardless of health status.

In February, 18 GOP attorneys general and two GOP governors filed suit in federal court in Texas. They charge that because Congress in its 2017 tax bill eliminated the ACA’s penalty for not having insurance, the entire federal health law is unconstitutional. Their argument is that the Supreme Court upheld the ACA in 2012 based only on Congress’ taxing power, and that without the tax, the rest of the law should fall. The Trump administration, technically the defendant in that case, said in June that it disagreed that the entire law should fall. But it is arguing that the parts of the law addressing preexisting conditions are so tightly connected to the tax penalty that they should be struck down. Clearly, if the lawsuit prevails in either its original form or the form preferred by the Trump administration, preexisting protections are not “safe,” as the president claimed. Even more complicated, the protections written into HIPAA were rewritten and incorporated into the ACA, so if the ACA in whole or part were to be struck down, HIPAA’s preexisting conditions protections might go away, too. Republicans in Congress have introduced a series of proposals they say would replicate the existing protections. But critics contend none of them covers as many situations as the ACA does. For example, a bill unveiled by several Republican senators in

August would require insurers to offer coverage to people with preexisting health conditions, but not require coverage of the conditions themselves. That hasn’t stopped Republicans from claiming that they support protections for preexisting conditions. “Make no mistake about it: Patients with preexisting conditions should be covered,” said Wisconsin GOP Senate candidate Leah Vukmir, who is running to unseat Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Health care has been a major issue in that race, as well as many others. Yet Vukmir was recently hailed by Vice President Mike Pence as someone who will vote to “fully repeal and replace Obamacare.” Meanwhile, Democrats who are chastising their Republican opponents over the issue are sometimes going a bit over the top, too. An example is Manchin’s claim about the threat to coverage for 800,000 people in West Virginia. West Virginia’s population is only 1.8 million and more than a million of those people are on Medicare or Medicaid. That would mean every other person in the state has a preexisting condition. A recent study found West Virginia has a relatively high level of preexisting conditions among adults, but it is still less than 40 percent. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • October 13-16, 2018

Dateline Philippines

More candidates submit their Court ends hearing on DOJ motion COCs as filing period begins seeking Trillanes arrest for coup d’ etat by AJPress More candidates for the senatorial, mayoral and congressional posts submitted their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) headquarters in Intramuros, Manila during the second day of filing on Friday, October 12. During the filing of COCs, which will run from October 11 to 17, not including weekends, the public will be focused on the candidates who will grace the headquarters. This week-long event is usually deemed as cinematic since many

of the candidates are celebrities themselves, or if not, have celebrity relatives or supporters. All eyes are on them as they file their COCs in front of lights and cameras. A little over 18,000 national and local positions will be made available in the midterm elections on May 13, 2019. As such, the election commission eyes 61 million registered voters for the 2019 elections, 5 percent higher than the 58 million voters in 2016. On Friday, Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay filed her COC, accompanied by her brother, former Makati Mayor Jejomar

Erwin “Junjun” Binay. The 45year-old senator hails from the political party United National Alliance (UNA). Another prominent personality that graced the halls of Palacio del Gobernador is the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa. Cops watched by the gates as their former chief filed his CoC inside. The former police chief is vying for a senatorial position, vowing to reinstate death penalty should he win the midterm polls. He emphasized the necessity of implementing capital punish-

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Teddy Boy Locsin accepts DFA chief post expected to run for congressman of Taguig City in the 2019 elections. Cayetano is vying for the Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Loc- post currently held by his older sin has accepted President Ro- sister, Rep. Pia Cayetano, who is drigo Duterte’s offer to become running for Senate. the next secretary of the Depart“If my Tito Chito Ayala trusted ment of Foreign Affairs (DFA), him implicitly; how can I not. replacing Alan Peter Cayetano. Still UN work is like sharpening Locsin in a tweet said, “I was a blade every day,” Locsin added asked I said yes; but love UN, the in his acceptance message. many friends & intellectual comLocsin is currently the counpanions I made. But I didn’t say try’s Permanent Representative no when asked as I didn’t when he to the United Nations, after betold me I was UN ambassador.” ing appointed by the president Duterte, in a press conference in 2016. in Indonesia on Thursday, OctoAccording to him, the work of ber 11, said he has chosen Loc- the DFA secretary would still insin to replace Cayetano, who is clude the UN. by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

This photo sent to reporters on Oct. 12, 2018 shows Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano talking with Ambassador to the United Nations Teddy Locsin at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington DC last year after meeting the late Sen. John McCain. Locsin will take over the top DFA post, which will be considered vacant once Cayetano files his candidacy for Taguig City representative. DFA photo by Elmer Cato

“I will have a direct hand until the architecture of sovereign independence in all matters of state that my team started to erect is remitted. Talent that doesn’t exist outside DFA will complete it,” Locsin said. Locsin’s experience includes journalist and anchor, representative of Makati’s 1st district from 2001 to 2010, and speechwriter and press secretary during President Corazon Aquino’s term. n

by Tetch

Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

The Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148 has wrapped up proceedings on the motion filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking the arrest of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on charges of coup d’ etat for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny. “…The factual issues as specified in the order dated September 28, 2018 and the issue on the ‘legality’ of Proclamation 572 based on the pleadings/motions filed by the parties–as they may bear upon the prosecution’s Urgent Ex-Parte Motion for Issuance of Hold Departure Order and Issuance of Alias Warrant of Arrest against Antonio Trillanes IV are now considered submitted for resolution,” Makati RTC Branch 148 Presiding Judge Andres Bartolome Soriano said in his order dated October 11, 2018. In his order, of the 17 exhibits or evidence submitted by the camp of Trillanes, the court has not admitted Exhibits 9 and 12 because they were not duly authenticated, presented and identified by any witness in court. ‘Exhibit 9’ is a printout of the

official Facebook page of the Department of National Defense while ‘Exhibit 12 is a printout of Trillanes’ throwback picture swearing in to the amnesty application he has submitted. On the other hand, other evi-

dence submitted by Trillanes’ camp have been admitted and will be considered in determining whether the court will grant the DOJ’s request to order Trillanes’ arrest and reopen the

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A8 OCTOBER 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Self-serving

THE House of Representatives backpedaled on Thursday, October 11, and restored Vice President Leni Robredo as the constitutional successor to the president in case of a transition to a federal system of government. This is just as well, because it was starting to look like certain quarters were trying to sabotage the proposed shift to federalism. First there was that fiasco over the “pepe-dede-ralismo” video, killing the federalism information campaign even before it could take off. The unfortunate video went viral as economic managers were warning that the proposed shift, which entails a significant expansion of the bureaucracy, would be a heavy burden on government finances and could retard economic growth. With most Filipinos still unaware of the provisions in the federal charter drawn up by a consultative committee created by President Duterte, the House committee on constitutional amendments approved its own version. Its most striking proposals: lifting term limits for all elective officials, and keeping Robredo from taking over the presidency in a transition period. Instead it will be the Senate president who will be the transition leader. Even Senate President Vicente Sotto III opposed the proposal. But it could win the support of all incumbent elective officials, and presumably their constituents.

Standing in the way, of course, are the incumbent officials’ political opponents and their supporters, plus the majority of senators who see the shift to federalism as the death of their chamber. Also in the way are Filipinos who fear that the principal objective in rewriting the Constitution and changing the form of government is to keep incumbent officials in power forever, with even greater control over public funds. Federalism has its appeal, but its proponents have yet to fully address the question of why the country needs it, and why it should be rushed for approval within this administration. There are people who want Charter change to lift economic restrictions and make the country more attractive to job-generating investments. Such support, however, has always been doomed by attempts to make Cha-cha a self-serving political exercise. If the administration is still bent on pursuing federalism, it should just stick with the draft prepared by the consultative committee. This draft charter is complicated enough to sell as it is. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Poll: Asian Americans overall prefer the Democratic party in the Senate race, while Fil-Ams favor the party of Trump

The Fil-Am Perspective

Views split for the House

GEL SANTOS-RELOS THE November 6 midterm elections are just three weeks away but many Americans have already cast their votes through early voting and mail-in ballots. Asian Americans, including Filipinos, show high enthusiasm to make their voices heard and cast their vote that may change the political landscape of America. The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” reported this week about the new survey conducted by the Asian

and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIA Vote), which reveals that 48 percent of Asian Americans are more enthusiastic to vote this year, a 20-point rise from the results of the 2014 survey. In a microstudy of kababayans’ responses, this year shows an even higher level of enthusiasm, with 92 percent of Fil-Am voters surveyed saying they plan to vote in the midterm elections. The APIA Vote study also found that Asian American voters, in

among Fil-Am voters, however, run parallel with the Asian Amergeneral, prefer the Democratic ican voting preference. Forty Party candidates. In the Senate percent of kababayans say they race, 52 percent favor Democrats, will vote Democrat, and an equal while in the House, 50 percent fa- number, 40 percent, expressed vor Democrats. favoring the Republican canBreaking it down to Fil-Am didates. Ten percent said they voters’ response to the survey would vote for another party. shows a different result from The poll also reveals that Filikababayans in the Senate race. pino voters who live outside of Forty-six percent of Fil-Am vot- California slightly prefer Repubers said they would vote Repub- lican Senate candidates. lican, while 36 said they would When it comes to the issues vote Democrat. regarding taxes, jobs, the econoThe results in the House race my, and national security, Asian

A young Fil-Am sexual assault survivor’s journey

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. [Writer’s note: This was published in May 2018 in the Asian Journal’s Los Angeles weekend edition, but the recently concluded, controversial associate justice confirmation hearings on Brett Kavanaugh makes this essay reprint appropriate.] DEAR Mama, I remembered that Saturday morning in late August in 2015 when I first told you that I was sexually assaulted. I remembered sitting on the couch and I couldn’t look at you, dad, or Andrew in the eye. It felt like the entire room froze, and no one ever expected those words to come out of my mouth. Andrew kept switching glances between the three of us, Papa had his head in his hands with tears in his eyes, and you rushed over to comfort me. I remembered bracing myself for the “I told you so” that would follow. I remembered the streamline of questions you sent my way, and I think it’s because you never prepared yourself to have this conversation with me. You wanted to avenge the pain I was in by trying to pry any information you could get your hands on and put my perpetrator away. But at the same time, I prayed that I wouldn’t see the disappointed look in your eye when I told you. I always felt like I knew exactly what I was doing, and this was the first time that I just didn’t know how to move forward. Sometimes I found it hard to explain what I really did at school. As an Asian American studies major, I felt like you just nodded your head and trusted that I knew what I was doing.

Progressive leadership to some might seem like a very radical term to describe my work as an ethnic studies student in this polarized day and age. But to others, progressive leadership is helping evolve their campus community in more than just a project that benefits themselves. I would like to think that my work at CSUN is an example of progressive leadership in higher education. I believe activism starts in many corners of campus. From the times when I called to tell you about the conferences I was going to, to the non-profit work I was doing, or when I started crying because I felt that my world was pulling me in five different directions. I just need to be comforted by you, and to be reminded that it was all a part of a process. I have learned that progressive leadership is not necessarily the end goal, but it is the neverending journey of selfless work needed to help someone who might one day walk in the same shoes I did. I was not sure when I realized that I was not alone in my journey, but when I took my AAS 311 - Research Methods class, I found institutional support from Dr. Tracy Lachica- Buenavista to pursue a qualitative research study on the experiences of Filipina American and Chinese American women’s experience with sexual harassment. From that research, I found that so many other Asian American women had been silently suffering from their experiences from sexual harassment and to some extent, incomplete rape. After the paper, I knew that many Asian American women did not

have someone who looked like them, are open about their experiences, and knew about resources on campus to help them get through their trauma. I knew that my experience was not an isolated case and that finding support was key to my recovery. From that point on, I realized that I had to become a model for other women and become knowledgeable about resources and support on campus in a moment’s notice. When I found Project D.A.T.E., I knew that advocating for survivors and educating the campus community about sexual assault awareness and rape prevention was going to be mentally challenging and emotionally draining, but the work would be necessary. It took me two years to gain the courage to speak to others about a serious and heavy topic, but I wanted to show other Asian American folks on campus that there are resources on campus that can be cathartic and healing for survivors. Some days I would walk out of presentations on a high, feeling like my words affected people. And then there were some days that I would leave the presentation hitting the autopilot button because I would get flashbacks from my assault, and just mechanically walk home, curl up into a ball, and avoid every single thought that ran through my brain. This was the part of my journey that I realized that sacrifices had to be made. But if I knew that I was helping someone else find support, it made the bad days worth it. It was always been my habit to not give you full details

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Americans side more with the Republican Party. Democrats are preferred by Asian American voters when it comes to issues concerning the environment, racial discrimination, gun control, and health care. When asked about Trump’s job performance as president, a majority of Asian-Americans — 58 percent — disapprove of his performance, while 36 percent approved. “Balitang America” also reported that the survey likewise re-

veals a more pro-Trump response among Fil-Ams, compared to Trump’s approval among Asian Americans. The poll showed a divide among Filipinos in America — 48 percent said they approve, while 48 percent said they disapprove. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

CHRIS LU, FORMER DEPUTY LABOR SECRETARY

Is Harvard University’s affirmative action policy biased against AAPI students?

WITH the end of summer, college students have now returned to campuses around the country, and high school seniors are beginning the dreaded process of college applications. Meanwhile, a trial is set to begin this month in a federal case challenging the admissions process at the nation’s oldest university, Harvard University. Within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, this case is being closely watched, as it involves allegations that Harvard’s affirmative action policy is biased against AAPI students. Given the Democratic Party’s longstanding support for affirmative action, some conservatives are using this case as a wedge issue to appeal to Asian Americans, who increasingly have supported Democratic candidates over the past quarter century. This cynical ploy won’t succeed. Because on a broad range of issues – including health care, the economy, immigration and civil rights – the values of the Asian American community are far more in sync with the positions of the Democratic Party. Asian Americans believe in hard work and education. We understand the importance of diversity. We want to create strong, healthy families and communities. And we work tirelessly to build a country where everyone has a shot at achieving the American Dream, whether it’s starting a business, buying a home or saving for retirement. In Congress and statehouses around the country, Democratic lawmakers are fighting for policies that reflect the values of the

Asian American community. That means protecting the Affordable Care Act, which helped two million AAPIs gain health care coverage. That means pushing back against the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back familybased immigration policies that have allowed Asian families to reunite in this country. Democrats are also fighting to make higher education more affordable, protect clean air and water, create greater economic opportunities for minorityowned businesses, and most importantly, ensure that everyone can exercise the most important right of all – the right to vote. As the fastest-growing racial group in the country, the Asian American community isn’t monolithic, and we certainly don’t agree on every issue. One of those issues is affirmative action. While AAPI groups have staked out positions on both sides of the Harvard case, national surveys find that two-thirds of Asian Americans support affirmative action in higher education – a position that is backed by over 150 AAPI organizations. And in the Harvard litigation, prominent AAPI civil rights groups and academic experts have filed friend of the court briefs explaining how affirmative action helps Asian Americans. One of those civil rights groups, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, explained in filing its brief: “The heart of this lawsuit is whether Harvard can continue to value racial diversity in ways in which our country has consistently fallen short:

Commentary

acknowledging the entrenched racism that still pervades every aspect of life, bridging racial divides, and developing racially diverse leaders in every sector. This lawsuit has nothing to do with discrimination against Asian Americans.” There are certainly strongly held views on both sides of the affirmative action debate, and questions have been raised about Harvard’s policies for evaluating Asian American applicants. As an alumnus of Harvard Law School, I will be the first to criticize my alma mater if its policies are found to be unfair. However, the media’s disproportionate focus on one elite university’s admissions policies doesn’t reflect the view of most AAPI parents, who are far more concerned about rising college costs. And while many parents do aspire to send their children to an elite institution, it’s worth nothing that about half of AAPI college students attend community colleges. At its heart, this new-found conservative interest in Asian American college admissions is nothing more than an attempt to drive a wedge in the coalition of communities of color. Fortunately, most AAPIs understand full well that restricting access and opportunity for one racial group affects all groups. That’s why Asian Americans have united against the Trump administration’s Muslim ban, the separation of immigrant families at the border, and the despicable embrace of white nationalists after Charlottesville. When Asian

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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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OPINION & FEATURES

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 13-16, 2018

More candidates submit their COCs...

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AFTER THE CATCH. A ﬁsherman docks as he catches ﬁsh in Pasay City on Wednesday, October 10. According to the Social Weather Stations, the number of families that consider themselves poor rose to 52 percent or 12.2 million families. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

A young Fil-Am sexual assault... PAGE A8 t

about the trips I went on or the things I did off campus. I remembered calling you a couple of days before my first trip to Sacramento, when I lobbied with CSUN’s Student Government, Associated Students, to advocate for a fully funded CSU system. I remembered trying to explain to you what CHESS (California Higher Education Student Summit) was and what I was doing there. I did not know how I was going to explain to you that I was going to use my story in order to push assemblymembers and senators to convince Governor Jerry Brown to fully fund the CSUs. I did not know when I walked away from CHESS, it was going to a new skill to my toolbelt. I did not know that advocating for survivors and on-campus support services was crucial to my recovery, but it could be the defining moment when the next survivor needs resources and support, and I hoped that support will still be there. I never believed that I, an Asian American woman, survivor, student leader, but most importantly your daughter, could do something beyond the campus community and directly going into California government spaces to promote and actively create change. Sometimes, I could hear your voice in the back of my head, bragging to everyone around you of how proud you are of me.

I am grateful for you being so supportive of my wish to vocalize my experience when it was the norm to either remain silent or internally handle my situation within our family. I am forever grateful that you never turned me away. I am grateful for the days when you are more compassionate and understanding when I snapped for being extra sensitive around the month of August, the time when I am the mostly broken. I am blessed that you were proud of my work as I am fortunate to have an amazing supportive mother. This journey has not been an easy one, nor is progressive leadership tackled without a strong backbone of allies, friends, comrades, fellow survivors, but most importantly family. Not everyone is as fortunate as I am to have my mother pick up me from such a hard fall. I can only hope we can become an example of the change in our community, to open up a dialogue with more compassion and understanding when it comes to topics about recovering survivors. I believe that change starts with us as we continue to take steps forward together. Love always, Your daughter, Abigail Abigail Garcia is a recent CSUN graduate who majored in Asian American Studies. She advocates for resources for Asian American survivors and hopes to one day change the dynamics of internalized silence within

Asian American communities. Footnote: Once a year, an essay competition is held at CSUN, amongst Asian American Studies and Education majors, as part of an endowment set up by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz for her deceased mother, Asuncion Castro Abarquez and her deceased sister, Rosalinda Abarquez Alcantara to provide a scholarship grant to deserving students. The essays are then reviewed and carefully vetted by a committee headed by Dr. Teresa Williams-Leon, Dr. Philip Hutchinson and Kimberly Teaman Carroll with oversight from Dept. Chair Gina Masequesmay this 2018. This year’s winning essay is from Abigail Garcia on Progressive Leadership, Asian American Studies and Education. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certiﬁcate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

ment in haltin g the proliferation of smuggled drugs. “Malaking deterrence ‘yan, talagang matakot sila magdala ng drugs niyan, kung may death penalty tayo (It will be a big deterrence, they will really be scared to bring drugs if we have the death penalty),” Dela Rosa said as reported by Rappler. The former police chief emphasized his desire to be in public service. He noted that he will focus on security and corrections. “Gustong-gusto ko magserbisyo. I am too young to retire. Alam ko malakas pa ako, kaya ko pa magserbisyo sa taong bayan (I really want to serve. I am too young to retire. I know I am still strong, I can still be of service to my countrymen),” the former PNP chief said. “God willing, if I’m lucky, I’ll focus on law enforcement, safety and security, peace and order,

and of course, corrections,” he added. Presidential son and former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte also filed his COC as Davao City First District Representative. Other personalities that filed their COCs were lawyer Larry Gadon, Tindig Pilipinas bets Gary Alejano, Chel Diokno and Samira Gutoc Tomawis and Gabriela party-list bets - Arlene Brosas, Baiali Indayla and Lucy Francisco.

Comelec offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until October 17. The campaign period for senator and party-list groups will be from February 12 to May 11 while for candidates of the House of Representatives, regional, provincial, city and municipal positions will be from March 30 to May 11. Political campaigning is banned on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The commission set the election period from January 13 until June 12, 2019. ■

Is Harvard University’s... PAGE A8 t

Americans hear about border walls, we remember more than 80 years of exclusionary laws that cut off Asian immigration to this country. When we hear the president scapegoating immigrants, Muslims and people of color, we remember the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. That’s why we’ve fought every step of the way to promote tolerance and progress. That’s always been the spirit of Asians in America. Our families came to the U.S. from dozens of different countries, and they faced many challenges upon their arrival. But when they climbed the ladder of success, they understood their obligation to lend a hand to the next generation climbing up the ladder. No matter our background, Asian Americans work hard not only to better our own lives, but to better the lives of our fellow Americans. That’s why we refuse to be pawns in this shameless effort to divide communities of color. *** Chris Lu was a former senior ofﬁcial in the Obama administration. He is now a senior fellow at the University of Virginia Miller Center and an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee.

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A10 October 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline Philippines

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House to reopen Dengvaxia probe by Delon

Porcalla Philstar.com

MANILA — The House committee on good government plans to reopen next month its inquiry into the culpability of former and present government officials involved in the allegedly anomalous purchase of P3.5 billion worth of Dengvaxia vaccines in 2015. “We will try to tie up some loose ends. Probably, we can still hold a hearing or two,” Camiguin

Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, chairman of the committee, said on Friday, October 12. Romualdo took over the panel formerly headed by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, which held joint hearings on the Dengvaxia mess with the committee on health chaired by Quezon Rep. Helen Tan. While the previous hearings may have covered about 80 percent of the issues regarding the anti-dengue vaccine, Romualdo said there are concerns that still

need to be threshed out. The Pimentel committee was not able to release its report on the Dengvaxia mess. Among those facing charges over the Dengvaxia controversy before the Department of Justice were former president Benigno Aquino III, former budget secretary Florencio Abad, former health chief Janette Garin and officials of Sanofi. Some 900,000 school children received Dengvaxia shots during a massive dengue immunization program in 2016. Sanofi, however, admitted in November last year that the vaccine may pose risks to those who have no history of dengue infection. n

Court ends hearing on... PAGE A7 t

coup d’ etat case. Among the evidence admitted by the court is Trillanes’ certificate of amnesty, the affidavits of Col. Josefa Berbigal, Honorio Azcueta, Dominador Rull and Emmanuel C. Tirador. Berbigal is the head of Ad Hoc Amnesty Committee Secretariat that received the amnesty application while Azcueta is a former Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense and head of the adhoc committee. Rull and Tirador were present when Trillanes submitted his amnesty application form and submitted photographs as proof. The court also admitted Exhibit 4, the printed photograph of Trillanes’ application for amnesty. The court said it is admitted despite object from the DOJ because it is part of Rull’s testimony. The court said “this is without prejudice to the determination of its probative value in due course.” Other evidence include photographs submitted by Rull and Tirador as well as the memorandum creating the Ad Hoc Committee and the Secretariat. The court also admitted as evidence the blank application form for amnesty. “It must be emphasized that the court admits some of the exhibits which may have a doubtful admissibility in the interest of prudence,” the court said. n

President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio disembark from the Philippine Airlines Chartered Flight PR001 upon his arrival at the Qionghai Bo’ao International Airport in Hainan Province, China on April 9, 2018. Malacañang photo by Toto Lozano

‘She’s too wise for that’: Duterte says daughter Sara won’t run for senator MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, October 12, said his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara “Inday” Duterte-Carpio won’t run for senator next year. “I’m telling you don’t believe Inday... She won’t run for senator nor president,” Duterte said in a mix of English and Filipino at a press conference upon his arrival from Indonesia. “Believe me, she’s too wise

for that,” he added. Based on results of a September 1 to 7 poll by Pulse Asia, 39.5 percent of voters surveyed said they would pick Sara in the upcoming senatorial race in May next year, putting her in the fifth spot. Sen. Grace Poe remains in the lead. Last week, the presidential daughter said the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) political

party offered her a slot, but she refused to accept it. The younger Duterte said she would seek re-election as Davao City mayor despite her strong survey numbers. Speaking to the Filipino community in Jordan last month, Duterte, whose family is an influential clan in Davao City, said he hopes Sara could fulfill his unmet promises once he steps down. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral/Philstar.com)

Youth voters to dominate 2019 polls by Catherine

Modesto ManilaTimes.net

The 2019 national and election polls will be dominated by voters from the young demographic, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday, October 10. In a media forum at the Cafe Adriatico in Manila, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said, “A little over one-third of the registered voters are the young people.” This translates to about 20 million voters, who fall under the 18to-35-year-old range. The young electorate was followed by the oldest demographic (senior citizens aged 60 and up) and then the middle-aged population. “Malaki ang impluwensiya ng kabataan sa darating na eleksiyon. Dahil nadagdagan ng alum-

ni ng Sangguniang Kabataan na di na kailangang magparehistro ngayon (The youth’s influence in the coming elections is big. This is because those who registered for the [2018] Youth Council polls do not need to register again),” Jimenez said. He added that the expected number of voters for the 2019 mid-term elections was 61 million. Of the number, 1.9 million are potentially overseas Filipino workers. Jimenez said voters should have an idea by now who they would vote for. The filing of certificate of candidacy will start tomorrow but your time to choose your candidates is running out. By now, you should know who you are looking for,” Jimenez said. “The most important thing right now is for the youth to de-

cide what the issues are. The problem with us is that we get overwhelmed with collateral noise,” he added. Jimenez said people tend to forget that issues they currently face such as traffic woes could be solved by “good election results or by electing good people.” “It is not enough that we focus on long-term solutions. We also have to talk about how to make our current situation easier. Let’s make traffic or safety of children in the streets election issues,” he added.| The filing of CoCs for the national and local elections in May next year will be on October 11, 12, 15, 16 and 17. Those who voted in the recently held barangay (village) and youth council polls are automatically eligible to vote in the 2019 elections, Jimenez said. n

The Philippines on Wednesday, October 10 deployed a humanitarian mission team to provide aid to Indonesia, which was hit by an earthquake and tsunami two weeks ago. Defense Secretary Delfin

Lorenzana led the send-off ceremony for the 25-person contingent headed by Civil Defense deputy administrator Nicanor Faeldon. The team will deliver six units of water filtration system, six

units of generator sets, tents and sleeping kits. The military’s C-130 plane will transport goods and other materials in affected areas. (Dempsey Reyes/ManilaTimes. net)

PH sends aid team to tsunami-hit Indonesia

Majority of Filipinos favor return of death penalty by Catherine

Modesto ManilaTimes.net

NEARLY six in every 10 Filipinos favor the revival of capital punishment for heinous crimes, a campaign promise of President Rodrigo Duterte, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Wednesday, October 10. The poll, conducted from March 22 to 27 among 2,000 Filipino adults nationwide, showed 59 percent of respondents agreed that the death penalty should be restored, while only 23 percent disagreed. This yielded a “moderate” net agreement of +26, the difference between the percentage of

respondents who approved and disapproved of the proposed law. The survey, however, emphasized that only 33 percent of Filipinos wanted death penalty if there were other punishment options for those who committed serious crimes related to illegal drugs. “The only exception is the crime of rape under the influence of drugs, for which a minority 47 percent think the death penalty should apply,” SWS said. For the crimes of importation of illegal drugs, maintenance of drug dens, manufacture of illegal drugs, murder under the influence of drugs, sale of illegal drugs and working in drug dens,

the demand for death penalty ranged from 22 to 33 percent. On the other hand, SWS said the demand for imprisonment, instead of death, was over 70 percent for those found guilty of working in drug dens (78 percent), sale of illegal drugs (76 percent), and maintenance of drug dens (73 percent). This was followed by murder under the influence of drugs (69 percent), importation of illegal drugs (68 percent), and manufacture of illegal drugs (66 percent). “Demand for imprisonment as a punishment for those guilty of rape under the influence of drugs is 53 percent,” the polling firm added. n

HARDIN NG LUNAS GAZEBO. Lt. General Rolando Joselito Bautista (right), Commanding General of Philippine Army, and Dra. Isa Suntay of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation Inc., release tilapia fingerlings during the inauguration of the “Hardin ng Lunas Gazebo” at Camp General Sevillano Aquino in San Miguel ,Tarlac City on Tuesday, October 9. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

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Dateline Philippines

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • October 13-16, 2018

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Binay against Binay: Junjun ready to run against sister; Abby has Jejomar’s support

MANILA — Makati City Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay-Campos has destroyed the Binay brand of public service in the city, her younger brother Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr. said on Friday, October 12. Junjun is ready to run against his older sister and as Makati City mayor in the 2019 elections. Speaking to reporters, Junjun said his older sister has never denied that she is not used to approaching people, which has GLOBAL ACTION FOR BIODIVERSITY SECURITY. Sen. Cynthia Villar gave the participants on the series of dialogues in securing biodiversity and protection been the brand of their father, and conservation of the environment a tour of the Las Piñas – Parañaque Wetland Park. The participants are in the country on the invitation of the ASEAN former Vice President Jejomar Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), which is hosting the Asia Multi-Actor Dialogue Seminars to Build Social-ecological Resilience through the Incorporation Binay. of Ecosystem-based Solutions in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The series of dialogues was conducted by the ACB in cooperation with “It becomes difficult to navithe Convention on Biological Diversity and the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SwedBio). Villar, chair of the Senate environment committee, has called for more discussions and greater cooperation among countries on these concerns. Senate photo gate because there is clamor and then we have Abby there. My sister will not back out so we have to talk first,” Junjun told reporters. He added that 13 councilors “bolted away” from Abby when she took over as Makati mayor in 2016. This started the clamor “transitory” and was mainly driv- awarding large infrastructure by AJPress from Makati residents because en by high oil prices, Diokno said. projects to foreign contractors to they “miss the Binay style of SECRETARY of Budget and He cited the IMF and ADB fore- ensure the financial viability of governance.” Management (DBM) Benjamin casts, noting the inflation would those projects — including those The youngest Binay accompaDiokno on Wednesday, October reach targeted level of 2-4 per- from China. nied his eldest sister Nancy, who 10, said the Philippines expects cent next year. “We are very careful in choosfiled her certificate of candidacy economic growth to recover to Diwa Guinigundo, deputy gov- ing our projects (for foreign buildfor senator. 7-8 percent target next year as it ernor of Bangko Sentral Ng Pili- ers),” the budget secretary said. Junjun admitted that he last pushes ahead with massive infra- pinas (BSP), the country’s central “We have decided to assign spoke to Abby in July as his sisstructure spending plans. bank, spoke to Reuters in a sepa- projects - this project will go ter do not go to Sunday family According to him, the gross rate interview saying the peso’s to Japan, this one to China,” he gatherings. domestic product (GDP) growth fall to near 13-year lows against added. Abby, on the other hand, said would be back to targeted level the U.S. dollar was caused by Concerns over infrastructure next year, mainly bolstered by global factors such as U.S. inter- projects funded by Chinese debt President Rodrigo Duterte’s est rate hikes and the U.S.-China have cropped out, mostly from $180-billion infrastructure build- tariff war. Philippine senators. But Diokno ing campaign. “I think our currency has some assured that the government was by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com “We are confident that we fundamental bases to remain sta- “comfortable” with its budget would be back on track next ble and strong,” he said. deficit target of 3 percent of the year,” Diokno told Reuters. He also said that monetary GDP in the near-term, as it conMANILA — No Filipino is on “We are very positive that our policy had a “very strong tighten- tinued to invest more at home to death row in Semarang, Indone“Build, Build, Build” program ing bias” aimed at bringing infla- cushion the impact of sluggish sia and Mary Jane Veloso is the will sustain growth of around 7 tion down to a 2-4 percent target exports. only Filipina meted a death senpercent for the next 10 years,” he range. The IMF urged the government tence, the Department of Foreign added. The BSP has raised interest to adjust its budget deficit targets Affairs (DFA) clarified. Annual growth slowed to a near rates a total of 150 basis points to make it “neutral” rather than According to the Philippine three-year low of 6.0 percent in since May to contain inflationary expansionary last month to limit embassy in Jakarta, Veloso is the second quarter, leaving it set pressures and support the strug- overheating risks and avoid over- presently detained in Yogyakarta to undershoot the government’s gling peso. and not in Semarang. burdening monetary policy. target of 7-8 percent for this year. China investments The IMF said a neutral fiscal Ambassador Leehiong Wee The International Monetary According to Diokno, the tar- stance would imply a lower bud- said there is a Filipino in prison Fund (IMF) and the Asian Devel- iff war between the world’s two get deficit equal to 2.4 percent of in Semarang but she is serving a opment Bank (ADB) have trimmed largest economies will likely gross domestic product this year life se lated crimes. their 2018 growth forecasts for result in Chinese companies in- and 2.5 percent next year, comLast month, the embassy asthe country, with the former ex- vesting more in Southeast Asian pared with the government’s 3 sisted Veloso’s family to visit her pecting 6.5 percent expansion countries. percent and 3.2 percent targets in detention. and the latter 6.4 percent. He said, “They (Chinese com- for 2018 and 2019. Wee said Veloso is healthy and The weak peso, which reached panies) might look at Indonesia, The government, however, in good spirits, and expressed a near-decade high of 6.7 percent Thailand and the Philippines. had told the IMF it was unwill- her gratitude in seeing her famin September, also helped lift in- That also favors us.” ing to lower the deficit target as ily. flation. However, he said the govern- it would result in “a lot of half finThe DFA said the embassy and The current high inflation was ment would be “very strict” in ished projects,” Diokno said. n its legal counsel will continue to

PH sees decade of 7 percent growth from $180-billion infrastructure drive

Former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay is ready to challenge his sister Abigail Binay for the mayoral race in the 2019 elections. Philstar.com photos

that she has the support of their father, who is running for Congress in the 2019 elections. Junjun said they would have to wait for their father to return this weekend to discuss the feud between him and his sister. The Commission on Elections said Junjun can still run for office since there is no final conviction yet on pending cases against him. “But if there’s any appeal, or if it’s not a final decision, then it

won’t fit the criteria for disqualification,” Comelec spokesperon James Jimenez said told ANC’s Headstart. The Binay father and son are facing charges over the alleged anomalous P2.2-billion Makati City Hall building 2 project. Earlier this year, the Court of Appeals has reversed the Office of the Ombudsman’s dismissal of Junjun in October 2015. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/ Philstar.com)

Mary Jane Veloso lone Filipino on Indonesia death row assist Veloso and her family in accordance with Philippine and Indonesian laws. Veloso was sentenced to death for smuggling heroin into Indonesia. She was arrested in April 2010 for bringing in 2.6-kilograms of heroin in a suitcase. She was sentenced to death in October 2010 but the execution did not push through due to the moratorium issued by former Indonesian President Yudhoyono. She was set for execution anew in January 2015, and then on April 29, 2015 but she was granted a stay of execution in exchange for testifying against her alleged recruiter. The Filipino migrants support group Migrante International on Friday, October 12, urged President Duterte to raise the case of Veloso and other victims of trafficking during in his meeting

with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the ASEAN leaders meeting in Bali. Migrante spokesman Arman Hernando said there is an urgent need to discuss the case of Veloso and two other Filipina drug trafficking victims imprisoned in Indonesia. “On the back of having other Filipina victims of drug trafficking detained in Indonesia, it is all the more necessary for Duterte to explain to Jokowi the case of Mary Jane Veloso and finally allow her to testify against the international drug and human traffickers who victimized her,” Hernando said. Even if the sentence on the other Filipina victim in Semarang was only life imprisonment, Migrante said Veloso’s testimony is crucial in setting the precedent to help all the victims of international drug syndicates. n

A12 October 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE

Journal An extraordinary evening of OPM and Filipina enters ‘Asia’s Pinay power at the Ford Theatres Next Top Model’ top 3 Serenata Filipina Ver. 2 unites iconic singers and songwriters

IT was a cool evening on Sunday, October 7, juxtaposed by the electric and fiery performances of the Filipino-American community’s top artists, backed by a live eight-man band. The program was proudly all Original Pilipino Music (OPM), from rock, jazz to pop, including instrumentals by young protégés, who opened the show. That evening, the audience was enthralled by jazz diva Louie Reyes who lit up the night with her vocal prowess, Odette Quesada who brought out nostalgic memories through her romantic melodies, and Geneva Cruz who reminded us of her strong background of hit records. All went as planned by producer/arranger Annie Nepomuceno, who started the sunset hours with delightful and inspiring performances of the Los Angeles Young Ambassadors (LAYA) who was led by conductor Sheen Sanchez in “Chitchiritchit.” From its membership, the members of the Enriquez family impressed the crowd with songs by Ryan Cayabyab: Mirielle Ann on violin performed “Nais Ko,” and joined Neal Dan on cello for “Araw Gabi,” ably accompanied by their elder sister Millicent on the keyboards. The audience took note as Mirielle, an accomplished singer,

Maureen Wroblewitz took home the country’s first AsNTM crown last season. Like Maureen, Adela draws strength from what others think might be her weakness. “I’m not a typical model like I’m not super matangkad, super payat. But I really think that I have a good attitude and approach, and I’m really game for anything.”

Though happy to be in the top three, she feels deeply for fellow Filipino contender Jachin Manere, who was eliminated at episode six. “I was really, really sad, actually. Because even though we were competitors, she is my kababayan. So even if I don’t succeed, I want it to be her. But when she left, I had a wakeup call that there’s a lot of pressure on me.” If ever Adela wins in the show, one of the prizes is a contract with Storm Model Management in London. “Hopefully, I could utilize that and with that following, be a good role model to younger girls. I think that’s the most important,” said the 20-year-old model. “My advice to anyone who wants to become a model is to believe in yourself. Because in this industry everybody tells you, ‘You’re not tall enough, you’re not skinny enough, you’re not this, you’re not that.’ You really have to know yourself first before you get into that industry.”

Unbeknownst to many, Ms. Reyes nurtured and managed the mega-group The CompanY, which has recorded an impressive 30 albums in its 30-year career. Reyes performs one of the group’s first hits, “Now That I Have You,” penned by Trina Belamide. Geneva Cruz, the original singer of “Kailan” during her tenure with the group Smokey Mountain, sounded fresh and inspired, though the song was launched decades ago when Cruz was in her preteen years. Shifting to stylized traditional outfits, Reyes in a Maria Clara, and Nepomuceno in a Maguindanao malong, the next section had ethnic touches, courtesy of Jojo Ramirez on agung and Camille Ramirez on kulintang. Nepomuceno delivered a rock fusion “Babae Ka,” written by Ani

Montano, and the ladies duetted on “Magbalik Ka Na, Mahal,” in an exhibition of musical expertise. Stripping down to basics, Reyes performed the Ernani Cuenco classic “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal” with Music Director Lorrie Ilustre, who was flown in from Las Vegas to do this show. Often mistook for a non-Filipino composition, “I Will Always Stay This Way” performed by Nepomuceno, and written by Boy Katindig, had its fans in the audience. One of the highlights of the night was a “fireside chat” featuring all the five singers onstage, whose spontaneous and hilarious banter proved that these women, professionals and seasoned as they are, are also true PAGE B2

by Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo Inquirer.net

Full cast of Geneva Cruz, Louie Reyes, Odette Quesada, G Tongi and Annie Nepomuceno sing a suite of Quesada songs, with spontaneous banter that stole the show.

Kayamanan ng Lahi’s Pamana children perform “Sakuting” dance with sticks.

joined G Tongi and LAYA in “Eskwelang Kwela,” premiering Tagalog language teaching songs, a new project to be launched soon by Tongi and Nepomuceno. “Pamana” is the young batch of dancers from Kayamanan Ng Lahi, who followed with Sakuting and Tinikling dances, which the

Multi-instrumentalists Jojo and Camille Ramirez play a multitude of percussion, woodwinds, and ethnic instruments. AJPress photos by Anndy Tecson

youngsters performed with glee. The opening acts proved that young Fil-Ams have the verve for cultural involvement, through music and the arts. Local Fil-Am multi-instrumentalist Camille Ramirez took the lead on saxophone with Cayabyab’s “Mamang Kutsero” which

ADELA-MAE Marshall, the last Filipina standing at the ongoing sixth season of reality TV series “Asia’s Next Top Model” (AsNTM), feels really proud of herself for being in the modeling competition’s top three. In a recent interview with Philstar.com during, Adela said that she might have lasted this long in the competition because she has been listening to judges’ comments. “I hope that what the judges saw in me is the fact that I listen when they give me criticism and then I come back the next week and try to show them what I’ve learned,” she shared. After getting the third best photo of the week at the show’s episode seven, Adela now has the second highest accumulated average among the top three finalists, which makes her closer to getting the Philippines its backto-back win in the contest, after ushered in the high energy “Take My Lovin’” with Louie Reyes and Nepomuceno, penned by The CompanY’s music director Moy Ortiz, which appears in Mr. Reyes’ album. It was followed by the samba grooved “Out Of Words,” written by Babsie Molina, the legendary session vocalist.

Dance group Revolutionary Steps with some of the members of the 8-man live band.

Adela Mae Marshall Photo from Instagram/@adelamae

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Entertainment

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An extraordinary evening of OPM...

PAGE B1 to themselves. The conversation was unscripted, and the suite of songs was a tiny representation of Quesada’s vast song catalog: “Friend of Mine,” written by Quesada when she was 15 years old, “ Give Me A Chance,” her first recorded single, “To Love Again,” her first movie theme, and “Don’t Know What To Do.” After Reyes sang “A Long Long Time Ago,” Quesada commented that she never thought the jazz diva would ever get to sing any of her pop ballads. The evening would not be complete without “Til I Met You,” her MetroPop Grand Prize winning song. As the strains of “Growing Up,” reminiscent of the “Bagets” movie the song was featured in, dancers Revolutionary Steps (RevSteps) began to emerge from the mountain backdrop of the Ford. The song ended with a twenty-strong chorus line doing the iconic dance move. RevSteps energetic number to Missy Elliot and Black Eyed Peas music was choreographed by Louisa Tampi, who would sing in the next number. Nepomuceno (and Reyes as a matter of fact” are leading singing coaches and mentor artists. Tampi joined Nepomuceno in the powerful

By Monet

IT is almost cliché whenever we hear about “real men” doing unusual things. Some say “they (can) wear pink,” or that they cry (when necessary and are not ashamed of it) or that they “stay faithful to The evening is capped with a “Pinay” Disco Medley, with a flashmob of dancers onstage and their woman.” In retrospect, these in the aisles . AJPress photos by Andy Tecson are things that are being done not only by real men, but also the “few good ones.” I am fortunate to have known and be friends to some of them and call it good karma because they are not only good men, they are also blessed to live the ‘American dream.’ Dr. Regalado “Loloy” Valerio I’ve known Loloy and his wife for a long time. In fact, I did the hair and makeup for their wedding not too long ago. I admire them as a couple. They are good for each other and as the head of New batch of “bagets” (young ones) back Quesada on “Growing Up,” first used in the movie their household, Loloy is doing a “Bagets”. great job. “Shine,” another composition by to 13-year old Sakura, a blossomBorn and raised in Bulacan, Belamide. ing musical theatre artist. They Philippines, the young Loloy ValePreceding this was G Tongi, wowed the crowd with Cecile rio attended a quasi- Seminarian who coincidentally was a 13-year Azarcon’s “Special Memory.” high school where he learned the old when she took lessons with Cruz performed her hits “Pang- value of academics, discipline Nepomuceno, and is now mother arap Ka,” “Ang Gaan ng Feeling,” and spirituality. He holds double “Hindi Ko Kaya,” and “Anak ng bachelor’s degrees in medical Pasig,” while Nepomuceno sang technology (Magna Cum Laude) songs from the 90’s bands; After and nursing (Cum Laude) from Image’s “Next In Line, Side A’s the University of Santo Tomas “Forevermore” and the Eraser- and Dr. Carlos Lanting College heads’ “With A Smile” and “Ang respectively. In the United States, Huling El Bimbo.” A definite highlight of the He was a former member of the night was Reyes rendition of New Minstrels, as was Reyes, for “A Million Voices In Me” which whom he wrote the song for in Cayabyab especially composed the late 80’s. The entire audience for her, utilizing her jazz scatting was roused to its feet in “Awitin Mo,” as they followed the lead of proficiency. Hinting to the crowd that Que- the dancers. The artists were styled and sada, Reyes and Nepomuceno Louie Reyes and Annie Nepomuceno perform the lively “Take My Lovin,” penned by Moy will be taking on the music of the dressed by Kristine Amarillo, Ortiz. Philippines’ most famous trio, the Fashion Designer and Pattern women harmonized in an “Apo Maker who heads The Tale for Medley: Doo Bi Doo, Yakap Sa Esther brand, made and handDilim, When I Met You, Show crafted in Los Angeles. Glamming Me a Smile, Salawikain, & Ewan.” them up was celebrity makeup Ably adjusting to playing in a artist and beauty educator Maria female key was Music Director Rondonuwu who had worked on Ilustre, who also happens to be the Golden Globes, the Oscars, the longtime Music Director of and many more. The night that ended on a the Apo, as well. A newer song by Quesada high note, was streamlined and “Love Will Always Win” ushered smooth, and run by an entire in the finale, where a flashmob village. From Stage Manager filled the stage and aisles of the Padsy Padre, Assistant ProducFord in a “Pinay Disco Medley” of tion Manager Joshua Simon, FOH which one of the selections, “Pa- Manager Maan Co, Assistant SM rang Langit” had its composer, Jay Robleza to volunteers Dulce Female version of The Apo: Reyes, Quesada and Nepomuceno sing a collection of songs from Ray-An Fuentes, in the audience. Febre, and official archivists Rick the famous trio, including “Ewan” and “Salawikain” among others.

Meet Loloy, Max and Andy: A ‘few good men’ living the American dream

he initially worked as an oncology nurse at St. John’s Health Center and then transferred to the critical care area at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. In 2011, he pursued a master’s degree in Nurse Anesthesia from the University of Southern California where he graduated as the class valedictorian. In 2017, he finished his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Duke University with a final GPA of 4.0. His doctoral project’s focus was the implementation of a standardized surgical checklist in the operating rooms at LA county hospital which aimed to improve communication and teamwork among perioperaGavino and Ding Carreon. There are backline suppliers, AV supplier Luigi Dizon, prompter Jack Campano and Stage Director Paolo Alcedo. Making this celebration of women in OPM possible were sponsors present in the audience: Asian Journal’s Roger and Cora Oriel, Henry Chen of Get Assured, Rosie Chua and Susie Fung of Arko Foods, Mendrei and Cecile Leelin, Shadouh Lopez of Reeves Immigration Law Group, Lem Balagot of LA Rose Café, Cynthia Lizan-Purnell of House of Grill and Ed Rame of Waling Waling Flowers. Support was also provided by TFC The Filipino Channel, Wealth Financial Life, Glenn Fernandez, Fiesta Fastfood, Good Teez, The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA), The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles, and Mosquera Multimedia.

tive providers. Valerio is a faculty Nurse Anesthetist at LAC + USC Medical Center and a clinical liaison for the Program of Nurse Anesthesia, Keck School of Medicine. He is the current president of the Philippine Nurses Association of Southern California (PNASC) and is one of the examination writers for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). He invites the Filipino nurses to join and be part of PNASC. Dr. Valerio is a published author and currently, he is one of the primary investigators in an IRB-approved-research at Case PAGE B4

G Tongi sings with her talented daughter Sakura Walters “Special Memory” written by Cecile Azarcon.

This show was a season performance of the Ford Theatres, made possible by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, supported by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

The wave of BCD Tofu House The (female immigrant owned) House that Tofu Built by Rae ann VaRona AJ Press

The “Korean wave,” or hallyu, has been making a stronger with the first BCD Tofu House location. Her vision of familhit in the U.S. recently, and its impact has undeniably also iarizing Americans with Korean food quickly became a goal, made hit on the food scene, bringing its influence beyond and another location followed just ten months later. that of just kimchi and Korean barbecue. In less than ten years, Lee was able to turn BCD Tofu With a steaming bowl of freshly soft tofu, vegetables, and House into one of the most successful ethnic restaurants in a fresh egg in a savory and slightly spicy stew, Buk-Chang- the U.S. next to Panda Express. With 13 restaurants curDong Tofu House — better known as BCD Tofu House — has rently standing throughout Southern California, New Jersey, built a legacy off of serving Americans with the authentic South Korea and New York, BCD Tofu House has become a Korean eating experience. known name to Americans. Rightly described as “The House that Tofu Built,” its fa- Its popularity grew so strong within the states that Lee mous soon-dubu, or soft tofu soup, has been dubbed as the eventually brought her brand back home to South Korea ultimate Korean comfort food. where it also has developed a strong following and amassed BCD Tofu House first opened up in 1996 along Vermont a number of imitators, partly due to its American success Avenue in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, seven years after its story. In 2006, BCD Tofu House was selected by the Korean owner Hee Sook Lee moved to the U.S. Its acronym “BCD”, government to be a representative Korean restaurant.

only the highest quality of tofu in its dishes.

As for the rich and comforting flavor of the bright, red soup, no MSG flavor is added (or needed), for those avoiding it. Walk into any BCD Tofu House on any given hour and you’ll most likely find it packed and busy with a diverse range of customers. This is true even in its current Koreatown Wilshire location that is open 24 hours and is solid with customers way into the late hours.

And while the BCD Tofu House menu offers 8 variations of soon-dubu to explore with ingredients ranging from vegetables to seafood to meats, the restaurant also offers other Korean favorites like hot-stone bibimbap, soy bean cold noodle, galbi, bulgogi, kimchi dumpling, tofu japchae, and crispy garlic tofu bites among others. They even have a pays homage to the South Korean city of Buk-Chang-Dong And while soon-dubu spots have sprouted around Kore- soup starter kit that can be found in selected asian market which is well known for its restaurants. atown and elsewhere, there’s a reason BCD Tofu House thas for people to enjoy at home. For Lee, who had experience in the restaurant business become a standard when it comes to the comforting soft tofu For 22 years, BCD Tofu House has been introducing Americans and the world to tofu through its warm, savory, and from working with her husband’s family restaurant in South soup and the Korean eating experience. Korea, it made sense to start a restaurant in the states and Aside from putting in Lee’s own secret ingredient, BCD comforting soon-dubu, and its safe to say that they aren’t her vision from the start was simple. Lee thought that if Chi- Tofu House makes the effort of choosing high quality ingre- done yet. nese food was able to find popularity in the states, Korean dients. In each personal bubbling cauldron in which the BCD Tofu House Southern California locations include Kofood surely would too. soon-dubu is cooked, is soft, fresh, and 100 percent US- reatown, Garden Grove, Artesia, Irvine, Torrance, Fullerton, Despite facing the many challenges that naturally came DA-certified organic tofu. Packed with essential nutrients Rowland Heights, and the San Fernando Valley. More inforwith opening up a restaurant, along with the added chal- like calcium and iron, tofu has become widely known for its mation on BCD Tofu House can be found on their website, lenges of being an immigrant woman, Lee found success health benefits, and BCD Tofu House makes sure to serve www.bcdtofu.com.

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MOONLIGHTING by MYLAH DE

LEON

THEY are daughters of dramatic journeys and fantastic tales, carrying their stories like treasures, proud of their heritage they came to America amid colonial romance, hope, despair, misfortune but are led by hopes. As they lay down a shadow of stunning proportions shaped both by the drama of the past and sparkle of the future, expressing themselves with bold fresh aplomb. A poignant history unfolds in their stories, beneath the successes and achievement of individual careers, a long invisible thread holds them fast to our ancient land of origin and tribal lore. I believe rites and ceremonies memorable milestones for special occasions such as turning 57 years old. Amid chatter and applause, the Los Angeles Philippine Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club (LAPWC) members of the California Federation of Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club celebrated its 57th anniversary, with the induction of its new set of offices, and paid tribute to their past leaders since 1961. They reminisced that treasured era. The inducted officers are: Rosalie Caratao (president), Dr. Emma Landicho- Sy (1st vice president), Cora Soriano (2nd vice president), Chelsea Boling (recording secretary), Alicia de Aragon (corresponding secretary), Arnie Agarin (financial secretary), Cecilia Berango (treasurer), and Elisa Trasoras (financial reviewer). But perhaps nothing they have done professionally has been of such critical importance as their staunch support for the arts, in a time when public support for the arts was increasingly under ideological attack and facing damaging budgetary cuts. They were relentless in their support of arts and funding, unexcelled at the time. In 1961, the LAWC earned their only distinction, whose name is in the marker of the Music Center, officially named the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County. The Music Center is home to the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, Ahmanson Theater and Walt Disney Concert Hall. The clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name is engraved permanently on its granite wall,

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 13-16, 2018

In praise of the Los Angeles Philippine Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club

OfďŹ cers of the Los Angeles Philippine Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club

Love of Country Ambassadors were guests of honor at the 57th-year anniversary of the LAPWC.

as associate founding members of the Music Center. Among the clubs treasures are the eightterm presidency of Luz Espinosa and five-year terms of Amelia Arichera. Looking at the doubleround figure, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the best among the brightest, never to be pushed back on a shelf that last act has only begun and it will be the best of the brightest. The Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current president, Rosalie Caratao, whose mere presence in the last previous years with the club forged changed and lent shape to the human drama that revolves around the community

Guests during the recent LAPWC luncheon

events. She has led the emergence and its growth leading with the members, in advancing the roles of women in their ability to adapt and face the challenges of the New World. Highly motivated and independent women, over coffee and a meal, largely conceived, created produced events in promoting education, moral and social welfare and civic advancement among the various clubs of women throughout the county making combined actions expedient for mutual helpfulness. Among its current project is

assisting maintain the 23-bedroom Ronald McDonald House at the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, which provides the comfort of home, serving as a low-cost temporary housing for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at the Miller Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital and nearby medical facilities. They also supported the Long Beach Rescue Mission, serving indigent men, women and children with food clothing and shelter. Spontaneous welcome filtered out of everywhere, as Laarni SapPAGE B4

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Health@Heart Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS IN this era of health consciousness, people, in general, are seeking ways to live healthier and maximize longevity through prevention. This was one of the reasons why I wrote the book, “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children,” a primer on healthy lifestyle and disease prevention at the cellular (DNA-telomere) level pre-emptively and proactively to protect damages to our DNA and severely minimize the risk for the development of hypertension, diabetes T2, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. Our society seems to have surrendered and accepted the development of these diseases as natural, a matter of course, and expected as normal as humans grow to midlife and older. There is nothing farther from the scientific truth. No one needs (or is destined) to have high blood pressure or diabetes or any of the major cardiovascular illnesses, or even cancer. These are preventable to a great extent. And lifestyle plays a great role in what happens to our body and to our life. The strategy includes diet, exercise, and staying away from toxins and poisons, and anything harmful to our body. Most diseases are “self-inflicted” Have we programmed our mind and our being to self-destruct? Many of us, including the most educated ones, often disregard well-publicized evidence-based medical guides for a healthy life style. Although we know that a certain habit or practice or behavior is unhealthy, we still do it. Examples of these involve three culprits: food, alcohol, and tobacco (FAT). Scientific articles abound about the hazards of smoking, where zero tolerance is the rule, including vaping (e-cigarettes), which has been found to be as dangerous as regular cigarettes. Even the tobacco industry, indicted by the United States government, now admits that cigarettes are harmful to health and could cause various types of cancer, and yet many continue to smoke or vape. Alcohol use is another. While it was medically recommended

Life is wonderful

in the past that it was safe for non-pregnant women to have one drink a day, and men to have two drinks a day, new medical studies reveal that there is really no safe level of alcohol. Ethyl alcohol (the ingredient in our cocktails) is still an alcohol, which is toxic to our liver. Of course, it is a matter of dose, but why even have a tiny burn in our liver at all? Occasionally, I love to have Beefeater’s martini during lunch and pinot noir with my dinner especially during my younger years, but my burning GE reflux now punishes me when I indulge even with one drink. Perhaps, my liver and I should thank my acidreflux for my abstinence today. Diet of confusion The various types of so-called healthy diet are confusing. There are the Adkins, South Beach, DASH, ketogenic, vegan, vegetarian, lectin-free, gluten-free, Stillmans, Hacker, raw foodism, etc. To simply put it, what is important are two factors: quality and quantity. Basically, all of these diets aim for us to eat anti-inflammatory food items, those high in anti-oxidants and nutrition, those that lessen oxidative processes in our body that cause illnesses and speed up aging. There are foods that induce inflammation in our body, and damages to our DNA, and those are to be avoided. Low carbohydrate (especially in rice), high plant-based food items, low fat, high protein diet with at least eight glasses of filtered water daily is the easiest rule to remember. I was a rice addict (three meals a day) until last March, when I stopped eating rice cold turkey. I never thought I could do it. But here I am almost eight months later, still on a ricefree diet, and my blood sugar and blood pressure well under control. Of course, depending on our weight, being aware of our caloric (volume) intake is essential, which we can always adjust. Daily physical exercise is a natural and a vital part of this regimen. Just observe our animal friends and see how active they are, always on the move. That’s nature teaching us. So, let’s stop self-inflicting, self-inducing harm to our body and get out of that self-destruct (almost suicidal) mode most of us, if not all, appear to have programmed out mindset to. Let’s be healthy and enjoy life.

Minimize harmful lectin Studies have revealed that lectin (different from lecithin, which is good for health) a protein discovered in 1888 is found in almost all food items which could cause damage to our cells and a cascade of inflammation and auto-immune reaction. It is also anti-nutrients, undigested by our body. Some people are so intolerant of lectin that they develop weight gain, leaky guts and other illnesses. While almost all foods have lectin in them, this harmful substance is greatly reduced by cooking, sprouting, and fermenting. Nonetheless, it is best to minimize our intake of lectin. The following are some of the food items which have high lectin levels: all soy and wheat products (most breads), most cooking oil, all varieties of rice, quinoa, barley, rye, grains, oats, dairy products, foods with gluten, and the so-called nightshade foods, like tomatoes, beans, peas, squash, lentils, eggplants, sweet and hot peppers, potatoes, peanuts, and cashews. Meats and seafoods also contain lectin. Those with low lectin levels are all vegetables not on the list above, dark chocolates, almonds, walnuts, macadamia, extra virgin oil, tea/ coffee (without cream and sugar), and stevia, the only sugar substitute on the list. Again, cooking reduces lectin to a safer level. The lower, the better. Those who continue to smoke tobacco (including e-cigarettes), which are toxic to the body, and can cause a host of illnesses, especially cancer, or those who imbibe excess alcohol, which is literally toxic to the liver, no matter how little (new studies show there is no safe level for alcohol intake), are virtually committing a slow suicide. While a bit of exaggerated, this is nonetheless a medical truism. Together with daily exercise (low-impact brisk walking is in, and joint-busting jogging is medically discouraged), diet is vital to our health and longevity. We are indeed what we eat. Both physical exercise and proper diet significantly reduce our risk for the development of all major diseases, including Alzheimer’s and cancer. Dr. Google on-call If unsure or in need of information about anything, we have Dr. Google (office hours 24/7) at our fingertips, free of charge. In

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Meet Loloy, Max and Andy: A ‘few good... PAGE B2 Western University on transformational leadership practices, level of engagement and psychological empowerment among Philippine Nurses Association of America leaders. His published articles included Anesthetic Considerations for an Adult Heart Transplant Recipient Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery: A Case Report (AANA Journal) and The Impact of Standardized Surgical Checklist on Communication and Team Work among Interdisciplinary Surgical Team (DNP Journal). Dr. Valerio is married to Roan and a father of two (soon to be three) kids, named Ruvielle and Reagan. Max “Jojo” Narvaez Like Loloy, who has now achieved so much here in the land of milk and honey, Max “Jojo” Narvaez has so much to live for now that he has assumed a bigger role in the nursing industry. Max, who is also known as Jojo to his family and friends, now works as a Marketing Director for Panorama Meadows in Panorama City. He was born in Manila. He went to La Consolacion for elementary, then Notre Dame of Greater Manila for high school. He took his Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Emilio Aguinaldo College. Jojo migrated in the US in January 2002 and worked as a CNA

and a private caregiver in different nursing homes and home health agencies. Amidst all his struggles came success when he ended up with a loving family; with beautiful daughters who motivate him to work even harder so that he can give the best for them. In 2015, Jojo was reunited with his parents after 13 years of being apart. He was able to bring him here to the U.S. Unfortunately, their reunion was cut short when his father passed away just two months after. Jojo considers his dad as his hero and the one who inspired him to be the best person. Jojo is one of the most compassionate men I’ve known. He is determined to be the best person for everybody, and I can just imagine how wonderful this world would turn out if we have more like them in our community. Ferdinand “Andy” Uriarte Digal Doria Andy has gone a long way from being a fresh graduate of accountancy in Butuan City in the Philippines. He is now an entrepreneur and a successful license insurance broker for over 16 years. He is a leading figure in the networking industry including Javita coffee, Alliance in Motion Global and a Saladmaster Senior Consultant. He is currently the Vice President of Butuan Club of Southern California and has served as a board

member for a couple of years. He is also the Vice President of Los Angeles Unity Lions Club 2017 and Vice President of Los Angeles Dignity Lions Club 2018 up to the present time. Andy loves to travel, having been to more than 20 countries so far. I’m fortunate to have been friends with one who is not only well-traveled but who is also very passionate about his craft. He is a good influence. Loloy, Max and Andy know what it’s like to dream and achieve their dreams. They have been awarded as the Men of Distinction by “Reflections presents The Beautiful Life Celebration” committee. These three men are inspiring a lot of Filipinos who wanted to give more and do more for the community. To Loloy, Max and Andy, I wish you even more success and thank you for being one of the few good ones. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

In praise of the Los Angeles... PAGE B3 phire emceed, turning the event into a big production, while Cecilia Berango, a lady of attainment and polish minds the coffer — she liked numbers. Mrs. Trini Foliente raked in 80 new members. She is considered socially charming, warm and open by close friends. Professionally, she is all steel, work and driven, described in three words: Earth, Wind and Fire.

Ms. Elma Cayton’s formula for success, “I am instinctively guarded by the Golden Route, the value of honesty and hard work, tenderness and fair play, make a way, of no way.” Marc Caratao was taking in all the merriment with patience and amused restraint as he watched his beloved wife, Rosalie Caratao, welcome members and guests from every direction as the “gathering of gifts” to do what is not

simply hope for, but do what is expected, that required extraordinary courage, nurturance, attention, commitment, empathy and the sense of orchestration. I am grateful to be able to glimpse at these little slices of cultivated life, of selfishness — an increasingly rare commodity in this contemporary Fil-Am genre. ***

my case, “I don’t need Google, because my wife knows everything,” as printed on my t-shirt from Cancun, Mexico, a gift from my eldest daughter, Sheillah. In all seriousness, though, our state of health and longevity are greatly in our hands, within our control to a significant extent. Disciplining our mind (and mindset), harnessing and utilizing all the information about healthy

lifestyle which are readily available and accessible today, plus regular meditation and daily prayers, are the fundamental ingredients of the recipe for a healthier, happier, more productive, and maximal longevity. Life is wonderful. Let’s have more of it. ***

chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com

Look your best and reach your aesthetic goals at Radiant Medical Aesthetics

T’S no secret that we all deserve to look and feel our best. Such is the motto of Frances Calayan-Cuento, owner of Radiant Medical Aesthetics in Rowland Heights, California. A nurse practitioner by training, Calayan-Cuento comes from a family of doctors in the Philippines and decided to enter into her own business venture along with her husband, Mariel, who is also a registered nurse. “We’re very personalized when it comes to the care we offer,” Calayan-Cuento said. “It’s my husband and me doing the services, so when people come in for a consultation, they’ll talk to us and we do it for them.” Radiant Medical Aesthetics offers an array of services — whether an anti-aging facial or botox to reduce wrinkles and fine lines — to help individuals reach their aesthetic goals. “People come in here and want to enhance what they have,” Calayan-Cuento said. “It feels good when they leave the place and they’re more confident and are feeling beautiful.” One of the most sought-after services is microneedling, a cosmetic procedure that involves repeatedly puncturing the skin like other places, Radiant uses with tiny, sterile needles. Un- a radio frequency (RF) machine,

which is like a laser, skin tightening and microneedling in one

to address skin problems, such as scarring, pigmentation, fine lines, acne, or collagen loss. Clients can also get the treatment using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) — popularly known as a “vampire facial” — which uses one’s own blood to increase collagen production. The medical spa also offers facials, botox, fillers, IV nutritional therapy (vitamin C and glutathione), and laser and body treatments like lymphatic detox, firming, and spine therapy. “Since we are a licensed medical spa, we use high-quality, U.S.-made products,” CalayanCuento said. In addition to the popular treatments, Radiant Medical Aesthetics will roll out more services, such as medical weight loss and hair restoration, and unveil a line of skincare products. Maintaining your glow and taking care of yourself doesn’t just stop when you leave the clinic, however. Calayan-Cuento shared her top tips for skincare, such as: Wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure for long periods, hydrate, and moisturize daily. “Sometimes there are things you can’t really avoid because as you age, that’s when collagen production decreases, so that’s when you need these kinds of services,” she said. Radiant Medical Aesthetics is located at 1735 Fullerton Rd., Rowland Heights, CA 91748 (Inside Oya Beauty). Hours are Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (by appointment) and Saturday and Sunday by appointment only. For more information and a full list of services, please visit http://www.radiantmedicalaesthetics.com. 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 13-16, 2018

B OCTOBER 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ OCTOBER 13-16, 2018

COMMUNITY $3&%*5 $"3% Journal

Your Immigration Solution

Expect more deportations with new USCIS policy

tion relief. In light of the USCISâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new polAtty. Maridex E. Abraham icy, it is extremely important that you follow instructions correctly ON June 28, 2018, the United and submit all the required docuStates Citizenship & Immigration ments when applying for immiServices (â&#x20AC;&#x153;USCISâ&#x20AC;?) issued a new gration benefits. Because depolicy memorandum that will af- spite the new policy, USCIS may fect individuals who apply for im- still approve your application if migration benefits in the United your filing contains enough inforStates. In the memo, USCIS an- mation that establishes eligibility nounced that immigration offi- for the benefit you are seeking. cers will have more authority to However, it is essential that you issue a Notice to Appear (â&#x20AC;&#x153;NTAâ&#x20AC;?) pay close attention to details and to people whose applications for be aware of any issues that may immigration benefits have been affect your case. A knowledgedenied. able immigration attorney can This new policy took effect on help you confirm your eligibility October 1, 2018, and USCIS of- for the requested benefit, as well ficials anticipate that more NTAs will be issued in cases where the person does not currently have the lawful authority to reside in the United States. The NTA policy may seem intimidating and confusing to understand, but you should not be discouraged from applying for immigration benefits. A qualified immi- as making sure that you are progration attorney can help you viding all the information needed navigate the immigration pro- for USCIS to approve your case. cesses as policy changes begin An immigration attorney will also to take effect. identify any problems that might First, an NTA is the docu- come up and help make sure that ment issued by the Department your application addresses these of Homeland Security that initi- issues so that the officer has ates Removal proceedings, com- enough information to approve monly referred to as Deportation your case. proceedings. If you have been If your application is unfortuissued an NTA, you are required nately denied, you may have the to appear in Immigration Court. opportunity to appeal the denial. The NTA will list the date, time It is important to note that apand place of your hearing before peals are not available for all an Immigration Judge. It is the types of denied applications. In Immigration Judge who will ulti- addition, you may also be able mately decide whether you may to persuade the USCIS to reopen remain in the United States. your case and review your appliThe USCISâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new policy allows cation again. However, without an immigration officer to issue successfully appealing or conan NTA to any person who is not vincing the USCIS to reopen your lawfully present in the United case, USCIS will consider the States. This includes individu- positive and negative factors in als who have been convicted of your case to determine whether certain crimes, committed fraud to issue you an NTA. or misrepresentation, used pubThe USCISâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new policy is also lic benefits, or who have simply applicable to people who submit failed to maintain lawful immi- applications to extend or change gration status in the U.S. The their non-immigrant status. If NTA policy memo does not di- your application to extend or rectly impact the way officers re- change your non-immigrant staview an application for immigra- tus has been denied, USCIS will

give you a grace period to leave the U.S. before issuing an NTA. The denial letter will provide warning language that tells you how long you are allowed to depart. It is especially important to immediately discuss any denials with an attorney before you depart the U.S., as an appeal may be possible if the application was denied incorrectly. Finally, if USCIS issue an NTA in your case, you do not have to appear in immigration court alone. An immigration attorney can represent you in removal proceedings to help you explain your case to the immigration judge. An experienced attorney understands how immigration courts work and can assist you in requesting relief from deportation, including filing all necessary documents and writing legal briefs in support of your case. Even though USCIS can issue a Notice to Appear in more types of cases, this should not prevent you from pursuing your immigration dreams. However, it is more important than ever to be represented by an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney. In addition to making sure you are eligible for the requested benefit, they can also make sure that your application and supporting documents are thorough and complete.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If your application is unfortunately denied, you may have the opportunity to appeal the denial.â&#x20AC;?

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MORE THAN 5,000 CASES

*** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. 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.Â Â Â Â Â

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Pilgrimage to Some of ITALYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5(9 -2(/ %8*$6 ĹĄ 1RYHPEHU WR 1RYHPEHU 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; 86$ 520( 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH Upon our arrival in Rome, our Tour Escort will welcome us to Italy. Rome is the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all over the world. After a short panoramic orientation of this Eternal City to us Roman Catholics, we will have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 3DSDO $XGLHQFH 5RPH This morning before we continue with our tour, we will have a Papal Audience. Then after, we will visit the famous Coliseum and see the Forum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi Fountain, before heading to our Hotel. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH %DVLOLFDV We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, and even ancient Greek and Roman artists. the largest church in Roman Catholicism, St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary Major, Followed by visit of the Basilica. We continue to visit the rest of the major Basilicas within the walls of Rome, and St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Wall. We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same steps that Christ ascended to receive Pilateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unjust condemnation. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY )UL Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR 2018 is the 100th Anniversary of the stigmatization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year. San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July, 1916 until his death on 23 September, 1968. Enjoy the drive going to San Giovanni, after we check in our Hotel. vWe visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated with him, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace that contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditating, see his room, his confessional box and the cruciďŹ x that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Celebrate Holy Eucharist (Hotel Gran Paradiso) DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN San Giovanni Rotondo (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6DW Ĺ&#x; 6$1 *,29$11, 52721'2 This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body. Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesome Basilica. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (Hotel Gran Paradiso)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6XQ Ĺ&#x; 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR /DQFLDQR /RUHWR MASS AND BREAKFAST. We arrive at Lanciano, famous for the Miracle of the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The miracle took place during the 8th century when a Basiline monk doubted the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. He found himself holding the host that had changed into Real Flesh and the Wine on the altar had changed into Real Blood. We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to see the famous sacred home of the most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Since 1294 the holy home has been located inside the Basilica of Loreto. Celebrate Holy Eucharist in Lanciano. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi. 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; /RUHWR $VVLVL Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis of Assisi. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica lies the tomb of one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Eucharist at the Crypt of St. Francis See the Basilica of St Clare, with her incorrupt body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its CruciďŹ x from which Jesus spoke to Francis about his mission in 1206: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â&#x20AC;? We visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1240. The small Church of the Porziuncola is inside the Basilica itself. Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble Church on August 1st and 2nd every year, with Confession, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; $VVLVL 6LHQD )ORUHQFH We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of the Renaissance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history while admiring itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great medieval squares. Continue to Florence. (BB,D) We start with a guided walking tour of Florence, this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giottoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist. Rest of the day free (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; )ORUHQFH 5RPH Leave Florence around 2PM Arrived Rome almost dinner time (BB.D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 86$ End of our wonderful Pilgrimage

Please call QTS Tour and Travel NOW at 1 (714) 288-0800 or (714) 761-6280 1095 N Main St. Suite O, Orange, CA 92867

C OCTOBER 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Tax Tips Victor Sy, CPA, MBA

1. DEALING in Cryptocurrencies People are not reporting transactions with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin. The general public may not be aware that they are reportable. They may also not know how to report the purchase, sales, or exchange of digital currencies. This is something new. Reporting gets technical, even for tax pros. 2. Claiming Stock Day-Trading Losses On Schedule C: Gains and losses on stock trades by a dealer are reportable on Schedule C (higher tax rate plus self-employment tax); gains and losses by an investor are classified as capital gains and losses (lower tax rate). 3. Claiming Rental Losses As Real Estate Professionals: Individuals with rental properties can receive advantageous tax treatment by claiming Real Estate

The Prophetic Voice Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas A YOUNG man ran up to Jesus and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother. “He replied and said, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. The Gospel this Sunday tells us that although the rich young man piously followed all commandments of God, he still was not

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Six special audit triggers Professional status. If you qualify, you can deduct more losses from your rental properties (passive) against unrelated income (active income from wages and business) - a significant tax benefit. However, you have to comply with strict rules. You need to spend a minimum of 750 hours a year (14 hours a week for 52 weeks) working on your rental properties. If renting property is not your fulltime job, the IRS may do more digging to see if you meet the standards required of Real Estate Professionals. 4. Deducting Hobby Losses: Deducting losses from your hobby is a no-no, especially if you do it for several years. The IRS can get suspicious. A business is supposed to make money. If you haven’t made money in at least three of the past five years, you might have a hobby. The IRS doesn’t allow hobby losses. 5. Running A Cash-Intensive Business: Business owners who operate cash-intensive companies are automatically accorded higher audit risk. This includes restaurants, produce vendors, liquor

stores, convenience stores, or gas stations who deal in cash. Other companies such as check cashing businesses, pawn shops, jewelry stores, parking garages, and salvage yards, also have significant cash dealings. 6. Not Reporting A Foreign Bank Account: You may have forgotten to report foreign banks accounts that you may have been hiding from your spouse… I mean, the IRS. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Seeking God’s kingdom certain whether he had a place in the Kingdom of God. Would he be worthy to enter paradise and be counted among the blessed ones? All of us—young and old—can identify with this young man. We’re all can be anxious about our life beyond this world. We all worry about our place in heaven. So, should we be all like Mother Teresa or St. Francis who gave up all their wealth and dedicate our lives serving the poor to assure our place in heaven? Well, if all of us are poor, what’s going to happen to this world that God wants us to take care of, make better, and subdue? Doesn’t He want us to use and multiply our talents? If all are poor, how can we practice the charity? If all are without wealth, how can we help the needy? I believe that the Gospel is a warning us about the tendency to see wealth as the be-all and the end-all of existence. It’s urging us not to be self-possessed, selfish, dishonest, corrupt, and greedy, which many times leads to jealousy, perfectionism, addictions, anxieties over other people’s perceptions, emphasis on work or productivity, and lack of self-care.

The Gospel tells us that Jesus looked at the young man with love and affection. He was not only worried about his status in heaven but also about his well being on earth—his happiness, joy, and fulfillment. This is the reason why Jesus invited him to follow him. It is only by serving God and others that he could find meaning in life and experience the Kingdom of God even in the here and now. Like the young man in the Gospel, let’s work on making sure that we have a place in heaven. But let’s also heed to the call of God to bring heaven here on earth to people around us, especially those who are living in poverty, loneliness, sickness, and desperation. *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1991-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

Bankruptcy can provide hope to the hopeless

Minding Your Finances Atty. Raymond Bulaon WHEN debts spiral out of control, bankruptcy can become an invaluable financial recovery tool in getting you back on the right track. While it’s not for everyone, close to a million people every year find it to be their only hope of getting a fresh financial start. Debt problems can be the result of unemployment, reduction in income, disability, divorce, or in some cases, poor financial decisions. A financial crisis can happen to anyone at any time. No one is exempt. Bankruptcy is a fact of life. Without it, people with serious debt problems will remain stuck where they are, unable to move on with their lives. Living with stress every day caused by the burden of debt is a horrible way to live. Bankruptcy can offer hope when the future looks bleak. Because of eligibility requirements for the type of relief being sought, some people will qualify for Chapter 7 to completely wipe out their debts. Others may have

no choice but to file Chapter 13 and pay their creditors over a 3-5 year period. Much of it depends on your income and your assets. You also need to take into consideration your purpose in seeking debt relief. Chapter 7 is not possible for those who have received a discharge of debts under Chapter 7 within the last eight years or Chapter 13 within the last six years. You may also not be able to file if you were denied a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy within the previous 180 days by court order. Your eligibility for Chapter 7 bankruptcy may also be in serious jeopardy if the court believes you are guilty of defrauding your creditors. Among other actions, this can include transferring assets to friends or relatives in an attempt to hide them from creditors or the bankruptcy court, as well as purchasing luxury items with the knowledge that you couldn’t possibly make the required payments. Chapter 13 can be the most effective way to consolidate all your debts into one low monthly payment that you can afford. In

a lot of cases, most debts are only paid a small percentage of the actual amount owed, resulting in significant reduction- a reduction of 50% or more is not unusual. With reduced debt payments every month, people who are struggling financially are able to manage their finances better by making sure that they have enough money left over for basic necessities before paying any of their creditors. If you need help in finding a solution to your debt problems, we can help you figure out your options. Please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a consultation and I will personally evaluate your case. I have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)

How courts determine child custody in California ONE of the most emotional aspect of a marital dissolution case is dealing with Child custody issues. Sadly enough, this is an area where most parents play games with each other trying their best to deprive the other parents of their right to maintain relationship with their child. Child custody comes in two parts, 1) physical custody and 2) legal custody. Physical custody may be awarded solely to one parent or jointly. Sole physical custody means that the child will reside primarily and under the supervision of one parent subject to visitation from the other parent upon order of the court. Family Code §3007. Joint physical custody on the other hand means that the child gets to spend frequent and continuing contact with both parents. Family Code §3004. The court would state specifically the periods of time the child will be under the supervision of each parent. Legal custody on the other hand deals with the right and responsibility of a parent to make decisions regarding the health, education, and welfare of the child. Family Code §3006. Examples would be decisions such as where the child shall attend school, whether the child can travel to another jurisdiction or state, legal decisions involving the child. In cases where joint legal custody is ordered by the court, either parent alone can make decisions concerning the health, education, and welfare of the child unless otherwise specified in the order. In making its determination on child custody issues, the court considers various factors depend-

ed in court through a contested hearing. At times, the court will order a child custody evaluation if it determines that it would be in the best interest of the child. The court may also appoint a minor’s counAtty. Kenneth sel if it feels it would be in the Ursua Reyes best interest of the child. Family Code §3150(a). The court ing on the specific facts of the retains continuous jurisdiction case. The court usually follows over issues of child custody and the public policy of ensuring and support until the child reaches encouraging the child’s frequent 18. This means the order may be and continuing contact with both modified all throughout this peparents after the divorce unless it riod if there has been a change in would not be in the best interest circumstances. of the child. Fam. Code §3011. If *** the court is inclined to order sole custody to one parent, the con- Please note that this article is not sideration boils down to which legal advice and is not intended as parent is more likely to allow the legal advice. The article is intended child frequent and continuing to provide only general, non-specific contact with the noncustodial legal information. This article is not parent. Family Code §3040(a)(1). intended to cover all the issues reA major factor that would tilt the lated to the topic discussed. The specourts decision are incidents or cific facts that apply to your matter history of child abuse and domes- may make the outcome different than tic violence. This can be from the would be anticipated by you. This arpart of a parent, a parent’s co-ha- ticle does create any attorney client bitant, or other person to whom relationship between you and the Law a parent has a relationship with. Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This The childs amount and nature of article is not a solicitation. contact with the parents is also *** another factor considered. Fam. Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Code §3011(c). Other factors Certified Family Law Specialist. He was that can be considered are the President of the Philippine American Bar parent’s use of controlled sub- Association. He is a member of both stance, prior criminal convictions the Family law section and Immigration and registration as a sex offend- law section of the Los Angeles County er, and existence of restraining Bar Association. He has extensive CPA order against a parent. experience prior to law practice. LAW The family code requires that OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is the parties go to mediation and located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, attempt to agree on the custody Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 issue prior to the court hearing or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit the contested case. Family Code our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. §3170(a). If the case is not set(Advertising Supplement) tled in mediation, it gets decid-

Barrister’s Corner

USCIS policy allows waiting beneficiaries of approved I-130 filed by Filipino World War II veteran father or surviving spouse to come to U.S. ahead of their priority date UNDER the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole (FWVP) policy, USCIS allows certain beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant visa petitions to request a grant of parole so that they may come to the U.S. as they wait for their priority date to become current. The policy recognizes the contributions of Filipino veterans who served in World War II, and allows relatives of such elderly Filipino veterans and their spouses to come to the U.S. to provide care and support for them. USCIS considers requests for FWVP parole submitted for certain relatives who are the beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant visa petitions filed by Filipino veterans or their surviving spouses. If the request for parole is approved, the beneficiary and his/her immediate family would be allowed to come to the U.S. and live in the U.S. while waiting for their priority date to become current, at which point they would be allowed to adjust to permanent resident status. Those who may request parole under FWVP are persons 1) who are the beneficiaries of an approved I-130 Petition (including spouse and children); 2) whose petitioning relative is residing in the U.S. (or if deceased, was residing in the U.S. at the time of death); 3) who are waiting for their priority date to become current under the Department of State’s visa bulletin; and 4) whose petitioning relatives have established they are either Filipino World War II Veterans or are the surviving

Legal Advice Atty. Darrick Tan spouse. Under FWVP, the Filipino World War II veteran must have served in World War II as a member of the Philippine Army, a recognized guerilla unit, the Philippines Scouts, or within any other component of the U.S.

“It is important to note that the above requirements are preliminary requirements for eligibility under FWVP.” Armed Forces of the Far East (USAFFE). USCIS will review government records to verify the Filipino World War II veteran’s military service. The petitioner who requested parole for his relative beneficiary under FWVP will be provided an opportunity to establish the World War II service if it cannot be found in government records. When the petitioning relative in the U.S. is the Filipino World War II veteran, individuals who obtain parole under FWVP include beneficiaries under any family-sponsored preference category. When the petitioning relative in the U.S. is the surviving spouse of a Filipino World War II veteran, only individuals who are the child, son, or daughter of the surviving spouse who is also the child, son, or daugh-

ter of the Filipino World War II veteran can seek parole under FWVP. In cases where the petitioning relative is deceased, a beneficiary may seek parole under FWVP but first must seek humanitarian reinstatement of the approved I-130 filed on the beneficiary’s behalf. Once the I-130 is reinstated, the beneficiary may seek parole under FWVP. It is important to note that the above requirements are preliminary requirements for eligibility under FWVP. The grant of parole by USCIS under FWVP is made on a discretionary, case-by-case basis. In addition, following the first 4 years of FWVP’s implementation, USCIS will evaluate whether FWVP should be phased out at the end of 5 years. It is accordingly recommended that you promptly seek the advice and assistance of an experienced attorney, who can confirm eligibility and present facts in support of the favorable exercise of discretion by USCIS in granting the parole request. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 13-16, 2018

Misclassified workers granted more protections against fly-by-night employers (Holding others liable for payment of wages)

CALIFORNIA’S Labor Commissioner’s Office has awarded over $45 million in unlawful deductions from wages and out-of-pocket expenses to more than 400 misclassified port drivers. However, most of the drivers have not been able to collect their money because the companies that committed the wage violations have filed bankruptcy and gone out of business, only to be replaced by other companies that repeat the same pattern of misclassification. Truck drivers at California ports, mostly immigrant and vulnerable to labor exploitation, are often misclassified as independent contractors even though they work as employees under California and federal labor laws. These companies control the manner and means of the work, set wages and hours, and in other ways act as an employer to these drivers. The rampant misclassification of drivers contributes to wage theft and leaves drivers in a cycle of poverty. A common practice is for a trucking company to enter into a sublease agreement with drivers, with the promise that they will own the truck someday. Drivers can be terminated at any time and lose the money they thought they were paying toward the truck. Companies

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights ATTY. C. JOE SAYAS, JR. deduct money from driver paychecks for business expenses that lead drivers to earn poverty wages. Nearly half of United States shipping-container traffic flows through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Port drivers are a critical link in the global supply chain and they need to share the benefits of this economic engine. The companies that own the containers being transported by these drivers are some of the world’s largest retail and manufacturing companies. By now, these companies should be aware of the widespread labor violations in the port trucking industry. States may enforce labor laws meant to protect drivers from wage theft. In order to do so, California recently enacted into law certain measures to hold retailing and manufacturing companies that use the port trucking system accountable. Business entities that are provided workers from subcontractors can be jointly liable for the

nonpayment of wages and failure to provide unemployment insurance by the subcontractor. This means the retailing and manufacturing companies that are the customers of trucking companies will have to pay these unpaid wages and other benefits should the trucking company they employed folds up and leave the drivers uncompensated. Holding customers of trucking companies jointly liable for labor law violations by port trucking carriers they hire will, hopefully, exert pressure across the supply chain to protect port truck drivers from further exploitation. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement)

People and Events

AARP launches first smart speaker app to empower older Americans as advocates, voters “Raise Your Voice” informs on drug costs, Medicare, polling places and more”

WASHINGTON – AARP announced the launch of “Raise Your Voice,” the nation’s first comprehensive advocacy and voting app for smart speakers. The voice-enabled experience is designed to help AARP’s 38 million members and all Americans age 50-plus to use their smart speakers to engage on a range of advocacy issues – including Social Security, Medicare, prescription drugs, Medicaid and caregiving – as well as in nonpartisan voter education and support. The app works on Amazon Alexa and Google Home. “This groundbreaking skill empowers voters at a time people are looking for trustworthy, accessible sources of information,” said John Hishta, AARP senior vice president of campaigns. “AARP is setting a new standard for effective, technology-enabled advocacy nationally and in voters’ home states. Making your voice heard is now as easy as turning to your

smart speaker.” There are more than 54 million smart speakers in the United States. Further, with a 48 percent annual growth rate, it is expected that by the end of 2018 more than 90 million Americans will use a smart speaker at least once a month. Americans 50 and over account for about a quarter of owners, according to Edison Research and NPR. To invoke the app, the user simply says their smart speaker’s wake command, followed by “Open Raise Your Voice.” Beginning October 18, the user can direct “Raise Your Voice” to look up polling information and send it directly to the user’s cell phone. Similarly, the user can command the app to provide information on five AARP issue areas and receive detailed information via text. The development team is currently building out a contact-your-representative feature and additional issue areas.

“Traditional voter education is laudable and important work, but it’s a leap forward to develop technology that better supports voters as they seek out the location of their polling place, information on key issues, and the ability to contact their elected officials,” said Sami Hassanyeh, AARP Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy and Membership. “We pushed the boundaries of current technologies because we believe in the value of civic engagement and want to use the latest technology in service of it. A year ago we began offering a voice-enabled news briefing, so it was only natural to move from providing information to a deeper level of engagement.” A demonstration of the app is available at aarp.org/ raiseyourvoice. AARP also offers the AARP Now mobile app and a number of podcasts that are accessible through Amazon Alexa and Google Home. ■

Ateneo Blue Eagle Circle holds Halloween fundraiser party – “The upside Down” LOS ANGELES – The Ateneo Blue Eagle Circle (TBEC) presents “The Upside Down” – a fundraiser Halloween Party, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Tierra del Sol event hall on 9919 Sunland Blvd., Sunland, CA 91040. Join us for a familyfriendly Halloween dinner party! Kids of all ages are welcome to join! Proceeds will go to the Ateneo

Stipend Fund Awards, which provides financial aid to bright and deserving scholars of the Ateneo de Manila University. Fr. Carmelo Caluag will be celebrating an anticipated mass at 5:30pm, and he will also be the guest of honor for the event. Games and activities will follow, which includes fun prizes like tablets, Amazon Echo devices, and even a flat screen HD TV! Tickets are $40.00 per person,

which includes food and drinks. Alcohol will be served for 21+ years old only. Kids 12 and under come in free. Wear your best Halloween Costume, inspired by the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things”, for a chance to win a special prize! For more information about TBEC or the upcoming event, call or text Benkie Natividad at (818) 484-0948, or visit http://bit. ly/UpsideDownTBEC. ■

Voter Alert: Beware of robocalls making misleading statements LOS ANGELES County election officials are alerting residents about a misleading robocall now circulating that wrongly claims there is an error in one of the ballot titles for the November 6 General Election. The call, sponsored by a campaign, states there is an error printed on the title for one of the propositions in voting materials mailed by County Registrars of Voters. Ballot titles are prepared by

the state Attorney General, with no alterations by local Registrars of Voters. “During election season, voters should be aware of misleading claims that can cause confusion,” said Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan. “Our office takes election integrity seriously and will continue to monitor any issues or concerns brought to our attention.” Los Angeles County urges vot-

ers to be vigilant about electionrelated robocalls or materials. For any questions or concerns, please email voterinfo@rrcc. lacounty.gov The mission of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk is to serve Los Angeles County by providing essential records management and election services in a fair, accessible and transparent manner. For more information, visit lavote.net and follow us on Twitter @LACountyRRCC.■

A couple considers how to tackle debt relief for wife

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG LET me give you the background on this case. The husband is 81 but still looks active. He is slim and sprightly. The wife is 79 and looks nervous. Normally, spouses are on the same track and agree what has to be done. But in this case, I’m not sure what is going on. The wife owes between $20,000 to $30,000 of credit cards, which are all past due. One card has sued her and she has agreed to a stipulated judgment promising to pay $150 a month. Other cards are threatening to sue. They call her every hour to collect their pound of flesh. The wife looks really worried. She says she hides under the table when they call. I guess she can’t take the stress caused by these credit cards. She says that she was able to pay these cards until she stopped working two years ago. She suffered some kind of trauma in her work and received disability payments for a while. She was a caregiver in a hospice and her patient had violently killed himself in front of her. This scene had caused her extreme mental anguish. She could no longer work as before. This work-related trauma qualified her to receive temporary disability, which recently expired. She did not feel like going back to work. She received social security of $700. Well, if she owed $20,000 credit cards, she would need at least $750 to keep $20,000 of credit cards current with minimum monthly payments. In other words, all of her social security would have to be used to pay credit cards and she would still be short $50. Where would she get $50? All eyes go to her husband. The husband has not given her the $50 so eventually, all her cards became past due. You know what happens when cards become past due, past due amount plus penalties make the bad situation even worse. As she said, they call her every hour to collect. One has sued her. They threaten to sue. They want all of her social security. What struck me the most was her statement that she had to hide under the table when they call. I believed her. She was clearly stressed out. I

empathized with her. At her age, she should just be collecting social security and enjoying what’s left of her life, the golden years. She should not be living each day cowering in fear. Her life sucks. I’m wondering what’s going on with the husband. He says he also owed a bunch of cards. His social security is $2,000. He says in addition to social security, he still works full time. But the employer is not doing too well. Even though he owns 25 percent of the business, his paycheck of $2,000 does not come in consistently. There are times when the paycheck is delayed and he doesn’t get paid. It looks to me that there’s more stuff going on here, although it’s my policy not to get involved in matters that are between husband and wife. I think wife doesn’t want to be harassed by her creditors anymore. She can’t

First, let me say that this is a matter between them as husband and wife. It initially looks to me that all their expenses are separate — she pays her own expenses and he pays his own expenses. A de-facto pre-nuptial agreement when it comes to expenses. Second, there seems to be something that’s not being said. I can tell from the bodily movements. So, eventually what has not been said is now said. The husband is paying $1,000 a month for a $250,000 term life. He believes that when he dies, the $250,000 will help the surviving wife pay down their mortgage of $400,000. The wife doesn’t know what to think. All she knows is that since she stopped working, she’s has been and continues to be a nervous wreck because of the credit card debt. Her entire social security benefits are not enough to cover minimum monthly payments on the cards. I can only say that Chapter 13 will give her peace of mind, immediately. And, only God knows when we die. Whatever the outcome and the future, it’s better all around for peace of mind, not to have these credit cards around to bother you when you get older, right? So get rid of them now if you can with Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. You don’t want them getting half or all of your social security or pension when you retire. Lastly, all of us will have to leave this world, sooner or later. We have frail and imperfect bodies because of sin. Without sin, we would have perfect bodies. We would never get sick and we would never die. True. Mortality is our human condition because Adam & Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. Fortunately, Jesus died for us so we can have eternal life in heaven with our God who loves us so. So it’s all good. Death for us is not the end. It’s the beginning. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than ﬁve thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

“It looks to me that there’s more stuff going on here, although it’s my policy not to get involved in matters that are between husband and wife.” take the everyday stress and creditor collection calls every hour. In California, we only use tables to hide under during an earthquake. We don’t use them to hide under when creditors call to collect. The wife cannot do Chapter 7 because they own their house, which supposedly has more than $175,000 of equity. Being seniors, their homestead exemption is $175,000. In Chapter 7, there’s a big risk they might lose their house to the Chapter 7 trustee who will sell it and give them $175,000 in cash and use the rest to pay off her credit cards. It doesn’t make sense to lose your house because of credit cards. So, I will not file a Chapter 7 for them in this case. I will only file a Chapter 13 with the smallest possible plan payment so that there is no risk of losing the house. The wife obviously cannot pay her credit cards. She needs her $700 of social security to buy necessities. So why won’t her husband help her out in any way he can, like pay her credit cards?

C4 OCTOBER 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Calendar of Events across

America

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FASGI presents FAIR art exhibit in Los Angeles FASGI is pleased to announce FAIR – FASGI Artists Impressions & Reflections – an art exhibit to be held from October 9, 2018 to November 9, 2018 at the FASGI Bayanihan Center (135 N. Park View St., Los Angeles, CA 90026). FAIR is presented as part of FASGI’s Arts Incubator Program. FAIR will showcase five internationally-acclaimed artists who will unveil new and original artworks: Rafael Maniago, Cesar Devera, Johnny Otilano, Mat Relox, and Tiinz Taruc. FASGI’s Arts Incubator Program was created in 2016 to promote and uplift Filipino and Filipino American arts and culture. The program’s mission is to: (1) help Filipino American artists to be properly recognized and given economic opportunities for advancement; (2) enable Filipino Americans to get in touch with their culture; and (3) to educate mainstream America on Philippine/American art. The program currently includes a permanent gallery, special exhibits, portraiture, parol-making, and an artist-in-residence program. Art workshops, instruction, and live projects are currently being planned for commencement in 2019.

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Learn about Philippine product sourcing in Los Angeles, CA Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and Planet63 are hosting this workshop on Thursday, October 18 to help the community learn about importing products from the Philippines. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur who wants to promote/market and sell Philippine products online or in your own physical store here in Los Angeles, then this FREE workshop is for you! How to source, ship and sell Philippine products in the U.S. market will be presented by guest speaker Ferdinand Soriano of Planet 63. If you have questions on importing products and how to go about doing that, this is the right activity for you. The workshop will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at SIPA (3200 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026). Seating is limited. Registration is through Eventbrite: http://philippineproducts.eventbrite.com. limited. Registration is through Eventbrite: http://philippineproducts.eventbrite.com.

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West Ranch High School hosts Wildcat Classic in Valencia, CA West Ranch High School hosts Wildcat Classic in Valencia, CA West Ranch High School is proud to present the 10th annual Wildcat Classic, a daylong display of musical artistry. More than 20 high school bands from the Santa Clarita Valley and around the region will gather for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra (SCSBOA) Marching Band Competition. The Wildcat Classic is happening Saturday, October 20, 2018 3 p.m.-9 p.m. at Valencia High School’s football stadium, located at 27801 Dickason Dr. in Valencia. Tickets are $10; parking is free. Each high school band will compete by division followed by an astounding showcase performance of the three-time state champion West Ranch Band and Colorguard. The day-long event culminates in an awards ceremony with awards presented in each division as decided by a panel of SCSBOA judges. The performance schedule will be announced prior to the event. Vendors will be on site with plenty of delectable food and drink options as well as gifts and apparel for the music enthusiast. For additional information, please contact West Ranch Music Director Jason Marshall at 661-222-1220 x 646 or jmarshall@hartdistrict.org or visit their website at www.westranchmusic.com.

Fil-Am Association of SCV,Inc. 35th Anniversary Gala The Siena College QC alumni will be holding its 35th Anniversary Gala. A black tie and hollywood glamour dinner and dance $60.00 (prepaid) on Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, CA 91355. For details and purchase of tickets, please call: Mul (661) 253-1825, Zeny (661) 284-0181, Myra (424) 350-1056, Zony (661) 312-3422, Nic (661) 312-9077, Linda (661) 904-1365 and Emie (661) 877-2699.

Pinta*Dos Philippine Art Gallery in San Pedro, CA hosts art talk by Christine Morla The current ongoing show at Pinta*Dos Gallery is Contemporary Filipino and Filipino American Artists Encounter Textile which presents works by Filipino American artists Cirilo Domini and Christine Morla, and Manila’s Aze Ong, all of whom have been conceptually, spiritually or formally inspired to use textiles as a starting point of inquiry. On October 20, 2018, artist Christine Morla will talk about her art and how her Philippine cultural heritage has influenced her work. Scheduled at 3:00pm - 5:00pm, the Art Talk will also include Conversations with one of the curators of the current art exhibit, Joseph Santarromana. Pinta*Dos Gallery is located at 479 W Sixth Street, Suite 107 at the Historic Arts District of San Pedro, CA. The event is free and open to the public but RSVP is requested. Call (310) 514-9139 or email Linda Nietes-Little: info@pintadosgallery.com for more details. Pinta*Dos Gallery is open on Thursday and Friday, from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. or by appointment.

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UAAP-NCAA Alumni Friendship Games USA in Carson, CA Join on Sunday, October 21 for the 2018 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)-National Collegiate Athletic Association (UAAP-NCAA) Alumni Friendship Games USA. It will be held at Cal State Dominguez Hills Gym in Carson, CA beginning at 8 a.m. Spectator fee is $10.

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Asian Business Association - LA hosts business policy discussion in Monterey Park, CA Many business owners understand that elected officials makes rules and regulations for businesses. These regulations do affect the way in which businesses are conducted. However, many entrepreneurs may NOT understand, that they have the ability to shape these rules and regulations. One of the most important leverage business have is the power of their vote. On Tuesday, October 23, hear from Monterey Park City Manager Ron Bow, Alhambra City Mayor Jeff Maloney, and Public Affairs Expert Thomas Wong to gain some insight on how small business can better engage City Hall to shape business policy. Join the Asian Business Association (ABA) for this intriguing panel discussion from 6 to 8 p.m.! Appetizers will be provided. It will be held at Cafe M Park, Monterey Park Golf Course (3600 W. Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 91754). For more information, please visit http://abala.org/events/policy.

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Wellspring gathering in Palm Springs, CA The creators of Wanderlust bring the first annual Wellspring , a first-of-its-kind wellness gathering, featuring the world’s leading innovators, teachers and socially conscious companies from Friday, October 26 to Sunday, October 28 in Palm Springs, CA. From invigorating workouts and hands-on treatments to inspirational, actionable workshops, Wellspring connects us to a common goal: fostering healthy individuals, a healthy society and a healthy planet. Events will take place from October 26-28, 2018 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center (277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs, CA 92262) and Renaissance Hotel (888 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262). Wellspring Sage badges are on sale now at https://wanderlust.com/wellspring/. The 3-day badges include unlimited access to all event areas, advance scheduling for all sessions; guaranteed access to any pre-scheduled session, access to lodging at the on-site Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel and select partner hotels (first come, first served), a premium gift bag and more. For a limited time, receive a $150 hotel credit when you purchase your Sage badge. Special savings and scholarships are available for wellness professionals, locals to the Palm Springs area, active students, and active and retired military and their families.

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

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“BATCHtat Kasama Kita” : Binangonan West Ranch High School Association of Southern California hosts gala presents the Wildcat Classic

WEST Ranch High School is proud to present the 10th annual Wildcat Classic, a daylong display of musical artistry. More than 20 high school bands from the Santa Clarita Valley and around the region will gather for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra (SCSBOA) In celebration of the Binangonan of Southern California is inviting 77-78 is all set to join the fun in Marching Band Competition. The Wildcat Classic is happenTown Fiesta on October 27 at all of its “kababayan” to a night continuation of its 40th anniverthe Holiday Inn in Buena Park, of song and dance. Dubbed as sary. Tuluy-tuloy para rin ang ing Saturday, October 20, 2018 at Valencia High School’s footCA, the Binangonan Association “BATCHtat Kasama Kita,” Batch sam-samang saya! n

ball stadium, located at 27801 Dickason Dr. in Valencia. Tickets are $10; parking is free. Each high school band will compete by division followed by an astounding showcase performance of the three-time state champion West Ranch Band and Colorguard. The day-long event culminates in an awards ceremony with awards presented in each division as decided by a panel of SCSBOA judges.

City of Carson celebrates Fil-Am History Month

The City of Carson, in cooperation with the city’s Filipino community, leads this year’s celebration of Filipino-American History Month with a month-long series of events that will showcase. The month-long celebration concludes with the 9th annual commemoration of the Larry Itliong Day on Saturday, October 27, at the Veterans Park with a parade and program to honor the late Filipino labor leader, who led the great Delano Grape Strike in 1965. Spearheaded by Councilman Santarina, who sponsored the resolution designating October 25 as Larry Itliong Day in the City of Carson, the City has been celebrating the day since 2010. On April 3 of this year, Carson became the first city in the world to declare Larry Itliong Day a paid city holiday. A parade to be participated by various Filipino organizations kicks off the celebration, followed by a variety program with speakers, performers and awardees. Johnny Itliong, the labor leaders’ son, and Fernando Chavez, the son of Mexican labor leader Cesar Chavez, will be joined by Roger Gadiano as the speakers for the event. A Vietnam veteran and a former grape field crew supervisor, Gadiano is expected to talk about the importance of the 1965 Delano Grape Strike.

A posthumous award will be presented to the late Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, a FilipinoAmerican historian and longtime history professor at the San Francisco State University. Mabalon, who passed away last August 10 at the age of 46, wrote passionately for the inclusion of the Filipino story in American History, and fought for the preservation of her hometown community’s soul as a co-founder of the Stockton’s Little Manila Foundation. Other awardees, both for their work in promoting the welfare of Filipino workers are Ivy Quicho, who has been working in the labor movement for over 10 years and currently organizes in the film industry as a Field Rep with the Directors Guild of America; and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), a labor union that primarily represents dock workers in the West Coast, including those in the Port of Long Beach. A Larry Itliong poster contest is also being hosted by the City of Carson for Kinder to 12th grade students with the theme: “Larry Itliong’s Vision for a Better Future.” Deadline for submission of entries already passed on September 29, 2018. For more information on the contest, please contact M Tingson at (310) 830-9991 or MTingson@ carson.ca.us. n

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The performance schedule will be announced prior to the event. Vendors will be on site with plenty of delectable food and drink options as well as gifts and apparel for the music enthusiast. For additional information, please contact West Ranch Music Director Jason Marshall at 661-222-1220 x 646 or jmarshall@hartdistrict.org or visit www.westranchmusic.com. n

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Another green card scam: BSP chief gets B+ grade from Global Finance Fake approval notices

Immigration Corner

by LAWRENCE

AGCAOILI Philstar.com

ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ SEVERAL people have consulted with me, asking whether the approval letter they received was genuine. While the notice has the opening sentence, “welcome to the United States of America,” which is how an adjustment of status approval notice typically starts, these approval notices are fake and people should be careful that they are also not scammed. Apparently, there is an immigration consultancy group in Las Vegas, claiming to be associated with an entity that sounds like it is a law firm, but is actually a limited liability corporation handling management consultancy. But still, it looks like the person is being represented by an immigration law firm. In one case, a Filipino was charged over $22,500 for legal services, which included the promise of a green card. After paying the money, the person received a notice from USCIS to be fingerprinted for work authorization. They even went down to the USCIS and had their fingerprints taken. This convinced the person that the filing must have been legitimate, as USCIS was already fingerprinting them for work permit.

However, this was merely part of the scam, to make the person feel that the filing by the consultancy firm was legitimate. In reality, the consultancy firm apparently had filed an application for political asylum for the person, because the work authorization code on the fingerprint notice was “C08,” which is the code for work authorization when a person has a pending political asylum application. After being fingerprinted for work authorization, the work authorization card itself never arrived. Phone calls were never returned, and when they finally got in touch with the consultancy firm, they were given the run around and many excuses. Ultimately, they received an “approval” notice for adjustment of status, even though they were not eligible for adjustment of status. This notice had the familiar “welcome to the United States” greeting, but was so fake and bogus in so many other respects. • The application or receipt number starts with the letters ZNY. This is a code for an asylum office in New York. It also shows a Service Center of “ESC,” which does not exist. . • Although this notice purports to grant permanent residency, it also reminds people they may “request to change employers” if their adjustment

application had been pending for over 180 days. This is a nonsensible reference to provisions of the American Competitiveness Act of the 21st Century (AC- 21) for employment based petitions, which would have no bearing on a case that has already been approved. • Also, to be eligible for adjustment of status, there should have been some underlying petition or application that had been filed and approved, with a current priority date. USCIS doesn’t simply “approve” green cards without any underlying basis. The people who fell for this scam are out thousands of dollars. More importantly, the scam artists seem to have filed for political asylum to get a fingerprint appointment, so as to fool the people into thinking something legitimate had actually been filed with USCIS. But now, USCIS could move forward on the asylum claim, call the person in for interview, deny the asylum, put the person in deportation/removal, and they could be ordered removed. In addition, the consultant may be having these notices sent to the consultant’s address, and they may not forward the asylum or deportation notices to the person. Years later, the person may be shocked to find they had been PAGE D2

Business Quote of the Week “Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve.” —Mary Kay Ash, Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics

MANILA, Philippines — New York-based business magazine Global Finance has given Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. a Grade of B+ more than a year after assuming his post. In its Central Bank Report Cards 2018: End of Easing Street, Global Finance said many emerging market central banks have been forced to raised interest rates this year to prop up their currencies in the face of a stronger U.S. dollar. It added central banks have also used their foreign currency exchange reserves to intervene heavily in the foreign exchange market. The BSP’s Monetary Board has so far raised interest rates by 150 basis points to curb rising inflationary expectations. It lifted interest rates by 25 basis points for the first time in more than three years last May 10 followed by 25 basis points on June 20, 50 basis points – the biggest in a decade – last Aug. 9, and 50 basis points last Sept. 27. Inflation averaged five percent in the first nine months after leaping to a near 10-year high of 6.7 percent in September from .4 percent in August due to higher oil price, more expensive rice and

agricultural products after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Ompong, and the weak peso. The central bank now expects inflation to average 5.2 percent instead of 4.9 percent this year and 4.3 instead of 3.7 percent next year, both exceeding the BSP’s two to four percent target. Aside from rising inflation and a depreciating peso, Espenilla is also battling early stage tongue cancer which was detected last November. He is currently on a one-month medical leave and is scheduled to return on Oct. 18. The Philippines booked a slower gross domestic product (GDP) growth of six percent in the second quarter from the revised 6.6 percent in the first quarter, bringing the expansion to 6.3 percent in the first half. On the other hand, the peso is one of the weakest performing currencies in the region, shedding more than eight percent to hit a fresh 13-year low after piercing the 54 to $1 level due to the continued normalization of interest rates in advanced economies led by the US. “The BSP said its actions were designed to safeguard macroeconomic stability in an environment of rising commodity prices and ongoing normalization of monetary policy in advanced economies,” Global Finance said.

Strong importation of capital equipment, raw materials, and intermediate goods to support the expanding economy as well as the massive infrastructure build up of the government under the Build Build Build program continue to put pressure on the local currency. Espenilla, who is turning 60 on Oct. 12, replaced former BSP chief Amando Tetangco Jr. who was named one of the world’s top central bankers with a prestigious “A” grade in 2006 and 2007 from 2011 to 2016. Tetangco served an unprecedented two six-year terms until July 2017. The Central Banker Report Cards, published annually by Global Finance since 1994, grades the central bank governors of nearly 75 key countries and the European Union on a scale of “A” to “F” scale for success in areas such as inflation control, economic growth goals, currency stability and interest rate management. Central bankers who earned the prestigious A grades this year include Philip Lowe from Australia, Mario Marcel Cullell of Chile, Mario Draghi of EU, Karnit Flug of Israel, Mahammad Youself AlHashel of Kuwait, Riad Salameh of Lebanon, Abdellatif Jouahri of Morocco, Carllos Fernandez Valdovinos of Paraguay, Elvira Nabiullina of Russia, and Lee Ju-yeol of South Korea. ■

Philippines seen as new front for war among Chinese fintech firms MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will likely become the latest financial technology battleground for Chinese tech players. Last week, telecommunications giant PLDT Inc. announced it signed agreements with Shenzhen-based Tencent Holdings and global investment firm KKR for a “substantial minority stake” on its fintech unit Voyager Innovations. The transaction, worth $175 million, “marks the largest investment to date in a Philippine technology company,” PLDT said. Last year, Ant Financial Ser-

vices Group —owned by Chinese tech magnate and Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma — invested in Globe Telecom-backed Mynt, a rival of Voyager. In a note, Fitch Solutions Macro Research said competition between Ant Financial and Tencent will motivate uptake of mobile financial services in the Philippines. But the Fitch Group unit said Tencent will likely remain a laggard in regional fintech versus its competitor Ant Financial. “Tencent will likely resort to

aggressive subscriber acquisition strategies, such as those which it already deploys in the Chinese market to gain dominance, although these promotions will continue to erode the already razor-thin margins on its transactions,” Fitch Solutions said. “We expect Tencent to move where Ant Financial moves, although it has significant catching up to do to its rival,” it added. Financial inclusion in the Philippines remains low, akin to other less-developed Southeast Asian PAGE D2

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Inflation to remain high even with fuel excise taxes suspended – finance exec by Nestor

Corrales Inquirer.net

EVEN if the excise taxes on oil products were to be suspended, inflation could remain high, Finance Assistant Secretary Tony Lambino official said on Wednesday, October 10, a day after President Rodrigo Duterte said he was considering the move to help curb price increases. “I think we also need to manage the expectations in that sense that if Congress decides to create a new suspension mechanism, the prices of oil would not go down that much because the import price has risen from about $40 per barrel to above $80 per barrel,” Lambino said at a press briefing in Malacañang. “The import price is something, unfortunately, we do not control because we are not an oil producer. We are a price-taker.” According to him, excise taxes on oil products constitute only 25 percent of the increase in oil prices. On Tuesday, Duterte told reporters his administration was considering suspending the excise taxes on oil products amid the record-high 6.7-percent inflation in the country. Sought for comment on this, Lambino said the Department of Finance would seek guidance on the latest pronouncement of the

Under the TRAIN law, the next tranche of the fuel tax rate increase can be suspended if the three-month average of Dubai crude reaches $80 per barrel. Philstar.com file photo by Miguel De Guzman

president. “As far as I could tell, I interpreted the statement as being the next increase – which is P2, the 2019 increase in the excise. And actually, there already is suspension mechanism in place in the TRAIN [Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion] law for that to happen,” he said. He said there might be no immediate relief for the public affected by inflation as the suspension could only happen in January 2019. A provision in the TRAIN law states the suspension of further

rate increases on excise taxes on oil in case an average of above $80 a barrel occurs for three straight months. Lawmakers earlier urged the president to suspend the excise taxes on fuel products to tame inflation. “We are looking at all advice received regarding this area. We also need to look at all of the factors, the main factors involved in such a decision. So we looked to, of course, the Cabinet, our principals and, of course, the Office of the President for final guidance on this,” Lambino said. n

McDonald’s PH allots P3 billion in 2019 for expansion, NXTGEN stores by Louella

Desiderio Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Golden Arches Development Corp. (GADC), the master franchisor of the McDonald’s chain in the Philippines, is earmarking P3 billion next year to convert McDonald’s outlets into so-called NXTGEN stores and for continued expansion. Amid rising inflation, the fast food chain said it is also looking to increase prices by next year. In a briefing, McDonald’s Philippines managing director Margot Torres said the firm is spending P3 billion for its capital expenditures (capex) next year, higher than the P2 billion allotted for this year. “That capex is not just for NXTGEN stores but also in-

cludes expansion,” she said. The NXTGEN store, which introduces a multi-point service platform including self-order kiosks, is the fast-food chain’s response to the growing and changing demands of Filipino consumers. “This is our way of staying relevant to our customers, especially to the younger generation,” Torres said. McDonald’s first NXTGEN store, located in McKinley West in Fort Bonifacio, opened last Oct.5. Torres said the target is to have 10 percent of the total store count converted into NXTGEN stores next year, and bring it up to 70 percent by 2021. To date, there are 604 McDonald’s outlets in the country, with five being NXTGEN stores

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More foreign funds flee Philippines in September 2018 by Lawrence

Agcaoili Philstar.comt

MANILA, Philippines — The full-blown trade war between the US and China, the weak peso, rising inflation and the damage from Typhoon Ompong prompted foreigners to pull their investments out of the Philippines last month, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Foreign portfolio investment transactions incurred a $440 million net outflow in September, reversing the net inflow of $225.85 million in August. According to BSP data, inflows plunged by nearly 43 percent to $743.31 million in September from $1.29 billion in the same month last year, while outflows amounted to $1.18 billion. “This may be attributed to investors’ continuing concerns on trade tensions between the U.S. and China, the weakening of the Philippine peso and the continued uptick in inflation which may have been aggravated by the effects of typhoon Ompong,” the central bank said. About 85.7 percent of the infusion that came primarily from the United Kingdom, the U.S., Switzerland, and Malaysia went to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) particularly holding firms, banks, property developers, food beverage and tobacco as well as telecom providers.

According to BSP data, inflows plunged by nearly 43 percent to $743.31 million in September from $1.29 billion in the same month last year, while outflows amounted to $1.18 billion. File photo by Philstar.com

Investments in PSE-listed securities recorded a net outflow of $351 million in September from a net inflow of $39 million in August. On the other hand, 14.3 percent of the total inflows went to peso government securities that reversed to a net outflow of $89 million last month from a net inflow of $180 million in August. Foreign portfolio investments are also called hot or speculative money because of its flighty nature. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSE) continued its free fall after entering the bear market last month due to the trade war in the US, the contagion in emerging markets led by Turkey and Argentina, concerns on rising inflation and weak peso. Despite the strong outflows

last month, the BSP said the Philippines managed to register a net inflow of $161.71 million from January to September, a complete reversal of the $206.25 million net outflow recorded in the same period last year. Inflows slipped by 4.4 percent to $11.46 billion in the first nine months from $11.99 billion in the same period last year, while outflows also declined by 7.37 percent to $11.29 billion from $12.2 billion. The BSP expects a net outflow of foreign portfolio investments amounting to $900 million this year. The country booked a net outflow of $205.05 million last year, reversing the net inflow of $404.43 million in 2016 as more capital were repatriated from the country due to the series of rate hikes in the U.S. n

for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of

your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw 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

Another green card scam: Fake approval...

PAGE D1 ordered deported when either they apply for a legitimate immigration benefits or ICE knocks at their door. including McDonald’s Madison If you have been a victim of (San Juan), Kapitolyo (Pasig), this green card scam, you should Robinson’s Galleria (Pasig) and seek the advice of a legitimate Pioneer Reliance (Pasig). and reputable attorney, who Torres said the company exmight possibly be able to undo pects to end the year with a total the damage of this bogus, fraudof 620 stores, with 15 NXTGEN ulent filing. outlets. *** Through self-ordering kiosks Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney powered by PayMaya Business at NXTGEN stores, customers can pay through their Mastercard and Visa card of any issuPAGE D1 ing bank. Customers may also opt to pay nations. A study of the Bangko in cash through dedicated lanes Sentral ng Pilipinas showed for ordering assisted by the 52.8 million Filipino adults were modernized menu boards, and still unbanked as of 2017 due to claim orders with the new split lack of enough funds to meet required minimum balances. counter system. According to Fitch Solutions, Apart from the multi-point service platform, the NXTGEN the largest hurdle to mobile fistore has modern interiors and a nancial services uptake in the PAGE D3 Philippines will be the poor ser-

(Advertising Supplement)

Philippines seen as new front for war... vice quality of mobile networks. “We are positive of the investment in deepening penetration of digital payments in the Philippines, and the addition of a strategic and well-experienced foreign investor in Tencent will improve the quality and reach of services,” the research group said. “Mynt and Voyager’s services

are used largely outside physical points-of-sale, such as for bill payments and money remittances, which we believe is due to poor network coverage, although investments by both PLDT and Globe into improving mobile access networks will provide upside,” it added. (By Ian Nicolas Cigaral / Philstar. com) n

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PH, Japan ink P2.1-B loan for Philippines performs below regional average in World Bank’s Human Capital Index new Panglao airport expansion MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines performed below the average for the East Asia and Pacific region in the inaugural World Bank Human Capital Index, which measures the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to attain by age 18. Human capital—the knowledge, skills, and health that people accumulate over their lives— has been a key factor behind the sustained economic growth and poverty reduction rates of many countries in the 20th century, the World Bank said. According to the Washingtonbased lender’s report released Thursday, children born in the Philippines will only fulfill 55 percent of their potential when they grow up if they enjoy complete education and full health. HCI measure for girls is higher than for boys in the country, it added. The report noted that the Philippines’ HCI percentage is below the 61 percent of potential average for East Asia and Pacific and

The financing deal for the New Bohol Airport Project was signed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chief representative Yoshio Wada, with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Makoto Iyori, economic affairs minister of the Embassy of Japan, as witnesses on Monday, October 8. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Department of Transportation by Daxim

L. Lucas

Inquirer.net

THE Department of Finance (DOF) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) agreed on a fresh loan of 4.376-billion yen to the Philippines — equivalent to P2.1 billion at the prevailing exchange rate — to help fund the expansion of the New Bohol Airport. In a press statement, the DOF said the new funding would be used to extend the runway of the new airport as well as expand its passenger terminal building. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and JICA Chief Representative Yoshio Wada signed Monday the supplemental loan agreement and formally exchanged documents for Phase II of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environmental Protection Project in Panglao Island. “Under government conditions, this is amazing speed,” Dominguez said after the signing of the supplemental loan accord. “I look forward to this becoming

the benchmark of efficiency for the other projects in the pipeline.” Witnessing the signing of the supplemental loan accord for the new airport were Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Minister Makoto Iyori, economic affairs minister in the Embassy of Japan. In line with the “fast and sure” approach adopted by Manila and Tokyo in the implementation of big-ticket infrastructure projects, Dominguez noted that the Philippine government fasttracked the processing the requirements for loan which, from the time the National Economic and Development Authority board approved it on June 19, 2018 up to the Oct. 8 signing, took four months to be formalized. He said that if the government acts “with the same dispatch on all public projects, I am confident we will sustain the pace of growth we need to bring the benefits of inclusive growth to our people.” Dominguez thanked Japan for

once again helping fund the second phase of the New Bohol Airport Project, which is also known as the Bohol Panglao International Airport. The finance chief said this project is “a perfect example” of a hybrid public-private partnership project in which the government takes over the initial phase of the project and later bids out its operations and maintenance aspect to the private sector. “If some future government or some future administration needs money, they can actually sell that asset,” Dominguez said. “So while we can get good financing, we are building up our asset base. That’s like the savings of the people which can be tapped if some future administration needs it.” Through JICA, Japan also provided funding support in the amount of 10.782 billion yen (approximately P5.18 billion or $237 million) for the first phase of the New Bohol Airport, which began construction in 2015 and is dubbed the country’s first international “eco-airport.” n

57 percent of potential worldwide average. But the World Bank said the Philippines’ HCI value was better than the average for countries that are also in the lower middle income group. Philippines addressing nutrition, education gaps Malnutrition is a major challenge in the Philippines, the World Bank highlighted, adding that children who are malnourished at a young age will face difficulties in learning and are more likely to drop out of school early. “The Government of the Philippines recognizes these challenges and has initiated critical reforms to improve human capital in the country,” said Mara Warwick, World Bank country director for Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. “Going forward, key policy priorities in the Philippines are reducing stunting and improving the effectiveness of teachers to boost learning,” Warwick added. Overall, the World Bank found

that 56 percent of children born today across the world will lose more than half their potential lifetime earnings because governments are not making effective investments in their people. Singapore is best country for developing human capital The multilateral lender also said out of 157 economies covered by its new report, Singapore is the best country for developing human capital, followed by South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong in the second, third and fourth positions, respectively. “For the poorest people, human capital is often the only capital they have,” World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said. “This index creates a direct line between improving outcomes in health and education, productivity, and economic growth. I hope that it drives countries to take urgent action and invest more – and more effectively – in their people,” Kim added. (By Ian Nicolas Cigaral/ Philstar.com) n

McDonald’s PH allots P3 billion...

PAGE D2 dedicated crew specially trained in hospitality to address needs of customers. “McDonald’s NXTGEN is a strategic investment as the brand continues to grow in the country. Our goal is to provide a better and more relevant McDonald’s experience in a modern restaurant environment to more Filipinos,” McDonald’s Philippines president and chief executive officer Kenneth Yang said. For its expansion, he said the fast-food chain is looking at opening more stores in the Visayas and Mindanao. As the country’s inflation rate hit a nine-year high at 6.7 percent in September, he said the fast-food chainhas also been affected just like other companies. “For us, it definitely has had an impact on cost of sales, food costs. What we try to do is try to be more efficient so we don’t have to pass all cost increases to consumers,” he said. Given higher food costs, Torres said there would be an increase in prices next year, but noted the uptick would not be

Under the TRAIN law, the next tranche of the fuel tax rate increase can be suspended if the three-month average of Dubai crude reaches $80 per barrel. Philstar.com file photo by Miguel De Guzman

higher than the inflation rate. “We are very conscious we do not exceed what we project as inflation. We usually increase never above inflation. We are conscious of that because we want the customers to keep coming to McDonald’s and we do offer affordable food,” she said. Yang said the company is still

reviewing by how much prices would increase next year. At the start of the year, the fast-food chain raised prices on certain meals, beverages and desserts in response to the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law which slapped higher taxes on sugar sweetened drinks.n

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Banks actively tap rediscount loans, availments reach record P30.6 billion by Lawrence

Agcaoili Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Rediscount loans extended to local banks to finance the expansion needs of businesses and households hit a record P30.6 billion in the first nine months amid the series of interest rate hikes by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to check rising inflation. The amount was more than 30 times the P603 million extended from January to September last year. Bulk of the total amount disbursed under the peso rediscount facility in the first nine months went to other credits, while 25 percent went to commercial credits. Majority of the loans of other credits include other services with 30.9 percent, capital asset expenditures (28.2 percent) and permanent working capital (15.78 percent). There was no availment under the Exporters Dollar and Rediscount Facility (EDYRF) from January to April this year. Rediscounting is a privilege of a qualified bank to obtain loans or advances from the BSP using the eligible papers of its borrowers as collaterals. It is a standing credit facility provided by the central bank to help banks liquefy their position by refinancing the loans they extend to their clients. The BSP earlier raised the rediscount rates for loans under the peso rediscount facility to 5.0625 percent from 4.5625 percent for loans with maturity of up to 90

File photo by Philstar.com

days and to 5.1250 percent from 4.6250 percent for loans with maturity of up to 180 days. Last Sept. 27, the BSP’s Monetary Board delivered its first back-to-back 50-basis point rate hikes to anchor rising inflationary expectations since shifting to the inflation targeting framework in 2001, bringing to 150 basis points the cumulative increase in interest rates so far this year. It first raised interest rates by 25 basis points for the first time in more than three years last May 10 followed by another 25 basis points on June 20, 50 basis points – the biggest in 10 years – last Aug. 9, and 50 basis points last Sept. 27. The overnight reverse repurchase rate currently stands at 4.5

percent, the overnight deposit and overnight lending rates at four percent and five percent, respectively. The BSP’s Monetary Board adopted a unified rediscounting window for all types of banks in June 2017 as it decided to terminate the sunset provision for small banks. The central bank approved the removal of the sunset period of five years for thrift banks and 10 years for rural and cooperative banks in accessing the BSP’s peso rediscount facilities. Based on statistical data, the regulator said thrift, rural, and cooperative banks are no longer dependent on BSP funds thereby warranting the shortening of the sunset provision. n

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Prospects bright for e-commerce firms – Lopez by Ma. Lisbet

K. Esmael

Inquirer.net

E-COMMERCE firms can bank on the country’s strong economy to grow their business here, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Tuesday. “The robust Philippine economy under the Duterte administration leads to a growing middle class that has greater purchasing power,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in an emailed statement. Online shopping platforms can also take advantage of the Philippines’ young population, which is tech-savvy, he added. During the DTI’s visit to the

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London Roadshow, Lopez met with Zalora co-founder Christoph Barchewitz to discuss the latter’s business prospects in the Philippines. The London Roadshow was held from September 21 to 27 to entice British firms to invest or expand their business in the local market. The Zalora executive expressed optimism on their local operations, particularly in emerging second and third-tier cities. “We know it’s a long-term horizon. But already today, majority of our orders come from outside Metro Manila, which reflects the faster economic growth happen-

ing in the regions,” Barchewitz was quoted as saying in the same statement. Paulo Campos, chief executive officer of Zalora Philippines, said they would be moving out to a new facility center in December to prepare for future growth. For this year, Campos also said they would expand the coverage of Zalora’s logistics to other key cities as well as increase the number of its partner drivers. Zalora is part of the UK-based Global Fashion Group, with operations in Southeast Asia, South America, Middle East, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. n

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D OCTOBER 13-16, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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