Weekend balita dec 13, 2014

LOS ANGELES

Solenn engaged to Argentine boyfriend See SOLENN page 20

VOL. XXII, NO. 45

DECEMBER 13 - 19, 2014

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANS

Moody’s upgrades PHL once again Manila, Philippines | AFP | Thursday 12/11/2014 – Moody’s raised the Philippines’ credit rating by one notch on Thursday, in a further sign of the country’s economic transformation.

The Southeast Asian nation, once considered the region’s economic laggard, was upgraded to “Baa2” from its previous level of “Baa3” – the lowest of Moody’s investment-grade ranks.

The country has a “stable” outlook, a statement from the credit rating agency said.

The move comes after Moody’s, Fitch and Standard and Poor’s all raised the Philippines to investment-grade levels in 2013, indicating a lower risk to investors.

“The key drivers of the decision are ongoing debt reduction, aided by improvements in fiscal management (and) continued favorable prospects for strong economic growth,” Moody’s said.

The Philippines is also enjoying only “limited vulnerability to the common risks currently affecting emerging markets”, the agency added.

Moody’s praised the government’s fiscal management, saySee MOODY’S, page 12

The Grinch reveals himself during the NBC “GRINCHmas” and lighting of the tree at Universal Studios which was followed by the lighting of the spectacular GRINCHMAS tree with fireworks to boot. (Story on page 8)

Typhoon survivors find homes in ruins again

By Imelda Magbutay

Tacloban, Philippines | AFP | Sunday 12/7/2014 – A year after losing all their belongings to one of the world’s strongest storms, thousands of weary people in the Philippines emerged from evacuation shelters on Sunday to find their homes again in ruins.

Typhoon Hagupit hit the central Philippines late on Saturday with gusts of 210 kilometres (130 miles) an hour, destroying flimsy houses, tearing roofs off others, knocking down power poles and smashing bridges.

During a terrifying night, it cut across Tacloban city and dozens of other communities that were only just starting to recover from last year’s catastrophic Super Typhoon Haiyan.

“We were on edge the entire night because the winds were so strong. We could see roofs flying,” 39-year-old peaSee TYPHOON, page 12

Purisima told: Quietly accept your suspension MANILA, Dec 11 (Mabuhay) – Embattled Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima should just quietly accept his suspension, Nationalist People’s Coalition Congressman Sherwin Gatchalian said.

“Gen. Purisima should understand that the PNP is larger than him and it would do good for the entire police force if he will just accept his six-month suspension,” said the Valenzuela City representative.

Purisima’s camp said he won’t accept the suspension order from the Office of the Ombudsman over an allegedly anomalous delivery deal.

Purisima’s counsel filed a petition for a temporary restraining order with the Court of Appeals yesterday.

“PNP chief Purisima should just accept the Ombudsman order quietly instead of See PURISIMA, page 12

Market vendors work on damaged stalls at the public market of Tacloban City on Sunday after experiencing the effects of typhoon Ruby as it passed through Eastern Samar. Just over a year after going through typhoon Yolanda, the city’s response to another disaster was again tested. (MNS photo)

PHL stands firm on sea dispute with China Manila, Philippines | AFP | Monday 12/8/2014 – The Philippines shrugged off criticism from China on Monday after Beijing slammed the nation for challenging its territorial claims in international courts, in a dispute over resource-rich waters.

Philippine foreign ministry spokesman Charles Jose denied Manila was taking its complaint to a UN tribunal as a way to put China under foreign pressure.

“Our position is that arbitration is the durable solution,” Jose told AFP. The Philippines infuriated China when it filed a formal complaint to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in March asking it to rule on China’s claims over most of the South China Sea. China refused to recognise the process and has until next week to reply to the Philippines’ complaint.

Jose said China’s decision not to participate would not affect proceedings and the tribunal may decide the case by “early 2016”.

“We take note that China has officially stated its position on the matter of arbitration... We also note the points raised in the (Chinese) paper,” he said.

“Its underlying goal is not... to seek peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue, but rather, by resorting to arbitration, to put political pressure on China,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in the paper published by the official Xinhua news agency Sunday.

China’s claims over the South China Sea conflict with the territorial claims of See CHINA DISPUTE, page 12

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Free Christmas carol concert at Christ the King Church in Hollywood Dec. 14 Nova Vocal Ensemble together with Christ the King School’s Pueri Cantores choir to perform familiar carols by composer-in-residence Dale Trumbore A Christmas tradition comes back to Hollywood as the Nova Vocal Ensemble together with Christ the King School’s Pueri Cantores choir performs dazzling new arrangements of familiar carols by composer-in-residence Dale Trumbore in a free concert entitled Lesson and Carols on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Christ the King Church in Hollywood.

Headed by Founder and Artistic Director, Jonathan Bautista who has appeared as a professional bass vocalist for choral groups and church choirs in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and California., Nova Vocal Ensemble is known to be Los Angeles’ chamber choir devoted to the music and choral works of living composers of all genres. In addition to contemporary classical, Nova also performs various musical arrangements from popular music, jazz, musical theater, film, television series, video games, and animation. Nova aims to not just entertain, but move and educate its audiences about the diversity of musical styles and arrangements.

For more information about Lessons and Carols and Nova Vocal Ensemble please visit www.novavocalensemble.org.

The Christ the King Church is located at 624 N. Rossmore Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90004. Nova Vocal Ensemble is a professional chamber choir consisting of experienced singers dedicated to performing the a cappella choral works of living composers. Nova singers come from all over Southern California to entertain, move, and educate its audiences about the diversity of musical styles in today’s choral landscape: the romantic, the experimental, the complex, the comical, and the profound are all part of Nova’s eclectic sonic palate. Nova presents the music of beloved contemporary masters and classical music’s rising young stars, especially composers with ties to the choir’s home of Los Angeles.

Not limited to just contemporary classical, Nova also performs arrangements of popular music, jazz, musical theater, film music, and music from video games, television series, and animation, all orchestrated with a flair that is contemporary and fun by innovative arrangers active in the choral field.

Nova was born in the spring of 2012 and has expanded from a group of four singers to today’s roster. Nova boasts some of the finest vocal talent in Los Angeles, and its singers travel from all over the valley just to perform with the group. Nova has performed in a diverse array of venues, including the San Fernando Mission, the Echoplex, West Los Angeles Public Library, Christ the King Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glendale, E3 Electronic Entertainment Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and Disney’s California Adventure.

Nova also functions as a caroling group during the Christmas season and is available for wedding and funeral bookings, as well as other private parties and events.

Fireworks wow the crowd who witnessed the 2014 spectacular NBC “GRINCHmas” and lighting of the tree at Universal Studios with Mayor Eric Garcetti, the “Grinch,” Yvette Nicole-Brown, Carols and Alexa PenaVega in downtown Los Agneles last December 4.

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12 reasons to call me; My number is below Your first step in overcoming debt problems is recognizing you have a problem! If worries about your credit card bills or a pending foreclosure are keeping you awake at night, you probably already know you’re in over your head. Just cruising along, juggling credit cards, taking from one to pay the other is not a viable answer. So if this describes your situation, then take not, because just doing nothing makes the hole bigger and your position more desperate.

Here are 12 signs that indicate financial stress: • You routinely spend more than you earn.

• You only make the minimum payment required on your credit the value of non-exempt assets, and their cards. disposable income, left over from normal • Your credit limit is frequently maxed living expenses. Say that you have $100.00 out on most of your cards. in disposable income. You would have to • You’re unsure about how much you pay that into a plan for 60 months. After 60 owe or what may be on your credit report. months, the balance of your debts would • You skip payments on some bills in be discharged in full, even if they are far order to pay others, or use cash advances from being paid off. on one credit card to pay off another.

One should keep in mind that there are • You find yourself arguing with your intricate details to the legal process that spouse over money. need to be taken into consideration before • You have recently been turned down decisions are made to file for bankruptcy. for credit or a loan.

Who qualifies? Which kind would apply to • You panic when faced with an unex- you? Will you be able to keep all of your pected expense, such as a car repair. property? There are many such questions • You owe more on your car than it’s that arise in such a situation. In this situworth. ation, you need to consult with an experiThere’s no more equity in your house. enced bankruptcy law firm that can guide Creditors are calling you about overdue you through these complicated decisions bills. and procedures.

You are either thinking about bankFiling for bankruptcy may not be the ruptcy or a divorce. solution to all your financial problems We have all heard about bankruptcy, though. In fact, bankruptcy does not cover but what does it mean? What are the im- all debts. For example, debts related to plications? As is to be expected, filing for child and spouse support, or taxes are not bankruptcy can be complicated, unless you covered in bankruptcy. have professional help to walk you through Do you have a Co-signer? the process.

Before filing for bankruptcy it is imSimply put, bankruptcy can be defined portant to know that your co-signer might as the legal process thorough which indi- be held liable for the co-signed debt. A viduals or businesses in financial trouble Chapter 13 bankruptcy will protect your are able to work out their debts and pay co-signer though, since it offers a partial them out under the protection of the repayment plan. With a Chapter 7 bankbankruptcy court. Often “liquidations” or ruptcy, only the debtor is protected and the “reorganizations” are the words that are co-signer will still be liable for the debt. used to sum up the process that unfolds With Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the creditors when you file for bankruptcy. will still have the right to demand that The two kinds of bankruptcy that you your co-signer pay off the outstanding can file for are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. payments.

There are various factors that would deterUnder chapter 13 bankruptcy, as long as mine whether you should opt for the one or the bankruptcy plan is active the co-signers the other. Through Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, will receive a stay. All the same, when the you liquidate all unsecured debt, and hope- plan closes, the co-signer is once again lifully protect any assets you have within the able to pay any outstanding payments, even bankruptcy exemption rules. Most people though the debt is discharged in favor of are protected, because they don’t have any the bankruptcy debtor. non-exempt assets.

Don’t lose another sleepless night! For In the event debtor is making too solutions to all of your financial problems, much money, they choose Chapter 13 and rebuilding your credit, contact the law Bankruptcy, which is the reorganization offices of Paul M. Allen. I promise that help type of bankruptcy. The debtor is allowed is just a phone call away. Consultations are three to five years over which to pay back free, but by appointment only. Call today. a portion of the debts, based in part on Glendale or La Palma 818-552-4500.

Jackpot! Austrian gambling addict gets 440,000 euros back Vienna, Austria | AFP | Thursday 12/11/2014 - A Vienna gambler will get back almost 440,000 euros that he squandered on slot machines, after a local court ruled that he suffered from an addiction, his lawyer said Thursday.

The man claimed he was not responsible for some of the 800,000 euros he spent on slot machines between 2006 and 2010.

Backed by a psychiatric evaluation, the court agreed that his gambling “contracts” for the period should be annulled.

“Unlike in casinos, it’s not possible in Vienna to ban somebody from a slot ma-

chine room. And you find these machines in many places, including petrol stations,” the gambler’s lawyer Christoph Naske told AFP. Gaming group Novomatic, which operates the slot machines in question, has appealed the ruling, the daily Kronen Zeitung said.

Vienna decided in November to ban slot machines from any locations except casinos from January 1, saying they targeted mostly poorer neighborhoods.

The Austrian capital has an estimated 2,600 one-armed bandits.

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Find the perfect piece of art for your home Big grand opening sale at Art and Framing Gallery A new one-of-a-kind art store has just opened at 381 North Western Ave. in Los Angeles. Located right at the heart of LA’s furniture capital, Art and Framing Gallery specializes in oil paintings, framings and posters.

The store has a huge selection of oil paintings, frames and posters in stock in various genres, designs and sizes. “It’s like having 50 galleries in one place,” said Mr. SH, Art and Framing Gallery’s store manager. Paintings are categorized according to size and subject, so despite the huge number of paintings in their inventory, it is not difficult to locate a certain type of painting if a customer already has a preferred design in mind.

Understandably, some people tend to get intimidated by purchasing pieces of art and paintings. But actually, a person does not have to be art-savvy to use art in decorating one’s home or living space.

Displaying artwork is a great way to spruce up your walls, create conversation pieces

and create a flow to the decor of your home. Most of the time, interior designers use paintings or photos to set the color or mood of the room. But regardless of a person’s budget, taste or design philosophy, it is a well-known fact that decorating with art and paintings add character and panache to a certain space. (source Home Guides -SF Gate) “When you put a piece of art that you like in your home, every time you see it, it will raise your spirits, it will make you happy. People should surround themselves with things that make them happy. And we think that this grand opening is a great opportunity for everyone to find that piece of art that makes them happy at a reasonable price!” said Mr. SH. Art and Framing Gallery is a wholesale supplier of art to galleries and interior designers. But they are now also open to the public. They also do custom paintings and custom framing of any design and of any size (sizes usually vary from 8×10″ to 48×72″).

The management of Art and Framing Gallery invites the Filipino community to come and visit the newly-opened showroom to find that perfect piece of art for your home or bring anything that you want to be framed. So hurry and take advantage of their grand opening and holiday sale!

Readers of Weekend Balita and US Asian Post get an extra 10% off. (Hannah

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More clarity on President Obama amnesty If you are thinking of a relative, friend or yourself who may possibly qualify for President Obama’s immigration amnesty, you are probably confused about how this immigration program works. This is not surprising because the President’s announcement only came out on November 21, 2014, barely two weeks ago. The President calls his immigration program “deferred action for parental accountability�, the first part of the program, and “deferred

action for childhood arrivals,� the second part of the program. He says that program and work permits be filed with this immigration program is not amnesty USCIS? The memorandum directs the per se, but it’s the United States doing the USCIS to start accepting applications no right thing for millions of illegals “living in later than ninety days from November 20, the shadows� and “in fear of deportation.� 2014. Therefore, applications can be filed Nevertheless, many people call the Presi- in starting February 19, 2015.

What is the filing fee? The memorandent’s executive action amnesty because it is the first logical step towards legalization. dum states that the filing fees for the work Illegals will be given work permits valid permit and biometrics for FBI clearance for three years, and renewable, with every is $465.

How long is the work permit valid renewal valid for three years. It’s a great program because it gives the welcome mat for? It is valid for three years and renewto those who are already living here at least able for periods of three years for each five years, albeit illegally. The work permit renewal. This means that if you renew it allows you to stay and work here legally twice, you would have worked here legally which is certainly a lot better than working for nine years with social security contribuunder the table and getting paid much less tions, and a real social security card.

How will the USCIS decide these than what you should be paid if you were cases? The USCIS is directed to make deauthorized to work here.

Let’s go on a Question & Answer format cisions on applications on a case-by-case to clarify how the President’s program basis. Therefore, the USCIS has discretion to decide who qualifies and who does not, works: When does the immigration program depending on how they assess the evitake effect? It takes effect on November dence submitted. That’s why you need a competent lawyer to prosecute your case 20, 2014.

What is the legal basis for saying that to enhance the chances of approval.

What kind of evidence is the USCIS it takes effect on November 20, 2014?

The memorandum of the Secretary of looking for? They will look for documenthe Homeland Security directing the U.S. tary & testimonial evidence, and a combiCitizenship & Immigration Services (US- nation of both, with emphasis on credibility CIS), the U.S. Immigration and Customs of evidence presented.

How much evidence is required? They Enforcement (ICE), and the U.S. Customs & Border Protection is signed by the Sec- will look for a preponderance of evidence. retary of Homeland Security on November Therefore, the more evidence submitted the stronger your case is.

20, 2014 takes effect immediately.

Should you retain a lawyer for your When can applications under this

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., December 13 - 19, 2014

petition? Absolutely. Your lawyer will know how to present your case in the most convincing way possible given whatever evidence you have, and your lawyer has the requisite professional education, skill and experience to prosecute your case.

Is the United States trying to trick illegals into getting work permits now, then deporting them later on after they have their addresses? No. The United States is giving illegals the first step to legalize themselves. Americans, and I am very proud to be one, are by and large open and fair minded people who believe in the one True God, our Lord, and His beloved Son Jesus Christ who died for our sins because He loved us so, who believe in giving everyone, irrespective of race, nationality, gender or religion, the chance to pursue life, liberty and happiness. This is what America is really about. America is a melting pot of immigrants from all over the world who seek a better life here.

Will you have to leave America then wait for your work permit abroad? No, you stay here and the work permit will be given to you here.

If I got arrested but was not charged, is that a criminal record that will prevent me from passing the FBI clearance? No, that is not a criminal record. However, if your name comes out on the FBI screen in some manner, it may delay the clearance time.

How long is the FBI clearance good for?

It’s valid for fifteen months.

How long will it take to get the work permit from the time the application is filed and the FBI clearance is obtained?

USCIS may take several weeks to assess the evidence submitted, a month or two.

FBI clearance takes about three weeks. If your evidence is convincing and presented the right way and you clear FBI with no problems, your application should be approved within 3 months.

Is this program a path to permanent residency? No. Only Congress can provide

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a path to permanent residency and American citizenship.

Will Congress provide a path to permanent residency and citizenship? Yes, I believe so. This will most likely happen next year. It will be a bi-partisan bill that will be able to pass both the House and the Senate and which the President will sign into law.

Can Congress invalidate President Obama’s amnesty? Congress can pass a bill that invalidates executive amnesty.

However, the President has the power to veto that bill when it reaches his table.

When the President exercises his veto power, Congress will need a “supermajority� of votes to override the Presidential veto. It is almost impossible for Congress to obtain a “supermajority� of votes to override a Presidential veto. So, this scenario is not likely to happen. Congress can also pass a bill to defund the government so that Homeland Security and the USCIS will have no money to operate to accept amnesty applications. However, this is also unlikely to happen because defunding the government doesn’t sit well with the American people.

Lawsuits have also been filed by several states to challenge the constitutionality of the executive action for amnesty. However, the subject matter of this executive action is well within the ambit of executive power.

Legal precedents in the last 200 years support executive action of this nature.

President Abraham Lincoln’s emancipation of slaves was done by executive action.

So, a successful challenge by lawsuit is a long shot.

Thus, President Obama’s immigration program is the law of the land since November 20, 2014.

What are the relevant cut-off dates?

You must have lived in USA no later than January 1, 2010, and you must have a child who is an American citizen, or a permanent resident. Or, if you entered the See YANG, next page

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Finding reprehensible conduct in employer’s gender & pregnancy discrimination Rosario Juarez sued her employer, AutoZone, Inc., the auto-parts retailer, for discriminating against her because she was a woman, for demoting her because of her pregnancy, and for firing her when she sued for discrimination. After a two-week trial, the jury ordered AutoZone to pay Juarez over $185 million in damages.

According to reports, in 2000, Juarez started work at Autozone in San Diego as a customer services representative, was pro- to store manager. In 2005, she became moted to parts sales manager in 2001, and pregnant and informed her district manager later asked to be promoted to store manager about it, who responded, “Congratulations but was refused. In her lawsuit, Juarez ... I guess,” and then he added “I feel sorry said that AutoZone prevented women from for you.” After this, her boss kept sugrising in the ranks. AutoZone’s district gesting that she step down because of her managers were instructed to stop promot- pregnancy. She refused. ing women and to get rid of its women AutoZone complained about her performanagers. An AutoZone vice president, mance and demoted her. While demoted, who visited a store staffed by a female Juarez continued to be singled out and manager and other women, allegedly told harassed. The harassment continued even the district manager: “What are we running after she gave birth. Because AutoZone here, a boutique? Get rid of these women.” ignored her discrimination complaints, In 2004, after complaining to Human she sued. One month later, she was fired, Resources, Juarez was finally promoted allegedly for a missing $400 from the cash

register.

During trial, an AutoZone district manager testified that he was offered a promotion if he fired all the women in his stores.

Additionally, AutoZone’s loss prevention officer who handled the investigation into the missing cash testified that she never suspected Juarez of wrongdoing and that the company targeted her.

The jury unanimously held AutoZone liable for gender and pregnancy discrimination, retaliation, and failure to prevent harassment. It awarded the employee $872,000 in lost wages and emotional stress, and $185 million in punitive damages. The jury gave the large punitive award so AutoZone’s board of directors will pay attention and discontinue its discriminatory practices.

The law prohibits gender discrimination against employees in connection with hiring, firing, compensation, and all conditions and privileges of employment. Employers are generally required to provide equal opportunities to all employees for upward mobility, promotion, and entrance

into all jobs for which they are qualified, regardless of gender.

Discrimination of an employee based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions is a form of unlawful sex discrimination under the law. In California, covered employers are required to provide reasonable accommodation, grant leaves of absence and reinstatement rights, and honor transfer request of pregnant women when so advised by their health care providers.

[C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is trial attorney who has obtained several million dollar recoveries for his clients against insurance companies and employers. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, featured in the cover of Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Verdicts and Settlements, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum. He is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center Washington, D.C. and the University of the Philippines. Visit his website at www.joesayaslaw.com or contact his office at (818) 291-0088 for a no-cost inquiry.]

YANG

your case successfully.

How many illegals qualify under this program? It is estimated that four to five million are qualified under this program, most of who are parents with children who are U.S. citizens, or permanent residents.

Perhaps someone you know, or you yourself can qualify. Act now.

How do you know you are making the right decision to file? You need to open your heart and pray sincerely to our Lord for guidance. He will help you out because He said so. He died for you so He will help you out.

“NOW TO THE KING ETERNAL,

IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, THE ONLY GOD, BE HONOR AND GLORY FOR EVER AND EVER.” 1TIMOTHY 1:17.

Lawrence Bautista Yang is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and has been in law practice for thirty years.

He specializes in bankruptcy, business and civil litigation and has handled more than five thousand successful bankruptcy cases in California. He speaks Tagalog and looks forward to discussing your case with you personally. 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.

From page 6

USA as a juvenile, you must have entered the USA before your 16th birthday, and before January 1, 2010, born before June 15, 1981, and have a high school diploma or GED certificate from here, or serving in the US armed forces. The latter is subject to expanded DACA guidelines which are not yet available.

Can you give an example of who qualifies? Yes. For instance, you entered the USA on a B1 tourist visa on June 15, 1989. Let’s say you came into the USA without any documents because you crossed the border from Mexico. You met your spouse 10 years ago, however, she is also undocumented. You have a child born

in Los Angeles 3 years ago. You qualify under this program but you will need credible testimony regarding your circumstances of entry. I would expect through testimony of family members who are citizens or permanent residents who know how you got in.

When is the right time to retain a lawyer? Right now. So that he can start getting your evidence together prepare your petition, and file your petition as soon as possible when the USCIS starts accepting applications on or before February 19, 2015. It takes time to get the right evidence and prepare your application. Witnesses have to be identified and their testimony taken down in writing. Documentary evidence has to be obtained. You need competent legal representation to prosecute

Consumers to find Dec. electricity rate down to year’s lowest level, says Meralco MANILA, Dec 9 (Mabuhay) – Customers of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will find their electricity bills this month lower by P0.19 per kilowatt hour (kWh) as the generation charge fell to its lowest level for the year, the company said Tuesday.

On its official Twitter account, Meralco said households consuming 200 kWh per month will see a P38.03 reduction in their bills and those consuming 300 kWh per month will have P57.03 shaved off their bills. Apart from a lower generation charge, taxes and other charges for the month are also lesser this month, Meralco said.

In an e-mailed statement, Meralco noted December is the second month in the quarter when power rates have gone down, since P0.60 per kWh was registered last October. There was a P0.17 per kWh downward adjustment to P4.94 per kWh in the generation charge on the heels of lower charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). WESM rates fell as the supply situation in Luzon improved with power plants operating at normal levels in November and the resumption of the Sual 647-megawatt Unit 1 after a monthlong maintenance shutdown in October.

WESM charges decreased as the rate adjustments from prior months were completed in October that included additional Must-Run Unit (MRU) compensation for the Malaya power plant in Rizal province and the secondary cap to additional compensation for the supply months of May and June 2014.

Meralco said the WESM charges offset the P0.10 per kWh and P0.03 per kWh increases in the average rates of the Independent Power Producers and power plants

covered by Power Supply Agreements with the power distributor. There were also the P0.014 decrease in taxes and a P0.023 cumulative decrease in system loss charge and subsidies. The transmission charge, on the other hand, increased by P0.017 per kWh pm higher ancillary service charges.

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Holiday Events: ‘Tree Lighting’ at NBC Universal; ‘In Nomine Matris;’ ‘Pedro Calungsod’ NBC Universal, the “entertainment capital of LA,” welcomed LA Mayor Eric Garcetti last Thursday, December 4th as he kicked off the lighting of the very first “Grinchmas” tree.

In his message, Mayor Garcetti spoke on behalf of LA tourism’s growth and that the city’s goal of “ attaining 50 million visitors by the year 2020. He also credits NBC Universal as “one of the most popular destinations in LA and the singular factor delivering half of that tourism increase.”

Further, Mayor Garcetti said “ I’m working hard to protect and promote LA’s creative and tourism munity,” “Family Guy,”), Alexa PenaVega sectors because they’re essential to our (“Nashvile,” “Spy Kids”) and Carlos Peeconomy and our city’s character/” naVega (“The Penguins of Madagascar,: The evening’s ceremony was held at “Big Time Rush”). Perforning along Universal’s grand piazza at the heart of with the TV stars were the energetic Marthe theme park, where the lighting of the tha May “Whovier” and the “Who Dolls.” towering, whimsical “Grinchmas” tree spi“Grinchmas” runs weekends on Decemraled above to 60 feet. Featured along ber 6-7 and 13-14, then continues daily with Mayor Garcetti were: the Grinch from Friday, December 19, 2014 through and his sidekick dog, Max, Hollywood Saturday, January 3, 2015., TV stars: Yvettte Nicole Brown (“ComIn time for the holidays, this au-

thor’s media colleague, Lydia Solis and I were both impressed in watching a rarely seen creative film called “In Nomine Matris” (In the name of the mother). This riveting film presented by Hubo Productions, Inc., celebrated the role of women through the intricacies of the Spanish flamenco dance.

The masterful performance of Mercedes Lagdameo ( played with passion by Clara Ramona) was captivating. The musical score by Bob Aves portrayed the fusion of Spanish & Kundiman music symbolic of our Spanish heritage artistically blended itself throughout the film. The dramatic and emotional portrayal of both Liza Dino, who played Mara Bonifacio Advento, a dance protege who was pursuing to be the principal dancer in a dance tour company was intertwined with veteran thespian Tami Monsod’s character as Ava Bonifacio, mother of the ambitious Mara.

The superb portrayal of Daniel by TV actor Biboy Ramirez was also noticeable as the brother to Italy-trained opera singer, Al Gatmaitan, who played the boyrfriend of Mara and son of Mercedes Lagdameo.

As a rare film concept, writer-director Will Fredo’s laborious risk became an astounding, artful masterpiece uncommon in today’s film industry. This independent film has the capacity to win international film festival awards.

Finally, Sapphire Films & Concepts’ holiday biographical film presentation on the story of “Pedro Calungsod, Batang Martir” produced by HPI Synergy Group and Wings Entertainment and directed by Francis Villacorta, was dramatically played by actors Rocco Nacino as “Pedro Calungsod,” Christian Vasquez as Fr. Diego de San Vittores, Rolland Correa as the Maha’Lahi Chammoro Chieftain, Jestoni Alarcon as Father Juan de Sta. Cruz and Ryan Eigenmann as Choco.. This film was the formal entry to the 2013 Metro Manila

Film Festival on December, 2013.

As we all have learned, Pedro Calungsod was the second and recently Filipino canonized saint after Saint Lorenzo Ruiz.

He was a Cebu-born, 14-year old attendant who accompanied the Jesuit priests in their mission to the Ladrones Islands (formerly known as “Isles of Thieves” which is currently Guam) to preach and teach Christianity to the Chamorros in 1668.

Their mission came to an end when Chamorro’s Chieftain Maha’Lahi tried to kill Father Diego, but Pedro Calungsod protected his mentor and he was killed instead.

As Filipinos, most of us are looking forward to the upcoming celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas. Let us celebrate this day to be thankful to HIM for blessing us with peace, harnomy and goodwill to all mankind. Wishing you all a blessed CHRISTMAS!

Recently, we published the photo above with the wrong names. With our apologies, here’s the correct caption for the photo. On the left is Felisa Lipsun, second place winner on the religious themed-cake contest and Fr. Alfonso Borgen, at the All Soul’s Catholic Church fiesta in Alhambra.

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Christmas season triggers more compassion Through many storms and calamities for a decade, hundreds of children who were supposed to be the most excited about Christmas never make to their families’ celebration because of confinement in many public hospitals to undergo medical treatment for various ailments. The wounds of deprivation and emotional hurt cut deep into their souls at their tender age that will mar their perception of life for many years.

Thousands of miles away, a small group of Filipino Ameri

cans from California has not forgotten them and has been united in Magic Spectacular at 7:00 p.m.on Decemtheir collective effort to put their faith in ber 23rd featuring the Magic of Arnel and practice. Inspired by the altruistic spirit of Friends from the world-famous Hollywood the organizers of the nonprofit Guardian Magic Castle for this worthy cause. The Angels of America Foundation, the group magical trio is composed of Arnel, Lauro spring into action this time of the year to Castillo and Tam Vo. involve whoever would heed their plea in Proceeds of the fundraiser will also collecting toys and other usable stuff which support GAAF’s Feeding Program, $1 will find their way to the Philippines in Souvenir Money (to inspire them to study several balik-bayan boxes. hard and multiply the dollar) and the HyGAAF fundraiser to benefit PHL drocephalus Project. children Donations to see the amazing magic GAAF is all geared up for its annual and illusions of the award-winning magiChristmas Toy Drive that has become a cians are tradition of giving and bringing cheers to $10 Balcony and $20 Orchestra, and hundreds of indigent patients of govern- tickets available at www.downeytheatre. ment hospitals in the Philippines whose com or at Box Office (562) 861-8211. medical conditions have deprived them of the joy of spending Christmas with their families in their own homes.

Recipients of the benevolent gesture are children bedridden in government hospitals such as PGH, Ospital ng Maynila, San Lazaro Hospital, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical City, Orthopedic Hospital, National Childrens Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Tondo Hospital.

GAAF has collected more than Boxes of Cheers: More than 3,000 toys in balik-bayan 3,000 toys this year’s edition of boxes which will find their way to indigent sick children giving which are being shipped for in government charity wards in the Philippines in this year’s Toy Drive of Guardian Angels of America which the 12th year by its Angel Partner, has religiously implemented the project for 12 years.

Forex Cargo International.

Joy is etched on the faces of the volunteers who GAAF is sponsoring a Holiday cleaned, sorted and packed these Christmas cheers.

St. Scholastica Academy (Pampanga) Batch 79/83 Alumni of Batches 79/83 of St. Scholastica Academy of Pampanga from Southern California held a reunion in Corona last Dec. 6 - (Font Row L-R): Fergel Cruz, Francia Abata-Kramer, Carolyn Flores-Bondoc, Dr. Elena Pineda-Acal, and Peter Paul Gomez. (Back Row, L- R): Melanio Viray, Catherine Catacutan-Bondoc, Anne Galura-Halili, Cesar Julao, Araceli Del Rosario-Bonser, Alice Dizon-Abata, Rozan Ng-Vitug, and Cielito Flores-Gonzalez. The attendees mostly grew up together during their elementary years and, for the girls, through their high school years. But somehow, they all ended up in Southern California and reconnected with each other when they had their first reunion in December 2007. They have been quite a united group since then, hosting reunions and joining hands to support a good cause or someone in need. Now in their late 40’s, their conversations have gradually shifted to stories about aching backs, sore knees, cholesterol levels, and BP meds. But even as they age (gracefully, of course!), this special group of proud Scholasticans now share a unique bond and have vowed to remain good friends for many years to come. Ora et labora!

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Obamacare: The many advantages of getting health coverage With a health coverage, one does not have to wait for a small health problem to become big ones. Those covered have access to free preventive care and wellness programs.

With the high cost of medical care, it does not make sense to take the gamble of going without health insurance. Anytime, anyone may get sick or meet an accident.

With a health insurance, one

is assured of not going bankrupt as a result of sickness or accident. assistance that could help reduce health Health coverage has been made af- care cost. For those with very limited fordable. income, coverage is free thru Medi-Cal. At Covered California, many are eliNow, you may compare health plans gible for sliding scale federal financial on an “apple to apple basis�.

In Los Angeles, 6 health insurance companies – Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, HealthNet, L.A. Care, Molina, and Kaiser Permanente – offer different coverage benefits under the following plans: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The 10 essential health benefits are all included in those plans.

Enroll now. For coverage to be effective January 1, 2015, you must be enrolled by Monday, December 15, 2014.

MEDICARE ALERT: Open Enrollment for Medicare ended last December 7. But, Special Enrollment is all-year round for those who have a qualifying

event. Don’t miss out on the rich benefits being offered in the market.

If you need help, call me at 323-5357373 or e-mail at: leo.balita@gmail.com.

Leo Monsalud hails from Sta. Cruz, Zambales. He studied for MBA and Law at the University of the Philippines. He worked for United Laboratories, Inc. where his last position held was vicepresident assigned as general manager of a division. He was a joint-venture partner of the San Miguel Corporation in an agribusiness project. He holds CA license # 0G55218 and a Non-Resident license for Nevada. He is a Certified Insurance Agent for Covered California.

SCE warns customers to be aware of utility bill scam this Holiday season ROSEMEAD, Calif., Nov. 26, 2014 – Southern California Edison (SCE) warns customers to stay vigilant this holiday season as impostors, claiming to represent the utility, continue a telephone scam demanding immediate payment for allegedly past-due electricity bills.

The hustle and bustle of the season makes customers especially vulnerable as telephone bill scammers increase calls threatening to disconnect electrical service unless immediate payment is made on pastdue bills. The caller demands that payment be made through a prepaid card and urges victims to purchase a prepaid debit card, load a specific amount of money on the card and give the card number to the scammer. Once the impostor collects the card’s value, the customer has been defrauded and the money is gone.

Authorities warn that scammers have become more aggressive. Impostors recently resorted to making claims that local police will be called to your home or

business if an immediate payment is not received. Others have established bogus telephone lines that state: “Hello. Thank you for calling Southern California Edison Disconnection Department.�

Truth is, SCE does not contact the police about customers’ bill payments and the utility does not have a “Disconnection Department.� “The best way for customers to protect themselves against utility impostors and this phone scam is to educate themselves, their employees and their friends about being aware when they receive telephone calls from individuals demanding money for payment,� said Kari Gardner, manager, SCE Consumer Affairs.

In recent years, an estimated 13,000 SCE customers have received calls from phone scammers posing as utility employees threatening to disconnect service due to unpaid bills. According to law enforcement officials, the majority of victims are small business owners and entrepreneurs whose first language is not English.

SCE customers who suspect a fraudulent call should ask for the caller’s name, department and business phone number.

SCE customers should end the call and report the incident immediately to local police or SCE at 1-800-655-4555.

SCE offers the following additional tips to customers: SCE will never call and demand immediate payment with the threat of service disconnection.

An SCE employee will never ask for money in person.

SCE does not accept prepaid cards from customers for bill payments.

SCE does not conduct credit transactions on weekends or holidays.

Never reveal personal information, including your credit card, ATM or calling card number (or PIN number) to anyone.

Never use a call-back number provided by an unknown caller to verify billing information. And, SCE does not use extension numbers. Instead, call legitimate SCE

telephone numbers printed on your utility bill or access SCE’s website (SCE.com).

If someone calls and requests you leave your residence at a specific time for a utility-related cause, call the police. This could be a burglary attempt set up by the caller.

Be suspicious of anyone who arrives at your house without an appointment asking to check an appliance, wiring or suggesting that there may be some other electrical problem inside or outside your residence.

SCE employees always have their SCE ID badge displayed on their person for customers to see.

For more ways customers can stay safe, visit www.sce.com/safety About Southern California Edison An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is the largest electric utility in California, serving a population of more than 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

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Permanent residence for caregivers is no longer automatic Live in Caregivers in Canada have received some bad news lately. The Canadian government did warn the public that major changes were being drafted to amend the live-in caregiver program but it now seems that caregivers will not automatically become permanent residence after two years of work. The old system essentially guaranteed that a caregiver would become an immigrant after completing 24 months of employment. Years ago, the Canadian government

removed the medical requirement for caregivers so it was really a no brainer to qualify. However, application if the quota has already been under current laws, caregivers now must filled. Further, caregivers no longer are jump through some hoops in order to be required to live in their employer’s home. eligible under the class.

Eligible work can be live out which begs To make matters worse, even if a worker the question as to where all caregivers will has all their requirements they may be in- go after work. Having to rent an apartment eligible as there is now a quota imposed on will mean added expenses and many carethe number of people who can qualify per givers may prefer to live in the employer’s year. So, for example, a caregiver who has house. It remains to be seen if the trend will only been able to meet their 24 months of be to live in or out. employment late in the four year window Highlights of the new programs are: CARING FOR CHILDREN CLASS prior to arrival may not be able to file an

California joins with Canadian provinces to support strong action on climate change LIMA, Peru – California and the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia issued a joint statement today in support of strong, collective action on climate change. The statement was announced by California Secretary for Environmental Protection Matthew Rodriquez and the environment and climate change ministers for the three provinces, who are in Lima this week participating in the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The Joint Statement on Climate Change: Identifies climate change as a serious

environmental and economic threat Recognizes the urgency of taking bold action to stop climate disruption on a global scale and maximize the opportunities to grow the low-carbon economy Resolves to work together towards mid-term greenhouse gas reduction goals “California has been a leader in developing effective policies to cut carbon pollution and combat climate change,� said Secretary Rodriquez. “Our experience demonstrates that committing to a clean energy future is also a powerful means to drive economic growth. But no one state or province can do this alone.

To be eligible for this case a worker must: have acquired 2 years of work experience within the four years of arrival as a home care provider/nanny pass an English test with a minimum CLB of 5 obtain an accredited educational assessment from designated institutions to show a Canadian equivalent of at least one year post secondary studies Caregivers are not required to be live in There is a quota of 2750 applications for this stream.

CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH HIGH MEDICAL NEEDS CLASS Have acquired 2 years of work experience within the four years of arrival as a

nurse or licensed practical nurse or home support worker (not housekeeper) pass an English test with a minimum CLB of 7 if nurse obtain an accredited educational assessment from designated institutions to show a Canadian equivalent of at least one year post secondary studies Caregivers are not required to be live in There is a quota of 2750 applications for this stream.

Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario. The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document. Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or phone toll free 1 888 8472 078

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China on Sunday slammed the Philippines for challenging its territorial claims over the South China Sea through international arbitration, refusing to back down just a week before a deadline to respond in the case. President Benigno Aquino infuriated China in March when his government filed a formal plea with a United Nations tribunal challenging Beijing’s maritime claims.

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the Philippines as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Just before the UN complaint was filed, Chinese ships tried to chase away a Philippine ship on a resupply mission to Filipino soldiers stationed on a marooned ship serving as an outpost in the disputed waters. The South China Sea, a

major sea lane and fishing ground, which is believed to hold vast mineral resources, has become a flashpoint for maritime territorial tensions. In recent years, the Philippines has filed repeated diplomatic protests over what it sees as Chinese attempts to strengthen its claim to the disputed waters.

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using technicalities to delay his suspension.

What should be his primordial concern right now is to clear himself before the Ombudsman and restore his credibility as chief of the 150,000-strong police force,” said Gatchalian.

He said the Court of Appeals did not even immediately issue an halt order.

The Court instead ordered the Ombudsman Wednesday to explain why Purisima should not be granted the TRO, he noted.

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nut vendor and Haiyan survivor Vicente Roquero told AFP at an evacuation centre in Tacloban on Leyte island.

Haiyan’s monster winds and tsunamilike storm surges claimed more than 7,350 lives, and left more than one million people on central Philippine islands in need of new and safe homes.

Hagupit, which was due to take three days to cut across the Philippines, did not generate the massive storm surges that claimed so many lives last year in the central Philippines.

Mass evacuations before it arrived also helped to ensure there was no repeat of the mass casualties in the areas devastated

by Haiyan.

“There is a collective sigh of relief,” Jerry Yaokasin, vice mayor of Tacloban, a city of 220,000 people that was one of the worst-hit last year, told AFP “The initial assessment is that there are no casualties. We were better prepared... up to 50,000 people were packed in evacuation centres.”

But many people – who have since Haiyan lived in tents, temporary shelters and

shanty homes – again faced the trauma of losing their homes.

“The temporary houses destroyed by the typhoon is our big problem right now... our biggest challenge is how to provide for those who were displaced because of that,” Yaokasin said.

After losing her coastal shanty home to the storm surges of Haiyan, Maria Anna Alvarez, 34, had been barely surviving – living with a dozen other relatives on the outskirts of Tacloban in a tent provided by an aid agency.

She returned from an evacuation centre on Sunday morning to see the tent, and those of 300 other families living nearby, destroyed.

“We were hoping for a merry Christmas... but it looks like that wish won’t come true,” Alvarez said.

“Nothing was left of our place, but we have no choice but to be resilient... the important thing is we’re alive.”

Tereso Sano, a 42-year-old unemployed driver, said he would start rebuilding the home nearby he shared with seven others as soon as the winds subsided.

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ing this has lowered the Philippines’ debt burden while keeping the fiscal deficit low.

“The resilience of private investment portends the sustainability of higher overall growth relative to peers over the next two years,” Moody’s added.

It cited the economic recovery of the United States, the Philippines’ main economic partner, as well as lower commodity prices as other signs of a strong outlook.

The Philippines has also shown itself more capable of standing up to “global pressures” affecting other emerging markets, such as the fall in oil prices and the slowing of China’s growth, the agency said. But it cautioned that the government’s targets of 6.5 to 7.5 percent economic growth for this year might be too hard to achieve.

President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman

Edwin Lacierda said the upgrade was hardwon at a time when rating agencies are taking a conservative approach to handing out upgrades.

“With these upgrades comes increased fiscal flexibility, and the Filipino people can be assured that our administration will continue channeling these gains towards the benefit of the broader spectrum of society,” Lacierda said.

The Philippines has recently shed its image as one of the weakest economies in Southeast Asia, posting 7.2 percent growth last year.

But natural disasters – including a spate of killer typhoons – have slowed growth to 5.8 percent in the first nine months of 2014 and a quarter of the population still live below the poverty line, government figures show.

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‘Fresh Off The Boat’ is coming soon on ABC Comedy is first Asian American TV show in 20 years

By Hannah De Castro-Abinuman StaffWriter

On this year’s Conference for Creative Content (C3), Visual Communications presented ABC’s newest comedy TV show – “Fresh Off The Boat ” during a special screening of the pilot episode that was held last December 6 at the David Henry Hwang Theatre in Los Angeles for students, creatives, media executives and community organizations of the entertainment media.

The screening was then followed by a panel discussion, moderated by actor and Asian American community leader, Amy Hill.

During the panel discussion, attendees of the event were able to learn more about how the show came about and the challenges faced by the producers and media executives in creating and presenting an Asian-centered show in today’s TV industry in the United States. Members of the panel include actor and producer, Randall Park (who plays Louis Huang in the show), the show’s creator for television and executive producer, Nahnatchka Kahn, Executive Producer Melvin Mar and ABC’s Executive Vice President for Comedy Development, Samie Kim Falvey.

“Fresh Off The Boat” is the first Asian American network television show in twenty years, since All American Girl, which aired in the same network back in the 1990’s. And being part of the cast of All American Girl, it was just fitting for Amy Hill to be chosen as the moderator of Fresh Off The Boat’s panel discussion.

Inspired by a true story, the show is based on the memoirs of celebrity chef and television personality Eddie Huang.

Fresh Off The Boat is centered on the life of a hip-hop loving, 11-year old, Chinese boy (Eddie) trying to fit in. Set in Suburban Orlando, it also illustrates his family’s struggles of living in America during the 1990’s.

The show is a classic immigrant story seen through the eyes of a first generation Asian American child. Samie Kim Falvey (EVP for Comedy Development at ABC) said, “For years we’ve been looking for an immigrant family show because we felt that this was the original American story, and we felt that it was not being told. We

“When they first told me about the idea of making an all-Asian TV show on network TV, I thought, Good luck. I didn’t think it was going to be picked up. So now that it’s finally happening, we are very excited and hopeful that the viewers will be able identify with the characters.” – Film and TV actor, Randall Park, who plays Louis Huang in the show (also known for The Interview, Neighbors & Larry Crowne).

knew that a show like this will transcend race and will be a love letter to America, if executed properly.”

“Fresh Off The Boat” will surely tickle your funny bone as Natch Khan’s creative comedic genius is very apparent in the dialogue (she’s also known for her work in Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23).

And though the show’s genre is comedy, it also depicts the more serious issues that immigrants face in their journey towards the American Dream. With the show having a very diverse set of writers, it was important for them to make the script appear authentic and very specific but still feel universal.

The show is not just about Asians but about being an outsider in your world. It’s about how an individual gets judged or ostracized for being different, which is something that a person of any race can relate to.

Fresh Off The Boat stars Randall Park as Louis, Constance Wu as Jessica, Hudson Yang as Eddie, Forrest Wheeler as Emery and Ian Chen as Evan. Eddie Huang provides the voice over narration. The series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and is set to air on ABC in 2015.

“Fresh Off The Boat” is a classic immigrant story seen through the eyes of a first generation Asian American child.

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OPINION

Groups urge gov’t: Lead way in protecting human rights

MANILA, Dec 10 (Mabuhay) – On the 67th year of the historic adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, human rights groups called on the Philippine government to lead the way in protecting rights defenders amid an integrated ASEAN economy.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, December 10, the Medical Action Group (MAG) and Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) said, “the Philippines should ensure that the leadership it shows in terms of promoting human rights in the ASEAN is reflected in our national laws.”

MAG and TFDP were referring to the looming integration of ASEAN economies in 2015, which might have a deep impact on the economic, social, and cultural rights of Filipinos, especially of human rights defenders.

They said human rights can be protected and advanced through the enactment of a law, even as efforts should be made in conducting a comprehensive legislative audit in order to review and repeal policies that sometimes criminalize defenders in doing their work.

MAG and TFDP claimed their records show an “alarming increase in the use of laws to impede activities of human rights defenders.”

“We have faced significant challenges in the field that in many cases, complaints by human rights defenders about alleged violations of their rights are not investigated or are dismissed without justification, they said. MAG executive director Edeliza P. Hernandez cited the case of Antonio L. Tolentino, human rights defender and chairperson of Barangay Hacienda Dolores in Porac, Pampanga.

Hernandez said “Tolentino has been detained since April this year due to lack of competent investigation into the charges filed by a private security agency.” For his part, Emmanuel C. Amistad, TFDP executive director, said “it is disconcerting to know the arrest and detention of Jose Aaron Pedrosa, Jr, lawyer and human rights defender, on November 25, 2014 in Mandaue City.” “He was charged with obstruction of justice while pleading to authorities to stop harassing the residents of Sitio Mahayag, Barangay Subang Daku, Mandaue City,” he added.

“These acts of intimidation and harassment only shows the inadequacy of laws to support the work of human rights defenders and serving to further erode any confidence in our judicial system,” he said.

Moreover, the joint statement said, “Human rights defenders play a crucial role in exposing and seeking accountability for human rights violations both by government and corporations. Their work is crucial to transparency, good governance and justice for victims.”

“We call on the government to provide the basis for a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders like Brgy. Captain Tolentino, Atty. Pedrosa among others and take all steps to end restrictions against them,” the statement said.

Riding on the tide of the growing human rights consciousness among Filipinos, members of an online-based human rights group encouraged netizens to use social media and other Internet-based applications to advance the cause of human rights.

In a statement on Human Rights Day, the people behind Human Rights Online Philippines said nitezens can move to transform Internet power in advancing various issues of human rights – from freedom of expression, gender equality to climate justice among others.

“While we recognize that the internet in and of itself does not save lives, intelligent and effective use of the Internet does,” HROnline Php said.

US report gives the who, where and how of CIA torture

By Stephen Dockery

Washington, United States | AFP | Tuesday 12/9/2014 – The US Senate on Tuesday released the most thorough public report on the brutal interrogation techniques used by the CIA after September 11 on suspected members of Al-Qaeda.

Prisoners were beaten, slapped and forced into coffin sized containers. One was threatened with a power drill and with a handgun in a Russian Roulette style intimidation.

Rectal feeding and rehydration was used as a “means of behavior control” with no medical need.

The 500-page report, a partially-redacted summary of a 6,000-page classified version, is a detailed accounting of the intelligence body’s secret interrogation program. ®Äã ÙÙʦ ã®ÊÄ Ã ã«Ê Ý The treatment by the CIA interrogators of their detainees was harsh, varied and at times went beyond techniques that had already been officially acknowledged.

Many alleged abuses began straight away, in spite of prisoners’ declared intentions to cooperate with their captors.

The report found detainees were forced to stand in stress positions until they collapsed, even those with broken bones or missing legs.

119 individuals were founded to have been detained by the CIA, and at least 26 were wrongfully held, the report said At least 39 detainees were subject to “enhanced interrogation techniques,” many without CIA Headquarters approval.

One who was held nude and chained to a concrete floor died from hypothermia in a CIA detention facility that was supervised by a junior officer with “no relevant experience.”

Detainees were also subject to sleep deprivation of up to 180 hours and to nudity in combination

with forceful interrogation techniques.

The report gave a detailed accounting of the pain induced by the oft-criticized waterboarding interrogation method where water is poured on an inverted detainee’s face.

“The waterboarding technique was physically harmful, inducing convulsions and vomiting,” the report said.

A detainee became “completely unresponsive” during his waterboarding. Internal CIA records described them as a “series of near drownings.”

The report mentions one detainee was threatened with a hand gun and power drill. ® Ý Ù ã ÖÙ®ÝÊÄÝ High-value detainees were taken to black sites around the world to be interrogated before being transferred to the Guantanamo Bay military prison in in Cuba.

A 2007 European parliamentary report accused Poland and Romania of hosting black sites between 2003 and 2005.

Sites are also believed to have been run in Lithuania as well as Thailand and Afghanistan.

Information identifying individual black sites have been censored out of the unclassified version of the torture report. But the report includes a cable from CIA headquarters concerning the establishment of a “Detention Site Black” in a country whose name was censored.

The US ambassador in the country asked for the State Department to be notified of the black site’s establishment but the CIA station told the ambassador that was “not possible.”

The report does mention an official’s acknowledgement of the CIA’s “lack of experience” in running detention facilities.

And it points out that two psychologists who had never conducted interrogations were brought in by the CIA to question detainees.

CIA torture ‘violated democratic values’, says Germany Berlin, Germany | AFP | Wednesday 12/10/2014 – Germany said Wednesday the CIA torture detailed in a US Senate report was “a gross violation of our liberal, democratic values” and “a serious mistake” that must never happen again.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised the administration of US President Barack Obama for declassifying the information, calling it a transparent move that marked a clear break with his predecessor George W. Bush.

“What was then considered right and done in the fight against Islamist terrorism was unacceptable and a serious mistake,” said Steinmeier, a centre-left Social Democrat.

“Such a gross violation of our liberal, democratic values must not happen again,” he was quoted as telling the Thursday edition of the top-selling Bild

newspaper.

“President Obama has made a clear break with the policies of his predecessor. Washington’s new openness in admitting mistakes and promising publicly that something like this will never happen again are an important step which we welcome.”

Justice Minister Heiko Maas demanded that those guilty of abuses must be brought to justice, telling the same newspaper that “the torture methods of the CIA are atrocious ... there is nothing that justifies them”. “All parties involved must be held criminally accountable,” said Maas.

The US Senate said in a report that CIA torture of Al-Qaeda suspects was far more brutal than acknowledged and failed to produce useful intelligence. The United Nations said the programme violated international law and basic human rights.

Time names Ebola fighters as ‘person’ of 2014 New York, United States | AFP | Wednesday 12/10/2014 – Time magazine on Wednesday named as its “Person of the Year 2014” the healthcare workers treating the Ebola epidemic, which has killed more than 6,300 people worldwide, in a move welcomed by the White House.

The hemorrhagic fever mushroomed from an outbreak into an epidemic in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, and there have been scattered cases in Nigeria, Mali, Spain, Germany and the United States.

“The rest of the world can sleep at night because a group of men and women are willing to stand and fight,” wrote Time editor Nancy Gibbs, announcing the prestigious annual title.

“For tireless acts of courage and mercy, for buying the world time to boost its defenses, for risking, for persisting, for sacrificing and saving, the Ebola fighters are Time’s 2014 Person of the Year.”

The worst ever Ebola outbreak has left more than 6,300 people dead worldwide, nearly all in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

Health workers have been among the worst hit, with 340 deaths out of 592 cases.

The White House welcomed the accolade as a tribute to the “heroism and selflessness” of countless health care workers.

“The administration, including the president, could not be prouder of the brave men and women who’ve committed themselves to this effort in a foreign land,” said spokesman Josh Earnest.

White House tribute “These are men and women who deserve international recognition, and today we are pleased that they’re receiving more of it.”

President Barack Obama has made a pointed effort to calm hysteria in the United States over how Ebola is contracted by welcoming survivors to the White House.

Nina Pham, a nurse who contracted Ebola while caring for the first patient diagnosed on US soil, said she was delighted to be part of the accolade.

“So honored to be a part of @Time Magazine’s POY!” she tweeted.

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Weekend, Sat. - Fri., December 13 - 19, 2014

Leni for President?

There are rumors going on in the Lower House that Camarines Sur Congresswoman Leni Robredo is being mentioned as a possible presidential candidate of the Liberal party (LP).

The rumors have now spread even to Metro Manila”s coffee shops frequented by newsmen, political strategists and politicians.

Sources said various cause oriented groups as well as some political leaders are trying their best to convince her to run for

the presidency in 2016. They said Congresswoman Robredo will be remain stagnant despite the bad publica perfect challenger for Vice President ity suffered by Binay due to his alleged Jojo Binay because of her impeccable unexplained wealth and involvement in record and down to earth image as a anomalous government contracts. public servant.

Latest poll survey showed there is Senator Grace Poe, another person a significant drop in Binay’s approval being recruited by some LP bigwigs to ratings. He, however is still in the lead run against Binay, said she has no plans among presidential aspirants with 26 per at the moment, to run for president in cent, followed now by Senator Grace 2016. She said she is not yet ready for Poe. Third place is Senator Mirriam Dethe big job that she has to tackle if and fensor Santiago with 12 per cent, former when elected as president.

President and current Manila Mayor Erap This could be the reason why some Estrada in fourth place. Senator Francis LP stalwarts have decided to focus their Escudero is in 5th place with 7 per cent attention on Congresswoman Robredo and 6th is DILG Secretary Mar Roxas who, according to them, can give Binay a with only 6 per cent. Two months or a good fight. Robredo is a lawyer and has a month ago, Roxas was running second degree in Economics from the University to Binay with13 percent. of the Philippines. She is 53 years old.

Due to this latest poll survey, sources Congresswoman Robredo is the in the Lower House said there is a conwidow of former DILG Secretary Jesse sensus among these concerned political Robredo. He was also the former Mayor leaders allied with President Noynoy that of Naga city. He and two others died they will have a hard time besting Binay when their plane crashed off the coast if Roxas will be the LP presidential bet of Masbate in 2012. Robredo’s security come election day in 2016. officer was the lone survivor.

These same political leaders were said Due to his sudden demise, Congress- to be telling President Noynoy and House women Robredo was reluctantly thrusted Speaker Belmonte that Congresswoman to politics to continue the concept of Robredo will be a good alternative to “good governance” policy started by her Roxas as the LP presidential standard bearer in 2016. The only problem facing husband when he was mayor.

Political leaders aligned with Presi- some LP bigwigs trying to recruit Rodent Noynoy’ LP have expressed both bredo to be their candidate is if she will concern and apprehension since the rat- be interested or prodded to run for Presiings of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas have dent. The first time she ran for Congress,

it took a long time for her supporters to convince her to ran against the powerful Villafuerte clan in Naga. She only filed her certificate of candidacy on the last day. She won by a landslide by garnering 80 per cent of the total votes cast.

I expect these Robredo for president rumors to spread like wildfire all over the country. A recent photo of the lady solon waiting for a public transport bus on her way to Naga city to help in the evacuation of hundreds of her constituents prior to typhoon “Ruby” was just another example of her humility and a compassionate leader.

The photo, which went viral, showed the character of Rep. Robredo. Clad in stripped shirt and denim pants and carrying two traveling bags, she was waiting all by herself for her bus ride in a gas station along Magallanes in Makati city.

The photo elicited favorable comments who belongs to the masses in

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spite of being an elected public official.

Hundreds tweeted her, mostly saying that other elected officials should follow what she and her family have been doing for a long time for them to know and feel how the public feels whenever they take public transport.

In contrast, Secretary Roxas’ photo on Facebook showing him taking the MRT weeks ago to escape traffic, backfired after his PR team by mistake, credited “Team Mar” for taking the photo. Instead of getting praised for his “staged” humility, he was bashed and ridiculed in various social media for his antics.

Let’s wait and see if there will be enough groundswell to make Congresswoman Robredo think hard about running against Binay, who is the presumptuous presidential candidate of the opposition.

A Robredo/Poe tandem looks very formidable.

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Cyclone, hurricane, typhoon: Different names, same phenomenon Paris, France | AFP | Saturday 12/6/2014 – They may have different names according to the region they hit, but typhoons, hurricanes and cyclones are all violent tropical storms that can generate 10 times as much energy as the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

Typhoon is the Asian term for a lowpressure system that is called a hurricane in the Atlantic and northeast Pacific and a cyclone in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

But meteorologists use the term “tropical cyclone” when talking generally about these immensely powerful natural phenomena, which are divided into five categories according to the maximum sustained wind force and the scale of the potential damage they can inflict.

Typhoon Hagupit, which roared in from the Pacific Ocean and lashed eastern Philippines on Saturday with windgusts of 210 kilometers (130 miles) an hour, is the most powerful storm to hit the Southeast Asian country this year.

Hagupit comes a year after Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated large swathes of the archipelago, claiming more than 7,350 lives.

Every year, some 20 super storms or typhoons hit the Philippines, of the 80 or so that develop above tropical waters annually.

Cyclones are formed from simple thunderstorms at certain times of the year when the sea temperature is more than 26 degrees Celsius (79 Fahrenheit) down to a depth of 60 meters (200 feet).

Sucking up vast quantities of water, they often produce torrential rains and flooding resulting in major loss of life and property

A man walks under a fallen electric post in Tacloban City on Sunday after typhoon Ruby made landfall 160 kilometers away in Dolores, Samar. Ruby tore apart homes and sent waves crashing through coastal communities as it barreled through Eastern Visayas on the way to Southern Tagalog. (MNS photo)

damage.

They also trigger large swells that move faster than the cyclone and are sometimes spotted up to 1,000 kilometres ahead of the powerful storm. The sea level can rise several meters.

Philippines’ 10 deadliest storms Manila, Philippines | AFP | Sunday 12/7/2014 – Typhoon Hagupit was on Sunday churning across the Philippines, the latest in a never-ending series of oftendeadly storms that plague the Southeast Asian archipelago. With more than 7,100 islands, the country is hit by an average of 20 typhoons or tropical storms each year.

The storms are created above the warmer waters of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, and the Philippines’ islands are often the first major landmass they hit as they move northwest.

The following are the 10 deadliest typhoons on record in the Philippines*.

1. Super Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest storm ever recorded on land, destroys entire towns across the central Philippines on November 8, 2013. When the government stopped its count months later, more than 7,350 people were listed as dead or missing.

2. Tropical Storm Thelma unleashes flash floods on the central city of Ormoc on Leyte island on November 15, 1991, killing more than 5,100.

3. Typhoon Bopha smashes into the main southern island of Mindanao on December 3, 2012. Rarely hit by major

storms, the unprepared region suffers about 1,900 people dead or missing.

4. Typhoon Ike hits the central Philippines on August 31, 1984, killing 1,363 people.

5. Typhoon Washi hits the northern part of Mindanao island on December 16, 2011, killing at least 1,080 people.

6. Floods and landslides unleashed by Typhoon Trix kill 995 people in the Bicol region of the main island of Luzon on October 16, 1952.

7. Typhoon Amy rakes across the central islands in December, 1951, with floods, landslides and a massive storm surge killing 991 people.

8. Typhoon Nina hits the eastern city of Legaspi on November 25, 1987, triggering giant storm surges and unleashing mudslides down Mayon volcano that claim 979 lives.

9. Typhoon Fengshen tracks an erratic and destructive path across the central islands and nearby areas from June 20, 2008, killing 938 people.

10. Typhoon Angela, with gusts of up to 260 kilometers an hour, causes carnage in Bicol and later Manila from November 2, 1995, killing 936 people.

Typhoon tears down homes in disaster-weary Leyte

By Imelda Magbutay

Tacloban, Philippines | AFP | Sunday 12/7/2014 –Typhoon Hagupit tore apart homes and dumped fierce rains across the eastern Philippines on Sunday, killing at least two people while creating more misery for millions after a barrage of deadly disasters. The typhoon roared in from the Pacific Ocean and into remote fishing communities on Samar island on Saturday night with wind gusts of 210 kilometers (130 miles) an hour, local weather agency Pagasa said.

The wind strength at landfall made Hagupit the most powerful storm to hit the Philippines this year, exceeding a typhoon in July that killed more than 100 people.

“Many houses, especially in the coastal areas, were blown away by strong winds,” Stephanie Uy-Tan, the mayor of Catbalogan, a major city on Samar, told AFP by phone on Sunday.

“Trees and power lines were toppled, tin roofs were blown off and there is flooding.”

Fearful of a repeat of last year when Super Typhoon Haiyan claimed more than 7,350 lives, the government undertook a massive evacuation effort ahead of Hagupit that saw millions of people seek shelter.

Authorities said the efforts, described the United Nations as one of the biggest peacetime evacuations ever, had undoubtedly saved many lives.

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How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads Establishing parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child.

Family Code §7610.

Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of

the child. Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paterAnother way of establishing presumed nity which allows the non biological father father status is if you fall under any of the to be deemed the natural father of the child. categories listed (a) to (f) under family code A typical situation is when boyfriend gets §7611: girlfriend pregnant. Girlfriend for some rea(a) He and the child’s natural mother are son decides to exclude boyfriend from baby’s or have been married to each other and the life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not child is born during the marriage, or within give the boyfriend any information about her 300 days after the marriage is terminated by delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, the father in the birth certificate or decides to or divorce, or after a judgment of separation name someone else as the father. Girlfriend is entered by a court. does this because her parents disapprove of (b) Before the child’s birth, he and the the ex boyfriend. child’s natural mother have attempted to One way a presumption of Paternity is marry each other by a marriage solemnized in created is by executing a voluntary declara- apparent compliance with law, although the tion of paternity. A Voluntary declarations attempted marriage is or could be declared executed before 1997 give rise to a con- invalid, and either of the following is true: clusive presumption of paternity and can (1) If the attempted marriage could be be overcome only by blood or genetic tests declared invalid only by a court, the child is ordered on noticed motion by the mother or born during the attempted marriage, or within presumed father must be made within three 300 days after its termination by death, anyears of the date of execution of the voluntary nulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce. declaration Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v.

(2) If the attempted marriage is invalid Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 without a court order, the child is born within CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration 300 days after the termination of cohabitaof paternity is executed after 1996, it is not tion. characterized as a conclusive presumption. (c) After the child’s birth, he and the Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child’s natural mother have married, or atchild and shall have the same force and effect tempted to marry, each other by a marriage as a judgment for paternity issued by a court solemnized in apparent compliance with of competent jurisdiction� and trumps §7611 law, although the attempted marriage is or presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 could be declared invalid, and either of the voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be following is true: recognized as a basis for the establishment (1) With his consent, he is named as the of an order for child custody, visitation, or child’s father on the child’s birth certificate. child support.� Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; (2) He is obligated to support the child Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at under a written voluntary promise or by 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 court order.

CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33. (d) He receives the child into his home and

openly holds out the child as his natural child. (e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child’s father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative. (f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied.

An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionallyprotected “liberty interest� in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child.

Dawn D. v. Super.Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877 The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or sterile, is “conclusively� presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612.

Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute’s underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma

of “illegitimacy,� and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675.

Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines.

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you.

This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association.

He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Solenn Heussaff engaged to Argentine boyfriend

Solenn Heussaff

Actress-model Solenn Heussaff is now engaged to her Argentine boyfriend, Nico Bolzicco.

The announcement was made by Adrien Semblat, the French boyfriend of Heussaff’s close friend, TV host and actress Isabelle Daza. On Instagram, Semblat posted a photo of the couple with the caption, “Engaged.”

Daza, for her part, posted a photo with her group of friends, which included Heus-

saff, actress Anne Curtis and stylist Liz Uy. “Celebrating love tonight,” she wrote.

In an interview last April, Heussaff admitted that she has been living in with her boyfriend for two years now.

The French-Filipina actress said she believes that a person must live with someone to truly get to know them.

“Dapat, to know someone perfectly, you have to live with them, before marrying the person,” she said. “Kasi iba ‘yung tao ‘pag nasa bahay. Behind closed doors, baka baliw siya, baka iba ‘yung personality.”

Heussaff also said in the interview that she thinks Bolzicco is the man she will marry someday. (MNS)

Dingdong all set for altar date with Marian The suit, the shoes, even the stag parties have been taken care of.

Groom-to-be Dingdong Dantes is all set to exchange “I do’s” with fiancée Marian Rivera at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao on December 30.

During the night of fun and games, a sort of stag party with the press thrown for him by GMA, the network’s acknowledged primetime king revealed he does not feel any pre-wedding jitters at all.

“No jitters, more of excitement,” he said, “’Pag malapit na, I’m sure kakabahan na, [pero] sa ngayon I’m happy to have a very efficient team behind me. [They] make things easy for us. Pero siyempre obligasyon naming mag provide ng tamang detalye. May konting delays, pero ‘yun ang masaya, ‘yung paghahabol.”

The past couple of weeks, the engaged couple have been juggling their showbiz duties and preparing for their upcoming nuptials. Dingdong is finishing “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2,” while Marian is shooting “My Big Bossing,” both entries in the coming Metro Manila Film Festival that opens five days before their wedding date. They have not neglected tradition though, and have personally gone to each of their intended wedding sponsors.

“We feel humbled at masaya kami na tinanggap nila ang aming imbitasyon kasi sinigurado namin na personal naming pupuntahan isa isa ang gusto naming gagabay sa aming married life,” he said.

“Like what I said, everything about this wedding is very personal. Pati pag imbita at pati pag-oo [ng mga ninong at ninang], gusto naming personal namin ma witness.”

The wedding entourage is almost complete. Best man is Dingdong’s younger brother Angelo, and among the bridesmaids are host Luane Dy and actress Ai Ai de las Alas, while maids of honor are Roxee Barcelo and Ina Feleo.

The traje de boda will be a Michael Cinco creation, while the groom’s suit will be by his good friend, Randy Ortiz.

The shoes were already selected even before the engagement. Marian’s will be

Marian and Dingdong

by famed designer Christian Louboutin, bought two years ago in Macau. For Dingdong, he’ll wear a pair given to him by a ninong a year ago.

There have been several bridal showers, beginning with the Disneyland trip where Marian had not only her friends with her, but also mother and lola. Dingdong’s had two so far – one with his friends and cousin in Germany and another with the local showbiz press.

They have picked their menu and caterer plus the venue for reception.

What seems to be the only thing the couple has yet to finalize is their honeymoon!

“Honeymoon wala pa e,” Dingdong said, shaking his head, “’Yan ang problema namin dahil January parang ang raming destinations sobrang lamig o ‘di kaya winter.

“Kami naman right after the wedding, since andito ang father niya, mayroon kaming pupuntahan na isa sa mga magagandang lugar dito sa Pilipinas. Sasamahan namin siya. So technically sa Pilipinas muna ang aming pupuntahan.” (MNS)

Yeng Constantino shuns pre-nuptial agreement Singer Yeng Constantino finds no need to enter into a pre-nuptial agreement with her fiance Yan Asuncion.

“It’s not that we’re not comfortable (about pre-nuptial agreement) but hindi lang sumagi sa isip amin na may magiging problema na ganoon,” she said.

“Dapat (lang) pinag-uusapan ‘yung role ninyo bilang mag-asawa, eh, malinaw naman sa amin ‘yon.”

Meanwhile, Rock Pop Princess said she’s relaxed it’s because they’re already prepared for the event that is just months away.

“Simula pa lang po noong nag-propose si Yan ay nag-research na ako so, (that’s) eleven months ago. Masaya ako na meron akong katulong sa pag-prepare sa wedding namin. Meron akong wedding planner.

“At saka ako kasi ‘yung tao na hindi mahilig sa details. Pagka-meron akong gusto, papakita ko lang ang picture (and say) ‘This is what I want.’ Then I will just trust you (wedding planner) and believe you can do it.”

For their honeymoon, the couple will fly to the US and Maldives. The second destination is an early wedding gift from one of their wedding sponsors.

Yeng assured fans nothing will change with regards to her career even after she marries. “He is very supportive. He understands my passion,” said she of Yan who inspired her hit song “Ikaw.” (MNS)

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Study takes step towards ‘skip the treadmill, take a pill’

Screenshot: Katerina Beauty Blog - “Red Lips & Brown Eyes Makeup Tutorial.” ©YouTube Easy Holiday Glam | Red Lips & Brown Eyes Makeup Tutorial

Beauty tutorials: Holidayseason make-up (AFP/Relaxnews) - We picked three hot seasonal trends for our selection of holiday beauty tutorials. We hope they’ll inspire you this Yuletide.

Silver and green - youtu.be/-NM4OuW90Q0 This look from Amanda Ensing mixes a glossy pink lip with smoky silver and green eyes. We think it’ll go perfectly with a metallic or monochrome outfit this Christmas, but perhaps it’s best to avoid reds for risk of looking a bit too much like one of Santa’s elves...

Red lips & brown eyes - youtu.be/ nWmlZfKaomg

Australian beauty blogger Katerina Williams created this very classic makeup look that features a stunning hot red lip (as dark and festive as mullled wine) and soft brown eyes. Try pairing it with a classic black cocktail dress and wear your hair up or down as you please.

Copper eyes & nude lips - youtu. be/0rMkivN7Kls ‘Nude’ makeup has been a huge beauty trend for 2014. That’s why we were happy to see that blogger Lily Melrose had put together a cool girl way to pair nude lips with a slightly more seasonal copper eye. We think it’s the perfect fashion forward choice.

(Relaxnews) – Of course it won’t provide the numerous health benefits of exercise, but researchers at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) have managed to turn white fat into brown fat, a step that could lead to easier weight management.

Using human stem cells, the team generated a technique to screen for compounds that are able to achieve this important feat of fat color transfer and have already identified two of these compounds.

While it’s not certain how the no-moretreadmill-pill would be concocted and whether it would be safe and effective, it’s an important first step in the fight against obesity.

That fat cells can be converted is well-known. For example, a study at the University of Montreal identified retinoic acid-a derivative of Vitamin A-as being able to turn fat cells brown in mice, but the Harvard team says their discovery is more significant.

“What we were really impressed by is that there are some compounds that have this same kind of effect when they are administered to animals, but when you remove them, the effect goes away, says Chad Cowan, a principal faculty member of HCSI, “But what we saw here was a stable conversion.” Still, says Cowan, it’s not certain what the long term effects on the metabolism and immune system could be,

although he is encouraged by the success of the two compounds in mice.

Brown fat is considered the “good fat” because unlike white fat, it’s capable of generating heat by oxidizing fatty acid.

To ignite this process, no exercise is necessary on the part of the individual, so brown fat cells increase the basal, or resting, metabolism.

Researchers have come to believe that differing proportions of brown fat could explain why some eat more than others without gaining weight and without considerable exercise efforts.

Other studies have indicated that it’s possible to create brown fat in human participants by keeping their living environment at a cool 19 degrees C (66F) for a minimum of one month.

The HSCI study was published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.

New discoveries in creating brown fat cells could make it a lot easier to get in shape for your next vacation. ©Wallenrock/ shutterstock.com

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Subaru, Forester, Outback, Tribeca, Legacy, Impreza, WRX, STI, and SUBARU BOXER are registered trademarks. Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintenance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first).

See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverages and limitations. Customer must take delivery before 12-31-14 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.

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Economic gap among 50+ Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders revealed AARP report shows household income, consumer spending, and poverty levels vary widely among AAPI groups WASHINGTON, D.C., December 9, 2014 – A new research report from AARP reveals economic disparity among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) age 50+. When viewed as a whole, AAPIs appear more financially secure than the general population, but the aggregate totals and median averages mask a large wealth and income gap among AAPIs. While a few AAPI groups have higher levels of household income and consumer spending, many more Asian ethnic groups are at or below poverty levels compared to the general population of the same age.

“We are committed to bringing attention to the needs of AAPI 50+ so that gaps in knowledge about and services for these communities are met,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement for the Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience.

“AAPIs are consistently understudied and underserved. Our research demonstrates that the priority needs of AAPIs differ by ethnic group, age, language, income, the length of time they’ve lived in the U.S., and other factors.”

AARP’s report about the economic security of older AAPIs reveals that: AAPIs age 65+ are more economically vulnerable compared to the total U.S. population of the same age because they are less likely to have pensions, social security, and other financial products like health insurance and retirement savings: 14% of AAPIs age 65+ are on food stamps vs. 9% of the total U.S. 65+ popu-

lation 13% of AAPIs age 65+ live in poverty vs. 9% of the total U.S. 65+ population 68% of AAPIs age 65+ receive social security income vs. 86% of the total U.S. 65+ population 22% of AAPIs age 65+ have retirement income from pensions and various retirement plans vs. 37% of the total U.S. 65+ population AAPIs 50+ households spend more compared with other U.S. 50+ households ($60.4K vs $50.1K), but AAPIs tend to live in extended and multigenerational households. Therefore the consumer spending reflects consumption by more household members.

Senior AAPI home ownership overall is at parity with the total U.S. 65+ population, but AAPIs are more likely to be still making mortgage payments and concerned about housing costs: 29% of AAPIs 65+ own their homes free and clear vs. 48% of the total U.S. 65+ population 42% of AAPIs 65+ own their homes with a mortgage vs. 31% of the total U.S. 65+ population 24% of AAPIs 65+ rent their homes vs.

16% of the total U.S. 65+ population AAPIs who speak English are in better financial shape than those who are linguistically isolated which limits their financial opportunities.

“Are Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Financially Secure?: An AARP Report about the Economic Well-being of

AAPIs age 50+” is the second of a threepart series of reports by AARP about key advocacy areas that impact AAPIs age 50 and older. The report is available for free download at www.AARP.org/AAPI. The next report about the health and healthcare of AAPIs will be released in January.

For more information about how AARP helps Asian American & Pacific Islander families get more out of life, visit www. facebook.com/AARPAAPICommunity andwww.twitter.com/AARPAAPI. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals

and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world’s largest circulation magazine.

LBC’s money transfer service covers countries with large Filipino populations, including the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. Sigue, a leading money transfer service based in the United States, now serves over 130 countries and has over 75,000 payout partners worldwide. Indeed, this partnership has now given both companies access to most parts of the globe. Officials from both sides affirm their partnership with a handshake.

LBC Express and Sigue announce a strategic partnership Holiday consumer promotion kicks off relationship Sigue Corporation (“Sigue”), a global money transfer leader, announced on December 9, 2014 that it has entered into a strategic distribution partnership with LBC Express, Inc., (“LBC”) one of the Philippines’ largest payment and logistics supply chain company. This collaboration allows consumers of both companies to send money to virtually anywhere around the world.

LBC’s money transfer service covers countries with large Filipino populations, including the United States, Canada, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. Sigue, a leading money transfer service based in the United States, now serves over 130 countries and has over 75,000 payout partners worldwide. Indeed, this partnership has now given both companies access to most parts of the globe. And therefore, customers now have more options to send money with Sigue and LBC to their families and loved ones.

“While this strategic partnership ties LBC and Sigue together, the real beneficiaries of this collaboration are consumers sending money to their homes all over the world.” said Randy Nilsen, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Sigue. “Consumers will now be able to cross-remit between our two companies, sending money through LBC and then paying out via Sigue.”

Hugo Bonilla, President for LBC in North America said, “We are always looking for ways to make things easier and more convenient for the global Filipino.

Through the Sigue partnership, we will be able to deliver more smiles across the globe, and move what you value for your family back home.”

To kick off the new alliance, LBC and

Sigue started conducting a joint consumer promotion last December 4, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Consumers who send money transfers to the Philippines using Sigue for LBC payout during the promotional period will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes. LBC and Sigue are giving away 4 iPads this December 2014 and there will be one winner every week.

LBC is also providing ways to make transactions more convenient for our kababayans by strengthening their online presence. Through LBC Shipping Cart (www.lbcshippingcart.com), you can shop online anywhere around the world and send your purchases to the Philippines. Those residing in the US also have the option of ordering at any online US store and have their purchases delivered to their very own LBC shipping cart US address. They can select the items to shipped in their preferred method of delivery and ship your box directly where they want it to be sent. Not ready to send the package just yet? No problem. Customers also have the option of keeping the purchased items stored and accumulate them before sending an entire ½®» ù Ä box.

Sigue has thousands of agent locations in the US among which, hundreds of them are within highly populated Filipino communities. Many of them are owned and operated by Filipinos.

For detailed information on the areas covered by LBC and Sigue, and as to the holiday promotion, please visit www.lbcexpress.com; or call LBC at 1.800.241.312 ext. 7007 or call the Sigue customer service hotline at 1.888.356.2026. The calls will be answered by Sigue’s customer service representatives in ã ¦ ½Ê¦ or English.

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Oil prices plunge again; WTI nears $60 a barrel Too much debt, not enough income?

New York, United States | AFP | Wednesday 12/10/2014 – Oil prices sank to new five-year lows Wednesday with the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude nearly hitting $60 a barrel, 40 percent down from just six months ago.

Prices lost more than $2 a barrel helped by a fresh forecast from OPEC that said demand for the cartel’s crude would fall to 28.92 million barrels a day next year, the lowest level since 2003 and at least one million barrels less than it is producing now.

Yet the group showed no sign of cutting back production, while output growth continues in suppliers in North America

and other sources.

In New York trade WTI for January delivery fell as far as $60.43 a barrel before finishing at $60.94, down $2.88 from Tuesday. In London, Brent North Sea for January delivery lost $2.60 at $64.24.

“The market is under pressure once again as OPEC has revised downward its forecast for oil demand at the same time we saw comments from the Saudi Arabia oil minister that they have no plan to cut,” said Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates.

In addition, he said, US crude stockpiles rose last week against expectations, keeping a strong overhang of stored oil over the market.

Abandoned oil and gas wells emit ‘significant’ methane: study Miami, Etats-Unis | AFP | Monday 12/8/2014 – A significant amount of the potent greenhouse gas methane may be leaking into the atmosphere from abandoned oil and gas wells, according to a study in Pennsylvania out Monday.

The study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences is based on direct measurements of methane outflow from and near 19 abandoned oil and gas wells in the northeastern US state.

Researchers at Princeton University in New Jersey and Stanford University in California took nearly 100 measurements over the course of seven months in 2013 and 2014, and found that all the wells they studied emitted methane, whether they were in forests, wetland, grassland, or river areas.

Three of the 19 wells were so-called “high emitters,” sending out methane at three time the median, or midpoint, rate.

The study said that if the 19 wells studied are typical of the overall situation in the northeastern state of Pennsylvania, the abandoned wells may account for four to seven percent of methane emissions in the state. The study authors urged environmental regulators to take account of abandoned wells when calculating total methane emissions.

Previous research has suggested that methane emissions from approximately three million abandoned oil and gas wells across the United States, which are not accounted for in US government estimates, may be the second largest contributor to total US methane emissions.

L.A. County higher penalties facing Californians who don’t get health coverage in 2015 Penalties for not having health insurance are significantly higher for 2015.

Covered California, the state agency charged with administering the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in California, is urging uninsured residents to sign up for health care coverage by Dec. 15 to avoid any penalty and to have coverage start Jan. 1.

More than 3 million people got health coverage in 2014 either through a Covered California health insurance plan or through Medi-Cal. Covered California is now hoping to convince another half million people to enroll in a health plan for 2015.

“As we meet consumers across the state, we will explain how to enroll in coverage and share the tangible ways having health insurance is improving the lives of real people in California,” said Peter V. Lee, the executive director for Covered California. The fee for not having health coverage in 2014 is $95 or 1 percent of yearly income per person – whichever is larger. For 2015, the fee increases to 2 percent of consumers’ income or $325 per adult in a household – whichever is larger.

Covered California is the only place for

Californians to get financial help in paying for health insurance.

The financial help works on a sliding scale, so the less you make, the less you will have to pay. For example, a single person with a modified adjusted gross income between $16,105 and $46,680 a year would qualify for some level of financial assistance. A family of four with a modified adjusted gross income between $32,914 and $95,400 would also qualify for help.

In Los Angeles County, about 844,000 people remain uninsured and are eligible for Covered California or for Medi-Cal. Enrollment can be done online at www.

CoveredCA.com, in person, or by phone with the help of a Service Center representative. Lee said most people choose to enroll in person so that their questions can be answered right away, and the assistance is free and confidential.

More than 12,000 Certified Insurance Agents, 10,000 county eligibility workers and more than 6,000 Certified Enrollment Counselors are partnered with Covered California, ready to help enroll consumers in person.

Are your growing debts causing you sleepless nights? Are you trying hard to pay what you can every month but feel like you’re just running on a treadmill? Do you get that sick feeling in your stomach every time you realize that you have gotten yourself in more debt than you can actually pay back?

If it’s any consolation, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, about one-third of households in this country are either just barely making it or are having trouble paying their debts each month. The Federal our debt-to-income ratio below 36% (about Reserve Board reports that the American 28% for housing and 8% for other recurring consumer debt is now at a record $2.5 debt payments). What’s your ratio? trillion! For the first time in history, averIf you are caught in a vicious cycle of age Americans owe more than they make. borrowing, you need to realize that this is ABC News reported that in the last decade, a sure path to financial catastrophe unless credit card debt has increased 81 percent you have the means to pay it all back. The while the average family’s income grew first step is to review your finances in detail only by 9%. This is scary. and know exactly where you stand, and If you are like the rest of the population then come up with a strategy to change and your debts are growing a lot faster than course. Consult with an experienced and your income is, how can you avoid debt knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney in from creeping up on you? The banks and order to avert a potential financial disaster. the credit card companies know that when Call my office at 866-477-7772 and income is short, most people will resort to request a free one-hour consultation to so borrowing to make up for the shortage. that we can help you get out of debt and So now you know why consumer debt you can start fresh in 2015. DO IT NOW. is steadily increasing. Unless you get a (None of the information herein is handle on your finances and control your intended to give legal advice for any borrowing, you would be buried in a deep specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has financial hole before you even realize it. successfully helped over 5,000 clients in A lot of people owe so much that they getting out of debt. For a free attorney will never pay off their debts in their evaluation of your situation, please call lifetime. Some of them have reached a Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE point where they don’t even know how 1-866-477-7772). much they owe anymore. The only thing they do know is that they are broke every payday. They have zero savings and no money for unexpected emergencies. Any disruption or reduction of income can turn The leading source of News and Information for the into a major financial emergency. Financial Filipino American Community planners tell us that we should try to keep

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The members and officers of the San Carlos Association, Los Angeles (SCALA) on their 22nd Annual Fiesta and Induction of Officers with Hon. Elito Santarina , Pro-Tem Mayor of Carson City as inducting officer. The San Carlos Association of Los Angeles SCALA, Negros Occ. will be joining the Historic Filipinotown Parol Parade on December 8, 2014 headed by the new president Rosalie P. Caratao.

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Options for paying cost on a refinancing Caller: I picked up the above newspaper yesterday. Read your article. Good information. Thank you for that. A question re closing cost when refinancing. You said not to pay the cost out of pocket and not to add to loan. Do you mean, ask the lender to pay for it? Please clarify. Thank you for your response Ken Go: This is a true no cost loan. correct the lender will pay for all non recurring closing cost. I would like to add that its always good not to have to pay to start to save. Yes, you can look at the any cost to refinance. Due to the length of long term aspect of a lower rate, but seritime it will take to recover fees paid into it. ously how often do we refinance or move To further more make it more transparent, around for different reasons. Homeowners lenders are paid for a premium for rates are still averaging keeping their loans for higher than par pricing. Therefore, if you about 7 years, recently due to declining did not pay anything to get a refinanced rates, the average homeowner only kept loan, you have the option to keep refi- their loans for 2 years. nancing once the rates would drop again.

Caller: I am ready to buy a house, Otherwise, you will keep increasing your how should I prepare the funds for down loan balance constantly and never get to payment? pay down your balance.

Ken Go: This is a very important Caller: My current rate is 4.5% 30 years question, when you are buying a house, fixed. I am being offered by my lender now there are certain ways to show your down to refinance to 3.75% paying about $3200 payment to a lender. Cash deposits are in total fees. Do you think this is worth for a big NO NO! cash deposit are harder to me to take out? trace and paper trail. Lenders are always Ken Go: Let me dissect this situation looking for two months seasoning on funds and give a comparison to what I would do for closing and reserves. Some loans will for this client. I would offer her a 4.00 rates allow 100% gift funds for down payment for 30 years with absolutely no closing and reserves, while some will require a cost, nothing added to her loan. Here is min of 5% buyer contribution. Always why I would not do it any other way, with consult with a lender as to how to deposit her loan balance a 3.75% payment would your funds for down payment if you don’t get her a principal and interest payment have it in your account yet. of $ 1389.35, with my 4% rate offer her Caller: I read your article about a Repayments would be $1432.25. The differ- verse Mortgage and we are very interested ence is $43.00, by paying fee it would take in not having to pay our mortgage payher 74 months of payments to recover her ments. We are both retired and living on closing fees. fixed income. We would like to do more Since she is coming from a 4.5% rate, I during our retirement and is financially strongly recommend a no cost loan for her limited due to our mortgage payments.

Our mortgage balance now is about $395K and our retirement income is only about $ 2600 between the two of us. What is your recommendation?

Ken Go : I truly believe that the reverse mortgage option is advantageous to most of senior homeowners. Unfortunately in this case, this homeowner does not have enough equity, their property is only worth about $450K. In order to qualify for reverse mortgage you have to have sufficient equity, remember the lender will have to a life expectancy base on your age and figure out how long you will be staying in your house. This type of loan is very favorable for homeowners who want to make use of the equity while living in the house.

Caller: My name is on a loan with my parents, but I really want to be able to get out of the loan because I will soon be married and would like to be able to qualify for a mortgage with my spouse. What are my option. My parents are paying for the entire mortgage every month but I am both on the loan and on title.

Ken Go: This is a very good question, since the mortgage bust about 7-8 years ago

a lot of homeowners had to bring sibling or relatives into a mortgage to qualify or keep their loans. Now, that the economy is recovering it would be good to get free of those mortgages that you help others co-sign. After reviewing the entire situation, this young caller is very fortunate that the parents can qualify on their own for a refinance, considering the mom losing her job and was out of work for almost one year. By refinancing, the parents was actually able to cash out a little to pay for some debts and take the daughters name out. The daughter now is preparing for her own mortgage next year after a supposedly big wedding. I have advise her to prioritize on preparing buying a house, she has her hands full.

Thanks for all your inquiries, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group at 562-508-7048. I will be holding open function or an open meeting on how to prepare to buy a house on Tuesday around 6;30 pm. Please call to get more details, Call Ken Go at 562-508-7048.

Thanks, like us on facebook at 1st Innovative Finance.

US construction spending rebounds in October Washington, United States | AFP | Tuesday 12/2/2014 - US spending on construction rebounded in October after a dip in September, helped by a rise in home building, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

Total construction spending rose to an annual rate of $971.0 billion, 1.1 percent above the revised September figure. The increase was almost double the consensus prediction from analysts. Over the first 10 months of the year, construction spending was 5.8 percent higher than the same period in 2013.

Construction spending in the private sector increased 0.6 percent in October, pulled higher by a 1.3 percent rise in home building. Nonresidential construction slipped by 0.1 percent.

Public construction spending, a much smaller part of the overall figure, rose 2.3 percent. That included a 2.2 percent rise in educational construction and a 1.1 percent rise in highway building.

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Blockbuster KimXi tandem returns with Ai Ai in the wacky ‘Past Tense’ Blockbuster KimXi tandem returns with Ai Ai in the wacky ‘Past Tense’ TFC@theMovies brings current number one Filipino comedy film to 38 theatres in the U.S. and 13 in Canada starting December 5 REDWOOD SHORES, CA, December 4, 2014 – The last time Kim Chiu and Xian Lim teamed up on the big screen under award-winning director Mae Cruz Alviar - which was just in early 2014 - their film Bride for Rent grossed over P326 million in the Philippine box office.

Versatile comedienne Ai Ai de las Alas co-starred in Sisterakas, an entry of ABS-CBN Star Cinema to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival, which earned over P391 million. These two films are now the 7th and 4th, respectively, highest grossing films of all time in Philippine cinema history.

TFC@theMovies is giving moviegoers in North America the holiday gift of a jolly ho-ho-ho and a barrel of ha-ha-ha when it brings anew director Cruz-Alviar, the loveteam known as “KimXi” and the genius zaniness of De las Alas in a wild comedy ride of a movie called, Past Tense, to 38 theatres in the U.S. and 13 in Canada, starting this Friday, December 5.

“This is a ‘feel good’ time for every member of the family, a season of joy and laughter,” said ABS-CBN Global Head of Theatricals John-D Lazatin. “With this winning team, viewers will find themselves rolling on the floor with the laugh-a-minute barrage of jokes, comedic characters and situations. The beauty of this is you can tell that the artists are immensely enjoying themselves in this movie and that energy is contagious. This is a true laugh trip. It’s a fun way for TFC@themovies to wrap up 2014.”

Can You Change The Past Without

Pops Fernandez, Society of Seven in Filipino concert, Feb. 7, at Pala PALA, CA, December 10, 2014… Pops Fernandez, the Filipino “Concert Queen” will perform with the Society of Seven in a special Filipino concert at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 7, in the Events Center at Pala Casino Spa & Resort. Lhey Bella, a rising Filipino star, also will perform with the Society of Seven. Fernandez, one of the most popular performers in the Philippines, has recorded numerous chart-topping songs and attracted sell-out crowds throughout her 20+-year career.

The Society of Seven is a variety group and show band that traces its roots back to the ‘60s and performs throughout Asia and the United States. Lhey Bella enjoys a wide musical range and performs jazz standards, dance tunes, R& B and rock and roll. ã® » ãÝ ÊÄ Ý ½ ã 10 a.m., Friday, December 12, ó®ã« ÄÊ Ý Ùò® « Ù¦ , ã ã« Ö ½ Êø Ê¥¥® ®Ä ã« Ý®ÄÊ, ÊÙ ½½ ϙ-Ϡϟϟ-ó®Ä Ö ½ (1-877-946-7252΅. ã® » ãÝ ½ÝÊ Ù ò ®½ ½ ã Ýã Ù ã® » ãÝ, 1-800585-3737, ÊÙ www.startickets.com.

Pala is located in Northern San Diego County; from San Diego/Riverside, take I-15 to Highway 76 east five miles; from Los Angeles County and Orange County, take I-5 south to Highway 76 east, then travel 23 miles. Pala is 15 miles north of Escondido, 12 miles south of Temecula.

Address: 11154 Highway 76, Pala, CA 92059 Telephone: 1-877-WIN-PALA (1-877946-7252) Web site: http://www.palacasino.com Other shows coming to Pala: Kathy Griffin, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, January 10, 2015, Events Center. Tickets, $60. $50, $40, $30 at www.startickets.com Tu Quy (Fantastic Four) Vietnamese Concert, 7 p.m., Saturday, January 17, 2015, Events Center. Tickets, $100, $55, $45, $35, at www.startickets.com and all Vietnamese ticket outlets.

One Night Only California’s Best Elvis Impersonators with Travis Allen, James “King” Kruk, Rob Ely, 7 p.m., Saturday, January 24, 2015, Infinity Showroom.

Tickets, $30, at www.startickets.com Arrival From Sweden The Music of ABBA, 7 p.m., Saturday, February 14, 2015, Infinity Showroom. Tickets, $45, $37, atwww.startickets.com Jim Jefferies, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 2015, Events Center. Tickets, $40, $30, at www.startickets.com

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2015, Events Center. Tickets, $125, $100, $95 atwww. startickets.com About Pala Casino Spa & Resort Pala Casino Spa & Resort includes a Las Vegas-style casino with 2,000 slot machines, 87 table games and 13 poker tables; a 507-room hotel; a 10,000-square-foot, full-service spa and salon that features 14 treatment rooms; a state-of-the-art fitness

Messing It Up Further?

This fresh rom-com presents the story of Belle (De Las Alas) in 2034 who wakes up after being in a coma for 20 years. The last thing she remembers is getting into an accident while chasing after her boyfriend Carlos (Daniel Matsunaga) to apologize.

She learns that Carlos died the same night that she got into an accident. Belle couldn’t believe how her life turned out.

Belle was given a chance by Papa Time (Benjie Paras) to time travel to 2014 to correct her mistakes, but as the 2034 version of herself.

In doing so, she finds out things that make her decide to change the course of the past. First, she learns that Carlos is a bad guy for her after all and that her best friend Babs (Lim) is in love with her. She then decides to make her younger self (Chiu - yes, no kidding) fall in love with Babs hoping to get Carlos out of the picture and to avoid the accident.

In the process, things go out of her control, putting Belle’s future life at risk of becoming even worse.

Well-known movie critic Isah V. Red wrote: “Past Tense is a film about the consequences people have to deal with, the changes they have to face, and the chances they have to give based on the many choices that have to

make in their lifetimes. Past Tense features the winning combination of the country’s ace comedienne, a certified blockbuster director, and a love team that is loved and adored by millions.”

Catch Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Ai Ai de las Alas and the complete crazy cast of Past Tense starting this Friday, December 5. For a complete theater list, visithttp://www.tfc-usa.com/atthemovies/

center; swimming pool with 12 private poolside cabanas, and dual-temperature outdoor whirlpool hot tub.

Pala also offers 10 restaurants and 40,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Pala Casino Spa & Resort is an AAA Four-Diamond Award winner for

11 consecutive years.

In 2011, Pala Casino Spa & Resort was voted Best Casino in San Diego by the public in the 10News.com annual A-List poll sponsored by KGTV-TV 10 Newsin San Diego. For more information, visit http:// www.palacasino.com.

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FOOD & DINING

FAMILY FEATURES

T

he holiday season is upon us, so celebrate by serving unique dishes and drinks bursting with flavor.

The holiday hostess has a lot on her plate. But preparing for the big event doesn’t have to be a challenge — this holiday, focus on special dishes and refreshing cocktails guests will remember for years to come.

Use these tips to make your holiday events shine: 1. Shake It Up. From cool drinks, like the Pineapple Upside Down Mocktail, to delicious tropical twists on classic martinis, punches and warm ciders, canned Dole Pineapple Juice has recipes to shake things up this season. Made from 100 percent juice, free of GMO’s (genetically modified or engineered ingredients) and containing no added sugar, it’s also a good source of vitamins A, C and E. 2. Captivating Courses. To celebrate the season, serve up recipes for delicious entrees, small plates and desserts that bring a taste of the tropics to any occasion. Start guests off with a Holiday Kale Salad and then serve them juicy Jamaican Chicken & Couscous, followed by divine Pineapple Pumpkin Pie. 3. Party Planner Extraordinaire. Looking for bright ideas on how to turn your next party into paradise? Visit dole.com/sunshine/ holidayrecipes to find refreshing new ways to make your party the event of the season, from eye-catching invitations to delightful decor tips.

Jamaican Chicken & Couscous Servings: 4 2 tablespoons dry Jamaican seasoning 1 tablespoon curry powder 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 cup canned Dole Pineapple Juice 1/4 cup water 1 package (5.6 ounces) toasted pine nut couscous mix 1 1/2 cups Dole Frozen Mango Chunks, thawed 1/3 cup green onion, sliced 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds Combine Jamaican seasoning and curry powder in small bowl.

Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound (with meat mallet) to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove wrap. Brush both sides of chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle both sides with curry mixture.

Cook chicken in oil over medium-high heat, 3 to 4 minutes per side or until brown and no longer pink in center.

Meanwhile, stir together juice, water and pine nut seasoning mixture from package in medium saucepan; bring to

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boil. Stir in couscous; remove from heat.

Let stand, covered, 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with fork. Stir in mango chunks, green onions and lime juice.

Cut chicken in 1/2-inch slices and serve over couscous mixture. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Pineapple Pumpkin Pie Servings: 6 1 can (8 ounces) Dole Crushed Pineapple 1 1/2 cups canned Dole Pineapple Juice 1 envelope unflavored gelatin 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated Sucralose sweetener or sugar 1 cup canned pumpkin pie mix 1 cup thawed whipped topping 1 (9-inch) low-fat graham cracker pie crust Ground cinnamon, optional Drain pineapple well; reserve juice.

Combine reserved juice with pineapple juice in measuring cup. Add water to make 2 cups.

Combine juice mixture and gelatin in saucepan. Let stand 1 minute. Stir over low heat until completely dissolved. Stir in sweetener.

Pour into bowl. Chill just until starts to set, about 1 hour.

Fold in pineapple, pumpkin and whipped topping. Pour into graham cracker crust. Chill 5 hours or overnight.

Serve with whipped topping and ground cinnamon, if desired.

Pineapple Upside Down Mocktail

E. Gladstone St.

468 W. ARROW HWY. COVINA, CA. 91722

S. Citrus Ave

Servings: 4 1 package (4.5 ounces) Dole Baby Kale and Greens 2 ripe firm pears, halved, cored and sliced 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup pistachios, chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup canned Dole Pineapple Juice 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Salt and ground black pepper, to taste Combine salad blend, pears, red onion, cranberries and pistachios in large bowl.

Whisk together olive oil, pineapple juice, garlic and ginger in small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour over salad mixture; toss to evenly coat.

Holiday Kale Salad S. Azusa Ave

Servings: 2 (3/4-cup) 1 cup canned Dole Pineapple Juice, chilled 1 tablespoon caramel sauce Ginger ale, chilled 2 teaspoons grenadine syrup Brown or turbinado sugar and maraschino cherries, optional garnish Wet just the rim of a martini glass with a little water; dip rim in brown sugar or turbinado sugar for added garnish.

Combine pineapple juice and caramel sauce in shaker over ice. Shake vigorously; strain into martini glasses or other favorite glasses. Top off with ginger ale. Slowly pour in grenadine. Garnish with cherry, if desired.

Note: For alcoholic variation, combine 3 ounces cake-flavored vodka or vanilla vodka, 1 ounce Frangelico or amaretto liqueur, and 6 ounces canned Dole Pineapple Juice in shaker over ice. Shake vigorously; strain into martini glasses. Slowly pour in grenadine; garnish with cherry, if desired.

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Restyled 2015 Toyota Prius v posts big numbers in roominess and fuel economy TORRANCE, Calif., November 19, 2014 – The Toyota Prius v – the “big Prius” – gets a new look for 2015. But Toyota didn’t mess with the outstanding roominess in the largest model in the Prius Family, a car sized for families with a hefty 42 MPG EPA combined fuel economy rating.

Revised front and rear styling and striking new colors including Attitude Black Metallic, Absolutely Red and tasty Toasted Walnut Pearl give Prius v a sportier attitude. The new front bumper, grille, available integrated fog lights and available Toyota-first LED projector low- and highbeam headlights contribute to the roomy Prius v sporty makeover.

Inside, new Entune Audio systems bring new multimedia capabilities. The newly available 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support offers even more comfort to the already high-utility interior.

Technology is updated with a 4.2-inch TFT screen that is standard on Prius v Three and higher and the available Advanced Technology Package has been upgraded for 2015 model year.

The “v” in the Prius v stands for versatility, by the way, which seems appropriate in a highly efficient vehicle that offers more cargo room than most small SUVs. Using the same Hybrid Synergy Drive system as the standard Prius, the Prius v delivers EPA-estimated 44 MPG city / 40 MPG highway ratings, an exceptional level of efficiency for such a roomy vehicle.

The Prius v rides on a 3.1-inch longer wheelbase and is 5.9 inches longer overall than the Prius liftback. Those modest differences in exterior dimensions yield nearly 60 percent more cargo space with

34.3 cu. ft. behind the rear seats vs. 21.6 cu. ft. for the Prius liftback.

With its 60/40 split folding rear seats folded down, the Prius v ofJay Soriano, Filipino sales, fers 67.3 cu. at Hooman Toyota ft. of carrying space. In fact, the combination of a roomy cabin and cargo area earns the Prius v a “midsize station wagon” classification from the EPA. The low, wide-opening tailgate provides easy access, and the fold-flat front-passenger seat allows the vehicle to carry long items. And, the sliding second row seats let you adjust room for passengers or cargo.

Familiar Prius Look, Upsized A familiar silhouette helps make the Prius v instantly familiar and is also slippery through the air. The 0.29 coefficient of drag is low for a vehicle of its size and roominess.

Even the wheels are designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind. These measures and others also help to suppress wind noise.

Extensive use of high-tensile grades of steel throughout the body along with aluminum in key body panels and systems keeps weight low: a Prius v weighs just 268 pounds more than a standard Prius liftback.

A resin Panoramic View Moonroof with power retractable sunshades provides an open feeling in the cabin and is 40-percent lighter than a conventional glass roof of similar size. The construction also provides

excellent heat insulation performance, reducing the load on the vehicle’s climate control system.

A Peek Into the Future: Simple, Easy Controls Get behind the wheel of a Prius v, and you’ll be struck by the cockpit’s clean yet futuristic appearance. You’ll also be pleased by how easy the controls are to see and use. The center-mounted instrument panel puts vital information at eye level.

Don’t look for a shift lever or parking brake handle – push buttons are used to start and operate the car, and the drive-bywire shift toggle replaces a clunky lever. A single automatic climate control dial looks advanced and works with ease.

The available animal-free SofTex® seat material is designed to resist spills and wear – perfect for a family vehicle. As the name suggests, it’s soft to the touch.

SofTex is also lighter than leather and other traditional leatherette-type materials, and its production generates 85 percent fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than conventional synthetic leather production.

The new 4.2-inch TFT screen nestled between the gauges, is standard on Prius v Three and higher.

The screen’s animation displays a wide range of vehicle functions including odometer, clock, climate control settings, fuel economy, fuel economy history, current/average fuel economy, cruising range, average speed, hybrid system information, Hybrid System Indicator, energy monitor, audio menu, simple navigation indicator and warning messages.

You’ll find useful storage spaces throughout the Prius v, including dual

glove boxes, a center console storage box and utility tray and five cup holders in large and medium sizes. Bottle holders are built into the front and rear door pockets, and most models feature an overhead storage space that can hold sunglasses.

Storage units built into the sides of the luggage compartment hold smaller items, and there’s another space under the floor, suitable for storing soft items like car wash supplies or gloves.

Hybrid Synergy Drive: The Hybrid Gold Standard Toyota’s clear hybrid leadership shines through in the Hybrid Synergy Drive® powertrain, which combines the output of a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor. A full hybrid, the Prius v can run on the gasoline engine alone, battery alone, or a combination of both.

The system’s combined 134 net system horsepower feels even stronger to the driver due to the unique way the system combines the torque of the gasoline engine and electric motor through a planetary-type continuously variable transmission.

Automatic start/stop helps to reduce fuel consumption in urban driving.

The compact and lightweight gasoline engine operates very quietly and qualifies for SULEV and Tier2 Bin3 emissions standards.

For details about the world’s popular Toyota Prius, visit our kababayan, Filipino Fleet Manager Jay Soriano of HoomanToyota in Long Beach or call him toll free at 1-800-519-2446. Hooman Toyota is located at 4401 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90804.

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2014 Honda Odyssey remains the only minivan to achieve top rating of GOOD Top Safety Pick+ rating earned in IIHS Small Overlap Frontal Test ; No other manufacturer has earned more Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ ratings than American Honda Nov 20, 2014 – The 2014 Honda Odyssey is the only minivan to earn the highest possible ratings of GOOD in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) stringent small overlap frontal crash test and is a 2014 Top Safety Pick+ designation when equipped with optional front crash prevention. The Honda Odyssey became the first minivan to earn the Top Safety Pick+ rating in August of 2013. The IIHS created the small overlap frontal crash test to replicate what happens when the front corner of a car collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole.

“Honda’s commitment to the safety of

New cars to get emergency call system as standard by 2018 From 2018 all new cars sold in Europe will have to be able to automatically call emergency services in case of an accident.

The European Commission’s ‘eCall’ initiative was first proposed in 2012 as a way of improving response times to car accidents, especially in rural areas. In the event of a serious incident where occupants are unable to move or speak, the car’s on-board system would automatically alert police or ambulance crews with information regarding the car’s make, its fuel type, the time of the accident, and the vehicle’s current location.

EU studies concluded that mandatory implementation of the technology would cut response times by 50 percent in the countryside and by as much as 40 percent in built-up, urban areas, saving hundreds of lives and reducing the severity of thousands of injuries in the process.

Despite its life-saving potential, the initiative had stalled with disagreements and concerns about implementation, the infrastructure required to support the service, and more recently privacy issues.

However, on Thursday a final agreement between the European Parliament and the European Union’s member states was reached. And, subject to a final vote in March 2015, the eCall feature will become mandatory on all new cars sold within the EU from March 31, 2018.

Of the announcement, Antonio Avenosos, the Executive Director of the European Transport Safety Council, said: “Getting emergency services to the scene of a crash quickly is crucial to preventing deaths. So this technology will save lives. However, it’s regrettable that it will be several years before we see all new cars fitted with the system and that other vehicles aren’t covered by the legislation yet. These are missed opportunities to extend the safety benefits further, with little or no justification.”

Although the new feature will not become compulsory for a further three and a half years, most major motor manufacturers have already started offering the eCall feature on their latest cars. For example, Ford has been offering a version of the service, called Sync Emergency Assistance, on its European models since 2012.

its customers is clearly demonstrated by the segment-leading safety ratings of the Odyssey,” said Art St. Cyr, vice president of auto operations at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “As the only minivan to offer the highest possible IIHS-rated protection in small overlap crashes, car buyers can look to the Honda Odyssey to securely and safely transport what’s most important – their families.”

Already the benchmark minivan in terms of fuel efficiency and innovative features, occupant safety for the 2014 Honda Odyssey is further enhanced through the next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. The second-generation of the ACE body structure has also been applied to the 2014 Honda Accord Coupe and Sedan and the 2014 Civic Sedan models that previously achieved the Top Safety Pick+ rating.

The next-generation ACE™ body structure improves frontal crash energy management through a wider range of offset and oblique collision modes. In addition, other body reinforcements work in tandem with the strengthened body structure to better maintain the occupant compartment volume during frontal col-

lisions by providing additional crash energy pathways to help mitigate the forces transmitted to the passenger compartment.

Standard safety equipment on all Honda and Acura models include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); side curtain airbags (some vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor as well); dualstage, multiple-threshold front airbags; and front side airbags. While Honda has made structural improvements to the 2014 Odyssey, Honda also has applied a new type of side curtain airbag that includes a front chamber design providing additional protection in situations where occupants move in a more angled outboard trajectory, such as those that might occur in oblique or offset crashes.

The company also is offering advanced driver-assistive technologies such as LaneWatch, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning as available technologies to a broad segment of its product lineup. Also, Honda has applied rearview cameras as standard equipment to 100-percent of its vehicle lineup for the 2015 model year.

Honda Safety Leadership Honda has a long history of leadership

in the development and application of advanced technologies designed to enhance the safety of all road users, including automobile occupants, motorcycle riders and pedestrians. The company operates two of the world’s most sophisticated crash test facilities, in Ohio and Japan, and is responsible for numerous pioneering efforts in the areas of crashworthiness, airbag technology, collision compatibility and pedestrian safety.

Although a Honda is a Honda wherever you see one, Filipinos flock to Carson Honda because of the friendly Filipino staff at the dealership and of course because of the service our kababayans provide. One of them, Rohmer Manalese, has even earned the “Best in Customer Satisfaction,” an honor he keeps consistently, along with the three other Filipino sales staff in the persons of Ricky Agagas, Terzo Pallen and Christian Reyes, all of whom are veterans in the car sales industry. “We have a great staff and this is a great dealership,” Carson Honda General Manager Krisztian Kratky said. “We have a friendly atmosphere.”

Carson Honda is located at 1435 E. 223rd Street, Carson, CA 90745. They can be reached toll free at 1-800-503-2321.

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Subaru of America enjoys best November ever, confirms all-time sales record Subaru breaks all-time annual sales record with one month of the year still remaining Cherry Hill, N.J. – Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) continues its recordbreaking run with the best November in the company’s history with sales of 45,273 vehicles, a 24 percent increase over November 2013. November also saw individual records broken for Outback, Forester and WRX/STI, while the Legacy saw a 97 percent jump in sales.

Subaru’s year-to-date sales are also noteworthy.

The company’s previous full-year record of 424,683 vehicles, set in 2013, was eclipsed on November 7.

The brand is now up 21 percent year-to-date with 463,770 vehicles sold, with December sales still to come.

Subaru’s sales gains in 2014 follow seven successive years of sales growth and were driven by increases across the board with record sales for Forester, WRX/STI, Legacy, Outback and XV Crosstrek. Subaru of America has now

From left: Christian Marilla, Chris Garchitorena, Bobby Cheng and Jojo Diala of Subaru of Glendale. seen 36 consecutive months (three years) of month-over-month sales increases and has shattered its previous annual sales records for the past six years.

“Since achieving our 2013 record earlier this month, every sale is a new record,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “2014 will be a historic year for the Subaru franchise as we will break 500,000 sales before year end.”

“Traffic to our retailers remains very strong and it is encouraging to see Legacy sedan sales continue to grow,” said

Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “We also look forward to continuing our popular annual ‘Share the Love’ event with its tradition of giving back to the community in December,” Walters concluded.

The ‘Share the Love’ program will run through January 2, 2015. Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer’s choice of the following charities: ASPCA®, Make-A-Wish®, Meals On Wheels Association of America® and National Park Foundation or a local

charity selected by the Subaru retailer.

Become a new member of the Subaru club. Come on down to Subaru Glendale and our kababayans Christian Marilla, Bobby Cheng, Chris Garchitorena, and Jojo Diala will be more than happy to inform you why Subaru is becoming a favorite of Filipinos and the whole American market.

Subaru of Glendale is located at 1308 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204. You can reach them at 1-855230-1547 or you can visit their website at www.subaruofglendale. net.

James Bond director takes the wraps off a new Aston Martin If there were any doubt that James Bond’s car of choice is an Aston Martin, the British sportscar brand eliminated it on Thursday at a special event to announce the title of the latest installment of the film franchise.

But as well as revealing that the 24th

official James Bond film will be called “Spectre,” the film’s director Sam Mendes also used the event to take the wraps off a brand new Aston – the DB10 – which will also be getting a starring role in the movie alongside Daniel Craig.

Following the unexpected reveal, Aston

The new Aston Martin Bond car Martin CEO Andy Palmer, announced that the car isn’t a concept. It was built specifically built for the film, and the company worked closely with director Sam Mendes to deliver what it calls the ultimate car for the world’s most famous spy.

However, for Bond-loving existing Aston Martin drivers there is good news—the DB10 will be going into extremely limited production. Just 10 bespoke models

are planned, which will make it the rarest car in the company’s history to carry a DB badge.

Although specific details, such as engine size and performance figures are still unconfirmed, the DB10 is clearly based on the existing two-door, two-seat Vantage super coupé so expect a V12 engine and a top speed of over 200mph, and a host of envious glances.

Toyota talks up new safety features Toyota is planning to roll out vehicleto-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication systems on its new models as early as next year as a high-tech way of cutting congestion and collisions.

If a car is able to ‘talk’ to road infrastructure, it knows how many seconds or minutes remain before a set of traffic lights change from red to green, for instance – so the car can match its speed accordingly – but can also learn how heavy the flow of traffic is and if something is approaching along a road that is obscured from view.

Toyota’s system will connect to the Integrated Traffic System (ITS) services used by governments for monitoring traffic flows and other data and so will be able to access above-road sensors that measure traffic density or whether vehicles are approaching junctions.

The system will add to cars’ existing

radar and camera capabilities for collision avoidance – even the best cameras can’t see around bends – as will the ability for cars to communicate directly with each other.

Toyota is not the only company racing to add this feature to its range—every major manufacturer is also developing the technology for their future models and it’s easy to understand why. If cars can alert other vehicles of their presence, then there are no blind spots when driving, there is little risk of pulling out of a junction and into the path of an oncoming van, and congestion can be reduced and even eliminated altogether by rerouting journeys or slowing cars down.

The new features are expected to appear on new Toyotas sold in Japan initially but will roll out to new cars sold in the US and Europe by 2017.

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Mitsubishi Motors posts eighth consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases

powered non-hybrid vehicle in America with an EPA fuel mileage rating of up to 37 mpg city / 44 mpg highway / 40 mpg combined.

Mitsubishi’s vehicle sales for October were further boosted by robust sales of the sporty and affordably-priced Lancer sports sedan (up 17.5 percent from last October), as well as the recently redesigned 7-passenger Outlander crossover (sales up 14.2 percent year-to-date) and the ultra-high-performance Lancer Evolution luxury sports sedan (up 10.5 percent

year-to-date).

“The Outlander Sport has been leading the way for the brand in 2014 and Outlander has steadily increased compared to last year,” said MMNA Executive Vice President, Don Swearingen. “But our sedans are also doing well with consistently strong Mirage sales and Lancer with a strong showing in October.”

Highlights of October sales include: * Mitsubishi Motors total vehicle sales are up 30.2 percent year-to-date * 12 consecutive months of Mirage

sales of more than 1,000 units * Outlander sales are up 14.2 percent year-to-date * Lancer sales up 17.5 percent from last October * Lancer Evolution sales are up 10.5 percent year-to-date If you want to know why the Mitsubishi is up in its sales and why the Lancer is one of America’s top Mitsubishi vehicles or why it is the choice of many of our kababayans – nostalgia perhaps? – who are looking for reliability, efficiency and comfort, call Richard Samaco, Cesar Macandili or Mark De Leon the dealership’s Filipino salespersons at Glendale Mitsubishi at (888) 465-7218. Glendale Mitsubishi, a favorite car dealership among Filipino-Americans, is located at 1235 S. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA, 91204. Call now or come and visit our kababayans for a closer look at the new Mitsubishi vehicles.

What’s more, test drive a Mitsubishi and you can get a three day/two night stay in Las Vegas for free.

The last GT, which ceased production in 2006, was a modern interpretation of the iconic GT40, with modern Ferrari-beating levels of performance to boot.

When it was launched, demand outstripped supply but by the time Ford caught up – cars had been changing hands on the second-hand market for $100,000s above the list price – US vehicle regulations changed and the economy stumbled; meaning that the car only stayed in production

for two years and Ford cancelled plans to extend its supercar offering with Daytona and Cobra-inspired models that had passed the concept car stage. The car that inspired the GT, the Ford GT40 was built in the 1960s to challenge Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans; and in doing so wrote itself into the history books. In 1966 the car came first, second and third in the 24-hour race and also went on to win the race in 1967, 68 and 69 too. In 2016 it will be 50 years

since Ford managed this incredible coup and the new GT is expected to mark the anniversary, alongside a new track-focused version of the car that is tipped to compete in the endurance event in France.

In terms of what to expect from the new GT, it will have to match the same nemesis, Ferrari, if it is to ring true to its iconic badge. So a mid-engine layout and hopefully a turbocharged or supercharged V8 making things happen.

Best-ever October sales for Outlander Sport Cypress, Calif. – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) posted its eighth consecutive month of year-overyear sales increases thank to a strong sales month in October with vehicle sales through the month totaling 6,199 units, an exceptional 30.5 percent increase over the sales total from October 2013.

The Outlander Sport 5-passenger compact crossover – the brand’s best-selling vehicle – posted outstanding sales of 2,468 units for the month. This was the best-ever October sales month for the popular and versatile Outlander Sport and the thirteenth consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. Moreover, Outlander Sport sales are up 22.8 percent from last October and are up 24.8 percent year-to-date.

October marked the twelfth consecutive month of Mirage sales of more than 1,000 units, with total sales for the month of 1,374 units. Mitsubishi’s 5-door hatchback model is the most fuel-efficient gasoline-

Will we see a new Ford GT in 2015?

Reports are growing that 2015 could see the resurrection of an automotive legend and Ford’s return to the supercar market.

After an absence of nearly 10 years, Ford is planning a new GT. And, according to Road and Track magazine, it could make its debut as early as next month at the Detroit Auto Show.

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All-new 2016 Sorento makes debut at Los Angeles Auto Show Beautifully Redesigned CUV is Packed with Premium Materials and Amenities, Offers More Head and Legroom in All Three Rows, and is Capable Enough to Handle any Adventure-Seeker’s Lifestyle LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 19, 2014 – With its roads and freeways as the foundation of driving adventures encompassing sunny surf-side beaches, rugged snow-covered mountains, starkly beautiful deserts and a wide variety of other destinations, Kia Motors America (KMA) chose Los Angeles for the North American debut of the all-new 2016 Sorento CUV. Owing many of its design inspirations to the highly regarded Cross GT concept that was unveiled in 2013, Kia’s design and engineering teams focused on a stronger body structure, delivering premium-grade NVH reduction and providing the driving confidence to enable the active lifestyle CUV owners covet. Sorento buyers have their choice of three engines, including a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder, the silky smooth 3.3-liter V6 and an improved 2.4-liter normally aspirated inline-4. Standard premium features and luxurious amenities will be available across five trim levels – L, LX, EX, SX and SXL – when U.S. sales begin in the first quarter of 2015. Pricing will be announced closer to Sorento’s launch date.

“The core principles in the development of the all-new 2016 Sorento were simple: Deliver class-up premium materials and features in a capable, confidence-inspiring CUV,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, Product Planning, KMA. “During the development process, engineers started from the ground up by reinforcing an already stiff body structure. This added rigidity pays dividends when conditions are less than perfect and helps deliver a premium driving experience. By painstakingly crafting a vehicle with significant reductions in NVH and substantial gains in overall driving comfort and dynamics, the 2016 Sorento sets a new standard for Kia in the highly competitive mid-size CUV segment.”

Inspired Exterior Reimagining the Sorento was no easy task for Kia’s designers, as the previous generation was lauded for its exceptional design. Not unlike the sophisticated Cross

GT concept, which debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in 2013, the new Sorento finds some of its design inspiration in nature, as well as in the journey to nature’s outdoor adventures, revealing a vehicle of exceptional exterior presence that is larger than the outgoing model in nearly every way.

Overall, the all-new Sorento takes on a brawnier, more planted stance, communicating its edginess and rugged personality.

The clean profile is easily recognizable as Sorento, enhanced with stronger shoulders and a long hood to deliver a more aerodynamic and sleek appearance. Combining a significantly longer 109.4-inch wheelbase (up 3.1 inches) and overall width that’s broadened to 74.4 inches (increased by 0.2 inches) the Sorento’s packaging is more efficient and allows for greater interior room.

The aggressively styled front end, with its narrower headlight design, is an evolution of the upper fascia seen on the Cross GT concept and bears a strong family resemblance to the all-new highly praised Sedona multipurpose vehicle. Distinctive LED positioning lights set the Sorento apart from others in the midsize CUV segment.

Sitting below the headlights, the lower intake and fog lamp pockets are more prominent, creating a sportier appearance, which blends harmoniously with the overall design proportions. Premium enhancements include available LED rear dimensional tail lamps and LED fog lamps.

The Sorento’s muscular body sits atop four new alloy wheel designs ranging from 17 to 19 inches, depending on trim level.

Class-Up Interior With an overall interior theme focused on the stability of a horizontal plane, the design motif provides a strong foundation for the premium textures and high-quality materials found throughout the 2016 Sorento’s cabin. The liberal application of soft-touch materials is particularly evident around the instrument panel, center console and door panels.

Depending on trim level, the readyfor-adventure 2016 Sorento comes with standard 40/20/40 second-row folding five-passenger (4-cylinder models) or 50/50 folding third-row seven-passenger (V6 models) seating configurations. The seating system of the new Sorento is designed to offer optimum comfort and

Kia Motors America debuted the all-new 2016 Sorento CUV at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.

ideal seating positions to fulfill the needs of every occupant.

Progressive Technology – UVO3 New in the 2016 Sorento, four additional UVO eServices are now available: Geofencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score. Additionally, with the introduction of the Kia App store, select apps can be downloaded for free from iTunes4 or Google PlaySM5. The Kia app connector is now available for partnership with the content community, including Pandora6, iHeart® Radio7 and Yelp8. Many more new technologies for comfort and convenience are featured in the new UVO system, including Siri®4 “Eyes Free9” and Local Search – powered by Google® – for finding locations, addresses and points of interest. Sirius XM Travel Link10, offering access to traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports scores, stock information and movie times, keeps you well connected while taking those weekend excursions in the Sorento.

Accessed through a crystal-clear 8-inch capacitive-touch color screen, the available navigation11 system features SD card storage for MAP DATA and USB 2.0 support for high-speed updates as well as integrated rear backup camera, Bluetooth12 handsfree support and UVO voice recognition.

A New Driving Experience The core of the all-new 2016 Sorento is its significantly modified platform. The enhanced structure increases torsional rigidity by 14 percent over the previous generation. Fifty-three percent of the unit-

body consists of advanced high-strength steel, a 115 percent increase over the outgoing model. Liberal application of industrial strength adhesives, the use of dual-seal lip joints as well as large diameter and laser welding techniques combine to make the 2016 model the most robust Sorento ever.

The all-new 2016 Sorento offers a number of safety features, including seatbelt anchor pretensioners and six airbags, help give Sorento drivers the confidence and peace-of-mind they need when driving their families on the nation’s highways and bi-ways.

All Sorento models come standard with active safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Antilock Braking System (ABS). Additional technologies such as Roll Over Mitigation (ROM) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC) on AWD models also were added as standard equipment for improved dynamic control and safety.

If you want to find out why Kia is among the leading car brands of today, drop by Car Pros Kia of Carson at 21243 S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90745 (telephone # 310-221-9131), or at Car Pros Kia Huntington Beach at 18835 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (714-6131119) and last but won’t be the last, at Car Pros Kia Glendale at 400 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204 (818) 745-1400.

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JOB MARKET For advertising, call (818) 552-4503

DRIVER/ASSISTANT F/T for Assisted Living facilities. Transport, shopping, del food/supplies to each home, inventory. Must have clean driving record, drivers lic. at least 5 yrs. Must provide DMV printout. (714) 227-5766.

COUPLE CAREGIVERS Live-in, in a beautiful home, and provide caregiving duties for the elderly. Must cook and clean. Free rent and meals. 6 Residents facility in Thousand Oaks.

Call 805-207-7791.

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Fax (818) 550-7635

LIVE-IN CAREGIVER Full-time live-in caregiver needed immediately for a board & care facility for elderly in Northridge. With experience but not necessary. We will train. Pls call 818-742-8045.

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LONG BEACH AREA Live-in caregiver, prefer lady, six days/wk. No experience necessary. Board and care facility for elderly.

Must have Soc. Sec. No. Call (562) 997-0906; (562) 714-0986.

email: advertising@balita.com

WANTED CAREGIVER In Chandler, AZ 85225 Call 1-480-246-5734.

CAREGIVER/RELIEVER Female. In a Board & Care in Northridge. Thurs./Fri./ Sat. 818-368-5108.

CAREGIVER NEEDED For elderly facility near Beverly Hills. Male preferred.

Near transpo & shopping.

Good salary. (855) 4435724.

Now Hiring!

Be a part of our New Supermarket, we are looking for enthusiastic team members for all of our In-store job positions.

Come visit us! we will be conducting pre-screenings and accepting applications Every Tuesday 9:30-12:00 and Thursday 2:00-5:00.

We are located at 19725 E Colima Rd. Rowland Heights, CA 91748

ACCOUNT RECEIVABLE CLERICAL • Need an Energetic and Fast Learner

FIGHTING ANIMAL TESTING

• To do Account Receivable Follow-up • Prefer Accounting Background, but willing to train.

• Excellent Growth Potential

Call Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm

818-782-8600 INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PLACE CLASSIFIED/JOB MARKET ADS

BY PHONE

BY FAX

818-552-4503

818-550-7635

Please have this information ready: Company Name, Contact Person, Address, Phone # and Fax #. Payment is made using a credit card.

Faxed ads should include this information: Company Name, Contact Person, Address, Phone # and Fax #. Payment is made using a credit card.

BY SNAIL MAIL OR E-MAIL 520 East Wilson Ave. Ste. 210 Glendale, CA 91206

advertising@balita.com

Check or Money Order should be made payable to Balita Media Inc.

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CLASSIFIED ADS TEL.: (818) 552-4503 ext 402

JAY D” PLUMBERHANDYMAN Plumbing repair, drain cleaning, copper repipe, bath & kitchen, remodel hydro jetter, toilet, disposal, heating water heater, iron works, electrical & carpentry. Free estimate.

(818) 730-6571

BALITA

GETS RESULTS ADVERTISE WITH US

TODAY

APT. FOR RENT Hollywood. 1 BR $1,250; Single $1,050; Bachelor $900. Brand new hardwood Àr, intercom entry, a/c, TFC cable ready, gated parking, pool, near Sunset & Wilcox, no pets.

Manager speak Tagalog.

323-462-3573.

APTS. FOR RENT 1 Door apt. 2 BR. Filipino Town area - Temple / Rampart. 2BR 1 BA, parking space. Preferably nonsmoker. For inquiries call Vicky @ (213) 944-8887 or (213) 384-1955.

APT. FOR RENT 1 BR 1 BA, covered parking, hardwood Àoor, BA & kitchen tiles. Near Wilton Pl. and Sta. Monica Blvd.

Close to school, bus stop & stores. (323) 667-3194.

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Fax: (818) 550-7635

APARTMENT FOR RENT Highland Park area, quiet neighborhood, bachelor type with full size bath & kitchen. w/ Internet & ref. $650/mo including utilities.

Call 323-552-6977.

STUDIO FOR RENT Nice Granada Hills neighborhood. Gated, safe & quiet, free utilities. Female caregiver preferred. Call 818-633-6383.

LARGE ROOM With walk in closet, free utilities, w/ parking. Good location. Pls call 310-9332318 or 323-660-3404.

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MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

CONDO FOR RENT Cerritos - 3 BR/ 3 BA, gated comm..$2,450.

BellÀower – single family home 1 level, 2BR 1 BA, gated comm. $1,650.

Townhouse-Bellflower2BR /1.5BA $1,500. Call to view 310-639-6464 x 110; 310-938-2607

ROOM FOR RENT Northridge area close to CSUN, 405 & 118. $480/ mo. Utils. incld, w/ internet, TFC. Furnished, share bathrm. No pets/smoking.

1 Female only. Avail.01/15.

Annie 818-648-1617 or 818-678-9839.

ROOM FOR RENT For one female only. W/ private entry & bathroom (furnished), utilities included. Located in a residential area, close to market & bus stop. Corner Sunset Blvd. $500/mo. Call (213) 483-3711, cell (323) 7889615.

ROOM FOR RENT Granada Hills bet Woodley & Devonshire. $650 inld utils, cable. Clean & quiet, near frwy, bus stop. Preferably single female nonsmoker, no pets & alcohol.

757-735-2954 or 818-6182274.

ROOM FOR RENT Female only, $450 incl utilities in North Hills (Sepulveda Blvd.) Nice, clean, close to bus line. Call or text Alex 818-523-4300.

SAVE THE PLANET

reduce. reuse. recycle.

ROOM FOR RENT Room for rent in Panorama with free wi¿, TFC, good parking and others. Available on Dec. 15. Please call 626-318-2001 or 818366-6148.

HOW TO SEND US

PRESS RELEASES

BY E-MAIL editor@balita.com Press releases should include your signature, full name and complete address (as well as telephone number). Letters that do not meet these requirements will not be used.

All contributions are subject to editorial standards. Articles are printed subject to space availability and at no cost to the sender.

The Editor

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PRAYERS

PRAYERS

PRAYER FOR SAINT THERESE Oh Glorious Saint Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and counsel mankind, I invite your miraculous intercession. So powerful are you in obtaining every need of body and soul, Our Holy Mother Church proclaims you a "Prodigy of Miracles". Now fervently beseech you to answer my petition: (mention here) and carry out your promise of doing good upon the Earth of letting fall from heaven a shower of roses. Henceforth, Dear Little Flower, I will ful¿ll your plea "to be made known everywhere and I will never cease to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen (Say prayer every day for 9 days. By 4th day, you will see a rose in a magazine, TV picture or receive roses. You can also get strong scent of roses in home even if no roses present. Must promise publication. Thank you. -RITA

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and con¿rm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen.

A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how dif¿cult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks -LUZ

Mag

Tayo!

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2015 Toyota RAV4 marks two decades as a small SUV Pioneer September 26, 2014 – The Toyota RAV4 got the whole compact crossover segment started 20 years ago as a new kind of vehicle that people didn’t even know they wanted. But a lot of people wanted it enough to make the segment one of the largest today, with the current generation RAV4 one of its strongest sellers.

Now in its third season, the current-generation, RAV4 exemplifies the qualities that keep it a perennial hit. Customers love its sharp-edged styling and roomy, versatile five-seat cabin.

The interior has a premium look and feel with soft-touch accents and driver-centric controls.

Sure to get attention in any weather, RAV4 drives into 2015 with a new Blizzard Pearl Premium Package for the RAV4 Limited grade. This special package dresses the already stylish RAV4 in Blizzard Pearl paint and new 18-inch machine-finished wheels with black painted pockets.

At the opposite end of the thermometer, new Hot Lava paint joins the lineup. The one-touch power liftgate with driver-selectable memory height settings, standard on the Limited, is now an option for the XLE grade. The XLE gets new 17-inch Superchrome alloy wheels for 2015.

The RAV4 is motivated by a responsive, fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine mated to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission.

Customers can choose between front wheel drive or the advanced Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive, the same system used in the new Highlander.

Shopping for the RAV4 is easier than ever, with three trim levels to choose from, including LE, XLE and Limited.

Cavernous Cabin Though taking up a smallish parking

space outside, the RAV4 is cavernous inside, with ample room for five adults and 38.4 cu. ft. of cargo capacity behind the rear seats. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded, that space expands to 73.4 cu. ft. Rear seat legroom is a competitive 37.2 inches.

The front seats feature a slim seat back design to enhance rear-passenger knee room.

The rear seatbacks also recline several degrees for added passenger comfort. Rear privacy glass is standard on all RAV4 models. Retractable rear seat head restraints aid rear visibility.

Sitting at the wheel, the driver faces a sporty, asymmetrical, driver-centric dash panel. Controls fall within easy reach, and, thanks to enticing clear blue illumination for the dash and gauge panel, they’re easy to see in ambient light conditions.

Economical Performance and Sport Mode, Too Practicality meets fun with the RAV4’s 2.5-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine. Coupled to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission, the engine smoothly delivers 176 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,100 rpm. With front-wheel drive, the RAV4 has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg city / 31 mpg highway. With Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive, the EPA estimates are 22/29 mpg, on regular-grade gasoline.

Feeling sporty? The RAV4 can play along.

Choose Sport mode, and the RAV4 sharpens shift timing, throttle response, and steering feel. Downshifting will “blip” the throttle, as the driver in a stick-shift vehicle might do to maintain driving smoothness.

And, on RAV4 models with Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive, Sport mode also alters torque distribution to enhance agility by reducing understeer.

Feeling frugal? Select Eco mode and the RAV4 optimizes powertrain op-

eration to maximize fuel economy.

The RAV4’s smooth ride, handling agility and cabin quietness owes much to a body structure that makes extensive use of highstrength steel to provide a robust and stiff yet light platform. The MacPherson strut front suspension and a double-wishbone rear suspension let the RAV4 absorb bumps, ruts and railroad crossings with composure. A strut tower bar links the tops of the front strut towers to the main bulkhead, helping to increase torsional rigidity.

If you want to be one of the next new million Prius owners, get in touch with our kababayans at Tustin Toyota, the experts in the car industry, in the person of Sales Manager Victor Malaiba and Sales & Leasing Executives Jojo Santillana and Felix Fernando.

Tustin Toyota is located at 36 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA 92782. They can be reached toll free at (866) 500-2249.

Paris mayor wants limits on cars in centre, end to diesel Paris, France | AFP | Sunday 12/7/2014 – The mayor of Paris on Sunday laid out a plan to limit cars in the city’s historic centre and said she wanted to ban diesel vehicles by 2020.

“In the four central districts, apart from bikes, buses and taxis, the only vehicles allowed will be residents’ cars, delivery vehicles and emergency vehicles,” Anne Hidalgo said in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche weekly.

Hidalgo said the proposed anti-pollution scheme would start at weekends but could be “quickly” rolled out for the rest of the week.

“I want diesel cars out of Paris by 2020 and if possible beyond the peripherique,” said the mayor, referring to the constantly choked ring road around the capital.

“Today, 60 percent of Parisians don’t have their own car whereas in 2011, it was 40 percent. It’s moving quickly,” she said.

Central Paris has a relatively high population density in European terms and tourists are often surprised by the traffic levels in and around the historic sights of the world’s most visited city.

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Weekend, Sat. - Fri., December 13 - 19, 2014

Balita

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., December 13 - 19, 2014

LOS ANGELES

Visit www.Balita.com

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Weekend, Sat. - Fri., December 13 - 19, 2014

Balita