FEBRUARY 2-5, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 8 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
Military intel: Foreigners carried out twin Jolo blasts by DEMPSEY
REYES ManilaTimes.net
Philippine Army members secure the area outside a church after a bombing attack in Jolo, Sulu province last January 27. Photo courtesy of AFP - Western Mindanao Command
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FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Filipina doctor named chief of staff at Glendale hospital A FILIPINA doctor has been named the chief of staff at Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial Hospital in Glendale, California, becoming the first person of Filipino descent to hold that position and the fourth female in the hospital’s history. Brigeli Westerband, an emergency Dr. Brigeli room physician, was named chief of W e s t e r b a n d , staff at Glendale Memorial Hospital who has been an this past January. AJPress photo by Noel Ty emergency room physician at the hospital for the past 20 years, was elected to a two-year term at the beginning of January. She succeeds previous chief of staff, Dr. Randall Roberts. u PAGE A3
THE MILITARY now believes the twin explosions at Jolo Cathedral on Sunday, January 27, were carried out by two foreign suicide bombers who came from Indonesia in December and linked up with the AjangAjang subgroup of the notorious Abu Sayyaf. An intelligence source, who requested anonymity, said the foreigners, a man and a woman, came into contact with the group controlled by Hatib Sawadjaan, whose Ajang-Ajang subgroup, composed of members in their 20s to 30s, ran eru PAGE A2
MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS IN PRAYER. Imam Council of the Philippines chairperson Aleem Said Ahmad Basher (right) leads the prayer at the solidarity walk press conference at the Quezon City Experience Museum on Friday, February 1. The event, led by the Philippine National Police’s Police Community Relations Group in partnership with various religious organizations, aims to condemn the recent bombing incident in Jolo, Sulu. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
RCBC facing Bangladesh Bank in US court by LAWRENCE
AGCAOILI Philstar.com
MANILA — Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has engaged the services of a top law firm in New York City to defend it in the case filed by Bangladesh Bank pertaining to the $81-million cyber heist three years ago. In a statement, the country’s 10th largest lender in terms of assets added that the case would serve as an opportunity for RCBC to clear its name in the heist where hackers broke into the security system of Bangladesh Bank.
“This complaint is an opportunity for RCBC to put on record again that it was a victim of what started in Bangladesh by still unnamed persons, given the refusal of Bangladesh Bank to release its full and complete findings three years after the fact,” RCBC said. RCBC added that it had provided the Senate all the information allowed by law. “We hope Bangladesh Bank can be as transparent and stop blaming everybody but itself. The complaint will allow us to finally get the information we, and the Philippine government, have been asking Bangladesh u PAGE A3
File photo shows Former Senator TG Guingona III confers with former Senator Serge Osmeña III upon the resumption of the Senate investigation on the $81-million money laundering controversy, this time with Chinese businessman Kim Wong at the witness stand in March 2016. Wong was tagged by Maia Santos-Deguito, former manager of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), as the one who allegedly instructed her to open bank accounts for five individuals. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo
Senate panel seeks increased penalties Survey: Philippines rated country in the world for parents of children in conflict with law 50th best AJP MANILA — A Senate panel recommended harsher punishment for parents of juveniles who commit crimes, echoing the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that parents should be also be held accountable for their children’s offenses. The suggestion of the Senate committee on justice and human rights led by Sen. Richard Gordon was included in the joint committee report, which recommended the lowering of minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 years old to 12. The report recommended that Photo shows minors condemning the move to lower the criminal responsibility parents of children who commit threshold. Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Christopher Toledo u PAGE A3
by
RESS
THE Philippines is considered the 50th best country in the world, according to a recent global survey conducted by U.S. News and World Report. The annual survey — based on responses from 20,000 people from 36 countries — released earlier this January ranks the top 80 countries in the world, using 65 different metrics, such as trade, travel, investment, human rights, gender equality, religious freedom, and environmental consciousness. The Philippines’ overall ranking for 2019 is one notch lower than the previous year when it took the
Civil rights, advocacy groups make case against proposed 2020 Census citizenship question Fil-Am LA Rams fans gear up for Super Bowl 2019 AMID the ongoing legal battle over whether or not the 2020 Census should ask about citizenship, civil rights and immigrant advocates this week discussed the question’s social and legal ramifications. The Leadership Conference Education Fund and Ethnic Media Service held a teleconference on Wednesday, Jan. 30, which was joined by representatives from national organizations like Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). The Trump administration last year approved plans to include a controversial citizenship question on the upcoming census, despite recommendations from the United States Census Bureau which advised against including the question, as reported in the Asian Journal.
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 u PAGE A2
Fans talk of growing up with the Rams, its former Fil-Am player Roman Gabriel, and the team’s love for Filipino lumpia by RAE
ANN VARONA AJPress
AFTER breaking a two-decade run of Los Angeles not having an NFL franchise, the Los Angeles Rams made the most of their 2016 comeback to the city by making it to the 2019 Super Bowl. They’d left the city in 1980 to nearby Anaheim before moving farther out east to St. Louis, Missouri in 1995. But as the Rams gear up for the Super Bowl LIII game in Atlanta, u PAGE A4
Georgia on Sunday, February 3 against the New England Patriots— the same team they played against in their last 2002 Super Bowl appearance—many in Los Angeles made sure to let the team know that they had strong support cheering them on at home. A week before the Super Bowl weekend, Rams fans showed up at the LA Stadium at Hollywood Park—the site of the team’s home stadium in 2020—for a send-off rally for the team which included mu-
sic, trivia, cheers, and appearances by second-year coach Sean McVay and Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein. “Make no mistake about it. Got a lot of respect for the Patriots, but we’re going there to get this last check,” said McVay, the youngest head coach in modern NFL history. Quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley also let fans know that they were ready to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Los Angeles. u PAGE A4
LA Rams running back Todd Gurley with Fil-Am Alex Retodo of the Lumpia Company in December 2018, a few weeks before the Rams went on to win the NFC championship which put them in the upcoming Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots. Photo courtesy of Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias
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Survey: Philippines rated 50th... PAGE A1 t 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
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From the Front Page 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 reportedly worked to improve the country’s business climate and drive investor confidence to a higher level. Among these efforts, Panelo highlighted the cleansing the government of corrupt officials and streamlining the delivery of frontline services. The country’s tourism, according to him, is also a priority with a focus now given on environmental sustainability. Panelo said he was confident that the administration would continue to improve its ranking as it 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 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
DE LIMA’S ARRAINMENT. Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima, despite being hastily shepherded away by her usual throng of heavily armed PNP personnel, manages to wave at her supporters as she arrives for an arraignment on Friday, February 1, at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205. Despite being unjustly detained for almost two years, De Lima continues to faithfully fulfill her duties as a duly elected senator and calling out the flawed and corrupt policies of the Duterte regime. Senate photo
Military intel: Foreigners carried out... PAGE A1 t rands for the Abu Sayyaf kidnap and terror group. “Though the source [of the information] is unsure of their nationality but they are sure to be foreigners and not locals,” the source, a military official based in Mindanao, said. “They are suspected to be suicide bombers,” he added This was because two sets of body parts, completely mangled, were still unclaimed and unidentified, the source said. Based on eyewitness accounts, the woman brought the bag containing the bomb, and placed it on one of the pews. The woman detonated it from a distance. “The second IED (improvised explosive device) was believed to have been detonated by the man himself with the bag attached to his body,” the source said. Col. Noel Detoyato, military public affairs chief, confirmed that the two sets of body parts were recovered by authorities in Jolo. Detoyato said there were parts of a head, scalp and jaw, among others. “There were pieces of body parts and it is not yet determined if it’s the whole body of a single person, since these body parts were
apparently shredded,” he added. The two sets of body parts were recovered 50 meters away from the blast site where the second explosion occurred. The second explosion is being eyed as a case of suicide bombing perpetrated by the Ajang-Ajang group. Photos from Detoyato showed shredded body parts scattered all over the church entrance, walls, pews, the floor and the area in front of the main entrance. President Rodrigo Duterte first came up with a conclusion that the deadly twin explosions that killed 21 persons were carried out through a suicide bombing. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had said the first bomb was planted inside the church, and the second explosion might be considered as a case of suicide bombing. Lorenzana said he had received information that the couple was from Yemen. Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) visited 36 of the wounded victims of the cathedral blasts and gave them P20,000 for their medical needs, according to ARMM Social Welfare Secretary Laisa Alamia.
A total of P400,000 was also earmarked as initial assistance for the victims of the twin bombings and another P500,000 for the repair of the damaged cathedral, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the ARMM. Encounter in Patikul Government security forces encountered members of the Ajang-Ajang in Patikul, Sulu, amid an effort to pulverize Abu Sayyaf members as ordered by the President. Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), said the clashes transpired at 7:20 a.m. on Thursday, with the firefight lasting about five minutes. About 20 Ajang-Ajang members were involved in the encounter. The bandits fled but they were pursued by the Scout Ranger’s 1st Battalion. No casualties were recorded. Alamia said dozens of families displaced by the military offensives were provided food aid. “So far, the DSWD-ARMM has monitored around 62 families displaced from Barangay Bungkaong and Latih in Pati-
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Senate panel seeks increased penalties... PAGE A1 t serious crimes would be slapped with imprisonment of six months up to six years from the jail term of only two to six months and a fine not exceeding P500. Any person, including parents of children, who use children in crimes would face 12 to 20 years in prison from crimes punishable by imprisonment of six years or less. If the children in conflict with the law commit crimes where the punishment is more than six years
prison, their exploiter would be jailed from 20 to 40 years. House Bill 8858, the lower chamber’s version, proposed that parents of children who commit serious crimes and of children who are repeat offenders would undergo mandatory intervention programs, which include parenting seminars and counselling. The parents would be also primarily liable for civil damages arising out of the actions of children in conflict with the law un-
less they prove that they were exercising reasonable supervision over the child when the offense was committed. The Senate version of the measure lowering the age of criminal responsibility is expected to be tackled at the plenary next week. A Social Weather Stations poll indicated that a majority of Filipinos want the minimum age of criminal responsibility to stay at 15 years old. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)
Filipina doctor named chief of staff at...
PAGE A1 t “I’m following in the footsteps of a lot of great doctors who have been part of the institution for decades,” Westerband told the Asian Journal in a recent interview. “We have some doctors who have been here for 50 years and that has to mean something. I am proud to say that I am only the fourth woman chief of staff.” She also acknowledged joining the ranks of Dr. Virginia Keller, who not only was the first female chief of staff at the hospital in the mid-1950s, but also the first female to hold that high position in the West. Under this position, Westerband’s duties include enforcing the medical staff bylaws, rules and regulations, and keeping the medical staff up to date on changes at the nonprofit, acute care hospital. “This is a place...[where] I’ve devoted a big part of my professional career,” she said. “We are committed to providing quality and safe care to our patients. My role as chief of staff is also to bring that strength to our medical staff,” she said. Glendale Memorial President Jill Welton said in a statement to the Asian Journal that it was “gratifying to have a dedicated, compassionate woman, such as Dr. Westerband, leading the helm of physician alignment at Glendale Memorial.” She added that the Filipina doctor’s 20-year service at the hospital “wonderfully mirrors our commitment” to the greater Glendale community. A Los Angeles native, Westerband moved to the Philippines when her father, who was in the military, had an opportunity to work there. She went on to receive her medical degree from Far Eastern University in Manila and returned to the United States where she had her first
WOMEN AMID FLOWERS. Artist Emmanuel “Noli” Nim from General Santos City presents his expressive images of women and flowers during Miriam College’s first and biggest art fair in the North, titled, “UnARThodox”, at the Paz Adriano Grounds of Miriam College, along Katipunan Ave., Quezon City on Thursday, January 31. The fair, which runs until February 2, also features seminars and workshops on Calligraphy, Portraiture, Paper Cutting, Digital Film, Digital Art Production, Jewelry Making, Fashion, Design Thinking and Creative Process, Latte Art, Origami Making, Rubber Stamp Making, and 3D Printing, among others. PNA photo by Ben Briones
RCBC facing Bangladesh Bank...
PAGE A1 t Bank to provide,” RCBC said. Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir announced in Dhaka that their central bank was filing a case against RCBC and all others involved in the heist and try to retrieve the stolen millions. Brigeli Westerband, Glendale Memorial Hospital’s first chief of staff of Filipino descent. The Bangladesh Bank said it has AJPress photo by Noel Ty sought the assistance of the U.S. said she is “more of a person Federal Reserve in New York. internship in New Jersey. She became board certified in who wants to improve each peremergency and internal medi- son individually and bring out cine and found her way back to the best in each them.” “The only way you can be efSouthern California, where she ran a private practice before fective in whatever profession coming to Glendale Memorial you choose is to be true to yourPAGE A1 t as a staff physician in the emer- self,” she explained. “Doctors have an open and compassion- kul. We have started distributgency room. “There have been a lot of ate heart and as long as you re- ing relief goods to the IDPs or changes in 20 years in terms of member why you went into the internally displaced persons. The number of IDPs is exleadership…but I also saw that profession, you’ll succeed.” With many Filipinos on staff pected to increase in the comthe only way you could make real changes is if you’re active at Glendale Memorial, Wester- ing days. The DSWD ARMM in participating,” she reflected band hopes her visible role will will continue to provide assisinspire them to participate and tance to the IDPs until they can on her time at the hospital. She was appointed the medi- make their voices heard as well. safely return to their homes,” “We have a strong base of she said. cal director of the emergency Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan department in 2005 and sought Filipinos in our community and more ways to be involved, which we have a very big percentage of 2nd dispatched social workers included joining the medical Filipino nurses. Filipinos, in gen- to look into the welfare of the executive leadership team. She eral, are known to be caregivers, displaced villagers. He ordered was chosen to be secretary-trea- whether they’re nurses, doctors the Provincial Disaster Risk surer for two years, then anoth- or others in the medical field,” Reduction Management Couner two years as vice chief of staff she said. “It brings about some cil to distribute relief goods to pride in our community and I those affected by the military before her new role. Westerband still works in the think it gives those younger ones campaign. On Thursday, Tan along with emergency room, where she has a role to look up to, not just bea 12-hour schedule for about 12 ing a woman, but also being an security officials, also met with Asian woman and a minority.” representatives of different secshifts a month. tors in Sulu and discussed the Of her leadership style, she (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)
“We will show that this suit is nothing more than a political stunt by the Bangladesh Bank to try to shift blame from themselves to RCBC,” said Tai-Heng Cheng, a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP in New York. The lawyer added that Bangladesh Bank “(doesn’t) have the right to file here since none of the
defendants are in the U.S.” According to him, Bangladesh Bank should have pursued its claim three years ago and not days before the statute of limitations sets in if it was serious about recovering the money. The legal counsel added that RCBC had nothing to do with the theft and has cooperated fully in the investigation. ■
Military intel: Foreigners carried out... ongoing military campaign and guidelines on checkpoints and strict implementation of martial law in the province. 4 persons of interest cleared The Philippine National Police (PNP) cleared the initial four persons of interest in the Jolo Cathedral blasts after they came to authorities and proved their innocence. Senior Supt. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, told reporters that Alshaber Arbi, Gerry Isnajil, Alshimar Mohammad Albi and Julius Abdulzam Albi were finally removed from the list of persons of interest. The four were seen in security footages running away from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral after the twin blasts. “They gave sworn affidavits to authorities saying they have
no involvement [in the bombings]. After verification of their identity, authorities ruled that they were telling the truth and they were eventually freed from police custody,” Banac said. Arbi is a Grade 11 student of Kalingalan Caluang National High School and Isnajil a teacher in the same school. The Albis told authorities they were just buying medicine in a nearby pharmacy for Alshimar’s mother who was confined at a hospital in Sulu when the explosion happened. The four surrendered to the police out of fear of being hunted down by authorities. Banac said police were still looking for a suspect named Kamah, after he evaded arrest on January 29. ■
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Civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups explain... PH reaches record breaking PAGE A1 t The question — “Is this person a citizen of the United States?” — was approved by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has sparked a discussion over the legality of inquiring about citizenship on a survey designed to count residents of the U.S. Ross argued that it was “necessary” to include to question to enforce a part of the Voting Rights Act in which citizenship data is needed to combat voter fraud, which the administration contends as one of its key issues. In response, opponents of the question’s inclusion accused the Trump administration of deterring undocumented residents from being a part of the decennial count. Census experts and three legal and social justice organizations discussed the ramifications of the citizenship question as well as the pending legal battles associated with it. “The census is one of the most urgent civil rights issues in this country today,” Beth Lync, census counts campaign director at the Leadership Conference Education Fund, said on the call on Wednesday. “We are calling on Congress
to remove the citizenship question to ensure a fair and accurate count so that no one is left behind.” Anti-immigrant rhetoric has permeated the country in the Trumpian era, and this question exacerbates that widespread hysteria and paranoia, the experts expressed on the call. Fear of deportation or persecution is the reason why undocumented immigrants may hesitate to submit census surveys, which could drastically affect the overall count, John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, said. As a result, this could sully critical demographic data needed to sustain the country’s power structures and institutions, including public assistance programs, schools, hospitals “The 2020 Census is our only chance in a decade for a fair and accurate count of our communities,” Yang said. “Census data are used in countless ways to ensure that our families and communities have the resources and services the Census, and a citizenship question endangers an accurate count. We must protect the voices of all our immigrant communities because this is an America where
everyone counts.” Last month, a U.S. district court judge presiding over two lawsuits from Oct. 2018 against the Trump administration issued a ruling blocking the addition of the citizenship question to the next census count. Shortly after, the Trump administration announced that it was planning to challenge that lower court ruling by asking for a review from the Supreme Court. Most recently, the Spanish-language media company Univision joined another lawsuit in Northern California against the Dept. of Commerce’s inclusion of the citizenship question. “Every person residing in the United States deserves to and must be counted in the census. Dating back to this country’s founding, there has been no higher purpose to this endeavor than to simply count the number of people living in our nation, regardless of status,” said Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, executive vice president for government and corporate affairs at Univision, which was previously attached to one of the New York lawsuits last year. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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 and sustain the 7.1M tourist arrivals, the North American market 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 brand-
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 Opulencia of Orientours, DOT’s Susan del Mundo, Luz Navarro of DOT, PAL’s Josh Vasquez and Goldwyn Salazar. Contributed photo
ing 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. 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.
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Fil-Am LA Rams fans gear up for...
PAGE A1 t In Inglewood, the famous Randy’s Donuts temporarily turned into “LA Rams Donuts” as it transformed its iconic 33-foot donut sign, which can often be seen by those flying in and out of LAX, into a bright yellow donut donning the team’s name and colors, along with a Nike swoosh. Famous LA hot dog stand Pink’s, also flaunted their support for the LA team by adding some blue and gold to their iconic pink exterior. “Pink’s Turns Blue & Gold For the Rams!!!” read a banner in front of the stand. As fans and business prepped for the game, so did celebrities including Fil-Am artist Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas. “Excited to go to Atlanta to go to the Super Bowl again with my brothers will.i.am and Taboo in support of the American Cancer Society and all their tremendous work,” said Fil-Am Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.ap. “Rams holding it down for LA!” Fil-Am Tarsier Records owner Chris Lopez, also known by his producer name DJ Moophs, was in town for ahead of the Grammys with Filipino singer Iñigo Pascual, but was excited to have the Rams playing the big game. “It’s exciting to be back in LA not only for Grammys week, but to see the LA Rams take home the title!” said Lopez who is also the son of ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez. Nelson Perlas, a Fil-Am from Anaheim who owns The Card Pavilion in nearby Santa Ana, said that there has been more interest in the shop for LA Rams cards and memorabilia in the last couple of weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday from both new and longtime fans alike. He himself has been a longtime fan. The first NFL game he saw live was back in 1994, the last season the Rams played in Southern California at the Anaheim Stadium when the team was hosting the Los Angeles Raiders in a pre-season game. “I remember the game like it was yesterday with action both on the field and on the stands,” recalled Perlas. “The teams were playing on the field, but there must have been at least a dozen fights in the stands between Rams and Raiders fans. I was immediately hooked [on] NFL football.” He remained a fan when the Rams moved to St. Louis and continued to cheer them on as they found success in the following five seasons that included a Super Bowl win in 2000. So when the Rams announced they’d be coming back to Los Angeles in 2016, he immediately purchased season seats. In East Hollywood, Fil-Am resident Elson Trinidad—like many others—said he’s been paying attention to 24-year quarterback Jared Goff. Having sparked a new interest in the game after the Rams came back, Trinidad said his first NFL game was in November 2016 which was also the first game Goff had in the league. “He’s the first real LA Rams star of this era,” said Trinidad, referring to the fact that Goff has
Alex Retodo with Rams cornerback Aqib Talib
Fil-Am entrepreneurs Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias and Alex Retodo at an LA Rams game in late December 2018, where they treated team members to Filipino food at a post-game party. Photos courtesy of Roslynn Alba Cobarrubias
only played in LA and not in St. Louis. “But I love this team because it’s not all about Goff,” he added. “It’s a true team with a lot of heart, character and determination and players who all contribute. Todd Gurley, Aaron Donald, C.J. Anderson, Ndamukong Suh, Robert Woods, so many more.” But Trinidad won’t be wearing any other current players’ jerseys. Instead, he’s prepared to don his Roman Gabriel #18 jersey to honor the retired player who was the first Fil-Am in the NFL, and who played for the Rams from 1962-1972. Trinidad was just a toddler back when Gabriel was on the field, but remembers his parents always talking about Gabriel and how he was Filipino. “I was too young to know about ethnic identity back then, but when I got older, it was great to know that a Filipino American like me was one of the greatest LA Rams players of all time. Those things mean a lot to us in terms of representation,” said Trinidad. Wearing the jersey, he said, symbolizes not only Rams pride
The Lumpia Company fed the LA Rams, like cornerback Marcus Peters, in December 2018.
or Los Angeles pride, but Fil-Am pride. “Honestly, I hope one day soon we’ll have another Filipino American play for the Rams,” said Trinidad. But while Gabriel has long been retired, the close connection between Filipinos and the LA Rams apparently still lives on in the form of food. Rams load up on Filipino food Alex Retodo, owner of The Lumpia Company in Oakland, revealed a well-known fact about Rams cornerback Marcus Peters’ love for Filipino lumpia. Fans of Peters may be aware of the story of how Peters almost burned down his cousin Marshawn Lynch’s kitchen when attempting to cook lumpia. “He loves lumpia so much,” Retodo told the Asian Journal, adding that Peters chose the Filipino dish when it was his turn to feed the team. Retodo, who recently fed the whole Rams team and organization during their last game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers, even teamed up with Peters in coming up with their own unique flavor that fused Filipino and Creole soul food. Inside the lumpia wrappers were fried chicken skin, diced whole chicken, corn, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and green beans. “Roll it tight just like tita taught me, dip it in gravy, then smother it in Louisiana hot sauce,” said Retodo. For dessert, there was a peach mango cobbler lumpia similar to the peach mango pies one would find at Jollibee, but with “little bit of soul.” When doing the taste test, he recalled Marcus calling the dish “soul food lumpia.” Super Bowl LIII will take place on Sunday, February 3. Kickoff time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. n
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Garcetti announces $35 million grant to improve street safety
The City of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 31 was awarded $35 million to improve the safety of our streets for children, seniors, and families. These grants are part of the California Transportation Commission’s statewide Active Transportation Program (ATP) — and represent 15 percent of the total available funds. “Angelenos’ safety and wellbeing should be our top priority in any decision about our City’s streets,” said Garcetti in a statement. “No parent should worry that their child won’t make it to school, and no older adult should
MARCH AGAINST POLLUTION. Hundreds of members of various groups march along Elliptical Road in Quezon City to call on the government to protect the people’s right to clean air. ManilaTimes.net photo by Roy Martinez
by AbAc
cordero Philstar.com
MANNY Pacquiao has declared his availability to return to the ring in May or July this year, and has ruled out a potentially lucrative fight with Terence Crawford or a rematch with Jeff horn. “Malabo ’yan (I doubt it),” Pacquiao told reporters regarding the possibility of facing Crawford, 31, the unbeaten WBo welterweight champion. Crawford, 34-0 with 25 knock- Sen. Manny Pacquiao outs, is under Bob Arum’s Top Rank, which used to promote session on May 20. Another long Pacquiao fights. The Filipino su- break would take place in June. perstar is now with Al haymon’s “I can use the whole month of PBC (Premier Boxing Champi- June to train if I will fight in July. ons) and has in fact teamed up But May (fight) is also fine with with Mayweather Promotions. me,” he said. It’s common knowledge that Pacquiao said he called for a Floyd Mayweather Jr. wouldn’t rematch with horn after his very do business with Arum, his for- controversial defeat to the Ausmer promoter. haymon is May- tralian bully in 2017. But he was weather’s adviser. turned down. Pacquiao said a rematch with “Unsettled business?” Pachorn, the former schoolteacher quiao asked. from Brisbane, is not going to “Rematch ako nang rematch happen. sa kanya hindi siya nag rePeriod. match? Nag-iiwas sila sa akin “They’ve fooled me once,” tapos lumaban sila sa America. Pacquiao, the WBA (regular) (I wanted a rematch then and welterweight champion, told they refused. Then he fought in a small group of writers at his the United States),” said PacSenate office Wednesday eve- quiao of horn. ning. Instead of a rematch with PacWith Crawford and horn out quiao, horn took on Crawford in of the picture, left in the race as June 2018, and was knocked out Pacquiao’s next opponent are inside nine rounds at the MGM Keith Thurman, the WBA (super) Grand. horn lost his WBo welwelterweight champion, Shawn terweight crown. Porter (the WBC champion at After Pacquiao dominated 147 pounds), and errol Spence Adrien Broner to retain his WBA Jr. (the IBC champion). crown in Las vegas last Jan. 19, Anyone among the three horn challenged the Filipino to would be big fight for the 40- a rematch. year-old Pacquiao, who said “Nung nanalo ako ng belt tahe has informed the PBC of his pos natalo siya, naghamon ulit? availability in May or July. (After I won the title and he lost The Senate will go on recess his he would challenge me?)” next week and would resume said Pacquiao. n
PH reaches record breaking... PAGE A4 t
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 Phil-
ippines 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
and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure — around eight schools that demonstrated the greatest safety need. An additional $1.7 million will be used by the Safe Routes for Seniors program to develop five neighborhood plans that improve walkability for older adults in Santa Rosalia/Baldwin hills, Westmont, east Los Angeles, Chinatown, and Skid Row. More than half of all people who die from collisions on Los Angeles’s streets are people walking and bicycling, and the fatalities disproportionately impact seniors and school-age children. n
CNMI gov’t, biz leaders slam US ban on Filipino workers
GoveRNMeNT and business leaders of Northern Marianas say CNMI’s economy will suffer because of the U.S. ban on some Filipino worker visas. Many Filipino construction workers in the CNMI come under the h-2B visa program, which the U.S. is suspending for Filipinos due to overstaying and human trafficking concerns. Governor Ralph Torres said the decision would hit the US territory hard because of its islands’ limited labor pool and remote location. The Philippines has been the U.S. territory’s primary source of labor for decades, he said. Torres has asked CNMI delePhoto from Instagram/@mannypacquiao
Crawford or Horn? Pacquiao says, ‘No way’
feel unsafe when walking around their neighborhood. These new resources accelerate our relentless push toward a future with zero traffic fatalities, and help us invest in critical improvements to our City streets.” Los Angeles will allocate this new funding to four projects that will dramatically improve safety for students and seniors as they move around the City. Three Safe Routes to School projects will receive $33.3 million to improve traffic safety for young people in Los Angeles with capital improvements — including speed reduction measures
gate Gregorio Kilili Sablan to use his position in the U.S. house of Representatives majority to safeguard the CNMI economy and businesses, according to a report by RadioNZ. Lieutenant Governor Arnold Palacios said the ban was ill timed considering the CNMI is still rebuilding following the destruction of Super Typhoon Yutu in october and Typhoon Mangkhut in September. velma Palacios, president of Saipan’s Chamber of Commerce, echoed Palacios’ observation. The CNMI was already in dire need of construction workers because of massive building projects for companies including
Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph Torres Photo from www.nga.org
Imperial Pacific International, honest Profit and American Sinopan LLC. (Inquirer.net)
A February 2-5, 2019 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL
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Harry Roque withdraws senatorial bid by Catherine
Valente ManilaTimes.net
FORMER presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. on Friday, February 1, announced he was withdrawing his senatorial bid because of health condition. In a statement to Malacanang reporters, Roque said he went underwent a heart operation and found out that he has angina coronary disease. “It is with a truly heavy heart that I announce the withdrawal of my senatorial bid. I have recently undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention following the discovery of an unstable angina coronary disease earlier this week,” Roque said. “In the days since the procedure, my family and I have been forced to confront the reality of my physical situation and what it ultimately means for my aspirations to public service,” he said. The former Palace official thanked those “who have been so
Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr.
kind and supportive of my candidacy.” “I ran for senator because I wanted to be of service in a way that I know I will be highly effective. Whatever they may think of my politics, those who have seen my work in both the public and private sector can attest to what I would have brought to the Senate. Unfortunately, for the mo-
ManilaTimes.net photo
ment, it seems that God has other plans,” he said. “It is my sincere hope that I will someday again have the honor to serve the Filipino people as a legislator, or in whatever other capacity I may be of service. I continue to support our President and this administration and wish only the best for our country. God bless us all!” Roque said. n
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CROP PRODUCTION. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Senate agriculture and food committee, leads the launching of agricultural crops and vegetables production program. Villar says these activities, a partnership between Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) and East West Seed Foundation, will run for 12 weeks every Wednesday. At present, the program has 300 participants. The reelectionist senator has been encouraging the production program to ensure food availability and security. Senate photo
Gov’t comforts kin of OFW executed in Saudi Arabia by Catherine
Valente ManilaTimes.net
MalacañanG on Thursday, January 31, extended its condolences to the family of the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who was executed in Saudi arabia after she was found guilty of murder. In a news conference, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Philippine government did all it could to spare the 39-year-old Filipina household service worker from execution. But he added that her case does not apply the use of blood money under the Sharia law or Islamic law. “I would like to express our condolences to the bereaved family of the OFW who has been executed. Our government extended help to this Filipino. We provided lawyers or a lawyer for her and we gave regular updates
to the family,” Panelo told reporters. “It’s just unfortunate that in this particular case, the Sharia law does not apply where blood money can be a reason to stop the execution. So we condole with the family. But we tried, the DFa (Department of Foreign affairs) tried very hard to help,” he said. In a statement, the DFa confirmed that the unnamed Filipina was executed on Tuesday, January 29, for the murder she committed in 2015. The DFa did not identify the Filipina worker as requested by her family. “The department has informed the next of kin who have requested privacy during their time of bereavement,” it said. Reacting to the execution of the unidentified OFW, Foreign affairs Secretary Teodoro locsin Jr. in his Twitter account, said, “Damn.”
“This is why we cannot adopt the death penalty; we lose the argument of respecting our culture which abhors the taking of a human life by a cold formal state justice system when we believe that a state exists to protect life,” locsin said. In earlier cases, Filipinos on death row in Saudi arabia were saved by paying blood money to families of individuals they had killed, mostly in self-defense. In 2015, Saudi authorities executed Filipino construction worker Joselito Zapanta, who was found guilty of killing his Sudanese employer. The victim’s family had refused to execute an affidavit of forgiveness in exchange for blood money. another Filipino, carlito lana, was beheaded in 2014 in Saudi arabia for shooting a Saudi arabian citizen and running him over with a car. n
SWS senatorial survey: Grace Poe still No. 1 by Paolo
romero Philstar.com
ManIla — Former special assistant to the president christopher “Bong” Go jumped into the Magic 12 in the 2019 senatorial race, landing in 5th to 6th place. In the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from Jan. 23-26, Go made a huge jump from his 15th-16th place ranking in the December 2018 SWS survey to secure a place well within the winning circle, tied with reelectionist Sen. Sonny angara. Go expressed gratitude to the people for their trust and confidence in his capability to serve the nation as a legislator as he vowed to work even harder to present his advocacies to the Filipino people. “It’s heartwarming to realize you trust my capability and sincerity to serve the country. May this serve as inspiration for us to work harder in delivering to our countrymen the programs we wish to push forward for the benefit and prosperity of every Filipino,” Go said. “I’d like to change the mindset of people that a simple provincial man working as a staff, unpopular, not an actor, not from a family of politicians can dream of serving others in higher capacity,” he added. He also thanked his mentor, President Duterte, for endorsing his candidacy. In his recent sorties, the President has vouched for the character and integrity of his former top aide, stressing that Go is an “extremely honest” man and a dedicated public servant. “It helped a lot that I got endorsed by President Duterte
Sen. Grace Poe
whom I had served for 20 years and who really knows me well,” he said. “Thank you President Duterte. It only shows our countrymen’s strong belief in the changes you desire.” But he stressed that his recent rise in the survey means he should work harder and continue the service he is doing. “This only means we should work harder so we can better serve others. I will go to every corner, to the farthest place and the narrowest alleys just to help those in need most,” he said. “Just like what I promised you, I will be your bridge to the President, but I also want to be your bridge to real change that can benefit every Filipino,” he added. Go’s surge in the rating of senatorial candidates came more than a week before the start of the campaign period for national candidates in the 2019 midterm elections. Grace Poe still top Retaining the lead position in the SWS survey is Sen. Grace
Philstar.com photo
Poe, followed by Sen. cynthia Villar in 2nd place, former Sen. lito lapid in third and Rep. Pia cayetano in 4th. Sen. nancy Binay is in 7th place, while former senators Mar Roxas and Bong Revilla are tied in the 8th-9th place. completing the “Magic 12” are Sen. Koko Pimentel (10th), Sen. Bam aquino (11th) and former senator Jinggoy Estrada. Go’s legislative agenda prioritizes improved delivery of health services, including the institutionalization of Malasakit centers across the country. a Malasakit center brings together in one room all concerned government agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, PhilHealth, Philippine amusement and Gaming corp. and Philippine charity Sweepstakes Office, to make it easier for poor patients to avail themselves of medical and financial assistance from the government. n
De Lima camp wants Aquino, Bato among possible witnesses in drug case by Kristine Joy
Philstar.com
Patag
ManIla — The camp of Sen. leila de lima said on Friday, February 2, that they are looking into calling former President Benigno aquino III and former top cop Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as possible witnesses in the drug case against her. Filibon Tacardon, De lima’s legal counsel, told reporters on Friday, February 1, that they have included aquino as one of the possible witnesses in the case. “Because being the president, he has all the information relative to the topic... We want to present him to prove that at all times material in the case, there was no issue or rumor that would involve [De lima] in drug trading,” the lawyer said in a mix of Filipino and English. a transcript of the interview
was sent to reporters. Earlier on Friday, De lima was arraigned on the case on third conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. like in the first two cases against her, the senator did not make a plea before the court saying that she does not recognize the charge against her. The court, on her behalf, entered a not guilty plea. The senator is facing three drug-related charges over her alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drug trading inside the new Bilibid Prison when she was aquino’s Justice secretary. Bato dela Rosa, Sandra cam, Vitaliano aguirre II as possible witnesses Tacardon also said that they also want Dela Rosa to take the witness stand as the former top cop was quoted in news reports as threatening witnesses. The
lawyer said that they wanted Dela Rosa to explain in court the allegation that convicts, who are witnesses in the case, were pressured to testify. The lawyer also said that they want to call on former Justice Secretary Vitaliano aguirre II as a witness. “according to [De lima], as early as July 2016, she was hearing rumors that there are people who wanted to implicate her in the drug trade,” and aguirre was one of those people, said Tacardon. Tacardon also said that they wanted Sandra cam, who was revealed to have visited the nBP during the case build up and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio of the Volunteers against crime and corruption as possible witnesses. The Vacc is one of the private complainants in the drug cases against De lima. n
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A
Privacy Commission: No breach of data at DFA by BErnadEttE
tamayo ManilaTimes.net
People walk along the shore of Manila Bay along Roxas boulevard on Thursday, January 31.
ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan
16 firms issued cease and desist orders, violation notices for polluting Manila Bay by EirEEn
GomEz ManilaTimes.net
SIXTEEN more establishments were found polluting Manila Bay because of waste they were discharging directly into the bay, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said on Thursday, January 31. The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), one of the agencies tasked to rehabilitate Manila Bay, said these establishments violated provisions of Republic Act 4850 or LLDA Act of 1966, which included not conforming with the Effluent Standards for Class “SB” waters, according to the DENR. “SB” quality refers to water fit for ecotourism or recreational activities, including swimming, bathing and diving. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said that both the DENR
and the LLDA issued a total of 22 orders against the 16 establishments. The LLDA recommended cease and desist orders on four establishments, three with exparte orders, eight Notices of Violation for water pollution and seven Notices of Violation of other provisions under RA 4850. Given cease and desist orders were: Billion Bldg./Phil. Billion Real Estate Development Corp., HK Sun Plaza, Tramway Bayview Buffet Restaurant along Roxas Boulevard; and D Circle Hotel in Malate, Manila. Ex-parte orders were issued to Le Mirage De Malate, Builders 200 Inc; Smart Land Resources, and Malate Bayview Mansion, all in Malate, Manila. Notices of Violation for water pollution were sent to Sogo Hotel, Quirino; Government Service Insurance System in Pasay
City; Peak Motors Phils. Inc.; Makchang Korean Restaurant; 2Blue Realty Corp.; Cebuana Lhuillier Building, Robinsons Place Manila, and Rizal Park Hotel. The DENR and LLDA will also send Notices of Violations to Billion Bldg./Phil. Billion Real Estate Development Corp.; Smart Land Residences, Malate Bayview Mansion, Makchang Korean Restaurant, 2Blue Realty Corp., Cebuana Lhuillier Building, and Summit Ice Inc. for failing to comply with some of the provisions of RA 4850, such as failing to secure LLDA clearance and discharge permit: The LLDA identified these business establishments following the recent saturation activities in Manila Bay, as well as the results of laboratory analysis of the wastewater samples that were taken in the area. n
Palace quashes ‘no election’ fears MALACAñANG on Thursday, January 31, dismissed fears raised by Catholic bishops that the elections in May this year might not push through amid efforts to shift to a federal form of government. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte was committed to the holding of “clean, honest and credible” elections. “The president said there will be elections and it will be clean,
honest and credible,” he said in a news briefing. He was reacting to the statement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines that there could be attempts to “avoid” the midterm elections. The Catholic bishops said the people “should pay attention to the threat of constitutional change and federalism approved by the Lower House and now being dangled to the
senators.” “Its version of federalism is vague and it will do away with the 2019 elections. We denounce any attempt to avoid the elections. This right of the people to vote should not be shelved,” they added. “It takes away the term limits of most of the elected officials and allows political dynasties to continue. Let us be vigilant.” (ManilaTimes.net)
ing a person or organization that instructs another person or orgaTHE NATIONAL Privacy Com- nization to collect, hold, process, mission (NPC) has allayed fears use, transfer or disclose personal that the reported passport data information on his or her behalf. PIP refers to any natural or jubreach had compromised their ridical person or any other body personal information. NPC Chairman Raymund to whom a PIC may outsource or Liboro said the agency had instruct the processing of persearched the internet to de- sonal data pertaining to a data termine whether the reported subject. Liboro met with some officials “missing” passport database was already “floating” in the “black of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on January 16 for 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 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, includ-
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, Undersecre-
u PAGE A9
A8 FEBRUARY 2-5, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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O PINION Suicide bombers
FEATURES
HE’S the commander-in-chief and therefore privy to classified information. So people believe President Duterte when he announces that two foreign suicide bombers were likely responsible for the explosions that killed at least 21 people and wounded about 100 others during the morning mass last Sunday at the cathedral in Jolo, Sulu. A woman blew herself up inside the church while her male companion, said to be her husband, was responsible for the blast in a military outpost just outside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel cathedral, the president said. Both bombers were reportedly Yemenis. The president also reportedly declared war on the terrorist Islamic State, giving credence to the group’s claim of responsibility for the attack. Security officials had earlier dismissed the IS claim, pointing instead to an Abu Sayyaf cell, called Ajang-Ajang, as the likely culprit. On Thursday, January 31, the Armed Forces conducted airstrikes on Abu Sayyaf lairs in Sulu, heralding the start of an offensive against the extremist group. Counterterrorism officials said the information on the Yemeni couple, which apparently came from a Singapore-based security analyst, still had to be validated. For now, however, the statement of the commander-in-chief is not going to
be ignored. This would take the extremist threat to a new and potentially more dangerous level. Suicide bombers are among the most lethal weapons in the terrorist arsenal. Filipino Islamists are not known to be suicidal, preferring instead to commit homicide and murder. Defense officials are reportedly monitoring around 40 foreigners believed to be terrorists in Basilan, Sulu and parts of SOCCSKSARGEN. While validating intel, security officials cannot afford to discount the possible involvement of foreigners in the attack on the Jolo cathedral. It wouldn’t be the first time: an Indonesian bomb-maker of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah was convicted in connection with the deadly bomb attacks on a Light Rail Transit coach and several other targets in Metro Manila on Dec. 30, 2000. The idea of foreign suicide bombers operating in the Philippines may sound wild. With 21 people angle can be considered too farfetched to pursue. dead and about 100 others wounded, however, no If the terrorist threat has been carried to a new
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
level, security officials cannot afford to be unprepared. (Philstar.com)
Lessons learned from the first annual AANHPI Educators Summit in SoCal Rhizomes PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. WITH BIANCA NEPALES “We never know how our small activities will affect others through the invisible fabric of our connectedness. In this exquisitely connected world, it’s never a question of ‘critical mass.’ It’s always about critical connections.” - Grace Lee Boggs “Four decades after Dr. King’s death, we are a very different nation. We are a nation where the White population will become the minority in the nation’s schools in just a few years. We are a nation where nearly a fifth of public school students come from linguistic minority families. Even though there is no significant effort to desegregate our schools now, thousands of American schools, mostly in the suburbs, are going through racial and ethnic change as Black and Latino families move away from central urban areas and many city schools experience displacement of one minority by another. Since teaching is the one profession that must interact effectively and in great depth with nine-tenths of the nation’s young people, lack of training and support means, at best, lost opportunities for deeper
and more effective relationships. At worst, it means being helpless in the face of serious divisions coming into our schools from the outside community. American parents, by very large majorities, want their children to grow up understanding how to relate successfully with all groups in a diverse society. For this to happen, and for our society to avoid projecting into ever larger sectors of suburbia the kinds of poor race relations and resegregation that damaged so many urban neighborhoods, teachers must have the tools to understand and relate to students and parents from all backgrounds and to help children understand the very diverse and changing society they will live in.” – Gary Orfield, The Civil Rights Project at UCLA A group of about 20 Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) educators and advocates voluntarily organized a summit for Southern California AANHPI educators during the last weekend in January. The intent was to build community across schools, districts, and identities, deepen its collective understanding of AANHPI experiences with education, and create space to affirm and respond to the needs and challenges. Nearly 70 attendees, some traveling from as far as Sacramento and San Diego, convened
Group photo from Saturday, January 26 shows nearly 70 attendees during the first summit for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) educators.
at Bright Star Rise Kohyang Middle School in Koreatown on Saturday, January 26 to engage in the summit’s theme of “Inward, Outward, Onward” as a way to build community, learn from each other, and set the stage for future action. A highlight of the summit was a focus on deepening the collective understanding of AANHPI experiences with education, and the ways in which AANHPI experiences might be represented in education equity conversations. “Now, more than ever, our voices are heard, our leadership
Election na naman (again)
Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA THE hot topic at my favorite watering hole in Daly City is the 2019 midterm election in the Philippines, scheduled on May 13. That date is an unlucky one for the superstitious and will certainly be unlucky for most candidates, but lucky for some. Only 12 Senate seats are open for who knows how many wannabe senators have filed their candidacies. Then there are those running for the House of Representatives, including the party list candidates. That’s several dozens, if not hundreds. Plus the provincial, municipal and city officials. “That’s a lot of candidates,” says Pete behind the bar. “And a lot of money going around.” “Pista na naman!” exclaims Bert who is nursing his beer at a table. “Alam mo na…vote-buying and vote-selling.” “Election time is the only time that the common tao makes money off the politicians,” says Danny at another table. “The rest of the
time, the politicians make money off the common tao.” “In the Philippines, running for public office is like going into business,” says Pete with unveiled sarcasm. “Siyempre one has to invest in the business.” “And siyempre, they expect to make a profit,” adds Bert. “So, the first thing the winning candidates do is concentrate on the ROI — the return on investment.” “But there are winners and there are losers,” butts in Danny. And he mimicks Tony, who owns the noodle restaurant nearby. Danny puts his fingers over his eyes and squints: “Minsan maliit kita. Minsan malaki kita. Minsan wala kita.” Laughter follows that until they all realize that the joke is on them. “What happens to the common tao?” asks Danny and he answers his own question.”Wala kita. Wala kain.” “Serves us right!” declares Bert. “Nagpapa-gago kasi tayo. Look at the candidates running for Senator. Puede mo nang tawaging The Plunderers. Pero, mananalo pa rin dahil gago ang botante.”
“That’s us!” says Danny who is a dual citizen and plans to vote at the Philippine consulate. “We voters never learn. We elect Noynoy Aquino for president. What happened? Buck-passer pala. We elect Duterte president dahil daw may change. Short-change pala. We elect Trump president. Hustler pala. Wala tayong panalo.” At this, Art, who has been quietly guzzling his beer in a corner, speaks up. “Ako mananalo. I’m running for Senator. Tiyak na walang talo!” I have also been quietly drinking my beer without saying a word. But Art’s remark intrigues me. “What makes you think you’re qualified?” I ask. “What makes you think the other candidates are qualified?” he shoots back. “Besides, what qualifications do you need to run for the senate, anyway?” I throw it right back at him: “Well, what do you think are the qualifications?” “First of all, you’ve got to have name recognition.” “You mean, popularity?” “Popularity. Notoriety. It doesn’t matter, as long as your name rings a bell and people can pick you out from among the
Photo courtesy of Bianca Nepales
is seen and convening other folks who have long not seen themselves in famous leadership is an important part of healing. It is an imperative to fully represent the stories and hope the future holds,” said Ruth Le, one of the summit organizers and current special education high school educator. Nationally, only 2.5 percent of all public school teachers identify as Asian American Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, while 6 percent of all students in the LA Unified School District (LAUSD), the nation’s secondlargest school district, identify
as AANHPI. The summit organizers believe that Southern California can and should be prime space for its kids and families to receive an affirming and responsive education, which starts with teachers understanding the unique role they play given their own identity in relationship to their students. By creating a space to affirm and respond to needs and challenges experienced by participants, the summit organizers hope to set the stage for a future of community-building and collective action. “Growing up, I didn’t have
many role models to look up to who looked like me. Spaces like these guided me in finding my leadership voice and political identity — a space of transformation and community,” shared Jacqulyn Whang, a current educator with Compton Unified School District who is also leading a yoga workshop at the summit. In America, analyses of racial inequities in education typically focus on disparities between the experiences of African-American or Latin@/x kids (colloquially, “black and brown” kids) and
long list of candidates,” he replies with authority. You would have thought people ran for public office based on integrity, patriotism, leadership, intellectual capacity and all that noble stuff, but Art seems to know better. “Remember how Ramon Revilla lost when he first ran for the Senate?” he continues. “That was because he was listed as Jose Bautista and voters couldn’t tell him from Joseng Batute. But when he ran under his screen name, he won. In advertising, that’s called brand awareness.” Art has obviously consulted a marketing expert. “Of course,” he adds, “Revilla was lucky Nardong Putik wasn’t around to run against him. Putik would have beaten him hands down.” Art has more to say about name recognition: “You must be the most or the first of whatever you are…like the biggest plunderer.” “You mean, Bong Revilla?” “Or you must be the biggest alalay.” “You mean Bong Go?” “Or the biggest berdugo.” Nobody wants to comment on that one, except Pete at the bar. “Bato bato sa langit!” he puns. “But you’re not the most or the
first of anything,” I remind Art. “Which brings me to another important qualification,” he parries, ignoring my comment. “Money.” “Are you saying you have a hundred million to spend?” I ask incredulously. “That brings me to still another vital qualification: financial backers.” Art seems to have figured out all the angles. “You’ve got to have backers with plenty of money who are willing to bet on your candidacy.” “Bet? You mean, as in gambling?” “Well, isn’t that what politics is all about? Businessmen and special interest groups place bets on candidates who can pay them back with favors when they win.” “And if they lose?” “Candidates lose but special interest groups don’t,” is his quick reply. “They bet on all the horses, if you know what I mean.” “Are you saying that you have financial backers to fund your campaign?” He ignores this and makes another point: “That brings me to the next important qualification: a political machinery.” “You mean, ward leaders, poll watchers and that sort of thing?”
“Plus private army, dirty tricks specialists, media retainers, the whole works.” “Are you saying you have all of those?” He ignores me again. “That brings me to the most important qualification when running for public office. Utak1.” With a wink, he points a finger at his head. “I learned this from a friend who ran in one election,” Art continues. “He managed to get on the senatorial tickets of both Imelda Marcos and Erap Estrada who were both running for president. Imelda and Erap had name recognition, money, financial backers and even a political machinery, but they had to scrape the bottom of the barrel for candidates.” “So they picked your friend,” I say. “Right. He knew the right people, so he landed on both tickets. He got a share of the campaign funds which he pocketed. He took advantage of the political machinery, without spending anything.” “And he won?” “No , he lost,” Art replies. “But he made a lot of money. So he also won!” (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 2-5, 2019
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Lessons learned from the first annual... PAGE A8 t
their white peers. Framing the fight against educational inequities in this way renders invisible the needs and contributions of AANHPI communities in any of that work, according to research conducted by Benjamin Chang on Asian Americans and education. For a moment, it took me back to 1980s with organizations like Asian Americans Advancing Justice (formerly Asian Law Caucus, Asian Pacific American Legal Center) and Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) who were focused on addressing social inequalities through civil rights work and training leaders in higher learning. I remember attending education conferences of APAHE and leaving inspired. It was empowering to listen to conference speakers: black, brown and white professors who had stellar academic achievements in the field of education, know how to teach from the ground up, and are able to speak from a wealth of experience, from praxis or actual practice, what it takes to teach with equity-centered leadership and fairness and to develop curriculums. They invited community leaders as well to speak on best practices. They were not just buzzwords, but APAHE’s conference workshops reflected teaching and leadership development content, borne out of actual leadership and educational experiences for decades and more. It paralleled what I saw in SoCal AANHPI Educators Summit presenters, Sarah Ha and Ricco Siasoco, each having 15 years plus experiences of teaching and advocacies. It was a unique combination of seeing a Ricco, a former professor at Boston College presenting with his former student Sarah. They had a positive mindset, ability to influence others with their presentations, who work with respect and humility
Ricco Siasoco and Sarah Ha
for those who attended the summit workshop. In a short period of time, they got folks to reflect on their past, position themselves in a collective timeline prepared by LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics), an organization we had supported in the past. LEAP timelines for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders first dated back to June 9, 1880 when 148 Japanese were in the continental United States. However, this session also illuminated how the AANHPI community is missing a complex and comprehensive AANHPI history. I noticed that the timeline glaringly lacked the history of Filipinos Americans in Louisiana since the 1700s, who originated the dried shrimp industry. They were Filipino sailors under the rule of the Spanish who escaped the Spanish galleons to establish the fishing village of Saint Malo in Louisiana, “Filipinos pioneered the dried shrimp industry, the predecessor of the modern shrimp industry,� says Robert Romero, the President of the Filipino Louisiana Historical Society. “There [was] no refrigeration then, and after you have
Photo by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz
been catching all these shrimp, so you have to just dry them.� Manila Village, Bassa Bassa and other Gulf Coast Filipino settlements would later be credited. (Source: Ricco Siasoco’s slide presentation at the Summit, Jan. 2019). This caught my attention that one of the tenets of this summit’s session on ‘Sharing our Stories: Solidarity Across AANHPI Lines of Difference’ is – “We cannot understand U.S. history without understanding Asian American history,� Dr. Erica Lee, author of the Making of Asian Americans. My challenge to the summit organizers is to contact LEAP and correct this significant milestone omission. A multicultural summit of educators Equally valuable in the exercise is an impression that we are all coming from diverse backgrounds, previously censusprofiled at 25 Asian American groups in the 1980s, to now 48 diverse groups, speaking 300+ languages, according to Ha, who is also the Senior Managing Director of National Asian American and Pacific Islander Alliance
Privacy Commission: No breach of... PAGE A7 t
tary 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
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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
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servallos ManilaTimes.net
Former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla all smiles as he leaves Sandiganbayan on the morning of Dec. 7, 2018. Philstar.com photo by Michael Marcelo
Ombudsman insists: Bong Revilla liable to pay P125-M in damages tHe Office of the Ombudsman has urged the Sandiganbayan to compel former Sen. ramon “Bong” revilla to pay P124.5 million in civil damages to the national treasury, despite his acquittal in a plunder case over the use of his pork barrel funds. in a 17-page motion to the antigraft court’s First Division on Jan. 28, state prosecutors said that while revilla was acquitted of plunder, it did not mean he had no civil liability since the crime was executed through his office. they noted that in its decision to acquit revilla and convict his chief of staff richard Cambe and pork barrel scam mastermind Janet lim-Napoles in the criminal case, the court took time to distinguish by name the three accused. But in the court’s order for the payment of civil damages, it used the word “accused” without distinction, they said.
the prosecutors said they took this to mean that revilla was included in the order to pay civil damages. in its decision on the plunder case, the Sandiganbayan said the accused were “solidarily and jointly liable to return to the national treasury the amount of P124,500,000.” Collective term ‘accused’ “Had the court wanted to exclude revilla, it could have simply and easily named Cambe and Napoles in the third paragraph, as it did in the first paragraph [of the decision]. it would not have used the collective term “accused” without exception and distinction,” the prosecution said. “Courts can acquit an accused on reasonable doubt but still order payment of civil damages in the same case,” said the prosecutors, led by lawyer Manuel t. Soriano Jr. “As then senator of the Philip-
pines, revilla should be held accountable to return the amount of money bled out from the coffers of the government by the scheme and scam maneuvered by a public officer under his direct supervision and control,” they said. revilla was negligent in his duties since he allowed the pork barrel scam “to flourish under his nose,” they added. But revilla’s lawyer, estelito Mendoza, said in a statement that since his client was acquitted of criminal liability in the case, he could not be ordered to pay civil damages. “Our laws are supposed to be instruments of justice. in criminal cases, justice is served when the guilty party is found to have committed the offense charged beyond reasonable doubt, otherwise, he may not be punished by any measure,” Mendoza said. (Patricia Denise Chiu/Inquirer. net)
Palace: Long way to go in fight vs corruption by ChristiNa
meNdez
Philstar.com
MANilA — Malacañang admitted on thursday, January 31 that the fight against corruption still has a long way to go despite the improvement in the Philippines’ ranking in a global corruption index. “the President has truly displayed leadership by example and we expect to see further progress in our ranking and make the country’s score at par with the Asia-Pacific regional average,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday. “Corruption, however, cannot be obliterated overnight for it has significantly developed within our country’s system of
governance through the years.” Panelo welcomed transparency international’s Corruption Perceptions index 2018, which saw a 12-notch jump of the Philippines’ ranking from 111th in 2017 to 99th among 180 countries last year. Duterte has been implementing a strong campaign against corruption, which is among the centerpiece programs of his administration. “We see this issue as a constant battle which entails more work on our part but despite this and the challenges which confront the administration, we commit not just to improve our country’s ranking but to stay on track in combating the iniquities of corruption as we vow to end
its culture in government,” Panelo said. He added that the new rating “is a validation that the Duterte administration is making significant strides in promoting accountability and good governance in the public sector.” in his quest to eliminate corruption in the bureaucracy, Panelo pointed out, Duterte has fired military and top government officials, including his longtime friends and allies. the government also launched hotline 8888 to attend to citizens’ complaints against erring officers. As an added effort, Duterte also ordered strict compliance of the executive branch to the freedom of information law and cut red tape in line agencies. n
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) led by Dir. Gen. Aaron Aquino with Bureau of Custom (BOC) Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero renewed their partnership to prevent the entry of illegal drugs and controlled precusors and essential chemicals into the Country during a signing of Memorandum of Agreement held at PDEA office in Quezon City. Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos
PDEA, Customs to improve coordination in fight vs drugs by romiNa
Cabrera Philstar.com
MANilA — Following the issue on the shabu that went missing after it was seized at port last year, the Philippine Drug enforcement Agency (PDeA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have agreed to have better coordination in the fight against illegal drugs. the two agencies came up with a “stronger” memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will allow PDeA more extensive powers over the country’s ports and become the custodian of all seized illegal drugs. “With this MOA, i can assure you that no more drugs will enter the country,” said PDeA director general Aaron Aquino during a ceremonial signing on thursday, January 31. He pointed out his agency previously has a very limited working function with the BOC, but
that this would change as the agreement allows PDeA agents an expanded presence in the ports and enhanced “working capability” with the customs office. the new MOA amends the previous agreement signed by the two agencies on Sept. 10. it grants PDeA the custody of seized illegal drugs, deputizes its personnel to join BOC operations and grants agents the authority to conduct random searches on vessels. Both agencies agreed to create a drug interdiction task group that will be under BOC control, although operational supervision would be shared by their respective chiefs, supposedly for better information sharing. BOC Commissioner leonardo Guerrero said that they realize the PDeA’s role as the lead agency in the war against drugs following an incident where two
shabu shipments – worth P6.4 billion in 2017 and P11 billion – slipped through the BOC last year. two former heads of the BOC have found themselves embroiled in the incidents. More recently, former BOC commissioner isidro lapeña, who also used to head PDeA, was charged by the National Bureau of investigation (NBi) before the Department of Justice over the P2.4-billion shabu found at the Manila port and another for the empty lifters that allegedly contained P11 billion worth of shabu. Guerrero said the filing of charges against lapeña by the NBi would help “keep the BOC on its toes” in the fight against illegal drugs. “it reminds us that we have to be very careful against smuggling and illegal drugs,” Guerrero added during the briefing. n
A Pulitzer-winning journalist on thursday, January 31 called on student journalists to help restore the trust of the public in the media during the Manila times’ recognition of some of the best outputs of Philippine campus papers. Manuel Mogato, a veteran journalist working for reuters, who last year won the Pultizer Prize for international reporting, said student journalists play an important role in safeguarding journalism at a time when the public has become cynical of the media’s role in upholding a vibrant democracy. “this is an urgent call to restore the trust of the public all the while upholding and practicing the highest standards and excellence in journalism,” Mogato told the campus journalists during his speech at the Manila times’ Campus Press Awards. Mogato also urged journalists to hold the line, as the country gradually becomes more dangerous for media practitioners. “the Philippines, despite having no nationwide armed turmoil, has been ranked as one of the most dangerous countries to practice journalism in, among countries that have ensuing conflict,” he said. the Manila times on thursday gave 33 awards to several campus papers and journalists all around the country in the high school and college levels. Dante Francis Ang 2nd, president and chief executive officer of the Manila times, called the awards as the product of the newspaper’s enduring legacy and a recognition of the campus press as the future of the industry. “With these awards, we recognize the efforts and standards of campus papers that we at the Manila times practice and [uphold],” he said.
Pulitzer-winning journalist Manuel Mogato
the Manila times named De la Salle university’s la Sallian and Ang Kalasag of the Virgen delas Flores High School as the best newspapers in english and Filipino, respectively. the Varsitarian of the university of Santo tomas (College) and Winston, the voice of British School Manila (High School), won best websites. the BDO “We Find Ways Special Award” was awarded to la Salle for the best story on innovation. the Campus Press Awards also recognized Scribble of Siena College taytay and la Salle’s Malate literary Folio as the best magazines for the two levels. Students from uSt and la Salle (College); Sibagat National High School and rizal National High School bagged Best News Story awards in both language categories. the awards for Best editorial were won by uSt, Philippine Science High School Calabarzon and Virgen delas Flores High School. Students from la Salle and ignacio Villamor High School won Best Photography awards. the Best Opinion Columns were won by students from uSt, trece Martires National High
ManilaTimes.net photo
School and Virgen delas Flores High School. Saint Michael’s College of laguna, Pasig Science High School, Malabon National High School, Alabat island National High School and la Salle’s sports stories were awarded best in their respective categories. the Best Feature Stories were awarded to students from university of San Agustin iloilo, Philippine Science High School Calabarzon and Virgen delas Flores High School. the awards also recognized students’ eye for aesthetics through the Best layout and Design and Best editorial Cartoon Awards, both of which were won by the School of Saint Anthony. university of San Agustin and the university of rizal System also won the awards, respectively. the Manila times also recognized literary excellence through its Best literary Story awards, which were won by emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite and De la Salle university-Dasmariñas (english), university of rizal System and Columban College-Barreto (Filipino). the Campus Press Awards is annually held and is organized by the Manila times and the Manila times College. n
First Filipino-made hybrid electric train to hit tracks in April by Krixia
subiNgsubiNg Inquirer.net
iN 2013, a team composed of 10 engineers from the Metal industry research and Development Center of the Department of Science and technology (DOSt) were supposed to salvage parts from boogeys (undercarriages) of old Philippine National railways (PNr) trains to improve those still running. “then we thought, why not make the first Filipino-made prototype for a train?” Pablo Acuin, the team leader, told the inquirer. in November 2015, Acuin’s team finished working on a sleek, light blue hybrid electric train (Het) that could operate on either diesel or batteries. the P120-million electric-powered train is one of the three mass transit technologies the DOSt has developed over the years. the other two are the hybrid electric road train (without tracks) in General Santos City and the automated guided transit system (monorail) on the university of the Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City. Should the new train pass validation tests (150 hours of running time with passengers on board), it would be added to the regular PNr fleet starting April 1, plying the Calamba-Alabang route, according to Jocelyn Geronimo, PNr assistant general manager. “it’s just a matter of complying with our requirements,” Geronimo said on Monday afternoon, adding: “this means passing the validation tests, readying our people on how to operate the train and [putting] into writing
This sleek, light blue hybrid electric train is expected to join the regular fleet of the Philippine National Railways in April. Inquirer.net photo by Krixia Subingsubing
a training manual for our PNr drivers.” this is a positive development for the first Filipino-made hybrid electric train that has yet to be deployed more than three years after its completion. Road block to deployment Part of the problem, said Geronimo, was that the PNr was hard-pressed to provide the ideal conditions for testing its performance. Before the validation tests, the train needed to be operated for 5,000 km without any passengers. But the only available tracks were on the southern segment of the tutuban-Alabang route. With hundreds of families living along the tracks, as well as crisscrossing cables dangling overhead, it took some time for
the train to rack up the required 5,000 km running hours. “Normally, running that route should take only two hours. But the train was taking at least four to five hours,” Geronimo said. Acuin’s team also had to modify certain parts of the train to make it more compatible not just with the PNr system but also with the environment. Minor modification this meant, for example, trading the tempered glass windows for polycarbonate and lining it with mesh wire to protect passengers from stones lobbed by mischief-makers—the PNr trains’ worst affliction, Acuin said. Just as fast and way cheaper to operate and maintain, the DOSt train is expected to augment the
u PAGE A11
Lessons learned from the first annual... PAGE A9 t
at teach for America. What was heartening was that the SoCal AANHPi educators Summit gathered 90 teachers from different parts of California, and were from these cultural backgrounds: Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, taiwanese, indian, thai, Cambodian, laotian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific islander. the use of technology assisted in the profile assessments of these attendees. the diversity of experiences and backgrounds represented reflected the need for AANHPi teachers to have stronger self-awareness of their identities and impact. Workshop leaders Ha and Siasoco emphasized that those represented also must be cognizant of many other groups are not represented and their narratives still need to be included, as their voices. the erasure of AANHPi folks from education conversations also means that AANHPi educators can often be ill-prepared to think critically about the impact of their identities in the relationship to their students and schools. According to an article from the Harvard Graduate School of edu-
cation, AANHPi educators often have a less robust foundation of research from which to interrogate the impact of their identities on students of all races and ethnicities. the summit provided spaces for these young teachers to articulate their voices, to share their past histories and to have the agency to do so – meaning they are empowered and presumed to have the “critical literacy.” that would mean having the facility to critically process the information they have absorbed, and apply logically to present situations and find solutions and address the problems. Schools can better serve all students if teachers more deeply understood AANHPi needs, and ways to address these challenges using tools such as “critical literacy.” the erasure of AANHPi communities reinforces the “model minority myth,” a (false) belief that allegations of systematic racism (voiced initially by African-Americans) must be unfounded because Asians have been able to leverage hard work toward their American success. in this case, when inequities facing AANHPi folks are not
given space in education conversations, we perpetuate the incorrect notion that AANHPi communities do not face challenges in education. this assumption of AANHPi earned immunity against inequity both disservices AANHPi youth and fuels excuses that allow the needs of non-AANHPi youth of color to be ignored. Here’s hoping that the summit organizers and participants continue to fuel their momentum to address these inequities in this generation. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 2-5, 2019
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More Filipinos believe lives improved in Q4 of 2018 Diokno: PH Asia’s next success story by raLPh ViLLanueVa ManilaTmes.net
MORE Filipinos believe that their lives have improved, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said in a survey in mid-December of 2018. Of the 1,440 respondents aged 18 and above, 37 percent said their lives got better while 25 percent said it worsened. The number of “gainers” in the survey that was taken from December 16 to 19 was 9 percentage points higher than the 28 percent in September of the same year. The number of “losers” declined
by 5 percentage points, from September’s 30 percent. This resulted in a net rating of +12, a significant increase from the -2 of the previous quarter. The pollster classified the mark as “very high.” The survey found that the net gainers rose in all regions across the country. This was significant in Mindanao, where the net gainers increased to +18, from September’s net 0. It also rose in Metro Manila at +14 from the -4 net rating of the previous quarter. In Balance Luzon, the net gain-
ers were at +13 rating from -3 last quarter. Net gainers were +3 in the Visayas from 0 in September. The net rating also rose in all classes, especially in class E, which registered a +12 from -14 in September. It also rose in classes A, B and C, where it saw a net rating of +23 from -1 in the last quarter. Class D had an 11-point turnaround from 0 in September. The survey had sampling error margins of ±2.6 percent for national percentages and ±5 percent each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. n
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 business 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 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 In this Oct. 11, 2018 photo, Maranao leader Samira Gutoc-Tomawis files her certificate of the transitory inflationary impact candidacy for senator in the 2019 midterm polls. Philstar.com photo of the tax reform already stabilizing, the Department of Budget twin bombings of a cathedral in nors of the Philippine Center for and Management chief added. Islam and Democracy. Jolo, Sulu. The Philippines has also made PCID, in a feature on her ap- headway in the capital mar“We hear on the TV and radio that the president himself encour- pointment to the BTC, said that kets, he said. With an offering of ages people to hurt, steal from Gutoc “has worked with projects USD1.5 billion of 10-year Global and kill bishops. The president’s supported by UNESCO, AUS- Bonds, the country has successattacks are directed to the Catho- AID, USAID, Department of For- fully returned to international lic Church. Mr. President, you’re eign Affairs to mainstream Mus- capital markets. part of the problem,” Gutoc said lim images in media publishing materials to popularize Code of earlier this week. Gutoc was a member of the Muslim Personal Laws among Bangsamoro Transition Com- others.” Locsin, a former journalist, is PAGE A10 t mission but quit her post after Duterte joked that he would take an active Twitter user and some- 11 operational PNR trains, most responsibility for any soldier con- times uses the platform for tweets of which run on diesel, he addvicted of rape during the imple- related to his job as head of the ed. This makes the HET the more mentation of martial law in Min- Department of Foreign Affairs. In option, January, he claimed that a French environment-friendly danao. Prior to her work with the BTC, contractor had “run away” with Acuin said. It is also powered by regenGutoc was a member of the Re- Filipinos’ passport data, later also gional Legislative Assembly in tweeting the data was not “run- erative braking, which means the train transforms the kinetic the Autonomous Region in Mus- away-able” after all. In November, he used Twit- energy generated during a stop lim Mindanao. She has also worked with ter to call the attention of a DFA into stored electric power for its stakeholders in the peace pro- assistant secretary to issues be- generators. “It’s not a unique technolcess in Mindanao for nearly a two ing raised by overseas Filipinos ogy but it is ingenious,” Acuin decades and is among the conve- working in Libya. n
Gutoc twits Locsin for saying she ‘doesn’t know’ peace issues by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com
Viray
MANILA — Responding to an online comment by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., senatorial bet Samira GutocTomawis pointed out that she is well aware of the peace situation in Mindanao. On Thursday, January 31, Locsin reshared a news article about Gutoc, commenting that she “doesn’t know what she is talking about.” In the article, the Maranao civic leader, a former member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission that worked on the draft of what would become the Bangsamoro Organic Law, was quoted saying that President Rodrigo Duterte was part of the peace problem in the country. Gutoc was quick to clap back at Locsin on Twitter, pointing out that he was the one who did not know what he “traded” his principles for. “If you think rape jokes and violence quips have nothing to with peace, then I rest my case,” Gutoc told Locsin. “And between you and me, sir — ikaw naka aircon at ako isang bakwit at naranasan ang epekto ng gyera sa pami-pamilya, I definitely know what I am talking about,” she added. (You’re in air-conditioned comfort, I am an evacuee who has experienced how war affects families, I definitely know what I’m talking about) In a press briefing earlier this week, Gutoc blamed the president’s allegedly divisive politics, saying they might have led to the
“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 percent 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
Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno Philstar.com photo
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)
First Filipino-made hybrid electric train to... said. “It’s minimizing the infrastructure needed to operate the train.” While it can accommodate only around 800 to 900 passengers compared to the old PNR trains which can ferry 1,100 to 1,200 people, the HET’s capacity should be enough to service the Calamba-Alabang route, which serves about 1,000 people daily. Acuin said they were hoping to use the PNR run to kickstart the commercial manufacturing of other Pinoy-made trains.
“If we are successful, we can urge bus makers and other industries to partner up with us for mass production. That way we can kickstart production of mass transit technologies for the country,” he added. Geronimo agreed, saying that “if the government could see that we can build our own trains then there would be no reason not to support [us]. It’s the obligation of the government to make sure there is mass transport for the public and ensure mobility.” n
A12 February 2-5, 2019 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2-5, 2019
SHOWBIZ&STYLE
B
Journal Enchong Dee, Janine Gutierrez – first up for 2019’s Valentine movies by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net
BEAUTIFUL actors Enchong Dee and Janine Gutierrez will beat the rest of showbiz’ Valentine pair-ups to the punch this year as their tandem unfolds on the big screen. Titled “Elise,” the romanticcomedy with dramatic touches serves as Regal Entertainment’s annual offering for the month of love as well as the long established production company’s opening salvo for 2019. According to the talented pair,
Elise is actually a reunion for them since they had already worked in the 2016 horror flick “Lila.” At the Valentine offering’s media launch, Dee and Gutierrez shared they were both happy to find out Regal had cast them for their first movie of the year. “After nung first project, sobra kaming naging magkaibigan. We stayed in touch and we’d still go out even before we found out magkakatrabaho kami sa Elise,” Dee enthused. “What’s great about working with Janine is that we share the same values. Iniisip nila dahil magkaiba ang TV station namin, iba din yung atake and yung
working attitude namin. But no, Janine is actually very easy and fun to be with whether on the set or off-cam.” “Tawa lang kami ng tawa behind the scenes,” Janine agreed, “and hindi na ako nahirapang mag-adjust kasi komportable na talaga ako sa kanya.” The Kapamilya and Kapuso stars are especially thrilled to be given a very unique rom-com in that Elise’s story is based on real events. According to Director Joel Ferrer, he was inspired by a story of a quick-witted but sickly and emotional guy who falls for a strong and independent woman named Elise. They had known each other since they were youngsters, part-
Chenza Puno gives tribute to her father Rico J. Puno in the upcoming concert “The Way We Were”
FRIDAY, February 22 will be an unforgettable evening as it marks the much anticipated first tribute concert to the Total Entertainer Rico J. Puno since his passing last October 30, 2018. Rico’s youngest daughter 17-year-old Chenza Puno is set to headline this heartfelt tribute concert together with special guests her sister the beautiful and talented Dorica Puno-Ariosa, Philippine pride who’s original songs are featured on iHeart radio, awarded by the Malibu Music Awards, singer-songwriter Malou Toler, acoustic folk-rock singer Mon Concepcion and Chenza’s music mentor Singer/ Songwriter, Beverly Hills legend Piano Man David B. Graham. Opening the show will be a special auction and a performance by America’s Got Talent finalists and multi-awarded magicians Cecile and Mighty. It will be sound engineered by A8 Creatives DJ Aljess.
17-year-old Chenza Puno
Chenza Puno with her father Rico J. Puno during his last concert tour in the U.S. in April 2018.
This tribute is Chenza Puno’s very first project as a concert producer (RCP Entertainment). Chenza wishes to continue her father’s legacy through her music. She is a singer-songwriter and has been singing for big crowds since the age of 4. You may check out Chenza’s official website www. chenzamusic.com. Celebrate and reminisce the timeless songs of the soul music
pioneer of the Philippines, OPM legend who gave his heart and soul for over 40yrs to making people happy through his music. Don’t miss it! “The Way We Were” A Tribute Concert for the Total Entertainer Rico J. Puno on Friday, February 22, 6:30 p.m. at Hoover Auditorium 651 Glenwood Rd. Glendale CA 91202. For tickets call (949) 287-8143 or visit Eventbrite.com.
ing ways later on to study and pursue their personal goals. Years after, their paths cross and puppy love grows into a real romance but not without its share of struggles. Ferrer — who happens to be the writer of the film as well — went on to say that Elise is not just a love story. “Lahat naman tayo may someone [special] before. For some — artists especially — they write a song about them or paint their feelings. Ako naman, I expressed it in a form of a script ko. Very experiential siya sa akin,” he admitted. “But above all the story of Elise is finding your purpose in life.”
Janine Gutierrez and Enchong Dee Photo from Instagram/@janinegutierrez
B FEBRUARY 2-5, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Football 101
EDITOR’S Note: With Super Bowl LIII between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots this upcoming Sunday, February 3, the Asian Journal is repurposing its handy guide to one of the biggest sports events of the year. This year’s game will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (kick off at 6:30 p.m. EST), being the first Super Bowl to be held at the new stadium. Sunday will mark the third time Atlanta will play host to the game. Before you head to a Super Bowl party on Sunday, learn and brush up on football lingo. Object of the game: To outscore the opposing team. TERMS Down: A period of action that begins as soon as the ball is put into play and ends when the ball is ruled dead, when a player is tackled or if the ball goes out of bounds. The offensive team is given four downs to advance the ball 10 yards. Should it fail to do this, the offense must surrender the ball to the defensive team, which it typically does by punting on the final down. Fumble: The act of losing possession of the ball while running before a tackle or score occurs. Members of both teams can recover a tackle. Should the defense obtain the ball, it is called a turnover. A fumble can also occur if a reciever loses the ball after a catch. Interception: A pass made by the offensive team that is caught by the defensive player. This ends the offense’s possession of the ball.
Kick off: An action that occurs at the beginning of the first and third periods, and after each successful field goal and touchdown. It involves the “kicking team” kicking the ball to the “receiving team.” Punt: A kick in which a player drops the ball from their hands and kicks it before it hits the ground. This kick typically occurs on the fourth down when the offense has failed to advance the ball 10 yards. Although the offense can choose to attempt to advance the ball again, by punting, the opponent is likely to start farther up the field than they otherwise would. Snap: The action when the center tosses the ball backward between the legs to the quarterback, marking the start of a play. Tackle: The act of stopping a player in possession of the ball by seizing and throwing them to the ground. How the game works A football game consists of four 15-minute quarters with a 12-minute halftime break between the second and third periods. Before a game begins, the captains from both teams meet with the referee at the center of the field for a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss gets to decide to start the game by either kicking the ball to the other team or receiving the kick off from their opponent. Once the kick off happens, the game begins. The team receiving the ball must try to bring it as far back toward the kicking team as possible and get it into their end zone. This is
EntErtainmEnt
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Illustration by Kendrick Tan
done most commonly by running with the ball either by carrying it and running. Although this yields less yardage, advancing the ball this way reduces the risk of accidentally turning over the ball to the other team. The team in possession of the ball has four opportunities called “downs” to advance the ball 10 yards. If it succeeds, it gets another four downs to advance it another 10 yards. If it fails, it must surrender possession of the ball to the other team. Once the team in possession of the ball manages to bring the ball to the end zone of the opposing team, it has the opportunity to score an additional point or two by opting for an extra point or two-point conversion. At the end of the game, the team with the most points wins. How to score Touchdown (6 points): Scoring a touchdown is achieved when a player in possession of the ball crosses the opposing team’s goal line into the end zone. Field goal (3 points): A field goal is scored when the ball is kicked anywhere on the field, though it is typically attempted within 40 yards of the goalpost. For the field goal to be deemed good, the kicked ball must go above the crossbar and between the uprights of the goalpost. Two-point conversion (2 points): At the end of a touchdown, the offensive team can attempt a twopoint conversion by lining up on PAGE B5
A taste of Ord & Broadway (clockwise): Peach passion and strawberry lychee beverages, beef tapsilog, ube funnel cake ice cream sandwich, oxtail adobo on bone marrow with pandesal and lumpia shanghai. AJPress photos by Noel Ty
Ord & Broadway in LA’s Chinatown: Where you can get Filipino comfort food, plus wings and tacos too by
Christina M. Oriel AJPress
LOS ANGELES’ list of restaurants serving Filipino-influenced dishes continues to grow with the latest addition of Ord & Broadway in Chinatown. At the helm of the kitchen is Chef Getty Lustre whose training comes from fine dining establishments like Patina and Redbird. Meanwhile, co-owner JP Modesto brings his expertise as an owner of several businesses and real estate investor. The two first met years ago during their side gigs as DJs. “We would just joke around like, ‘Hey, when are we going to open a restaurant?’ That’s how it pretty much started,” recalls Modesto. That idea soon came true when a family friend presented Modesto with the opportunity to take over the existing Wings ’N Fish. Instead, he decided to start anew and brought Lustre on board. As the name suggests, the location is between Ord St. and Broadway in the center of Chinatown, with places like Far East Plaza (which houses favorites such as Howlin’ Ray’s and LASA) and the iconic Philippe the Original within walking distance. “LA is filled with so many great restaurants and we like the fact that we are in Chinatown because we can connect with what’s already here but introduce something new,” Modesto says. The location, which can hold 24 seats at most, was turned over to them in November of last year. Ord & Broadway officially opened this past January 12, offering lunch and dinner service seven days as a week. Lustre designed a menu with Filipino comfort dishes — from tapsilog and lumpia shanghai — based on what he ate growing up, his parents’ recipes, and the experiences he picked up during his professional career. Contrasting his fine dining past that focused on intricate details and techniques, Lustre sees Ord & Broadway as a place that feels more comforting and is a continuation of the pop-ups he would hold at his own house seasonally. “I like being in the kitchen,” he says. “It’s the only thing I know best and I like messing around with new ingredients.” He hopes the Filipino dishes evoke memories of having a home-cooked meal by a relative. Though there has been a growing awareness of Filipino food locally and across the country for those previously unfamiliar, Ord & Broadway recognizes that but sees its fast-casual service as a brief introduction to Filipino flavors and how they fit into the greater LA culinary landscape. Dishes are also presented at more affordable price points in the $9-14 range. “A lot of the Filipino restaurants coming up now draw in a lot of foodies and those familiar with the food but there is a niche that’s missing for the everyday people who are not so adventurous. They get drawn in for other things but end up trying other Filipino dishes as well,” Modesto says. Ord & Broadway is not limited to Filipino dishes, however, as tacos — from carnitas to one like a pulled pork bao — and five flavors of chicken wings occupy a space on the menu as well. The rice bowls go beyond
Ord & Broadway owners JP Modesto and Chef Getty Lustre
The inside of the newly opened Ord & Broadway in the heart of Chinatown serves Filipinoinspired dishes, wings, tacos and more.
The must-try ube funnel cake ice cream sandwich
Beef bulalo with bone marrow Photo courtesy of JP Modesto
tapsilog with garlic pork ribs or Thai chicken curry. “We wanted to integrate other foods through Getty’s idea to introduce Filipino food as if it can mix with all genres and cuisines,” Modest describes. “We have chicken wings and tacos, but on top of that, our lumpia can also be on the same table as a carnitas taco or a pulled pork bao or buffalo wings.” “The way I see it, the menu is LA cuisine,” he adds. Not to miss under the Chef’s Specials are the oxtail adobo with bone marrow served with toasted pandesal or the beef bulalo with the marrow sticking out of the bowl. The casual presentations of bone marrow in these two dishes have attracted the curious customers to Ord & Broadway in the few weeks that they’ve been opened. The oxtail adobo dish itself easily makes the spot stand out and is enough to pay a visit there. (Though the portions are sufficient for eating solo, it’s recommended to go with someone to get a sampling of multiple items). “I wasn’t sure how familiar people were with bone marrow, but lately since we’ve opened, we’ve been getting orders for
the oxtail from different ethnic groups too. They’re open to tasting something new,” Lustre observes. The dessert option is only limited to the ube funnel cake ice cream sandwich at the moment, but it’s worth saving room for — especially when hot and newly assembled. Everything pairs well with either the peach passion or strawberry lychee beverages. As their one-month mark approaches, both Lustre and Modesto assert that Ord & Broadway will be here for the long haul. The pair is eyeing pop-up dinners and participation at special food events in LA, but for now, it’s about polishing their operations and expanding the menu. “We don’t want to grow too fast because we want to perfect and make sure we push out really, really good food and that everyone enjoys their visit,” Modesto says. Ord & Broadway is located at 304 Ord St. Los Angeles, CA 90012. Hours are Monday to Saturday 11a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Find them on Instagram at @OrdandBroadway.
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Easy, healthy recipes for your Super Bowl party
“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)
Kris-Nicko-Gretchen issues show no signs of dying down By Monet
Golden Beet Poke (6-12 Servings) 10 small golden/yellow beets or 5 large ones 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil 1-1/2 Tbsp light soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos (start with 1/2 Tbsp then add more to your liking) 1 Tbsp roasted sesame seeds 1/4 of a medium red onion, thinly sliced 4 long strands of green onion including the white part, thinly sliced Optional ingredients: Cooked, peeled shrimp or thin-sliced octopus (tako) Prepared ocean salad Persian or Japanese cucumber, thinly sliced Red chili flakes Sea salt to taste as needed Method: 1. Scrub the beets clean. Cut the stalks, leaving only about a couple inches and leaving the root to keep the beet color intact. 2. Place the beets in a pot and cover with water. Boil for about 45min - an hour until the beets are tender enough for a fork to go through it. 3. Cut off the top and bottom of the beet, and peel its skin off. Dice into small pieces.
4. In a medium bowl, place the rest of the poke ingredients in it and mix. If it tastes fine, add the beet pieces in and gently toss them all together. Mix in any optional ingredients, as desired. 5. Feel free to adjust seasonings and make changes to your liking. Just have fun with it. Enjoy!
Adobong Edamame
Adobong Edamame Ingredients 2lbs fully cooked edamame in pods (opt for organic, non-GMO) 2 tbsp Mild-flavored cooking oil like grapeseed or olive oil (for sautéeing) 1 tbsp Black peppercorns 1 small bay leaf 8 cloves of garlic, finely chopped or minced 1 tbsp - Light soy sauce, tamari, or liquid/ coconut aminos (opt for organic, non-GMO) 1 tsp - Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar Sea salt (or salt of preference) to taste Directions 1. Heat a wok or large pot over medium heat, and add the oil. 2. Once the oil is heated, add the peppercorns and bay leaf. 3. When you start smelling the peppercorns and bay leaf after a couple of minutes, remove them from the wok. 4. Add the garlic the oil and sauté until softened. 5. Add the soy sauce and vinegar and then the edamame. 6. Mix everything well until the edamame absorbs all the flavors. Add the salt, if needed.
Lu
THE start of this year has brought a mix of good and bad vibes in the entertainment business. We were off to a good start with our back-to-back wins during the Miss Universe pageant and the recently concluded PacquiaoBroner fight. Yet, it seems that you can’t really have a colorful year without some bickering and the classic “her-words-against-mine” controversy floating on our social media feeds. Case in point: the accusations of Kris Aquino against her former business partner Nicko Falcis – and to spice things up – how Gretchen Barretto managed to insert herself in the equation. In my own words, I will try to keep you up to speed and very delicately share my thoughts about the issue. I actually don’t
Nicko Falcis, Gretchen Barretto and Kris Aquino
have much to add other than what the print and online media have already shared. As I’ve said earlier, I think the entire fiasco is a classic “it’s her words against mine” which I expect to drag on for months, no doubt about it. Apparently, Kris accused Nicko of stealing money from her, which the latter denied by saying the money was spent for official transactions. Nicko is the former managing director of Kris Aquino’s digital company which is the Kris Cojuangco Aquino Productions (KCAP). Kris filed 44 counts of Qualified Theft against Nicko who used to be her talent manager and endorsement closer for
18 months. Netizens were empathetic to Kris’ plight until Nicko stated that he received death threats from Kris. A recorded conversation in which the threat was made circulated on social media. Kris previously admitted that she made a mistake when she threatened Nicko, explaining that it was due to her anger. However, she said that if they were actual grave threats, and Nicko should have filed a case against her the very next day. Meanwhile, the name of Gretchen Barretto was dragged to the issue when she shared on PAGE B4
David Pomeranz leads ‘Heart & Soul’ Post-Valentine Concert Live at Pechanga Resort Casino on February 22 with Nina & JayR
IT’S a date! Highly-acclaimed singer-composer and lyricist, David Pomeranz, along with famed Filipino singers- Nina and JayR, will perform live in a ‘Heart & Soul’ concert at the Pechanga Resort Casino on February 22 at 8p.m. Pechanga Resort Casino, located off I-15 in Temecula California, is well-known for hosting the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers, and international actress who renders wholesome entertainment to the delight of the crowd. David Pomeranz, a Hollywood icon, known for composing and writing for musical theater, is a Pop music singer, who at an early age starts to play guitar, piano and drums. He also sang alongside big names in American music industry as Rod Steward and other huge rock bands. His memorable songs include ‘ Trying to Get the Feeling Again,’ and ‘Old Songs,’ which were both recorded by Barry Manilow, plus a host of other songs, including Christmas, hit the top 40’s record. The rest of Pomeranz musical stints were focused and released in Broadway while some landed as theme songs for blockbuster movies. Joining Pomeranz is Nina- a multi-awarded singer whose album, Nina Live!, was released by Warner Music in year 2006. She has received the most positive review and the highest critical ratings from her album as it reached its Gold status by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) a few years back. From a well-meaning composition of Nyoy Bolante, who wrote more ballad songs, Nina perfected the interpretation of the songs in her album which she dubbed as ‘beautiful and inspiring.’ JayR, another Filipino singersongwriter and producer, will also sing his strings of famous songs culled from his original album such as ‘Bakit Pa Ba,” (‘Why is it so’) that bagged numerous awards and has earned him the number one single certified as Platinum in 2003. Well-known as ‘R&B Prince’, JayR, and known to most fans as
‘JayLa’, also released a Christmas album as he came out with another album in 2010 with Outstanding Pilipino Music Love Classics. With music as his first love, JayR has also been working alongside with a major TV network in Manila. Together, David Pomeranz, Nina, and JayR will ‘wow’ the guests and patrons of Pechanga Resort Casino for this post-Valentine concert of ‘Heart & Soul.’ Hurry up! Capture these trio perform at the Pechanga Summit. Make it a habit to witness and watch surprising live performances in the only one entertainment hub in Temecula, California-- the Pechanga Resort Casino, located at off I-15 at Temecula Valley Southern California Wine CountyNo. 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592. You may purchase tickets at a minimum of $58 from the Pechanga Box Office 1-888-810-8871 or online at www. Pechanga.com. Shows in the Pechanga Theater offer a comfortable and intimate concert experience. With 1,200 seats in its theater, each show features state-of-the-art and acoustically perfected sound. Enjoying favorite artists at Pechanga versus other venues proves effortless with free valet and self-parking for
guests, complimentary casino/resort shuttles, gourmet and casual dining options on site, plus comfortable chairs and an up-close view from every theater seat. Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Named the Number One casino in America by readers of USA TODAY and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway. Offering more than 4,600 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,090 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-888-PECHANGA or visit www. Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. Pechanga Resort Casino is open 24-hours. Guests must be 21 and older to enter the casino. (Advertising Supplement)
Golden Beet Poke
Tips for mindful eating at a Super Bowl party • Have a light snack before going to the party. Don’t go to the party hungry. • Portion control - It helps to eat from a small plate. • Socialize away from the food. • Eat healthier options first to avoid indulging on food that’s going to significantly set goals back. • Take time eating and chewing food. Enjoy and savor every bite. Recipes contributed by Michelle I. (IG @knoshcrush.healthylifestyler), a military wife and working mom in LA who thinks her kitchen is her sanctuary. Living a healthy and balanced lifestyle is important to her, so most of the food she makes reflects that. A health enthusiast, she hopes to inspire and help others achieve their lifestyle goals.
B4 FEBRUARY 2-5, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Kris-Nicko-Gretchen issues...
PAGE B3 her Instagram account an article about Nicko’s revelations about Kris’ threat. Greta has said in the intriguing post, “I feel for Mr. Nicko Falcis after reading this article. I salute him for his courage to speak the truth, fight for his family name & reputation in spite of the threat to his life No to bullies!!!! STOP POWER TRIPPING.” La Greta’s involvement in this issue did not stop there. She also shared the viral recorded
conversation on her IG account. Apparently, her support for Nicko continues. She has been more vocal in showing her support for Nicko against Kris. The actress publicly expressed her disdain for Kris in a series of social media posts after a leaked phone recording of the latter made its rounds on the internet. Nicko has also been vocal in thanking Gretchen for her support amidst everything that has gone down between him and Kris by
mentioning her in his social media posts. “Thank you, Ms. Gretchen Barretto for your post. Her act of posting this message in open support of my family and I, and against the seemingly formidable Aquino machinery, was a brave and bold move she made. We do not know each other so this is such a blessing, along with thousands of well-meaning messages of strength and support from random people. I’ve read her other posts here and there, and seen her YT videos. She is intelligent, refined and articulate but I never thought that she would be capable of going out of her comfort zone to write such a post. Salamat po! No to bullies! No to power tripping!” Kris has addressed why she is not making a big deal out of Gretchen supporting Nicko in an Instagram Live video. She said that she is not bothered by La Greta siding with Nicko simply because she isn’t involved in the issue in the first place. And as the public legal battle between Kris Aquino and Nicko Falcis continues, more and more people are showing whose side they’re on. As expected, they have formed their own camp just like how a typical internet troll would, they have A-Team Kris and Team Nicko, or in some cases a Team Greta. Overall, this issue saddens me like any other showbiz feuds. The money-part actually makes it more problematic than usual. It is unfortunate that such issue seems to grow bigger by the minute because of words thrown at each other not only by the main people involved but even those who follow them on social media. And just because of that, I don’t think this one would come to a halt anytime soon. I could only hope that they would finally put this to rest and maybe spread the love by forgiving each other especially since February is supposed to be a month of love. Oh well, here’s to hoping. ***
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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 Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning rampant and bothersome. And celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of what makes it more tragic is the Monet Salon salons across Southern California apparent acceptance by many of and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is our fellow Filipinos that being known as an all-around artiste who produces tardy is “normal, acceptable, sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as excusable, or should be tolerunforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet ated,” because, after all, “it is is also the founder of the revolutionary all- the Filipino time.” This vexing natural beauty products such as Enlighten, acquiescence is unfair and a your solution to discoloration . To contact disservice to our people and to Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or our nation as a whole. email him at monetsalon@aol.com I refuse to surrender, even for a moment, to the notion that we, as a people, are culturally, socially and ethically inferior to the Americans or to any other civilized peoples of the world. Punctuality is not an exclusive trait of the people of the United States or of the Europeans. While I abhor the lack of punctuality among anyone and admit with
MOONLIGHTING
“Filipino time” revisited embarrassment 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-year-old 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 inexplicable 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 lawabiding 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 Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Farewell, Mommy Lucing
by MYLAH DE
LEON
THE last image of Mommy Lucing was on distant mid-afternoon when her guiding hand led my wheelchair to a waiting ride. Against the gate of Bahay Kubo, her lips pursed a trifle, her pain of steady eyes gleaming with a kind understanding light. Smiling, she waved. I didn’t realize that it would be the last time that I would see her alive again. When it approaches, death announces itself with a kind of scent, some silent sound. In this case, surrounded by her children after a journey to a hospital that seemed so far away; she opened her eyes, drew a very long breath and then her gentle heart burst. Stiffened in the soulful immobility of the dead, she proudly rejected every word and every gesture of affection from people whose lives she had touched. These are the people that wept a quiet farewell, all that remained of what she was 12 hours earlier. How does one say goodbye to an ally, confidant, mother confessor, who listened to one’s secret hopes, shared one’s deliciously wicked, schemes, and possible dreams? She was the elfin godmother who teased me into good spirits when life sucked and our only language was laughter. Some of the time, our talks had to do with “STG,” a great man whom I adore and respect and held in esteem. The friendship of Mommy Lucing There is something about friendship — its fragility and resiliency — in its role as a connecting tissue between the lives of women. She and I do not need to agree about everything to tolerate each other’s point of view. It is acceptance without judgment, a give and take without ever keeping score. Just to be there — as we are here for her and as she was for me — to comfort our sor-
An old photo shows Bahay Kubo’s Mommy Lucing with the writer
row, to celebrate our joys, share the redemptive ardor of spiritual fulfillment. It is said that among women, friendship is when you totally love, support and trust each other. To bare to each other the secrets of your souls and run, no questions asked. To help each other and say harsh truths, when truths must be said. That was how she was to me. How easy to say that a friend is a friend all the way, but that’s such a very narrow point of view. For the friendship I have and I see in her are conducted at many levels of intensity, served a lot of different functions and met different needs and range. It is never casual or nonchalant because that’s how dearly Mommy Lucing is. I treasure her character and spirituality. What this friendship means to me, and what I mean to her is having a dear sister without sibling rivalry. We have no emotional distance. We know the texture of each other’s lives, the reason why one is hurt by the bigotry of others but only to our best friend, we’re willing to tell what’s gnawing all at the inner recesses of one’s heart. We bonded and loved and not only faced adversity (if there was ever one) together but faced each other and while
there was something probably different in the way we spent and “do” our time. We “were” simply trained and restraint, she’s never been afraid of other’s judgment so that I’ve never felt awkward with our affection for each other. She made it easy for me to say “you make a difference.” It is a very lovely kind of friendship — close and dear, tender and caring — from the similar intellectual interests to share a faith that makes life’s journey more fun, unique and bearable, mindful of grand blessings, to be grateful about. Our friendship advocated through her committed intelligence, as a single minding truth speaker; like a credo’s enduring probity. The loss of one’s best friend helps sort out thoughts — to wake up from a sleep that befuddles intelligence and prevents judgment It hits harder because it brings the reality that death is not just a bad dream. When a dear friend dies a part of you goes with her that no one can ever bring back and when you lose a part of yourself, it is difficult to halt the tears. The mourning never ends. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com
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Scarlet Snow delivers adorable speech as PeopleAsia’s youngest ‘People’s Choice’ awardee
SCARLET Snow Belo, the country’s youngest social media influencer at 3 years old, blew a kiss as she delivered an adorable acceptance speech on Wednesday, January 30, as PeopleAsia’s “People’s Choice” awardee. “Hello, peoples! My name is Scarlet Snow Belo and thank you for choosing me to be your newest People’s Choice Awardee,” she said. “Thank you for God for loving me and caring for me. Oh! And mommy and daddy, too! Bye!” she added, ending her speech by blowing a kiss. Scarlet is so far the youngest awardee of PeopleAsia’s ‘People of the Year 2019’ awards. The young social media superstar, who has nearly three million followers on Instagram, was supposed to deliver her speech on stage but got too shy, her mom celebrity doctor Vicky Belo explained on Instagram. “She was a bit shy to deliver it on stage last night so she did it backstage na lang,” she said. Scarlet’s mom also thanked PeopleAsia and everyone who voted for the toddler.
Cravings by 99 Ranch Market held the ceremony for its sweepstakes on Saturday, January 26.
99 Ranch hosts Toyota sweepstakes award ceremony
Scarlet Snow Belo poses on stage with her parents Hayden Kho and Vicki Belo on Wednesday, January 30, when she received PeopleAsia’s “People’s Choice” award. Photo from Instagram/@victoria_belo
Other PeopleAsia awardees were National Artist Ryan Cayabyab and singer KZ Tandingan who were honored as the “Lucky Persons of the Year.” The magazine also honored Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who is also the first Fili-
pino to bag a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games. Artists Heart Evangelista, Len Cabili of the Filip+Inna clothing brand, Lani Misalucha and Andres Barrioquinto, known for his surrealistic portraits, were also awarded. (Philstar.com)
Julia Barretto doesn’t mind being called ‘Queen of the Flat-Chested Community’
sigancarol4). “Napaka honest mung bata kaya proud ako sayo nak (You are very honest, and I’m proud of you, child),” the netizen JULIA Barretto is making one told Barretto as if she was her thing clear: She does not mind own child. being named “Queen of the FlatRyzza Ismaylova (@Ryzza_IsChested Community.” maylova), meanwhile, admired The Kapamilya actress, who the actress for her bravery and previously went candid why she self-acceptance. prefers wearing nipple tape over And Kim Roy (@leahkimroy) a bra, was comfortable with the told the actress that being flatidea after a netizen labeled her chested is okay, since she considas such on Twitter Thursday, ers her a winner when it comes to January 31. face, career and love life. A netizen going by luna (@_ Previously, Barretto even yaelll) first tagged Barretto on the shared a photo of herself holdsocial media site, saying: “long Julia Barretto Photo from Instagram/@juliabarretto ing 100 pieces of nipple tape, live the queen of the flat-chested joking that it could hold better me that,” the actress said. community [Julia Barretto].” And other netizens rallied than a bra. Barretto, likewise, was flattered Be loud and proud of your by what the netizen said and even behind her for believing her quoted her tweet. “You may call truth, such as mamita (@Mara- truth, Julia! by
Katrina Hallare Inquirer.net
AJPress photos by Mark Xavier Bautista
99 RANCH held its 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Sweepstakes Award Ceremony on Saturday, January 26 at its newly launched Cravings by 99 Ranch Market location in Chino, California. The 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Award Ceremony honored the six finalists who were in the two-month long sweepstakes. The ceremony encompassed two stages leading to the reveal of the winner of the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. After much anticipation, it was announced that Chloe Wen would be taking home the new car. Other activities in the afternoon included dance performances by the Chino Hills High Chloe Wen is the winner of the 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback after a two-month long Dance Team, refreshments, give- sweepstakes run. aways, and 2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback display. Cravings by 99 Ranch Market is located at the Chino Spectrum Marketplace (4024 Grand Ave., Chino, CA 91710). The market is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; the food hall is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information, please contact the 99 Ranch Market customer service hotline 1-800-600-8292 or visit the official website at www.99ranch.com/cravings
(Advertising Supplement)
The top three finalists for the Toyota sweepstakes at Cravings by 99 Ranch Market.
Football 101...
At the end of a touchdown, the offensive team can attempt a onepoint conversion by kicking the ball through the uprights of the for the touchdown. PAGE B3 the defense’s two-yard line and Safety (2 points): This occurs goalpost, the same way done in advance the ball the same way it when the defense tackles an offen- a field goal. In the NFL, the ball would to score a touchdown. If sive player in possession of the ball is snapped from the 15-yard line. (With reports from Agnes Conthe team succeeds, it receives two in the offense’s end zone. points in addition to the six points Extra point conversion (1 point): stante/AJPress)
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Options if your visa About the Achieving a Better petition is terminated Life Experience (ABLE) Act
Your Immigration Solution Atty. Ben loVeMAn TERMINATION of an immigrant visa petition has been harming long-waiting visa applicants for years. Here is the problem: a foreign national waits years (sometimes decades) for their priority date to become current so that they may immigrate to the United States, only to find out that the visa petition filed by their family member or employer has been terminated. In this instance, the foreign national may have to start over from the beginning, which includes potentially waiting several more years. The good news though is that, with the right immigration attorney, a solution is available. Petitions for immigration benefits are filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Following USCIS’ approval, the petition will be transferred to the National Visa Center so that the Department of State can ultimately issue the visa that is required to enter the U.S. Well, did you know that the Department of State can revoke the approved petition if the beneficiary of the petition has not taken sufficient action? It’s true, and this revocation could mean several more years of waiting. The most frustrating aspect of this problem is that these revocations are not clearly authorized by law. In fact, we have been successful in having petitions reinstated that had been wrongfully revoked. First, some background information: the wait for a visa to lawfully immigrate to the U.S. may be several years long due to visa quotas and per country limits. A person’s place in the line is determined by the date that the petition was filed. That date is known as the person’s priority date. When a person’s priority date is not current, the case is essentially on hold until a visa is close to being available. This
is referred to as the priority date becoming current. At this time, the Department of State notifies the beneficiary of the petition that it is time to start the application process. The applicant then has one-year to respond and begin the process. The Department of State’s position is that they may terminate the visa petition if the applicant does not timely reply. And this termination could cause the beneficiary to lose their priority date
statement from the Department of State. It will be necessary to provide an explanation for why the potential immigrant did not timely pursue their visa. This route is not always successful, especially when significant time has passed since the petition was revoked. If the Department of State is unwilling to reinstate the petition, the beneficiary may then seek reinstatement by filing a lawsuit in federal court. The arguments made in federal court are dependent on the facts of each case. Is it possible to argue that the Department of State failed to send the required notification? Of course, the potential immigrant who never received a notification may not know if notification was even sent. However, an experienced immigration attorney will know how to research and address this issue. If notification was properly sent, the next step would be to argue that the act of revoking the petition was unlawful. You and your loved ones should not have to wait in line twice because of the erroneous or unlawful revocation of a visa petition. If your visa petition was revoked for alleged failure to respond to notification, consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
“ It is easy for the government to blame the applicant for failing to properly respond, or even for failing to properly update their address with the immigration authorities.” and be required to start over from the beginning, including a new petition and years more of waiting. It is easy for the government to blame the applicant for failing to properly respond, or even for failing to properly update their address with the immigration authorities. But in many cases, the situation arises because the notification was not properly sent. And in other cases, termination occurs after the beneficiary does notify the government of their new address, only to have the government fail to properly process the new address. Regardless, an argument can be made that the law does now allow a petition to be revoked simply because a person did not timely respond. In other words, despite the government’s practice of revoking petitions and sending people to the back of the decades-long line, there is likely no legal authority for such revocations. Fortunately, there is a way to have these petitions reinstated. First, a person may request rein-
What is an ABLE Account? The word “ABLE” stands f3or Achieving a Better Life Experience Act. An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings vehicle that can be established for a designated beneficiary who is disabled. The Internal Revenue Service released proposed regulations implementing a new federal law authorizing states to offer specially-designed tax-favored ABLE accounts to people who become disabled before age 26. What are able accounts used for? ABLE accounts offer tax-free investment growth and tax-free withdrawals when the funds are used to pay for qualified expenses such as education costs, qualified disability expenses, job training and support, healthcare
Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA
and financial management. Tax treatment is similar to traditional 529 plans. Are there limits to how much money aan be put in an ABLE account? The total contributions by all participating individuals is $15,000 per year. Who qualifies for ABLE accounts? Individuals with significant disabilities with onset of disability before turning 26 years of age are eligible for ABLE accounts. If
you meet this age criteria and are also receiving benefits already under SSI and/or SSDI, you are automatically eligible to establish an ABLE account. Are contributions tax deductible? Contributions to an ABLE account are not deductible. Are earnings taxable? Earnings in the account are tax deferred (postponed). Are Distributions Taxable? Distributions are tax-free up to the amount of the designated beneficiary’s qualified disability expenses that includes basic living expenses such as housing, transportation, education, and medical. Are there other advantages to ABLE accounts? ABLE accounts also enjoy a major non-tax advantage. The
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Ministry and theology at the margins AS I write this article, I am in frigid Ashville, North Carolina, attending the 35th Biennial Consultation of the Association of Theological Field Education (ATFE). I thank God for the opportunity to be with other professionals in theological field education who prepare seminarians and lay students for ministry to the People of God. The first session of the consultation started with worship that reminded us of our work as a ministry of healing, which arises from truth-telling and in the midst of struggles and pain. “Ministry is not institutional survival,” Dr. Marcia Mount Shoop emphasized to us. ”It’s healing opportunities.” Dr. Shoop’s message became evident in the subsequent sharing of a group of pastors in Ashville on their own ministry to people at the margins. Presbyterian pastor, Amy Cantrell, spoke about her min-
The Prophetic Voice reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS istry to a community of people from the streets and margins who eat together, laugh together, cry together, create together, and share what they have with each other and neighbors. Other pastors also talked about their ministry to the homeless, victims of racism, violence, and hatred. “We’re here to create space where people live together and work together,” one of them said. “Ours is a small church but powerfully potent,” she added. “We cannot be a church of pretension, but authenticity,” another pastor shared, alluding to some of his people’s resentment towards ”institutionalized”
churches. What followed after the worship and the panel discussion was a lively exchange in small groups on what we heard from the pastors. In our Catholic caucus, we shared about the need for professors to keep asking ”So what?” to students when they submit written assignments to expand the appropriation of their learnings to pastoral realities. On the other hand, we also see the need for students to go beyond the pragmatic approach of ministry, to be more transcendent and mystical. ”Ministry should not be just about meeting the poor, but about meeting Jesus in the poor, ” one colleague explained. “In other words, a ministry is about a relationship with Jesus,” another one elucidated. ”In their experiences of ministry, they should be able to express ’Jesus is Lord!’” These insights relate with
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Bankruptcy is most effective and Reinstatement for surviving beneficiaries of least costly way of getting rid of debt an I-130 petition filed by a deceased relative Pay debt off completely There are of course different ways of getting rid of debt. The most obvious is just pay it off. Let’s say you owe $50,000 of credit cards. It’s costing you $1,500 a month of minimum payments to keep them current, or $18,000 a year, every year. Obviously, the simplest way is to produce $50,000 from somewhere and just pay them off completely. But where will you get $50,000? Can you join GoFundMe and tell everyone to donate $1 each so that you can raise $50,000 to pay off your credit cards? I don’t think so. Can you ask your rich uncle to give you $50,000? I don’t think so. Can you sell your two fully paid cars to raise $50,000? Even a 2013 M-Benz 300 probably will only sell for $10,000. So no, cars have no real value. Maybe you can win the lottery? Fat chance. You have one chance in 300 million. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning or eaten by a shark than winning the lottery. Therefore, you can’t just get $50,000 from somewhere and use that to pay off your credit cards, right? That’s pure fantasy. Debt negotiation & settlement Another way is to call that number on the TV that says that they can negotiate your credit cards down and work out some payment plan. Let’s say they negotiate it down by half to $25,000. You still have to pay $25,000, right? And, you find out that you pay the business that does the negotiation the $25,000 whether outright or monthly depending on whatever circumstances. Your payments do not go straight to the creditor. It goes to the guy on TV who has what? He has to pay his overhead like his TV ads that cost a fortune. What happens when the owner of the business decides to use the money you send for something else which happens once in a while in this unregulated industry? The business owner runs away with all of their clients’ money meant for credit cards payments. The FBI goes after the business owner who is now in hiding in the Mediterranean spending your $25,000 that was meant to pay off your credit cards. Think about it. The guy has 1,000 clients all pay-
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng ing him $500 a month, that’s $500,000 a month. Why doesn’t he just collect the $500,000 a month for a year, not pay any of the credit cards owed by his clients, and run away with $6.0M in his pocket? The temptation is too big! With that kind of money, he can change his face, change his fingerprints, and maybe even change his DNA. He can become taller, and fatter and change his hair color to strawberry blonde, and he now is Trump’s clone. Want to give your money to Trump’s clone? I doubt that’s a good idea. This reminds me of the prospective client who after reading a website on the internet sent $5,000 to the alleged landlord owner of the house he wanted to rent. The house was here in LA, while the landlord lived on the moon. The gullible client wired the $5,000 to the alleged owner’s bank, then went to the house to move into it. He told me the address was real, and there was really a house at the address. I said, ”Really? No kidding.” The alleged owner he sent the $5,000 didn’t own the house on the address. Of course, he didn’t own the house he was renting out. He said the website was real. I said sure. So what do you want me to do? I’m a lawyer, not a psychiatrist. “A fool and his money soon part.” Further, not all of your creditors will agree to settle or to give you an extended time to pay your default. So, a couple of them will start suing you. Pretty soon, you’ll have lawsuits and levies on your bank accounts, and wage garnishments, despite having some kind of negotiated payment plan because this alternative is done by negotiation, and as with all negotiations, the other party can just walk off and not agree to reduce your debt or give you a payment plan. They can decide to just sue you to collect what you owe them. So you can see yourself paying $500 a month to the Trump clone, but still being sued by a couple of creditors who won’t agree to
your plan because they are not legally required to agree to it. They have legal enforcement remedies available to them, so why should they work with you and get only less than what you owe them over an extended period of time? Do nothing and act like an ostrich Yet another way is just to do nothing and hide your head underground, just like an ostrich. Just pretend you don’t have a debt problem. Change your phone number and hope your credit card masters forget about you. Don’t be surprised when you get a summons and complaint about collections, or your payroll department tells you that there is a garnishment for 25 percent of your salary until your $50,000 is fully paid. This doesn’t seem to be a very effective way of dealing with debt. You can forget about your creditors, but your creditors, unfortunately, cannot forget about you. Your creditors actually have you by your “cajones” as they say down South. File Chapter 7 and start fresh without debt Here comes an alternative that is the most effective, simplest and cost-effective way of getting rid of the $50,000 credit cards. Go see a bankruptcy lawyer and ask if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you qualify, your Chapter 7 petition will wipe out the $50,000 without any repayment from you. Zero payment. Start fresh without debt and become productive again like the day you were born. Keep everything you own, including your house, everything in it, your retirement accounts not exceeding $1.0-M (now it’s a little more than $1.0M), your cars etc., assuming you qualify for all the applicable exemptions. Your cost is just the reasonable attorney fees and court filing fees, credit counseling, etc. Don’t worry about your credit score. It will go up pretty fast after bankruptcy. You will be able to buy a car on credit as soon as you get discharged. You have to bring the discharge order to the dealer. Within a few months, you will get new credit cards sent to you. Within 2 or 3 years, you will be able to buy a house. Soon enough, your credit score
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DEAR Attorney Tan, My US Citizen mother filed an I-130 immigrant petition on my behalf, which has a priority date in February 2000 and which has been approved. She filed the I-130 petition after I came to the US in 1999 as a tourist from the Philippines. Since my arrival, I have lived in the US and have been out of status. Since I was petitioned as an unmarried adult daughter, I was advised that I had to wait several years to get a green card. Recently, my mother passed away. Can I still get a green card through my mother’s petition? -Apparently In Limbo Dear Apparently In Limbo, When your mother passed away, the I-130 that was approved on your behalf was revoked by operation of law pursuant to 8 CFR Section 205.1. However, depending on the facts of a particular case, all is not lost. You may be eligible to get a green card pursuant to INA Section 204(L). Under INA Section 204(L), relief from an automatic revocation of an I-130 petition is available to certain surviving relatives. Surviving relatives who are eligible to seek 204(L) relief include a 1) principal or derivative beneficiary of an I130 petition that was filed by a deceased permanent resident or U.S. Citizen, and 2) derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen where the principal beneficiary has died. Section 204(L) relief
Legal Advice Atty. DArricK tAn is also available to derivative beneficiaries in I-140 employment-based petitions where the principal beneficiary has died. Another requirement for Section 204(L) relief is that the person seeking relief must have “residence” in the US. What is meant by “residence?” It is your primary home or principal actual dwelling place. At least one beneficiary must have resided in the U.S. when the petitioning relative died, and must continue to reside in the U.S. when seeking Section 204(L) relief. It is worth noting that all beneficiaries of a petition can benefit from Section 204(L) relief as long as at least one of the beneficiaries meets the residence requirement. Further, although “residence” is required, Section 204(L) does not require actual physical presence in the U.S. when the relative died. In your case, it appears that you are eligible to obtain a green card. You are a principal beneficiary of an I-130 petition filed by your US Citizen mother. Further, you appear to meet the residence requirement in that you have been in the US since your arrival in 1999—you resided in the US when your mother passed away, and currently reside in the
US. A check of the USCIS visa bulletin indicates the priority date for the I-130 petition filed by your mother on your behalf is current, so you can file an I-485 adjustment of status application, requesting reinstatement of the I-130 petition filed by your mother pursuant to Section 204(L). As a sidenote, Section 204(L) relief is also available if one’s relative died while the I-130 was pending, not only after the I-130 petition was approved. Section 204(L) relief therefore is broader than Humanitarian Reinstatement of a petition under 8 CFR Section 205.1, which can only be requested by the principal beneficiary when the petitioner him/herself has died, and after approval of an I-130. Relief under Section 204(L) is discretionary, and can be denied if factors in support of relief are not presented properly. It is accordingly recommended that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Five benefits of establishing a revocable living trust THERE is never the perfect time to think about who you would like to inherit from your estate in case you pass away or at least who among your closest friends (BFFs) and family members are even deserving of inheriting from your estate. In doing so, you should also think about which vehicle you plan to use in implementing your estate plan. One of the best vehicle in implementing your estate plan is a revocable living trust. Five major benefits of establishing a revocable living trust are: Your estate can avoid the time, cost, and hassle of going through the probate court process. If you pass away without a will (intestate) in California, one of your close family would have to file a petition in probate court to probate your estate. Your estate will be divided and distributed according to the California probate code rules of intestate succession. Even if you have a will when you pass away, your family would still need to file a petition in probate court if your estate is worth over $150,000 and go through the probate process. This can become a circus if certain beneficiaries contest the validity of the Will or the distribution of the estate. Your estate will pay for attorney’s fees, probate referee fees, appraisers and other experts, CPA fees, etc. If people contest the case, your estate would end up paying legal fees to defend the estate in litigation. The entire process can take anywhere from 9 months to years depending on the contentiousness of the probate case. With a revocable living trust, your trustee or successor trustee if you were the initial trustee, would administer the trust and distribute the estate according to the trust document without having to open a probate court case. If the trust is funded with all your assets, it is possible to administer and distribute the trust assets without any Court involvement at all. This process is a lot faster than going through probate. Your estate is not public record When you file a probate case, the
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes public has access to your probate case file. The public will know the assets of the estate including the values of those assets. If the Will is admitted into probate, the terms of the Will is open to public scrutiny. Establishing a revocable living trust makes your estate affairs private. Strangers do not have access to the terms of your living trust. Only certain beneficiaries and possible heirs can request a copy of the revocable living trust after you pass away. You can dictate who will inherit from your estate. If you pass away without a Will, your estate will be divided and distributed in Probate Court following the rules of intestate succession in the California probate code. Certain relatives will be entitled to a share of your estate even if you feel they are not deserving. By establishing a revocable living trust, you can designate who you want to inherit from your estate. You can designate what and how much each one will received from your estate after you pass away. The assets distributed to each beneficiaries does not have to be equal. The people you designate as beneficiaries of your living trust does not even have to be close family members. You can designate anyone as a beneficiary, with certain exceptions, of your estate. You can structure your estate to minimize estate taxes If your estate is valued above the estate tax exemption, establishing a trust can allow you to divide up your estate into smaller sub trusts to minimize the overall estate tax effect on your estate. It allows you to set up a vehicle for certain charitable giving which carries tax advantage and asset protection. You can choose who will administer your estate after your
death When you establish a revocable trust, you can appoint someone else as trustee or you can appoint a successor trustee if you are the initial trustee. The trustee will be administering (managing) the trust after you pass away without a need to open a probate court case. This allows for continuity in operating the trust and the efficient and cost effective distribution of estate assets. If you are concerned about whether you can trust any family members as your trustee, you can appoint an institution as a professional trustee to carry out the terms of the declaration of trust. These type of trustee services are often offered by banks, financial institutions, wealth management firms, and business management firms for a reasonable fee. This minimizes conflicts within the family and prevents negligence and wrong doing by inexperienced family members. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail HYPERLINK “mailto: kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com” kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
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Pope Francis’ urging to prepare seminarians to be ”shepherds with the ’smell of the sheep’”. We need priests who are willing to ”serve the people of God, to serve the poor, men and women who are outcasts living in the fringes of society.” All these ”urgings of the heart” and reflections go back to the heart of Jesus’ ministry which Jesus proclaimed at the inauguration of his ministry (Luke 4:14-21): ”He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” The question that we need to ask ourselves and each other over and over again then is, ”How does our program of ministry preparation reflect the heart of Jesus’ ministry? And to pastors, ministers, and members of Christian communities, ”How are our congregations ministering to people at the margins?” Ultimately, as Chris Sharen contends during his convincing
plenary talk on theological field education as a practical-prophetic ministry preparation, our role is to make ”theology matter.” I’m coming back from this ATFE conference with a renewed sense of ministry, hoping that I’ll bring this ministry and theology at the margins to my next parish assignment. *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
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Missed meal and rest periods are a big deal LA County to launch youth-employee mentoring program – you could be owed additional pay! WACKENHUT Corporation, which is now known as G4S Secure Solutions (USA) Inc., is a global security solutions company that employs thousands of private security officers, including some in California. Three former G4S security officers filed a class action lawsuit against the company accusing it of having implemented policies and procedures that resulted in its failure to provide off-duty meal periods and rest periods, and provide accurate itemized wage statements to employees, as required by California law. Approximately 13,500 security officers were alleged to have been harmed by the company’s practices. The three security officers claimed that the company had its nonexempt security officers sign improper off-duty meal period agreements, did not have a rest period policy, and later had a policy requiring security officers to be on call during rest breaks. Because the class was so huge, there was an issue on whether each employee’s damages pertaining to a missed meal and rest breaks violation is different and, if so, a trial would be unmanageable based on this. The case reached the appellate court and lasted more than 10 years. Under California law employers must provide their nonexempt employees meal periods and rest periods during the workday. This obligation is met if the employer “relieves its em-
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights ATTY. C. JOE SAYAS, JR. ployees of all duty, relinquishes control over their activities and permits them a reasonable opportunity to take an uninterrupted 30-minute break, and does not impede or discourage them from doing so.” Employers who violate these requirements must pay premium wages of one additional hour at the employee’s regular rate. An on-duty meal period in which an employee is not relieved of all duty is permitted when the “nature of the work” prevents such relief and the employee agrees to on-duty meal periods in a written agreement. This on-duty meal period shall count toward hours worked and must be paid. As to rest breaks, an employer must authorize and permit all employees to take at least 10minute rest breaks, for work of every our (4) hours or major fraction thereof. The ten minutes must be consecutive, and the rest period must be “duty-free.” There is no nature of the work exception for an on-duty rest period. In the case of the G4S security officers, the appellate court noted that the court should not analyze whether damages actually exist.
The question is whether the employer in fact failed to provide proper meal periods, rest periods, and wage statements to its employees. Once the issue of the employer’s policy, practice or procedure is established, the court noted that there are reliable statistical methods to prove or disprove the elements of a claim and establish liability on a class-wide basis. In other words, even if some employees did not suffer damages, or suffered only certain types of damages, if the employer’s policy, practice, or procedure regarding the lack of meal and rest periods is uniform throughout its locations, then the employer may be liable for back pay to its employees. After the court ruled that the case could proceed to trial as a class action, the employer agreed to settle and pay $130 million to the class members. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement)
People and Events
Makati Nights: Valentine’s edition GET ready for retro dance music debauchery this Valentine’s season! On Saturday, February 9, 2019, the authentic Makati nightlife vibe is back! Makati Nights Part 4 - 80s, 90s and Disco is happening at the 18 Social Penthouse, Hotel Indigo in Downtown Los Angeles. Makati Nights Part 4 features former Makati nightclub resident DJs Josh Evangelista of Venezia, George Garcia of Planet Mars, and Cary Carreon of Hard Cafe Makati. All three DJs will be providing killer retro sets
for the evening that will guarantee you flashback fun! Makati Nights is a roving 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s nightlife event based in Los Angeles. Hosted by veteran Manila and Los Angeles DJ, producer, and remixer Josh Evangelista (https://www. facebook.com/joshevangelistamusic), Makati Nights pays tribute to the glorious Makati nightlife of the past by reconstructing its nightclub atmosphere at some of Los Angeles’ chic and modern nightclub venues. Each event,
Makati Nights feature the best DJs that have played at Philippine nightclubs, DJs from notable mobile DJ groups of the 90s, as well as DJs visiting from the Philippines. These original Makati selectors will dish out some of the best dance music hits from each era for us to experience the authentic manila club vibe. For the latest updates, please visit us on Facebook at http:// www.facebook.com/makatinights or at http://makatinightsla.com. ■
LOS ANGELES — Mentoring often positively influences the choices youth make. Studies have shown that 55 percent of atrisk youth who have a mentor are more likely to enroll in college and 52 percent are less likely to skip school. Recognizing the benefits of mentorships, today the Board of Supervisors passed a motion, authored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, that would establish a new County employee-youth mentoring program. “There is no better resource we can offer our youth than our County workforce. Investing quality time in youth is gratifying and beneficial for both the child and the adult mentor. As mentors, our County employees can influence our future leaders by encouraging our youth to grow more confident of their abilities and have a more expansive view of their potential,” said Solis. “Our employees will equally benefit from developing young talent.
We have much to learn from our younger generation. Mentorships are reciprocal because they allow both the youth and adult mentor to learn from one another’s different life experiences.” Supervisor Solis has led the effort at LA County to adopt a formalized Countywide mentorship program. On Jan. 9, 2018, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Solis to develop a plan that would allow County employees to mentor young adults, and in particular, at-risk youth. Mentorship was among the key goals identified by a County workgroup that formed in response to the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge launched by then-President Obama. On March 9, 2018, the County’s Department of Human Resources (DHR) issued a report entitled “County Employee Youth Mentoring Program – an
Implementation Plan,” which offered recommendations on developing and implementing a County employee-youth mentoring program. DHR has identified community groups that will refer youth to this mentorship initiative. The motion on Tuesday, January 29 directs the DHR to implement the County Employee-Youth Mentoring Program as outlined in the March 2018 report. DHR is also directed to accept applications from County employees interested in serving as mentors, and to vet and refer employees to a collaborating community organization. DHR will also conduct outreach among employees associations and County Departments to recruit mentors. DHR will report back within 180 days on how the implementation of the mentoring program is proceeding, and will give subsequent annual reports to the Board during National Mentoring Month in January.
About the Achieving a Better Life... PAGE C1 t balance in an ABLE account and distributions used to pay qualified disability expenses are generally disregarded in determining eligibility for federal means-tested programs. This allows the beneficiary to save for the future without sacrificing current benefits.
*** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. ***
He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement)
that will make you lose valuable assets in Chapter 7, you can file Chapter 13 instead. Let your lawyer analyze your financial situation in detail. Sometimes, it’s not a good idea to do Chapter 7 for certain reasons. If your homestead exemption surpasses it’s limit by $10,000 for example, just pay $200 a month for 60 months under Chapter 13. You pay the Chapter 13 trustee the monthly $200, not some company on TV. The trustee is an officer of the court and will not run away with your money. This is 100 percent guaranteed by law. The trustee receives your $200 a month and distributes that equally among all your creditors. Each creditor gets 20 percent of what you owe them. After 60 monthly payments, the court discharges the $50,000 and you owe zero. You get to keep everything you own. This is called a finan-
cial reorganization under Chapter 13. The court protects your house and other assets while you are in Chapter 13 from lawsuits, collections, levies, garnishments and other legal enforcement actions to collect debt. In other words, you have peace of mind and the protection of the court from all creditors including the IRS. If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803.
Bankruptcy is most effective and least...
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will be perfect again. There will be no record of your Chapter 7, 10 years from the date of filing. Your credit score will be over 700, year six. Before year six, your credit score is going up fast depending on the timely payments of your house or car loans and new credit. Life is great after Chapter 7, I promise you. That’s why it’s called the fresh start law. Become a productive person again and start saving money again every month. Instead of paying $1,500 a month for $50,000 of credit cards, save that at the rate of $18,000 a year. In three years you will have almost $60K saves up in cash, instead of owing the same $50,00 in credit cards! Open your eyes and live a very productive life again. File Chapter 13 and pay less than the $50,000 If you have non-exempt assets
(Advertising Supplement)
C4 FEBRUARY 2-5, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Calendar of Events across
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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.
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.
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“Journey for Justice” book launch in Delano, CA
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Join AAPA board leadership program Applications due February 15
THE Asian American Professionals Association (AAPA) Board Leadership Program (BLP) provides professionals with the skills, networks and training to successfully serve as a board member in a non-profit organization. During the six-month leadership program, participants attend workshops and are placed as board interns in a non-profit. The program is open to professionals from diverse ethnic backgrounds who seek to become a board member of a nonprofit. The program will begin in April 2019. Program runs on Saturdays (except for Executive Panel). 2019 dates are: April13, May 18, July TBD, August 17, and September 21. Workshop topics include: advocacy, Asian & Pacific Islander community, board gov-
ernance, leadership challenges, evaluations, finance, fundraising, marketing, meeting management, and strategic planning. The executive panel is comprised of business and nonprofit leaders sharing their experiences about leading and serving on nonprofit boards. After completing your internship, you have the option to choose if you would like to join the nonprofit as a board member. If there is a match, you will join the board as an official member. The following nonprofits have accepted BLP participants for board placements: AAPA (Asian American Professional Association), FACE (Faith Action for Community Equity), AYC (Asian Youth Center), PACS (Pacific Asian Counseling Services), ThaiCDC
(Thai Community Development Center), and more! Participants who have attended a minimum of five out of six sessions and participate in a nonprofit board internship (if not already a board member) are eligible to graduate at the end-ofyear graduation gala. Participants will receive a completion certificate and will enjoy a three-course banquet dinner. BLP is ideal for professionals with 5+ years of experience. You may already be serving on (or seek to join) a nonprofit board. You are a high-caliber and resourceful professional, and you seek to make an impact in the community. For more information and how to apply, please visit https://aapamentoring.com/blp/. ■
Save the date: 35th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival this May
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.
F E B R UA RY 9
St. Finbar Church in Burbank, CA celebrates its 9th Annual Valentine Dinner Dance
Come and celebrate Hollywood glamour on February 9, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For information contact Marian at (818) 562-6819 or send an email to minobleza@yahoo.com.
5th Filipino American Community General Assembly in New York The Philippine Consulate General New York is inviting all Filipino American community organizations in the U.S. Northeast (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont) to the annual General Assembly (Connecting and Collaborating for Change) on Saturday, February 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Philippine Center in New York. Please register your organization at newyorkpcg.events@dfa.gov.ph with the subject 5th Filipino American Community General Assembly.
F E B R UA RY 1 5
Franchising Retail & Trade Conference in Cerritos, CA The Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC) hosts this highly anticipated business event at the Cerritos Sheraton located at 12725 Center Court Drive South, Cerritos, CA 90703. Attendees will have access to opportunities in business match making & referrals, roundtable discussions, entrepreneurship training programs, and networking & business connections with participants representing both the United States and the Philippines. Business owners, entrepreneurs, corporations, and the general public are all invited to attend. The Philippine Retailer Association (PRA) and the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) will be present to network with the US business community. Also present will be local franchisor and franchisee business owners, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC), the National Diversity Coalition (NDC), the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program, the Philippine Consulate Los Angeles Office, Philippine Dept. of Trade & Industry (PTIC) Los Angeles, and the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA).Basic entry is only $10 but can and will vary depending on the participation experience desired. Registration for the Conference is simple and is processed online at by going to https://cofacc.org.
MARCH 30
Philippine Medical Society of Northern California installation of officers in Foster City, CA The Philippine Medical Society of Northern California will hold its 47th anniversary and installation of officers for 2019-2021 at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, CA on Saturday, March 30. For sponsorship information, please contact Dr. Clementina Manio at drtina0427@gmail. com or visit https://www.pmsnc.org/.
United Bicolandia Los Angeles induction in Montebello, CA United Bicolandia Los Angeles will hold its 45th Anniversary and Induction Ceremony at Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA on Saturday, March 30. For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact Lanie Berrei at lanieberrei@hotmail.com or (818) 281-3169.
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Philippine Nurses Association of America - North Central Regional Conference in Columbus, Ohio The Philippine Nurses Association - Central Ohio will hold a regional conference from April 25 to 28 at the Embassy Suites (2886 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio). For more information, please visit http://www.mypnaa.org/.
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40th annual Philippine Nurses Association of America National Convention in Atlanta, GA The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) will have its 40th annual national convention from July 24 to 28 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA, hosted by the PNA-GA chapter. More information and details TBA. To learn about the PNA-GA, please visit: https://pnaga.wildapricot.org/.
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University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International Convention & Alaskan Cruise The University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International, Inc. (UPNAAI) will have its 40th convention on a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. The theme will be “In the New Millennium - UPNAAI at 40: Evolving and Emerging Nursing Roles.” On Aug. 1. it will be UPNAAI Volunteers Service Day in Seattle, then 2-9 will be a cruise from Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Victoria, and back to Seattle. Convention Fee $100 for Alumni in addition to cruise pricing. No convention charge for friends and family members. Contact Hours will be provided for the educational conference. For more information/to register and view cruise rates, please visit https://www.upnaai.com/.
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Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo in Carson, CA The second annual Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo is back on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, CA. The two-day event is Southern California’s largest B2B expo showcasing tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in the USA and Philippines. It will feature networking opportunities for business-to-business, business-to-government, and business-to-consumer. The event is powered by the Asian Journal and Balikbayan Magazine. For more information, please visit https://traveltradeconsumer.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
THE 35th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival by Visual Communications will be presented May 2 - May 10, 2019 at select
cinemas in the Los Angeles area. A key highlight Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the Festival is the culmination of
broad support from cinema artists and audiences alike. More information will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned! ■
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2-5, 2019
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A call for more Filipinos to join marrow donor program Westfield Santa Anita rings in Year of the Pig 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 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 Al-
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.
right 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 leukemia and lived until the twoyear 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 children 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 30year-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) n
First General Bank Executive Vice President Hoi Luk, Chinese American Museum President Gay Yuen, Asian Pacific Community Fund Executive Director Chun-Yen Chen, Westfield Santa Anita General Manager Ian Carter, Westfield Santa Anita Marketing Manager Debbie Oung, Lac Nguyen of Uncle Tetsu and Scott Gabel and Conor Smith of University of the West AJPress photos by Christina M. Oriel
by AJPress
IN anticipation for Lunar New Year on Tuesday, February 5, Westfield Santa Anita is hosting its seventh annual celebration on Saturday, February 2, with an afternoon for the entire family and a month of activities and specials. Westfield Santa Anita’s Lunar New Year public event from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., celebrates the “Year of the Pig” at the Center’s outdoor Promenade and will consist of a day full of festivities that put a modern twist on the Center’s annual event. The celebration includes a live concert of contemporary performances and entertainment, Lion dances, children’s crafts activities, stunning photo opportunities, as well as fantastic promotions and treats from the Center’s shops and restaurants. “It’s a huge nod to the community that we’re in. Within the Westfield portfolio, this is one of three centers that does such a big activation for Lunar New Year every year,” Westfield Santa Anita General Manager Ian Carter told the Asian Journal. “It’s really a good opportunity for us to engage with community partners that we’re not really able to on a daily basis to bring the community together and celebrate this time of year.” On Tuesday, January 29, members of the media and community partners were given a look into Westfield Santa Anita General Manager Ian Carter receives a certificate from Arcadia Mayor Sho what the public can expect dur- Tay during a media preview of the mall’s Lunar New Year celebration on Tuesday, January 29. ing this year’s festivities as well For more information, please er will be distributing red enveas the offerings throughout the visit Westfield Concierge located lopes with redeemable coupons. month of February. on Level 2 by Center Court. • Sugarfina unveils their new Leading up to the grand com• Select retailers at the mall Lucky Pigs Lunar New Year Colmunity celebration, Westfield are bringing the cultural cel- lection available for purchase. Guji Lorenzana Santa Anita has placed a larger- ebration to their doorsteps with • Sulwhasoo is finally joining than-life “flying piggy bank” special Lunar New Year promo- the Nordstrom family at Weststatue designed and produced by tions on February 2. field Santa Anita. As Asia’s top artist David Flores in the center • JINS is offering $8.00 and skincare brand with the #1 seatrium. In the spirit of giving, the $18.00 off coupons inside West- rum, the Sulwhasoo First Care statue also serves as a donation field’s red envelope, redeem- Activating Serum is being rebox where shoppers can donate able at the Westfield registration leased in a luxurious Lunar New proceeds to the Asian Pacific table during the community con- Year limited edition version on Community Fund (APCF). First cert event. February 7. General Bank will match all do• Macy’s is hosting a Cosmet• Join Sulwhasoo at the Grand nations to APCF as a gracious ic Department Gala with Smile Opening Event at Nordstrom on homage to the Lunar New Year Direct from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. In 2/23 from 12-5pm to experiseason up to $5,000. addition, various brands within ence the magic of a traditional The Center of the mall will also Macy’s are participating in Lu- Sulwhasoo facial and applicahouse a statute that will be re- nar New Year-related gift with tion techniques. Please contact vealed on Saturday. purchase deals. the Sulwhasoo counter at (626) “In addition to our standard • Nordstrom is hosting several 821-6363 Ext 1030 for more deoffering of amazing food, dining, activities: tails. entertainment and shopping, • 1-5 p.m.: Complimentary • Uncle Tetsu is introducing we bring in special activations Chinese Calligraphy with a qual- a new flavor cheesecake, which throughout that period with dis- ifying purchase of $50 or more will be unveiled on February 2. counts from some of our retail (one per customer, per receipt, This special edition flavor will partners,” Carter said. as time permits). only be available at Uncle Tetsu’s On February 2, Westfield Santa • 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Lion Dance Santa Anita store for a limited Anita is distributing complimen- in front of Nordstrom storefront time (month of February only). tary red envelopes at their reg• Beauty Master Classes host•Wing Hop Fung would like istration table during the com- ed by La Mer (11 a.m. – 12:30 to say: “May the Lunar New COURTESY CALL. (L-R) Love of Country Ambassador, Ralph Lauren Asuncion; Asian Journal Event Director, Annie Nepomuceno; City of Carson munity event. They would also p.m.), Lazlo (11 a.m. – 12:30 Year bring you good health, joy, Mayor Albert Robles; film actress Hilda Koronel; Asian Journal Community Relations Director Trinity Foliente; FACC-SLAA President Janice like to introduce this year’s Gift p.m.), Shiseido (1:30 p.m. – 3 and time to celebrate with loved Jimenez; and COFACC President Gerry Palon. with Purchase promotion, run- p.m.), Chantecaille (4 p.m. – 5:30 ones. Enjoy teas, Asian delicaning from February 4-6, 2019: p.m.), Estee Lauder (4 p.m. cies, wine and spirits from Wing THE Travel, Trade and Con- cutting. $100 Westfield Reward Card – 5:30 p.m.). Hop Fung for all your gifting and The courtesy call sought to exsumer Roadshow (TTC) is if you spend $1,000 or more; • Partywith is launching two celebration needs.” Customers building up steam as the Asian pand the publicity to local busi$150 Westfield Reward Card if Lunar New Year rooms, includ- can save up to 40 percent on Journal representatives make a nesses and to encourage more you spend $1,500 or more; $200 ing a golden pig with gold enve- select ginseng, 20 percent on all courtesy call to the Mayor of the businesses to participate. AJ Westfield Reward Card if you lopes and a Chinese red lantern loose tea, and up to $200 off on Event Director Annie NepomuceCity of Carson, Albert Robles. spend $2,000 or more. rooms. On February 2, the retail- bird’s nest. n The leading officers of Filipino no brought the Mayor up to date Chambers of Commerce lend about TTC 2019, and Community their support, namely newly- Relations Director Trinity Folienelected South Bay President Jan- te emphasized the participation ice Jimenez (FACC-SLAA) and of the cultural pageant, Love of Coalition of Filipino American Country Ambassadors. Mayor Robles, who recogChambers of Commerce Presinizes the breadth of the Filipino dent Gerry Palon. TTC comes back for its second American population in his city, year, following a very successful is a film buff and fan of renown first run in 2018 at the SouthBay multi-awarded film actress Hilda Pavilion where over 30 exhibi- Koronel. Ms. Koronel, who now tor booth, from locals to Philip- resides in the U.S., had appeared pine imports, enjoyed exposure in landmark Filipino films. The Mayor and his staff are ento around 30,000 mall goers that August weekend. Philippine thusiastic and supportive of the manufacturers and real estate, upcoming TTC in August, which local businesses and mainstream is part of a three-city Roadshow services like Spectrum, Western that will head to San Francisco Union and recruiters from the and New York as well. AJ repre- Carson Mayor Albert Robles with Filipina National Guard, and organiza- sentatives shared that more re- actress Hilda Koronel AJPress photos by Noel Ty tions such as the National Asian gional delegations from the PhilAmerican Coalition were among ippines hope to be represented bers of Commerce, whose main the booths. Filipino food trucks, in 2019. In 2018, E.C Ferrer Cus- focus is enabling its members to Fil-Am performers and business toms Broker facilitated the arrival prosper, hence their support for seminar resource persons had si- of a delegation from the province TTC. multaneous presentations in the of Pangasinan. For more information, please The mayor also received re- visit https://traveltradeconsumer. vicinity of the mall. Mayor Robles was on hand for the 2018 ribbon- ports on the active Fil-Am Cham- com/. n February 5 marks the Lunar New Year, with 2019 being the Year of the Earth Pig.
City of Carson anticipates a robust business expo in August SouthBay Pavilion will once again be the center of Filipino-American trade expo
C FEBRUARY 2-5, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM If Democrats favor immigration reform, they
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should repeal the harsh laws signed by Bill Clinton 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
Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ 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 PAGE D2
Business Quote of the Week “One way to understand human progress is to look at how technology has made products and services - once reserved for the elite - progressively more accessible and affordable.” — Dan Schulman, CEO of PayPal
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Infra investments to boost long-term PH growth – AIIB
Work continues at the Batasan station of MRT-7 along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
scale and ambitious infrastructure program in the Philippines. If you think about the key drivers PHILIPPINE economic growth of growth, like trade, economic is expected to receive a long-term integration and the importance boost via the Duterte administra- of becoming more sustainable tion’s “Build Build Build” initia- in terms of climate change, all of tive, a senior Asian Infrastructure those are driven by infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) official investment,” AIIB Vice President said on Tuesday, January 29. Daniel Alexander told The Manila “That’s clearly a very large Times in an interview. by ANNA LEAH
E. GONZALES Manilatimes.net
Manilatimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
“Actually what the Philippines is doing is very much in line with what we are looking at, you need to look longer term to support long term growth,” he added. The AIIB on Tuesday also released its “Asian Infrastructure Finance” report, which emphasizes the need for cross-border infrastructure, including links PAGE D2
Better PH economic growth seen in 2019 percent this year from last year’s 6.2 percent, still mostly driven by consumer spending, while THE Philippines may see a average inflation will drop to 3.5 slight improvement in economic percent this year after spiking to growth and a drastic decline in 5.2 percent last year, Stanchart inflation this 2019 after a chal- economist for Asia Chidu Naralenging period last year, but the nayan said in a press briefing on peso may resume a “gradual” Tuesday, January 29. depreciation to 55 against the Naranayan said consumption U.S. dollar through next year, would still be the biggest driver economists from British banking of growth, although the contribugiant Standard Chartered Bank tion might be slower than in the said. last two years, while public and The country’s gross domestic private investment would also be product (GDP) may grow at 6.4 a key driver. by DORIS
DUMLAO-ABADILLA Inquirer.net
After strengthening in the fourth quarter of 2018, mostly due to the seasonal influx of remittances from overseas Filipinos and the aggressive local interest rate hikes by the central bank, Stanchart sees the peso slipping to 54:$1 by the middle of this year and further to 55:$1 by this year-end through 2020. “We expect gradual and modest depreciation of the peso in 2019,” said Divya Devesh, head of foreign exchange research at Stanchart, adding that the fundaPAGE D3
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Inflation seen dropping further DOF opposes move to remove VAT from fuel below 4% in 2019 first quarter by roy
“Weak crude oil prices, projected by the U.S. Energy Information Administration to average 17 percent lower than 2018, should contribute much to this downward trend,� the report said. Philstar.com file photo by Lawrence
agcaoiLi czeriza VaLencia
age 17 percent lower than 2018, should contribute much to this downward trend,� the report Philstar.com said. Similarly, British banking giant THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and economists expect HSBC sees inflation easing back prices to ease faster Inflation is to the two to four percent target expected to decelerate at a faster of the BSP by March, paving the pace of below four percent in the way for the resumption of the first quarter, according to the reduction of the level of deposit investment banking arm of the banks are required to keep with Metrobank group First Metro In- the central bank. In a report, HSBC economist vestment Corp. In the latest issue of The Mar- Noelan Arbis said the slowdown ket Call, FMIC and the University in inflation may prompt the BSP of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) to reduce the reserve requiresaid the headline inflation rate ment ratio by 100 basis points may also fall below three percent in the second quarter. “Based on our current inflation trajecby the third quarter. “Weak crude oil prices, pro- tory, inflation is likely to be more jected by the U.S. Energy Infor- firmly within the BSP’s target mation Administration to aver- by March , enabling the BSP to
cut the reserve requirement ratio in the secondf quarter. That said, a faster decline in inflation could prompt an earlier move,� he said. The BSP said the January inflation likely eased to a range of 4.3 to 5.1 percent despite higher prices of oil as well as alcohol and tobacco products due to the second tranche of adjustments on excise taxes under the tax reform law. The central bank’s Department of Economic Research (DER) said domestic oil price hikes, due to higher international crude oil prices and the second tranche of the excise tax adjustment from Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and InPAGE D3
If Democrats favor immigration reform... PAGE D1 t 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: 1-866-4873465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINE (Advertising Supplement)
Stephen c. caniVeL Inquirer.net
THE Department of Finance (DOF) is opposing a bill at the Senate that aims to make fuel cheaper by removing the value added tax (VAT) on petroleum products. Senator Aquilino “Kiko� Pimentel filed early this month Senate Bill No. 2163, which DOF noted would essentially be a “tax break� for those who have cars. The proposed measure is meant to cushion the impact of the second hike in fuel excise tax that started January, according to Pimentel in a statement. The latest fuel excise tax increase was based on the Duterte administration’s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act. DOF Undersecretary Karl Chua, however, said Pimentel’s proposal would only benefit the rich. “VAT is a tax on goods and services, so when you buy, you pay the VAT. If you remove that, the typical ones who buy, or the rich-
er ones with cars, are going to get a tax break, which we are not very comfortable about,� Chua told reporters on the sidelines of the annual general membership meeting of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. “That’s why we propose from the start to continue the tax on fuel in terms of both excise and VAT, and then transfer some of the revenues for the poor consumers,� he also said. According to Chua, revenues could be channeled through the
conditional cash transfer program or the Pantawid Pasada Program. “So in that way, it’s more fair. Otherwise, when you remove the VAT, the primary beneficiaries are those who can afford because they have cars,� he said. However, the Pantawid Pasada Program, which is essentially a fuel subsidy program for jeepney drivers, has been criticized for its slow implementation at a time when prices of basic goods and services are increasing fast. n
PAGE D1 t that promote trade, market integration and the distribution of green energy. In the case of the Philippines, the report said infrastructure construction activity would likely increase on the back of “Build Build Build.� It said an increase in long-term financing costs was also expected in the next 12 months due to inflation, but would not be sharp “owing to the strength of the economy and the fact that most infrastructure financing is denominated in local currencies.� The report further said that the cost of construction was likely to increase due to demand from large-scale projects, projected depreciation of the peso and inflationary pressure. The AIIB’s report noted that the 2018 estimated construction cost was at P60,000 per meter. “Construction materials need to be imported, making costs vulnerable to peso’s depreciation, which the EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit) projects will continue in 2019- driving input prices up and increasing inflationary pressure. At the same time, structural factors such as high capacity utilization and a relatively tight labor market will continue to push up domestic prices,� the report states. Alexander said that one of the
conclusions of the report was that of determining the opportunities in investing in infrastructure. “There are huge economic opportunities for Asia in investing in infrastructure especially in promoting economic activity within the country and between countries and so even though maybe there are some short term risks in the economy, it is important that we continue to focus on opportunities of infrastructure to support growth over the longer term,� he said. The AIIB, he continued, could help member countries like the Philippines deliver infrastructure programs. “From the AIIB point of view, we see a role in helping our member countries in that, including the Philippines which we very much would like to be a long-term partner, that’s our philosophy,� Alexander said The China-backed lender has so far financed $7.5 billion worth of projects in 40 different countries. In the Philippines, the AIIB committed to co-finance the first phase of the $500 million Metro Manila Flood Management Project along with the World Bank. The government has asked the AIIB to fund three big-ticket infrastructure projects for possible financing. “So far, those projects have not
gone through the approval process yet. The way it works is when the projects come to us they have to be assessed and appraised and then eventually they will go to our board of directors for approval. So far for the one project approved, we will continue to talk to the Department of Finance, we’ll be seeing them when I’m here to know about how we can help with the program,� Alexander said. He said the AIIB was also open to financing other infrastructure projects in the country, including those in Mindanao. “From the bank’s point of view, the Philippines is a very important member of the AIIB, it has very strong infrastructure demand, we would very much like to more involved in the future and we stand ready to help in whatever way the Philippine government deems appropriate,� Alexander said. “We would look to the government to what are the priorities of AIIB activity here. We ourselves have to look in detail each project. We have to look into the financial viability, the economic benefits and to look at the environmental and social viability. If all those are met, then we can consider any project from any member countries. If the Philippine government wants us to help in that [Mindanao] region then we could certainly consider that.� n
Inquirer.net file photo
Infra investments to boost...
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Kia: ‘Soluto’ sedan seen driving 2019 sales by TyRone JaspeR
c. piad
Manilatimes.net
KIA Motors Corp. Philippines is banking on its newest brand Soluto to generate the bulk of its expected sales in 2019. On the sidelines of Kia’s relaunching in Makati City on Wednesday night, Kia Philippines President Manny Aligada said the firm aimed to sell about 5,000 Soluto cars this year, or half of its 10,000-unit sales target. The model’s price range — from P625,000 to P735,000 —is “highly competitive,” he added, given its features. “If you’re looking for design, if that’s a driver for the purchase, look at the Soluto. This looks slick. The nose is thin. The leg room is comfortable,” Aligada
Kia Philippines President Manny Aligada Manilatimes.net file photo
said, adding that the brand carried a European design and its infotainment feature was available in all its variants. Soluto also has a 1.4-liter dualcontinuous variable valve timing gasoline engine that produces 95 horsepower and 132 newtonmeter of torque. Installed in the body are a six-speaker system, rearview camera, steering wheel
controls and touchscreen audio. The brand comes in “Clear White,” “Titanium Silver,” “Blue Stream,” “Aurora Black Pearl” and “Marcato Red.” First produced in China as “Pegas,” Soluto is the first new car model introduced by Kia Philippines this year, with two more expected to be unveiled in the second and third quarters. Aligada said Soluto would be available in a few days, adding that dealers had already reserved units for selling. Soluto’s relaunch came after Industrials Technology Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of Ayala Corp., signed a distribution agreement the South Korea automaker in December. Kia sales fell by 58 percent to 2,200 units last year from 5,186 in 2017. n
Fake goods seized reach record high P23.6 billion in 2018
THE value of counterfeit items seized by the government hit a record high of P23.6 billion last year, with fake cigarettes and alcohol leading the haul, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said. In a statement Thursday, January 31, the IPOPHL said the value of counterfeit items seized by the National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR) was the highest since the group’s creation in 2008. Compared to the goods seized worth P8.2 billion in 2017, last year’s haul surged 188 percent. “In terms of enforcement, 2018 has proven to be a banner year with the NCIPR, spearheaded by IPOPHL and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), capturing record levels of counterfeit goods. Consistent with the trend we’ve
seen all year, fake cigarettes and alcohol led this record haul – the formula for which we believe is the firm determination and vigilance of brand owners to pursue these counterfeiters,” IPOPHL director general Josephine Santiago said. Apart from the IPOPHL, the NCIPR is composed of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, and Optical Media Board. Of the total haul last year, cigarettes and alcohol accounted for the bulk or P20.3 billion. Pharmaceutical or personal care items came in second with P1.2 billion, followed by hand bags or wallets with P821 million on third place. Optical media placed fourth with P790 million, followed by footwear amounting to P191 million. As illegal traders are shifting
to heavily-taxed goods, Santiago said the government would need the cooperation of brand owners to run after counterfeiters. She also said there is a need to follow through with convictions of perpetrators. IPOPHL deputy director general Teodoro Pascua said there were many lessons for the agency last year such as the strong support and effort on the part of the IPR holder, as well as collaboration of government agencies. “Advocacy and information efforts to the public to respect and protect IPRs will always work specially for the long term. Finally, a clear and bigger perspective on the ill-effects of IPR violations enables the different sectors of society to bond their efforts for an effective and longer lasting collective approach against fake and counterfeit properties and cultivate real respect for IPR,” he said. n
PAGE D1 t mental reason would still be the large importation of capital goods that in turn would boost U.S. dollar demand and result in another year of current account deficit. But Devesh noted that the country’s growth story remained strong, thereby attracting foreign fund flows, while the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas had enough ammunition, such as ample for-
eign reserves, to tackle currency volatility. “Unlike three or four years back when peso was quite overvalued, now we don’t think it’s overvalued. It’s very close to fair valuation,” he said. Naranayan said the Philippines would face another year of current account deficit due to the importation of iron, steel and other capital goods needed for in-
frastructure-building, but he said this deficit would likely be smaller than the levels seen in 2017 and 2018. As for inflation, it is expected to go back to the BSP’s targeted range of 2-4 percent, even if oil prices are assumed to average at $78 per barrel. Oil prices could be a key risk, however, if prices go back to over $84 per barrel.n
by LoueLLa
desideRio Philstar.com
Better PH economic growth seen...
National Diversity Coalition and T-Mobile sign MOU on diversity, community investment and low-income wireless services Memo comes ahead of T-Mobile’s planned merger with Sprint
by Richmond
meRcuRio Philstar.com
THE National Diversity Coalition (NDC) CEO Faith Bautista on Thursday, January 31 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with T-Mobile US CEO John Legere on behalf of the New T-Mobile, the combined company that will be created pending the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint. The MOU outlines the mutual goals and commitments that NDC and the New T-Mobile share around diversity, community investment, and delivering wireless services—including 5G—to lowincome consumers. Legere will continue to serve as CEO of the combined company. The MOU is the result of active talks between NDC and T-Mobile while the merger is being reviewed by federal and state agencies. Specifically, the two entities discussed ways to collaborate, along with other community groups, on a number of initiatives focused on serving low-income communities and expanding the company’s planned diversity initiatives. In the MOU, T-Mobile agreed that, following the merger, the New T-Mobile would establish an External Diversity and Inclusion Council that will be comprised of non-employees from the African American, Asian, Latino, Native American, and LGBTQ communities, as well as persons with disabilities and women. The Coun-
cil will advise the New T-Mobile leadership on developing and implementing its Diversity Strategic Plan. Furthermore, T-Mobile affirmed a commitment to diversity among its board and workforce recruitment of the newly created company. With direction from NDC and the External Diversity and Inclusion Council, the New T-Mobile will increase its goal for annual diverse spending in California to at minimum meet the California Public Utilities Commission’s target of 21.5 percent total spend with diverse businesses (40 percent when excluding spend on the handset and network manufacturers). As part of the agreement, T-Mobile also doubled down on its track record of seeking out and serving low-income and underserved consumers by agreeing that the New T-Mobile would develop a Community Investment Plan that will outline its philanthropy and community development initiatives for the new company. Part of this investment is the Community Wireless Initiative, which will expand and improve wireless capabilities in community centers, churches, and other areas throughout California to benefit low-income communities and underserved populations. This includes making wireless devices available at low or no cost to school children or districts eligible for free or reduced lunches, as well as to community organiza-
tions serving areas with limited wireless access. Bautista said the MOU “demonstrates T-Mobile’s commitment to best practices in corporate social responsibility and earns them the opportunity to prove that their proposed merger with Sprint would bring value and benefit to consumers throughout California.” She continued that the partnership will “set a new standard in collaboration between community-based organizations and corporate America.” “We are thrilled to join forces with NDC and collaborate with them as we build on New T- Mobile’s commitments to diversity and inclusion, providing wireless accessibility and investing in communities,” said John Legere, CEO of T-Mobile and New T-Mobile CEO. “The New T-Mobile is all about bringing value and accessibility to everyone - particularly underserved consumers and their communities. We look forward to delivering on that promise as we build a new 5G network that will offer coverage, speed and capacity across the entire country.” NDC is a nonprofit public benefit organization comprised of community, faith-based, and corporate leaders spanning the nation’s African American, Latino, and Asian American communities pushing for greater opportunity, empowerment, and financial equality for underserved and minority communities. n
Inflation seen dropping further... PAGE D2 t clusion (TRAIN) Law, is seen to be the primary driver of inflation for the month of January. In addition, BSP economists also cited higher fish and vegetable prices due to colder weather conditions. Likewise, they added the annual adjustments in the excise taxes of alcoholic beverages from the Sin Tax Law may result in additional upward price pressures. “These may be partly offset by lower rice prices, downward adjustment in electricity rates, and the slight appreciation of the peso,” the BSP said. Growth in consumer prices is expected to average between
three percent to 3.5 percent for this year. This should sit well within the two to four percent target of the central bank for 2019. Headline inflation has already fallen from a peak of 6.7 percent in September to October to 5.1 percent in December and is expected to continue falling sharply over the coming months because of falling oil prices. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is expected to announce the January 2019 headline rate next week. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) raised policy rates by a total of 175 basis points last year to rein in inflation.
Because of this, consumer spending, which slowed to a four-year low in the third quarter of 2018, should have a strong recovery because of the fast pace of decline in the growth of consumer prices, the FMIC said. Looking ahead, the central bank said authorities would remain watchful of evolving inflationary conditions to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with the BSP’s price stability mandate. Inflation accelerated to 5.2 percent in 2018 from 2.9 percent in 2017 due to higher oil and food prices as well as the weak peso. It exceeded by the BSP’s two to four percent target.n
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Foreign chambers back investment law changes by Tyrone Jasper
C. piad
Manilatimes.net
FOREIGN business chambers have expressed support for legislative moves to amend the Foreign Investment Act of 1991 (FIA) with regard to the entry of foreign professionals and requirements for full ownership of domestic firms. In a statement dated January 24 but only sent to reporters on Monday, the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) called for the approval of all amendments contained in Senate Bill 2102 that is being deliberated by the chamber’s economic affairs committee. SB 2012, introduced by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian last November, seeks to exclude the “practice of all professions” from coverage of the FIA and reduce the employment threshold for foreigners investing in small and medium-sized companies. “It is our view that the practice of all professions is not a germane provision in the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL), the key document created by the Foreign Investment Act,” the JFC said. “The practice of profession is not an investment activity under
investment of $100,000 or a little over P5.4 million. The amount today, it said, is not enough to support a workforce of 50 as minimum wages have more than tripled. “So as not to render pointless this provision of the law, and to align it with the spirit of the FlA, there is a need to reduce the employment requirement and lower the threshold to a more reasonable number, which the bill recommends to be 15 employees,” the JFC said. It also noted that SB 2102 amends the law’s declaration of policy, clarifying the benefits Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian from foreign investments. Manilatimes.net file photo Section 5 of the bill, meanthe scope of the Foreign Invest- while, “embodies a long-standment Act and therefore should ing JFC recommendation to unnot be included in the FINL,” it dertake systematic inter-agency review of FINL.” added. Also, a new provision calls for While the Constitution is biased in favor of Filipinos it is not the establishment of a joint web a strict legal barrier, the JFC said, portal that will carry information adding that almost all laws regu- regarding investment policies, lating professions also contain programs and procedures. The JFC is comprised of the reciprocity provisions. Including professions in the American, Australia-New ZeaFINL was “extremely mislead- land, Canadian, European, Japanese and Korean business chaming”, the JFC claimed. With regard to ownership, it bers in the Phillipines and the noted that the FIA set an employ- Philippine Association of Mulment requirement of 50 workers tinational Companies Regional for an enterprise with a minimum Headquarters Inc. n
GSIS warns against proposed reduction in retirement age to 56
With the measure, fund to get depleted 12 years earlier than programmed by Ben
o. de Vera Inquirer.net
STATE-run Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) stands to lose 12 years from its fund life if the House-approved bill reducing the optional retirement age of government personnel to 56 becomes a law, officials of the pension fund warned Wednesday, January 30. If ever Congress would push through with the measure that would allow government workers to retire even earlier than the current early-retirement age of 60, GSIS president and general manager Jesus Clint O. Aranas said the pension fund was hoping it would be applied only to new entrants to public service. “The only viable option is to do this prospectively—for the new
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members, for the new entrants, they can have this package. But the old pensioners should not be made to suffer the challenges, because as studies would show, it will reduce the fund life of the GSIS,” Aranas said. “It destroys and erodes job security—the pension of a government worker is his job security. It is very important that the government employee knows that he has a solid pension and a retirement when he does retire at the end of the day. That’s job security,” he added. GSIS chief legal counsel Isagani L. Cruz Jr. said the proposed reduction in optional retirement age would shorten GSIS’ fund life by 12 years to 2039 from 2051 at present. It means that the GSIS could
no longer have funds to disburse benefits by 2039, unless its fund is replenished. “In money terms, to sustain the fund life, we will need an additional reserve requirement of P176.36 billion,” Cruz added. Cruz said that besides capital infusion, the GSIS might have no other option but to either increase members’ contribution rate or slash benefits in order to mitigate the impact of the planned retirement age cut and sustain the fund life. “I think both alternatives will not be really welcome. In the absence of these alternatives, we’ll just have to bite the bullet and face the reduction of the fund life, and expect the fund to be depleted 12 years earlier [than previously programmed],” Cruz warned. n
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Manilatimes.net file photo
Service sector reforms urged to spur PH growth THE Philippines should work on opening the service sector if it wants to spur growth, a World Bank economist said on Monday, January 28. Andrew Mason, the multilateral lender’s acting chief economist for East Asia and the Pacific, noted that countries in the region were opening up in terms of tariffs but lagging with respect to liberalizing services. “This is particularly important for the Philippines, because I think the future of Philippines, growth is going to be in highvalue services. So service sector reform in this regard is important,” he told reporters. “It has something to do with regulations on foreign direct investment … the share of foreign ownership in many sectors in the Philippine economy. That is the type of restriction that is counterproductive from an economic perspective,” he added. Noting that the Philippines had benefited from the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, Mason said the economy could gain a lot more if other sectors were liberalized. “In the Philippines, of course, what’s famous are the BPOs. But services can be all kinds of things. It can be media, finance, tourism, so there is a whole world of possibilities beyond BPOs where the Philippines can grow if they open up and strengthen the regulatory framework for operations,” he said. The law, among others, prohibits foreigners from owning
mass media companies and limits their stake in public utilities to 40 percent. Executive Order 65, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last October, updated the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL) by fully opening up a number of sectors. Up to 100 percent foreign participation has been allowed for the following: • internet businesses, which have been excluded from the category of mass media; • teaching at higher education levels, provided the subject being taught is not a professional subject (included in a government board or bar examination); • training centers engaged in short-term high-level skills development that do not form part of the formal education system; • insurance adjustment companies, lending companies, financing companies and investment houses; and • wellness centers. Foreign ownership in two other sectors was also increased to up to 40 percent: • contracts for construction and repair of locally funded public works (except those that are foreign-funded or -assisted and required to undergo international competitive auction), which previously had 25% foreign participation cap; and • private radio communication networks, (20 recent previously). Aside from services sector liberalization, Mason said that cut-
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PSYCHIC
ting bureaucratic red tape would also spur growth, “In a lot of countries in East Asia there is a lot of bureaucratic discretion to issuing licenses to entities especially foreign entities that are interested in being involved in the services sector,” he said. The World Bank expects the Philippine economy to grow by 6.5 percent this year, picking up from 6.2 percent last year but below the government’s 7.0-8.0 percent target. In a related development, a senior Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official expressed optimism that factors such as the updated FINL, lower inflation, and strong government and consumer spending would help boost. “We are confident that in 2019, with inflation down, sustained govt spending, [and] with consumption expenditure being resilient and robust we should see more investments coming in,” central bank Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said in an interview last week. At the same time, the negative list of the government has been streamlined and that will provide a boost to foreign and domestic investments,” he also said. Based on the Bangko Sentral’s latest forecasts, inflation will return to the 2.0-4.0 percent target this year — averaging 3.1 percent — and moderate further to 3.0 percent in 2020 after hitting 5.2 percent in 2018. (Manilatimes.net) n
D FEBRUARY 2-5, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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