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Volume 17 - No. 2 • 3 Sections – 20 Pages

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DATELINE Filipina reportedly trafficked into forced labor sues host family FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Lawsuit puts a spotlight on forced servitude, anti-trafficking advocates call for further awareness on the issue A FILIPINA immigrant, who for nearly three years was allegedly forced into involuntary servitude and suffered unfair wages and extreme verbal abuse, has led a lawsuit against her host family in a case that highlights modern slavery and human trafficking. Edelynne Bergado, a single mother of two from the rural Pangasinan province in the Philippines, said she was brought to the United States in 2014 by Marlon and Nelle-Ann Velonza who promised her a green card and a well-paying job. However, from April 2014 to January 2017, she was reportedly “kept against her will” by the Velonzas and worked 14-hour days, seven days a week in the Velonzas home in the Los Angeles northeastern neighborhood of Eagle Rock, according to the complaint filed on Dec. 19, 2017. For nearly three years, the Velonzas allegedly forced Bergado to cook, clean, care for

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J A N U A RY 1 2 - 1 8 , 2 0 1 8

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

World Bank: PH to remain as ‘fastest-growing’ ASEAN economy by AJPRESS IN terms of economic growth, the World Bank (WB) expects that the Philippines will continue to outpace its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia for the next three years. In its January 2018 Global Economic Prospects report released Wednesday, January 10, the Washington-based lender said it expects the Philippines to sustain robust economic growth even as public investments are seen to be slowing down. “The Philippines will continue to be the fastestgrowing economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), despite some stabilization

of investment growth,” WB stated in its report. The WB projected the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 6.7 percent in 2018 and 2019, before moderating to 6.5 percent in 2020. On average, the WB expects the country’s GDP to grow by 6.6 percent from 2018 to 2020. The forecasts, however, were below the government’s target range of 7-8 percent annual GDP growth from 2018 to 2022. Last month, the WB has upgraded its 2017 growth projection for the Philippines as part of its “quarterly forecast exercise to reflect recent economic trends.” From the previous estimate of 6.6 percent, the WB raised its 2017 economic growth forecast for the

Philippines to a stronger 6.7 percent. “If investment growth accelerates faster along with increased spending in public infrastructure, economic expansion can be even higher in 2017 and 2018 and exceed the current projection of 6.7 percent,” said Birgit Hansl, WB Lead Economist for the Philippines. The Philippines posted a 6.9 percent GDP growth for in the third quarter of 2017, which was higher than the 6.5 percent growth in the second quarter of 2017, and of the 6.4 percent posted in the first quarter. The government is slated to release the country’s 2017 fourth-quarter and full-year GDP performance on January 25. ■

U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim, a former prosecutor, turned over more than 2,000 copies of a prosecutor’s manual and other training modules to Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre. The materials were the result of a nine-month justice sector program sponsored by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

Opportunities for stronger US-PH alliance under Trump security strategy, analyst says Amb. Kim: US-PH

Photo courtesy of U.S. Embassy in Manila

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s first-ever national security strategy presents new opportunities in furthering the alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines, according to a senior researcher at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP). In line with the Trump administration’s “America first” platform, the new National Security Strategy (NSS) — released last December — encompasses four main principles: protecting the homeland, promoting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength, and advancing American influence. The plan also zeros in on strategies within the “Indo-Pacific” region, which Christian Vicedo at NDCP said will have a big impact on U.S and Philippines relations.

ties to reach ‘whole new level’ in 2018 IF there is one thing that United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim envisions for the new year, that would be taking the relationship between Manila and Washington to a “whole new level.” To mark Kim’s first year serving in the Philippines, the U.S. embassy released on Friday, January 5, a three-minute video where the envoy participated in a quick series of light questions about his stay in the country and what his plans are. “I’m very excited, we’re going to take the U.S.-Philippines relationship to a

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MEETING WITH CHINA. President Rodrigo Duterte does his signature pose with Communist Party of China Central Committee Member Meng Xiangfeng and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua following their meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, January 9. Also in the photo are Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go among others. Malacañang photo by Toto Lozano

Marcos on not running for Senate in 2019: ‘I already won as VP’ by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

Speaking at the “Kapihan sa Manila Bay” media forum, the former senator expressed FORMER Senator Ferdi- confidence that he would win nand “Bongbong” Marcos his electoral protest against Jr. on Wednesday, January Vice President Maria Leonor 10 ruled out the possibility of “Leni” Robredo. running for a Senate seat in “Bakit ako tatakbo ng sethe 2019 midterm elections, nador eh nanalo na ‘ko ng saying he already “won” the bise presidente (Why will I 2016 vice presidential race. u PAGE A2

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Inquirer.net photo

Federal judge rules Supreme Court to hold oral arguments on martial law extension AJP DACA must stay in place court en banc on Wednesday, January 10, the high court has decided to tackle two petitions next THE Supreme Court (SC) is week on January 16 and 17. set to hold oral arguments on the The high court also said that it consolidated petitions challeng- has ordered the Office of the SoDACA was illegally implemented. ing Philippine President Rodrigo licitor General (OSG), which will In 2012, former President Duterte’s one-year extension of represent the respondents led by Duterte in the hearings, to comBarack Obama signed an execu- martial law in Mindanao. During the deliberations of the ment on the second petition filed tive order instituting DACA, which has provided work authorization, protection from deportation and other benefits to undocumented youth who came to the U.S. illegally as children. Calling the rescission of DACA “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and otherwise not in accordance with the law,” Alsup noted that the sudden termination of the program “deprived DACA recipients of constitution- A new group of petitioners tells the Supreme Court that the extension of martial law in ally-protected property and liber- Mindanao is intended not against rebels but critics of President Rodrigo Duterte.

by

RESS

Ruling allows current DACA recipients to renew their enrollment by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AMID the intense fight over the protections of DREAMers, a federal judge issued a nationwide directive late Tuesday night, January, 9, ordering the Trump administration to restore the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. United States District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco, likely halting the fierce debate since DACA was terminated by President Donald Trump on September 5, 2017, challenged the administration’s stance that

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Inquirer.net photo

by filed by human rights advocates and cause-oriented groups represented by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) not later than January 13. The other petition was filed by the so-called “Magnificent Seven” of the House of Representatives, led by Albay Representative Edcel Lagman.

Other members of the bloc include Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin, Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Jr., Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, Capiz 1st District Rep. Emmanuel A. Billones, and Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza.

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january 12-18, 2018 • nOrCaL aSIan jOurnaL

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From the Front Page Marcos on not running for Senate in 2019... PAGE A1 t

run for senator when I already won as vice president?)” Marcos told reporters. In a recently released survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) from December 8 to 11 last year, Marcos ranked 7-8th in the Senate’s so-called “Magic 12” or list of probable senatorial race winners. While appreciating the public’s “continued support,” Marcos maintained that he is focused on his case against Robredo, as he pointed to the importance of knowing the “real” result of the 2016 vice presidential election. “Hindi ko titigilan itong protestang ito dahil tapat ang aking paniniwala na dinaya ako noong nakaraang halalan (I will not give up on this protest because I believe that I was cheated during the last elections),” Marcos stressed. He continued, “At ipapalabas ko ang tunay na bilang ng boto nang malaman ng tao kung sino ba talaga ang pinili ng taong bayan bilang bise presidente (And I will strive to show the real count

of the votes so the people will know who the nation really chose as vice president).” During the same forum, Marcos accused the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) of being “unfair and unjust,” citing in particular the supposed “disturbing series of decisions” made by Supreme Court Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa. Robredo won the vice presidential race with just 263,473 more votes than Marcos. The latter accused her of benefiting from “massive electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities” during the vice presidential election in 2016. Marcos’ electoral protest was raffled off to Caguioa, who is just one of the members of the SC, sitting as the electoral tribunal. “It’s become very obvious that the strategy has been to delay, delay, and delay. Mukhang hindi na fair ang treatment sakin sa PET (Looks like PET is no longer treating me fairly),” Marcos said. “There has been a disturbing series of decisions made by

Justice (Benjamin) Caguioa that were clearly unfair and unjust,” he added. Among several PET rulings — which the former senator claimed were unfair include the tribunal’s order asking him P36 million out of his P66.2 million protest fee on April 14, 2017 — fell on Good Friday when most banks were closed for the Holy Week. It can be recalled, however, that PET immediately moved first installment deadline on the next working day, which is on April 17, 2017. Marcos also criticized PET for delaying the deadline of Robredo’s P8 million initial counterprotest fee from the original April 17, 2017 to May 2 of the same year because she “couldn’t pay on PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS. President Rodrigo Duterte shares a light moment with Ambassador-Designate of Malta to the Philippines time.” John Aquilina as the president gives a token after the latter presented his credentials at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, January 9. ‘Too presumptuous’ Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet In a statement, Robredo’s camp chided Marcos for being ation was of great importance to “too presumptuous” in claimthe alliance. And I think we’ve ing that he already won the vice played a very important role in presidency. PAGE A1 t local sports team: crispy tilapia, supporting the Armed Forces of “It was too presumptuous for u PAGE A4 whole new level,” Kim said when buko pandan, and basketball the Philippines (AFP),” he told asked about what he envisions teams Ateneo and La Salle. GMA News’ News To Go. for the new year. As to what would be his advice Kim also announced that the Born in Seoul, South Korea, to his 20-year-old self, Kim said U.S. government has allocated Kim arrived in the country in De- cited: “Be true to yourself, be an additional $6 million on top cember 2016 to replace Philip willing to try different things and of the $20 million earlier pledged Goldberg as the new U.S. ambas- of course work hard.” for the rehabilitation efforts in sador to the Philippines. In a separate television inter- war-torn Marawi City. In the video, Kim described his view on Tuesday, January 9, Kim “I am happy to announce today one-year stay in the Philippines said that for the year 2017, the that we are allocating $6 million as “wonderful.” Adding that U.S.-PH alliance mainly focused to help the most vulnerable poptraveling around the country has on the Marawi City crisis. In May ulation in Marawi. We’re talking been among his favorite experi- last year, Islamic State (IS)-in- about young children [and the] ence so far, Kim said revealed spired Maute terrorists occupied elderly,” the envoy said. that he had never been to Pala- the city, sparking an armed con“We’re coming up with some wan and wanted to see the place flict that lasted for five months. programs that are really focused for himself. “As you know, I passed my first on their needs, such as vocationThe U.S. envoy also answered year mark just recently… and in al training, and other educationlight questions about his favorite terms of what we’ve focused on, al-related programs,” he added. Filipino food, desserts, and even I think obviously the Marawi situ- (Dana Sioson/AJPress)

Amb. Kim: US-PH ties to reach...

Supreme Court to hold oral arguments... then extended by Congress until December 31 of this year. Last month, Congress extended Petitioners, however, argued anew Duterte’s martial law procla- that there is no current actual remation and suspension of the writ bellion in Mindanao. of habeas corpus in Mindanao “Threats of violence and terroruntil December 31, 2018 for the ism by remnants of vanquished “total eradication” of Islamic State terrorist groups do not constitute (IS)-inspired terrorists and com- a constitutional basis for extenmunists rebels in the area. sion of martial law because ‘imDuterte first placed Mindanao minent danger’ has been deleted under military rule following the as a ground for imposing martial attack of Maute rebels in Marawi law under the 1987 ConstituCity on May 23. The president’s tion,” the opposition bloc’s peti60-day proclamation was initially tion read. set to expire last July 22 but was They also expressed fear that

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that a second extension it may lead to “extensions in perpetuity.” NUPL Chairman Neri Colmenares, on the other hand, further pointed out that the “government is functioning in Davao City and the entire country.” “This is a violation of the Constitution which only allows the imposition of martial law when there is actual rebellion and when the operations of civilian government are substantially impaired that public safety should be preserved,” Colmenares said. n

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 12-18, 2018

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2 Americans arrive to conduct third-party probe of Davao mall fire by Frinston Lim, Judy

Quiros Inquirer.net

TWO Americans hired by the management of NCCC Mall have arrived in Davao City for the conduct of an independent investigation into the Dec. 23 fire that killed 38 people. Senior Supt. Jerry Candido, the spokesman of the Interagency Anti-Arson Task Force (IAATF), said the two American investigators from Washington, DC, had paid him a courtesy call and informed him of their interest to coordinate with local fire authorities during their probe. “They are hired by the NCCC as third-party investigators, so we assigned someone to assist them,” Candido told reporters here on Tuesday, January 9. He said the NCCC management had wanted a third-party probe of the incident. Candido said the American fire investigators could start their work as soon as possible. Earlier, Candido said the IAATF had found several violations on the part of NCCC Mall and Survey Sampling International (SSI), which had contributed to the tragedy. These included compliance with safety rules on fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire exits. The NCCC management denied it had committed violations, maintaining that the fourstorey mall in Barangay Ma-a had been certified as fire safety compliant. “We wish to stress though that

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the mall had passed through all the needed safety examinations and was certified by authorities as being safe to operate and serve the public,” Thea Padua, NCCC spokesperson, said in a statement. “This stringent certification process included passing requirements for the adequate provision of such public safety systems as fire alarms and sprinklers, fre exits and emergency procedures including fire drills,” she added. Candido said they were looking at the fire safety compliance documents issued to the mall and SSI. Criminal indictments over the tragedy could include retired local fire officials, he added. But he clarified that they had not established as of yet who should be held liable for the fire that also cost P1.6 billion in property damage. “We are giving ourselves two weeks [to wrap up the investigation],” Candido told the Inquirer by phone on Monday, January 8. But he said the timetable could be shortened if documents and other pieces of evidence that they had been gathering would be sufficient to determine liabilities and for the filing of criminal charges against those found to be responsible for the tragedy. As this developed, the asso-

Filipina reportedly trafficked... PAGE A1 t the Velonzas’ two children and perform other domestic duties. Additionally, the Velonzas also forced Bergado to work for Etta’s International Cosmetics, a business run by Nelle-Ann Velonza which specializes in skin and facial bleaching. According to the complaint, Bergado was responsible for preparing the products sold by Etta’s; she was reportedly even instructed by Mrs. Velonza to purchase other brands of similar skin products and replace the label with an Etta’s label to appear that it was manufactured by her company. Notably, Mrs. Velonza also used Bergado as a “guinea pig” to test the skincare products — most of which were created by mixing household cleaning products like detergent and hydrogen peroxide — they were selling. As a result, Bergado suffered from painful, irritated skin burns, the complaint said. Throughout her captivity under the Velonzas, Bergado was verbally assaulted and harshly mistreated, according to the complaint. They often made her work seven days a week and was not allowed days off, even if she was sick. They also forbade her from speaking to her daughters, even confiscating her cell phone in July 2014. The strict rules in place — that further isolated Bargado — prohibited her from speaking to people outside of the home; and, she was often not allowed to leave the apartment by herself. Additionally, the Velonzas had a video monitoring system that made sure she didn’t leave the house when they were gone. Although they had promised Bergado a well-paying job once they got to California, she was paid about $200 for her first three months; afterwards, they didn’t pay her at all. After a particularly heated argument with Mrs. Velonza, which left Bergado “very frightened,” she sought help from a friend on Facebook, who reported Bergado’s story to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. On Jan. 12, 2017, Bergado was rescued by the Los Angeles Police Department, who recommended various health and legal providers to help her with her transition after the three years she spent in forced servitude. Still suffering from residual emotional and physical trauma, she is now suing the Velonzas — along with Mrs. Velonza’s brother Nelson Orqueza and sister Josephine Cadaoas who knew about Bergado’s captivity but didn’t help her — for monetary compensation for years of unpaid wages as well as the intense trauma she endured. Like many individuals seeking work in in the U.S., once she knew her situation was definitely not what she was promised, she wanted a way out. But due to threats and coercion by the Velonzas, Bergado didn’t see a way out. “I think that’s common with a lot of people who are in human trafficking situations that they recognize they’re being mistreated and they do want to leave but because of the fear and coercion and inundation that traffickers

often use, they are often unable to do so, even if they desperately want to,” Christopher Lapinig, Skadden Fellow in the Impact Litigation Unit at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, shared with the Asian Journal. Advancing Justice - LA, along with law firm Jenner & Block LLP, filed the lawsuit on behalf of Bergado last December. Per federal law, human trafficking includes “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of subjecting that person to involuntary servitude, forced labor, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery,” according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline website. While human trafficking is popularly discussed in the context of sex trafficking, it is a wide-ranging concept that includes a myriad of industries, noted Lapinig, who works closely with Filipinos who are survivors of trafficking. “There are certain industries and certain types of work where [human trafficking] is really common, and it can happen in any industry or any type of job that is not sex-related. It’s a pretty expansive category,” he said. Moreover, those who are trafficked into domestic servitude — many of whom come from overseas, like Bergado — aren’t fully aware of the laws in place that protect them from the types of abuse and negligence they may endure under their captors, Lapinig said. “The nature of domestic work makes it easier for traffickers to keep the trafficking victim hidden away and isolated throughout society and isolated from information about what our person’s rights are and the status of the law,” he noted. “So, that isolation as the nature of being a domestic worker makes people working as domestic worker much more vulnerable to the types of coercion that traffickers often use to keep their victims in place.” Protections against human trafficking In recent years, U.S. federal law has doubled down on its approach to eradicate human trafficking of all kinds. Passed in 2000, Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) was the first comprehensive federal law to tackle human trafficking in the U.S. The law includes prevention, protection and prosecution. He also noted that there’s a special visa available for those who have survived from trafficking called the T-Visa that allows undocumented victims of trafficking to bring over any spouses and unmarried children from their homelands; if eligible, this visa could get them a green card and a guaranteed pathway to citizenship. But survivors are encouraged to report their stories immediately and seek legal help. In some cases, trafficking victims only approach law enforcement or seek legal counsel years after; by then, some evidence may not be available to bring together a case. “If we want to end human trafficking, I believe it is important for us to hold traffickers accountable, whether through criminal

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ciation of business process outsourcing companies in the city said it would evaluate emergency procedures in all BPO work places in the wake of the tragedy. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Davao President Samuel Matunog said the evaluation would be based on the result of the IAATF investigation. “When the result of the investigation is known, we will call the association (into a meeting), we will gather together, sit down and review our emergency procedures,” Matunog said. Currently, BPOs here implement three levels of warning in cases of emergency. Level 1 means operations will be restored in two to four hours. Level 2 means operations will be restored within eight hours. Level 3 means operations will only be restored after eight hours. Matunog said ICT-Davao would also make an appeal to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to reconsider its order suspending operations of SSI in Davao. “Our appeal to PEZA is to look at it [suspension[ again,” Matunog said. “We have the obligation to take care of the remaining workers. The remaining 480 workers could still earn about P900 million income [for SSI] and P97 million in compensation per year. That’s substantial if totally lost.” He said ICT-Davao was planning to help SSI rebound in an alternative location. n

SEIZED. A drug-sniffing dog checks smuggled rice found on a cargo ship intercepted off Zamboanga Sibugay. At least 18 crewmembers were arrested for failing to present any document. The PCG escorted the cargo ship to the Zamboanga port for further investigation. Philstar.com photo

Opportunities for stronger US-PH alliance... PAGE A1 t “The U.S.-Philippines alliance will be significantly influenced by Washington’s security interests and priorities in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Vicedo in his commentary published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ (CSIS), a bipartisan and nonprofit policy research organization. Trump used the Indo-Pacific term during his 2017 Asia tour in reference to countries spanning from China down to Australia, including the Philippines which

the NSS called one of the U.S.’ important allies in Southeast Asia, along with Thailand. Vicedo cited three of the strategy’s regional security issues as having the possibility of developing security engagements between the U.S. and its allies. The plan asserts that China’s building of artificial islands and military facilities in the South China Sea “endanger the free flow of trade, threaten the sovereignty of other nations, and undermine regional stability.” China and the Philippines

have long argued over the South China Sea. Most recently, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines intends to hold a diplomatic protest against China for breaking its promise to not militarize artificial islands in the area, as reported by Reuters. The plan also calls out North Korea’s recent nuclear provocations in saying that Pyongyang is “rapidly accelerating its cyber, nuclear, and ballistic missile programs,” and warns that “jihad-

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US provides additional P330-M aid for Marawi by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

TURNOVER CEREMONY. Newly appointed Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman and former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Officer-in-Charge Secretary Catalino Cuy (right) takes a farewell look at the DILG official seal (center) as he turns over the flag of leadership to incoming DILG OIC Secretary Eduardo Año during the ceremonial turnover held at the DILG-National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Center in Quezon City on Tuesday, January 9. Cuy served as OIC for 9 months, but held the DILG undersecretary post for 18 months prior to his appointment. PNA photo by Ben Briones

Marcos on not running for Senate in 2019... PAGE A2 t Mr. Ferdinand Marcos (Jr.) to claim that he already ‘won the vice presidency’ or he is just dreaming,” said lawyer Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s lead counsel. “Mr. Marcos is merely trying to preempt the coming results of the recount of ballots where his ridiculous and frivolous claim of

massive election cheating will be proven false and a mere imagined victory, which is the usual reaction of an election loser who cannot accept defeat in good grace,” Macalintal added. Robredo’s camp also stressed that she was already proclaimed winner by Congress, further noting that “no one has ever won in a recount of automated ballots” based on past recount of bal-

lots. “For the results of the recount will just tally with the results generated by the vote counting machines from the automated election system, which Marcos himself admitted to be credible and for which his first cause of action questioning the system was dismissed by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET),” Macalintal said. n

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FOLLOWING its initial P730 million assistance for the rehabilitation of Marawi City, the U.S. government has announced an additional P330 million fund for the war-torn city. Through the U.S. Agency for International Development or USAID, Washington now has a total of over P1 billion worth of contribution to the recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas. “This new funding will support some of the most vulnerable populations affected by the conflict,” U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim said. The additional funding would provide opportunities for the youth of Marawi to enhance their livelihood skills and assist strengthen vulnerable popula-

tions within their communities. “The United States is deeply committed to supporting our friend and ally in long-term recovery efforts to ensure a brighter and more peaceful future for the people of Mindanao,” Kim added. The initial assistance of USAID involves restoring water access and distributing desks for schools in affected areas. The U.S. agency has also been providing health clinics in Marawi and surrounding areas to counter tuberculosis and support maternal, newborn and child health needs. The USAID will continue to provide public services, such as water and electricity. Part of the assistance also includes working with communities to promote community dialogue and

Federal judge rules... PAGE A1 t ty interests without due process of law.” The breakthrough ruling comes after major moves have been made on Capitol Hill on Sunday, January 7, where a bipartisan pair of Congress members unveiled a bill that would provide a legislative solution for DACA — the program was temporary and only valid for two years with an option to renew. The bill introduced by Reps. Will Hurd (R-Texas) and Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) would offer eligible DREAMers the ability to apply for a green card and — after years of conditional residency — a pathway to citizenship, given they meet the requirements, including a background check and proof of work, education and/or military service. On Tuesday, Trump pledged his support for a “clean DACA bill” provided it included strengthening the U.S.-Mexico border — in other words, his controversial, long-awaited border wall. “You folks are going to have to come up with a solution,” Trump told 25 lawmakers in a negotiation at the White House on Tuesday. “A clean DACA bill to me is to take care of the 800,000 people. We take care of that, and we also take care of security. And then we can go to comprehensive [immigration reform] later on.” At a meeting at Camp David on Saturday, January 6, Trump said, “We all want DACA to happen, but we also want great security for our country.” Alsup’s ruling was welcomed as a triumph for DACA advocates who condemned the president’s termination of the program, including many Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said that the ruling was “further evidence that the Trump Administration’s decision to pull the rug out from under these young

people by ending DACA was not only immoral, but illegal.” U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (DCalif.), a longtime immigrant rights advocate, praised the federal court’s ruling but urged the passage of the Dream Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth. “A California judge rightfully recognized that Trump was ‘arbitrary’ and ‘capricious’ in terminating DACA. There was no reason for Trump to end the program other than to sow mayhem in immigrant communities across the country,” Gomez said in a statement released on Wednesday, January 10. “But this ruling does not provide DREAMers with the certainty they need. DREAMers deserve peace of mind, not the sickening instability that Trump has purposely inflicted. With Trump already hinting at an appeal, we need to keep the pressure up — and pass the Dream Act now.” Current DACA recipients will be able to renew enrollment When the Trump administration announced it was terminating DACA, it noted that it was no longer accepting new applications as of September 5, 2017, and recipients whose permits expired after March 5, 2018, were not permitted to apply for renewal. Moreover, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had set a deadline, October 5, 2017, for anyone whose work permit was going to expire after March 5 — due to U.S. Postal Service delays, roughly 22,000 DACA recipients missed this deadline, which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services deemed “narrow.” Though the ruling doesn’t allow people who applied for DACA before the administration stopped accepting applications on September 5, current DACA recipients are able to renew their

Filipina reportedly trafficked... PAGE A3 t prosecutions or lawsuits that result in monetary damages,” Lapinig said. “But it’s hard to do that unless survivors of trafficking realize that they are survivors of trafficking and to seek legal help as soon as they escape.” The Bergado case parallels a story in The Atlantic, “My Family’s Slave,” by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Alex Tizon. Tizon, who passed away in March 2017, wrote an emotional first-hand account of how his family had kept a slave, Eudocia Tomas Pulido, for more than 50 years. Though Tizon and his siblings adored Pulido (whom they affectionately called “Lola”), he shared how his parents unremorsefully abused Pulido, didn’t pay her and forbade her from seeing her family back in the Philippines.

“I had enough interior dialogue going on. I was no better than my parents. I could have done more to free Lola. To make her life better. Why didn’t I?” Tizon wrote. “I could have turned in my parents, I suppose. It would have blown up my family in an instant.” That story, which went viral, raised questions on the issue of modern slavery and domestic servitude, specifically. According to the September 2017 report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), there are an estimated 40 million victims of modern slavery; of those 40 million, about 25 million are engaged in forced labor while around 15 million are coerced into arranged marriages. While forced labor — which usually entails abuse of many forms, underpayment or lack of

improve health and education systems, according to a release from the U.S. Embassy. “To help fortify the area’s longer-term stabilization and rehabilitation, USAID will offer skills training and psychosocial counseling for youth, and promote community alternatives to violent extremism,” the U.S. Embassy said. During his visit to Manila last November, U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated President Rodrigo Duterte on the liberation of Marawi from ISISinspired terror groups. In their meeting, the Philippine leader expressed gratitude to his American counterpart for the more than $1 billion foreign assistance that the U.S. had provided to the Philippines for the past eight years. n enrollment. However, the government could still prevent DACA recipients from returning to the U.S. if they leave the country. It remains to be seen how this affects legislation, but Alsup’s order puts a strain on the Trump administration, which is likely headed for a major legal battle, not unlike the intense back and forth between the courts and the Trump administration regarding the travel bans last year. Economic impact of DACA In five years, the program has more than 800,000 enrollees, many of whom reported back greater career and education opportunities that were otherwise inaccessible. The termination of DACA in September orchestrated an outcry from immigrant rights activists as well as economic experts who emphasized the program’s positive economic impact, and the newfound permittance to work has opened up economic opportunities for the country as well as the beneficiaries and their families. An August 2017 study by the Center for American Progress (CAP) found that 91.4 percent of DACA recipients were currently employed whereas, before DACA, 56 percent were not able to work. “So when I think about the data and what it all points to, it makes clear that DACA works, that DACA not only improves the lives of individual recipients and their families, but positively affects the American economy and society,” Tom Wong, associate professor of political science at UC San Diego, said in a press call on Thursday, September 7. The libertarian-leaning Cato Institution reported in January 2017 that terminating DACA — which would mean deporting those enrolled — would cost the federal government $60 billion and diminish economic growth by $280 billion over the next 10 years. n payment and overworking — is illegal in the United States, many victims who are immigrants are unaware of the laws that uphold their rights as workers. Lapinig emphasized the importance of being aware of the labor laws in the country in which a worker is placed so as to recognize signs of human trafficking in their place of work. “My hope is that more victims of human trafficking get the message of what trafficking is so they can self-identify themselves as survivors of human trafficking and seek out whatever legal or social services that will help them rebuild their lives,” Lapinig said. If you or someone you know may be a victim of trafficking, visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline,www.humantraffickinghotline.org or call 1-888373-7888 to learn more. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Opportunities for stronger US-PH alliance... PAGE A3 t ist terrorists are likely to return to their home countries” to plan attacks against the U.S. and its allies. Vicedo pointed to the NSS’ priority political, economic, and military/security actions, which he said “presupposes a U.S. security commitment to allies and partners.” In detailing efforts within the Indo-Pacific region, the priorities of the NSS include working with allies to achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, encouraging free and open seaways, strengthening military relations, and addressing growing terrorist threats with Southeast Asian partners through law enforcement, defense, and intelligence cooperation improvements. “As a result, while Trump’s NSS reiterates transactional principles of economic reciprocity and burden-sharing in confronting common threats, the possibility of a diminishing U.S. security commitment to the Philippines seems unlikely, “ Vicedo reckoned.

The security strategy presents new opportunities to strengthen the U.S. and Philippine alliance, first through its promotion of increased cooperation between the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India — all of which the Philippines has defense and security ties with. “Indeed, linking U.S. allies and partners may provide a strategic advantage for the U.S.-Philippines alliances in addressing future traditional and nontraditional security concerns such as a more assertive China in the South China Sea or a major terrorist attack similar to the Marawi Siege,” said Vicedo. This, along with the NSS’ urge for allies to modernize and improve military operations, give a stronger case for alliance opportunities, he added. Vicedo made reference to the future formation of the Philippine’s Government Arsenal Defense Industry Estate, which will act as an economic zone for local and foreign investors seeking to work with manufacturers in supplying the country’s military

needs. The plan also looks to give companies incentives for investing in developing countries. With Philippine-U.S. relations dating back to the late 19th century, the leaders of the two countries seemed to hit it off last year despite a number of rocky moments. Following Duterte and Trump’s first ever bilateral meeting in November 2017 on the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian National Summit, Trump said they had a “great relationship” and that he “really enjoyed” being in the Philippines.. The two leaders released a joint statement following the bilateral meeting, as did the U.S. and Philippine Senior Defense and Foreign Affair Officials at the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue 2017. “The complementarity and opportunities offered by President Trump’s National Security Strategy may re-energize security engagements between the two countries,” Vicedo concluded. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

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Grace Poe leads 2019 Senate survey; Sara Duterte in Magic 12 by JANVIC

MATEO Philstar.com

MANILA — Re-electionist and returning senators have led a recent pre-election survey that also placed presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio in the so-called Magic 12 in the next senatorial poll. Re-electionist Senators Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Aquilino Pimentel III and Nancy Binay topped the survey reportedly conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) from Dec. 8 to 11. Duterte-Carpio ranked ninth, after former senator and Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, re-electionist Juan Edgardo Angara, and former senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Completing the Top 12 were former senator Lito Lapid, reelectionist JV Ejercito and broadcaster Erwin Tulfo. The survey results, which were not released on the SWS website, were published online by radio dzRH. SWS neither confirmed nor denied the existence of the survey when The STAR called the pollster’s office to verify. This may indicate that the survey was commissioned or paid for by an individual or group. Based on the results, Poe – also the frontrunner in the 2010 senatorial elections – obtained 64 percent of the votes of survey respondents. She was followed by Villar with 42 percent, Pimentel with 38 percent, Binay with 37 percent, Cayetano with 35 percent and Angara with 33 percent.

Sen. Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte

Estrada and Marcos tied at 7th to 8th spot with 28 percent, followed by Duterte-Carpio with 27 percent. Completing the Magic 12 are Lapid, Ejercito and Tulfo, who all got 26 percent. Meanwhile, trailing in the survey were former senator Manuel Roxas II (13th place, 25 percent), re-electionist Benigno Aquino IV (14th, 24 percent), former senator Serge Osmeña (15th, 20 percent) and Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa (16th, 19 percent). Rounding up the Top 20 were former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. (17th, 18 percent), outgoing Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista (18th to 19th, 16 percent), former senator Teofisto Guingona III (18th to 19th, 16 percent) and former Manila vice mayor Isko Moreno (20th, 15 percent). Other survey details, including the number of respondents and the actual survey question, were not immediately available. Duterte-Carpio warned the political foes of President Duterte

Inquirer.net photos

not to bother her about political plans, especially on her allegedly running for a Senate seat in the 2019 polls. The mayor’s name already came out in senatorial race surveys as early as in the 2010 elections. “President Duterte’s enemies should not annoy me, then my slot should become available to all the yellows,” the presidential daughter said. But Sara was also quick to point out that should her father’s political foes persist on bothering her, then she might just decide to run for a Senate post. Malacañang was mum on the inclusion of Mayor Duterte in the list of possible top contenders for the 2019 senatorial race. “I read a news from a news magazine online. But I have not seen the survey myself,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing in Davao City. “(I have) no comment. And I think, Mayor Duterte has her own spokesperson in City Hall,” he added. ■

PREVIEW. Thousands of devotees clog Quezon Blvd. in Quiapo, Manila during the procession held on Sunday, January 7, where hundreds of Nazarene images and replicas of the Black Nazarene were paraded. The scene will be repeated on Tuesday during the Traslacion but this time, several millions of Black Nazarene devotees will be participating. ManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian

Most Filipinos rate Duterte as better president compared to Aquino percent said the two leaders had the same performance. Duterte’s approval rating was MAJORITY of Filipinos believe the highest in Mindanao at 86 that Philippine President Rodrigo percent, followed by in Metro Duterte is “better” than former Manila at 73 percent, in Visayas President Benigno “Noynoy” at 64 percent, and in balance Aquino III, according to a Social Luzon at 63 percent. Aquino, on Weather Station (SWS) survey as the other hand, got the highest reported by radio network DZBB approval in Metro Manila at 10 on Monday, January 8. percent. As stated in the report, 70 In the survey, respondents percent of Filipinos said that were asked the question: “Kung Duterte has performed better ikukumpara ang pag-ganap ni than his predecessor, while 8 Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa percent said Aquino was better kanyang tungkulin mula Hulyo than Duterte. The remaining 22 2016 sa pagkaganap ni dating

by AJPRESS

Senate, House leaders agree to convene into con-ass by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

BOTH Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez agreed to have the two chambers convene into a constitutional-assembly (con-ass) to discuss the revision of the 1987 Constitution and proposed shift to a federal form of the government. The two leaders, however, have different timetables on present-

ing a new charter to the people in a nationwide plebiscite—with Pimentel wanting a plebiscite in 2019 while Alvarez preferring it to be held this May. In an interview on Monday, January 8, Pimentel disclosed that he will be filing a resolution this week calling for the Senate and the House of Representatives to sit as a con-ass. “It’s a resolution calling for the Senate to sit together with the House of Representatives as

a constituent assembly for the purpose of revising the 1987 Constitution, specifically to study the adoption of a federal system of government,” the Senate president said. Pimentel, who is also the president of the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) party which advocates federalism, said the resolution will be filed before the Senate resumes its session on January 15.

Asked if his resolution would include a term extension and holdover capacity, Pimentel answered in dissent as he pointed out that public would most likely reject it. Pimentel also said he expects the Senate and the House to come up with a draft charter by the end of 2018, with the plebiscite to be held at the same time as the 2019 elections. “[The draft proposal should be done] in less than a year so that by January 2019, what is being delib-

erated and being explained to the public is the final draft, which will be subject to a plebiscite [in May 2019],” he said. The Senate president further reiterated that the 2019 midterm elections will proceed as stated in the current 1987 Constitution. “Hangga’t hindi magbago yan, lahat ng scheduled elections in the 1987 Constitution must be held, pero pag magbago yan, there is a new Constitution, yung schedule ng new Constitution ang masusunod (Unless the 1987 Constitution is revised, sched-

pangulong Aquino mula Hulyo 2010 hanggang Hulyo 2016, masasabi n’yo ba na PRRD is better, the same, PNoy is better (Comparing the performance of President Rodrigo Duterte from July 2016 to former President Aquino’s from July 2010 to July 2016, would you say PRRD is better, the same, [or] PNoy is better)?” The report also found that 69 percent of Filipinos believe that Duterte’s actions are appropriate for his position as president, while 18 percent of those PAGE A7 uled elections will proceed. But if amended, we’ll follow the schedule under the new Constitution),” Pimentel added. Last week, Alvarez cited the possible cancellation of the 2019 midterm elections as part of the anticipated transition to a federal system. Noting that the senators have different term expirations, the House speaker remarked that it is only practical to extend their terms of senators who were elected in 2013 until 2022 for a transitory period. ■

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JANUARY 12-18, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

A new battle for DILG chief

FEATURES

AS promised, President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed former Armed Forces chief Eduardo Año as head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). He will serve as officer-in-charge, raising criticism that it goes around the law barring the appointment of military officers from being named to a civilian post within a year after retiring from the service. This practice cannot be institutionalized. This issue aside, the appointment has raised expectations that Año can have a positive impact on the DILG, after he led the military in ending the Marawi siege and neutralizing top Maute terrorists. Año replaces Catalino Cuy, who also served as OIC in the department after Ismael Sueno was sacked as DILG secretary on allegations of corruption. The DILG has supervision over the Philippine National Police, which has rejoined the war on drugs that is now led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, as provided by law. In accepting his new post, Año is reportedly giving priority to the fight against illegal drugs as well as corruption in the agencies now under his jurisdiction. In battling the Mautes in Marawi, the military under Año managed to make martial law in Mind-

anao generally acceptable to the nation. This was no simple feat, considering the nation’s unfortunate experience with martial law. Año might yet achieve the same feat in the PNP’s operations against illegal drugs. Fighting corruption involves plugging opportunities for graft. Red tape is deliberately designed into systems and processes to encourage the payment of grease money. Año must review how red tape can be cut not only in the PNP and his department but also in local government units. With full support from President Duterte, he should be able to work with the elected politicians who head the LGUs in cutting red tape and curbing corruption. These are all formidable challenges, but perhaps the man who led government forces in retaking Marawi can make a difference. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS OPRAH WINFREY delivered a powerful, empowering and inspiring speech after she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award during the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 7. It is an honorary Golden Globe Award bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.” Since the first time this award was given in 1952, it is only this year when this recognition was bestowed upon a black woman — and that is Oprah. In her speech, Oprah talked about what inspired her to be the woman she is now — amid poverty, racism, prejudice, abuses of people in power. “THEIR TIME IS UP!”… “A new

Breakthrough ELFREN S. CRUZ SENATORIAL elections have always been a major topic of discussion and speculation. This year, the candidates for the 2019 senatorial elections will be finalized. There are already surveys on the most probable winners and speculation on who will be running. One of the reasons that there is so much interest in senatorial elections is the perception that the Senate is a major route to the Presidency. But is this really true? In the post Marcos martial law regime, there have been six democratically elected presidents. Three did not serve in the Senate — Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Rodrigo Duterte. Three served in the Senate — Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo, Noynoy Aquino. However, two of them — Estrada and Arroyo — became president right after winning the vice presidency. Only Noynoy Aquino went directly from the Senate to the presidency. It is true that being a senator gives a political personality national exposure. But it would seem that being a senator is not enough credentials for a person to win the presidency in the modern political era. The shift toward federalism will also be a major development in the Philippine political environment. The election of state or regional governors will provide another route to the presidency. We can learn lessons from the

Philstar.com photo

Oprah for president in 2020? Not too fast! day is on the horizon,” Oprah said so empathically that made a lot of viewers tear up, this writer included, thinking this is the kind of speech we want our children and grandchildren to hear. As Oprah was delivering her speech, people were already making social media burn with their “Oprah for President 2020” posts and this has continued to be the hot topic even in homes, schools, offices, television and radio talk shows and newscasts, even after the Golden Globe Awards’ lights went off. President Donald Trump even chimed in, saying he likes Oprah a lot, but does not think she will run. However, in the event she does, Trump said he will beat her. But not too fast. I myself love Oprah a lot. She has a very colorful and compelling life narrative that speaks volume about this woman’s

strength, grit, determination, focus, intelligence, hard work, empathy, compassion, and love for humanity. Her success story from her humble beginnings to being the successful media mogul she is now has inspired a lot of people. We have seen her rise higher and higher, witnessed her personal struggles on her way up, and felt she is just like every one of us. Throughout her work on television, she has lifted the lives of millions of people who have watched and listened to her, and her Golden Globe speech was to me, her most shining moment that cast light to so many people during these challenging years in our nation’s history. BUT beyond her powerful words and inspiring life, we have yet to know more about Oprah Winfrey before we could make the informed decision if she would be a good president,

commander-in-chief of this nation. I am not saying she is NOT qualified. I think she passes the “content of character” test, but what about other leadership and knowledge and vision requirements of a good president? How much does she know about governing, history, current events, international relations? What is her vision for America? What will be her platform to address domestic issues and financial challenges? How will her foreign policies look like? I really want to know. In the meantime, let us digest and fully assimilate all the great things she spoke about in her speech. My favorite parts: “I want to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. We know the press is under siege these days. We also know it’s the insatiable dedication to uncovering the absolute truth that keeps us

from turning a blind eye to corruption and to injustice. To—to tyrants and victims, and secrets and lies. I want to say that I value the press more than ever before as we try to navigate these complicated times, which brings me to this: what I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have. And I’m especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories. Each of us in this room are celebrated because of the stories that we tell, and this year we became the story.” “In my career, what I’ve always tried my best to do, whether on television or through film, is to say something about how men and women really behave. To say how we experience shame, how we love and how we rage, how we fail, how we retreat, persevere, and how we

overcome. I’ve interviewed and portrayed people who’ve withstood some of the ugliest things life can throw at you, but the one quality all of them seem to share is an ability to maintain hope for a brighter morning, even during our darkest nights. So I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say ‘Me too’ again.” *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

PH Senate elections American political system which is presidential and federal. In the post Eisenhower period, there have been nine American presidents. Three of them served in the U.S. Senate — John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson. Richard Nixon. Four of them became president after becoming state governors — Jimmy Carter of Georgia, Ronald Reagan of California, Bill Clinton of Arkansas and George Bush Jr. of Texas. George Bush Sr. ran for the Senate and lost. He became Reagan’s vice-president and won the presidency after Reagan. Donald Trump is the political outlier who became president without holding any previous elective or appointive government office. In the history of the Philippine Senate, none of the Senators I most admire and respect ever became presidents. My personal list includes Claro M. Recto, Lorenzo Tañada, Jose W. Diokno, Raul Manglapus, Ninoy Aquino, Joker Arroyo and Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. I always thought they would have become great presidents. But the fact that they never became presidents has not diminished their influence on Philippine history. In fact, they have had more impact on our country than most of our previous presidents. Fifty years from now, I wonder how many of the senators today will still be remembered as having contributed to their country’s progress. Perhaps now is a good time to look back at the members of the Philippine Senate 50 years ago and how many have left any lasting legacy. The Senate leadership of the 1954-1957 Senate were Eulogio Rodriguez, Senate President;

Manuel Briones, President Pro Tempore, Cipriano Primicias, Majority Floor Leader. The members of the Third Congress were elected in 1953 and 1955. The list includes the following names: Democrito Alonzo, Tomas Cabili, Manuel Cuenco, Francisco Delgado, Ruperto Kangleon, Jose Laurel Sr., Oscar Ledesma, Jose Locsin, Fernando Lopez, Alejo Mabanag, Pacital Madrigal Gonzalez, Enrique Magalona, Quintin Paredes, Emmanuel Pelaez, Macario Peralta, Gil Puyat, Claro Recto, Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Decoroso Rosales, Pedro Sabido, Lorenzo Sumulong, Lorenzo Tanada, Jose Zulueta. Perhaps our senators will stop focusing on becoming the next president and realize that they can use their position to leave a lasting legacy equal justice and equal opportunity for all Filipinos. 2018 overview For those interested in international geopolitics, Stratfor is a good site for quick assessments and analysis. In their 2018 annual forecast, they identified five major factors to watch this year — North Korea, U.S. Trade Policy, Oil Industry, Iran, and ChinaRussia collaboration. North Korea’s demonstration of a viable nuclear deterrent this year will give rise to a new and more unstable era of containment. The threat of war on the Korean peninsula cannot be ruled out but a preventive strike against North Korea will cost millions of lives and plunge the global economy into a recession or even a depression. The White House will forge ahead with an aggressive agenda that will target China, Mexico,

Infographic courtesy of Social Weather Stations

South Korea and Japan. I personally think that a global trade war is about to begin and countries all over the world will begin to adopt nationalist, protectionist trade and investment policies. The United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia will close ranks against Iran. This means that proxy battles will intensify all over the Middle East. Russia will exploit these mounting tensions to expand its influence in the Middle East at the expense of the United States. Major oil producers hope to stay on track to rebalance the

global oil market. Saudi Arabia and Russia may be able to work together to counteract an expected uptick in U.S. shale oil output. Deepening collaboration between China and Russia will pose a strategic threat to the United States, spurring Washington to try and check the budding partnership by reinforcing its own allies in the Eurasian heartland. The fluidity of alignments among great powers will increasingly define the international system as Moscow and Beijing balance against each other, just as many U.S. allies hedge their relation-

ships with Washington. Amidst all these gloomy predictions we can only look for hope from people like Pope Francis who has constantly been the voice for peace and sanity in this world. I still remember his message last year: “Peace is the only direction of human progress — and not the tensions caused by ambitious nationalisms, nor conquests by violence nor repressions which serve as mainstay for a false civil order.” I wish everyone a Happy and Peaceful New Year. (Philstar. com)

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

TIGHT SECURITY. Dozens of policemen ring the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, also known as Quiapo Church, two days before the Feast of the Black Nazarene, a major religious event that draws millions of devotees and tourists alike. ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

Jinggoy Estrada says he’s still ‘inclined to serve people on a national level’ by Dana

SioSon AJPress

ALTHouGH he did not confirm if he would run for a Senate position in 2019, former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada has dropped some hints that running for a national post is possible. “I haven’t decided yet eh, pero siyempre nandun pa rin ’yung incllination natin to serve our people on a national level (but of course there is still the inclination to serve our people on a national level),” Estrada told reporters in an interview on Monday, January 8. Estrada, who is currently out on bail, is facing plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly misusing and pocketing P183-million priority development assistance (PDAF) funds from 2004 to 2010 when he was still a senator. But should he decide to seek a seat in the Senate or any other government post, Estrada expressed confidence that the current charges against him will barely affect his chances of winning. He then cited the instance when he was still elected as a senator in 2004 despite facing a plunder case alongside his father, former president and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, who was later found guilty in 2007. “If you remember when I first ran in 2004, I still had an outstanding case, a pending case together with my father, a plunder case in 2004, and eventually I was acquitted,” the former senator recalled.

Former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada

He then stressed, “The PDAF case will not affect my run in the Senate, if I decide to run.” For now, Estrada said he plans to “[go] around the country to thank the people for their unwavering support” to him. He also said that he has not yet spoken to his half-brother, current Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito about their political plans for 2019. In a previous television interview, Ejercito said there can only be one Estrada in the Senate in 2019. In survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) from December 8 to 11 last year, both Estrada and Ejercito were included in the Senate’s so-called “Magic 12” or list probable senatorial

Inquirer.net photo

race winners. Estrada tied at 7th to 8th spot with former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.; while Ejercito also tied at the 10th to 12th spot with returning Senator Lito Lapid and media personality Erwin Tulfo. Topping the pre-election survey for the 2019 Senate race was Senator Grace Poe. She was followed by Senators Cynthia Villar, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Nancy Binay. Meanwhile, former Senator Pia Cayetano landed on the 5th spot, while re-electionist Edgardo “Sonny” Angara Jr. was 6th. Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio also made it on the list, ranking 9th. n

Most Filipinos rate Duterte... PAGE A5 surveyed said Duterte’s actions were inappropriate. 13 percent were undecided. The SWS poll was reportedly conducted from December 8 to 16 last year. In a comment, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque remarked that the survey result “confirms already what we already know as a fact.” Still most ‘approved, trusted’ In a separate survey conducted by Pulse Asia last month, Duterte remains the most “approved” and most “trusted” among the top five government officials in the Philippines. Based on the poll result, which was released over the weekend, Duterte received an approval rating of 80 percent and trust rating of 82 percent. The figures barely changed from his previous 80

percent approval and 80 percent trust ratings in September last year. In the latest poll, Duterte received the highest approval and trust ratings in Mindanao at 93 percent and 94 percent respectively. The president also enjoyed a majority of approval in Visayas at 86 percent, in Metro Manila at 79 percent, and in balance Luzon at 72 percent. He likewise got high trust ratings in Visayas at 86 percent, Metro Manila at 79 percent, and balance Luzon at 74 percent. Duterte’s overall approval and trust ratings were also higher than of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo’s approval rating of 59 percent and a trust rating of 58 percent. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, on the other

hand, got 57 percent approval rating and 53 percent trust rating, while House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had an approval rating of 42 and a trust rating of 37 percent. Lauding the Duterte’s high ratings, Roque said the survey result only “showed that our people are aware of and recognizes significant strides the president undertook in his one year and a half in office.” The Palace official also assured that Duterte “will continue to discharge his duties with nation’s interest foremost in his mind.” He also called on the public “to put this appreciation into action by standing as one and helping the government as we continue to address the problem of poverty, illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.”

New Below Market Rate (BMR) Condos for Sale at Stage 1075 in Mid-Market! DŝĚͲDĂƌŬĞƚ ŝƐ ĨĂƐƚ ďĞĐŽŵŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƉĞƌĨĞĐƚ ƵƌďĂŶ ƉĂĐŬĂŐĞͶƉƌĂĐƟĐĂů͕ ĂďƵŶĚĂŶƚ ĂŶĚ ĂůŝǀĞ͘ EŽƚ ƐƵƌƉƌŝƐŝŶŐůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂƌĞĂ ďŽĂƐƚƐ Ă tĂůŬ ^ĐŽƌĞ ŽĨ ϵϵ͕ Ă ŝŬĞ ^ĐŽƌĞ ŽĨ ϵϵ ĂŶĚ Ă dƌĂŶƐŝƚ ^ĐŽƌĞ ŽĨ Ă perfect 100! ŵŝdž ŽĨ ϭϭ ƐƚƵĚŝŽƐ͕ ŽŶĞͲďĞĚƌŽŽŵƐ ĂŶĚ ƚǁŽͲďĞĚƌŽŽŵƐ DZ ŽǁŶĞƌƐŚŝƉ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ ϭϬϳϱ DĂƌŬĞƚ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ͘ ΨϮϰϬ͕ϰϵϵ Ͳ Ψϯϭϯ͕ϳϵϯ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ ƚŽ ΨϮϴϵ͕ϯϮϭ Ͳ Ψϯϳϭ͕ϯϳϬ ǁŝƚŚ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ĮƌƐƚͲƟŵĞ ŚŽŵĞďƵLJĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĐĂŶŶŽƚ ĞdžĐĞĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ͗

100% of Median Income KŶĞ ƉĞƌƐŽŶ Ͳ ΨϴϬ͕ϳϬϬ͖ Ϯ ƉĞƌƐŽŶƐ Ͳ ΨϵϮ͕ϮϱϬ͖ ϯ ƉĞƌƐŽŶƐ Ͳ ΨϭϬϯ͕ϳϱϬ͖ ϰ ƉĞƌƐŽŶƐ Ͳ Ψϭϭϱ͕ϯϬϬ ĞƚĐ͘ KƉĞŶ ŚŽƵƐĞ ĚĂƚĞƐ͗ :ĂŶ͘ ϭϬ͕ ϯͲϱƉŵ͖ :ĂŶ͘ Ϯϰ͕ ϰͲϲƉŵ͖ :ĂŶ͘ Ϯϳ͕ ϯͲϱƉŵ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ĚƵĞ ďLJ ϱƉŵ ŽŶ &Ğď͘ ϭϮ͕ ϮϬϭϴ ƚŽ ϭϬϳϱ DĂƌŬĞƚ ^ƚ͕ ^ĂŶ &ƌĂŶĐŝƐĐŽ͕ ϵϰϭϬϯ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ŝŶĨŽΛƐƚĂŐĞϭϬϳϱ ĨŽƌ ĂŶ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͘ Ăůů ϰϭϱ͘ϱϯϯ͘Ϭϰϯϱ Žƌ ĚŽǁŶůŽĂĚ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ Ăƚ ƐƚĂŐĞϭϬϳϱ͘ĐŽŵͬďŵƌ hŶŝƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞ ^ĂŶ &ƌĂŶĐŝƐĐŽ DĂLJŽƌ͛Ɛ KĸĐĞ ŽĨ ,ŽƵƐŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ĂƌĞ ƐƵďũĞĐƚ ƚŽ ŵŽŶŝƚŽƌŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƌĞƐƚƌŝĐƟŽŶƐ͘ sŝƐŝƚ www.sfmohcd.org for program ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͘

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 12-18, 2018

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january 12-18, 2018 • nOrCaL aSIan jOurnaL

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 12-18, 2018

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY OURNAL

Becoming a US citizen despite a not-perfect past IT is no surprise that many people dream of one day becoming a U.S citizen. After all, a person must be a U.S. citizen to vote in elections, file petitions so their parents can immigrate to the U.S., be issued a U.S. passport, etc. Despite the many advantages of U.S. citizenship, it should also come as no surprise that people sometimes do things that make their path to U.S. citizenship more challenging. These mistakes are a part of life. But the question here is: do these mistakes prevent a person from being granted U.S. citizenship? And, thankfully, the answer is: not always. One of the most common ways a person acquires U.S. citizenship is through the process known as naturalization. There are several requirements a person must satisfy for their application to be approved. They include permanent resident status for a prescribed period of time, physical presence in the U.S., and good moral character. Many applications are denied because the applicant lacks the requisite good moral character. The concept of requiring an applicant to possess good moral character for a prescribed period of time prior to submitting their application is one of the more complex requirements of naturalization. Many acts that one might not think of as evidencing bad moral character may nevertheless be considered in making a good moral character determination. The Immigration and Nationality Act lists several specific acts that preclude an applicant from establishing good moral character. These include lying to obtain an immigration benefit, committing certain criminal offenses, the willful failure to pay support for dependents, and engaging in an extramarital affair which tended to destroy an existing marriage. However, the list of prohibited acts is not absolute. Thus, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service may deny an application on good moral character grounds even though their act was not specifically prohibited. Furthermore,

Your Immigration Solution DEVIN M. CONNOLY AND NANCY MILLER acts outside of the required good moral character period can also be considered in determining an applicant’s good moral character. However, as the saying goes – good moral character does not mean perfect moral character. Proof of why those acts do not define the person can help overcome a prior misstep. Regarding prior criminal acts, a disqualifying criminal conviction in the prescribed period of required good moral character will automatically render an individual ineligible for naturalization. However, a disqualifying criminal offense outside of the prescribed period can also cause an application for naturalization to be denied. The government is afforded broad discretion to examine otherwise non-disqualifying criminal convictions outside the prescribed period to determine if the underlying facts warrant a favorable finding of good moral character. Therefore, an analysis of good moral character extends far beyond the prescribed period. These issues may not result in an automatic denial but they must be adequately explained. When applying for naturalization with a criminal history, it is important to determine whether the conviction could not only cause the non-citizen’s application for naturalization to be denied, but also whether it will cause the Department of Homeland Security to attempt to take away their permanent resident status (Green card) and deport them to their native country. The answer to this question depends on various things, including whether the underlying crime is considered a ‘Crime Involving Moral Turpitude’ or an ‘Aggravated Felony,’ the date of the crime and the date on which the person

was issue their green card, etc. This should be carefully analyzed before submitting an application for naturalization. Another issue that is not uncommon is an applicant failing to register with the Selective Service. If you are a male living in the U.S. and between the age of 18 and 25, you are likely required to register with the Selective Service. Failing to register before you turn 26-years-old is often grounds for a denial of an application for naturalization. The applicant must then wait until they turn 31-years-old before they may be granted U.S. citizenship. A final issue worth mentioning is the submission of incorrect or fraudulent tax returns. Claiming ineligible dependents, not reporting all income, or filing under the wrong category could potentially cause an application to be denied. The process of acquiring U.S. citizenship is often far more complex than one might anticipate. It is important to remember, though, that past mistakes are not fatal and that even potential set-backs may ultimately result in U.S. citizenship. As with all requests for immigration-related benefits, one should know the positive and negative ramifications of the request before filing the application. Therefore, when contemplating the possibility of obtaining U.S. citizenship, the application should consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney to determine if it is advisable and how best to succeed. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com website: www.rreeves.com

Will the TRAIN law affect OFW remittances? Here’s what you need to know regarding remittances from overseas Filipino workers affected by the tax reform law

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed both personal and cash remittances rose in the first 10 months of 2017 due to sustained demand for skilled Filipinos abroad. File photo by Philstar

ON Tuesday, December 19, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act into law, which aims to generate revenue to fund a multibillion-dollar infrastructure program that is central to the government’s economic agenda. The TRAIN law is the first package of the administration’s much-awaited Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. It took effect on January 1. The tax reform program will increase take-home pay for most wage earners, compensating for

the projected foregone revenue through higher excise taxes, including documentary stamps tax. The Bureau of Internal Revenue defines DST as “a tax on documents, instruments, loan agreements and papers evidencing the acceptance, assignment, sale or transfer of an obligation, right or property incident thereto.” Higher DST on money transfers to the Philippines Section 57 of the TRAIN law doubled the DST imposed on each P200 (or the Philippine equivalent of such value, if expressed

in foreign currency) worth of transactions involving the transfer of money to the Philippines from 30 centavos to 60 centavos. The TRAIN act’s Section 57 amended Section 181 of the National Internal Revenue Code. But even before this tax rate adjustment was made, the BIR in 2012 issued Revenue Regulations No. 11-2012, which spells out that remittances of all OFWs are exempt from paying DST upon showing “valid proof of entitlement.” Such proofs include Overseas Employment Certificate, valid

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Cybercrime top threat to PH banks in 2018, says BSP by DAXIM

L. LUCAS

Inquirer.net

CYBERSECURITY is one of the biggest threats that the Philippine banking system must confront this year as malicious hackers from here and overseas become more aggressive and attacks become *** The analysis and suggestions offered in more damaging, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas this column do not create a lawyer-client said. To address this, local banks must allocate more relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is resources to boost not only their technical capabilities, but also to ensure that they have the right essential to every case. technical people who can secure internal systems (Advertising Supplement) and reassure clients who are increasingly sensi-

tive about the security of their transactions. “Cybersecurity is a big fear for everyone, BSP

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Community Journal

JANUARY 12-18, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

California Divorce 101

The CTV Files Atty. LiLLi B. BAcuLi NEW Year, new resolutions, new life. For some of you, the New Year is a time for reflection, and to realize that changes are needed to be able to lead and live the life you’ve always wanted to lead. Sometimes, divorce happens. The following seeks to address or clarify some common misconceptions about divorce. “What if my husband/wife does not want to sign the divorce?� or “My husband/wife does not want to sign the divorce papers, what can I do?� California is a no-fault divorce state. A party filing for divorce does not need the consent of the other in order to file a Petition for Dissolution (Divorce) or, in some instances, to get a judgment of divorce. Perhaps the confusion lies in the part where the other party (your soon-to-be ex-spouse) needs to be served with process.

In proceeding in an action for divorce, there are procedural requirements dictated by law that must be followed to ensure that the other party has notice of the action (that is, that s/he is being brought to court for an action of divorce) and that s/he is given time to respond. However, there is no requirement for the other party to respond. There is no requirement that s/he sign any document at all. All that needs to happen is that s/he is properly served with process according to the rules. “What? I have to share my retirement earnings? This is mine, I worked hard for it!!� Generally, all of your assets prior the marriage is just your own separate property. However, California is a community property state and so once you get married, all property acquired during marriage is community property. And if anything out of the community property is used towards separate property, the community might turn out to have a claim on part(s) of separate property. Separate property are “all property acquired before

marriage; all gifts, bequests, devise, or descents. All property acquired or exchanged with traceable separate property; and all property acquired after separation.� “S/he is the one who left our family. I shouldn’t have to pay support.� Again, California is a no-fault divorce state. There is no assignment of blame or fault; fault does not factor in the equation in the issue of support. Some of the factors that the Court will look at to determine whether there is basis for support, and if so, in what amount, are – length of marriage, age of parties, if there are minor children in the marriage, income of both parties. “I’m smart enough to handle my own divorce. Why do I need an attorney?� You don’t need an attorney. There is no requirement that you must have an attorney. However, in cases involving issues such as domestic violence, custody disputes, child support, spousal support, and division of community property assets it would be wise to seek

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Health@Heart PhiLiP S. chuA, Md, FAcS, FPcS NINETEEN years ago, I wrote my article entitled How to Prevent Cancer, a serious topic I also discussed in my book, Let’s Stop “Killing� Our Children (www. philipSchua.com). A review on cancer in the United States in 2014 by the American Cancer Society revealed that almost 50 percent of cancer deaths were related to smoking, unhealthy diet, and bad lifestyle and behaviors. In the U.S., 36.5 million adults smoke, with 16 million living with a smoking-related illness. While smoking has gone down by about 15 percent, obesity has tremendously increased. Forty-five percent of cancer mortality and 42 percent of cancers detected were caused by preventable or modifiable risk factors, not genetics. These cancer-inducing factors include Tobacco, Alcohol, Bad diet, Absence of exercise – (TABA). Actually, obesity (“taba� in the Philippine dialect) is also, in itself, a great risk factor for cancer. Lifestyle is definitely the key to disease prevention, including cancer, heart and metabolic diseases, stroke, and Alzheimer’s. Smoking is responsible for 29 percent of deaths, followed by obesity, 6.5 percent, and alcohol, 4 percent. Secondhand smoke is also a killer, possibly worse. Smoking on top of excess drinking would obviously be more deadly. Here below are data from this study which was published in CA, a cancer Journal for Clinicians: “Smoking accounted for 82 percent of lung cancers. Excess body weight was associated with 60 percent of uterine cancers and about one-third of liver cancers. Alcohol intake was associated with 25 percent of liver cancers in men and 12 percent in women; 17 percent of colorectal cancers in men and 8 percent in women; and 16 percent of breast cancers in women. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight or tanning beds was associated with 96 percent of skin cancers in men and 94 percent in women.� My September 2, 1999 article on cancer and its prevention, reprinted below, is still pertinent, applicable, and relevant today, confirmed by the recent study presented above. What are the causes of cancer? In our previous article column, we defined what cancer was and discussed its etiologies (causes), and other specific issues on cancer. The most striking information we revealed last week was that more than 75 per-

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAgLAyA FOR good or ill, advances in communication technology have reshaped our lives drastically far more than we can imagine a decade or so ago. We email, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Instagram and think nothing of it. We write comments and post photos and videos for our friends, friends of friends or for all the world to see. Posts can go viral, depending on the public’s whim or appetite for cute things or those with shock value. If we don’t watch it, we could be buried in this avalanche of information, sights and sounds available electronically right at our fingertips 24/7. It is an amazing phenomenon defying space and time constraints, the cumulative, social effects of which, we still have to evaluate in hindsight. A few words to the wise: PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Much of cyberbia is uncharted territory. It’s a jungle out there. Corporations who trade in bits and bytes milk the web for information that can advance their corporate goals, that is to say, their profit and loss statements. Scammers of every nationality and persuasion holed out in their rooms or in cyber cafes are out in full force still making fools of the greedy lot who still believe in something for nothing. Identity thieves troll social network sites to get information about birthdays, addresses and

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Is cancer preventable? cent (3 out of 4) of all cancers in humans were caused by only three things: diet, tobacco, and alcohol. Majority of cancers are preventable, and that it is within our power to prevent this deadly malady. The genetic factor could also be positively influenced and changed by a healthy lifestyle to one’s advantage. So, what is the problem? The problem is the lack of discipline on our part. We continue to eat a lot of red meat, a lot of high cholesterol or fatty foods and high carb diet knowing these are bad for our heart and also increase our chances of having cancer of the colon, breast and uterus, etc. Smokers know tobacco cause cancer of the throat, lungs, kidney, urinary bladder, pancreas, among others, and still fume away with gusto. Moderate to heavy alcohol drinkers are aware that ethanol causes not only liver cirrhosis but cancer of the digestive tract, liver and breast, and are not scared to bend their elbow and say “cheers!� unabated. It is no longer the lack of awareness or knowledge that is leading many of us to self-destruct. It is the lack of discipline, inner strength and resolve. When one loves to hold on to something very precious, like life and happiness, one should be ready to make sacrifices. What other natural foods prevent cancer? Fruits and vegetables in general have powerful antioxidants in them that reduce the risk of cancer. Broccoli, beans, oat meal, lettuce, processed tomatoes, bokchoy, strawberry, oranges, papaya, pineapple, kiwi, watermelon, langka, and all the other leafy vegetables and fruits are anti-cancer to a great extent. But unless we eat them daily, they won’t work. Of course, abstinence from animal fats, tobacco and alcohol are essential. And so with avoidance of chemical pollutants, radiation exposure and UV rays from sunlight. Does exercise reduce cancer risk? Yes. Physical exercises does not only control body weight and lower cholesterol but also reduces the risk of cancer. One does not have to jog for half an hour a day to get the benefit. Walking 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes after dinner are vigorous enough to do the job. Brisk walking for those who can tolerate it is even better. Parking away from your destination and getting of the bus or jitney and walking the rest of the way, using stairs for a couple of floors instead of elevators, drinking a tall glass warm water before each meal, and being physically active in general, are most helpful in reducing cancer risk, besides abstinence from red meat and alcohol. How about those “anti-can-

cer pills and juices�? Pills and juices being marketed as anti-cancer are as effective as tap water from your faucet. The manufacturer’s claims have no scientific basis whatsoever. At least drinking tap water is a hundred fold cheaper and has no potential serious complications. Besides, drinking a lot of water is good for your kidneys, unlike those pills and juices, which might cause damages to your kidneys and liver. What is a sound anti-cancer strategy? There are several behavioral and lifestyle changes we can do to lower or prevent cancer, and many of these changes are common sense and practical measures. But, as I stated earlier, first, we must have the discipline, determination and resolve. Then, we must religiously implement our strategy. A safe and sound cancer prevention strategy includes all of the following regimen: (1) abstinence from tobacco (2) eating fish and a high-fiber, low-carb, low fat, diet (with a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole-grain, bran, etc.) instead of red meat; (3) taking multivitamins; (4) doing regular physical exercises for half an hour at least four times a week; (5) avoidance of exposure to too much sunlight, polluted air, agents like asbestos, household chemicals in our home environment or workplace; and, (6) limiting alcohol ingestion to one or two drinks a day, or none at all; (7) Stress management through rest and relaxation with family and friends; and (8) Meditation for inner peace. In short, stay away from carcinogens and live a healthy life-style through selfdiscipline. So, if you are serious about reducing your risk for cancer, do not look for a miracle pill or juice, lotion or potion. Starting today, make some simple changes in your lifestyle as suggested above. You’ll be amazed how this could change your life and those of your loved ones, for the better. Sounds simple and inexpensive? You bet. Try it. You may even live to appreciate the benefits from your sacrifices of today on your 100th birthday. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)

Think before you post (Part 1 of 2)

“Social media should improve your life, NOT become your life!� such relevant information from which they can put together and – Patrick Driessen extrapolate your SSN and assume your identity. That number is a key that can open financial doors for the ill intentioned. Consider yourself warned. So much is already out there in the public records and on Google and Google Maps complete with street views. You can view mugshots of those with arrest records and for a few bucks more, cull out the details. I am guessing that in the future, when it finally dawns on us that OBSCURITY is a blessing and CELEBRITY, a curse, there will be a market for Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloaks to shield us from all this unwanted intrusion into our private lives. We are all vulnerable to determined privacy intruders. Tweak or fine-tune your privacy settings to limit your exposure. Refrain from signaling your intention when going on vacation so thieves don’t ransack your home. Alas and alack! The world may have become your stage but not everyone is rootin’ for you. The rules for social networking are still being drawn but a few, yet-to-be-written guidelines have congealed just in the last few years and have become quite apparent and definitely bears repeating and amplifying. Do take heed. Your postings at all social networking sites define who you are and delineate your character to

the world. Your thoughts, your ideas and comments, your images, even your choice of words give an insight to your personality and character traits. They reflect your values, give a hint of your weaknesses and vulnerabilities and can be a measure of the size of your ego. Taken altogether, they paint a composite picture of you, either flattering or not. Even the amount of time you spend on online games is a sliver of insight into your interests and how you spend your free time. It may be indicative of whether you are near the brink of obsessive-compulsive behavior or a candidate for the nuthouse. Unfair? Of course it is. It is a flat and one-dimensional picture of who you are. You are a far more complex person than what your Facebook and Twitter postings give you credit for. But based on available information that you yourself provided, that’s how you want the people that orbit in your universe see you. Take heed from a phrase that police officers read to suspects, “ ‌ Anything you say (and in social networking, what you post) can and will be taken against you‌â€? (To be continued‌) *** 4Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Will the TRAIN law affect...

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

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration membership certificate, or electronic receipt issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. In addition to the original copy, a duplicate copy or certified true copy of the “valid proof of entitlement� must be secured

by the OFW from the POEA or OWWA, and must be used by the recipient of remittances to avail the DST exemption. If the remittances were sent through a bank and withdrawn through an automatic teller machine, or sent through “non-bank money transfer agents,� the BIR said it is the responsibility of the

OFW to show the valid proof of entitlement when making arrangement for his/her remittance transfers. Latest data from the central bank showed both personal and cash remittances rose in the first 10 months of 2017 due to sustained demand for skilled Filipinos abroad. (Philstar.com) n

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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

California becomes a sanctuary state CALIFORNIA has become the first state in the nation to be a “sanctuary state.” This means California will not cooperate fully with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in apprehending illegal aliens or in connection with enforcing immigration laws. However, this does NOT mean people who are out of status in California are immune from being apprehended or removed from the U.S. ICE can still go after people and enforce immigration laws in California. Some of the highlights of the sanctuary state law include: • Police can no longer ask people about their immigration status or investigate, interrogate, detain, detect, or arrest people for immigration enforcement purposes. • Prevents immigration enforcement “to the fullest extent possible” at public schools, public libraries, hospitals, and county court houses. • Unless the alien has been convicted of certain crimes, such as serious or violent felonies, assault, battery, abuse, rape, etc. police would not cooperate to immigration authorities. • Police will also be prevented from detaining a crime victim or

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ

There may be forms of relief or benefits available to a person. That is why I would recommend you consult with an immigration attorney, who can evaluate your situation, whether you live in California, or any other state. Remember, even if you live in a sanctuary city or state, ICE will still enforce immigration laws. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL

a witness to a crime solely because they are suspected to be out of status. • Local authorities will not provide information to the ICE regarding a person’s release date from prison, unless that person had been convicted of certain serious crimes. • Local authorities will, otherwise, not be “performing the functions of an immigration officer.” • State jail officials cannot release out of status individuals to immigration authorities “unless authorized by a judicial warrant.” Once again, this does not mean that people living in California somehow cannot be apprehended, detained, or removed from the U.S. It only means California will generally not assist ICE in immigration enforcement actions. Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · However, the best solution for SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES people who are out of status is to (Advertising Supplement) find ways to legalize their status.

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 12-18, 2018

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California Divorce 101... PAGE CJ2 t

advice from a licensed and experienced attorney so as not to waste your time and money, not to mention the court’s time and resources, especially when you have to keep going back to court because of incomplete or missing documents that could have been addressed from the very beginning by a competent and knowledgeable attorney. Not all divorce cases are the same. It is important to be properly informed about your rights

and responsibilities under California law in divorce proceedings. The wrong advice or information can and will hurt you, and waste your time and money. Consult a licensed and experienced family law attorney to help you navigate through your divorce. ***

Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate 8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys. attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A com. For general information visit www. Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a chuatinsayvega.com. (Advertising Supplement) full service law firm with offices in San

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS JA N UA RY 1 2

Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague celebration in Los Angeles The Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Friday, January 12 at 7 p.m. The history of the Infant Jesus of Prague started in the 17th century when a statue of the Infant Jesus was brought into Bohemia (now Czech Republic) and eventually was given to the Discalced Carmelites in Prague. Since then, the statue has remained in Prague and has drawn many devotees worldwide to go and honor the Holy Child. Many graces, blessings, favors and miraculous healings have been received by many who petitioned before the Infant Jesus. You are invited to a Special Mass Celebration of the Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels with Bishop Joseph V. Brennan as main celebrant. The special celebration features the relic of the holy robes that the Infant Jesus wears at the shrine in Prague, Czech Republic and it is brought to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the third time by the Holy Trinity Ministry. Now that the Divine Child of Prague comes to touch our hearts, participants have the unique and holy opportunity to touch his holy robe. Bring your Infant Jesus Statue to touch the Holy Robe of the Infant Jesus of Prague.

JA N UA RY 2 0

Dinner for GK e-Rotary Club for PH incoming governors in Westminster, CA The 6-year-old GK e-Rotary Club will be hosting a dinner for two incoming Rotary District Governors from the Philippines — Gov. Mar Reyes from QC D3780 and Gov. Nisce from La Union D3790 — on Saturday, January 20, at the new Luxe Buffet Restaurant at 2008 Westminster Mall, Westminster, California (restaurant is in the 2nd floor of the mall, along Bolsa Ave. at Godldenwest, just off the 405 freeway). Invited guests include Consul General Adelio Cruz, presidents and officers of several Filipino-American organizations, like the Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of OC, the PressClub of California, the Phil American Society of CPAs, Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA, the Historic Filipino Town Rotary Club and many others. Please come and witness the launching of our first GK e-Rotary Annual Fil-Am and their Friends Young Professionals Ambassador Tour to the Philippines in July, that will also a part of the official Phil Government Ambassador Tour that is being done annually for many years now. For more information, please contact the Project Chair, Jhenny Evans at (714) 5986446, or e-mail at jhenny_evans@yahoo.com; or Ernie Delfin at (714) 746 3088 or e-mail him at ernie.gkerc@gmail.com.

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31st anniversary of the Feast of Santo Niño in Los Angeles

A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE THAT INCLUDED RETROGRESSION OF PRIORITY DATES, AGING OUT AND THE FATHER SUCCUMBING TO CANCER JUST BEFORE VISA ISSUANCE ON THIS SUNDAY’S ‘CITIZEN PINOY!’ In July 2007, Raffy’s mother adjusted status in the U.S., hoping to immediately bring her husband and son, Raffy (left) to the U.S. from the Philippines. However, her priority date retrogressed (moved backwards) and the wait stretched for years. Several setbacks occurred, including further retrogression of the priority dates, Raffy aging out, and Raffy’s father being diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately he passed away in the Philippines without seeing his American dream come true. Raffy’s mother then retained the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case from two previous attorneys, who were not taking active steps to move the case forward. Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to convince the Embassy to reconsider Raffy’s denial, showing he qualified under the Child Status Protection Act, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Business News

Foreign arrivals likely to hit 2017 target by CATHERINE

TALAVERA Philstar.com

THE government likely reached its target of 6.5 million international tourist arrivals for 2017. Alberto Gadia Jr, Tourism Promotions Board market specialist II of the domestic promotions department said foreign tourist arrivals had already breached the six million mark as of November last year. Based on the latest available data from the DOT, foreign arrivals grew 11.54 percent to 5.9 million arrivals from January to October 2017. Gadia said the Department of Tourism (DOT) is still consolidating yearend arrival figures. DOT assistant secretary and spokesperson Frederick Alegre earlier told The STAR that the agency was expecting foreign tourist arrivals to reach 6.7-to 6.8-million, exceeding its 2017 goal of 6.5 million arrivals. Alegre’s optimism was driven by the DOT’s launch of the Bring

Santo Niño Cruzada USA, with the participations of the Filipino Catholics Choir of St. Paul the Apostle Church, The Saint Junipero Serra Province Knights of Columbus and The Southern California Sinulog Dance Co., is inviting everyone to attend the holy mass of its 31st year anniversary celebration of the Feast of Santo Niño, the Divine Infant Jesus, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 3:30pm. The main celebrant is Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik to be concelebrated by various priests from different parishes. We also offer this mass to honor the late Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who returned to our Creator on October 18, 2017 in Cebu, Philippines. The Santo Niño image that we use to celebrate the annual feast was given by Cardinal Vidal to Los Angeles Archbishop Emeritus Roger Cardinal Mahony and Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik several years ago. For more information, please contact any of the following officers and members: Romy and Tess Esturas (213) 387-6982; Tess and Rey Edpao (818) 469-7292; Carmen Estrada (213) 413-2881; Fe Montano (323) 218-1587; Ester Paredes (213) 864-1149; Lilia Figuracion (626) 394-2661; Fe Reyes (213) 413-5286; Cherry Guerrero (323) 747-6508; Cherry Nicodemus (323) 304-6195; Vicky Samia (818) 851-2262; Tessie Cruz (213) 361-0937; Purita Prather (626) 798-4674; Lourdes Cronin (310) 880-6069; Maria Oclarino (213) 427-0353; Jun Panlaqui (213) 413-2881; Flora Ferrer (323) 556-4855.

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Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA There will be an immigration forum on Thursday, January 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). RSVP is a MUST to attend. No registration fee required. Please contact (714) 657-7460 or admin@globallawcenters.com. The immigration forum is about employment-based immigration information regarding FAST TRACK Work Visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by marriage, family-based immigration employment sponsorship for green card and work visas after graduation. Candidates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for a FREE immigration consultation & immigration assistance. As you have already seen there are many changes happening in the field of immigration with regards to the new executive administration and their agenda. Global Law Centers strives to inform the immigrant community of its rights and make sure it is knowledgeable about what immigration processes might be available. The forum will also update everyone about new and recent changes which may affect immigrants and their families.

Asian American Professional Association intro session in Rosemead, Join the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) introductory session on Thursday, January 25! Hear from Paul Park, Founder and CEO at American Dream Builders Now Inc. As a “Gold Miner” Paul’s mission is to search and help develop hidden potential, inspire, and motivate others to dream big. He believes “If you can dream it, you can do it. Build your dream and it will build you.” During the second half meet and interact with AAPA Mentors! Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., with the program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It will be at Southern California Edison, GO-1 Employee Lounge at 2244 Walnut Grove Ave., Rosemead, CA. It is free and open to all professionals. To RSVP, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ aapa-introductory-session-tickets-40791228663. File photo by Philstar

Home a Friend program last October and the influx of Chinese tourists. The surge in the number of Chinese tourists was attributed to the improved ties between the Philippines and China and the Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) option for Chinese nationals. Alegre said Chinese tourists to the Philippines were expected to hit one million.

As of the first 10 months of 2017, Chinese arrivals had reached 810,807, accounting for 14.81 percent of the total arrivals. This makes China the second top source market, next to South Korea. Based on the National Tourism Development Plan, the DOT expects foreign arrivals to reach between 7.5 million to 8 million this year. ■

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Annual dinner/dance at St. Finbar School in Burbank, California You are invited to the annual dinner/dance at the Albert Hall of St. Finbar School (2120 W. Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91506) on Saturday, February 10 from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. For tickets, please call: Marian Nobleza at (818) 562-6819.

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

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BUSINESS NEWS

JANUARY 12-18, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Philippines maintains lead in auto sales over ASEAN neighbors THE Philippine automotive industry sustained its speed as the second fastest growing market among eight Southeast Asian economies as of end-November last year, according to a report from the ASEAN Automotive Federation. Philippine vehicle sales, which expanded 16.8 percent from January to November 2017, outpaced those of Thailand (12.5 percent), Indonesia (two percent), Malaysia (1.3 percent) and Singapore (one percent). Myanmar, which is the smallest market in the region in terms of sales volume, posted the fastest growth for the period at 96.5 percent. Sales in Vietnam and Brunei, meanwhile, declined 6.6 percent and 10.7 percent, respectively. Overall, vehicle sales in the eight countries part of the ASEAN Automotive Federation increased 5.4 percent in the 11month period to 3.01 million from 2.86 million in the same period in 2016. Vehicle production in the country likewise continued to expand, posting a 23.1 percent

jump to 133,015 units in January to November 2017 from 108,090 units in the same period the previous year. The government, through the Department of Trade and Industry, has taken steps to beef up local production of vehicles in the country as part of its manufacturing resurgence program. The country’s automotive players, however, are expecting a slowdown in sales this year due to the higher excise tax on automobiles. Meanwhile, the Philippines remained the fastest growing mo-

torcycle market in the region as of end-November. Motorcycle sales zoomed 14.9 percent to 1.20 million units in the first 11 months of 2017 from 1.04 million units in the same period in 2016. The country’s growth was followed by Singapore and Malaysia which posted 11.8 percent and 10.9 percent year-on-year increase, respectively. Total motorcycle sales in the region, however, dipped slightly to 8.76 million units from 8.78 million units the previous year. (Philstar.com) ■

Cybercrime top threat to PH... PAGE CJ1 t included,” BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said in an interview with the Inquirer. “I’ve been talking to other regulators about it, and it’s high on the agenda. The level of concern for cybersecurity is very high, but it’s hard to stop because it’s a technology play.” Regulators and industry leaders recently acknowledged the rising threat of cybercrime, whether perpetrated by nation states or individual hackers who do it for profit for merely as a hobby. According to Espenilla, a key element of improving the posture of the local financial system is changing the mindset of the local population regarding the vulnerability of bank computers to hackers. In particular, he said both bankers and their clients must discard the mindset that the financial system is impenetrable to malicious elements. “We may have created a fortress, but the raiders do nothing but try to find cracks in that fortress, day in and day out,” he

EMPLOYMENT

said. “They will be able to find vulnerabilities, one way or the other.” Given this, the central bank chief wants a paradigm shift among banking stakeholders from trying to stop hackers to focusing on making the system more robust to allow it to recover quickly in the event of a successful hack. “The talk now is no longer whether you can stop it,” Espenilla said. “The assumption now is that they will be able to penetrate your system. It’s just a question of when.” “The task is to create resilience: Surviving an attack and moving on,” he added. “You have to create a robust system that can detect the compromised element, contain it, and then survive it and recover.” This policy shift is contained in a new central bank circular, released recently, that also shifted the burden of protecting banks against hackers from their technical personnel to the institutions’ directors.

“The most important element in this new policy is this: We state that it’s the business or the board to make sure that the bank is ready to confront the threats. That’s where it starts,” the BSP chief said. “If it’s just the concern of the technologist, there’s no support, there’s no commitment and there’s no money. It’s not just a matter of buying the latest software. You have to prepare the whole organization.” He added that any given bank should make all its employees aware about cyberthreat issues, especially since hackers’ most frequent “points of entry” are personal and office e-mails and attachments. “Layered defenses are important for a bank,” Espenilla said. “You can be a hard target, but never assume that you are impenetrable. You have to assume that you will be penetrated, and once that happens, you should have the capability to detect, contain and to recover. That’s the mindset. Don’t feel complacent. Be paranoid.”■

EMPLOYMENT

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

People & Events

HAPPY 91ST BIRTHDAY. Shown in photo is Jossie Albano blowing the candles on her cake in celebration of her 91st birthday last Thursday, December 28. Joining her in the momentous celebration are her loving husband Bert Albano, sister Viring, friends, grandkids and other family members at the Asia Fusion Restaurant in San Francisco.

Applications now open for the San Mateo County Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Commission REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Members of the public have the opportunity to serve on California’s first county or city commission focused on the needs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community. Applications are now being accepted for the San Mateo County Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBT) Commission, newly established in July, 2014. The Commission’s mission is to help cultivate San Mateo County as a welcoming and safe environment where its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community members can thrive. The Commission consists of eleven voting members appointed by the Board of Supervisors and currently there are three vacancies to fill. Commissioners meet approximately 10 times a year and are developing work plan for 2018. They provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors at least once a year. Applicants must live in San Mateo County. The ideal candidate will possess several of the following attributes: • Have an abiding interest in furthering the equality and well-being of LGBTQ individuals. • Demonstrate knowledge of LGBTQ issues affecting under-represented communities including youth, communities of color, non-English speakers, older LGBTQ adults, immigrants, physically

and mentally disabled individuals and economically disadvantaged LGBTQ residents of San Mateo County. • Demonstrated ability to effectively provide outreach to underserved and at-risk LGBTQ populations with the goal of achieving equality in San Mateo County. • Demonstrated experience promoting programs that foster the well-being and civic participation of LGBTQ individuals in San Mateo County. • Knowledge of a broad spectrum of LGBTQ community resources and the ability to leverage community contacts. • Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with other members of the Commission to achieve Commission goals. • Ability and willingness to devote sufficient time and resources to carry out the responsibilities of the Commission. The deadline to apply is January 16, 2018. Applications can be obtained from Sherry Golestan, Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 400 County Center, Redwood City, sgolestan@smcgov.org or by calling (650) 363-4609. Applications are also available online on the County site https://bnc.smcgov.org/vacancies. For information about this Commission contact: Tanya Beat, Interim Director of the LGBTQ Commission, 650-363-4467, tbeat@smcgov.org. ■

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 12-18, 2018

DARE TO INSPIRE. DARE TO LEAD.

Powered By

Transforming Filipino women and men of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds into global leaders and influencers who ignite, drive, and fuel the greatness of the Philippines.

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All applicants must display vibrance of personality and good moral character.

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All applicants must be recommended or nominated by at minimum 1 family member, friend, colleague, or professor.

PERSONAL STATEMENT All applicants are required to write a personal statement about her/his dreams and goals for the Philippines.

FOR INTERESTED DELEGATES FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, AND ARIZONA, PLEASE CALL PAGEANTRY GLOBAL AND ASK FOR TRINI FOLIENTE AT (818) 455-2132 OR CORA SORIANO AT (213) 999-1993. For more information, visit www.LOVEOFCOUNTRYAMBASSADORS.com or email Info@AsianJournalinc.com.

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JANUARY 12-18, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

Friday, January 12, 2018

SF2

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 12, 2018

A

‘Adventures in ticolAnd: Where the MAgic of AniMAls never ends’ story of iMAginAtion And innocence by Malou liwanag-Bledsoe/AJPress

AFTER his first book, “Half My Life: The Testimony of a Father and His Special Needs Child,” about the challenges a father is facing with a son diagnosed with autism and diabetes, author Joseph Lim is now equally proud to share his new book, “Adventures in Ticoland: Where the Magic of Animals Never Ends.” “It’s a children’s book based on a fictitious world and original animal characters created by my daughter, Ashley, when she was 7 years old,” said Joseph in an email interview with the Asian Journal. “‘Tico’ is a nickname I gave her at age 4, and she named ‘Ticoland’ after herself.” Explaining that Ticoland is a fairytale world

of animals living their lives, learning lessons, and having fun; the book is also the realization that his daughter won’t be that innocent little girl forever. “As I witnessed my daughter create several dozen animal characters, draw and color them, describe them, and even tell some stories about them, I was impressed by her creativity and wild imagination. “Then it dawned on me, she’s going to grow up one day. She’s not always going to be a seven-year old little girl. One day, she will lose some of that childhood innocence and carefree spirit that so defines her character. So I decided to ‘capture her imagination,’ so to speak, while she is still young. So that when she eventually grows up, she can see this book as a reminder of a really fun and innocent time in her life,” he said. Even when he has successfully published two books, Joseph admits that his first book, “Half My Life,” has a different purpose than “Ticoland.” He said, “With that first book, I wrote it for the purpose of bringing forth greater awareness and compassion

Joseph Lim’s daughter Ashley and her drawings that inspired the characters in “Ticoland.”

towards the special needs community. So I’ve been busy spreading the word about it. This second book, on the other hand, has a completely different purpose. It is simply a gift for my daughter – nothing fancy, just a simple gift. But if it does well also, that’s icing on the cake, because it has obvious sentimental value.” Joseph also added he does feel that he is an accomplished author, but then again, for him, it’s not just checking the box and claiming a goal. “Because there is so much more sentimental value in these books than I can ever really describe in a few short sentences. These books are for my beloved children, the first for my son, and the second for my youngest daughter,” he said. “It’s not important for me to be an accomplished ‘author’ unless I am also an accomplished ‘father.’” Joseph also wants to emphasize that a portion of the proceeds from the sales of “Ticoland” will be donated to selected charities such as the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House of Charities.

He also wants to invite everyone to his YouTube channel, “Autism and Diabetes Dad.” His video blogs aim to impart his experiences and knowledge as a parent of a special needs child. As an author, Joseph shared that he hopes to inspire other Filipinos — in the Philippines, the United States and all over the world — who are thinking of being a writer, to go for it. “Everyone has a story to tell, challenges that they’ve overcome, and causes they want to support. Writing is a great way to share their message. For me personally, I know there are many Filipinos with special needs loved ones who I hope can relate to the experiences I share in my first book, and in my YouTube videos. Also, I hope all children will find the stories in “Ticoland” to be fun and entertaining, while learning valuable lessons at the same time,” he said. “Adventures in Ticoland” is available on amazon by clicking www.amazon.com/AdventuresTicoland-Where-Magic-Animals/dp/1640289062. To view Joseph Lim’s YouTube channel, “Autism and Diabetes Dad,” go to: www.youtube. com/watch?v=dKvtY9nHibg&feature=youtu.be.

James Reid, Nadine Lustre spark a love revolution by Jerry

donato Philstar.com

JAMES Reid and reel-real life partner Nadine Lustre will stage a concert, not a coup d’etat, come Feb. 9 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Perhaps a pre-Valentine’s musical treat to fans, “Revolution: The JaDine Concert” is not making any reference to some grand ideological narrative, but remains true to the word change — and love (check out the playbill and read the four red letters, E-V-O-L, Filipino animator Gini Cruz Santos is a co-recipient of the 2018 Golden Globe for Best Animation Motion Picture for “Coco”. Philstar.com photos backward). “Revolution,” replied James, the other half of JaDine, when asked about the right way to read the show’s title with the hashtag #loverulesjadine, in a brief oneon-one. “But when I read it, I by Maridol ranoa-BisMark Me,” “Coco’s” theme song. “RePhilstar.com think, love revolution.” member Me,” which AndersonAlthough love could be a AS part of those who creLopez describes as a “message recurring theme if one compares ated one of Pixar’s latest films, of goodbye,” was nominated for their previous concert “JaDine In “Coco,” Filipino Pixar supervising Best Original Song. Love”, where James confessed animator Gini Cruz Santos is also In 2014, the couple won his love to Nadine, to the present co-recipient of the 2018 Golden the Best Original Song award concert, Revolution has its own Globe for Best Animation Motion for their hit composition “Let it agenda for everyone to witness. “We are just showcasing our Picture that went to “Coco.” Go,” from the acclaimed 2013 music here, not so much based on “Coco” is the first Pixar film animated film “Frozen.” our teleserye, ‘coz last time, it was centered on a Mexican cultural Apart from Lopez and Sanheavily based on the theme of festival. It bested other animated tos, among the latest Filipinos ‘OTWOL (On the Wings of Love)’, films in the Golden Globes, to make it to the list of Golden ‘Till I Met You,’” he shared. “This namely, “The Boss Baby,” “FerGlobe winners is animation writer one is just original music but the dinand,” “Loving Vincent,” and Ronnie del Carmen, whose work message behind everything really “The Breadwinner.” in Pixar’s “Inside Out” bore fruit is revolution, a change to go, from In a previous interview with when the motion picture won we wanted to stop with all the Twenty one year old Fil-Am The Star, Santos said it took them the Best Animated Film Feature bashing and the hatred. We really singer-actress Hailee Steinfeld, want to spread love, a new age about six years to create “Coco” award in 2016. meanwhile, was nominated for of love.” as they had to travel back and The Cavite-born Del Carmen Best Performance in a Motion “Revolution” is a celebration forth to Mexico for intensive co-directed “Inside Out,” and Picture - Musical or Comedy for of love through music or music research. was one of its writers. He worked the film “The Edge of Sevwith love. The love affair of James “The Mexican culture, they on the set of Francis Ford Copenteen” at the 2017 Golden with music came to public when kind of share our dynamic a pola’s film “Apocalypse Now” Globes. he collaborated with fellow “Pinoy little bit as family. For me, I was before getting his Bachelor of Steinfeld is one-eighth Big Brother (PBB): Teen Clash” excited because I felt like all our Fine Arts degree at the University Filipina. Her maternal grandfahousemate Bret Jackson on “We research in the dynamic of our of Santo Tomas. Are Whatever”. As a solo artist, ther was half Filipino and half acting and just kind of a how the he ventured out with a self-titled Another Golden Globes African-American. Steinfeld also album and “Reid Alert”, an Mexican family relates to each winner with a Filipino as driving stands out in the music scene, Original Pilipino Music album with other feels Filipino,” Santos told force is the hit Disney film “Zoowhere her single, “Starving,” touches of pop and R&B. Now, a group of journalists during the topia,” which was declared Best placed 12th at the Billboard Hot he has “Palm Dreams” as his roundtable interview last year in Animated Feature at the 2017 100 chart. Another song, “Let third studio album. “I think ‘Palm Manila. Golden Globes. Me Go,” reached number 21 on Dreams’ is still very pop, it’s R&B, A native of Pasay City and Josie Trinidad, co-head of the Mainstream Top 40 chart in pop and a mix of dancehall, a little a graduate of the University of “Zootopia,” is a second generathe U.S. bit of electronic, a little bit of hipSanto Tomas in Manila, Santos tion Fil-Am. Her mom was born The annual Golden Globes is hop. It’s what pop is, a combinais also among those behind and raised in Canlubang, Laguna; yet another proof that Filipinos tion of different genres, whatever Disney’s “Brave” and Dory in is now.” James’ brand of music her dad in San Juan, Manila. can stand head and shoulders will be featured, too, in the show. “Finding Nemo.” Josie’s maternal grandparents above other filmmakers from So expect to hear “Cool Down” Pinoy pride at the Golden hail from Ilocos, San Juan and La around the word. Filipinos and “IL2LU” as well as “Bahala Globes Union. may not have the First World Na” and “Para-Paraan.” During Besides Santos, FilipinoIn an interview with The Star’s technology of their Hollywood, the interview, one could sense American composer Robert LoRicky Lo, Josie said it helps a lot European and Japanese counJames’ passion for music. “Well, pez and his wife, Kristen Anderthat her Filipino ancestors taught terparts. But they more than I’m definitely more comfortable son-Lopez, were also nominated her to value the family, because make up for this lack of resourc- singing and performing,” he in the 2018 Golden Globes for this has become her wellspring of es with their talent and knack for said. “When I’m on stage, I feel their composition, “Remember (emotional) support. invincible.” making do.

Filipino Pixar animator Gini Cruz Santos wins 2018 Golden Globe for Best Animation Motion Picture

time but we really need to forget In 2017, music was the focus those old ways and move on and of James, whose creative works work together. Don’t compete. will spill over to this year. His hard Just contribute. It’s more fun that work paid off when he snagged way.” the Best Southeast Asia Act at Gracing “JaDine’s Revoluthe MTV Europe Music Awards. tion” are Vice Ganda, Sarah, James and Nadine will be seen Sam Concepcion, Bret and Kiana doing more acting. “I’m not Valenciano. Paul Basinillo is at the really trying to compete. I just helm with Teacher Georcelle and want to contribute,” he said. In Jay Agustin as dance director and the pipeline are a contemporary romance-drama “Never Not Love musical director, respectively. As much as “Revolution” is You”, two movies and a teleserye. an expression of JaDine’s love for James will be paired with Sarah each other, it is a presentation of Geronimo in the comedy “The their creativity and artistry. James Granny (20 Again)” and topbill is into producing and creating the action-fantasy “Pedro Penmusic, while Nadine into directing duko.” Meanwhile, Nadine stars videos and singing. One wants to in romance-comedy “Ulan” and experience it first-hand. thriller “The Nurse.” Since what is out there is a “The movies we are doing free market of ideas, the artist this year were supposed for last in James is resolute to set aside year,” he said. “I asked for more time for my album, I really wanted competition and to work for contribution. to push, promote and release it.” That’s why his tandem with Nadine took a backseat from teleserye and movie acting. However, they started to be seen hosting in “It’s Showtime.” “I feel like Philippine cinema will always be there, but it’s the music industry that’s suffering,” he said. “I feel like a lot of good artists stay in the underground and they don’t like the word mainstream. I’m trying to bridge that gap between the underground and the mainstream. Those artists should be on the mainstream.” Again, the title “Revolution” can be interpreted in several ways, as James put it. “My interpretation is a new age of love, of spreading love,” he reiterated. “Last (concert, ‘JaDine in Love’) (was), of course, (for) Valentine’s (season), romantic love. This one (‘Revolution’) is to spread love. Last year, I changed a lot and I really wanted to shift my focus on spreading love… That’s what I’m trying to do this year. Another way I’m looking at it is the revolution from music, so many artists here drag each other down to make it to the James Reid and perennial onscreen partner Nadine Lustre will celebrate international stage. love for music on Feb. 9 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Philstar.com photo It happens all the

entertainment SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – January 12, 2018

All-star Pinoy ‘Ocean’s’ in the works by Bayani

San Diego Inquirer.net

What’s IN and OUT in 2018 staffers are in. thanks to the president, national monuments and parks are out, especially if President Obama was the one who preserved them. in nature, By Monet Lu global warming is in as well as solar eclipses. Entertainment & celebrities First of all, Happy New With Disney’s announceYear to everyone. When the year ends, another one begins. As we ment about wanting to buy 20th Century Fox, it’s just plain obvibid adieu to 2017, it is good to look forward to what 2018 has in ous that “Mickey Mouse” is so in store for us. Here’s a list to get us this year. Welcome back, Disney! stranger things’ Millie Bobby started in that direction. Brown is out (of pre-puberty, at Society and politics least. Oh, how fast they grow). One thing i realized when But storm reid from Disney’s “A it comes to social issues is that Wrinkle in time” is in. after a while (of fighting and in movie theaters, Wonder rallying for it), one day, it’ll presWoman is in, and i don’t even ent itself in a different light and wonder why (wonder – see what i we’d see it in all its glory (or lack did there?). Gal Gadot and directhereof). such can be said about tor Patty Jenkins proved through racial equality which is iN this year. Finally, eyes are enlightened their “Wonder Woman” movie, that audiences will flock to a and that is something to be opstrong, well-written female hero. timistic about. in the meantime, As for the rest of the Justice kneeling during the National League, sad to say they’re out Anthem will have to remain in, – at least for now until they come despite it being out among certain white football fans. Leaks up with a sequel (and it better be good!). science fiction in general from the White House is out but books about former White House is on the outs.

Jr

CurreNtLY in development is an all-star, Filipino movie inspired by the Hollywood franchise, “Ocean’s eleven.” Actor Albert Martinez is cooking up the action movie that will have Cagayan de Oro and Moscow, russia, as primary locations. Albert told the Inquirer that he envisions the planned film as a “reunion” for the brightest teen stars of the 1980s, who will be joined by today’s hottest actors. “it’s like 1980s Brat Pack meets Millennial stars.” Albert admitted that the movie is “a monumental task. it’s not easy to put together this huge cast in one project.” Apart from Albert, Gabby Concepcion, richard Gomez, William Martinez and Aga Muhlach are also in the ensemble. the lone rose among the thorns is Megastar sharon Cuneta. early reports noted that some of the stars had already given the concept the thumbs-up and expressed interest in topbilling the project. Meetings have been scheduled, along with a story conference and a look test. then, the production hit a few snags on the road. Albert had also eyed friends

Fashion and beauty if 2016 was the year for stripes, then 2018 would be the year for tartans or checkered prints to make a comeback. Jackets, oversized shirts or even a pair of trousers are in as well as taking on patterns with checkered utilitarian pieces paired with art inspired garments. 2017 and 2016 were all about Korean cosmetics. this year, we will see the return of Japanese makeup and cosmetics that offer a more natural-looking color palette. there is fascination in 2018 for labels like shiseido, Kanebo and Kate tokyo. Clear and polished skin is the focus for beauty looks in 2018. With Japanese cosmetic companies being masters at perfecting complexion and combating age, wrinkles and age spots can now disappear as fast as a ninja could. speaking of age-defying tools, cosmetic enhancements that are non-invasive are being introduced to the market and embraced by many, especially this year. Not only are they nonContinued on Page SF4 Paulo Avelino

Cesar Montano and robin Padilla, but they purportedly “begged off.” there were also reports that Coco Martin, Arjo Atayde and Piolo Pascual have likewise been considered to represent today’s generation of stars. so far, only Paulo Avelino had signified interest in the project. this early, there have been all Continued on Page SF4

Albert Martinez

Aga Muihlach

Gabby Concepcion

Sharon Cuneta

Piolo Pascual

Richard Gomez

Inquirer.net photos

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celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 12, 2018

celebrity world By Ferdie Villar

ALTHOUGH both John Lloyd Cruz and Ellen Adarna have kept mum about the real status of their relationship, wedding and pregnancy rumors have been circulating. In fact, veteran entertainment columnist and talent manager Lolit Solis recently posted on social media that the couple have been making wedding preparations. According to her Instagram post, Lolit shared that her source in Cebu confirmed that the wedding will happen this February. The celebrity couple still remained in their “mysterious” mode, and instead took a swipe at Lolit’s post by posting a video with the caption, “Take it, take it.” The “take it, take it” catchphrase was in reference to the Manila Film Festival scam in 1994, where Lolit was the mastermind in switching the winners’ names. However, the veteran en-

tertainment columnist stands by her story. In her post last Tuesday, January 9, she said, “Di ko kilala personally John Lloyd at Ellen but I admire them. Kung na upset sila na naunahan ng balita mga plano nila, wala ako magagawa, parte iyon ng trabaho. Sayang dahil I really admire the couple, pero I will always stand by my story.” The Philippine Star entertainment editor Ricky Lo also wrote last Tuesday that his source also confirmed that the celebrity couple is planning for a beach wedding, with a Christian ceremony in the vicinity of a five-star hotel in Ellen’s native Cebu. The source added that there is no exact date yet, but the reservation (which was made by Ellen’s sibling) is “for either the last two Fridays of January or the first two Fridays of February.” Despite of the growing rumors, one of Ellen’s closest

John Lloyd CruzEllen Adarna wedding: Rumor or not?

friends —actress Beauty Gonzalez — insists that there will be no wedding. We’ll see what happens! *** Veteran film and theater actor Bernardo Bernardo is asking fans, friends and family to pray for him as doctors discovered a tumor in his pancreas. The 72-year-old actor shared on Facebook last Friday, January 5, the findings of a series of lab tests he took at UST Hospital last month. He wrote, “My pancreas is swollen because of a tumor, possibly malignant, growing

After a controversial 2017, actor John Lloyd Cruz still maintains his silence about the status of his relationship with actress Ellen Adarna.

Actress Ellen Adarna has remained silent about the rumors of pregnancy and possible wedding to rumored boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz.

Veteran entertainment columnist and talent manager Lolit Solis said that she stands by her story about the John Lloyd Cruz and Ellen Adarna’s wedding this year.

Primetime King Coco Martin is shown in photo with the president of the San Mateo Fil-Am Democratic Club Dorie Cachuela Paniza who just arrived from the Philippines where she spent her Christmas and New Year with her relatives.

The feast day of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno de Quiapo was celebrated last Tuesday, January 9 at the residence of beauty impresario Ferdie Syquia de Villar in South San Francisco. Shown in photo are the devotees of the miraculous statue (seated, L-R) Zunaida Perez, Elaine Estabrooks, Joselito Cabrera, Roxie Perez, (standing, L-R) Michael, Edward and Myrna Cabrera, host Ferdie Villar, Vangie, Anthony and Abbey Perez, and Manny Cabrera.

Veteran film and theater actor Bernardo Bernardo is asking for prayers as doctors have found a lifethreatening tumor in his pancreas.

Beauty Gonzalez wants to become John Lloyd, Ellen’s ‘ninang’ “Payag ako maging abay. Kahit ninang pa,” actress Beauty Gonzalez said when asked what her role be in the rumored wedding of her friends and fellow actors John Lloyd Cruz and Ellen Adarna. The Kapamilya actress and Ellen’s close friend, however, shut down reports that there are wedding preparations going on in Cebu for Ellen and John Lloyd. “Sa totoo lang, I will be the first one to know, but it’s not true,” Beauty told a group of media people during the “Pusong Ligaw” finale dinner in ABS-CBN. Beauty said she is very happy with what is happening between Ellen and John Lloyd, but she insisted that wedding bells will not ring for the couple this time of the year. “Wala pa namang nasasabi. Masaya sila sa isa’t isa. I’m happy for them. Let’s keep it that way. Hindi nabibili ang happiness mo. Kung masaya sila sa isa’t isa, hayaan natin.” If ever there will be a wed-

treatment. He also admitted that his ailment involves “very real pain and fear of the unknown.” “[T]he hidden costs of this medical journey that has put me in Controlled Panic Mode. I know that in order to continue to fight this battle

— I need Courage. I need Strength. I need Clarity of Mind…Which is why, heart to heart, my friends, I hope you will find time to say a little prayer for me.” The actor is one of the stars in the Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture “Ang Larawan.”

Catriona Gray tries out for Binibining Pilipinas 2018 by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

Ellen Adarna and Beauty Gonzalez

ding preparation soon, Beauty said she will be happy for Ellen and John Lloyd. “If they are gonna get married or not, that’s their decision. At the end of the day, hindi naman kami pagmamay-ari ng ibang tao para pagsabihan kami kung ano ang nangyayari sa

What’s IN and OUT... From Page SF3

invasive, these procedures take up less time. Two of the leading noninvasive procedures that help rejuvenate and restore youth to one’s appearance are Ulthera and Thermage. Ulthera utilizes ultrasound to heat the deep tissues resulting in firmer and younger-looking skin. Similarly, Thermage uses radiofrequency heat to tighten the skin. Both treatments have minimal to zero downtime and may also be used for other parts of the body that need firming or lifting. Makeup direction for 2018 is straightforward. Achieve polished skin, well-groomed brows and punctuate the look with a glossy red lip. Food Who would not want to know what’s on and off the menu in 2018? I would love to know what’s trendy in the “fridge

in the head of the pancreas... I have lost my appetite for food and, consequently, lost a lot of weight at an alarming rate in such a short span of time.” Bernardo also said that he is scheduled to undergo some procedures to determine if the tumor is malignant and require

Filipina singer and actress Rachel Alejandro is shown with Daly City community leader Monching Bunag.

department”. It is time to take a hiatus from your favorite burger joint because HUGE burgers, novelty milkshakes and fried chicken are off the menu for 2018, replaced by lighter salads and vegetablebased dishes. Food experts are predicting this year will see a move away from high-fat, meat-based feasts in favor of native and plantbased ingredients. Matt Moran said 2018 is the year that’s all about “conscious” eating. “Consciousness about sustainability and consciousness about waste,” said Moran, who said the ABC docu-series War On Waste made a huge impact on the urban food scene. “People are far more aware of things like waste and where their food is coming from and they will make the effort to support

ABS-CBN photo

buhay namin.” Beauty, nonetheless, has confirmed that Ellen and John Lloyd are officially together. “Ellen posted a picture of Idan (John Lloyd), hello? Are you stupid enough not to understand that they’re together?” Beauty said. (Philstar.com)

smaller growers and producers in a way that we have never seen before.” And there it is — a preview of what to expect this year! Although, I still think that we are entitled to our choices and can still decide on a different fashion statement (from what I just described) These are mere predictions and should not, in any way be taken as dogmatic statement. Plus, burgers are pieces of heaven. It wouldn’t be a great year without them, don’t you think? *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

AFTER representing the Philippines in Miss World 2016, Australian-Filipina model and title-holder Catriona Gray applied for Binibining Pilipinas 2018. In an Instagram post, Catriona announced that she is now eyeing to join the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. “Today marks the reveal of an evolution of self that has been quietly happening away from the public’s eye for a little while now,” Catriona wrote. “It was in no way planned, but sometimes the stars align to make things happen,” she added. The former Miss World bet who finished in the top five of the 2016 edition of the pageant thanked her supporters and asked for their continued support. “Maraming Salamat sa inyong tiwala at sana samahan niyo ako sa aking bagong paglalakbay,” Catriona said. Miss Universe-Philippines 2010 Venus Raj also confirmed that Catriona filed an application for the prestigious local pageant which would determine the representatives to international pageants such as Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Supranational and Miss Globe.

Catriona Gray

All-star Pinoy ‘Ocean’s’... From Page SF3 sorts of speculations about the “intriguing” reasons behind the delays. Read: Billing issues have been raised in the tabs. That some stars are squabbling about who should go first in the credits. Albert categorically denied the rumors: “It’s totally untrue. It’s the script that’s holding it down. We want to make sure

that each actor in the film would have equal screen impact.” At press time, Albert related that the project is still in the development stage. Albert is now planning to present it to two production companies. “I will line produce it for them.” He has also teamed up with Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, among other partners. Nevertheless, Albert, who

also acts as the film’s creative director, remains optimistic and equally excited about the venture’s prospects this year. “Sharon is very supportive in pushing for the project,” said Albert. Albert made his directorial debut in the big-budget period romance-drama, “Rosario,” in the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival.

features SF5 PH ramps up export drive in US major food show The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 12, 2018

DTI-CITEM targets over $48-M export sales in WFFS 2018 Isabel Oli with baby Feather

Camille Prats with son Nate

Dimples Romana with kids Callie and Alonzo

CAMILLE PRATS, ISABEL OLI AND DIMPLES ROMANA

How digitally-savvy celebrities navigate motherhood IN this digital age, parenting small kids could be a challenge as children face an onslaught of information available to them at an increasing rate. As such, the question every mother is confronted with nowadays is this: How can they make the digital world work for the advantage of today’s generation? It is along this line that celebrity mothers Camille PratsYambao, Isabel Oli-Prats, and Dimples Romana weigh in on their experiences mothering their young children at home. These digitally-savvy moms show that technology is not an enemy, but a tool for education and entertainment that can help them raise their children better in this modern world. The trio find great help through quality home entertainment available to them in

high-definition digital content. These moms have found a way to ensure that screen time is bonding time too for the family. For Prats, the plug-andplay device allows her and son Nate to bond over their favorite channels from Cignal and shows from Netflix. “We love watching different shows on TV together and it’s great because we can talk about it. These bonding moments really matter to me especially since he’s growing up and he’s going to want to a lot of me-time,” she noted. Meanwhile, her sister-in-law Oli, who is mom to adorable baby Feather, enjoys her share of kiddie shows as well. They also use it as bonding time with husband John Prats. “We work in showbiz so we already know what it’s like

behind the camera. It’s nice to be on the opposite end, as a viewer who’s just relaxing at home,” Oli shared. Finally, Romana, who has a teenager and toddler, sees home entertainment as a way to come together as a family. “When we were younger, we saw TV as just a distraction from important things. Today, it’s more than that. You can start conversations, discover new things together, have fun together—it’s a simple activity that can mean so much,” the actress attested. Romana further noted that the convenience of being able to access diverse and familyfriendly content at the touch of a button is priceless, “Everything is easier and faster so we have more time for the things that matter.” (ManilaTimes.net)

THE Philippines is stepping up its export promotion drive in the North American region as it returns with healthy, natural and organic premium products in the upcoming 43rd Winter Fancy Food Show (WFFS) in San Francisco, California on January 21-23, 2018. Led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-CITEM) in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment CenterSan Francisco, the Philippine delegation will showcase the country’s top agriculture commodities and processed food products, including coconut, banana, pineapple, mango, tuna, and other flavorful selections. “Under the Food Philippines pavilion, the Philippine delegation this year is keen on further strengthening its market foothold in the United States by catering to its growing healthconscious consumer market,” said DTI-CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon. WFFS is the U.S. West Coast’s largest specialty food and beverage event with an estimate of 20,000 annual visitors and 1,500 exhibitors from across the U.S. and 28 other

to those in other countries. Other top Philippine products include banana chips, nuts, coconut products, and other tropical fruits. The Philippines is the world’s second-largest producer of coconut and banana, according to the 2015 data of the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Department of Agriculture. Meanwhile, the country is also a top global producer of pineapple (3rd), canned tuna (4th), and mango (10th), based on a 2013 data of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. For this year, DTI-CITEM aims to generate at least U.S.$ 48.75 million sales by bringing in at least 20 new and returning Philippine manufacturers and exporters that are compliant with U.S.’ international safety and quality regulations and certification requirements, such as USDA Organic and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Philippine Pavilion is located at booths 4328-4340 South Hall of the Moscone CenDTI-CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon ter, San Francisco, CA. countries. For more information, Among the country’s bestplease visit www.citem.com.ph selling items are premium rice or contact the PTIC-San Francisand tuna. The Philippine corn snacks also garnered positive re- co at siliconvalley@dti.gov.ph or call us at (415) 773-2336 or (408) ception for its crunchier, tastier 980-9637. and bigger servings compared

What ‘MORE’ can you ask for in 2018’s first OPM concert by Tessa

Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

While they have all performed with one another in various shows, ‘#paMORE’ is their first opportunity to tackle songs all together in complete harmony—Nievera is a baritone, Alcasid a tenor, Velasquez a soprano and Santos sings across the scales. ManilaTimes.net photo

THE Philippine concert scene is kicking off 2018 as it should with Original Pilipino Music’s best lording over a single stage. As a prelude to the busiest concert season of every year at Valentine’s, Concert King Martin Nievera, Singer-Songwriter Ogie Alcasid, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez and Prince of Pop Erik Santos will headline “#paMORE” at the Mall of Asia Arena on February 10. Besides being a popular millen-

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

nial hashtag, the word “MORE” is the acronym of the artists’ first names, while the phrase itself promises an evening of limitless musical talent. The one-night-only concert is by the way one of the few big local acts to make it among the roster of Valentine’s shows for 2018, and the four Platinum-recording are grateful that as early as November, when #paMORE tickets first came out, sales have been through the roof. “It’s my 35th year in the business, Regine’s on her 31st, Ogie’s

celebrating his 30th this year, and well, Erik’s turning 15,” Martin rolled his eyes jokingly at the youngest headliner, “and it’s really a rare thing for someone to be in a cast like this. Sana ‘more pa’ like this.” As Regine explained, while they have all performed with one another in various shows, this is their first opportunity to tackle songs all together and explore where their voices can take them. As power balladeers, Regine further said they all have their

love for ‘80s music in common. “We’ll do a few new songs I’m sure, but they will have to be appropriate to our style and age—nothing pilit,” the Songbird added. As for Erik, who looked every bit overwhelmed to be lined up among OPM’s reigning icons. Returning the good vibes, Martin, Ogie and Regine sincerely agreed that Erik deserved to be in the line-up given his talent and achievements in the business.

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