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w w w. a s i a n Volume 25 - No. 1 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages
.com T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r
jaNuary 19-25, 2018 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEw YORk/NEw JERSEY
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Duterte admin hits record-high DATELINE USA Trump administration ‘excellent’ rating - SWS survey to ask Supreme Court
from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
to allow end of DACA
mANILA — the administration of President ro- isfaction on the general performance of the current of “excellent” +70, up by 12 points and by one grade drigo Duterte obtained an all-time high “excellent” administration. from the “very good” +58 in september 2017. only nine percent were dissatisfied, while the rerating during the last quarter of 2017, surpassing the this also exceeded the record of “very good” +66 the Justice Department said on tuesday, record set by his predecessor. maining 12 percent were neither satisfied nor dissat- achieved in June 2013 by the administration of forJanuary 16, that it would ask the supreme Court According to the latest survey of social Weather isfied. mer president Benigno Aquino III. PAGE A2 to overturn a California judge’s ruling in a move stations, 79 percent of filipino adults expressed satthis yielded a record-high net satisfaction rating it described as a “rare step.” the overturn would provide a way for the trump administration to put an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which has taken center stage in the country’s most pressing legal disputes. the administration said it appealed to the u.s. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, an by Dana SioSon injunction made last week by san franciscoAJPress based u.s. District Judge William Alsup. fuLfILLINg a campaign promise made by u PAGE A3 President rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine government on thursday, January 18 launched the new overseas filipino Bank (ofB)—a bank that caters specifically to filipinos abroad. this comes about four months since Duterte signed executive order (eo) 44 on september 28, which approves the Land Bank of the Philippines’ (LBP) acquisition of the Philippine Postal savings Bank (PPsB). It stated that the PPsB will be converted to the ofB. Duterte, who led the inauguration of the ofB at the Postbank Center in manila, expressed satisfaction that he was able to carry out one of his electoral promises. “I made simple promises during the election. I Manny Pacquiao Philstar.com photo am not into politics but I would just like to remind you that I kept my campaign very simple, with FULFILLING HIS PROMISE. President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he led the ceremonial opening of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) at about four basic fundamental promises and I am Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday, January 18. The creation of OFBank is one of the campaign promises of President Duterte meant to ManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian PAGE A3 provide financial and remittance services tailored to the needs of OFWs.
PH gov’t launches Overseas Filipino Bank
Arum eyes to line Pacquiao’s return with Crawford-Horn match
After suffering a controversial defeat in July last year, filipino boxing icon manny Pacquiao is likely to make a comeback this coming April. top rank promoter Bob Arum told the Las Vegas review-Journal that he’s planning to include Pacquiao in the same card that will feature a WBo welterweight title showdown between champion Jeff horn and terence Crawford. Arum, however, presented two main issues that are yet to be resolved: Pacquiao’s opponent and the availability of the venue. “We’re working on an opponent. Don’t want to be too premature about that, but we’re working on it as we speak. Pacquiao seems like he wants ‘We are not closing; we will fight on,’ say Maria Ressa and Chay Hofilena to come back, so we’re trying to get that final- in a statement at a press briefing at Rappler. Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande ized,” Arum said.
u PAGE A3
Int’l media giants condemn SEC move to shut down Rappler
New York Times, Wall Street Journal stand in solidarity with the PH outlet by Rae
ann VaRona AJPress
As rappler faces closure after the Philippine securities and exchange Commission (seC) en banc revoked its registration for allegedly violating the country’s Constitution, some of the top media companies have voiced support for the Philippine media outlet.
the company is also being accused of violating the Anti-Dummy Law, the Corporation Code and the securities regulation Code. “the en Banc finds rappler, Inc. and rappler holdings Corporation, a mass media entity and its alter ego, liable for violating the constitutional and statutory foreign equity restriction in mass media, enforceable through
laws and rules within the mandate of the commission,” read the decision dated January 11, published on monday, January 15. following the ruling, press freedom advocates and Philippine government officials including Vice President Leni robredo were quick to defend rappler which has maintained that the accusations are false. PAGE A2
SC Judge Carpio: Nationwide martial law is legally possible by Dana
SioSon AJPress
It is legally possible for Philippine President rodrigo Duterte to expand the scope of martial law nationwide, supreme Court (sC) Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said on Wednesday, January 17. During the resumption of oral arguments on the consolidated petitions against the one-year extension of martial law in mindanao, Carpio noted that the threat posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), is nationwide and not limited to mindanao only. “But if you follow the argument that the CPP-NPA [threat] is nationwide, legally the president can declare martial law throughout the entire Philippines because there is an ongoing rebellion nationwide,” Carpio said. While solicitor general Jose Calida agreed that the president “can” expand the martial law nationwide, he pointed out that it was unnecessary. “there is the accompanying requisite of public safety that requires it [martial law
Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio Inquirer.net photo
declaration],” the Philippine government’s top lawyer added. under the section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, a president has the power to declare the Philippines under martial law subject to the Congressional approval “in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.”
further asked by Carpio if the first condition of an actual rebellion by the CPP-NPA had been complied with, Calida responded in affirmative but expressed belief that Duterte “will not impose martial law in the entire Philippines.” Last month, Congress granted Duterte’s request to retain the martial law in mindanao until December 31, 2018 for the “total eradication” of the communist rebels, Islamic state (Is)-inspired groups, and other local and foreign terrorist groups in the area. According to the Armed forces of the Philippines (AfP), there are about 400 terrorists in mindanao. AfP also added that there has been an “influx” of foreign terrorists, “in the guise of tourists and businessmen,” in the southern Philippines. so far, the military said it has monitored 48 foreign terrorists currently operating and recruiting in area. “Abu sayyaf groups, in the presence of remnants, supporters, protectors and sympathizers of DAesh (another term for the Islamic state of Iraq and syria or IsIs), pose PAGE A2
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), said the Senate would do its best to pass the BBL before it ends its session on March. Senate photo by Alberto Calvelo
Duterte warns of war in Mindanao if BBL fails by Dana
SioSon AJPress
PhILIPPINe President rodrigo Duterte raised the possibility of a war in mindanao should Congress fails to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). In his speech during the
launch of the overseas filipino Bank (ofB) in manila on thursday, January 18, the president stressed that it was about time to address what he called the “historical injustice committed to the moro people.” he cautioned that failing to PAGE A3
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From the Front Page
SC Judge Carpio: Nationwide martial law...
PAGE A1 a clear and present danger to national facilitation of rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction in Marawi, and hinder peace in Mindanao,” AFP deputy chief of staff for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad said. According to AFP Chief Gen. Rey Guerrero, the martial law in Mindanao has encouraged “greater compliance on all gov-
ernment entities” and the enhancement of the “climate of safety and security.” “People in affected areas could attest that they appreciate the implementation of martial law,” Guerrero added. ‘Paranoia’ over martial law Earlier on Tuesday, January 16, SC Associate Justice Samuel Martires questioned petitioners for supposedly being “paranoid”
about the military rule. Martires posed the question following statements from former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay who cited the rampant human rights violations in the country from 1972 to 1986 during the martial law period under late President Ferdinand Marcos. “Why are we so paranoid about martial law and yet not worried about terrorism?” Martires asked petitioners. Hilbay is the counsel for former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Etta Rosales, who is among the petitioners. During the deliberations, Hilbay maintained that threats of terrorism do not justify martial law. “That is not enough to justify the imposition of martial law… Many of us experienced martial law and it was not a pleasant experience,” he said. While agreeing that threats of terrorism should be addressed, the former solicitor general insisted that the military’s regular powers are the “appropriate tool” for responding to such threats. “Why are we not worried about terrorism? We are worried about terrorism but martial law is not the answer to terrorism,” Hilbay added. Martires then interrogated Hilbay about any occurrence of civil liberties being suppressed under the current martial law. “[Is] there a curtailment of freedom of speech? Of assembly? Academic freedom? Just like what happened during the previous martial law?” Martires asked. Hilbay, in response, said he was not privy to “what the military did” under the present martial law. The SC has consolidated four petitions challenging the constitutionality of the one-year extension. The first and second petitions were separately filed by the socalled “Magnificent Seven” of the House of Representatives, led by Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, and by human rights advocates and cause-oriented groups represented by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL). The third petition was filed by Rosales, while the fourth was submitted by a group led by former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman and one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution Christian Monsod. n
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Erratum
In last week’s Orange County & Inland Empire edition, the story “Filipino reportedly trafficked into forced labor sues host family” on Page 1 was printed with a different story. The Asian Journal apologizes for the error and whatever confusion it may have caused our readers.
AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. President Rodrigo Duterte inspects the new equipment under the new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems Development Project during its inauguration at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center (PATMC) in Pasay City on Tuesday, January 16. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo
Duterte admin hits record-high... PAGE A1
The polling firm noted that the 12-point increase can be attributed to record-high net satisfaction scores achieved in Mindanao, National Capital Region and Balance Luzon, combined with a steady score in the Visayas. It was “excellent” in Mindanao (+87) and NCR (+71), while it was “very good” in Balance Luzon (+67) and Visayas (+57). The administration’s net satisfaction rating rose to “excellent” +68 from “very good” among class D or the masa and “very good” +66 from “good” among class E. It stayed “very good” in classes ABC at +62. “Double-digit increases in the national administration’s net satisfaction rating occurred among men, among the 35 year olds and above, and among non-elementary school graduates, elementary school graduates, and college graduates,” SWS said. Very good on combating terrorism, helping the poor The net satisfaction ratings of the Duterte administration were “very good” on fighting terrorism (+67), helping the poor (+66), building and maintenance of public works like roads and bridges (+59), foreign relations (+55) and providing jobs (+50). These were good on reconciling with Muslim rebels (+48), telling the truth to the people (+47), defending the country’s territorial rights (+46), protecting human rights (+45), reconciling with communist rebels (+43), fighting crimes (+43), eradicating graft and corruption (+42), ensuring an
MONEY QUEUE. Hundreds of Quezon City residents line up at city hall to collect their monthly subsidy from the government, distributed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), poor families receive monthly cash grants aimed to improve the health, nutrition, and education of children. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
efficient public transportation system (+42), ensuring that no family will be hungry (+33), solving the problem of extrajudicial killings (+30), and ensuring that oil companies do not take advantage of oil prices (+30). Meanwhile, the net satisfaction ratings of the current administration were “moderate” on fighting inflation (+24) and resolving the traffic problem (+23). According to Mon Casiple, head of the Institute for Electoral and Political Reforms, the latest SWS survey only validated Duterte’s popularity in other surveys conducted before. “They matter insofar as the public appreciate that he is following up on his promises,” he said, referring to the Duterte administration’s actions during the last quarter of 2017.
But for activist leader Renato Reyes, the highest rating of the Duterte administration was because the full effects of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, as well as the moves for charter change and term extension “have not been reflected in the surveys.” The survey was conducted from December 8 to 16 using face-toface interviews of 1,200 adults. It has a ± 3% error margin at the 95 percent confidence level. Among the news items when SWS conducted its survey was the approval of martial law extension in Mindanao, return of the Philippine National Police to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and impeachment hearings against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)
Int’l media giants condemn SEC move... PAGE A1 “Yung media, sila ‘yung inaasahan na maging watchdog… Kung wala nang bantay, ano ‘yung makakahadlang sa pang-aabuso ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno (The media, they are expected to be watchdogs… Without watching, what will prevent the abuse of government officials)?” asked Robredo. On Wednesday, January 17, the New York Times joined in by calling the SEC ruling “only the tip” of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s attack on media critics. In its op-ed, the Times also highlighted the proliferation of fake news and said Duterte’s denial of being involved was predictable. “His supporters have also made the Philippines a swamp of fake news, conspiracy theories and online harassment,” said the Times. “Mr. Duterte has refused to condemn the flood and has denied any involvement in its creation,” the newspaper added. “Predictably, he also denied that the revocation of Rappler’s was political, and he said he didn’t care whether or not Rappler continued to operate.” The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, January 16, listed the SEC ruling as the latest attempt by the Duterte administration to “silence” the media and those critical of the administration. “Other media organizations use the same structure; only Rappler is being singled out for punishment,” said the WSJ article. Under the Philippine Constitution, mass media companies are required to be fully owned by Filipinos. The SEC said Rappler had violated those rules by taking funds from Omidyar Network, a self-described philanthropic investment firm created by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, a nonFilipino. Rappler argues that the investors provided funding through
a Philippine Depository Receipt (PDR) which essentially allow companies to invest in media companies without becoming owners. Many national companies are said to use PDRs. Marcus Brauchli, co-founder of North Base Media which also has investments in Rappler through PDRs, responded to a letter by Filipino journalist Rigoberto Tiglao who asked for Brauchli’s comment on the ruling that “violated our Constitution’s ban on foreign equity in a media firm.” “Why would the SEC rescind the business license of a truly innovative, viable and popular media company?” asked Brauchli who was also the former executive editor of the Washington Post, and former managing editor of the WSJ. “Filipinos we know are proud of the fact that the first successful digital media company in Southeast Asia took root and flourished in their country,” he added. “We admire and respect the people, laws, independence and accomplishments of the Philippines. That’s why we got involved with Rappler.” Rappler responded to the ruling Monday by calling it “pure and simple harassment.” “What this means for you, and for us, is that the Commission is ordering us to close shop, to cease telling you stories, to stop speaking truth to power, and to let go of everything that we have built — and created — with you since 2012,” said a response statement by Rappler. Rappler argued that in 2015, the SEC had itself accepted the Omidyar-related documents submitted by Rappler. Palace suggests “blogger accreditation” Maintaining that the move was not an attack on press freedom but on the compliance of the Filipino ownership rules, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Wednesday, January 17 that
Rappler would still be able to apply for “blogger accreditation”. “They may need to get accreditation as bloggers because they cannot continue conducting their business as Rappler since that company has, for all intents and purposes, been declared void by the SEC,” said Roque in a press conference in San Fernando, La Union. “Maria Ressa can continue to blog. Pia Ranada can continue to blog,” added Roque. Registration with the SEC is one of the requirements that allows news outlets blanket access to presidential events through membership into the Malacañang Press Corps. Under the mentioned blogger accreditation which covers “social media practitioners who generate news and information regarding the activities” of the Philippine president, access would be given to bloggers on a per-event basis. The accreditation though, is granted by the office of the Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, who has not had a friendly history with Rappler. Mocha likened the SEC ruling announcement to Christmas when speaking to followers in a livestreamed Facebook post the same day of the announcement. “Tandaan niyo ang araw na ito, Jan. 15, napakagandang araw. Ramdam na ramdam mo pa din ang Christmas spirit, ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko (Remember this day, Jan. 15, a very beautiful day. You can still feel the Christmas spirit; only now do I feel the true meaning of Christmas),” Uson said. In November of last year, Uson wrote a formal request to Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar for Rappler to be reclassified as “social media” to be given accreditation by her office. PAGE A3
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PH remains ‘partly free’ in world freedom index by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com
Viray
THE Philippines maintained its “partly free” status in the 2018 world freedom index released by human rights advocacy group Freedom House. The Philippines garnered an aggregate score of 62/100 in the index, which is one point lower than its score in 2017. The country also scored three out of seven in freedom ranking, political rights and civil liberties. Countries were rated one (most free) to seven (least free). Freedom House is yet to release a full report on the status of the Philippines, which is among the 58 countries that qualified as “partly free.” In the 2017 index, a downward trend arrow was observed in the
Philippines due to the thousands of extrajudicial killings carried out in the conduct of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. “Long-term violent insurgencies have continued for decades. Impunity remains the norm for crimes against activists and journalists, and newly elected president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs has led to a surge in extrajudicial killings and vigilante justice,” the 2017 world freedom index read. In November 2017, Freedom House released its Freedom on the Net report where the group discussed how an army of social media commentators was paid to manipulate information from June 2016 to May 2017. The report also noted that overall internet freedom in the country slightly worsened during the same period.
According to the new Freedom in the World report, 30 percent of all countries assessed were “partly free” and were home to nearly 1.8 billion people or 24 percent of the world’s total. A total of 88 countries were designated as “free” while 49 countries were deemed “not free.” Freedom House reported that democracy around the world faced its most serious crisis in decades last year as basic tenets such as free and fair elections, the rights of minorities, freedom of the press and the rule of law came under attack. The report noted that “repressive regimes” in Asia continued to consolidate their power while marginalized communities in Cambodia, China, Myanmar, the Maldives and Timor-Leste faced dire threats. n
Duterte warns of war in Mindanao...
PAGE A1
address the years-long concerns of the Moros could lead to dire consequences. “Kung walang mangyari nito sa BBL ngayon (if nothing will happen to the BBL) or we change the Constitution or do not change the Constitution at all, there will be war in Mindanao. I can assure you, mamili kayo (you will choose),” the president said. Passing the proposed BBL has been among Duterte’s campaign promises. A version of the BBL crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) is now pending in the House of Representatives as House Bill No. 6475. BTC include representatives from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The proposed measure aims to abolish the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mind-
anao (ARMM) and replace it with Bangsamoro Region that will enjoy fiscal autonomy. It will also serve as the completion of the peace process with the Moro rebels. Duterte further warned, “And at this time, it could be a double whammy because my enemy would be their friends and what would that be?” “It’s the ISIS,” he said, referring to another name for Islamic State (IS) terrorists. Government forces recently engaged with a five-month long of armed conflict against pro-IS terrorists in Marawi City from May to October 2017. Mindanao remains to be under martial law due to threats posed by rebels and other pro-IS insurgents. In an earlier statement, Malacañang reminded that proposed BBL should adhere to the Constitution to be passed by Congress. “You need to pass a BBL that’s consistent with the Philippine Con-
stitution, simply put,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing on Tuesday, January 17. A solon also shared the same sentiment, saying that the 1987 Constitution will remain to be the basis of the proposed BBL amid the Congress’ ongoing efforts for a Charter Change (cha-cha) in connection with the proposed shift to a federal form of government. Unless the current Constitution is revised, Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Rep. Wilter Wee Palma II maintained that lawmakers “will base everything on the 1987 Constitution.” Last month, Duterte expressed doubt that doubt that the measure will be passed by Congress, remarking that the proposed BBL will unlikely “hurdle constitutional barriers.” He, however, did not specify which provisions will violate the Constitution. n
PH gov’t launches Overseas... PAGE A1 very happy that mukhang naibigay ko sa inyo (I fulfilled it),” the president said. With the OFB, Duterte added that the government can “give back what is due our kababayans abroad through a bank specially dedicated to servicing their banking and financing requirements.” The newly-opened bank is set to operate domestically and internationally. By the second quarter of 2018, the government plans to open foreign representative offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Bahrain. The OFB will offer deposits, loans, investments, remittance,
and payment services “tailored to the requirements” of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), immigrants, and those with resident visas. In an earlier statement, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said a key feature of the OFB will be its provision of a remittance service for OFWs and a loan program for Filipinos planning to return to the country to start businesses or build their homes. According to him, the Landbank and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) “are also exploring ways of mobilizing the savings of overseas-based Filipinos for
them to invest in the country’s capital market.” “It’s just a matter of the administrative integration of the bank. It’s an administrative thing and all the approvals have been cleared away for the acquisition,” Dominguez said. “You know, we are just fulfilling [President Duterte’s] campaign promise one by one. First, tax reform, then this new bank,” he added. Apart from fulfilling the president’s campaign promise, the finance secretary also remarked that the conversion of the PPSB into the OFB also saved the former from bankruptcy. n
Arum eyes to line Pacquiao’s return with...
PAGE A1
Pacquiao has not been in the ring since losing his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight title to Horn in their match last July in Brisbane. This April, it is Horn’s turn to defend his WBO Welterweight title from Crawford. The bout will be televised by ESPN. It remains unclear, however, if Pacquiao will participate in the main event or as undercard. The last time Pacquiao fought in the undercard was in 2005, when
knocked out Hector Velasquez in Los Angeles. The event was then headlined by the match between Eric Morales and Zahir Raheem. “ESPN has a way to solve (the main event issue), so it will be very interesting when we announce it,” Arum said. As for the venue, Arum remarked that he wanted the match to be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 21 but can’t confirm yet because the place might be used by the
Golden Knights team for the NHL playoffs, slated to begin April 11. If failed to get an approval for the T-Mobile Arena, Arum said the bout could be held at New York’s Madison Square Garden on April 14. “Unless they can get some clearance from the league, we can’t do it in Las Vegas because none of the other arenas are available and we would have to do it somewhere else,” Arum said. (Dana Sioson/AJPress)
Int’l media giants condemn SEC move... PAGE A2
“Rappler, an online publication that has no counterpart print or broadcast arm is technically considered social media. This should fall under the rules on accreditation by my office,” Uson wrote. In an interview Wednesday, January 17, Andanar said that no action in that direction would be started until the SEC move was finalized. “They have the right to go through a process. They can appeal at the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court and even fix it there with the Securities and Exchange Commission,” said Andanar. “I will not even decide on that recommendation by Asec Mocha for now. Let’s wait for the decision of Rappler, what they do to be able to abide by the law,” he added. Age of “fake news” On Tuesday, January 16, Duterte made his latest remarks against Rappler during a speech for a new air traffic management system’s inauguration in Pasay City. “For your information, you can stop your suspicious mind from roaming somewhere else. But since you are a fake news outlet then I am not surprised that your articles are also fake, “ said Duterte in an interview. “Sumobra kayo (you went too far), you are not only throwing toilet paper, you are throwing shit at us,” he added. His answers were in response to recent articles published about the Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, which claim Go had been meddling in
warship acquisitions. Formed in 2012, the media company has grown to become the tenth most visited website in the country, according to Alexa. The company has nearly seven million followers across its social media account and has expanded its local coverage to Indonesia. The issue of “fake news” has become a burning topic in the recent media landscape, especially in the Philippines where nearly 97 percent of online Filipinos use Facebook which has proven to be a powerful platform for sharing information as evident by both Rappler and Duterte’s administration. Headlines once linked to a report from Facebook that called Duterte the “undisputed king of Facebook conversations.” In an in-depth Bloomberg article, Rappler’s CEO Maria Ressa was quoted being open to the opportunities Facebook offered in politics. “At the beginning I actually loved it because I felt like this was untapped potential,” Bloomberg quoted Ressa saying. Ressa and Duterte had once sat across from each other for a question and answer Rappler forum called #TheLeaderIWant that was broadcasted on 200 television and radio stations, and live streamed at viewing parties in over 40 colleges across the nation. “Duterte’s campaign on social media was groundbreaking,” she added. But in the following months, the company found itself under attack for its coverage of the administration’s war on drugs, its social me-
dia practices, and general ruling style. After writing an article titled “Propaganda War: Weaponizing the Internet” in October 2016, Ressa said she almost immediately began receiving hate messages, many of which were violent. An armed guard was hired to stand outside her office. Shortly after, a campaign for unfollowing Rappler was launched, causing the outlet to lose approximately 52,000 Facebook followers. The campaign was promoted by public figures like Uson who was personally mentioned in the Rappler piece. Ressa wrote in an article published last November after the company was recognized by the National Democratic Institute, that she had received more threats since founding Rappler than in the three decades she has worked as a conflict reporter and war zone correspondent. She also expressed concern over Facebook’s role in monitoring fake news. “They haven’t done anything to deal with the fundamental problem, which is they’re allowing lies to be treated the same way as truth and spreading it,” Ressa wrote. “Either they’re negligent or they’re complicit in state-sponsored hate.” But now, the priority has shifted heavily on the SEC decision. In a post to the company’s Instagram handle, Ressa said, “We are prepared. Bring it. We will continue to fight it and we will continue to push the government to respect and to maintain the rule of law.” n
EDUCATING THE YOUTH. As a legislator, wife and mother — Senator Grace Poe interacts with students of Immaculate Conception Academy during their visit at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, January 16. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Trump administration to ask Supreme Court... PAGE A1
On Tuesday, January 9, Alsup blocked Trump’s plan to end DACA protections, allowing those previously protected by the program to apply to renew their status. The ruling does not though, require the government to accept new applications. In carrying out the ruling, Alsup said the plaintiffs “have clearly demonstrated that they are likely to suffer serious irreparable harm absent from injunction.” “Before DACA, Individual Plaintiffs, brought to America as children, faced a tough set of live and career choices turning on the comparative probabilities of being deported versus remaining here,” he said in his decision. “DACA gave them a more tolerable set of choices, including joining the mainstream workforce.” Now, the Justice Department said it will also be petitioning the Supreme Court to intervene the case later this week. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement that the ruling “defies both law and common sense.” “We are now taking the rare step of requesting direct review on the merits of this injunction by the Supreme Court so that this issue may be resolved quickly and fairly for all the parties involved,” said Sessions.
Sessions had announced the federal protection’s end in September 2017, before giving Congress six months to find a fix. That gives Congressional members until March 5 to make a decision. The action comes as Capitol Hill approaches a January 19 deadline for avoiding what could be the first government shutdown since 2013. Advocates for the nearly 800,000 (former) DREAMers have been pushing for a DACA fix to be included in the solution. Filipino Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who outed himself as an illegal immigrant in a 2011 essay in the New York Times Magazine, took to Instagram Tuesday encouraging those that may be affected to take a vacation day from work and get needed paperwork done. “If you’re an employer, I encourage your teammates to prioritize this (and not have them request a vacation day but just do it),” said Vargas. “As predicted, Jeff Sessions just provided notice of their intent to appeal directly to the Supreme Court on the CA decision so we have no idea to know if this re-application window will close and if yes how quickly,” he added. “Not trying to induce panic, just trying to induce
expeditious behavior in a very unknown crazy unfair and cruel period of time.” According to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, nearly 5,000 applications from undocumented Filipinos have been approved since 2012 when the program was established by former President Barack Obama. Trump had rejected last Thursday, January 11, a bipartisan proposal for DACA that was introduced by Democratic Senators Richard Durbin, Michael Bennett, and Robert Menendez and Republican Senators Lindsey Graham, Jeff Flake, and Cory Gardner. The six said in a statement before the deal was rejected that they had “reached an agreement in principle that addresses border security, the diversity visa lottery, chain migration/family reunification and the DREAM Act.” In a succession of tweets posted Friday, January 12, Trump called the proposal a “big step backwards.” He argued that it did not fund the wall, it slackened policies family-based immigration “chain migration,” as well as the diversity visa lottery system. He maintained he wanted a merit-based system of immigration. (Rae Ann Varona/ AJPress)
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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 19-25, 2018
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Senate ‘unanimous’ against joint voting in con-ass by AJPress
mittee to execute my proposal,” lacson added. All members of the Senate The Senate has only 24 memagreed that Congress must vote bers, while the House is comseparately in revising the 1987 posed of 292 members. Constitution should it convene as Overwhelmingly outnumbered a constitutional assembly. by the House, senators argued According to Senate Minority that the power of the Senate may leader Franklin Drilon, senators be diminished in a joint voting. are “unanimously” against the Earlier on Tuesday, January, proposal for them to vote jointly 16, the House of Representatives with the House of Represenadopted a resolution to convene as tatives on the Charter change a constitutional assembly. (Cha-cha). The lower chamber approved “It is the entire Senate as an the House Concurrent Resolution institution. The unanimous vote no. 9, which seeks to convene — no dissent — is that we should both the Senate and the House DANCING FOR THE SANTO NIÑO. Residents of Pandacan, Manila dance during the Buling-Buling festival to celebrate the feast of the Santo Niño, vote separately,” Drilon told reManilaTimes.net photo by John Micah Sebastian of Representatives into a con- the district’s patron saint. During the festival dancers parade images of the child Jesus. porters on Wednesday, January stituent assembly “to propose 17. amendments to or revision of the He went on to say, “In my 20 Philippine Constitution” in conyears as a senator, there’s just a nection with the proposed shift few times where there is unanimto federalism. by Dana SioSon ity. The unanimity was shown yesThe resolution, however, did not AJPress terday when all the senators said, state whether the voting will be ‘no, we should vote separately.’” conducted separately or jointly by THREE Supreme Court (SC) Drilon also disclosed that no the Senate and the House. n magistrates appeared before the House committee on justice on Monday, January 15 to testify in the impeachment hearing against Chief Justice Maria lourdes Sereno. They were Associate Justices lucas Bersamin, Samuel Martires, and Diosdado Peralta. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, meanwhile, declined to attend the hearing despite being invited, saying he has no personal knowledge on the allegations hurled against the chief THE WHOLE TRUTH. Associate Justices Samuel Martirez, Diosdado Peralta and Lucas Bersamin take their oath before testifying at the House of Representatives on Monday, January 15. justice. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez During the resumption of hearings determining if the impeach- a practice. I was shocked. [We] tive cases against members of ment complaints filed against were pre-empted from nominat- the judiciary who has “slept on Sereno have probable cause, Per- ing a candidate for the position of the job.” During the hearing, Deputy alta claimed that the existence of a Justice in the Supreme Court,” Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia said “favoritism” is “very clear” in the Peralta said. He went on to add, “This I can the TWG delayed the resolution clustering method done by Sereno in the shortlist of candidates for say with certainty — when we of 29 applications for benefits for were inside the room [for the at least one and a half year. vacancies in the judiciary. meeting], not one justice inside The alleged manipulation of “Very clear, [there is favoritism] Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon fields questions to legal luminaries, constitutional experts and other resource persons during the Senate hearing on the proposals to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution, Wednesday, January 17, 2018. Drilon said that a possible disagreement in the clustering method. This is waived [his right to vote on the the JBC list and the late release between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the mode of amending or revising the 1987 Constitution could not be brought for [also] repeated in other recom- short-list]. I did not agree to take of benefits of the spouses of the justices who had passed resolution at the Supreme Court, since the issue “falls within the discretionary powers of both Houses of Congress.” Also in photo is Senator mendations of the JBC (Judicial that away.” Panfilo Lacson. Senate photo by Alexis Nueva España and Bar Council),” Peralta said. Martires, meanwhile, agreed away are among the grounds in He also slammed Sereno’s that Sereno’s creation of a techni- the impeachment complaint of claim that several justices had cal working group (TWG) resulted lawyer lorenzo Gadon against waived their right to vote on the in the delay of the issuance of re- Sereno. tirement benefits to the surviving Gadon has accused Sereno of JBC short-list. culpable violation of the Constitu“[That claim] is very shady. It spouses of deceased judges. He also urged families affected tion, corruption, high crime, and is a privilege that I will not surrender. [The voting] is already by the delay to file administra- betrayal of public trust. n el and wasting the many things unless, of course, I have this by Dana SioSon that you do there without neces- commissioned for you to do AJPress sarily an impact on the lives of something for the country and PHIlIPPINE President Rodri- the people, better think of re- for the people.” In his speech, Duterte also hit go Duterte on Tuesday, January signing,” he said. Duterte on Monday, January public bidding in the guise of 16 vowed to continue his drive to cleanse the government ranks 15, said he sacked Commission lowest bid as another source of from corruption by dismissing on Higher Education (CHED) corruption. He further warned that he will head Patricia licuanan, who anmore corrupt officials. “I am on a purging spree. And nounced her resignation earlier not tolerate winning bidders who I will continue to do this, I sup- that day. The president did not failed to finish the public works pose, I’ll do it tomorrow. I’ll be cite specific reasons for dismiss- projects at specified timetable. “The highways in the Philipfiring more people from govern- ing licuanan but he made note ment,” Duterte said during a of rampant corruption in gov- pines are clogged with unfinernment when he made the rev- ished products and accidents speech in Pasay City. multiply because of the sheer Speaking before the inaugu- elation. Prior to licuanan, Duterte negligence also of the people ration of new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air also removed former Maritime handling the project. This insanTraffic Management Systems, Industry Authority administrator ity must stop,” the president rethe president warned officials Marcial Amaro III from office. marked. He went on to say, “If you from involving themselves in Both licuanan and Amaro were corruption, saying, “Do not do it accused of making excessive have the contract and you incur a delay of 30 days, I’ll take over. foreign trips. during my watch.” The president went on to say, I’ll give it to another contractor Duterte also warned officials against taking excessive foreign “Those who made trips more which has the money to conthan 20 a year, that’s too much. tinue and I will not pay you, you trips. “And those who are into the So I will be asking almost all of go to court, then we will fight it wanderlust or are itchy for trav- them to maybe just step down, out. n one objected to Senator Panfilo lacson’s proposal to expel from the Senate any of its members who attend the House of Representatives’ proposed constituent assembly. “There was a proposal yesterday by Senator lacson to expel whoever that member is, there was no dissent. The point is that it manifests the sentiment, strong sentiments of the senators in so far as voting separately or jointly,” Drilon said. lacson, for his part, confirmed making such a proposal: “I did suggest that yesterday after we all agreed to close ranks as one body. Nobody objected.” “I was just concerned that in case of that remote possibility na meron in the future, he or she cannot escape a misdeed that borders on treachery to our Senate as an institution. We can use our mechanism in the ethics com-
SC justices attend Sereno impeachment hearing
Pres. Duterte on his fight against corruption: ‘I’m on a purging spree’
Claims Board confident of full reparations of martial law victims by ElizabEth
MarcElo Philstar.com
HuMAN Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) chairperson lina Sarmiento Wednesday expressed confidence that her office can achieve full reparations of the victims of human rights violations during martial law, before the Board ceases operations four months from now. “Based on our timeline, we are still on track. With the expressed commitment of all the Board members, we will be able to distribute the full amount of monetary reparations to all eligible claimants before the Board becomes functus officio,” Sarmiento said in a press statement. Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act gives the HRVCB until May 12, 2018 to distribute the reparations to the legitimate claimants, which means that it will automatically cease to function after then. Sarmiento said that to date, the Board has already adjudicated 99.2 percent of the total 75,730 claims filed before it. Sarmiento said that from 2017 to date, the Board has already released a total of P354,246,052 as partial payment to eligible claimants. Based on HRVCB’s consolidated list, there are a total of of 9,204 eligible claimants to date,
Based on HRVCB’s consolidated list, there are a total of of 9,204 eligible claimants to date, most of them have already received partial monetary reparations.
most of them have already received partial monetary reparations. “While partial monetary reparations are now being distributed, the determination of the full amount cannot be made yet as we are still in the process of adjudicating appeals and oppositions. The exact amount of reparation due each legitimate claimant will be based on the total number of points awarded to all eligible claimants,” Sarmiento explained. Yesterday, Sarmiento held
a regular meeting with the officers and members of the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SElDA), a group of former political prisoners and victims of human rights violations during martial law. Sarmiento said among the things discussed were the status of the SElDA members’ claims, the mode of delivery of monetary and non-monetary reparations, basis for approval and denial of claims, payment procedures and the appeals process. n
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January 19-25, 2018 • OC/IE aSIan JOurnaL
OpiniOn
Vulnerable targets
Features
THE Philippines has a Data Privacy Act, an E-Commerce Law and AntiWiretapping Law. Yet in Southeast Asia, the country is reportedly the most vulnerable to cyber attacks. Although the Philippines ranks 37th out of 193 states in terms of cyber security preparedness, data from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation also showed that globally, the country ranks 10th in falling prey to cyber attacks. Apart from weak enforcement of cyber security laws, experts cite the low awareness of Filipinos about practices that increase vulnerability to cyber attacks. These include readiness to click on links and open emails from unknown sources. With Filipinos reportedly spending an average of four hours and 17 minutes daily on social networking sites in 2017, there is greater vulnerability to hacking, phishing and malware. Filipinos deeply engaged in social networking aren’t the only targets. As the nation has seen, banks and government offices have also come under cyber attack. Around the world, corporate giants and government security and financial agencies are also favorite targets. Countries that produce many cyber security experts also tend to be favorite targets of attacks. FBI data showed that the top targets of cyber attacks in
2017, ahead of the Philippines, were Canada, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, China, Japan and Germany. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia and Singapore were among the top 20 victims of cyber attacks in 2017. The presence of hackers in the country gives greater urgency to tightening the enforcement of cyber security laws. It also calls for greater effort to raise public awareness of what can be done to minimize vulnerability to data privacy breaches. The popularity of social media must be accompanied by information campaigns to make the public aware of the risks, which could include identity theft and losing one’s life savings. The internet is a powerful took for gaining knowledge, sharing information and social networking. Like any powerful tool, it must be wielded with a healthy amount of informed caution. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Some Republicans now ask: What has happened to the GOP under the Trump presidency? AMID the growing par- The Fil-Am tisan divide in President Don- Perspective ald Trump’s chaotic first year in office, any criticism against his ac- Gel SantoS-ReloS tion, words, policy, and character have been deemed by our Republican kababayans as a personal attack against the president by Democrats and liberals, who could not wait to bring down the Trump presidency because they could not accept that he won and Hillary Clinton lost. The most recent news about Trump allegedly calling certain African nations “shithole” and disparaging Haiti, among others with while saying the U.S. should have instead people from Norway, with a predominantly white population, emigrate to America just put a spotlight on what people say about Trump’s racist thoughts and attitude translating to national policies. The problems and concerns have been real, and the Republican Party — which used to embody the values that uphold the truth, rule of law, respect for all people, kindness, fairness, and conscientiousness that I see in my Republican friends — seems to be morphing into a different animal under the Trump administration. Republican journalist Elise Jordan summed up most of the sentiments privately shared with me by some Republican friends, in an article entitled “I’m a Republican. What on Earth Is Wrong
Opinion
FRanciSco tatad THE conflict between government and the press is no longer simply about the proper appreciation of the facts on various issues, but rather about who is telling us the truth and who is feeding us with b.s., or fake news. In the United States, the toxic exchange between the White House and the mainstream media has grown to alarming proportions following President Donald Trump’s alleged profanities against “shithole countries” that have populated the U.S. unwanted immigrants. In the Philippines, the Duterte government has moved to shut down Rappler, an independent online news platform based in Manila, with a bureau in Jakarta, for allegedly violating the constitutional provision on the ownership and management of mass media. Trump and the mainstream liberal press have accused each other of peddling fake news, and the toxicity of the exchange threatens to breach the limit of the ethically
With My Party?” published by Time Magazine on January 15, 2017. Jordan started the article with these words of exasperation: “I am a Republican in the era of Donald Trump, and I am emotionally depleted by the constant cruelty of the President of the United States.” Elise Jordan wrote this piece to remind her party about the soul of America that the Republican Party has fought so hard for before the era of Trump: “While Trump spoke of ‘American carnage’ in his Inaugural address, Ronald Reagan ended his second one by describing what he called the American sound: ‘hopeful, big-hearted, idealistic, daring, decent, and fair.’” “These are values that all Americans used to proudly champion, no matter the political party. Other Republicans still can, if they can summon the courage to state the obvious.” She went on to give a rundown of headlines that have been making her and other Republicans like her feel so frustrated and worried about how the President has been misrepresenting the true values of the Grand Old Party (GOP): “My heart hurt when Trump went out of his way to attack Myeshia Johnson, the pregnant widow of a fallen soldier he sent to the battlefield. I recoiled in disgust when he slanderously (and laughably) insinuated that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was willing to prostitute herself to him for a political donation. When the President offered that among the white
supremacists who killed a peaceful protester, there were ‘some very fine people,’ it felt like an alternate history, one where the Citizens’ Council ascended to power instead of ignominy. Then there’s his support for Roy Moore, even after multiple women accused Moore of preying on them when they were teenagers and he was in his thirties.” Elise Jordan’s concern goes beyond Trump because she sees how much of the Republican spirit that made her gravitate toward the party seems to be lost among Republican members just to accommodate and work with Trump: “The GOP’s journey from embracing compassionate conservatism to accepting Trump’s unparalleled capacity for casual cruelty cannot be dismissed as craven politics; it’s a threat to our security when the President taunts a nucleararmed rogue dictator on social media. There was a time not so long ago when Republican presidents — not to mention other Republican leaders — cared about America’s standing in the world, as a matter of principle and peace. The previous Republican president George W. Bush made compassion a literal domestic policy priority by funding what he called ‘armies of compassion’ through faith-based initiatives. This Republican president seems hell-bent on stripping any semblance of compassion from the national and global conversation.” Jordan also wrote about how the Trump presidency seems to isolate the United States from other countries all over the world, losing our allies’ respect, trust and support for the U.S. leadership in international relations, providing his-
torical context on how previous Republican presidents have valued these relationships in the past. She writes, “Trump believes there’s no need to fill diplomatic appointments — there’s still not an Ambassador to South Korea — because, as he puts it, ‘the only one who matters is me.’ His strategy of demeaning the homes of the men and women of an entire continent and a neighboring island and country is as cruel as it is irresponsible.” “In 1953, in response to the CIA’s pressure to overthrow the elected leader of Iran, President Dwight D. Eisenhower wondered aloud in a National Security Council meeting if perhaps we couldn’t try “to get some of the people in these downtrodden countries to like us instead of hating us?” Though Eisenhower would end up taking the CIA’s destructive advice to overthrow Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh, in general the former Supreme Commander of Allied Forces during World War II belabored the importance of alliances during the war and his presidency. ‘There is no strength equal to the strength of an enduring friendship,’ Eisenhower said, reflecting his belief that military might was meaningless without relationships based on mutual respect.” “President George H.W. Bush was another World War II hero who leveraged human connection for the national interest. By practicing exhaustive personal diplomacy, Bush organized a financial and military coalition that forced Iraqi tyrant Saddam Hussein’s withdrawal from Kuwait. A hypothetical question: how many world partners
could Donald Trump enlist to join him for a cause?” “In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, other nations did join with us against al-Qaeda. But although we must learn from our failures in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, the solution isn’t to withdraw from the world—or, worse yet, actively insult and alienate it.” Jordan finds it hard to come to terms with how supporters let Trump get away with words, behavior, policies that run against the principles her party used to uphold: “Trump’s most ardent supporters will continue to praise him for ignoring the social mores of political correctness. While I resent the stifling of free speech in an increasingly hypersensitive world, Trump is not a brave truth-teller; he’s the figurehead of our nation whose first year in office is most notable for his destructive casual cruelty.” “It is not hypersensitivity to be offended by blatantly racist, misogynistic and war-mongering statements from a man who refuses to exercise an ounce of self-control. Republicans used to believe that individuals were responsible for exercising self-control. Why does the Commander-in-Chief get a pass?” Does Trump represent the true Republican values you hold dear? *** 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
Censuring Trump, silencing Rappler Family reunification is permissible following Trump’s 90-minute meeting with US congressmen at the White House last week, where he allegedly asked, “why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here? Why not from Norway instead?” He was reportedly referring to Haiti, El Salvador and African countries. Haiti is one of the world’s poorest countries in the Western hemisphere; it is still recovering from the last deadly earthquake that hit it on January 12, 2010. Norway on the other hand is one of the world’s richest countries, with a GDP per capita of 62,510 PPP (purchasing power parity) dollars in 2017, according to the IMF. The Times vs Trump In one of the longest and more trenchant New York Times editorials I have ever read (Donald Trump flushes away America’s reputation, January 13, 2018), this flagship of the world’s liberal establishment press minced no words to show its contempt of Trump. This is an extensive quote: “Never mind that Norwegians are not clamoring to leave what is rated as the happiest nation on earth, and setting aside ques-
tions about Mr. Trump’s fitness, the flip-flop (on immigration) left the issue…more confused than before. “Where to begin? How about with a simple observation: The President of the United States is a racist. And another: The United States has a long and ugly history of excluding immigrants based on race or national origin. “Mr. Trump seems determined to undo efforts taken by presidents of both parties in recent decades to overcome that history. “Mr. Trump denied making the remarks on Friday (January 12), but Sen. Richard Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, who attended the meeting, said the president did in fact say these ‘hate-filled things, and he said them repeatedly.’ “Of course he did. Remember, Mr. Trump is not just racist, ignorant, incompetent and undignified. He’s also a liar… “The current turmoil over immigration conflates several special issues. One is DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which has provided temporary work permits and reprieves from deportation for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. These are the so-called
Dreamers who number about 800,000. “Another issue is the Temporary Protected Status program under which undocumented foreigners who were in the United States when disaster or conflict struck their homeland are allowed to remain in the United States. In November, the Trump administration ended the protection for about 60,000 Haitians, and on Monday the administration lifted it for almost 200,000 Salvadorans, most of whom have been in the United States for two decades. “A third issue is the future of the roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants who have come to the United States over decades and have effectively integrated into American life. The Trump administration has ordered a broad immigration crackdown against them. “And finally there’s President Trump’s imagined wall. “What is concerning is not the wall, or the word ‘shithole’ or the vacillation on the Dreamers or the Salvadorans. It’s what ties all of these things together: the bigoted worldview of the man behind them.
the American Dream
IT is in the best interest of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) to support a clean Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) bill and oppose efforts by Republicans to eliminate family reunification and the diversity visa. You may think that caRoline Fan DACA does not apply to AAPIs, but thousands of the 800,000 young people who have DACA status are AAPIs, and we should help them remain in their homes. Republicans are trying to tie DACA to eliminating family reunification. Family reunification is how 80 percent of Asian immigrants, such as my family and probably your family, came to America. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that we can continue reuniting families who have been separated, sometimes for up to 20 years — which is how long some Filipinos have to wait. In two decades, children are born and become adults, estranged by an ocean and antiquated immigration policies. Tearing up families is immoral. And yet so many supposedly family values politicians are eager to separate DACA children from their parents, and to prevent Asian American families from being whole. Indeed, Republicans now call family reunification “chain migration” — the better to ignore the fact that they are keeping father and son, sister and brother apart. Think about your family, and how they came to America. What would have happened without family reunification? Indeed, my whole family is tied through family-based immigration — after my father came, he brought my mom. After I was born, they brought my grandma who applied for my uncle and he brought my two cousins. After benefiting from a public school education, my cousins taught in Riverside and Los Angeles, giving back to the community as teachers. Family
Commentary
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Dateline PhiliPPines
OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 19-25, 2018
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Cayetano: ‘Same rules for all countries’ seeking to study Philippine waters by Ian
PROTESTING THE TRAIN LAW. Militant labor groups stage a protest against the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law in Mendiola, Manila on Monday, January 15. As prices of essential commodities continue to rise ahead of the full implementation of the TRAIN law, workers are asking the government to set in place safety measures to protect them from profiteers. Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban
Censuring Trump, silencing...
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“Anyone who has followed Mr. Trump over the years knows this. We knew it in the 1970s, when he and his father were twice sued by the Justice Department for refusing to rent apartments to black people. We knew it in 1989, when he took out a full-page newspaper ad calling for the execution of five black and Latino teenagers charged with the brutal rape of a white woman in Central Park. (The men were convicted but later exonerated by DNA and other evidence, but Mr. Trump never apologized, and he continued to argue as late as 2016 that the men were guilty.) We knew it when he built a presidential campaign by demonizing Mexicans and Muslims while promoting the lie that America’s first black president wasn’t born here. Or when, last summer, he defended marchers in a neo-Nazi parade as ‘very fine people.’ “Just last month, The Times reported on an Oval Office meeting on immigration during which Mr. Trump said that 15,000 Haitians now living in the United States ‘all have AIDS,’ and that Nigerian immigrants would never ‘go back to their huts’ in Africa once they have seen the United States. See a pattern yet? “Donald Trump is by no means America’s first racist president. But he ran a campaign explicitly rooted in bigotry, exclusion and white resentment. To his die-hard but ever-shrinking base, comments like those he made recently only reaffirm his solidarity with the cause. The Daily Stormer, a neo-Nazi website, certainly saw it this way. ‘This is encouraging and refreshing, as it indicates Trump is more or less on the same page as us with regards to race and immigration,’ the site wrote in a post.” The editorial does not end there. Here we see Trump being pounded to a pulp on the NYT op-ed page. But whatever he may want to do in return, there isn’t very much he can likely do to threaten The Times with possible closure, or any of its editorial writers with possible imprisonment. He, rather than The Times, is on the receiving end. Not so in the case of the Philippines’ Rappler Inc. The case vs Rappler The decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission to revoke Rappler’s incorporation papers, for allegedly violating the foreign equity restriction in the ownership and management of mass media—although not yet final and executory, according to SEC spokesman Armand Pan— sends out a most alarming signal not just to the national press, but to Philippine society as a whole. Rappler is the first Asian website, and the only truly independent news platform operating today in Duterte’s Philippines. It has performed a critical role at a time when the national media, with but a few exceptions, have tended to turn a blind eye on many execrable things happening before their
very eyes. Indeed, the Constitution provides that “ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations, cooperatives or associations, wholly owned and managed by citizens.” But given the cavalier regard the administration has shown for the most sacred constitutional issues, like the separation of powers and the people’s right to choose their own leaders, I suspect not many Filipinos would mind a foreignowned news platform trying to supply some balance in the lopsided news reporting. Isn’t this, in fact, the case of all the foreign wire service agencies operating in the Philippines? But is Rappler, in fact, foreignowned? The controversy appears to center on Rappler’s issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to Omidyar Network Fund LLC, a fund created by eBay founder and entrepreneur Pierre Omidyar. A PDR is defined as “a security that grants the holder the right to the delivery of sale of the underlying shares, but not ownership.” Media giants like ABS-CBN and GMA Channel 7 are known to have issued their own PDRs to certain foreign fund providers. But here’s the rub. In 2015, the PDRs issued by Rappler to Omidyar were approved by the SEC itself, without an iota of suspicion the Constitution was being violated. Has the SEC’s understanding of it changed just because President Duterte ordered Rappler’s true ownership investigated during his last State of the Nation Address? Assuming the SEC had erred before, and Omidyar PDRs are now to be construed as giving Omidyar ownership or management control of Rappler, wouldn’t it be more fair and just to simply cancel those PDRs, which the SEC itself had erroneously approved, without revoking Rappler’s right to operate its website? After all, why should Rappler be punished for the SEC’s obviously “honest mistake”? I am assuming, of course, that the silencing of Rappler altogether is not the real non-negotiable official objective of this government move. But is it? Silencing Rappler solves nothing I am afraid DU30’s minions might yet succeed in silencing an entity like Rappler, but it would be at the cost of provoking a mighty and extended roar of angry lions from various corners of the world. I personally saw this and had to deal with it for years when Marcos’ martial law silenced the freewheeling national media in 1972; I would not want to see PDU30 inflict the same injury upon himself. While we are on the subject, a truly sensible and far-seeing move which those seeking to reform the Constitution may want to consider is the scrapping of the present provision barring foreign ownership and/or management of all mass media establishments.
Family reunification is... PAGE A6 is fundamental to Asian culture, with many of us living in multigenerational homes together, and it’s fundamental to how we are able to start small businesses, working alongside aunties and uncles to make our lives here a success. And family is fundamental to American culture. America was built on bedrock principles — principles of fairness, equality, and inclusion. It’s what the Pilgrims sought, and it’s what my dad was aiming for when he came here by himself after 1965, when the quotas were lifted with the signing of the Immigration and Naturalization Act. Prior to that, the Chinese Exclusion Acts of 1882 kept Chinese and Asians from immigrating to the U.S. Many AAPIs are under the assumption that Trump and his anti-immigrant base only seek to reduce undocumented immigration, but in reality, they want
to limit the overall numbers of immigrants in America. That is why they seek to prevent people from bringing their family here, regardless of status. They’d like to go back to the Exclusion Acts, overturn birthright citizenship, and leave our family members stranded. AAPIs need to be vocal and call on our elected officials to pass a clean DACA bill, and to preserve family reunification and the diversity visa, which allowed 16,000 Asians from places like Taiwan and Macau to come to the U.S. last year. We need to recognize that when the President hatefully maligns certain countries as being dirty and inferior, that he is talking about our family members, too. Caroline Fan is the Communications Director for the Asian American Action Fund (www.aaa-fund.com), a Democratic political action committee dedicated to empowering Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by electing better officials at the local, state, and federal levels.
This ban serves no useful purpose except to protect the monopolistic interests of media oligarchs who want to use the mass media for their own extractive ends. The revolution in communications technology, which has given us a digital economy, has abolished all barriers to information from various parts of the world. Through the Internet and television, people of all ages are now able to share knowledge of everything with everyone else. The ban on foreign ownership merely prevents foreign capital and intellectual expertise from entering the country at a time they are sorely needed. (ManilaTimes.net)
nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com
MANILA — “Same rules for all the countries.” This was Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano’s assurance to the public after a lawmaker blasted his agency for supposedly allowing a Chinese think tank to conduct marine research in Philippine waters, including the potentially resourcerich Benham Rise. Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) slammed the Department of Foreign Affairs for granting the request of Institute of Oceanology of Chinese Academy of Sciences (IO-CAS) to conduct research in waters off Eastern Luzon, where Benham Rise is located, and off Eastern Mindanao. The Chinese researchers will be joined by the University of the Philippines — Marine Science Institute “as a requirement.” Alejano also revealed that a similar plea was lodged by French-based non-profit organization Tara Expeditions Foundation, but it was declined by the DFA. Sought for comment, Cayetano said that while he has yet to check the details of the supposed DFAapproved Chinese exploration, the law gives equal chance to foreign countries to study Philippine waters as long as there are Filipinos on board. Foreign marine researchers must also share their findings
China will deploy its most sophisticated research ship to study Philippine waters, including the potentially resource-rich Benham Rise (Philippine Rise). Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang confirmed that Chinese research vessel “Kexue” will survey Philippine eastern waters, adding that such a cooperation would further strengthen the two countries’ bilateral relations. Weighing 4,711 tons, China Daily described Kexue as a “moving laboratory on the sea” capable of global voyages and all-day observations.
and data with their Filipino counterparts, Cayetano said. “So there’s nothing suspicious about approval or disapproval of scientific research,” the country’s top diplomat said. “Whether they are Americans, Japanese, Chinese Mongolians, Singaporeans, et cetera, if they comply, we will approve. If they do not comply, we will not approve,” he added. Alejano had questioned the granting of permit to IO-CAS to conduct a research in Philippine waters, citing China’s maritime encroachment in the disputed South China Sea, which both Manila and Beijing claim. Alejano said Tara Expeditions was a better choice if Manila was
seeking additional resources and manpower to study eastern waters, noting that France, unlike China, has no territorial conflict with the Philippines. In 2012, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf approved the Philippines’ undisputed claim to the Benham Rise. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier signed an Executive Order officially renaming Benham Rise to “Philippine Rise” to assert the country’s sovereignty there following reports that Chinese research vessels were spotted surveying the area in 2016. The Philippine Navy now regularly patrols the said continental shelf. n
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january 19-25, 2018
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Lea SaLonga LauncheS Bahaghari, an aLBum of traditionaL fiLipino SongS by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress
BroADWAY star and Philippine pride Lea Salonga, with the Global Language Project through GLP Music launched last month at the Philippine Center in New York the album “Bahaghari” which features new recordings and arrangements of Philippine folk songs. The songs come from different regions of the Philippines and are performed in a variety of Philippine languages from Capampangan, Bicolano, Bisaya, Ilonggo, Ilocano to Tagalog. Among the popular songs featured include, “Pobreng Alindahaw,” “Tinikling,” “Atin Cu Pung Singsing,” “Ili Ili,” “Pamulinawen,” “Sarung Banggi,” and “Leron Leron Sinta,” among others. Salonga’s powerful emotional ties and artful interpretation shine on “Bahaghari,” GLP Music’s latest release chronicling the traditional songs of the island nation. Producers tapped a series of young arrangers to craft the right musical settings for Salonga’s powerful voice, including Salonga’s brother, Gerard. They are straightforward, highlighting the songs’ melodies, words, and Salonga’s wonderfully expressive voice. “This project felt like the perfect opportunity to introduce the languages of my country to a bigger world. A world that might not be aware of the intricacies and differences between these languages,” Salonga says. “As a Tagalog speaker, many of these tongues feel very foreign and strange, and since there’s always a danger that these languages won’t be spoken by future generations, there was a need on our part to preserve them in some way.” In his remarks at the launch, GLP A & r Music Director
rex Niswander, thanked Ms. Salonga for taking part in this latest undertaking of the Global Language Project and expressed the hope that more and more young people would be encouraged to learn foreign languages and cultures through music. representing the Philippine Consulate General at the event, Consul General Theresa DizonDe Vega lauded the entire team behind the project and expressed support for the initiative towards engendering more inclusive and multi-cultural interests among young filipino-Americans. Language learning and preservation “Bahaghari” joins GLP Music’s growing catalog. founded by Angela Jackson and rex Niswander, the label aims to deepen connections to language learning and preservation via compelling music. Jackson came from a background in media and corporate communications, a highly successful career that brought her into collaboration with international colleagues. That work opened her eyes to the importance of new language acquisition and language retention in diaspora. She launched an education nonprofit Global Language Project, which brought language learning to under-resourced schools and learners. Jackson teamed up with Niswander to create musical projects that furthered these same goals.
Ms. Lea Salonga performs two selections from the Bahaghari album
Photos by NYPCG
Through a mutual friend, Jackson and Niswander were introduced to Salonga. The singer agreed to participate in their next project. Jackson was intrigued by the educational and cultural resonances an album of songs in filipino languages might have. She was struck by the state of many of the country’s languages--Salonga sings in several endangered languages on “Bahaghari”—and wanted to find a way to highlight them. “There is a large filipino diaspora in the U.S. and around the world. They have very tight ties to their homeland, yet many children in the diaspora don’t learn Tagalog or one of the other languages,” she explains. “We hope this album can become a resource for families and young learners in these communities, inspiring interest in these languages and their wonderful songs.” Salonga picked songs that appealed to her, both artistically and personally. Her mother had sung her the delicate “Ili Ili” and several others when she was a child, and came to visit during a recording session. The Tony Award-winning actress and vocalist, used to selling out prestigious venues worldwide, harnessed this connection and dived into the repertoire with heart and grace.At the launch, Salonga sang two selections from the album, “Ili Ili” and “Paruparong Bukid” to the great admiration of those present. “The spirit behind the
Lea also signed copies of the Bahaghari CD.
TOM RODRIGUEZ ON MARRYING CARLA ABELLANA
Photos courtesy of Lea Salonga.com
Lea with Global Language Project A&R Music Director Rex Niswander.
Lea Salonga with Loida Nicolas Lewis and Consul General Tess de Vega.
project really came from the team, a collective that has deep expertise,” says Jackson. “There’s Lea, whose contribution is central. ryan is a leading light in filipino music and straddles the academic and pop worlds. The album’s designer, Lucille Tenazas, is filipina, and the liner notes were written by a respected filipino author, floy Quintos. They all share a real passion for the country and the language and the culture,” a passion that’s audible on “Bahaghari.” Cayabyab is a leading composer, arranger, conductor, and film scorer. He has researched his country’s musical traditions, as well as championed new voices, via a songwriting competition he founded and as a judge on several popular TV talent shows. His deep knowledge of filipino music proved key to the project. “I had to choose the most popular folk songs from each region — but there are many to choose from!” he recalls. “The Visayas region has other subregions but I chose one song each from the Cebuano and
the Hiligaynon languages. In Mindanao, the main economic and cultural centers either speak Cebuano, Hiligaynon, or Tagalog.” Capturing the diversity of languages was only one part of the puzzle. Cayabyab also wanted to make the album musically interesting, taking listeners through different moods. “The songs had to be varied in subject, in emotion and in tempo and rhythm,” Cayabyab notes. “The collection could not all be slow songs or only celebratory songs. We had to have a good representation not only of language but of a variety of subjects and emotions. This would hopefully make for a lovely aural spread.””Bahaghari” moves from the sprightly “Leron Leron Sinta” and the playful vocal layers of “Sitsiritsit Alibangbang,” to the gentle sway of “Magtanim Ay Di Biro” and the pensive “Matudnila.” Diversity also reigned in the arranging process, which Cayabyab handed over to several arrangers and musicians. “I was surprised by his proposal, that six different arrangers
AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya
and performers each work on a few songs. I was skeptical about it, but it actually worked perfectly,” recalls Niswander. “for one thing, the arrangers were so good. They were following ryan’s directions but they each had their own style.” The arrangements revolve around piano and guitar, with gentle percussion, vibes, flute, and other colorful elements to play off Salonga’s rich voice. That voice is the thread tying “Bahaghari” together. “Because the arrangements were all so different from one another, I needed to stylistically adapt my vocals to fit them while holding on to my own voice and how I sing,” reflects Salonga. “The more playful stuff, like ‘Pobreng Alindahaw,’ was just so much fun to do in the studio, and some of the more dramatic music, like ‘Matudnila,’ was straight from the heart. The melodies are just as informative as the lyrics, so I latched on to them.” Listeners will as well, forging new connections to these songs and languages.
ROBIN PADILLA, JODI STA. MARIA AND RIChARD YAP:
‘We’re leading up to it – slowly but surely’ Day time soap’s new heavyweight trio by Lhar santiaGo ManilaTimes.net
Before Tom rodriguez left last December for Arizona to celebrate Christmas with his family in the U.S., he was already told he will be taping for a new series for GMA Network when he comes back. The series is entitled, “The Cure,” where he is paired with Jennylyn Mercado. “I was also briefed on the concept and I’ve been very excited about it because it’s something different. I haven’t seen a concept like this on any soap here. And my role as a lab tech is something I’ve been wanting to do because pasok doon yung mga interests ko sa science, sa chemistry, so I might be able to use things I know,” the actor enthused. He is equally excited to work with Jennylyn in a series for the first time. They have worked together before in a Lenten special but never on a regular show. “I’m so honored, I’m a big fan of Jen’s. She’s an amazing actress and I can only wish to learn more from her because that’s what happened when we did the Lenten special. I hope mas marami pa akong mahugot from her. “Very natural siya umarte and very convincing. Masarap makapagtrabaho sa artista na tulad ni Jen because she inspires you to do better in your craft.” Tom added he is doubly inspired these days because of his personal life. He had a very enjoyable and relaxing vacation in
Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abella
Arizona during the holidays. He is grateful to have spent time after a long while, even as it was their first Christmas without his dad. “I missed him,” Tom said, “but because my mom and my siblings were all there, we still had a very good holiday all together.” Two days after Christmas, Tom was even happier because his girlfriend Carla Abellana followed him there. “Medyo nainggit nga ako ng konti. It’s now Carla my nephews and nieces look for. Siya na ang pinagkakaguluhan,” he said joking. “But I’m happy that Carla had fun with them. We took her to a few haunted spots in Arizona. Yun kasi hilig niya—tombstones and other places like that.” Indeed, Tom and Carla’s relationship that is getting stronger by the day and he can’t ask for more. “Sobra—I’m really happy with the way things are going. It’s a
THree of the brightest stars in the industry—robin Padilla, richard Yap, and Jodi Sta. Maria—are set to stage one of the biggest comebacks on Philippine television as they team up for the first time in ABS-CBN’s upcoming afternoon series, “Sana Dalawa Ang Puso.” from their hit morning soap “Be Careful with my Heart” in 2012, Sta. Maria and Yap are happy to be reunite in the small screen in very different roles. In an interview with “TV Patrol,” Yap shared he was thrilled to find out he will be Photo from Instagram/@akosimangtomas working with Sta. Maria again. really good pace, masarap.” “I’ve always wanted to do And just like any serious another show with Jodi because couple, Tom admitted they’re she is fun to be with and she is a already making plans for the great actress,” he said. future—marriage very much Sta. Maria, on the other hand, included. is just as thrilled to work with him “Definitely that’s the goal again and is excited to essay a naman talaga. Carla and I always dual role for the first time in her think about it kaya I know we’re career. on the same page. from my “It’s not an easy task for me, end, I can only speak for myself, but at the same time I’m excited everything that I’m doing is to do one of the most challenging always to that goal. Yun na roles I’ve ever been given,” she lagi ang pinag-iisipan so every stated. decision that make, whether it’s Meanwhile, fresh from with family or work, it’s always the success of his blockbuster involves that.” movie “Unexpectedly Yours,” So when does Tom see himself Padilla finally stages his soap proposing to Carla and walking opera comeback after his last down the aisle? stint in “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw” in “Sana very soon,” he answered 2013. familiar with the massive with a smile. “Although both of us following of the “JoChard” love are still focused on certain things team, the action star shared he we have to hit first. But we’re very went as far as asking Yap for happy that we’re working up to it. permission to join them in the We’re leading up to it, slowly but show. surely,” he assured. Padilla added jokingly, “I’ve
Robin Padilla, Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap
been watching them since I was a kid! But I’ve always been amazed by Jodi Sta Maria’s beauty.” “Sana Dalawa ang Puso” follows the story of Lisa and Mona [both portrayed by Sta. Maria], two different people with identical faces. Another thing they have in common is that they are both facing their lives’ biggest ordeals. Lisa is known to be a strict and hardworking boss in their family business, but her world is turned upside down when her
ABS-CBN photos
father betroths her to their rival’s son, Martin Co (richard). She runs away from responsibility and decides to hide and live with one of their workers Leo Tabayoyong (Padilla). Her doppelganger Mona, on the other hand, collects bets in cockfights and is struggling to save his father whom she is trying to save from a networking scam. Somehow, Lisa and Mona’s paths cross and they try to help one another with their problems. (ManilaTimes.net)
january 19-25, 2018 www.asianjournal.com
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5 things to know about Brooklyn Beckham by C.
Aljur Abrenica
Paulo Avelino
ABundA
Philstar.com
It’s a nice feeling to bring back memories especially the ones that make you smile while recounting them to others. those who tuned in to “tonight With Boy Abunda” a few days ago still probably remember Paulo Avelino and Aljur Abrenica having fun reminiscing their “starstruck” days. Both were in the same batch which got them to becoming rivals for a while and friends until now. Looking back, Aljur revealed that he knew Paulo would be his toughest competition the first time they saw each other. He said, “When I saw Pau, wow this guy’s dashing. Paulo is handsome even before. Kumbaga, sa competition, ito ‘yung makakalaban ko.” Paulo felt the same. He reckoned Aljur’s singing talent got him miles ahead in the auditions. “(He’s) talented. I often saw him singing during the auditions; nakikita ko ang galing kumanta nito sana napunta na lang sa kin ‘yung talent n’ya sa pagkanta.” Aljur added, “I remember how my aunts so admired Paulo. Crush na crush nila si Paulo for his good looks and charming smile.” the two never denied about the rumors linking them romantically to each other. that was years ago but the issue nevertheless made Paulo and Aljur smile. “I don’t want to remember
anymore, hahaha, naka-move on na kami,” Paulo said. “they said I looked soft na mukhang totoo naman (laughs) but everyone in the batch became close at na-misinterpret lang ng mga tao,” Paulo ruminated. And 11 years later, no one had ever imagined that Paulo and Aljur will be seated side by side doing an interview as among the formidable actors in the Kapamilya network. Paulo caught the public attention for his impressive acting in film and on tV. Just recently, Olivier and tony Best Actress Lea salonga was all praises for his acting in “Ang Larawan,” one of the entries in the just-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. she posted on her twitter, “If you’re a fan of Paulo, I urge you to watch his stellar performance in ‘Ang Larawan’. He doesn’t sing as well as the others, but his acting! He will be one of the greatest as he continues to grow!!! Congrats!!!” Asked to comment, Paulo admitted to feeling good whenever he receives compliments for his acting. More so now that it came from a Broadway star. With much appreciation and humility, Paulo said, “It’s good to hear praises, especially coming from wellrenowned artists. But I don’t get easily swayed by compliments because as much as I am thankful or grateful, one of my problems as an actor is that I don’t content
Philstar.com
WItH parents like Posh spice /fashion designer Victoria Adams and soccer superstar David Beckham, two of the biggest names in celebrity style, Filipino retail brand Bench scored big time with Brooklyn Beckham. 1. Brooklyn’s girlfriend is Hollywood star Chloe Grace Moretz. Brooklyn is in the paparazzi radar because of his photogenic ABS-CBN photos parents, and also because of his girlfriend, actress Chloe Grace Moretz (“Kick-Ass,”“Dark Places,” “the 5th Wave”). 2. Brooklyn is a photographer and a published author. At 18, Brooklyn has a published book to his name, “What I see,” a myself with my previous work. I collection of his photographs of his always think I could have done it parents and siblings Romeo, Cruz better. and Harper, and of random people “the messages that I have read help boost my confidence, or and global travels. “When I was approached about like what I tweeted or replied back to Lea, to tackle more challenging curating my photos to publish in a book, I was amazed. I didn’t think roles and to look for films where I anyone was watching! But I’ve can do more.” loved the whole experience. these Aljur, on the other hand, pictures were all taken before my had already appeared in such eighteenth birthday and I think it’s shows as FPJ’s “Ang Panday” and pretty cool that I’ll always have this “Wansapanataym”. Beginning this book to look back at, to remind me week, he and Paulo are starring of all the good times when I was in the new revenge drama series growing up,” the young Beckham Asintado with shaina Magdayao said in his introduction for the and Julia Montes. Rizzoli book. the two actors, everybody 3. Like his dad, Brooklyn is knows, are already dads. Paulo has a seven-year-old son with LJ Reyes also a football player. 4. He is also an expert skater. while Aljur has Alas with Kylie though not a movie star by Padilla. Reports have it that Kylie’s dad, Robin Padilla, wants Aljur and any means, Brooklyn was met with shrieks and adulation by his Kylie to get married. Filipino fans, part of his 10-million Aljur, for his part, said that he understands that any father only wants what is best for his child. “Even my dad said that any father would want what is good for his child which is to have a good family. In regards to wedding, Kylie and I have been talking about it and we are taking our decision step by step. Every decision we will make is always for the good of our son Alas. “Whenever we talk about marriage, it always ends up with our priority and our priority is Alas. I Brooklyn with dad David at the front row during the Victoria Beckham Spring/Summer love Kylie no doubt about it at kung 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion anuman handa ako d’yan.” Week last Sept. 10, 2017.
Aljur & Paulo: From each other’s toughest competitor to being friends by Boy
Mendez LegAspi
Brooklyn Beckham taking photos with his Filipino fans.
strong Instagram followers. His jam-packed schedule would have taken a toll on other people but he is a trained football athlete and an expert skater. 5. Brooklyn was in Manila to meet Filipino fans. He was in Manila to promote his book and as the newest global “Benchsetter,” following Riverdale star Cole sprouse and the so-called “perfect human” Pietro Bosselli. Brooklyn signed books, engaged with fans and took selfies at sM MegaMall, Mall of Asia and
Photos courtesy of Bench
to open the Bench flagship at Bonifacio Global City in taguig City. At the Bench flagship store, even local starlets who are also brand ambassadors were taken by his charm and easy demeanor. Brooklyn accommodated everyone who wanted to take photos with him. “What a day! I can’t believe the welcome I’ve had here in Manila,” he gushed on his IG. “thank you to @benchtm for having me and thank you to everyone that supported me!”
january 19-25, 2018 www.asianjournal.com
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Filipino artist wins Hollywood movie’s poster contest
Robin thanks celebs for helping Marawi by Nathalie
tomada Philstar.com
A CAViTE-born visual artist has been proclaimed one of the five winners of the “insidious: The Last Key” alternative poster contest. The competition was organized by blumhouse Productions, the powerhouse studio of blockbuster thrillers (“The Purge,” “Get out,” “Split”) in collaboration with the open-source creative platform Talenthouse. blumhouse’s Jason blum himself selected the five winners from participants all over the world. The winning Filipino artist is Adriann Delmo from General Trias, Cavite, a 25-year-old freelance graphic artist/designer and owner of T-shirt printing business. He is joined in the winners’ circle by artists from Peru, Ecuador, Spain and France. The five winning artworks received a cash prize of $2,000 each. Delmo gave his thoughts about his victory in the following interview. Question: When you learned about the contest, did you immediately want to join? What convinced you to take part? Delmo: i’ve been joining the Creative invites of Talenthouse for more than six months. When i learned about the contest for the insidious poster, i knew i wanted to join ‘coz the concept was interesting. i previously joined a couple of contests before but unfortunately i didn’t win dahil sobrang gagaling ng mga participants. Ang nakakatuwa almost lahat ng magagaling na ‘yun ay Filipinos. Q: Do you have funny or interesting experiences with these contests? AD: in one of the contests, i submitted entries full of confidence, really feeling i’d win. And then “nakita ko bigla mga malupit na entries. Natawa nalang ako kasi hindi pala.” Since then, i promised myself to always try something new and be more creative. After that, i didn’t notice at first but there were already improvements in my craft. Q: For your “Insidious: The
Robin Padilla expressed his gratitude to friends from the entertainment industry for helping out in efforts to rebuild the city of Marawi. During a presscon for his upcoming show “Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko” with Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap, Robin revealed that a lot of his showbiz colleagues have offered assistance since he started an advocacy aimed at aiding rehabilitation and recovery of the capital of Lanao del Sur, following a months-long siege by militants. The 48-year-old actor and Mindanao peace advocate launched in october 2017 a movement called Tindig Marawi, reportedly donating P5M for the psycho-social needs of children affected by the war and another Filipino artist is Adriann Delmo (left) and his winning poster. Philstar.com photos P5M worth of relief goods for the higher specs laptop and pen tab hundreds of thousands displaced Last Key” entry, how did you to be able to catch up with the arrive at the concept? residents. latest applications. The rest of the AD: The participants were Among the first ones from prize will be for financial savings. showbiz who supported Robin encouraged to submit artworks Q: Any advice for aspiring with movie poster styles from the were Piolo Pascual and director artists? ‘50s to early 2000s. i did a lot of Joyce bernal who donated P1.5M. AD: Always pursue what research as i wasn’t familiar with Most recently, those who you want to be. Don’t be vintage style since i’m still in my helped included Sharon Cuneta early twenties. My winning entry afraid to fail. Failures teach us (his co-star on the Star Cinema film is simple but it gave emphasis to to make something new and Unexpectedly Yours), AbS-Cbn the demon coz that’s the style of move forward. “Set kayo ng chief content officer Charo Santoscompetition sa mind ninyo. old posters. Concio, AbS-Cbn Foundation, Vice Wag kayo papayag na di nyo Q: Did you have a feeling Ganda, Vhong navarro and even nahihigitan yung last na gawa that you will win this time? newscasters. nyo. Magugulat nalang kayo sa AD: Actually, i didn’t expect “Madami ang tumulong sa improvements. And lastly ibigay to win “dahil sobrang dami atin. Pero si Piolo, si direk Joyce at lang lagi yung best and be happy Ma’am Charo, nakabantay talaga talagang magagaling.” i told sa napili nyong field.” myself it is enough if people sila. Si Sharon gumawa siya ng sarili “insidious: The Last seek out my entry and like it. n’ya, kami din yung beneficiary Key” is the new installment That’s why i was so happy and niya. Pupunta siya dun (sa Marawi). in the insidious franchise feel blessed when i learned my Yung ‘it’s Showtime,’ Vice Ganda, coming to Philippine cinemas artwork was chosen. Vhong, nagbigay din. Naka-report January 17. in the supernatural Q: You used Adobe for your ako sa lahat sa kanila,” he said. thriller, which welcomes back entry. Do you consider yourself Another project Robin is franchise standout Lin Shaye a digital artist? Do you also cooking up for the benefit of as Dr. Elise Rainier, the brilliant hand-draw? What works better Marawi is a movie. Capital for the parapsychologist faces her most for you? film came from his friend Dennis fearsome and personal haunting Uy who initially made it as a AD: Yes. i consider myself yet: in her own family home. a digital artist. i used to handdonation to Marawi. All proceeds The film is written by codraw before i got familiar with of the planned film will go to creator Leigh Whannell (“Saw”), vectors and vexel arts. What Tindig Marawi projects. who wrote the trilogy and works better for me? When “Ang pinaka-malaking project directed “Chapter 3”; produced thinking of a concept, freehand namin ay pelikula kasi dun ako by “insidious” regulars Jason is better until an idea pops up. nakasalalay kasi yung isang donor blum, oren Peli (“Paranormal Then i just render the sketch namin, ang pangalan ay si Dennis Activity”) and co-creator James digitally. i find my work better Uy, my friend, gusto niya magbigay and complete “pag nagawa ko na Wan (“The Conjuring,” “Furious ng malaking pera sa Tindig Marawi. 7”); and directed by series sya in digital.” Sabi ko, sayang yung pera na Q: What will you do with the newcomer Adam Robitel (“The yan, kung sa Tindig Marawi mo Taking of Deborah Logan”). U.S. dollar cash prize? i-ano… baka gusto mo i-produce (Philstar.com) AD: i am planning to buy ng pelikula tapos yung kikitain yun
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
of political color, and will be a completely private sector-driven effort. “Yung pabahay ay siempre hindi naman natin pwede asahan (kaagad). Ako kasi nag-set ng standard. Ayokong humingi ng tulong sa gobyerno. Ang experience ko — mas maganda kung puro private tayo. Pag ka nag-gawa tayo ng housing ang gusto ko ay binili natin ang lupa. Ayaw ko na binigay ng gobyerno kasi baka mag palit tayo ng president, after six years, baka bawiin yung lupa, ayoko ng ganoon, ayoko ng bawiin. Kaya ngayon andun ako sa estado sa pagbili ng lupa.” He has also partnered with an organization called Kasama Robin Padilla ABS-CBN photo Ka to provide “micro-financing, yung ibigay sa Tindig Marawi kasi islamic banking style” services for mas malaki yun,” he said. residents who wish to (re)start Robin is tapping Joyce and their livelihood. (For details, visit Piolo, who own the independent http://kasamaka.wpengine.com.) film production outfit Spring Films, Robin understands that the to help make the film a reality. He commitment to help rebuild said, who else would he trust but Marawi is going to last him not just Joyce and Piolo, who as producers, a decade or two but “forever.” struck box-office success to the “Until forever. now they’ve tune of more than P400M for a been able to adjust to their low-budget film that cost them situation. Inaantay nalang nila only P8M. This was 2017’s “Kita yung turnover ng mga pinagawa Kita”, the highest-grossing indie ng gobyerno na tinatawag na film to date. transitional shelter. Malapit na yun! Robin said he didn’t have Ang ganda!” he said. any difficulty convincing both “but it’s not good if they will director and the actor to agree to remain in that situation. They’re the project. The film, which will not used to it. The Maranaos, be about the story of Marawi, will (Muslim) royalty yan, they’re start shooting next month. “it will traders, they’re businessmen. The be about what happened there, challenge now for us Muslims, because there are still a lot of because we call Marawi islamic stories that we don’t know about. City, di kami papayag yan ang itsura it’s more important for me that we ng islamic City. We will not allow know their story, delivered in the Marawi to look that way, especially style of the director.” me, i won’t allow it.” For Robin, all these efforts While Marawi rebuilding will give hope and show that “we efforts are a priority for Robin, it understand the Moros. That’s seems he’s also busier than ever what we need to do during this with showbiz work. He just had a (difficult) time — to understand box-office hit “Unexpectedly Yours” their culture, their problems... last month and is a judge on AbSbecause their grievances are Cbn’s Pilipinas Got Talent, wherein legitimate.” he stirred some online furor last According to Robin, who weekend for “forcing” a Korean last visited Marawi during the contender to speak Tagalog on Christmas holidays, Tindig Marawi the talent search. He had since has also provided a water system defended himself against critics for 16 evacuation centers to date. who slammed his actions as “rude” “it’s very important because water and “racist.” According to him, his is life.” next step is housing, which words should be taken as fatherly will take more time to accomplish advice to a foreigner, who says he because they will not be relying loves the Philippines and claims on any form of government to be a “Filipino at heart” after assistance. He wants it to be free Continued on Page 6
SERVICES
Performance Strong. Results Delivered.
january 19-25, 2018 www.asianjournal.com
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Continued from last week) 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 obsessivecompulsive 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
Health@Heart PhiliP S. ChuA, Md, FACS, FPCS What is Sudden Cardiac Death? Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is a swift and unexpected death caused by a heart condition or mechanism, which may or may not be obvious. SCD varies in its range of definition. Usually, though, it applies to a situation where the person, who was thought to be free of heart disease, or only had a “mild” heart disease, suddenly died. What causes these sudden deaths? In the age range between 40 and older, the vast majority is due to coronary artery disease (heart “attacks”). In 20 percent (one out of five) of those who develop symptoms of coronary artery disease, and even among those with advanced coronary artery disease, the first symptom of the disease is sudden death. In those younger than forty years old, including teenagers, sudden death from “no apparent reason” is usually due to fatal ventricular arrythmia (heart irregularity), which could be brought on by electrolyte imbalance and other factors, and in some cases, to totally unknown cause. Brugada Syndrome, discussed below, is one such demise from a fatal heart rhythm abnormality.
Think before you post “You are free to post whatever you like. You are not free of its consequences however.” 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 you…” If you have posted something offensive, ranting and raving at someone or something as a gut reaction to a situation that angers you, you would get the instant gratification of venting your ire. But do think about the farreaching consequences of being hauled off to court and wasting your time and money defending yourself. A recent story is told of a CFO of a pharmaceutical firm earning $200,000 per year and with stock
options worth $1 million. A few years back, he decided to take advantage of the free water offered in a Chick-fil-A drive thru as a ruse for his hidden agenda to film himself berating the staff who served him the water so he can attack the corporation’s stand on traditional marriage. He recorded himself saying some awful words to the staff member who was stunned but remained gracious under fire despite the unwarranted attack. The guy then gleefully posted his video on youtube. Upon returning to his office, his secretary was in shock because of the overload of emails sent to him by people who took umbrage against his action. To make a long story short, the married father of four was fired from his job, lost his home and his possessions reducing his status to live on food stamps. He found another job but when
it was discovered that he was the author of that video, he was fired again. He has since then apologized to the staff member but maintains his position. No job offers seems to be forthcoming though. He has written a book about his experience and hopes that his book sells. In the internet, karma can be swift and unforgiving. Not only do we now live in a sue-happy, highly litigious environment, we also have to deal with unpredictable backlash. Your posts are evidentiary proof. You are free to post whatever you like. You are not free of its consequences however. So if you’re angry, try venting the old fashioned way. Punch a bag. Break some plates. Or sweat it out. Write if you have to vent as a form of release but give yourself a week or two to cool down and pull yourself together. Write it, then trash it. Think of posting to the public as ripping a pillow filled with countless goose down feathers to the four winds. Damage is beyond repair. Someone once said that you can’t take something off the internet. It’s like peeing in a pool.
It is quite easy for professional internet sleuths to find out where a message posting comes from even if you try to cover your tracks with bogus identities. 9 out of 10, you will be unmasked. Like it or not, transparency has become the nature of this wired world. Of course, as it is playing out on the political stage at the moment, a noted political figure has wiped her internet server clean to erase all emails and proof of possible wrongdoing. Is there a technology out there that can undelete deleted emails? How about recipients of those emails who have their own servers? This drama bears watching if only to see if it is really true that emails can be wiped out clean. For now, you will be held accountable and may have to plead temporary insanity to free yourself from the sticky mess of your own doing. Increasingly, the justice system has come to rely on words in documents, images in photos and videos on the internet and DNA matches, as irrefutable evidentiary proof. As they often say in the movies, but no longer as empty bluster these days, “You can run,
Sudden cardiac death Calendar of Events across
Can illegal drugs cause sudden death? Yes. Other “recreational” drugs could also lead to sudden death, many by causing deadly heart irregularity. Among some individuals, cigarette smoking could cause heart rhythm problems that lead to cardiac arrest. Thank God, this is rare. What is a “Widow-Maker” heart disease? As the name implies, this particular condition results in sudden deaths among men, leaving their wives widows. This is usually due to a severe blockage of the left main coronary artery. If the left main coronary artery is blocked, all the left ventricular muscles are deprived of blood causing a massive acute heart attack, followed by sudden death. Even a single coronary blockage, if severe enough, could be dangerous, and deadly, depending on the portion of the heart that suffers. Could Mitral Valve Prolapse cause sudden death? Yes, but, fortunately, very rarely. Mitral Valve Prolapse is a condition where this valve on the left side of the heart (between the left upper and left lower chamber) is kind of “limp” and “weak” resulting in a slightly or moderately leaking Mitral Valve. This condition is generally benign and does not require surgery in majority of cases. Medications and some lifestyle changes are the therapies of choice.
What are the usual symptoms prior to SCD? Interviews with family of the victims usually reveal some angina (chest discomfort or tightness), or heart irregularity, and/or shortness of breath, and worsening of the symptoms over a few days or a few hours before sudden collapse and death in 75 percent of these people. Some of these symptoms may even be confused with indigestion, fatigue, muscle pains, or depression. Self-denial (of symptoms) makes this condition treacherous. Anyone with any of these symptoms should consult their physicians without delay. In many cases, the first symptom is cardiac arrest. Does a normal EKG preclude SCD? No, a plain resting EKG that is reported as normal does not eliminate the possibility of Sudden Cardiac Death, especially among patients with coronary artery disease, whether previously diagnosed or still undetected. This is the reason why a Stress EKG, preferably with Thallium, or Stress Echocardiography, are recommended to find out how the heart would behave under stress. These are more accurate and significant tests compared to a simple resting EKG. A plain EKG is only helpful if it shows abnormal findings. If it is “normal,” it does not have an accurate Continued on Page 6
Vocation & volunteerism: Formula for a joyful and fulfilling life The Metamorphosis
year, it got me pondering about the different vocations, professions or businesses of clients, friends, fellow Rotarians and volunteers in our church, who I meet regularly. It’s really a wonderful feeling that I am surrounded by friends ernie d. delFin and clients from varied vocations, professions and different IT’S January, the Vocational businesses. They are a source Month of our Rotary world. In of additional knowledge, and business or churches, it is also the month when people commit to stay inspiration. Each profession or vocation molds the person, like more focused on their business or a priest to become a holy man, vocation to service others in order to fulfill their mission. In the Gospel a doctor or a nurse to become a this month, both Sts. Mark and John more caring and compassionate person, a businessman to become narrated the recruitment of Jesus’ apostles to a new vocation (calling): a more astute individual to make “to leave their nets and He will make money thereby employing more people to expand his business, them fishers of men”. As I slowly a financial planner or retirement embrace the promises of a new
or tax advisor to update his knowledge to be of better service to his clients. All these activities, however, address only the Physical quadrant (to LIVE), according to America’s guru, the late Steven R. Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. But to live a more balanced and fulfilling life, the other quadrants must also be filled up, by: the Mental quadrant (to LEARN), social quadrant (to LOVE) and Spiritual quadrant (to LEAVE A LEGACY). That is where a calling comes in, as part of one’s human activities. Each professional or any worker should carve some precious time to do some work in the other quadrants as well, Continued on Page 6
DGN PASTOR ‘MAR’ M. REYES, JR. RC San Francisco Del Monte D-3780
MAR is a 1980 graduate from UP Law. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the UP Alumni Association. He served as Lord Chancellor of his fraternity alumni, the UP Alpha Phi Beta Chancery, Inc. He is in general law practice. He is the Senior Partner and co-managing partner of Reyes Francisco Tecson Sabado and Associates Law office. As a Rotarian, his classification is Litigation and Corporate Law Practice. Mar joined RC SFDM in 2003, became President in RY 2009-2010. After serving as club president, he served in the district continuously up to the present. Among others, he has served as the District’s Club Administration Committee Chairman, Member of the District’s Membership Development Committee; Assistant Governor, Chairman of the District’s SubCommittee on Community Service, Associate Editor of the GML, District Secretary, Vice-Chairman of
but you can’t hide.” The ease with which we send and receive information is matched only with the ease with which messages are traced and tracked back to the original source. This is the reason why terrorists and kidnappers revert back to the old fashioned, slow way of communication — coded messages by couriers on beasts of burden, for fear of being traced. Your postings and when you log on to Facebook, particularly during work hours, can get you fired. Employers are exercising their right to be picky when there are millions out there who are qualified to take your job. As in anything, balance, good old common sense and a smidgen of humility should guide us all while social networking. Since we still live in a physical world, what a real still trumps what is merely virtual. Or you can just log off, canoodle with a loved one or go fly a kite with your kids. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
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 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 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, CA 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/aapaintroductory-session-tickets-40791228663.
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Annual dinner/dance at St. Finbar School in Burbank, California DGN Pastor ‘Mar’ Reyes Jr. with wife Cynthia “Chit” Cruz Reyes
the Committee on Club Trainers Program, member of the Grants Committee, a faculty member of the Rotary Leadership Institute, a member of the Continued on Page 6
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You are invited to the annual dinner/dance at the Albert Hall of St. Finbar School (2120 W. Olive Ave 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
january 19-25, 2018 www.asianjournal.com
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Dinner for GK e-Rotary Club for PH incoming governors on Jan. 20
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) 598-6446, or e-mail at jhenny_evans@yahoo. com; or ernie Delfin at (714) 746 3088 or e-mail him at ernie. gkerc@gmail.com.
Sudden cardiac death
From Page 5 diagnostic value, and thus, cannot be depended upon for prognostication. What is Brugada Syndrome? Brugada Syndrome is a baffling condition where a young person, who appears to be healthy, unexpectedly develops cardiac arrest, for no apparent reason. Most victims do not survive the episode. This condition is now believed to be responsible for countless sudden deaths among young people — athletes, students, etc., — who suddenly dropped dead. Did the victims have any prior symptoms? No, majority of victims did not have any prior symptoms. They were “in good health” when suddenly they collapsed, went into coma, and later died, or instantly died on the spot. Three Doctors Brugada (R, P & J) and their colleagues at the Unitat d’Aritmies, hospital Clinic, in Barcelona, Spain, were the first to describe the syndrome in November 1992. The characteristic eKG findings in this syndrome was first described in 1980 among six patients who had cardiac arrest and were successfully resuscitated. It was not recognized at that time as a disease entity, but those were classic victims of Brugada Syndrome. how does one prevent Brugada Syndrome? Since this disease entity
has now been “described,” which makes diagnosis of this entity possible, everyone, especially those with a family history of unexplained sudden cardiac arrest, should be tested, starting with an eKG, and some “provocative” tests (with disopyramide, flecainide, ajmaline, procainamide) done to reproduce the characteristic Brugada eKG findings. Can genetic testing help? Since this disease is secondary to a mutation of SCN5A gene of chromosome 3 that has a dominant autosomic transmission pattern, with genetic defect in the alpha subunit of the sodium channel, genetic testing may be in order. however, 30% to 80% of patients will have negative (normal) gene screening in spite of overt or latent clinical Brugada Syndrome. What’s the treatment for Brugada Syndrome? If one is diagnosed to have Brugada Syndrome, an automatic implantable cardiacpacemaker defibrillator (AICD) may be implanted, which will pace the heart and increase the rate if the rate goes down (awake or when asleep, 24/7), shocks and jolts the heart back to normal rhythm, when the heart goes to ventricular fibrillation. hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have AICD to prevent sudden death from a variety of causes. None of
the available drugs today are effective against Brugada Syndrome. When diagnosis is made, which may be missed a lot of time, then, cardiac arrest may be prevented with AICD. Can other sudden cardiac deaths be prevented? Since most of these SCDs are due to coronary artery disease, primary prevention should be aimed at warding off coronary artery disease before it develops, like avoidance of cigarette smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle; and the management of high blood pressure, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol, if these are present. Secondary prevention is by early diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease, and any medically significant heart irregularity present. Where indicated, coronary angioplasty or bypass may be done. AICD implantation should be considered for those with a history of recurrent cardiac arrests. *** 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. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
Nadine heals–and sings–with love
by Tessa Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net
DeSPITe her flourishing career, the year 2017 was not an easy one for Nadine Lustre. Back in October, the singer-actress’ family suffered a painful tragedy as news broke out of her younger brother’s death. every bit heartbreaking, the passing of Nadine’s 16-year-old brother, nevertheless brought a pressing issue to the fore—the reality of depression among the youth—as fans and celebrities rushed to share in her grief. As they consoled Nadine over social media, personal revelations, cries for help and an impassioned discussion on this alarming situation poured in—somewhat giving meaning to the teener’s untimely death, and hopefully saving other lives in the process. Through this difficult time, Nadine realized that “love is the answer,” be it in defeating depression and healing from grief. She received love but also gave much as she promised those who condoled with her, yet opened up their feelings, with a simple threeworded post: “I got you.” Somehow making sense of her loss, what with the support of so many people, Nadine has gone into 2018 stronger and more determined to spread more love, even through her music. As such, the young woman faced media with renewed energy last week, her long-time screen partner and real-life boyfriend James Reid beside her, to talk about their upcoming second major concert, “Revolution: The JaDine Concert,” on February 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Many remember that JaDine, as this popular love team is called, headlined a record-breaking first
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concert in 2016, also at the Big Dome. Aptly titled “JaDine In Love,” the show celebrated the huge success of their TV series “On The Wings Of Love.” As tickets sold out in just one week, fans who had one felt they won the lottery especially since James chose that very night to announce that he and Nadine are very much in love in real life. With the couple going from strength to strength, their second concert will celebrate James and Nadine’s love for each other in music. No movies or soaps to take away from their artistry and feelings for one another. Asked why they chose the title Revolution, Nadine immediately said, “First of all, it has the word ‘love’ in reverse.” She added that the Revolution also pertains to their evolution as
artists, now singing with more grit and passion. Watch them perform their hits, “Bahala Na” and “Para-Paraan” along with the hot new sounds like “Cool Down” and “IL2LU,” among others. The couple promise of course that their fans are in for “some upbeat production numbers” and much-awaited “romantic moments.” “It really is all about love,” Nadine ended. Produced by Viva Live, “Revolution: The Jadine Concert” will have Sarah Geronimo, Sam Concepcion, Kiana Valenciano, Bret Jackson and Vice Ganda as guest performers. Overall direction will be by Paul Basinillo, with Teacher Georcelle as dance director and Jay Agustin as musical director.
Robin thanks celebs for helping... From Page 4
living and studying in the country for a decade, but doesn’t know how to speak its language. (The contestant, a magician named Kim Jiwan, promised to learn it from there on.) Robin will also star in a daytime teleserye with Jodi and Richard. he revealed that he had
From Page 5
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Nadine Lustre goes into 2018 stronger and more determined to spread more love, even though her music.
to think twice before signing up for the series because he felt intimidated to be cast alongside a tandem that’s already been tested and proven via the well-loved “Be Careful With My heart” that lasted over two years (July 2012 to November 2014) on national TV. Robin, who has been in the past romantically linked to his
leading ladies, was playfully asked if in real life, had he ever wished to possess two “hearts,” as in the title S”ana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko.” he replied, “Since you asked it… sana labing tatlo.” Then Robin, who is married to Mariel Rodriguez, quickly took it back. “Sana isa lang talaga. Binawi ko na, mahirap na.”
DGN Pastor Mar...
District Training Team and the executive Vice President of the Paul harris Society, GSe Team Leader of D-3780’s Outbound Team to the UK and the Isle of Man in RY 2012-2013. he also served as Chairman of the District’s Club Trainers’ Program in RY 2014 -2015, and Chairman of the TRF`s Annual Giving Program in RY20142015 when the record-breaking $317,000 in annual giving was achieved. This record was broken the following year with $336,000 contribution when he continued to be the Annual Giving Chair for RY 2015-2016. Last year, he was also Chairman of the District’s Golden Wheel Awards Night, Lieutenant Governor for Region 2, Vice-chairman of the Club Trainers’ Program, Vice Chairman of the
Paul harris Society, Faculty of the Rotary Leadership Institute, a member of the District Training Team and was Vice Chairman of the Rotary Academy and currently the Chairman of the District’s Strategic Planning Committee . Mar is now District Governor Nominee and will lead D3780 in RY2018-2019 as District Governor. DGe Mar has received numerous awards and commendations; among them are: he was his club’s Most Outstanding Rotarian in RY20052006, the Most Outstanding President in RY 2009-2010, and RC SFDM the Most Outstanding Club, the Most Outstanding District Officer in RY2010-2011, Outstanding Assistant Governor in 2011-2012, and the Most Outstanding Committee Chairman
for RY 2014-2015. he was awarded a Paul harris Vocational excellence Award in Law Practice and The Rotary Foundation Service Award. Mar is married to Cynthia “Chit” Cruz Reyes, a Business economics graduate from UP and Past President of the Inner Wheel Club of SFDM. Mar and Chit are active members of the Marriage encounter movement. They were head Servants of Alpha Zeta Paglilingkod, a Series under the Tuklasan Sector of Fr. Jess Fernandez, SJ, and were also the Couple President of Tuklasan Foundation, Inc. in 2007-2009. Mar also served as Lord Chancellor of the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity Chancery, Inc. in 2007-2008. They have three (3) sons, Rafael, Gabriel and Lorenzo Miguel.
Vocation & volunteerism: Formula for... From Page 5 especially the last two mentioned above. having been involved in community benefits organizations (nonprofit organizations) for over 30 years now, I have seen and believe that people who volunteer their time and share their skills are more happy and fulfilled. I have also seen many people who changed their profession completely to follow a new vocation, or an “inspired calling”. For instance, I know a priest who used to have a successful insurance agency, a journalist becoming a lawyer, a lawyer becoming a writer, and a CPA turning into marketing person and a businessman (that’s me!) I think that one reason that eventually emboldens some people to change their career is when they realized that the ladder they are climbing is leaning against the wrong “tree,” whose fruits they don’t even want to eat! In California, I have met many people and I have interacted with hundreds of them that enriched my own perspectives about life. Many volunteer their time and their professional skills and donate a part of their treasures to worthy causes. A few examples: a fellow prison minister who has been doing it for over 25 years as a minister and he is now in his late 70’s! I asked him why he still does it, and he answered why not? he added that as long as he is able to, physically and mentally, it is his calling to
continue this ministry. Another person, a Rotarian, after the death of his wife, has a calling and traveled to Zimbabwe to help rehabilitate a hospital and also created livelihood programs for women. his donation was made the initial seed of a significant Global Matching grant that totaled almost $400,000 over a period of several years. Indeed he exemplifies our Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self. That leads me to my conclusion that the right choice of a career or vocation in life, PLUS volunteering some precious hours contribute greatly to one’s joy and fulfillment in life. Serving others, like doctors and nurses doing medical missions in third world countries, adds immensely to the growth and compassion of the benefactors. Many Catholics and Christians, who live out their faith, work in soup kitchens feeding the hungry, work for habitat for humanity to provide shelter to the homeless, work among the poor providing clothes to the naked and also visiting the incarcerated in prison! For us Catholics, these corporal acts of mercy, make us more compassionate human beings, as we follow Christ admonition in Matthew 25:35-38. It also got me thinking what kind of society do we have if there were no community or civic organizations that do all these human need? I shudder at the
thought if there were no true Services Above Self done by so many people in our communities! Lastly, as we start another year, I invite a reader to consider doing some “volunteer” work and also contribute a part of his talents, time, and treasures to help others who just need a helping hand. Side note: As I write this column, 535 incoming District Governors from over 200 countries are in San Diego, California, attending a mandatory weeklong training with their spouses. Thereafter, on Saturday evening, January 20, we are hosting and honoring two incoming governors of the Philippines out of 10 District Governors. Our special guests are Atty. Mar Reyes, from our Quezon City District 3780 and businessman Pancrasio “Panding” Nisce of La Union, a part of District 3790, with their wives Cynthia Reyes and Dra. edna Nisce at the new Luxe Seafood Buffet Restaurant in Westminster, California. We are excited to hear Governors Reyes and Nisce share what they learned from the Rotary International Assembly as they plan to implement this year’s Rotary theme, “Be the inspiration.” Let us all have a great, healthy and peaceful 2018! *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.org www.gk1world.com
january 19-25, 2018 www.asianjournal.com
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january 19-25, 2018 www.asianjournal.com
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