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FEBR U A R Y 1-7, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 15 • 16 Pages

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Palace: Gov’t will keep Mindanao residents secure, punish bombers by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

BOMBINGS in Jolo, Sulu and in Zamboanga City are a challenge for the Philippine government to ensure the safety of the people of Mindanao, Malacañang said Wednesday, January 30. Days after the twin bombings at a cathedral in Jolo, an explosion at a mosque in Zamboanga City left two people dead and

DATELINE

four others wounded. “This latest act of murder apart from the terrorists sowing terror in the Mindanao region, coming as it does in the wake of the Jolo dastardly [sic] bombing, is a taunting challenge to the capability of the government to secure the safety of the inhabitants in Mindanao,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. Security forces: Incidents likely unrelated

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has said the attack in Zamboanga City is likely not connected to the Jolo bombing. “We’re still looking at it but we do not see any connection,” Lorenzana said in a press conference. The Zamboanga City police also said Wednesday that the two incidents might not be related. Senior Superintendent Joseph

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ISIS claims responsibility for PH bombing

USA

21 killed, over 80 injured during mass

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by AJPRESS

Federal employees head back to work after longest shutdown in history Five-week partial shutdown results in $11 billion loss, according to CBO ON Monday, Jan. 28, hundreds of thousands of federal government employees returned to work after the government reopened on Friday, Jan. 25. The five-week shutdown, which was the longest in United States history, cost the national economy $11 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Additionally, a quarter of that total — roughly $2.8 billion — is permanently lost. A chunk of the money included in that figure was delayed and will trickle back into the economy as the affected federal workers receive back pay. Although the White House indicated that back pay will be issued to workers “at the earliest date possible,” the date is to be determined depending on the agency. Though the government is open, agencies will need time to pick up where they left off. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said that it’ll take at least one year for the service to catch up to work that piled up during the shutdown. The IRS said that its backlog of unread mail from taxpayers skyrocketed to 5 million pieces of mail with an additional 700,000 pieces a day the IRS is still receiving. Among the agencies that were most

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PH Embassy in DC adds a 24/7 line for genderbased violence victims

DURING the Public Forum on GenderBased Violence held at the Embassy annex building on Dec. 1, 2018, the Philippine Embassy announced the launch of a Violence Against Women desk where victims and concerned parties may report to seek assistance and support. To reinforce the desk and enable victims and other distressed Filipinos staying outside the DC area to reach the Embassy, the diplomatic mission set up a 24/7, joint VAW and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline (mo-

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FUTURE HOSPITAL. President Rodrigo Duterte prepares to bury the time capsule as he leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital (SLRGH) in Malabon City on Tuesday, January 29. Joining the President are Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Malabon City Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and Malabon City Representative Federico Sandoval II. During his speech, Duterte reiterated his administration’s resolute commitment to enhance and strengthen the operational capabilities of government hospitals to cope with the healthcare and medical needs of the Filipinos, especially the poor and the marginalized. Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

BLAST SITE. President Rodrigo Duterte conducts an inspection inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu on Monday, January 28 where two explosions occurred inside and outside the church last January 27. Accompanying the President are Defense Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana, former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

THE Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a pair of bombings at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu that has killed 21 people and left over 80 injured during a mass on Sunday, January 27. The first explosion went off inside the cathedral on Sunday morning, while a subsequent blast happened seconds later as security forces rushed inside.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) speculate that the Abu Sayyaf Group carried out the deadly attack and are also looking into the possibility of a suicide bombing. However, hours after the bombings, the Islamic State said it was behind the incident, according to its news agency Amaq. Pope Francis expressed his “firm condemnation of this act of violence that causes more mourning in the Christian com-

munity.” Despite Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s verbal tirades against the Catholic Church, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Sunday’s attacks are not related to the president’s words. “In fact, the president is outraged. He’s so angry that they have not respected a place of worship – that’s why he declared war against all these perpetrators,” Panelo told reporters on

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PH Senate report recommends Diokno: PH Asia’s next success story criminal liability age threshold to 12, stiffer penalties for parents by MAILA

AGER Inquirer.net

CHILDREN as young as 12 years old who acted with discernment should be held criminally liable while parents of children in conflict with the law should suffer stiffer penalties. These were among the recommendations included in a 13-page report prepared by three committees— justice and human rights; women, children, family relations

and gender equality; and finance — on a bill lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to 12. The report was signed by 11 of 21 committee members, including Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the committee on justice. Under the bill, a child below 12 years old at the time of the commission of an offense should be exempt from liability. But the child would still be subjected to

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MANILA — Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno told the foreign business community that they are in the right place at the right time because the country is poised to keep its position as one of the region’s economic growth leaders. “In the medium term, the Philippines will remain to be one of the fastest growing economies in the fastest growing region, that is the ASEAN region, in the world. In the next four years, we expect the economy to grow at 7-8 percent. We are confident that the growth target is attainable in the medium term, especially with the key structural reforms and expansionary fiscal program that the Duterte administration has adopted,” Diokno said in a forum sponsored by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) held at the Makati Shangri-La hotel on Wednesday, January 30. With an audience composed mostly of busi-

Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno Philstar.com photo

ness leaders, entrepreneurs and potential investors from overseas, Diokno sought to allay their apprehensions over recent political and economic developments. He reiterated that, the real bottom line is

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PH reaches record breaking 7.1M visitor arrivals, now what? by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

THE Department of Tourism announced last week that 7,127,168 foreign tourists visited the Philippines last year, an alltime high in the country’s tourism industry. This was the great news that the local DOT officials heralded at the New York Times Travel Show held over the weekend at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. “In order to further accelerate Consul General Claro Cristobal (center) visited the Philippine booth at the recently-concluded New York Times Travel Show. The country made a record 7.1 million tourist arrivals in 2018. Photo shows (from left) Charisse Rodriguez of Philippine Airlines, Joebert and sustain the 7.1M tourist arrivals, the North American marOpulencia of Orientours, DOT’s Susan del Mundo, Luz Navarro of DOT, PAL’s Josh Vasquez and Goldwyn Salazar.

ket on its part, which has garnered the top 3 in ranking, will focus on the strength of digital marketing,” said Tourism Attaché Susan del Mundo. They plan to do this through enhanced collaborative tie-ups and partnerships with travel, trade and allied groups to strongly promote the tourism branding campaign, media and travel trade familiarization trips to the Philippines will be encouraged to obtain first-hand information on the country, according to Del Mundo.

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From the Front Page

Palace: Gov’t will keep Mindanao... PAGE A1 Thomas Martir, City Police Office director, said they already have“people of interest” in the mosque grenade attack, while also pointing out that the two attacks have different modus operandi. Martir said the mosque attack may have been motivated by politics since one of the men who died in the attack, Rex Habil, used to be a barangay official in Lamitan City, Basilan. “In politics, sometimes people have grudges... maybe he was followed here,” he said in Filipino He said police are also consid-

ering religious differences within the Muslim community. “As of now, we see there is nothing to do with the incident in Jolo. We already have persons of interest,” Martir said. Military will ‘unleash its might and weaponry’ The bombings occurred while Mindanao is under martial law, which has been in effect since May 2017. Malacañang said the Armed Forces of the Philippines “will unleash its might and weaponry” against enemies of the state. “The successive attacks on two different places of worship

depict the ruthlessness and the godlessness of these mass murderers,” Panelo said. Security forces have yet to say that the two incidents are related. Panelo assured Mindanao residents that the government will keep them secure and provide them with any kind of support they need. The explosion at a mosque in Barangay Talon-talon, Zamboanga City happened at around 1 a.m. while the victims were sleeping, according to a report from News5. (With reports from The STAR/Roel Pareño in Zamboanga City)

ISIS claims responsibility for PH bombing PAGE A1 Tuesday. He added, “Those who will attack places of worship, especially with the Catholics, are doing it because they do not believe in that religion.” Various reports said 111 individuals were wounded in the twin blasts, while 16 civilians and five troops were among the fatalities. However, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday clarified that the number of wounded victims has been reduced. “The total number killed is 21 while wounded persons [were] reduced to 97 and 54 of the wounded victims remain confined in different medical facilities [and] those with minor injuries had been discharged,” PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac told reporters in press briefing held at Camp Crame. Since Sunday, Sulu’s capital town has been on lockdown, but Banac said it will be lifted once investigators are done gathering evidence at the cathedral. “The lockdown is just a precautionary measure in support of ongoing security operations to establish strong control points in ingress and egress to and from Jolo by putting up roadblocks and checkpoints. It also allows investigators more flexibility to move around,” PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a statement read by Banac. Albayalde told reporters that there are substantive leads

police investigators are looking into, including surveillance camera footage of possible suspects seen in the vicinity of the cathedral minutes before the explosions. According to closed circuit television (CCTV) footage released Tuesday, January 29 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM), at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, one improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at the cathedral, while the second exploded 15 seconds later. National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon initially identified six persons of interest based on the CCTV footage and an earlier intelligence report issued in 2018. “Dalawang grupo (two groups) So far, anim, six of them. Information from what I understand is that we have leads not only from the CCTV but we also have leads because we have a previous report from the intelligence community as early as August last year,” Esperon said as reported by Rappler. AFP WESTMINCOM Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana also released the images of the three suspects who were seen entering and leaving the church before the mass even started. The cameras have also zeroed on one other suspect who is known as Kamah. Kamah is allegedly a member of Ajang-Ajang faction of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). He is believed to be the brother of fall-

en bandit leader Surakah Ingog, an alleged bombmaker slain in Sulu in August 2018. In the CCTV footage, Kamah is reportedly seen wearing a blue-green jacket, with his hair in a bun. He is seen at 8:30 a.m. walking with two other men, after 10 seconds, he hands out — a small item — before the second explosion occurs. Besana said the man who could be Kamah may have detonated the IEDs using the item in his hand before he escaped. Besana stated that the videos were only compressed and not cropped or trimmed so that they can send those to the other officials and reporters who are not based in Mindanao. Duterte orders Abu Sayyaf takedown In line with the recent tragedy, Duterte ordered the military to take down the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) “by whatever means” after visiting the blast site on Monday afternoon. “I ordered you to destroy the organization. I’m ordering you now: pulpugin ninyo ang Abu Sayyaf (eliminate the Abu Sayyaf) by whatever means,” Duterte told reporters. He added, “Ang gawin ninyo, sabihin ninyo pagka-bobombahin mo ‘yang lahat. Paalisin mo ‘yung mga tao, ilagay mo dito kung saan ako, ako ang maggastos ng pagkain - lahat. Tapos plantsahin ninyo ng bala (What you do, I tell you, bomb them all, evacuate all residents. Let them stay where I am. I’ll pay for food,

ENJOYING THE SUNSET AT MANILA BAY. These posted by a netizen on his Facebook account show how the once heavily-polluted Manila Bay has been revived to its natural splendor through the efforts of government agencies and volunteers. The massive rehabilitation scheme began on Sunday, January 27, and aims to restore the bay’s “beauty and bounty.” Contributed photos by Antonio Ampoan Chua-so

PH Senate report recommends criminal liability...

PAGE A1 an intervention program. “A child 12 years of age and above but below 18 years of age shall likewise be exempt from liability and be subjected to an intervention program, unless the child has acted with discernment, in which case, such child shall be subjected to the appropriate proceedings in accordance with this Act,” the measure noted. Moreover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD), in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government, should establish a fund and manage a 24hour child-caring institution for children in conflict with the law who commits parricide, murder, infanticide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention where the victim is killed or raped, robbery with homicide or rape, destructive arson, rape or carnapping where the driver or occupant is killed or raped, or offenses under Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002. The DSWD will also be responsible for building, funding, and operating a “Bahay Pag-asa” (House of Hope). Every “Bahay Pag-asa” should u PAGE A3

Senator Richard Gordon (center), chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, together with Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, conduct a public hearing Friday, January 25 on several proposals to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

have facilities such as gyms, libraries, and vocational training shops. The budget for building, funding, and operating the “Bahay Pag-asa” will be included in the DSWD’s annual budget. The measure also proposes higher penalties for “parental liability.” Under the bill, any person, including parents who exploit a child could face reclusion perpetua if the crime committed is

punishable by imprisonment of more than six years. A penalty of reclusion temporal, meanwhile, would be imposed if the crime committed is punishable by imprisonment of six years or less. “The fact that the person who exploited the child for the commission of crimes shall be considered as a generic aggravating circumstance,” the bill further read. n

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Dateline USa

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 1-7, 2019

Doubtful about 2020 Census? Do it for the kids by Mark Hedin Ethnic Media Services

DEVOTION TO CHILD JESUS. Thousands of Santo Niño devotees join the procession of the carrozas for the 40th Fiesta del Sto. Nino of the Congregacion del Nombre de Jesus from the Philtrade grounds in Pasay City to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday, January 27. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Federal employees head back to work after... PAGE A1 harmed included the National Parks Service (NPS), which had to go five weeks without park rangers and various staff that maintain the parks. Joshua Tree National Park in California suffered “irreparable” damage after vandals littered, destroyed joshua trees, drove through unauthorized areas of the park and permanently destroyed sensitive ecosystems that included historic rock formations. “What’s happened to our park in the last 34 days is irreparable for the next 200 to 300 years,” Curt Sauer, former superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park, said at a rally on Saturday. NPS employees are expecting their first paycheck with back pay on Wednesday, Jan. 30. For weeks, certain “non-essential” federal workers were either furloughed or worked without pay after President

Donald Trump refused to sign the government spending bill before the deadline on Dec. 22, 2018. The bill presented to him lacked the $5.7 billion request for a border wall and increased border security, an indelible condition of the president. In December, he firmly maintained that he would not sign a spending bill to fund the government unless that bill included said border wall funding, stating that he would be “proud to shut down the government” if Congress didn’t comply with his request. After five weeks, Trump caved and signed a temporary spending bill that did not include any funding for the border wall, which the administration has deemed necessary for national security reasons. Trump agreed to fund the government until Feb. 15, but the White House has alluded to the

PH reaches record breaking...

PAGE A1 The 2018 tourist arrivals marks a 7.65% growth rate compared to the 6,620,908 in 2017. “We should not be happy at 7.1M while the rest of our Asian neighbors like Thailand is getting 33M and Vietnam gets 12M. We should strive for more,” said Joebert Opulencia, president of Orientours, a New York-based tour operator. “And in order to do that, the Philippines needs more realistic promotions be it in print or television ads, or attendance at travel shows.” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced the news at the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016-2022 midterm assessment attended by DOT officials, tourism stakeholders and partners from the private sector. The review was meant to revisit the goals set during the inception of the plan and “determine which components need fine-tuning and which ones are working wonders as drawn.” “We have exceeded many of the NTDP targets, from our sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product or GDP, to our domestic arrivals. So I encourage all of you here to give your take in setting new industry goals,” Puyat told the audience. Making history The historic milestone happened in a year where the department hogged the headlines, particularly with the change in leadership and the controversial six-month shutdown of Boracay, one of the country’s flagship destinations. “The challenging act of closing down Boracay - a flagship destination, the country’s top sun-and-beach destination has evidently become a blessing in disguise for secondary tourism spots to have a share of the limelight and attention they truly deserve,” Puyat said. The island’s rehabilitation opened up opportunities for alternative destinations like Siargao, Iloilo, Palawan, La Union, Romblon and Siquijor, among others attracting more foreign

tourists from the different markets. Del Mundo said that there are indeed more places in the Philippines with high tourism potentials to showcase and promote such as Bohol, Negros, Siquijor, Cordilleras, Batanes, Bicol, Ilocos, Davao, Surigao, among others. Opulencia agrees, but with a caveat. “We must only promote the areas that have facilities that work, like hospitals, and the government must provide incentives to locals so they themselves can keep their places clean and in order,” he said. Top 10 South Korea remained the country’s top source market with 1,587,959 visitors, followed by China, which recorded 1,255,258 arrivals, the most improved market recording a 29.62 percent growth rate. There were 1,034,396 visitor arrivals from the United States, which remained at third. Japan and Australia complete the top five markets with 631,801, and 279,821 arrivals respectively. Completing the top twelve markets are Taiwan, 240,842; Canada, 226,429; United Kingdom, 201,039; Singapore, 171,795; and Malaysia, 145,242, with India, 121,124, and Hongkong, 117,984 just outside the Top 10. The department said that the country’s tourism growth rate has outdone the world average tourism growth and average growth for Asia and the Pacific of 6 percent as identified by the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s World Tourism Barometer. For now, DOT officers are making sure that its programs are more competitive, inclusive and sustainable. “In terms of product offerings — beach holidays, nature and adventure, heritage and history, dive, culinary, pilgrimage, lifestyle & shopping. The department will also provide further push on MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, & exhibitions/events),” Del Mundo added. n

PH Embassy in DC adds a 24/7 line... PAGE A1 bile no. +1-202-769-8049). The hotline is separate from the existing 24/7 duty phone (mobile number +1-202-368-2767),

which receives and responds to queries on consular matters and other embassy services as well as information on the Philippines. (Inquirer.net)

ISIS claims responsibility for... PAGE A2 everything. Then prepare the bullets).” Panelo said that the move to heighten alert in the entire country is a necessary move to secure the public. The spokesperson believed that such is a “preventive measure.” “Kapag may nangyari doon at ang pinagdududahan mo ang ISIS, eh worldwide ang ISIS, you have to secure the entire Philip-

pines. Kasi kung may nangyari doon, baka may mangyari ditto; alangan namang maghintay ka pa, gagawa ka ng preventive measures (If something happens and you assume the involvement of ISIS, since ISIS is worldwide, you have to secure the entire Philippines. If something happened there, it might happen here. You don’t have to wait. You have to ensure preventive measures),” Panelo said. n

possibility of another shutdown if Democrats ignore wall funding in the next spending package, which both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer intend to do. “If you’re the president of the United States, and you know that you have to defend the nation, do you want to shut the government down? No. Do you want to declare a national emergency? No. But you do need and want to defend the nation,” White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, Jan. 27. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

CALIFORNIA, with one out of eight of the nation’s children, risks being seriously shortchanged for another decade if its youngest children are undercounted in the 2020 Census. Kids under 5, more than any other age or ethnic group, were left out of the last census, according to the Census Bureau. Of the approximately 20 million kids of that age in the U.S. in 2010, 2.2 million were missed. The Census Bureau estimates that 1.2 million of them were counted twice, so it officially put the tally of those overlooked youngsters at 1 million, or 5 percent of that population. This undercounted cohort is most vulnerable because census data help decide how much to spend on programs that affect children for the following decade, according to William O’Hare, a nationally recognized expert who runs O’Hare Data and Demographic Services in Virginia. “The census is more important for young children than it is for other groups in terms of spending, but they’re counted the least accurately,” O’Hare says. Of those overlooked kids, 36 percent were Latino, according to Arturo Vargas, CEO of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials’ Education Fund. One-third of them lived in California, where the population is 39.4 percent Hispanic, and most live in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. An additional 25 percent of

the uncounted kids were African American, says O’Hare. The U.S. population is 17.8 percent Hispanic and 12.7 percent African American. Statistics on the remaining 40 percent of the undercounted children are not available, O’Hare says. Challenges to accuracy Typically, O’Hare says, children in middle class and more affluent families get over-counted as when custody for a child is shared, or the child lives with more than one adult. Children in less affluent families and ethnic communities are more likely to be undercounted, O’Hare notes. Half of the overlooked kids in California live in households with at least one immigrant, says Mayra Alvarez of Children’s Partnership, an advocacy group based in Los Angeles. Language barriers and complex living situations such as multiple generations under one roof or kids living with people other than their parents add to the undercount. So, too, does the fact that most people don’t know that the census’ mission is to count every person in every household. Cindy Quezada, a researcher with the Central Valley Immigrant Coalition in Fresno, recalls asking a woman in a laundromat with her two kids how many people live in her household. “’Two,’ she responded. ‘What about the kids with you?’” Quezada asked. “’Oh, I didn’t know you wanted to include them.’” Foster care institutions tend to lead to undercounts, too, Alvarez says, and California leads the nation in this category.

Renters respond less frequently than homeowners. People living in multi-unit properties respond even less often, and those who change addresses or otherwise live in unstable circumstances also get missed. When there is no response to a census questionnaire, the Census Bureau makes follow-up attempts, although the success rate for these “nonresponse followup” operations is poor. Still, if there’s a response of any sort, data-gathering ends there, limiting the possibility of correcting mistakes or misunderstandings that produced incomplete responses. Beyond these issues with the 2010 Census, the 2020 count carries an additional concern if the Commerce Department’s proposed inclusion of a question about citizenship is added to the questionnaire. Wide-ranging implications The effects of census data are wide-ranging, including the number of representatives a state gets in Congress and how many electoral college votes it has in presidential elections. The numbers drive hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending on transit and highway planning and construction, Section 8 housing, vouchers, water and waste disposal projects, and much more. In its 2018 “Kids Count” data book, the Annie E. Casey Foundation listed 10 federal programs that together in 2015 spent $160 billion for kids: Medicaid, SNAP, school lunch, special education, health insurance, Head Start, foster care, child care, WIC and Title 1 educational grants. Funding for

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Dateline USa

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 1-7, 2019

A call for more Filipinos to join marrow donor program Survey: PH rated 50th best country in the world TO honor the death of his mother from cancer, celebrated Filipino pop star Guji Lorenzana encourages Filipinos worldwide to join the Be The Match registry to give kababayans worldwide a second chance at life. Every year, more than 12,000 patients are diagnosed with lifethreatening blood cancers – like leukemia and lymphoma – or other diseases for which a marrow or stem cell transplant may be their best or only hope for a cure. A family member is a match only 30 percent of the time. A stranger is a match 70 percent of the time. Before a transplant takes place, a compatible donor most be found – typically someone of the same ethnic heritage. To register, text: the word BEALRIGHT to 61474. Or, you can phone 1 (800) 5936667. Despite more than 20 million people on the Be The Match registry, only 5 percent are Asian and .4 percent are Filipino. Filipino patients, like 30-year-old Martin and 32-year-old Desimond, urgently need to identify a marrow/stem cell match. Guji Lorenzana spreads the word Lorenzana, a Filipino actor, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and DJ, visited Chicago and San Francisco to raise awareness and encourage Filipinos to join the registry. He wrote a song called “Be

Guji Lorenzana

by AJPress

Despite more than 20 million people on the Be The Match registry, only 5 percent are Asian and .4 percent are Filipino. Filipino patients, like Desimond (left) and Martin (right), urgently need to identify a marrow/stem cell match.

Alright.” (Available on YouTube) It started out as a love song to his mother who had been diagnosed with cervical cancer. “This song was to help encourage her and be strong,” Lorenzana says. “It was only after she passed that this song became not only something to honor her, but a song of hope and courage for everyone who was fighting too.” “I know how urgently some patients need a marrow match,” Lorenzana says. “So, it’s imperative that Filipinos register.” Lorenzana started the Be Alright Campaign to spread cancer awareness and prevention worldwide. Although he is still grieving the loss of his mother, Lorenzana says, “Through my work with the Be Alright Campaign and organizations like Be The Match and Asian American Donor Program (AADP), I am healing.” Lorenzana created a public service announcement that can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/Mg2VU4IKnQ How to donate April Cruz, who lives in northern California, donated marrow about 10 years ago. She is Filipina and Chinese. “I really encourage people to register,” Cruz says. “I see it as a human deed. I donated marrow to a complete stranger – someone who really needed my help to extend their life.” She never met the 27-year-old Filipino man she helped. He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leu-

kemia and lived until the two-year anniversary of the transplant. “You never know when someone in your family or a friend will need a donor,” Cruz says. “So, why not help those who need your help now?” Martin Martin is a 30-year-old Filipino diagnosed with mixed-phenotype acute leukemia. He lives in British Columbia. In 2010, he completed a B.A. degree in history at the University of British Columbia and, in 2014, completed the coursework to become a certified public accountant, later working as an accountant for an auctioneering firm. Martin was active in sports, regularly playing ultimate Frisbee, ten-pin bowling, and volleyball. In July 2018, just after his 30th birthday, he was told he had leukemia. Beginning treatment right away, he developed an infection, which caused further complications. In November 2018, Martin had a relapse and was told by his doctor that his leukemia is considered terminal. The doctors recommended going to palliative care or trying a different type of chemotherapy. Martin decided to try the different type of chemo. Presently, his doctors have not found a marrow/stem cell match for him. “I need a stranger to step forward,” Martin says. Desimond Desimond is a 32-year-old Filipino and father of four chil-

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Diokno: PH Asia’s next success... PAGE A1 the country is still on track with its growth targets, given the large inflow of foreign direct investments and the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals. GDP growth is expected to reach 7.0 percent in 2019, with the transitory inflationary impact of the tax reform already stabilizing, the Department of Budget and Management chief added. The Philippines has also made headway in the capital markets, he said. With an offering of USD1.5 billion of 10-year Global Bonds, the country has successfully returned to international capital markets. “Last year, we have also returned to the public Samurai market, issuing Samurai bonds on a stand-alone basis amounting to JPY154.2 billion (approximately USD 1.4 Billion) in a multi-tranche transaction after an eight-year break,” Diokno added. “The Philippines is also the first ASEAN sovereign to issue Panda bonds. The government’s inaugural issue of renminbi-denominated bonds, or Panda bonds, amounting to RMB1.46 B (or USD216.4 million) was warmly received by the Chinese and other offshore markets,” he also noted.

These bond offerings show the Duterte administration’s commitment to fund public investments in infrastructure development, which is crucial in maintaining the country’s economic growth momentum. Notably, infrastructure appropriations will reach as high as P1.8 Trillion or 7.0% of GDP by 2022, in line with the Duterte administration’s ambitious Build, Build, Build program. The budget chief highlighted the Duterte administration’s impressive spending performance in its first two years in office. “Compared to previous administrations, Duterte hit the ground running in his first two years in office. Delivering on his promise to accelerate infrastructure development, infrastructure outlays as percent of GDP recorded a staggering 6.3 percent from 2017 to 2018,” he said. He, however, explained that the administration’s spending has not been limited to infrastructure development saying its investment to enhance the delivery of social services has been unprecedented. “Government spending for social services peaked at 8.5 percent of GDP in 2017 and 8.2 percent in 2018, as compared with

the past 32 years. This is proof of our commitment to accelerate human capital development,” he added. Also, Diokno emphasized how the various budget reforms introduced on his watch particularly the shift to an annual cash-based budget has not only diminished, but totally eliminated underspending. “As of the third quarter of 2018, actual government expenditures have exceeded programmed expenditures by 2.6 percent. We are even slightly overspending. This is because we frontloaded our projects during the dry months (January to June) because these are the best months to undertake projects,” he said. “President Duterte, compared to past presidents in recent Philippine history, hit the ground running. Infrastructure spending during his first two full years, both in terms of its share of the budget and as percent of GDP, hit record high. Spending for social services -- education, health care, and social protection -- has reached new heights too,” Diokno said. “So, take my word for it: the Philippines will be Asia’s next success story,” he concluded. (PNA)

reportedly worked to improve the country’s business climate and THE Philippines is considered drive investor confidence to a the 50th best country in the world, higher level. Among these efforts, according to a recent global sur- Panelo highlighted the cleansing vey conducted by U.S. News and the government of corrupt officials World Report. and streamlining the delivery of The annual survey — based on frontline services. responses from 20,000 people The country’s tourism, accordfrom 36 countries — released ing to him, is also a priority with a earlier this January ranks the top focus now given on environmental 80 countries in the world, us- sustainability. ing 65 different metrics, such as Panelo said he was confident trade, travel, investment, human that the administration would conrights, gender equality, religious tinue to improve its ranking as it freedom, and environmental consciousness. The Philippines’ overall ranking for 2019 is one notch lower than the previous year when it took the 49th spot. “Thousands of islands in the South China Sea comprise the tropical nation of the Philippines,” U.S. News and World Report wrote about the island country. “The land of beautiful beaches and abundant biodiversity has long been plagued by political instability, but its resilient economy continues to improve and push ahead of others in the region.” The report went on to note that the remittances from Filipinos living abroad and tourism industry have contributed to the maintenance of the country’s budget surplus. “Foreign investment in the Philippines is low, but frequent devastating tsunamis and other national disasters often draw large amounts of humanitarian aid. International rights groups have criticized the president for his controversial drug war, which has resulted in thousands of deaths,” it added. The Philippines possesses a GDP of $313.6 billion, a population of 104,918,000 and a GDP per capita of $8,360. It is considered the 13-most populous nation in the world. Each metric was categorized into nine subrankings: adventure, citizenship, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, movers, open for business, power, and quality of life. Among these categories, the Philippines placed No. 22 for adventure, No. 26 for business openness, and No. 37 for the quality of life. Malacañang welcomed the ranking, with Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo highlighting the Philippines as an emerging market for business, investments, and tourism. The presidential spokesman enumerated the ways in which the Duterte administration has

remains committed to institutional reforms. The survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report, in partnership with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and global marketing communications company VMLY&R, looks at 80 countries to “capture how [they] are perceived on a global scale.” The 80 countries had to meet four had to meet four criteria within the most recent year for

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she says. “We need to collect the material in languages and at appropriate reading levels for our community to access. It can tell us where there are pockets of community that we’re not seeing in the libraries that we need to work on.” Getting it right Getting an accurate count in 2020 has special challenges. The Commerce Department’s proposal to add a question about every resident’s citizenship status to the 2020 Census has deepened fear in immigrant communities about being counted, experts and advocates claim. According to Partnership for America’s Children in Washington D.C., 95 percent of uncounted kids are U.S. citizens, but fear and mistrust of government on the upswing in the current political climate of increased deportations, ICE raids and “border wall” bargaining will affect their parents’ willingness to respond to the census questionnaire. Furthermore, for the first time, the government has made online surveys its primary method of collecting data. That alone will make participation easier for some people and harder for others. And funding cutbacks have hampered preparations. “The Census Bureau is going

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PAGE A3 these programs is allocated based on census data, and these 10 kidfocused programs all rank among the 16 biggest federal programs where census data drives the funding. California ranks 36th nationally in estimates of children’s well-being, Mayra Alvarez of Children’s Partnership points out, citing “Kids Count.” “If we get less funding, we’re going to drop,” she says. “We have to consider how critical these funds are and not risk losing a dollar of funding for our kids. “If we want to prioritize kids in order to strengthen our future as a country, we have to make sure every kid is counted. It’s critical for California.” Because census data about the youngest people also give a preview of the makeup of society’s future population, states, local governments, businesses and nonprofits draw heavily on the data to establish investment priorities and plan programs. Jill Bourne, city librarian of the San Jose (Calif.) Public Library, says it is “heavily reliant” on census data, just as it is in Seattle and San Francisco, where she also worked. “It has a significant impact on how we allocate our resources,”

into 2020 not prepared,” NALEO’s Vargas says. “Candidly, Congress bears some of the responsibility for not having fully funded the Census Bureau’s appropriation requests for the last four years.” California is leading the way California is leading the nation in trying to achieve accuracy in 2020. It filed a suit against the citizenship question proposal on the day the Commerce Department announced it. The state also has dedicated funding to getting out the word about the importance of everyone filling out a census questionnaire completely, either online, through the mail, on the phone or in person to census staff who will visit households that haven’t responded. Every dollar denied California by an undercount matters, advocates say. “Already, we can’t accommodate the number of people needing assistance,” says Lynn Kersey, executive director of Maternal and Child Health Access for low-income families in Los Angeles. “Community clinics and housing groups and others would say the same, I’m sure.” Adds Alvarez, “If people are reluctant for many reasons to fill out the census, I say, ‘Do it for the kids.’” n

FEBRUARY 1-7, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Mass murderers

THE attack, aimed at a soft target, was meant to inflict maximum damage. As the Sunday morning mass got underway at the Roman Catholic cathedral in Sulu’s capital Jolo, a blast tore through the church. As pandemonium erupted and security forces rushed to the church, another explosion hit a military outpost just outside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel cathedral. Police counted 21 dead and 100 others wounded. Many of the wounded remain in critical condition. Authorities have reportedly taken into custody the brother of an Abu Sayyaf subleader slain by the military. There have been about 10 armed attacks on the church since 2000, but last Sunday’s twin bombings exacted the most grievous toll. The attack shows how fragile the peace process is in Mindanao. Several threat groups are being eyed in the attack, which was staged with the entire Mindanao under martial law, and just days after Sulu voted in a plebiscite to reject the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Sulu is a part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, but its rejection of the BOL indicates it is opting out of the proposed BARMM that will replace the

ARMM. Continuing extremist violence in the ARMM has been cited as one of the reasons for its supposed failure and the need to create a new autonomous region. The attack on the cathedral shows the persistent challenges in achieving enduring peace in Mindanao. It will need a lot of heavy lifting to achieve aspirations for peace in the troubled region. While the government moves to bring development to whatever autonomous region emerges, residents in the affected areas must work together with state agencies, civic groups and other stakeholders including foreign governments to confront armed violence. The coordinated effort can be applied in finding the mass murderers behind the attack on the Jolo cathedral. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Mindanao: How the great island was explored and evangelized

Commentary

YEN MAKABENTA IN these days when like many, I find developments in Mindanao both hopeful and terrifying, I often turn to the writings of my former Jesuit teacher, Miguel Anselmo Bernad, S.J., particularly his essays on Mindanao, of which he was a native (Misamis, Misamis Occidental). Evidently, as his final book, he brought together his Mindanao essays in a single volume, The Great Island, Studies in the Exploration and Evangelization of Mindanao (Ateneo de Manila University Press, Quezon City, 2004). The book is a revelation and a treasure for me, because until I got hold of it, I had not realized how much historical writing Fr. Bernad wrote (he did much writing on literature), and how his

scholarship and insights help enlighten my own research and writing. Until I read The Great Island, Mindanao for me was just a big cliché, “the land of promise,’ dating back to the American occupation. An idea whose time has come The election of Rodrigo Roa Duterte as president in 2016 got me reading and researching on Mindanao in a hurry. I was tantalized by the thought that Victor Hugo could be right when he said: “You can resist an invading army; you cannot resist an idea whose time has come.” Until DU30 stood for election, the closest Mindanao had gotten to electing a president was when Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez ran for president, but then fell short, because Ferdinand Marcos beat him to the Nacionalista Party presidential nomination in 1965. DU30 was the second serious Mindanao presidential aspirant, and this

time around the island would not be denied. To the credit of President Benigno Aquino III, he also got me researching and reading on Mindanao after his dramatic decision to pursue a comprehensive peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in one of the principal policies of his administration. The subsequent policy debate made me an avid reader of the history of the Muslims in Mindanao, particularly a volume titled The Moro Reader (Center for People Empowerment and Governance, edited by Bobby Tuazon, Quezon City, 2008). Moro Reader opened my eyes, though not completely, to the world of our Muslim communities, the different Muslim tribes, and their perennial struggle for their ancestral domain and statehood. The Great Island opened up for me the extent of the promise

and lament of Mindanao. Larger than 10 countries in Europe In a revealing preface, Fr. Bernad describes vividly the majesty of Mindanao. He wrote: “Mindanao is a large island, larger than 10 of the countries in Europe. It is larger than Ireland or Scotland, larger than Portugal, Hungary, Austria, or Denmark; very much larger than Switzerland, or the three countries — Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg — put together. “Mindanao is not only large. It is also rugged. Its many regions are divided from each other by high mountain ranges, valleys and plains — some of them huge in size — watered by streams and rivers. Until a few decades ago, most of its highlands and most of its plains were covered with thick forests. “With the regions thus isolated from each other, it is not surprising that the aboriginal population of the island com-

prised tribes speaking different tongues. “Today, immigrants or descendants from other parts of the Philippines make up most of the population of Mindanao. But there still are tribal groups, remnants of the original population. Part of the southeastern portion of the island and the southern half of the central plateau are peopled by Muslims. The vast majority of the island’s population is Christian, while the tribal groups in the highlands are animists. “The predominantly Catholic Christian population is under the jurisdiction of 20 bishoprics grouped together into five ecclesiastical provinces. They are headed by the archbishoprics of Cagayan De Oro, Davao, Cotabato, Zamboanga, and Misamis (Ozamis City). “The flourishing state of the Catholic Church today is the result of a long, and often painful process of Christianization that

started in the 16th century and continued until the 20th. “The building of the city and the civilization of Rome was indeed an immense undertaking, so was the evangelization of Mindanao. “The present volume is merely a modest collection of essays written at various times over a period of several decades, depicting some of the highlights in the exploration and evangelization of this great island. It is hoped that their compilation into one volume might be of help to scholars who will write a more comprehensive and definitive history of Mindanao.” It was Fr. Bernad who introduced me in my college years to the excitement of literature, so effectively that he diverted me away from the study of l aw or history. It does not surprise me that he is also the teacher who has opened my eyes to the history and grandeur of Mindanao. (ManilaTimes.net)

Why Duterte is good for the Church Working as a temp in Trump hotels is not the real deal crimes.” I CONFESS to raising an eyeCardinal Luis Antonio brow at the disproportionate Commentary Tagle’s letter to his clergy outrage of some fellow Catholics reminds them that the Secover the President’s attacks on ond Vatican Council obliges our Church. More deserving of Catholics to respect “those outrage than what he says about who do not believe in God”; the Roman Catholic Church is that challenges to Catholic what his administration is doing ELEANOR R. DIONISIO belief must be met by diato the country: tens of thousands killed by police and unknown assailants; the dis- logue with challengers “sincerely searching for mantling of democratic institutions; the vilifica- the truth”; and that more important than to detion and persecution of dissenters, human rights fend the Church from criticism is to minister to advocates and other activists. Catholic outrage the poor. Still, I do not think the President’s attacks are about these far more iniquitous developments has been limited to a few bishops and marginal fueled by a sincere search for truth. Besides his alleged bad experiences with priests, he also groups of clergy, religious and laity. I also confess to a perverse satisfaction each knows the Church can be a crucible for dissent time the President ridicules the Church. Not be- and a powerful moral voice against government cause of his wit, which is far short of brilliant. excesses. So he means to bully the Church into Not because I agree with what he says; I admit silence. This strategy he gets from the Marcos playsome accusations are true, but as a Jesuit-educated and duly certified parish manang, I am book. The Marcos dictatorship deported misfirmly on the side of my flawed Church and its sionaries and threatened to tax Catholic institutions and legalize divorce. Worse, it arrested, maligned clergy in this war on Catholicism. Some satisfaction comes from a sense of vin- abducted and killed priests, religious and lay dication: I would love to cast on Catholics who leaders. But instead of subduing the Church, the Marvoted for him a look that says “I told you so.” But it also comes from the sense that my Church cos strategy alienated many Catholics, driving needed to be shaken. Too comfortable in its them to the side of the persecuted. And so the nominal majority, too preoccupied with its in- Church joined the uprising against the dictatorternal life and issues of sexual and reproductive ship. That history points to another opportunity for morality, too removed from the poor, the Church is now forced to confront its sins, its failures in the Church to find grace in Mr. Duterte’s war evangelization, and the pluralism of Philippine on Catholicism. The attacks on the Church are awakening Catholics to the administration’s desociety. Yet the Church can turn the President’s at- fects. The Church can refocus their attention on tacks into an opportunity for grace by reflecting the administration’s graver sins, and rechannel on and correcting practices inconsistent with its the energy generated by their anger into more ethics. The pastoral documents issued by the transformative action: the denunciation of its hubishops in July 2018, after the President’s “stu- man rights violations and antidemocratic moves, pid God” remark, are born of such reflection. In the rejection of candidates who support these their pastoral exhortation “Rejoice and be glad,” moves, the need to work in solidarity with those the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philip- threatened and bereaved by its deathly policies. Then Mr. Duterte would have strengthened pines admits: “We are a Church of sinners called to conversion and holiness at the same time. the Church in its true mission: “to proclaim We bow in shame when we hear of abuse being liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the committed by some of our fellow Church lead- blind, to let the oppressed go free.” ers… We hold ourselves accountable for their ••• actions, and accept our duty to correct them.” In Eleanor R. Dionisio is a consultant of the Archdiocesan Institute for his message “God is love,” Archbishop Socrates Research and Development, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, B. Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan owns that and a proud member of the Public Affairs Ministry of Our Lady of the Church has “faults,” “mistakes and even Pentecost Parish, Diocese of Cubao. (Inquirer.net)

IT is all rooted in the so-called “American Dream,” the overwhelming sense of Filipinos to move to the United States when a window of opportunity opens. Filipinos with no opportunity to get petitioned by blood relatives in the US, or get married to an American citizen, or file for a green card after working in a U.S. government entity for at least 15 years — the three quickest routes — will have to settle for an entry route as a “temp,” or temporary worker. And those seeking entry as “temps“ mostly secure H-2A and H-2B visas to gain temporary employment in the US, the 2A covering agricultural workers and the 2B covering seasonal jobs, mostly in hotels, restaurants and construction. The H-1B, the visa type used by Pinoys with sought-after skills, sends the visa holder to the likes of Wall Street, big law firms, Silicon Valley, universities, the engineering and research hubs. Before Trump, the H-1B was a clear pathway to a permanent stay in the U.S. The two non-immigrant work visas are what preoccupy Philippine officialdom today after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) imposed a one-year ban on Filipinos seeking entry to the U.S. via the two visa types. The DHS said that 40 percent of Filipino workers who get visas under the non-immigrant work programs overstay and that was what prompted the one-year ban. The official response from our government is that it may, through the DFA, appeal the DHS ban. If I were the DFA, I would just file a routine appeal, then forget all about the ban. Many reasons for this. But first and foremost is this. There are jobs that are definitely better than holding a temp job in the U.S. OK, I will be more specific. President Trump is an immigration hardliner. He wants to wall in America to pre-

Opinion

MARLEN RONQUILLO vent immigrants, especially people of color, from moving into the U.S. But his businesses seek H-2B type visas. And when you get an H-2B, chances are you might be mopping the floors at the Trump hotels. Or dicing onions at his restaurants. Do you want a temp job at the hotels and restaurants of the man who abets the current anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions in the U.S.? The president who loathes people of color? Do you want to work as a temp at the Trump hotels? Trump welcomes temps who do the tough jobs of cleaning toilet bowls and vacuuming up the carpets in his hotels but that is all there is to it. Giving these workers a slim window for a permanent stay in the U.S. is against what Trump stands for. Along the vast agricultural stretches of California, you often see men and women in the orange groves, in the strawberry fields, in the pistachio plantations, with dusty pick-up trucks and old sedans parked nearby. Many of them are seasonal workers from Mexico and they come in under the 2A visas. While Mexicans dominate work in the fruit farms, there are seasonal workers from other countries as well, Filipinos and workers from African countries among them. The backbreaking jobs available under the 2A visas do not pay that much, probably less than what is paid the temps at the fast-food joints and Panda Express. The 2A workers have to pack their bags and leave the U.S. once the fruit-picking season is over.

By the time the 2A workers reach their home countries, little or none at all had been saved from the money sent during the work season. This is probably at the root of the decision of these temporary workers to overstay. Nothing or very little is left after the work season is over. The type of jobs available under the 2A and the 2B visas are not really the kind of jobs that would provide economic stability to the families back home. Working as temps, say, in the Trump establishments, as the headline says, is not the real deal. OK, what are alternative jobs for the footloose in the global job markets? With the Trump administration’s hardline policy, what are the options for those who are willing to take on tough jobs overseas, with North America as the desired place of work? One option is this. Move into Saskatchewan and other frontier employment areas in Canada as many young Filipinos not afraid of taking on tough jobs are doing right now. They move into that cold area to work on the canola fields, the piggery farms and various agro-forestry-related jobs. The stories the young Filipinos who have moved into these cold and frontier areas center on two themes — the challenge of winter on the negative side and the ease of assimilation on the positive side. They say you will not encounter law enforcers like Joe Arpaio. Or young men in red MAGA hats who — with smirks on their faces and venom in their threatening voices — essentially say you are unwelcome and you should return to your home country. There are more welcoming places of work than Trump’s America. And working as temps at the Trump establishments is not the real deal. (ManilaTimes.net)

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Dateline PHouse hiliPPines passes medical marijuana bill on final reading

Thousands join ‘Battle for Manila Bay’ solidarity walk MANILA — Some 5,000 volunteers gathered on Sunday, January 27, at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila for a solidarity walk to signify the start of the Manila Bay rehabilitation efforts. Multi-sectorial groups, stakeholders, officials and personnel of government agencies, religious groups, academe, students, civic and other non-government organizations attended the event to show their cooperation in the Save Manila Bay project. DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu led the walk, together with Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Acting Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr., Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Danilo Lim. The walk ended at the Rajah Sulayman Park, where the officials gave their keynote messages and

urged the public to further support the project. In his speech, Lim defined the rehabilitation of Manila Bay as a ‘Herculean’ task as it requires the effort of various government agencies and the public. “Sa amin sa MMDA kasama sa aming mandatos ang paglilinis ng waterways and sewerages, pero ngayon nagsasama tayong lahat, naniniwala ako wala nang dahilan para hindi tayo magtagumpay sa pagbabalik ng linis, kaayusan at kagandahan ng Manila Bay (It is included in the mandate of MMDA to clean the waterways and sewerages, but now that we’re all together, I believe there is no reason for us not to succeed in bringing back the cleanliness, order and beauty of Manila Bay),” he said. For his part, Villar said the event showed President Rodrigo Duterte’s firm decision and strong political will to clean the popular bay. “We will allocate heavy equipment, we will procure a new tech-

Government personnel and members of various groups join a solidarity march at Rizal Park before the start of the bay clean-up on Sunday, January 27. ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia

Filipinos are world’s heaviest internet users in 2018, report says by Rosette

aDel

Philstar.com

MANILA — The Digital 2019 report of a social media platform management application and social media marketing agency revealed that Filipinos are the world’s heaviest internet users. Social media firms Hootsuite and We Are Social on Thursday released their latest 200-page Digital 2019 report showing that internet users in the Philippines dethroned Thailand as the country that spends the most time online. The study conducted in 2018 showed that internet users in the country increased their average time online to 10 hours and two minutes from its previous record of nine hours and 29 minutes last year. Philippine users also maintained their global lead in time spent on social media. According to the report, Filipino users spend an average of four hours and 12 minutes on social media platforms. This record is a huge leap from the global average of two hours and 16 minutes. Mobile internet emerged as the most used method of Filipino users to access the world wide web. They are using mobile internet for four hours and 58 minutes on average. The record of mobile internet usage made the Philippines second highest globally behind Thailand. The study added that 70 percent of internet users in the country spend money on eCommerce platforms. On the other hand, 57 and 54 percent of Filipino internet users spend their usage on mobile commerce platforms and mobile banking, respectively. The percentage is higher than the global averages of 55 and 41 percent, respectively. Asia Pacific online users grew in 2018 Meanwhile, the Digital 2019 report highlighting the key stats and trends on the internet and social media, also revealed that the Asia Pacific has some of the highest growth in social media users worldwide with 218 million users recorded last year.

“Asia is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for Internet and mobile usage, and with that comes a huge appetite for technological adoption, foreign investment and digital innovation. Brands and companies are recognising this opportunity and demonstrating a strong sense of urgency to integrate digital and social media into their business,” Roger Graham, Asia head of Hootsuite, said in a released. The report said that the social media use increased by nearly nine percent annually with 3.5 billion now active on social media and a million new people go online every day despite growing concerns on fake news, fake followers and data privacy in 2018. “Although social media came under increased scrutiny and saw diminished trust among users in 2018, people around the world are spending more time on social—the global daily average is now 2 hours and 16 minutes, or one seventh of their waking lives,” Penny Wilson, chief marketing officer of Hootsuite said in a release. Facebook is still top used social media network Aside from this, Facebook still maintained its spot as the most popular social media network used worldwide. Its monthly active users jumped by 1.7 percent or 37 million. On the other hand, Instagram only has around 1 billion active users in total while Twitter and Snapchat declined its audience by 2.7 percent and 12 percent, respectively. “Despite controversy around privacy, hacking, fake news and all the other negative aspects of online life, the world continues to embrace the internet and social media.” co-founder and group CEO of We Are Social Nathan McDonald said in a release. Meanwhile, Facebook’s Whatsapp and Messenger are the top messaging apps among online users. Whatsapp is a global favorite in 133 countries while Facebook Messenger is the top favorite in 75 countries. WeChat retains its place as the top messaging app in China. The Digital 2019 report was conducted in 2018 and surveyed over 230 countries. n

Filipinos are the world’s heaviest internet users, according to a digital report released on Thursday, January 31. Philstar.com photo

nology, trash skimmers — this will collect garbage and full-time solely allocated for Manila Bay. This is just the beginning and you can expect us to allocate a bigger budget for Manila Bay,” he said. Meanwhile, Año said the rehabilitation of Manila Bay covers 190 kilometers involving three regions, 5,700 barangays and 178 local government units. “Sa DILG, bubusisiin natin ang establishments dito kung sila ay sumusunod sa (At DILG, we will scrutinize the establishments if they are in compliance with the) Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Solid Waste Management Act. Every week the barangay captains will conduct cleanup in their respective areas where there are rivers leading to Manila Bay,” he said. Año clarified that establishments will be given enough time to correct their lapses but they will be shut down or sued if unable to comply within deadlines. For his part, Cimatu urged the public to take part in cleaning up Manila Bay. “As I declare the start of Battle for Manila Bay, I direct the DENR and the LLDA (Laguna Lake Development Authority) to issue a cease and desist order for those who violated environmental laws here in Manila Bay,” he added. Cimatu led an inspection of the food establishments circling the bay and the three drainage canals leading to it right after the event. (Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA)

by Jess

Diaz Philstar.com

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 29, approved on third and final reading a bill allowing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Bill 6517, authored by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano lll, is titled, “An Act providing compassionate and right of access to medical cannabis, expanding research into its medicinal properties and for other purposes.” The vote was 153-5 with three abstentions. Coincidentally, it was Albano’s wife Mylene, who represents Davao City’s second district and a deputy speaker, who presided over the session. The bill now goes to the Senate. Albano said his bill seeks to allow the use of medical marijuana for those suffering from debilitating diseases like epilepsy under strict regulation by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration. “The use of marijuana for recreational purposes will continue to be prohibited. We are not proposing that the prohibition be lifted,” he said. He said there are studies in Israel, Spain, other parts of Europe and the United States attesting to the medicinal benefits of marijuana. He pointed out that medical

The Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 29. Philstar.com photo

marijuana is allowed in many states in America. Last week, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo admitted to using medical marijuana. “I am hopeful that this will be enacted into law under the administration of President Duterte, who has expressed support for medical marijuana,” Albano added. Rep. Ron Salo of party-list group Kabayan, a co-author of the bill, said the measure “has enough safeguards to prevent abuses.” “The only places where prescribed medical cannabis will be available are DOH hospitals, tertiary hospitals and private hospitals licensed for medical cannabis purposes,” he said. He said only doctors licensed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency could issue prescriptions for medical marijuana

“for very specific conditions and purposes based on their expert diagnosis.” There will be licensed medical cannabis caregivers who will be issued special identification cards by the DOH secretary. Medical cannabis patients will be issued special IDs. The medical cannabis caregiver can attend to only one patient at any time. “Simply put, once approved into law, medical cannabis would be strictly regulated,” Salo stressed. He thanked Albano for “championing the cause of those afflicted with debilitating diseases whose sufferings can be alleviated through the use of medical marijuana.” Aside from Duterte, Arroyo and Miss Universe Catriona Gray have expressed support for medical cannabis. n

February 1-7, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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First EDCA facility opens in Pampanga by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States officially activated the first major project under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a human assistance and disaster relief warehouse at Cesar Basa Air Base in Pampanga on Tuesday, January 29. “I am delighted that we have finally undertaken the first among the many activities and projects under the EDCA,” Lorenzana said. The facility will house equipment and supplies that the Philippines and the U.S. could use to respond quickly and effectively to humanitarian crises, the U.S. Former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla all smiles as he leaves Sandiganbayan on the morning of Dec. 7, 2018. Philstar.com photo by Michael Marcelo Embassy said. “This project illustrates not only our commitment to the U.S.-Philippine alliance, but also both of our countries’ dedication to peace and stability in the larger IndoPacific region,” Kim said. The American envoy noted MANILA — Prosecutors of the and Napoles and sentenced them prosecutors stressed: “[A] person Office of the Ombudsman urged to reclusion perpetua, or impris- acquitted of a criminal charge, that the alliance between the however, is not necessarily civ- two countries has effectively adthe Sandiganbayan to compel for- onment of 40 years. Revilla camp: No criminal li- illy free because the quantum mer Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla of proof required in criminal Jr. to pay for the civil liability on ability, no civil liability Part of the dispositive of the prosecution (proof beyond readismissed plunder case. The Star reported that the ruling read: “In view of the sonable doubt) is greater than the Ombudsman’s Office of the Spe- discussion above, pursuant to required for civil liability (mere cial Prosecutor filed a Motion for Article 100 of the Revised Penal preponderance of evidence.)” “It is evidence which is more Execution of Judgment before Code, accused are held solidarily by Patricia Lourdes Viray Philstar.com the Sandiganbayan’s Special and jointly liable to return to the convincing to the court as worFirst Division to ask the anti-graft National Treasury the amount of thy of belief than that which is offered in opposition thereto,” court to issue a Writ of Execution P124.5 million.” MANILA — Beijing’s establishRevilla’s camp earlier argued they added. against Revilla. ment of a maritime rescue center Article 100 of the Revised on a Manila-claimed reef in the The court, in a landmark rul- that they should not be ordered to ing on December, acquitted pay since the former senator was Penal Code discusses Civil Liabil- West Philippine Sea would benity and provides: “Every person efit everyone, Malacañang said Revilla in the multimillion-peso acquitted from the case. “He (Revilla) has no obligation criminally liable for a felony is on Thursday, January 31. plunder case saying prosecutors failed to prove beyond rea- under the (Sandiganbayan) judg- also civilly liable.” Chinese-state run Xinhua earEvidence that is beyond rea- lier reported that China’s Ministry sonable doubt that the former ment to return anything. How can lawmaker “received, directly he be held civilly liable if he was sonable doubt is required in of Transport has opened a resor indirectly the rebates, com- not found criminally liable? The criminal conviction. In civil cases, cue on Kagitingan or Fiery Cross mission and kickbacks from his finding of the court is he did not a “preponderance of the evi- Reef, one of its artificial islands in [Priority Development Assistance receive any of the alleged kick- dence” or that more convincing the Spratly Islands. backs or commissions,” lawyer evidence is needed. Fund].” “Maybe we should be thankful. State prosecutors also said that I share the sentiment of (Defense) Ombudsman prosecutors al- Ramon Esguerra told The Star. Revilla civilly liable, Ombuds- Revilla’s liability stem from his Secretary Delfin Lorenzana that leged that Revilla, through his failure to safeguard and account could help seamen in distress in aide Richard Cambe, received man prosecutors say Ombudsman prosecutors ar- to the millions of public funds that area. It can help everybody,” from businesswoman Janet LimNapoles a total of P224.5 million gued before the court that Revil- that was funnelled through the presidential spokesperson Salvain kickbacks in exchange for the la’s acquittal “was based merely pork barrel scheme. dor Panelo said in a press briefRevilla, after staying in deten- ing. allocation of his Priority Develop- on reasonable doubt and not due ment Assistance Fund (PDAF) to to the absolute failure of the pros- tion for four years, walked free on the same day of the historic bogus non-government organiza- ecution to prove his guilt.” “This is why the judgment did ruling tions she controlled. He is gunning for another The Sandiganbayan in 2015 or- not declare him to be without by Bernadette tamayo dered a freeze of P224 million in civil liability,” the motion further term at the Senate. — Kristine ManilaTimes.net Joy Patag with reports from Elizaread. Revilla’s assets. Citing jurisprudence, state beth Marcelo/Philstar.com) The court convicted Cambe THE NATIONAL Privacy Com-

Ombudsman prosecutors urge court to order Revilla to pay in PDAF case

United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana toss couns at the Basa Air Base warehouse, symbolizing good luck and fortune for the newly-constructed building. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

dressed security issues in the region in the past seven decades. Aside from the warehouse in Pampanga, the Philippines and the U.S. are working on future EDCA facilities at Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation in Nueva Ecija, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan and Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu. Under the EDCA, the Philippines allowed the U.S. to use five military bases in the country. The agreement also granted American

troops increased presence in the Philippines through rotation of ships and planes for humanitarian and maritime operations. Amid several protests, the Supreme Court ruled with finality in July 2016 that the EDCA does not violate the Constitution. “EDCA did not go beyond the framework. The entry of U.S. troops has long been authorized under a valid and subsisting treaty, which is the Visiting Forces Agreement,” the high court said in its ruling. n

The Malacañang spokesman, however, said the establishment of the center on Kagitingan Reef would still be up for validation despite it being already reported by Xinhua, China’s official state-run news agency. This has always been the position of Malacañang whenever Beijing announces new developments on its outposts in the Spratlys, which are also being claimed by the Philippines. In November last year, Panelo repeatedly refused to acknowledge the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s announcement that it has started opening weather monitoring stations in the West Philippine Sea. Panelo even downplayed the weather stations, dismissing Beijing’s announcement as “merely new a news report.”

Asked if China’s rescue center would affect the Philippines’ claims in the West Philippine Sea, Panelo said he does not think so. “If that has been validated, then (Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Teddy) Locsin will make his position on the matter. We will leave it to him first,” Panelo said. The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue a statement on the matter. Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, meanwhile, urged the Philippine government to protest China’s rescue center on Kagitingan Reef as it contradicts the country’s sovereignty on the feature. “If we do not protest, then we impliedly consent to China’s act of putting up a maritime rescue center there,” Carpio said. n

about it was one of the biggest challenges faced by the agency. Elevating data privacy awareness has to happen on two critical fronts: data subjects (DS) and personal information controllers (PICs) and personal information processors (PIPs). Given the current societal makeup, the nature of transactions, and the pervasiveness of technologies, “virtually everyone is a data subject,” the NPC said. Data subject refers to an individual whose personal or privileged information is processed, such as passport holders. The NPC said the PICs and PIPs — as data subjects themselves — need to be aware not only of the rights of data subjects, but also their organizations’ obligations to comply with data privacy and protection laws. PIC refers to a person or organization that controls the collection, holding, processing or use of personal information, including a person or organization that instructs another person or organization to collect, hold, process, use, transfer or disclose personal information on his or her behalf. PIP refers to any natural or juridical person or any other body to whom a PIC may outsource or instruct the processing of personal data pertaining to a data subject. Liboro met with some officials of the Department of Foreign Af-

fairs (DFA) on January 16 for a brief meeting. He said that in their own preliminary probe, the DFA said it was in control of the passport data. “That says a lot already to assuage the public. The data in question is not controlled by any unauthorized parties. The data is under their safekeeping,” Liboro was quoted as saying. In a letter-request sent to NPC on January 15, DFA’s data protection officer, Undersecretary Menardo Macaraig said the DFA’s “preliminary inquiries on the matter indicate that there was no data breach because the APO Protection Unit, a government-owned and controlled corporation and recognized government printer, remain in custody and control of said data.” On January 21, the DFA issued a statement indicating that all passport data is “safe” and remains with the department. Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the DFA has assured the NPC that “measures are in place to protect the personal data of passport applicants in the entire ISO-certified process.” ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. Cato also said that the DFA hopeds that “it was able to assuage the concerns of the public on this issue that has also resulted in improvements in the passport application process.” n

Palace: China’s rescue center on Manilaclaimed reef ‘could help everybody’

Privacy Commission: No breach of data at DFA mission (NPC) has allayed fears that the reported passport data breach had compromised their personal information. NPC Chairman Raymund Liboro said the agency had searched the internet to determine whether the reported “missing” passport database was already “floating” in the “black market” or “dark web.” In a recent television interview, Liboro appealed to the public not to panic. “Normally, the data is spirited at once if it fell into the hands of unauthorized or unscrupulous people,” he in Filipino. The NPC is the country’s privacy watchdog. It is an independent body mandated to implement Republic Act 10173 or the “Data Privacy Act of 2012.” It is also tasked to monitor and ensure the country’s compliance with international standards set for data protection. The NPC had issued four memorandum circulars to guide compliance with the Data Privacy Act (DPA) and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR). One of the challenges that the NPC faces is the apparent “limited” data privacy awareness among Filipinos. The NPC said awareness about data privacy issues was “relatively low” for most Filipinos and creating and developing awareness

Survey: PH rated 50th best country in the... PAGE A5 which data are available specific to each benchmark to be included in the study: Top 100 countries in terms of gross domestic product in 2016 (World Bank data), top 100 countries in terms of foreign direct investment inflows in 2016 (World Bank data), top 100 countries in terms of international tourism receipts in 2016 (World Bank data), and top 150 countries in the UN’s

Human Development Index, based on the 2016 report. The survey then took the responses from 20,301 individuals from 36 countries in four regions, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East and Africa. “Of the respondents, 11,238 were informed elites and 5,963 were business decision-makers. Some respondents were considered both informed elites and

business decision-makers,” U.S. News & World Report said. Maintaining its No. 1 ranking for the third consecutive year was Switzerland. It was followed by Japan, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, respectively. Other countries listed were the United States (in 8th place), Singapore (15th), China (16th), Thailand (26th), Malaysia (38th), Vietnam (39th), and Indonesia (43rd). n

A call for more Filipinos to join marrow donor... PAGE A5

dren was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in April 2009. He lives in northern California. “My four kids are the ones that keep me motivated,” Desimond says. “I am just hoping the timing will be right (finding a marrow/stem cell match), because I have been close to death a couple times now.” What’s the solution? Multi-ethnic people are more likely to die of leukemia and other blood cancers. It is vital to have people from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds join the Be

The Match® registry so everyone has an equal opportunity to survive blood cancers. AADP (www.aadp.org) is a 30-year-old nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization, based in Alameda, California, that works to educate the community about the need for more ethnic marrow donors and the importance of joining the Be The Match® national registry. AADP is the oldest nonprofit of its kind in the country. Help diversify the registry “For thousands of severely ill blood cancer patients, there is a cure,” Gillespie says. “Be the one to save a life! It is simple to

register – just a swab of the inside of your cheek.” How you can commit to help • Find a registration drive in your area. http://www.aadp. org/drive/ • Text the word BEALRIGHT to 61474. Or, you can phone 1-800593-6667 to receive a home kit • You must be 18 to 44 years old and meet general health requirements • Encourage friends/family to register AADP is an official recruitment center of the Be The Match registry. (Contributed by Sally Douglas Arce)

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February 1-7, 2019 â€˘ NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL

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Pacquiao says no to Horn rematch, Amid Chinese workers influx, â€˜Build Build blasts Aussie boxerâ€™s camp Buildâ€™ chief says Filipino laborers enough by Dino

Maragay Philstar.com

MANILA â€” Manny Pacquiao has ruled out a rematch with Jeff Horn, saying the burly Australian already blew his chance. Just a day after Pacquiao routed Adrien Broner, Hornâ€™s promoter, Dean Lonergan of Duco Events, called out the Filipino icon to agree to a sequel to their 2017 clash. â€œIn his last five fights, Manny Pacquiao has only been beaten once, by Jeff Horn. Given Pacmanâ€™s last two fights, a destruction of (Lucas) Matthysse and an easy win over Broner, Manny has shown he has plenty of gas left in the tank. It also shows that Jeff horn didnâ€™t beat an old Manny Pacquiao,â€? said Lonergan. But Pacquiao, who controversially lost to Horn, is hardly interested. â€œLet them be,â€? the reigning WBA welterweight champion told a select group of Filipino sportswriters at his Senate office on Wednesday, January 30. â€œI kept asking him for a rematch to no avail. They avoided me and fought in America,â€? added Pacquiao, referring to Hornâ€™s decision to take on welterweight star Terence Crawford last September in Las Vegas. Horn ended up getting stopped by the vastly superior Crawford to win the WBO welterweight title, which Horn interestingly took

by alexis

roMero Philstar.com

MANILA â€” The Philippines has enough qualified workers for the governmentâ€™s infrastructure programs, an official said Wednesday, in the wake of concerns that there are too many Chinese workers in the construction industry. Anna Mae Lamentillo, chair of the committee that oversees the governmentâ€™s â€œBuild Build Buildâ€? infrastructure program, said the Philippine labor force could meet the higher demand for construction workers because of the rising employment rate. â€œIn terms of labor force, for now, we are okay and we are doing the jobs, jobs, jobs specifically for this to bridge the gap between our Filipino contractors and Filipino laborers,â€? Lamentillo said in a press briefing in Manny Pacquiao lands a right hand to Jeff Hornâ€™s jaw during their WBO welterweight title fight MalacaĂąang. at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia last July 2, 2017. Lamentillo noted that the Philstar.com photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea from Pacquiao when he upset him wouldnâ€™t fight me,â€? Pacquiao con- countryâ€™s employment rate went up to 94.6 percent in July 2018 tinued. in Brisbane. When Pacquiao knocked Lucas Matthysse out to become the WBA welterweight champion, Horn again came knocking on his door. â€œThen when I won a belt and he lost, heâ€™s challenging me again. But when I challenged him right after I lost to him, nothing. He

CrisostoMo Philstar.com

MANILA â€” The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reiterated that former police chief Ronald â€œBatoâ€? dela Rosa could be disqualified from the May 13 senatorial polls over his biopic being shown in movie theaters which started on Wednesday, January 30. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said if the movie is still being shown in cinemas when the campaign period for national candidates starts on Feb. 12, rules on electioneering shall have been violated. â€œBottomline is exhibition of cinematographic works, from the start of the campaign period moving forward, that is when it becomes a violation,â€? he noted. But Jimenez maintained that

disqualification, in case of campaign violation, is not immediate and would have to go through a process that will determine who should be held liable for such a violation. â€œI donâ€™t think that he will personally cause the exhibition of these materials. But if the lines of accountability are clear and traceable all the way up to the candidate, then the candidate might be called to answer for it,â€? he said. Under the Fair Election Act, no movie, cinematograph or documentary portraying the life or biography of a candidate shall be publicly exhibited in a theater, television station or any public forum during the campaign period. Duterte went on Tuesday, January 29, to the movie premiere of the biopic, â€œBato,â€? which stars

dustry. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo has downplayed Aquinoâ€™s concern, saying there is nothing alarming about the influx of Chinese workers as long as they enter the Philippines lawfully. He has also claimed that the Philippines lacks workers in the construction industry because of the migration of Filipinos to other countries. â€œWe lack so many construction workers. Perhaps thatâ€™s (the reason) why many Chinese workers were hired. Many Filipinos do not have jobs and yet they lack the skill so we need to teach (them). That would be a good project for TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority),â€? Panelo said in a press briefing last January 24. A total of 35 out of 75 infrastructure flagship projects have been approved by the Duterte administration as of November. The approved projects have a total investment requirement of P1.54 trillion. n

Filipina executed in Saudi Arabia

Now Pacquiao, who is eyeing a May or July ring return, is looking at Premier Boxing Championsâ€™ wealthy stable of welterweight by PatriCia lourDes Viray stars for his next opponent. Philstar.com Horn, for his part, can kiss goodbye his hopes for another shot at MANILA â€” A Filipina housePacquiao â€” and the lucrative payhold service worker found guilty day that goes with it. n of murder was executed in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, January 29, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. action star Robin Padilla about the The DFA extended its condolife story of Dela Rosa. lences to the family of the 39Amid calls to boycott the movie, year-old Filipina and expressed Duterteâ€™s schedule was adjusted its regret at not being able to to enable him to attend the pre- save her life. miere at 8 p.m. at SM Megamall The Saudi Supreme Judicial in Mandaluyong City. Council earlier classified her The timing of the movie is being questioned due to its proximity to the 2019 senatorial elections. To accommodate the movie premiere in his schedule, the by Catherine MoDesto Chief Executive arrived on time ManilaTimes.net for the groundbreaking of the new site of the San Lorenzo Ruiz MANILA â€” Manila Auxiliary General Hospital along Panghulo Bishop Broderick Pabillo clariRoad in Malabon. The schedule fied the difference between the was adjusted 30 minutes earlier ages of reason and discernment to 4:30 p.m. after a lawmaker argued that if While the Palace has denied children below 9 years old could that Duterte has been campaign- receive their first communion, ing, he even returned to the stage they should already be subjected to endorse the bid of local officials to the justice system. and one senatorial re-electionâ€œSo many people say that ages ist. n nine to 12, wala pang discernment (have no discernment). Majority of Filipinos are Catholics, my question is how old is a Catholic when they take their first communion?â€? Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Negros Oriental) asked during his arguments in favor of the controversial bill lowering the age of criminal responsibility, which passed in the House of Representatives on third reading on Monday. But for Pabillo, the Church defines the age of reason as the age a child is able to understand the significance of the Holy Eucharist. Normally, children can take their first communion by the age of seven, which is known as the â€œage of reasonâ€? in the Catholic Church. But this is not a strict number and may be delayed depending on the cognitive development of the child. Teves, who was voted in favor of the bill, used this comparison to make a point that it is fair to assume that minors can discern right from wrong. â€œAs far as the Church is concerned, there are two factors that define the age of the reason,â€? Pabillo explained to Philstar.com in an interview. â€œPrimarily, itâ€™s so they can distinguish this is not ordinary bread, but the body of Christ,â€? He said understanding what is a sin and is not is also a function as confession is a requirement for Communion. â€œBut it does not mean they are already capable of committing a â€˜mortal sin,â€™â€? he clarified. In the Catholic theology a â€œmortal sinâ€? is one that can lead

Comelec warns Ronald â€˜Batoâ€™ dela Rosa over biopic by sheila

from 94.4 percent in the same period two years ago. She assured the public that Filipino workers would benefit from the â€œBuild Build Buildâ€? program but admitted some specialized tasks might require the expertise of foreigners. â€œIf we are using new technology and we do not have the specialized skill required to operate, for example, the machines to hasten the construction, then we really lack specialized skills,â€? Lamentillo said. â€œThese are methods that we want to learn so we tapped skilled workers from abroad,â€? she added. The labor department previously reported it has issued almost 52,000 alien employment permits for workers from China. Last week, former President Benigno Aquino III voiced concern over the entry of Chinese workers in the country, saying they might be getting jobs that should be for Filipinos. He said many of the Chinese workers are working for the construction in-

case as one where blood money the next of kin who have requestdoes not apply under Shariah or ed for privacy during their time Islamic law, DFA spokesperson of bereavement,â€? Cato said. In December 2015, an overElmer Cato said. seas Filipino worker on death Philippine Ambassador to Sau- row was also executed in Saudi di Arabia Adnan Alonto said the Arabia. The Riyadh Grand Court Philippine Embassy had given beheaded Joselito Zapanta, who assistance to the Filipina worker was convicted for murder and robbery in 2010. while her case was ongoing. Zapanta was sentenced for killThe embassy provided her with a lawyer for all stages of her trial, ing his Sudanese landlord after a sent representatives to visit her heated argument about rent. The and regularly updated her family family of the victim refused to exin the Philippines, the DFA said. ecute an affidacvit of forgiveness â€œThe Department has informed in exchange for blood money. n

Manila bishop says age of reason not same as discernment

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Bishop Broderick Pabillo says the age of reason is not the same as the age of discernment. Photo courtesy of Archdiocese of Manila - Office of Communications

to damnation if one does not repent before death. Some mortal sins include murder, rape, prostitution and polygamy, among others. â€œIt does not mean na pwedeng nang gawing criminal ang mga bata (it does not mean you can make the child a criminal),â€? Pabillo said. Catholic Church speaks up The controversial bill states that minors as young as 12 years old who commit serious crimes â€œwith discernmentâ€? would be mandatorily confined at Bahay Pag-asa â€” youth care facilities mandated by law to offer rehabilitation and intervention to children in conflict with the law. Discernment, as defined by the Rule on Juveniles in Conflict with the Law, is the â€œcapacity of the child at the time of the commission of the offense to understand the differences between right and wrong and the consequences of the wrongful act.â€? But for the Catholic Church, children cannot be held to the same expectations as adults when it comes to crimes. â€œSa batas di pwede sila mag trabaho, di sila pwede magkasal, di sila pwede pumirma ng kontrata (Under the law, they canâ€™t work, they canâ€™t marry, they canâ€™t sign a contract),â€? Pabillo said. The Catholic Church had already taken a stand against the

proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility as early as 2017, shortly after President Rodrigo Duterte started speaking publicly about wanting the Juvenile Justice Act amended. â€œThe purpose of the law is laudable, its present provisions, beneficial,â€? the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said in a statement signed by Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, former CBCP president. â€œThe sins and failings of the young and immature should not mar the possibilities of oneâ€™s future or stand forever in the name of an honorable and noble reputation that can, in later years, be very well built,â€? they said. The statement added, â€œthe fact that criminal elements make use of youngsters up to fifteen years old to commit crimes is no argument against the present benevolent provisions of the law but about the resoluteness of criminals in using even the young for their purposes.â€? According to a Social Weather Stations survey released on Tuesday, majority of Filpinos believe the age of criminal responsibility should be pegged at 15 years old. The measure is currently being taken up in the Senate, where proponents are also advocating setting the age to 12 years old. n

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E-MOTORCYCLES FOR MPD. Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada (3rd from right) shakes hands with Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua (4th from right) during the turnover of 50 electric motorcycles to the Manila Police District (MPD) during its 118th founding anniversary at its headquarters along United Nations Ave., Manila on Monday, January 28. Estrada said the donation will help the police patrol Manilaâ€™s streets and prevent criminality. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 1-7, 2019

COMMUNITY

JOURNAL Life-affirming living coral coats PACCAL’s 2019 Int’l Women’s History Month Gala & Awards Night On the PEP Front

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 Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii’s gala in Waikiki, HI The Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii will hold its 41st inaugural and installation of officers on Saturday, February 2 at 5 p.m. It will be held at the Tapa Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (2005 Kalia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815). Attire is formal. For more information, please visit http://pmah-hawaii.org.

BOBBY T. YALONG 2019 WHM Awardees with friends and PACCAL Ofﬁcers

Free legal clinic in Los Angeles The public is invited to a FREE legal clinic of Saturday, February 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Pilipino Workers Center (153 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026). Find out what your rights are as an immigrant (regardless of your status) and get legal advice from an attorney on how to handle immigration and deportation issues. Call (213) 250-4353 to schedule an appointment with an immigration attorney.

F E B R UA RY 8 -1 0

“Journey for Justice” book launch in Delano, CA Radha Em (Radharani Martinez) at NBC’s The Voice Prima Ballerina Argentinian Analia Farfan

Singer-songwriter Lirazen Rose

2019 WHM Invite

and Demi H. Kondracki (Excellence in Nursing Profession). Furthermore, the list also included Analia Farfan (Excellence in International Classic Dance Advocacy), Joy Mendoza (Excellence in Entrepreneurship), Karlene Grace P. Binuya (Excellence in Teaching Profession), Benilda Ramos (Excellence in Healthcare Service), Maricar Taiño (Excellence in Community Voluntarism), Radharani Martinez (Excellence in Mainstream Performance), Imogene Raypon (Excellence in Beauty Enhancement), and Jerrilyn Calong (Senior Citizen of the Year). Meanwhile, the utmost soughtafter Most Influential Woman award goes to the indefatigable medical practitioner and active community leader (and also a well- known soprano), Dr. Francia De Vera, herself a former PACCAL awardee, too. To hand out the specially designed trophies to the awardees are Honorary Chairpersons: Nieva Quezon Burdick, Mark Anthony F. Alvarez, and Maria Pilar Monje, all former PACCAL awardees, as well. As in the past, the level of prestige and elegance of the traditional WHM awarding ceremony has unswervingly raised the bar… with the presence of dashing and trained ramp male mannequins who will add glitz and class to the event by escorting female awardees. The 2019 WHM event is Rolly Javier’s maiden project as PACCAL’s newly sworn-in PACCAL President (2019-2021) with Ramona S. Gapasin and Rose P. Javier as co-chairs and presidential advisers. World-class talents Radharani Martinez (more popularly known as Radha Em, a former contestant

of NBC’s The Voice), upcoming singer-songwriter cum pianist Lirazen Rose, and international prima ballerina & Tango champion Analia Farfan, are lined-up to provide entertainment while simultaneously showcasing their innately distinctive talents that made them catapult to this year’s WHM roster. As if the exceptionally conceptualized awarding ceremony isn’t enough to bolster the awardees’ self-worth, the honorees will render a specially composed song “Women of the World,” (an upbeat celebratory composition dedicated to all women movers and shakers as penned by Rosemarie Parreño and assisted by Dr. Ime Cruz-Banting) which will surely highlight the ceremonious rites. It will be recalled that the said masterpiece proudly debuted and was overwhelmingly received during last year’s Women’s History Month commemoration. As a measure of promoting the natural splendor of the deep seas, the 2019 WHM adopts the bright shade of living coral as the official color motif, the color of the year as dictated by Pantone (a US corporation best known for being an authority in colors). Living coral, Code: Pantone 16-1546 is a warm, peachy orange tone with a life-affirming golden undertone. The 2019 WHM event is to be emceed by PACCAL’s resident hosts Allah Arcanghel, a most in-demand lady emcee, and veteran radio announcer Fiorello Salvo. By and large, men should earmark this worth attending occasion… to witness how women are set to conquer the room and supremely rule the scene… even just for that night! For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com.

The current officers are Winston C. Umali, MD (President), Alex Esteban, ( Vice President, Internal Affairs), Ave C. Pimo (Vice President, Community Affairs), Jennie M. Jonson (Secretary), Aniano Rabe (Treasurer), Nelsie Parrado (Public Relations Officer), Troi Santos (Technology officer) with the rest of the Board of Trustees namely, Dennis Ber-

Bridge and Delta Publishing in partnership with the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and PapaLoDown Agency takes “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong,” on a 15-city national book tour, starting with Delano, California, on February 8, 2019. This is the first nonfiction illustrated children’s book about Filipino American history, and the first book ever written about Larry Itliong. The children’s book written by the late historian Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, Ph.D. with Gayle Romasanta and illustrated by Andre Sibayan tells the story of forgotten United Farm Workers (UFW) cofounder, Larry Itliong, his migration to the United States and his lifelong fight for a farmworkers union. To celebrate these milestones and to honor Larry Itliong’s death anniversary (Feb. 8) and Dr. Dawn Mabalon’s six-month death anniversary (Feb. 10), and to kick off the Journey for Justice FANHS national book tour, a three-day event with a historical tour of Delano, panel discussions, children’s readings, Q & A with the co-author and illustrator, dinner, performances, a dedication mass for Larry Itliong and Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, and closing reception will be held from Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 10. The historic Filipino Community Hall (“Filipino Hall”) in Delano, where the historical vote to go on strike occurred on September 7, 1965 (1469 Glenwood Street, Delano, CA 93215) will host most of the programming. All events, except for the dinner on Saturday night ($15/$6), are free to the public. Co-sponsors for the Delano event include: Filipino Community Delano, Delano Union School District, Delano Joint Union High School District, Bakersfield College Little Manila Rising, UC Davis Carlos Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies, Pin@y Educational Partnerships. For additional information visit www. bridgedelta.com.

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

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS

WHENEVER I hear the notorious excuse or description “Filipino time,” I feel a grave insult is hurled at my people, even if the generalization is usually uttered by fellow Filipinos themselves. The defensive rationalization is usually accompanied by a snicker or laughter, a demeanor that trivializes the seriousness of the behavioral impropriety and rudeness. To accept the insinuation that tardiness is a natural trait of the Filipino is to malign our people and irresponsibly admit that we are not educated and cultured enough, and that we are socially uncouth, ill-mannered, and uncivilized. This is no laughing matter and I do not find this funny. And I vehemently object to this unfair characterization. I have been in the United States since 1963, and over the past 5 decades and a half, I have observed the transformation of Juan(a) de la Cruz, albeit sometimes with stubborn reluctance, to an individual more conscious of time, of the value of punctuality, and of the proper respect for other people’s schedule. There is no question that environment plays a fundamental role, second to training at home and in school, in the development of the behavior, trait, character, attitude and thinking of an individual. With this particular “syndrome,” genetics cannot deservedly take the blame. The culpability rests on the “infected ones” and not on the entire Filipino people. While I can sense, and am proud of, the improvement in the matter of punctuality among many of our kababayan abroad and in the Philippines, especially among the younger generation, tardiness and the seeming lack of perception of time among a significant number of us is still rampant and bothersome. And what makes it more tragic is the apparent acceptance by many of our fellow Filipinos that being tardy is “normal, acceptable, excusable, or should be tolerated,” because, after all, “it is the Filipino time.” This vexing acquiescence is unfair and a disservice to our people and to our nation as a whole. nardo, MD, Carmen Flores, Liza I refuse to surrender, even for Galon, Amb. Leslie Gatan, Steve a moment, to the notion that we, Parrado and Angelita Peña. as a people, are culturally, soHTFI was founded in 2010 cially and ethically inferior to the through the initiative of the Americans or to any other civiformer Consul General of New lized peoples of the world. PuncYork Cecilia Rebong. Its main tuality is not an exclusive trait of mission is to give financial as- the people of the United States or sistance to victims of natural of the Europeans. While I abhor calamities in the Philippines and the lack of punctuality among PAGE 12 anyone and admit with embar-

HTFI introduces officers for 2019, raises fund for typhoon relief in PH HANDANG TUMULONG FOUNDATION Inc, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization based in New Jersey greeted the new year last January 5 with the election of its officers to serve for the year 2019. They were subsequently sworn to office presided by the honorable Consul General Claro S. Cristobal at the Philippine Consulate in New York City.

America

F E B R UA RY 2

People, Events, Places

AS essential elements of an actively functioning non-profit organization, voluntarism and social involvement are fundamentally considered cornerstones which connect charitable and compassionate concerns that strengthen the motivation and focus of such group --- virtues that effectually impact the services delivered to the community. The Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL), a non-profit 501 (C3) Jersey City-based socio-civic organization, has successfully brought to the fore a voluminous amount of distinctively valuable results that remarkably benefited the community for nearly 27 years since its inception in 1992. Aside from efficaciously focusing on its philosophical mission and vision to achieve its multipurposeful objectives, PACCAL has constantly been into recognizing the unparalleled accomplishments of hard-working men and women in various fields of endeavor. Every year PACCAL conscientiously observes two significant events as part of its fundraising projects: the observance of the International Women’s History Month in March and the Founding Anniversary Gala in October. And speaking of the 2019 Women’s History Month (WHM) celebration, PACCAL came up with a roster of women that excelled in their respective field while simultaneously serving the community and being paragons of inspiration to the community and the young generation. Just recently, PACCAL tendered an intimate orientation session over lunch for the official awardees to meet and be familiar with each other. Details of the awarding procedures were openly discussed after which individual introduction of awardees interestingly ensued. Come Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 1:00 PM at the Ramada Plaza Hotel (160 Frontage Road, Newark, New Jersey 07114) seventeen (17) professionally successful females who made it to the roster as “Women Achievers” and a sole recipient of the most coveted “Influential Woman of the Year” title are slated to be distinctively honored with a dinner dance gala and pompous awarding ceremony. This year’s notable community figures that are selfless, empowering, and inspirational who are indubitably deserving to be in the circle of Women Achievers are: Janette Alberto (Excellence in Nursing Management), Jeanette Marco (Excellence in Social Media & Events), Shirley Capaldo (Excellence in Organizing Community Events and Fashion), Mita Quiogue (Excellence as Licensed Medical Aesthetician), Lirazen Rose (Excellence in Performing Arts), Vanny Tousignant (Excellence as an International Fashion Advocate), Dr. Marilyn Umali-Dizon (Excellence in Physical Therapy), Maita Lochart (Excellence in the Field of Media & Broadcast),

Calendar of Events across

A11

“Filipino time” revisited

rassment and dismay that many of us Filipinos (and other nationalities, of course) are guilty of this offensive bad habit, I still believe that, with proper training and discipline, starting from the nursery school, the Filipinos will be capable of developing the trait of punctuality, and discipline, among others, in them. About 13 years ago, my son, Phil, accompanied his 5-yearold daughter, Sam, to a nursery/kindergarten school class (dance) presentation on its foundation day. The “invitation” said 3:30 p.m. When they got to the school, there were only about a dozen other kids waiting, out of the two hundred or so participants expected. The program did not begin at 4:00 or 4:30, not even at 5:30. It started at 6:35, more than three hours late. This delay actually prevented Phil from attending a previous dinner engagement he had at 7:30 that evening. And this made me wonder. How can we teach our children about punctuality, the value of time, and the respect for other people’s schedule, if we, their elders, especially the school administrator and faculty, display before these young impressionistic minds our own careless disregard for promptness and our lack of respect for other people’s commitments? Many of us usually come up with a dozen excuses for our misbehavior or misadventures. For being late for our appointment, meeting or party, we blame the Spaniards, our society as a whole, the alarm clock, the traffic, the car battery, the baby sitter, or even the innocent baby itself. The usual rationale we hear from many is “they won’t start on time anyway; we’ll just waste our time waiting there.” And the vicious cycle goes on. Making excuses or shifting the blame does not accomplish anything and only makes matters worse. Perhaps, its time to look at the mirror to view the real culprit, make the accurate critical diagnosis, and self-prescribe the appropriate treatment --- promptly! Let us set a good example for our children by showing them how we value and manage time, how time lost can never be recovered, and how we respect other people’s agenda. It’s about time we lost that bad reputation. The “Filipino time” syndrome is a disease only of those inconsiderate selfish compatriots of ours who simply don’t give a damn, and not of the entire Filipino people. So, when someone is late for an appointment, I beg you to, please, not to mention the lame excuse “Filipino Time” when I am around, otherwise, I won’t be responsible for my in-

explicable but prompt ferocious reaction. Discipline I often hear the comment that the Filipino people are not disciplined. Against my better judgment, I had refused to believe it…until I experienced it first hand. Several times. And here are a couple of examples. I once took the WG&A Our Lady of Fatima boat to Ozamiz for a business meeting in Oroquieta. Going down the stairs on the return trip to Cebu, I encountered a chaotic mob of “carriers” with pieces of luggage on their shoulders and around their arms and passengers alike inch their way recklessly to make their hurried exit, almost knocking people down the stairs. The jam slowed down the whole process quite a bit. Why we could not have spontaneously organized ourselves, formed a single line, and walked down the stairs in an orderly, more efficient, comfortable, safer fashion, and faster, is puzzling to me. Fortunately, the young children, the hope of our country, behave in a more civilized manner. When the teacher announces treats for them, these kids form a single line themselves, and take their proper turns in receiving the goodies. No shoving, no pushing, or taking advantage of one another. Each simply waits patiently for his/her turn. Perhaps, we adults should watch more children’s television shows or go back to kindergarten to learn better manners. Another observation: Unruly drivers of private cars or cabs who break traffic laws every chance and every which way they can, instantly become law-abiding and model drivers when they enter Clark Field airbase in the Philippines, where strict U.S.-style traffic rules are enforced with severe penalty. Once they get out of Clark, their reckless driving manners return almost instantly. This Jekyll and Hyde behavior is inspired by, and a reflection of, the lack of discipline and responsibility and dereliction of duty among most traffic law enforcement agencies in the country. Why our government, city mayors, and chiefs of police allow this ineptitude is beyond me. I guess when one is corrupt, only money, not the law or the safety of the people, matters. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is a medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888. com, philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)

A12 February 1-7, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL

PeoPle & events

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PAFCOM holds turnover ceremony for Orlando “Orly” Floresca Farrales, Jr 2019 Board of Directors and Committees

JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Philippine American Friendship Committee, Inc. (PAFCOM) welcomed its 2019 slate of officers, committee and board members, led by incoming President Rosalinda Rupel at the turnover ceremony held on January 9, 2019 Rosalinda Medina Rupel is an active community leader and has been an Officer of PAFCOM since the 1990s. She was PWUAA (Philippine Women’s University Alumni Association Tri-State) President for two terms, and volunteer for numerous positions as Secretary, Board of Trustees & Chairperson with some notable organizations in the tri-state. She has received multi merit and recognition awards from respectable organizations & associations for her work, among them an award bestowed by Jose Rizal High School (AU), Philippines as one of the Ten Outstanding Alumni from Class Year 1967-2009. Ms. Rupel is an actress/performer on Pilipino stage plays in the tristate area, and was in other local plays such as “Looking for William” and “How to Cook Adobo” and first FWN interpretation of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues in 2007 in New York. Currently, Rosalinda is working as Technical Services Librarian from 1998 to date at Clifford Chance LLP, a global law firm. “I am excited to start my role as 2019 PAFCOM President,” said Rupel. “For year 2019, we will focus on promoting our diversity, leadership & intergeneration relationships,” Rupel added, emphasizing in her key of responsibility speech of the organization’s record of accountability and transparency. PAFCOM’s 2019 Grand Marshal is Engineer Romulo M. Luz. A Civil Engineer, a graduate of Adamson University, Manila; President & CEO, RML Construction Inc., General Contractor, a Registered Public Work Company in New Jersey and Saint Raphael Realty Development Corp., based in Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees, Knights of Rizal, Jersey City NJ; Board of Directors, Maharajah USA Inc. NJ and was 2008 Grand Marshall of Philippines Day Organizing Council (PDOC). “This is not about me, this is about the community and the

EMPLOYMENT

The Oath of Office administered by Con Gen Claro Cristobal to the 2019 PAFCOM Board Officers and Committees

The 2019 PAFCOM Team - “Enjoy making a difference in your community; join the PAFCOM family”

men and women of PAFCOM who tirelessly work hard for its betterment,” R.M. Luz said. The 2019 PAFCOM Board of Directors – Chairman of the Board, Dr. Connie Uy, Vice Chair Ledy Almadin, President Rosalinda Rupel, President Elect Helen Castillo, Secretary Ofelia Frain, Asst. Secretary Ellen Alonso, Treasurer Maria Pilar Monje, Asst. Treasurer Lita Roxas; Auditor Mely Corpuz and Press Relations Maricar Taino; Committee Chairs – Constitution and ByLaws- Dr. Connie Uy, Cultural - Isagani Puertollano, Development & Partnership - Don Frain, Finance and Budget - Ledy Almadin, Ethics & Compliance - Esq. Lindy Lachica, Membership - Lea Frain, Policies and Procedures - Cora Reyes, Nominating and Election - Immediate Past President Lito Pernia, Festival Coordinator Rose Javier/Maureen Varco and Parade Coordinator - Mike Florendo. Ambassador Claro Cristobal from the Philippine Consulate General of New York, administered the oath of office for Uy and her officers along with the entire group of board of trustees and committee chairs. In his message, he stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in community serving organizations. He highlighted and commended PAFCOM as an organization of great record of this significant character, value and principle. Introduced in the evening were some of the Muses of PAFCOM for 2019, Mrs. PAF-

rlando “Orly” Floresca Farrales, Jr, 51, of Van Nuys, CA succumbed to cancer at Valley Presbyterian Hospital surrounded by his family on January 20, 2019. Orly is survived by his wife of 15 years, Shadouh Lopez, sons Carlo Miguel (Migs) Farrales, Francis Martin (Rap) Farrales, Orlando (Third) Farrales III, parents Orlando Farrales Sr. and Zenia Farrales, brother Florante Farrales, sister Laarni Farrales, and nieces Zendy Farrales, Jennifer Custodio, Maricar Farrales, Jamie Joy Custodio, Laura Marie Agaceta, nephew Ervin Rodriguez, and fur babies Anya and Bilbo.

Orly was an affectionate husband, a devoted father and genuine friend to everyone. Orly loved the outdoors, off-roading, and most especially practical shooting. He worked as a general contractor for 13 years but was forced to give up the career he loved due to his health. Orly was always there to help relatives and friends with household projects, or anything else people needed him for. A special thank you to all the care teams & doctors at St. Vincent Medical Center, Vantage Radiology, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Olive View Medical Center, and Valley Presbyterian Hospital for their outstanding support and care. Also, the family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude towards Neptune Society for being very accommodating and understanding during this difficult time. A celebration of life service will be at South Bay Community Church in Torrance on Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

HTFI introduces officers for 2019... Symbolic Ceremony Passing of the Gavel. President Rosalinda Repel receives the gavel from immediate past President Lito Pernia

COM Elsa Lambert-Mole, Miss PAFCOM Patricia Fernandez, Miss Liberty Kylie Marie Bustamante-Ibok, Miss Teen PAFCOM Krismarie Taino, and Little Miss PAFCOM Jasmin Octaviano. PAFCOM will hold its 29th Grand Parade and Festival on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Lincoln Park in Jersey City. The combined Grand Marshal Night and Coronation Ball will take place on Sunday, April 28, at the Marriot Hotel Newark Airport. The Philippine Flag Raising is scheduled on June 7, 2019 at Jersey City City Hall. Central to PAFCOM’S vision is the assimilation of Filipino Americans into the mainstream America, together with its various ethnic communities. This vision is to be kept alive by its diverse benevolent missions PAGE 13

EMPLOYMENT

PAGE 11 elsewhere in the world. Since it’s foundation, HTFI has donated a estimated total of $206,000 to various calamity victims in the Philippines, even in other places like Nepal, or yet, to our kababayans who were victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston, TX. We were involved in raising funds to build homes for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Samar in partnership with the Build a shelter project of the former Consul General Amb. Mario L . De Leon and Gawad Kalinga. These were just a few of the past donations given by HTFI. Time was not wasted to start our community work that within the first 10 days in office HTFI responded to three organizations which requested financial support for the victims of Typhoon Usman in the Philippines last December. We are glad to announce that the most recent fund of collected from all the sponsoring organizations of the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado

which was awarded to HTFI was already disbursed and sent to the following organizations requesting for assistance: - Caritas Manila - $1000, for the victims of Typhoon Usman for the Samar and Albay Region - National Bikol Association of America, Inc. - $1000, for the victims of Typhoon Usman for the province of Camarines Sur - United Mindoro International - $500, for the victims of Typhoon Usman in the province

FOR RENT

SERVICES

of Oriental Mindoro HTFI foresees the need for more funds to be generated as the requests for donation of such kind will always be at our door. With our impeccable track record of financial holdings we remain to be transparent to the public of our goals as well as our means of how the funds are delivered. We are however humbled by the continued trust of the community in our endeavor and efforts. We are always ready to help. As such is our name - “Handang Tumulong.”

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Community Journal

If Democrats favor immigration reform they should repeal the harsh laws signed by Bill Clinton

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ THE Democrats constantly talk about comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to legalization for the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. They criticize President Trump for his harsh policies on immigration enforcement. While I’m fully in favor of comprehensive immigration reform, as a starting point, the Democrats could at least eliminate or repeal some of the harshest immigration laws ever enacted, which were signed into law by Bill Clinton when he was president. The effects of those laws are still being felt today and are preventing or restricting immigrants’ ability to legalize their status. In 1996, Clinton signed into law the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRAIRA). As a refresher course, or to enlighten people, here are some changes brought about by IIRAIRA: • Eliminating children as a basis for being granted a fraud waiver. Before IIRAIRA, if a person had a U.S. citizen or LPR child, they were automatically granted a fraud waiver. Now, hardship on a child is not a factor and does not matter in connection with a waiver. • Adding “extreme hardship” as a requirement for a fraud waiver. Before IIRAIRA, there was no requirement of demonstrating extreme hardship on qualifying relatives. If a person had a parent, spouse, or child who was a citizen or a green card holder, or if the fraud occurred over 10 years ago,

the fraud waiver was approvable. No showing of extreme hardship was required. Now, the qualifying relatives demonstrate extreme hardship and fraud stays on your record for life. • Hardship on the alien does not matter. Before IIRAIRA, hardship on the alien himself (or his children) could be considered. After Clinton signed IIRAIRA, hardship on the alien is no longer considered. • Creation of the 3/10 year bar! Before IIRAIRA, there was no 3/10 year bar. If a person was not eligible to adjust status in the U.S., the person simply departed the U.S. and was processed for his immigrant visa in his home country, and then returned to the U.S. without any issues. With Clinton’s 3/10 year bar, those same people were suddenly “trapped” in the U.S. They could not get a green card in the U.S., and if they departed the U.S., they could not return for 3 or 10 years, unless granted a waiver from abroad. Pres. Obama’s executive actions for provisional waiver and expanded provisional waiver were an attempt to get around Clinton’s 3/10 year bar. • Creating a lifetime ban if a person claims to be a citizen to their employer. Before Clinton’s IIRAIRA, false claims to U.S. citizenship was NOT a lifetime ban. It was regular fraud, with a fraud waiver available. Moreover, “false claim to citizenship” applied only if the person claimed to be a citizen to a GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL. IIRAIRA made it a permanent/lifetime ban if a person claimed to be a citizen even to his employer. No waiver is available. • No judicial review of USCIS “discretionary” decisions. If USCIS denies a person’s petition, application, or waiver, “as a matter of discretion”, the person cannot seek court review of that discretionary decision/denial. Before IIRAIRA, it was possible to have

court oversight and review of USCIS discretionary denials. Some discretionary decisions/denials include whether a person has demonstrated “extreme hardship” in connection with fraud waivers, or other forms of relief that required USCIS discretion. Many people who were turned down by USCIS and sought court assistance, find their cases are dismissed for “lack of jurisdiction”, as the denial involved a case of USCIS exercising “discretion”. As stated above, I am for comprehensive immigration reform. I am also glad the Democrats are “pro-immigrants.” I also understand that comprehensive immigration reform may be a long and arduous process. So, could the Democrats at least attempt to neutralize some laws signed by Clinton? *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

PAFCOM holds turnover ceremony... PAGE 12 mostly aimed to benefit the deserving residents of Jersey City, NJ and those residing in adjacent communities, further

reflecting the PAFCOM slogan “Enjoy making a difference in your community; join the PAFCOM family.” For more update and informa-

tion about PAFCOM’s Community Programs and Events www. pafcomnj.org – and on Facebook (@pafcomnj), Twitter and Instagram (@pafcom_nj).

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 1-7, 2019 A13

“ABANDONED” PETITION SUCCESSFULLY REOPENED 10 YEARS LATER BY ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL. Elsinore (left) was petitioned by his father back in 2001. However, when his younger sister, Elvie (center), checked the petition status online in 2005, she found out it was denied due to “abandonment.” USCIS had sent a notice to petitioner’s old residence requesting additional documents, but the petitioner never received the notice because he had moved, and therefore did not respond. Their first lawyer’s motion to reopen was denied for being untimely, so their mother, an avid viewer of “Citizen Pinoy,” suggested they retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

FEBRUARY4-10, 1-7, 2019 2019••NEW NEWYORK YORKAND ANDNEW NEWJERSEY JERSEYASIAN ASIANJOURNAL JOURNAL A14 JANUARY

• (212) N E W Yhttp://www.asianjournal.com ORK / NEW JERSE Y 655-5426 FEBRUARY 1, 2019

people events arts culture entertainment

What to expect during the Year of the Earth Pig BY

CHRISTINA M. ORIEL / AJPRESS

UNAR New Year falls on Tuesday, February 5, as we bid farewell to the year of the Earth Dog and usher in 2019 as the year of the Earth Pig (boar), according to the Chinese zodiac.

Following the lunar calendar, the celebration lasts for two weeks until February 19 with each day bearing its own significance. Around the world, those who observe Lunar New Year will practice various rituals to ensure that the coming year is full of luck, fortune and good energy. Despite being popularly referred to as Chinese New Year, estimates reveal that one-sixth of the world’s population celebrates it, and that includes those outside of China. It is considered one of the most prominent festivals across the globe. In the Philippines, many Filipinos, particularly those of Chinese descent, recognize this new year holiday, with the government even designating the first day as a non-working day. The festivities are abundant across the United States too. In Southern California, some events include the annual Lunar New Year Festival in Alhambra (Feb. 9) and a special new year performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Feb. 6 and 7), as well as tailored displays and special promotions at malls like The Americana at Brand in Glendale, Westfield Santa Anita in

Arcadia and South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Significance of the pig The pig (boar) — whose recent years are 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019 — is the 12th of the zodiac animals. In 2019, it is the year of the ‘earth’ pig. “The year of the pig will bring harmony and there will be plenty of wealth,” World of Feng Shui owner Peter Lung shared with the Asian Journal. “It will be a peaceful year starting from May, [but] there will be disagreement in the first quarter of this year.” Feng Shui Master Pun-Yin told the Asian Journal that the “overall rhythm is to recover and reconstruct” since it is the last of the 12 signs. “For those with the spiritual and relationship support, the draining and depleting energy could be minimized,” she added. Many Asian cultures regard the pig as a symbol of wealth and fortune. The

characteristics and traits of the earth pig include being hard working, nurturing, sociable and trustworthy. Those born in the year of the pig will experience a “continuous awakening from the shock of the Earth Dog that started on Feb. 4, 2018 and ended on Feb. 4, 2019, which, sunk many emotionally and financially,” Master Pun-Yin said. “When things get tough, the tough gets going, transforming deeply in order to get through the storm and [it will] be more down to earth going forward.” As for what this year will bring for those of other animal years, Lung said that Rooster, Dragon, Ox, Rat and Dog years will experience “excellent luck.” Those who were born in Tiger, Sheep and Monkey years need to pay attention to their health. For horses, they should control their temper and avoid legal matters, while snakes should lay low and budget their

spendings, and rabbits “will have windfall luck and a good year for investment,” Lung said. Pigs are most compatible with tigers, rabbits, and sheep, while they clash with snakes and monkeys, according to the Chinese zodiac. All 5 elements (metal, water, wood, fire and earth) are present, said Lung, so 2019 looks like a good year to “team up with others for a new project.” “Fire businesses, such as casino, entertainment and internet business, will capture lots of money luck. Water businesses including spas and transportation will have a big increase in profit,” Lung explained. “Earth businesses such as real estate need to have proper planning and strategies. Metal businesses, such as jewelry, banking and insurance are weak, it is not the right year for big risks. Wood businesses…will be slow…[and] should think longterm when planning.” How to prepare for the new year The days leading up to the Lunar New Year are essential. Like a common ritual for the January 1st New Year, decluttering — whether at home or at work — will help create space for the new year. However, cleaning should be done way before the first day of Lunar New Year because the superstition is that you could sweep away good luck. Other preparations include settling debts, not saying negative words and avoiding the breakage of glass or ceramics. Lung recommends placing a red carpet or lighting a candle at the center of the home would in order to attract wealth and luck, as well as positioning a water fountain or fish tank at the East and center of the home. On Sunday, February 3, Master Pun-Yin advises that individuals visit a place that has religious or spiritual significance or one with good energy. “Prepare… through donation, prayer, meditation and quiet sitting, and allow the body, mind and spirit to relax and be

Illustration by Kendrick Tan

AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

whole,” she said. ”Pray for clarity, empowerment and protection throughout the new Lunar Zodiac cycle and beyond.” On the eve of Lunar New Year, Monday, February 4, Lung said to bring in green plants or fresh flowers to your home. Master Pun-Yin further explained that on the eve, one should wake up earlier to have time to prepare the home with new flowers. For an entire year, starting on Feb. 4, three different tones of flowers (except white) should be placed in the North or South directions of the home or workplace to align with the positive energy in the year of the Pig. At 11:14 a.m. on that day, be near the flower to “tune into the divine and calming energy to embrace the arrival of a new cycle with confidence and optimism. When you feel your heart is settled, go back to your work routine,” she said. Before bedtime, again tap into the flowers’ energy and repeat your prayers and intentions in order to “sleep more soundly and wake up more refreshed” in time for the new year. “For those who know how to nurture the mind and spirit, they would have the alertness and strength to ride over the storm of the depleting energy boar,” she said. Most families hold a reunion dinner at night and that is when they exchange gifts, like the ubiquitous red envelope. It is common to stay up late until the new year. On the first day of the Lunar New Year on the 5th, Master PunYin suggested tapping into the positive energy mentally through an early prayer by the flowers before going about the day. “This way, you maximize your chance to overcome challenges because you are humble enough

to seek the divine connection and good Feng Shui to support you through a turbulence period of this Boar cycle that is full of conflict and fluctuation because on Feb. 4, 2019 at 11:14 a.m. is the energy of the ‘Fire’ and ‘Water’ colliding into each other,” she described. Lung also recommends opening the window or door from North to welcome the God Of Wealth and Northeast for God of Happiness. “Traditionally we will roll oranges from the front door in the morning, it means that the gold (color of the orange) will bring into your house wealth and luck,” he said. In the subsequent days, many follow certain rituals like visiting in-laws (Feb. 6). From Feb. 16 to 18, this is the time when people prepare for the Lantern Festival, which is the 15th day of the new lunar calendar (Feb. 19 this year). What to avoid in the new year Master Pun-Yin advises that in order to have clarity of the mind, one must avoid filling the mind with irrelevant information and issues of other people. “When your mind is calm, you would know the importance of building the reserve, being conservative and not react out of fear just because you need more financial security,” she said, adding this year’s cycle calls for being “flexible, creative, persistence and sizes every opportunity that could secure the standing…[so] don’t take a risk and let the ego or emotions get the better of you.” In order to preserve one’s energy, she also says to avoid individuals, events and activities that are draining and can bring out your anger. “When your core energy is strong through good Feng Shui that balance your own Five Elements Profile (Chinese Astrology), you could excel even when others are confused,” she said.

The story of tikoy: A Lunar New Year delicacy turned Filipino favorite By RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

WATER, glutinous rice flour, and dark brown sugar. Three simple ingredients that when heated, mixed, poured into oiled or banana leaf-lined ramekins, steamed for an hour or so, and refrigerated for much longer, turns into a chewy and sweet cake that many look forward to during the Lunar New Year. Take it a step further by slicing it, dipping it in egg, and frying it on a skillet — the sticky treat transforms into a snack that’s gooey in the center, but caramelized on the outside, capable of bringing a taste of nostalgia to Filipinos of all ages. While it isn’t uncommon to eat tikoy throughout the year, it is undoubtedly the go-to dessert for Lunar New Year in many Asian countries including the Philippines where Chinese influence dates back hundreds of years. Like much of the Chinese dishes that have become a part of Filipino cuisine, tikoy is believed to likely have been brought to the Philippines during the late 19th century

by Hokkien migrants from the Fujian province. The Filipino word tikoy comes from the Hokkien word tee keuh which translates to “sweet cake.” The founder of the famous Eng Bee Tin bakery, Chua Chiu Hong, is widely believed to be the one responsible for its popularization when opened a simple stall in the heart of Manila’s Chinatown to sell traditional Chinese delicacies in 1912. Tikoy was, of course, included. Today, Eng Bee Tin — though still a leader — is just one of the many sellers of tikoy during the Lunar New Year. In fact, a quick walk through Ongpin Street in Chinatown, brings one to towers of red Tikoy packages, stacked up outside storefronts and ready to be given as gifts. But how did Tikoy become such an auspicious Lunar New Year staple in the first place? Origin stories of ‘tikoy’ Meaning “year higher, nian gao — the Mandarin translation from which tikoy was derived — has become the symbol of achieving something greater each year whether it be in health, in one’s career,

monetary wealth, grades, or even a child’s height. And because Nian Gao is regarded as one of China’s oldest foods, how it came to be such a symbol traces back to numerous different stories, from historical to mythological. One origin story, which is told especially during Chinese New Year, involves a monster called Nian that stayed in a cave in the mountain, but would come out to hunt when it was hungry. But as animals went into hibernation during the winter, people feared that the monster would resort to eating humans to fulfill its hunger. Along then came a villager named Gao who in anticipating the possibility of the monster coming down, left rice pastries outside the villagers’ doors for the monster to eat instead. Upon finding and eating the rice pastries, the monster became full and went back up the mountain. The villagers, who were spared the possibility of being eaten, celebrated their survival and named the rice pastries “Nian Gao.” Another origin story dates back to pre-Imperialist China

where the rice cakes were said to have saved a besieged village of Wu (present-day Suzhou) from starvation. The story says that a general by the name of Wu Zixu gave instructions to the villagers of his town to seek refuge under the city walls, should they ever be attacked. After he passed away, the villagers did find themselves under attack and fell hungry. Upon remembering the instructions, they dug under the walls and found enough rice cakes to sustain them. To honor Wu Zixu, the villagers started a tradition of celebrating every New Year by making Nian Gao. Then there’s the old legend of a “Kitchen god” who

dates back more than 2,000 years ago during the period of Confucius. According to legend, people would offer Nian Gao to the kitchen deity who would make reports on the family’s behavior throughout the year — much like the Western character Santa Claus.

But as it usually is with legends and myths, what has stuck throughout the years despite the different origins stories, is the rice cake’s auspicious significance. As people get ready to celebrate this upcoming Lunar New Year with Tikoy, it is sure that its symbolism and ties to increasing prosperity in any aspect are something that will still be kept in mind.

Illustration by Kendrick Tan

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EntErtainmEnt

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 1-7, 2019 A15

Catriona Gray explores New York City with new ‘housemates’ By roSette

adel

Philstar.com

MISS Universe Catriona Gray has found new sisters in her new housemates, Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers and Miss Teen USA Hailey Colborn as they spent their first weekend together. Over the weekend, the three Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil in a scene from their new film “Alone/Together”. Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN beauty queens met for the first time and went on a Facebook live to answer the questions of their supporters and fans. The girls are also explored New York City by eating out and working out together. really beautiful film,” he said. kami sa mga romantic comedies, By Jan Milo Severo On an Instagram post, Unlike her partner, Liza something a bit lighter that Philstar.com Catriona said she is looking admitted that she feels pressured doesn’t deal with emotions as forward to exploring New York LIZA Soberano and Enrique because people pay with their heavy as that Raf and Tin are City more with her “sisters.” Gil revealed that their upcoming hard-earned money to watch a portraying,” she added. Sarah Rose, on the other movie “Alone/Together” is more movie and she doesn’t want to For his part, Enrique said they hand, said her first weekend with than just the usual romantic disappoint them. agreed to do the film because her Miss Universe Organization comedy movies they’ve done in “I do feel the pressure right they were hooked upon reading sisters was a “success in her the past because it has more depth the script. now. Like each and everytime book.” and deals with heavy emotions. naman na gumagawa ako ng Given his blockbuster movies Catriona and Sarah Rose At a press conference held in pelikula, nape-pressure talaga ko with Liza in the past, Enrique said competed against each other in Quezon City on Tuesday, January kasi alam ko naman na people he doesn’t feel as much pressure 29, the love team popularly known now, but he is nervous about how have to pay to watch movies and as LizQuen said they are proud of of course gusto ko nasusulit nila people will embrace their new their new movie. yung bayad nila ‘pag nanonood film. “What makes me proud of sila,” she said. “I really don’t feel pressured this film is the risk we took upon “Lahat naman kami ‘pag as much. Siyempre nervous na agreeing that we’re doing it. gumagawa kami ng isang pelikula, sana magustuhan ng tao. Ayun It’s completely different from we always do our best. Pero naman talaga gusto namin. anything else we’ve ever done,” siyempre bawat tao ay may iba’t Sana ma-enjoy nila yung movie, Liza said. ibang opinion at hindi naman maintindihan nila, they really “Lahat naman ng story iba-iba maiiwasang isipin yung mga take something home after they By KriSSy aguilar pero ito talaga, it’s not something opinyon nila so I do feel the watched it. That really matters. Inquirer.net we’re used to doing kasi sanay pressure,” Liza added. Kahit kumita siya o hindi, we did a ALESSANDRA De Rossi and Empoy Marquez’s tandem will be having a fresh comeback on the big screen with an WHILE it is almost a given drama or upcoming film titled “Walang that couples in showbiz always romantic roles. KaParis.” find themselves in a merry-goThis is a good The movie is among Spring round of changing partners, change for me Film’s offering this 2019 to mark there are some who remain loyal and I enjoyed the film production company’s to each other, while enduring it especially 10th anniversary. the challenges of marriage and with my wife A teaser poster of the film building a family like any regular who is funny was posted in the production husband and wife. even off-cam!” studio’s Facebook page on Considered one of local related Rivera. Wednesday, January 30. showbiz’s most enduring real-life “Our dialogues “Walang KaParis” will serve couples are Ariel Rivera and Gelli went very as the two actors’ comeback de Belen who have been together smoothly since film after their successful 2017 for 26 years, 21 of those lawfully kilalang-kilala romantic comedy movie “Kita and faithfully married. Blessed namin ang Kita.” Almost 22 years since they last worked together in film, the real-life isa’t-isa.” with two sons, Joaqui and Julio, It will be helmed by Sigrid couple happily reunites in the movies. Contributed photo they lead a happy family life As for de Bernardo, the same filmmaker while also pursuing individual Belen, she admitted it felt weird Dreamworld Productions, the behind “Kita Kita,” which is showbiz careers. movie is inspired by actual events to work with her husband again, considered as the highest Today, however, 22 years on the smuggle of the Philippine especially with the difference in grossing independent film after since they were last paired in character of his role from real life. it earned over P300 million in peso coin in 2006. the movie drama “Ikaw Pala Ang “I had to overcome that The Riveras agree it’s a just three weeks. Mahal Ko,” they are back on the weirdness while we were doing welcome and refreshing treat to Plot details and release date big screen, also as husband and be able to work together after so our scenes together because for “Walang KaParis” have yet to wife, in the movie “Ang Sikrero Ariel is so sweet and cheesy long, and in a comedy at that. be announced. Ng Piso.” in this movie and he’s very “I’ve been looking for a A family-oriented comedy different at home,” she laughed. project that’s light and easy from MPJ Entertainment and JPP (ManilaTimes.net). because I’m always given heavy

Liza, Enrique share they took risks in emotional new film

Miss Universe Catriona Gray with Miss Teen USA Hailey Colborn and Miss USA Sarah Rose Summers Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray

Miss Universe 2018. Sarah Rose, however, only landed at the top 20 spot. The MUO handles national pageants Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Under the MUO rules, winners of the pageant will

relocate to New York City to meet their new Miss Universe family and work toward their goals on a national and global scale. Catriona arrived in New York City early January. She will reside in the Big Apple throughout her reign.

Alessandra De Rossi, Empoy Marquez to reunite in upcoming film

Ariel, Gelli back on the big screen

Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez

Other movies slated for release this year under Spring Films are “A Short History of Parking Lots,” “Ang Araw ng Itim na Nazareno,” “Children of

Inquirer.net photo

the Lake,” “Chona: Istariray Is Born,” “Hayop Ka,” “I’m Ellenya L,” “Maboteng Usapan,” “Post Angst,” “Puppy Love,” “Sunshine Family” and “The Bouncer.”

Jessy keeps up with the ‘Tol comedic energy By Jerry

donato Philstar.com

FROM the romantic-comedy The Girl in The Orange Dress, Jessy Mendiola will be seen next in a full-on comedy, ‘Tol, directed by Miko Livelo and produced by Reality Entertainment. It’s a breather from light-heavy drama she has immersed herself well. So adjustment was the tall order of the day. “I did because when they were in a scene, I had to keep up with them,” said Jessy on working with comedians Joross Gamboa and Ketchup Eusebio, and Arjo Atayde, in an interview prior to the presscon. “With their timing, kailangan gets ko and how they would deliver their jokes and incorporate their ad-libs.” But what made her embrace the genre was the working environment that was based on creative respect and collaboration. “Direk Miko was concerned with pagiging okey ng artista,” she shared. “Kung hindi kami komportable sa isang bagay, tatanungin niya. Kung OK naman sa amin, (then we would) go. He was very open (to ideas) and sought our opinions on doing (scenes). As a director, he is very collaborative.” In fact, Jessy was given the liberty to create her character Elena and it thrilled her no end. “(Her characterization and personality) wasn’t that clear (to me at first) kung suplada ba siya, mabait ba siya, mahinhin ba siya (was she snobbish, nice or ladylike)? In our first two shooting days, what I did was to approach her like a princess, na light lahat, para lang siyang lumilipad.” Good that Jessy followed her instincts. She got the approval of the director, thinking of

Toni Gonzaga with husband Paul Soriano

Director Miko Livelo (rightmost) with stars (from left) Ketchup Eusebio Joross Gamboa and Arjo Atayde

Jessy’s Elena as the princess in the middle of the riot/s that the male characters Dimitri, Arthur and Lando (played respectively by Joross, Ketchup and Arjo) could cook up. Elena could be the source of calmness after that laugh-out-loud “storm.” “’Tol has witty jokes and at the same time is a full-on comedy,” she said. “There are actions na talagang nakakatawa as in big (actions, movements). My character is their Disney Princess. I’m their love interest. I’m their college sweetheart. We’ve been friends since we were young. Nagkatrabaho sila sa tollgate. We all meet again. They try to court me. From friends, they become my suitors. What will happen now that Elena is back in their lives? It’s like a situational comedy where my character is the factor (reason to shake) them (their friendship) up.” The Kapamilya star had fun doing the movie and wanted moviegoers to experience the happiness it promises come Jan. 30 in theaters nationwide. “My co-stars were open (to collaboration) when it came to executing scenes,” she said. “Mga ganun silang klaseng leading men. As we all know, Arjo is not

Photo from Instagram/@celestinegonzaga

Why it took Toni and Paul 8 years before going on an overnight trip By KriSSy

aguilar Inquirer.net

ACTRESS Toni Gonzaga opened up about why it took eight years before she and husband Paul Soriano were able to go on an overnight trip. In a video blog posted on her Youtube channel on Wednesday titled “Why it pays to wait,” she shared moments from her trip to Amanpulo with Soriano and their son Seve. She then opened up about how envious she was of couples Jessy Mendiola: My co-stars were open (for who were able to go on out-ofcollaboration) when it came to executing town trips. When she asked for scenes. permission from her parents, she a comedian and did not start (in said they would always shot the the comedy genre). Most of his idea down. (works) are kontrabida, heavy “Pag magpapaalam ako, alam drama. Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi na alam ko na agad ang sasabihin nag-e-effort siya to keep up with Joross and Ketchup. In fairness movies to be released in 2019), to him, he played his role well. Jessy said, “I was happy that they His character is geeky, funny, saw something in me that I could shy. Ketchup’s is chill, intelligent. be part of this. (Usually,) I never His humor is chill lang. Joross’ is accept a full-on comedy. Nasa sobrang kiti-kiti. You will see the third page palang ako (reading differences between characters.” the script), nag-yes na ako (it Asked how it feels to be got my attention already). And starring in the first venture at that time, I had no idea that of Reality Entertainment into Ketchup, Joross and Arjo would comedy (one of the first Pinoy (be onboard). Natawa ako kasi

ni mommy, ‘Wag ka nga feeling dyan! Anong gagawin niyo doon, mag-ho-honeymoon?’” Gonzaga said. She also shared what her father says whenever she asks for permission about going on trips, even describing him as “OA sa lahat ng mga OA.” Gonzaga said, quoting her father, “‘Alam mo, Celestine, malaki ka na. May pera ka, kumikita ka, kaya mong gawin ang lahat ng gusto mo. Gawin mo ‘yan. Pero ito lang ang masasabi ko sa ‘yo. Oras na ginawa mo ‘yan, tapos na ang pagiging ama ko sa iyo. Hinding-hindi ko na kakausapin si Paul kahit kailan at wala ka na ring ama.’” Nonetheless, she admired Soriano for being so patient with her, saying: “Nakakabilib

din naman si Paul. Kasi for eight years never niyang sinabi sa’kin na ‘Magrebelde ka na, gawin mo na ‘yung gusto mo, may pera ka na.’” “He always tells me lang na: ‘What can we do? That’s the rule of your parents. We just have to listen and obey them,’” she added. Despite having strict parents and having to wait a long time, the 35-year-old actress-host shared: “I realized that your obedience and sacrifice will always be rewarded in the end.” “Medyo matagal-tagal ang hinintay ko para maexperience ko ‘to, but it was all worth it. Kaya pala ako pinaghintay ng matagal kasi may magandang nakalaan,” Gonzaga said.

when you read the script and you imagine them in their roles, bagay. When you gather them in a project like this, everything jibes.” Last year saw Jessy shuttling from one movie set to another, you know from The Girl in The Orange Dress to ‘Tol. “In my whole career (it never happened) na nag-sunod-sunod ang pelikula,” she said. “And leading roles have been

given to me. I’m just thankful, kahit napahinga ako sa TV (work). I enjoy more doing movies because you get to explore more roles.” Like most artists, Jessy thrives in an open learning work space. “I think when your (working) environment is open, you can act well and you will open up to your co-stars... Mas gaganda ang eksena, mas open kayo sa eksena.”

A16 February 1-7, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL

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