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FEBRUARY 14-20, 2019 Volume 30 - No. 7 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
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Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Global press group tells Duterte: Stop weaponizing law to silence Rappler THE World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum on Wednesday, February 13 wrote to President Rodrigo Duterte expressing alarm on the arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa over cyberlibel charges, saying such a move was “politically motivated.” Rappler news editor Miriam Go said that NBI agents entered their building at past 5 p.m. to serve an
arrest warrant on Ressa. Government office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. although warrants can be served at any time. State prosecutors on January 10 indicted Rappler, Ressa and former reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. on cyberlibel over an article about businessman Wilfredo Keng that was published in 2012. “We are seriously concerned that the charges are politically
USA
DATELINE Fil-Am federal workers reflect on longest gov’t shutdown ahead of a possible second closure FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Trump ‘extremely unhappy’ with current deal
FILIPINO-American Ted Aquino has been an air traffic controller at John Wayne Airport in Irvine, California for more than 20 years. After emigrating from Manila, Philippines to Tustin, California, a lengthy job search got him this gig, which he said he enjoys. “I’ve always loved airplanes, and wanted to be a pilot originally, but I figured air traffic controllers also have an important job, so I got it and have been happy for the last 20 or so years,” Aquino told the Asian Journal in a recent phone interview. He’s been happy with it, that is, until recently. Aquino was one of the thousands of “nonessential” federal workers who worked without pay during President Donald Trump’s 5-week government shutdown, the longest shutdown in American history.
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Pacquiao’s plan A: Mayweather in May UNLESS it’s the rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao will have to set aside his plans of returning to the ring in May. “At this moment, it appears that way,” international matchmaker Sean Gibbons, always close by Pacquiao these days, recently told The STAR. “We’ll see what the next week brings,” added Gibbons. Obviously, Pacquiao is waiting to hear from Mayweather, and hear it straight from the retired superstar that he is ready to do the anticipated rematch. “Manny is just waiting for Floyd. Manny has already done everything plus more to rejuvenate interest in that rematch,” said Gibbons. “But Floyd has to want the fight. That’s where we’re at right now. Something has to happen,” added Gibbons, 51, who once fought at light-heavyweight.
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motivated and form part of a systematic campaign by the government to use the law as a weapon to silence Rappler’s reporting, which has often been critical of your presidency,” WAN-IFRA and World Editors Forum said in a letter to Duterte, noting the numerous legal proceedings that the news site is facing. “We would also like to remind you that bringing charges for a
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Palace: Duterte allowed to endorse election bets by AJPRESS AS the 90-day campaign period for senatorial and party-list candidates started on Tuesday, February 12, Malacañang informed the public that it is lawful for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to engage in partisan activities. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that while the Article XXII Section 261 (i) known as the Prohibited Acts of the President Rodrigo Duterte Omnibus Election Code Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain prohibits public officers and employees from endorsing, the provision simply excludes the president. “The president even asked – called upon the members of the cabinet to strictly follow the rules on the prohibition on government employees, officials not to campaign for or against any political candidate, exempting himself, because the provision says he is exempted from it,” Panelo said as reported by The Philippine Star. The Code, otherwise known as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 9115, stated that “the following shall be guilty of an election offense.” Under the “intervention of public officers and employees,” the provision exempts those “holding political offices” from
YOU’VE BEEN SERVED. Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Rappler CEO Maria Ressa by virtue of a warrant issued by Branch 46 of the Manila Regional Trial Court. The warrant of arrest is for the cyberlibel case against her and a reporter over an article published in 2012. Inquirer.net photo by Edwin Bacasmas
Rappler CEO Maria Ressa arrested for ‘cyber libel’ by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
RENOWNED Filipina photojournalist Maria Ressa of Rappler was arrested at the paper’s headquarters on suspicion of “cyber libel” by the Philippine Department of Justice on Wednesday, February 13. Ressa, a former CNN bureau chief and current CEO of Rappler, claimed her stake as a lead critic against President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration, providing damning coverage of the controversial war on drugs that claimed thousands of lives through extrajudicial killings. “These legal acrobatics show how far the government will go to silence journalists, including the pettiness of forcing me to spend a night in jail,” Ressa, 55, said in a statement following her arrest. The charges stem from a story published to Rappler involving businessman Wilfredo Keng from
May 2012, months before the Philippines adopted a cybercrime prevention law. In 2014, Keng claimed that the piece linked him to human and drug trafficking, which prompted the paper to update the article that same year. Keng argued that the article’s change in 2014 was under the purview of the cybercrime prevention law. Since her arrest, Rappler continues to defend its CEO and urge the government to drop the charges, which they call “absurd and baseless.” “Maria Ressa, along with her colleagues at Rappler, has fearlessly exposed the abuses of the Duterte government, even in the face of relentless harassment,” the online news outlet said in a statement. “By arresting her on these absurd and baseless charges, concerning an article published 7 years ago and prior to the enactment of the very law
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Historian: ‘Maharlika’ does not mean ‘noble’ by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
A FILIPINO historian on Wednesday, February 13, said that the understanding of “Maharlika” as nobility is a common misconception due to mistranslated historical texts. This was after President Rodrigo Duterte proposed the idea of replacing the name of the Philippines with this term. “Actually, tama si Marcos. Panahon ni Marcos, tama talaga si Marcos. Gusto niya palitan [ng] Maharlika, the Republic of Maharlika because Maharlika is a Malay word and it means more of a concept of serenity and peace (Actually, Marcos is right. This was during the time of Marcos, he is really right. He wanted to change the name to Maharlika, the Republic of Maharlika because Maharlika is a Malay u PAGE A2 word and it means more of a concept of serenity and
peace),” said Duterte in front of an audience of mostly Muslim Filipinos in Maguindanao. But according to Dr. Rolando Borrinaga, a historian from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, “Maharlika” actually means “free man.” He told radio DZMM that the members of the maharlika do not participate in politics, unlike the datu class of rulers. He also added that maharlikas are different from the Visayas’ timawa, or free people. The Philippines was named after Spain’s King Philip II in the 16th century when the country was still colonized by the Spanish. Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, a Spanish explorer, coined the name “Las Islas Filipinas” for the archipelago. In 1978, then-Batasang Pambansa member Eddie Ilarde proposed the Philippines’ name be changed
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AFP chief welcomes US support by AJPRESS THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, February 12, welcomed the United States’ quarterly report that showed $61.9 million in support of the intelligence operations of the Philippine military. “Talks on the matter (of U.S. intelligence aid) are still on the higher level and the AFP is yet to be directly involved,” AFP chief Benjamin Madrigal Jr. told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo. “Of course any assistance, most especially in terms of technology or added training is a welcome activity,” he added. According to Glenn Fine, principal deputy inspector general of the U.S. State Department, the Philippine military still needs “extensive support” when it comes to intelligence, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the commitment reflected the “very strong” surveillance, and reconnaissance because of alliance between the Philippines and its defense treaty partner, the U.S. Released photo by Jason W. Fudge/U.S. Marine Corps its “limited capability” to gather information
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on a target. “ T h i s quarter, the Department of Defense (DoD) continued to provide assistance to the AFP in its fight against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Philip- AFP Chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. Philstar.com photo pines (ISISPH) and other violent extremist organizations,” Fine said. The ISIS-PH might remain fragmented and degraded, but it still poses a security
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february 14-20, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL
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Palace: Duterte allowed to endorse... PAGE A1 getting an election sanction. “Any officer or employee in the civil service, except those holding political offices; any officer, employee, or member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), or any police force, special forces, home defense forces, barangay self-defense units and all other para-military units that now exist or
which may hereafter be organized who, directly or indirectly, intervenes in any election campaign or engages in any partisan political activity, except to vote or to preserve public order, if he is a peace officer,� the provision stated. Such law is confirmed by COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez during his interview with Cignal TV’s One News segment, “The
Chiefs�. He admitted that while this rule clearly exempts politicians in office, there are still gray areas in its implementation. Panelo clarified that despite Duterte’s liberty to campaign for those he deemed worthy of the public seat, “it will be just verbal endorsement� from the president. He promised that the executive office will not use taxpayers’ money in any of the campaigns. There are three senatorial candidates that are closely linked with Duterte and are part of his “inner circle.� Among those in the inner circle are his long-time aide Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong� Go, former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato� dela Rosa, and former political adviser Francis Tolentino. Panelo also denied that the upcoming May elections would serve as a referendum on the Duterte presidency. The spokesperson noted that he does not “think the president believes in his magical so-called power to endorse. What he’s giving the people is ‘these are the people that I personally feel are capable of being in the Senate.� The presidential legal counsel emphasized that a win from the opposition side would not denote a repudiation of the Duterte presidency. Instead, he said that it simply signifies a mandate from the people to cooperate with the administration. “Now, as far as I am concerned and I think the President will agree with me that the—even the winning of an opposition candidate doesn’t mean a repudiation of the administration,� Panelo said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. “It only means that when opposition candidates win, it is an expression of the electorate telling them that we’re putting you there to cooperate with this administration because we believe in this presidency and not you to destabilize it,� he added. Panelo also urged all local and national candidates for the midterm elections to practice clean, fair and honest practices before, during and after the campaign period by abiding with the rules and regulation of the election commission. “Every government, every administration – always appeals to all the candidates to strictly observe the elections laws... We have to have clean, honest, fair, credible elections,� Panelo said. n
NO MORE SWIMMING. A lone police stands guard along the shoreline of the Manila Bay, stretching from the U.S. Embassy to the Manila Yacht Club, which was declared by authorities as ‘unsafe’ for swimming due to high levels of fecal coliform. Authorities have begun barricading the seawall. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
Global press group to Duterte... PAGE A1 crime that was not enacted at the time of the alleged infraction is not only a legal absurdity, it also risks rendering the Cybercrime Prevention Act unconstitutional, as it would become an ‘ex post facto’ law. It would also send a chilling message to all online publishers,� they added. Agents of the NBI arrived at the Rappler office past government office hours, including court hours. This means that if the warrant has been served, Ressa would have to be detained overnight. She could post bail when the
court that issued a warrant opens on Thursday, February 14. “We respectfully call on you to take all possible steps to ensure that the NBI follows the advice of its own lawyers and withdraws the indictment for cyber libel,� WAN-IFRA and World Editors Forum said. “We also ask you to halt the apparent persecution of Rappler and Maria Ressa so that they may continue to play an active role in civic debate and carry out the watchdog function of the press,� they added. Duterte earlier accused Rappler of “throwing trash and shit
all alongâ€? and called it a “fake news outlet.â€? The WAN-IFRA and World Editors Forum represent 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries. “We continue reporting on major events. Of course, we know that these cases are intended to intimidate us precisely because we know that’s the intent,â€? Rappler Investigative Desk Editor Chay HofileĂąa told ANC Television. “We’re not buckling down.â€? (Ian Nicolas Cigaral with Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)
Historian: ‘Maharlika’ does not mean...
PAGE A1 to Maharlika through Parliamentary Bill 195. U.S. Army investigators said the term was also used by former president Ferdinand Marcos when he faked his military records during the World War II. At that time, the late dictator claimed to have commanded a group of guerrillas known as the “Maharlika Unit.� However, a 1986 New York Times report revealed that Marcos’ petition requesting recognition of the unit between 1945 and 1948 were denied. The U.S. Army rejected Marcos’ requests, calling his claims “distorted, exaggerated, fraudulent, contradictory and absurd.� It was concluded by army investigators that Maharlika was a fictitious creation and that ‘’no such unit ever existed’’ as a guerrilla organization during the war.� Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, for his part, clarified that Duterte would not actively push Congress to change the name. “It’s not the style of the president,� he said. “He floats Dr. Rolando Borrinaga, a historian from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Photo from Twitter/CNN Philippines [the] idea and someone gets it.� n
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A3
Fil-Am federal workers reflect on longest... PAGE A1 As previously reported by the Asian Journal, the shutdown was the result of an impasse over Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion of federal dollars allocated for his long-awaited U.S.-Mexico border wall. Democrats have repeatedly declined the request, which led to Trump’s refusal to sign the spending package, which didn’t include said border wall funds. “I have kids who need to be fed and taken care of, [so] I really can’t afford being a pawn in this whole [expletive] situation,” Aquino said, venting out his financial grievances over the phone. “And I know I’m not the only one.” Aquino is right in that the 5week shutdown that began on Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019 resulted in 800,000 federal workers being furloughed or working without pay. The government reopened when Trump agreed to a stopgap bill that temporarily opened the government until this Friday, Feb. 15. Ahead of the bill’s expiration date, Trump on Tuesday, Feb. 12 said that he is “extremely unhappy” with the bipartisan deal that congressional lawmakers offered to avoid another shutdown. That bill lacked the $5.7 billion for the wall, and only included funding for a southern border fence. “I am extremely unhappy with what the Democrats have given us,” the president told reporters. “It’s sad. They’re doing the country no favors. They’re hurting our country very badly. But we certainly don’t want to see a shutdown.” Trump doubts that there would be a second shutdown, but preemptively placed the blame on Democrats if it comes to that. “And I accepted the first one, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished because people
learned during that shutdown all about the problems coming in from the southern border,” Trump added. “I accept it — I’ve always accepted it. But this one, I would never accept it if it happens, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. But this would be totally on the Democrats.” But Trump indicating he is “proud” of what was accomplished sugarcoats the frantic upheaval that plagued the federal workforce. Amid the partisan battle in Washington over spending packages and border walls, the economic well-being of individual employees was at stake, Aquino remarked. “It’s not a game, it’s our lives here, and that time was really hard because I would go into work unsure if I would get paid for my work that day, which, I admit, did mentally affect me most days [during the shutdown],” Aquino said. Aquino also emphasizes the public safety concerns of “playing” with the jobs of air traffic controllers. Aquino said that the typical process to become an air traffic controller involves years of training before being certified for the job. “There are no rest days on the job. You have to be on guard since you’re overseeing as many as 30 planes at a time. There’s no room to slip up, but when you’re worrying about if you can’t pay your rent on time, naturally it affects your overall well being,” Aquino explained. Air travel is a uniquely, almost totally federally-operated system that hinges so much on safety, and that safety hinges upon its hundreds of thousands of workers. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) under the Dept. of Homeland Security is responsible for the security of travelers in the U.S. that was created after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Dolores Harden, a FilipinaAmerican TSA worker at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, saw the irony in the 35-day shutdown’s furloughing of “actually essential security employees” because of the border wall. “As TSA agents, it’s our job to protect the American people and thwart any terrorism threats. I was with some of my coworkers the other day, and we were laughing about the government shutdown over a wall — which is purportedly supposed to protect us from drug dealers coming into the country —actually caused already employed protectors of terrorism and harm to miss our pay,” Harden told the Asian Journal in a recent phone interview on Wednesday, February 6. Harden was one of the 55,000 TSA workers who were expected to work without pay. TSA workers are categorically labeled — and perhaps, truly are — essential federal employees. She was also one of the thousands of TSA agents who missed work during the shutdown. When asked if she missed work in protest of the shutdown (as some “essential” federal workers did), she declined and said that it was for “economic reasons.” But she did imply that the overall tension at work during the shutdown was palpable. Harden said that she felt resentment towards the government for “such a willynilly decision that impacted a lot of us negatively.” “I’m not trying to be partisan here when I say that what happened, and what might happen next week was not right. I don’t think it’s partisan to say we don’t need a wall. We need federal workers with jobs [that] are solely to protect the American people to be respected,” Harden said. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
Rappler CEO Maria Ressa...
AFP chief...
PAGE A1 under which she is being charged, the Philippines government has exposed how desperate it is to silence critics and stamp out independent journalism in the country. We call on the Duterte government to immediately drop these charges and release Ressa. Investigative journalism is not a crime.” Despite Ressa’s ongoing strife with the administration, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panela told reporters that Ressa’s arrest “has nothing to do with freedom
PAGE A1 threat with an estimated 300 to 550 fighters active in the southern Philippines. Fine’s DoD report, which was based on recommendations from the Indo-Pacific Command in the last quarter of 2018, was only submitted to the U.S. Congress last week due to the longest government shutdown. The AFP is currently depending on the U.S. and other traditional allies for its defense and military requirements. ■
of expression or freedom of the press. I think I’d rather advise Maria Ressa [to] just focus on her defense. After years of covering the war on drugs in the Philippines, Ressa was one of four journalists named by TIME magazine as Person of the Year in 2018. Ressa’s charges of cyber libel come at the heels of a November 2018 charge against Ressa and Rappler for alleged tax evasion and failure to file tax returns, a claim which both defendants denied. ■
P90-M SHABU SEIZED. Personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) present the P90 million worth of shabu intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in a press conference in Pasay City on Tuesday, February 12. The contraband, weighing around 13 kilograms, was concealed in a parcel shipment containing muffler parts. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
‘Nurses not covered by US work ban on Filipino wokers’
NURSES, including Filipinos, are not covered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ban on the issuance of new work visas to foreign workers, a lawmaker representing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) said. “Filipino nurses entering America through the sponsorship of their prospective U.S. employers apply for and are issued a separate entry permit — the H-1B visa,” Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III of party-list group ACTS-OFW said. Bertiz said the H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign staff, including nurses, in select occupations that require the application of specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent work experience.
He added the visa ban covers mostly trainees and agricultural workers. Bertiz predicted that the demand for Filipino nurses in the U.S. would steadily increase in the years ahead. “America’s nursing workforce is growing old and they are not producing new nurses fast enough, mainly because they lack teaching staff. In fact, U.S. schools are turning away wouldbe nursing students due to the shortage of qualified instructors,” he said. In California alone, Filipinos account for some 20 percent of the state’s entire nursing labor force, Bertiz said. He said a total of 187,103 Filipino nurses have taken America’s nursing licensure examination
for the first time since 1995. Last year, 10,302 Filipino nurses hoping to land jobs in the U.S. took the licensure exam. Bertiz said the 2018 figure “was up 32 percent versus the 7,791 Filipino nurses who took the eligibility test for the first time in 2017, without counting repeaters.” He said 1,232 Indians, 1,017 Puerto Ricans, 783 South Koreans and 601 Nigerians also took the exam for the first time in 2018. Bertiz said examinees have to pay $200 (P10,500). Citing latest data from the U.S. nursing board, Bertiz said Jamaicans, Canadians and Cubans compete with Filipinos in America’s nursing labor market. (Jess Diaz/Philstar.com)
Americans top PH immigration list of registered foreign sex offenders in 2017, 2018 by WILLIAM
B. DEPASUPIL ManilaTimes.net
AMERICANS topped the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) list of registered foreign sex offenders (RSOs) who were denied entry into the country during the last two years. BI’s Port Operations Division (POD) Chief Grifton Medina, in a report to Commissioner Jaime Morente, said that out of a total of 341 RSOs who were denied entry
in 2017 and 2018, 256 of them were Americans. 2018 records showed that of the 156 RSOs who were barred entry, 128 of them were Americans. Medina said that in 2017, of the 185 sex offenders who were excluded, 128 of them were also Americans. “We have been continuously receiving notices from foreign governments about RSOs who were monitored to be traveling to the Philippines and these informa-
tion are immediately encoded in our database to alert our immigration officers at the ports of entry,” Medina said. These notices are part of Operation Angel Watch, a global initiative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which targets RSOs traveling abroad who are likely to engage in child sex tourism. It was reported that since its inception more than a decade PAGE A4
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OSG clueless on $3 million sale of Marcos paintings by ElizabEth
MarcElo Philstar.com
THe office of the solicitor-general (osg) has admitted that it was not aware of the sale of three of about 200 artworks owned by the
Marcos family during an auction in new York City in november last year. The paintings – an 1881 work by French impressionist Claude Monet titled “L’église à Vétheuil,”
The paintings – an 1881 work by French impressionist Claude Monet titled “L’église à Vétheuil,” an 1897 work by British landscape artist Alfred Sisley titled “Langland Bay” and a 1946 work by French painter Albert Marquet titled “Le Cypres de Djenan Sidi Said,” which is also known as the “Algerian View” – commanded more than $3 million. Philstar.com file photo
an 1897 work by British landscape artist Alfred sisley titled “Langland Bay” and a 1946 work by French painter Albert Marquet titled “Le Cypres de Djenan sidi said,” which is also known as the “Algerian View” – commanded more than $3 million. All three were subject of a pending civil forfeiture case before the anti-graft court sandiganbayan. Monet’s work was sold for $2.6 million, sisley’s for $900,000 and Marquet’s for about $90,000. In a manifestation filed before the court’s special First Division on Jan. 25 and obtained by reporters Monday, February 11, the osg, which represents the Presidential Commission on good government (PCgg) in the case, confirmed that the three paintings were already sold. “The osg had no prior knowledge of the sale and the details thereof or of the supposed court order. While the undersigned has requested the PCgg for the details, the documentation/written information is still forthcoming,” the osg’s manifestation read. n
Philippines, US launch new maritime training facility in Bulacan by FrancEs
Mangosing Inquirer.net
THe Philippines and United states on Monday, February 11 launched a new maritime training facility in Balagtas, Bulacan. The P39-million project, which was funded by the U.s. government, is expected to boost the Philippine Coast guard’s capacity to train its workforce and sustain its equipment. “This project is a milestone
in our effort to enhance PCg operations. It is one of the important missions in addressing the training requirements of the organization. This endeavor has provided the foundation [for future training] while improving our personnel learning culture,” PCg commandant Admiral elson Hermogino was quoted as saying. The new facility consists of a classroom, barracks, and an outboard motor maintenance
lab. It was built under a local contract managed by the U.s. naval Facilities engineering Command. Also present at the launch were U.s. embassy in the Philippines deputy chief of mission John C. Law, deputy director of the Joint Interagency Task Force-West earl Hampton; and Commodore Jose William U. Isaga, commander of PCg Weapons, Communications, electronics and Information system service. n
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila
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FREE HEALTH SERVICES. Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) vice chairman of the board Jameson Dy (standing, in checkered polo) and CGHMC deputy administrator Cheche Javier (partly hidden) talk to patients availing of health services during the CGHMC’s conduct of free dental and medical mission in Barangay Sto. Niño, Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Sunday, February 10. The CGHMC is owned and operated by the Philippine-Chinese Charitable Association Inc. PNA photo by Ben Briones
Could Congress ban citizenship question from 2020 Census? by Mark hEdin Ethnic Media Services
Congress may hold the key to stopping the Census Bureau from adding the highly controversial question about citizenship status to the 2020 Census, civil rights advocates told a recent telebriefing with ethnic news media. “It’s one of the most urgent civil rights issues facing the country,” said Beth Lynk, Census Counts Campaign director for the Leadership Conference education Fund, who joined representatives from Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), the Urban League and the national Association of Latino elected and Appointed officials (nALeo) in the telebriefing. on Feb. 6, Democratic senator Brian schatz, of Hawai’i, introduced the Census IDeA (Improving Data and enhanced Accuracy) Act, which would require three years’ advance notice and careful vetting of material changes to any upcoming census questionnaire. eighteen other senators co-sponsored the bill, including California’s Kamala Harris. To override a presidential veto of the measure will require 67 senate votes. The House of representatives’ government oversight and reform Committee was already considering its own version of the bill, brought Jan. 23 by new York rep. Carolyn Maloney and 41 co-sponsors, including California reps Judy Chu, Jimmy gomez, ro Khanna, Jackie speier, Anna eshoo, Ted Lieu, salud Carabajal and Zoe Lofgren. schatz and Maloney also sponsored Census IDeA legislation in 2017, only to have the measures die in committee. Meanwhile, there are seven lawsuits across the country challenging the proposal first made a year ago by Wilbur ross, secretary of the Commerce Department, which oversees the Census Bureau. In a scathing, 277-page decision in a case, brought by the
state of new York and 17 other states, along with the cities of Washington, D.C., san Francisco and seattle, and the U.s. Conference of Mayors, Judge Jesse M. Furman opined that “hundreds of thousands – if not million – of people will go uncounted” if there is a question about citizenship. The Trump administration is both appealing Judge Furman’s ruling, and asking the U.s. supreme Court to leapfrog the appeal process and take up the case immediately to expedite a final decision. But in a sudden change, the Census Bureau is also saying that it can extend its June deadline for printing the 2020 Census questionnaire to october. “The census clock is really unrelenting,” Lynk said. In the meantime, Congress could simply step up and pass legislation prohibiting the question, the telebriefing speakers said. “Congress has a role to play and they should play it,” Angela Manso of nALeo said in the telebriefing. “They should step up and pass legislation that once and for all will give the Census Bureau that certainty it needs, and not leave it up to the supreme Court.” Word that the Census Bureau might push back its printing deadlines to october to allow the courts to resolve the citizenship question raised new concerns among advocates. “How disrespectful is that to the people of this country?” asked Jeri green of the national Urban League. outreach to encourage maximum participation takes time, she noted. Although Young & rubicam already has a $500 million contract to work with subcontractors to reach the many communities, she said, “that work is off to a very slow start. The American taxpayer has expectations that that contract will be used to get the best snapshot of America, but that contract is going to have to wait.” When word of ross’ intention got out in March 2018, California was among the first to file suit to
stop it. The seven cases are generally based on the Census Bureau’s own research showing that including such a question would make it much harder to get accurate data on who’s living in the United states. That data determine everything from how many electoral College votes and members of Congress a state gets to how and where the federal government will spend hundreds of billions of tax dollars every year for the following 10 years and more. Collecting census data every 10 years “is the largest peacetime mobilization undertaken by the Federal government,” the IDeA measure states. Congress shouldn’t wait for the courts, the speakers said, to pass legislation that renders the lawsuits unnecessary and allow the Census Bureau to get on with its work. Forty-five members of Congress wrote ross and Acting U.s. Attorney general Matthew Whitaker on Jan. 24 urging them to drop their planned appeal of the new York court’s Jan. 15 ruling. “We believe, as a matter of both legality and timing, that it is neither in the nation’s nor the American people’s interest to continue the appellate process,” they wrote. “We believe that the administration should devote its resources to preparing for the 2020 Census without the cloud of the citizenship question hanging over the process.” But in the meantime, “We’re calling on Congress to take action, because they have a constitutional responsibility and ability, and perfect opportunity to do so,” Lynk said. “This is not a partisan issue. everyone needs to be counted. We do not get a do-over on this,” she said, in a comment echoed by other speakers. “Traditionally, these have been bipartisan efforts,” the AAJC’s John Yang said. “republicans have an interest in ensuring that we do get a fair and accurate count. It’s a once-in-a-decade opportunity.” n
Americans top PH immigration list of...
PAGE A3 ago, operation Angel Watch has identified thousands of sex crime perpetrators and advance notices of their travels were transmitted to their countries of destination. sex offenders, or those who have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, are excluded under the Philippine Immigration Act. The BI also included these aliens in the country’s blacklist to prevent any attempts to re-enter the Philippines.
The U.s. embassy in Manila awarded a certificate of commendation to the BI for registering the second highest number of excluded American rsos throughout the world in 2018. The highest number of intercepted rsos was reportedly posted by Mexico, which is situated right below the U.s.’ southwestern borders. “I commend our officers deployed at our ports of entry for a job well done. Because of your vigilance and alertness, you were
able to turn away these sex offenders to protect fellow Filipinos from possible exploitation,” Morente said in a statement. The U.s. embassy’s citation specifically commended the BI’s port operations division (PoD), as well as the airport operations section (Aos), travel control and enforcement unit (TCeU), and border control and enforcement unit (BCIU), which are all under the PoD, for successfully implementing the “Angel Watch” program in the country’s ports. n
Pacquiao’s plan A: Mayweather... PAGE A1 otherwise, if nothing is heard from Mayweather, Pacquiao may have to sit it out the next few months than fight in May. Pacquiao told Filipino reporters two weeks ago he can fight either in May or July, and if successful, may do another one by
year’s end. But there’s a lot going on for Pacquiao, the senator, who was tapped as PDP-Laban’s senatorial campaign manager for the midterm elections on May 13. Pacquiao’s tenure does not end until 2022 but with his new role, he has his hands full.
“It’s the elections,” said gibbons. “He’s working on the campaign doing a lot of stuff for some people,” he added. It has to be Mayweather in May. no one else. (Abac Cordero/ Philstar)
Floyd Mayweather visits Manny Pacquiao in his locker room before his bout against Adrien Broner at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on January 20, 2019. Photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea/Manny Pacquiao Promotions
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARy 14-20, 2019
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
A
Dateline PCOMELEC hiliPPines suspends canvassing of BOL votes by Nathalie
Robles
AJPress
BALLOT PRINTING BEGINS. A foreign consultant supervises the printing of official ballots to be used in the May 13 mid-term elections at the National Printing Office in Quezon City. The Commission on Elections targets to print a total of 63,662,481 ballots for the upcoming polls. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
Sison raises refugee status vs subpoena in DOJ ‘terrorist’ petition MANILA — Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison called a Manila court’s summons over the government’s bid to declare the CPP and New People’s Army as terrorist group futile as he stressed his refugee status in the Netherlands. Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Judge Marlo MagdozaMalagar, in a resolution dated February 1, named Sison and Antonio Cabanatan, said to be secretary of the Mindanao commission, as parties to the government’s petition due to their “unassailable link� to the CPP-NPA. In the same ruling, the court stressed that Sison and Cabanatan are not respondents in the case, but were named as parties and indentified only because it is “necessary for the court to ensure proper service of summons and acquire jurisdicition over the petition and respondents (the CPP-NPA).� ‘Recognized political refugee’ Sison, in a statement, slammed the summons as he stressed that he is a recognized political refugee in Netherlands and is “protected by the Refugee Convention...
which prohibits my deportation to the Philippines.� he also said that the summons is a “blatantly cheap maneuver of the tyrannical Duterte regime which has become notorious for committing gross and systematic human rights violations for the purpose of terrorizing people.� Part of the ruling read: “The court reiterates its earlier pronouncement, that its interest in ensuring that the petitioner identifies only those with unassailable links to the respondent-organizations is not because these parties are considered respondents to the petition but only because their undisputed link to the CPP-NPA is necessary for the court to ensure proper service of summons and acquire jurisdicition over the petition and respondents.� DOJ amends original petition The DOJ initially wanted more than 600 individuals declared as terrorists, but the Manila court dropped United Nations special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples Victoria TauliCorpuz and three others from the “terror list.� Following this, state prosecutors drastically cut down their list
The Commission on elections (COMeLeC) on Tuesday, February 12, suspended the canvassing of votes for the second round of the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite in the four municipalities in North Cotabato — Midsayap, Cabacan, Pikit and Pigkawayan. “Considering that the reports of the working groups, it is clear that we cannot finish the tabulation today, I think we have to declare a recess and we will reconvene tomorrow at 2 pm,� Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. The election commission decided to suspend the canvassing because the certificates of canvass from the four municipalities were not verified yet. The certificates of canvass from Lanao del Norte and two other municipalities in North Cotabato — Carmen and Aleosan have been canvassed. This is the second time the election commission paused the canvassing of votes for the February 6 plebiscite. The first suspension was announced last Monday after the COMeLeC only canvassed 20 percent of the total votes. Duterte urges rebels: Bury your weapons As the Bangsamoro interim government takes into position, President Rodrigo Duterte en-
couraged those in the region to bury their weapons since he does not intend to take ownership of the government. “hindi man akin ‘yan. Atin itong gobyerno. Be a part of it. Okay na ‘yung armas mo, ilibing mo na ‘yan. hindi mo kailangan (The government is not mine. This government is ours. Be a part of it. You can bury your weapons. You won’t need them),� Duterte said as reported by Rappler. “Isang putok niyan, gulo, pero kung tahimik tayo, mag-usap tayo at maibigay naman ‘yung gusto niyong tulong na dapat naman sa inyo (Just one shot and there will be chaos, but if we’re just quiet, we can talk and we can give you the help that should be given to you),� he added. “Mamumuhay tayo ng payapa, walang pasikat-sikat. Wala ‘yung warlord-warlord na may armas. Ah letse! Kayo dapat ninyong – put a stop to it (Let us live in peace, with no one lording over us. No more warlords with arms. Fools! So you should put a stop to it),� he said. The president expressed his approval of the ratified Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) which he deemed as “one of the greatest developments that happened in this country.� he said that he is “glad that it has succeeded and I am inviting everyone here — join us in government.� “Mabuhay ang BOL! Mabuhay
Despite evidence, Imee Marcos insists she graduated from Princeton Jose Maria Sison
Philstar.com photo
to just eight names. The court, in looking into the plea to amend the DOJ’s petition, only included Sison and Cabanatan as parties to the case, saying that the two have “undisputed links� to the CPP-NPA. In the ruling, the court said that the subpoena to respondentorganizations can only be made through Sison and Cabanatan and as Cabanatan has unknown addresses and Sison is a resident abroad, a service of summons by publication would be made. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)
MANILA — An official of Princeton University itself earlier confirmed that Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos did not earn a degree but she insisted, once again, that she graduated from the Ivy League university. “Pumasok ako sa Princeton at pagkakaalam ko, nag-graduate ako (I went to Princeton and as far as I know, I graduated),� she told News5 chief Luchi Cruz-Valdes on “Aplikante sa Senado.� The eldest child of ousted dictaIn this February 12 photo, Ilocos Norte Gov. tor Ferdinand Marcos also claimed Imee Marcos attends the campaign launch of that she did not know the spokesthe Hugpong ng Pagbabago coalition in San person of the university who said Fernando, Pampanga. she did not finish a degree. Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas Asserting her academic record,
NOTICE TO ELECTORS OF CLOSE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 IN BOULDER CITY, HENDERSON, LAS VEGAS, NORTH LAS VEGAS, CLOSE OF REGISTRATION PERIOD BEGINS TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the close of voter registration period for the Municipal Primary Elections to be held on April 2, 2019, will begin on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 and end March 12, 2019. The deadline for online registration is Thursday, March 14, 2019. $Q\ TXDOLÂżHG HOHFWRU ZKRVH QDPH GRHV QRW DSSHDU RQ WKH RIÂżFLDO UHJLVWU\ OLVW PD\ DSSO\ WR UHJLVWHU E\ DSSHDULQJ DW WKH Clark County Election Department, 500 South Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas; Clark County Election Center, 965 7UDGH 'ULYH 6XLWH $ 1RUWK /DV 9HJDV WKH DSSURSULDWH &LW\ &OHUNÂśV 2IÂżFH DQ\ EUDQFK RI WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI 0RWRU 9HKLcles; or by appearing before a Field Registrar in the manner provided by law. The Clark County Election Department is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
LEGAL NA PAUNAWA LUNGSOD NG NORTH LAS VEGAS 2019 MUNISIPAL NA PANGUNAHING HALALAN
Voter registration applications will be accepted by mail or in person up until 28 days before the election. Thereafter until 21 GD\V EHIRUH WKH HOHFWLRQ YRWHU UHJLVWUDWLRQ DSSOLFDWLRQV PXVW EH ÂżOHG LQ SHUVRQ DW WKH DSSURSULDWH &LW\ &OHUNÂśV 2IÂżFH RQO\
ANG PAUNAWA NA ITO AY IBINIBIGAY na ang Lungsod ng North Las Vegas Pangunahing Halalan ay gaganapin sa Martes, Ika-2ng Abril, 2019 para sa mga sumusunod na tanggapan:
Online Registration $Q\ HOLJLEOH &ODUN &RXQW\ UHVLGHQW ZKR KDV D 1HYDGD GULYHUÂśV OLFHQVH RU DQ LGHQWLÂżFDWLRQ FDUG LVVXHG E\ WKH 1HYDGD Department of Motor Vehicles can now register or update his/her registration information online exclusively at only one website www.RegistertoVoteNV.gov, which is accessible through www.clarkcountynv.gov/vote in the “Online Registration Servicesâ€? box and click on the “Click Hereâ€? button. This service is available 24 hours a day. To be eligible to vote in the April 2nd Primary Election, online registration must be completed on or before March 14, 2019 by 11:59 p.m. 0DLO LQ YRWHU UHJLVWUDWLRQ DSSOLFDWLRQV DUH DYDLODEOH DW YDULRXV SRVW RIÂżFHV OLEUDULHV DQG XWLOLW\ FRPSDQLHV WKURXJKRXW &ODUN County. 7KH VFKHGXOH IRU WKH ÂżQDO VHYHQ GD\V RI LQ SHUVRQ UHJLVWUDWLRQ DW HDFK &LW\ &OHUNÂśV 2IÂżFH LV DV IROORZV %RXOGHU &LW\ &LW\ &OHUNÂśV 2IÂżFH 401 California Avenue Boulder City, Nevada 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
&LW\ RI +HQGHUVRQ &LW\ &OHUNœV 2I¿FH 240 Water Street Henderson, Nevada Tuesday, March 5 Wednesday, March 6 – Thursday, March 7 Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 Monday, March 11 - Tuesday, March 12
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Closed 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
&LW\ RI /DV 9HJDV &LW\ &OHUNœV 2I¿FH 495 S. Main Street, 2nd Floor Las Vegas, Nevada Tuesday, March 5 Wednesday, March 6 - Thursday, March 7 Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 Monday, March 11 - Tuesday, March 12
7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Closed 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
&LW\ RI 1RUWK /DV 9HJDV &LW\ &OHUNœV 2I¿FH 2250 Las Vegas Boulevard North Suite 800 North Las Vegas, Nevada Tuesday, March 5 Wednesday, March 6 – Thursday, March 7 Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 Monday, March 11 – Tuesday, March 12
8:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. Closed 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
For more information, call the Clark County Election Department at (702) 455-8683. DATED: February 11, 2019 Joseph P. Gloria Registrar of Voters PUB: February 14, 21, 28 and March 7, 2019 Las Vegas Asian Journal
Marcos then proceeded to talk about her qualifications as she is seeking a seat in the upper chamber. “Ang alam ko, ako ay politics of performance, alam ko ‘yung ginagawa ko. Pumasok din po ako sa UP katulad po ninyo at alam natin na ang importante dito sino ‘yung nakakapag-deliver ng performance at higit sa lahat ng track record (All I know is that I am about the politics of performance, I know what I am doing. I also went to UP just like you and we know that the important thing here is who delivers in their performance and most importantly PAGE A7
LUNGSOD NG NORTH LAS VEGAS MGA KAPITBAHAYANG LUGAR NANG MAAGANG BOTOHAN
Karagdagang kaalaman sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov/votetag
Tuesday, March 5 Wednesday, March 6 – Thursday, March 7 Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 Monday, March 11 – Tuesday, March 12
ang Maguindanao! Mabuhay si Murad (Long live the BOL! Long live Maguindanao! Long live Murad)!â€? the president said as he referred to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Murad ebrahim. Palace warns Cotabato mayor against BOL petition Amid triumphs in the said organic law, MalacaĂąang on Tuesday, February 12, addressed Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Sayadi regarding her plan to file a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) as she claimed that the government and military officials conspired with the MILF to include Cotabato in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). “They can always file appropriate charges regarding their claims. But remember that there is still a pending petition before the SC questioning the constitutionality of the BOL. If the SC, for instance, decides that it’s unconstitutional, that would render moot and academic all moves, including invalidation of (the) plebiscite,â€? presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said as reported by The Philippine Star. Sayadi questioned the voting turnout with regards to the inclusion of Cotabato City in the BARMM. It received a “yesâ€? vote of 36,682 votes and 24,994 “noâ€? in the voting held last January 21. n
MIYEMBRO KOSEHO NG LUNGSOD PUROK 2 4-NA TAONG TERMINO Pamela Goynes-Brown Christopher Burns MIYEMBRO KONSEHO NG LUNGSOD PUROK 4 4-NA TAONG TERMINO Richard Cherchio Dawn Rierson Lamont Riley Zachary Robbins Pete Shields George H. Warner
PETSA
ORAS
LUGAR
Sabado hanggang Martes Ika-16ng Marso – Ika-19ng Marso
9:00 NU – 6:00 NG
(Treyler sa Paradahan) Craig/Losee
Miyerkules at Huwebes Ika-20ng Marso – Ika-21ng Marso
11:00 NU – 7:00 NG
Alexander Library
Biyernes at Sabado Ika-22ng Marso – Ika-23ng Marso
9:00 NU – 5:00 NG
Alexander Library
Linggo at Lunes Ika-24ng Marso – Ika-25ng Marso
9:00 NU – 6:00 NG
Deer Springs Town Center
Martes at Miyerkules Ika-26ng Marso – Ika-27ng Marso
9:00 NU – 6:00 NG
Silver Mesa Recreation Ctr.
Huwebes at Biyernes Ika-28ng Marso – Ika-29ng Marso
9:00 NU – 6:00 NG
SkyView Recreation Ctr. YMCA
Lowe’s
1755 W. Alexander Rd
1755 W. Alexander Rd
(Treyler sa Paradahan) N. 5th St./Deer Springs Way
4025 Allen Ln
3050 E. Centennial Pkwy
MANLILIBAN NA BALOTA MGA KAHILINGAN NA TARHETA ay maaaring makuha sa North Las Vegas Tanggapan ng Lungsod ng Kawani para sa nasabing Pangunahing Halalan, sa 2250 Las Vegas Blvd North, Suite 800, North Las Vegas, Nevada, 89030, o tumawag sa (702) 633-1030. Lahat nang mga nakasulat na kahilingan para sa manliliban na balota ay dapat maisagawa sa 5:00 n.h. sa Martes, Ika-26ng Marso, 2019. ANG PANGUNAHING HALALAN ay naka takda sa Martes, Ika-2ng Abril, 2019 ay gaganapin sa pamamaraan alinsunod sa batas ng Estado ng Nevada at North Las Vegas. Ang mga botante ay hindi na kinakailangang bumoto sa isang nakatakadang lugar ng botohan sa loob ng kanilang distrito. Sa halip, ang mga botante ay maaaring bumoto sa kahit na saang lugar ng botohan sa North Las Vegas o Lalalawigan ng Clark sentro nang botohan na lokasyon kasama na rin ang mga nasa Boulder City, Henderson o Las Vegas; tignan ang halimbawang balota para sa mga petsa, oras at iba pang lokasyon. Ang mga Lugar nang Botohan ay magbubukas sa 7:00 n.u hanggang 7:00 n.g. sa mga sumusunod na lugar: LUNGSOD NG NORTH LAS VEGAS 2019 SENTRO NANG BOTOHAN MGA LOKASYON*
Maagang Botohan ay magsisimula sa 9:00 nu sa Sabado, Ika-16ng Marso, 2019 at magsasara sa Biyernes, Ika-29ng Marso, 2019 sa 5:00 nh (maliban kung may iba na naka sulat) sa mga sumusunod na lugar: LUNGSOD NG NORTH LAS VEGAS MGA LUGAR NANG MAAGANG BOTOHAN BUKAS SA BUONG 2 LINGGO
Sentro nang Botohan
Kinaroroonan
Elizabeth Wilhelm Elementary School
609 W. Alexander Rd, North Las Vegas, NV 89032
H. P. Fitzgerald Elementary School
2651 Revere St, North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Don E. Hayden Elementary School
150 W. Rome Blvd, North Las Vegas, NV 89084
Lowe’s (Treyler sa Paradahan)
2570 East Craig Rd, North Las Vegas, NV 89030
PETSA
ORAS
Sabado Ika-16ng Marso
LUGAR
9:00 NU – 5:00 NH
Linggo hanggang Martes Ika-17ng Marso – Ika-19ng Marso
SARADO
Sun City Aliante Community Center (Treyler sa Paradahan)
7390 Aliante Parkway, North Las Vegas, NV 89084
Miyerkules at Huwebes Ika-20ng Marso – Ika-21ng Marso
11:00 NU – 7:00 NG
Theron L. Swainston Middle School
3500 W. Gilmore Ave, North Las Vegas, NV 89032
Aliante Library
Biyernes at Sabado Ika-22ng Marso – Ika-23ng Marso
9:00 NU – 5:00 NH
Linggo hanggang Martes Ika-24ng Marso – Ika-26ng Marso
SARADO
Miyerkules at Huwebes Ika-27ng Marso – Ika-28ng Marso
11:00 NU – 7:00 NG
Biyernes Ika-29ng Marso
9:00 NU – 5:00 NH
2400 W. Deer Springs Way (@ North Aliante Parkway)
Para sa karagdagang kaalaman, makipag ugnayan sa Lungsod ng North Las Vegas Tanggapan ng Kawani ng Lungsod (702) 633-1030, o sa Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa (702) 455-7871. *Ang mga lugar nang botahan ay batay na maaaring mapalitan. Dated: February 13, 2019 Catherine A. Raynor, MMC, City Clerk, City of North Las Vegas Inilathala Asian Journal: Ika-14 ng Pebrero at Ika-21 ng Pebrero, 2019
A6
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
FEBRUARY 14-20, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
Fair and peaceful campaign
FEATURES
THERE they go… candidates for the Senate and party-list groups are officially off and running this week. For many voters, the official start of the campaign period may be confusing. Since the end of the period for filing certificates of candidacy, several of those who filed have been displaying billboards and tarpaulins and pitching their virtues on multimedia. A Supreme Court ruling on a provision of the automated election law, however, effectively declared that there is no such thing as premature campaigning. So the emasculated Commission on Elections can begin regulating campaigning only starting today for national candidates, and on March 29 for those seeking local positions. Since there are thousands of candidates, the Comelec is inevitably swamped. Now the poll body also sees the need to regulate the use of social media for campaigning and the deployment of trolls for character assassination of
rivals. This effort can achieve a measure of success only with the help of groups and individuals who want candidates to compete fairly. It is said that all is fair in love, war and politics. The way a candidate carries out an election campaign, however, is usually an accurate gauge of the quality of service he or she will render in case of victory. The campaign supporters and financing can indicate a candidate’s vulnerability to sweetheart deals and corruption. The worst candidate is the one who uses armed violence for political ends. Election violence thwarts the people’s will and weakens democracy. Everyone can contribute to preventing violence during the campaign period. Violence need not be a permanent fixture in every election season in this country. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS
Philstar.com photo
Dear America: Lest we forget, this was how democracy and decency looked like before Trump Think about it: Impoverishment of the elderly because of medical expenses was a common and often accepted occurrence. Opponents of the Medicare program that saved the elderly from that cruel fate called it “socialized medicine.” Remember that slander if there’s a sustained revival of silly red-baiting today. Not five decades ago, much of the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth — our own Great Lakes — were closed to swimming and fishing and other recreational pursuits because of chemical and bacteriological contamination from untreated industrial and wastewater disposal. Today, the Great Lakes are so hospitable to marine life that one of our biggest challenges is controlling the invasive species that have made them their new home. We regularly used and consumed foods, drugs, chemicals and other things (cigarettes) that were legal, promoted and actively harmful. Hazardous wastes were dumped on empty plots in the dead of night. There were few if any restrictions on industrial emissions. We had only
the barest scientific knowledge of the long-term consequences of any of this. And there was a great stain on America, in the form of our legacy of racial discrimination. There were good people of all colors who banded together, risking and even losing their lives to erase the legal and other barriers that held Americans down. In their time, they were often demonized and targeted, much like other vulnerable men and women today. Please note: All of these challenges were addressed by Congress. Maybe not as fast as we wanted, or as perfectly as hoped. The work is certainly not finished. But we’ve made progress — and in every case, from the passage of Medicare through the passage of civil rights, we did it with the support of Democrats and Republicans who considered themselves first and foremost to be Americans. I’m immensely proud, and eternally grateful, for having had the opportunity to play a part in all of these efforts during my service in Congress. And it’s simply not possible for me to
adequately repay the love that my friends, neighbors and family have given me and shown me during my public service and retirement. But I would be remiss in not acknowledging the forgiveness and sweetness of the woman who has essentially supported me for almost 40 years: my wife, Deborah. And it is a source of great satisfaction to know that she is among the largest group of women to have ever served in the Congress (as she busily recruits more). In my life and career, I have often heard it said that so-andso has real power — as in, “the powerful Wile E. Coyote, chairman of the Capture the Road Runner Committee.” It’s an expression that has always grated on me. In democratic government, elected officials do not have power. They hold power — in trust for the people who elected them. If they misuse or abuse that public trust, it is quite properly revoked (the quicker the better). I never forgot the people who gave me the privilege of representing them. It was a lesson learned at home from my fa-
“DEMOCRACY is the government of the people, for the people, by the people” is an old adage that we have associated with the very democratic principles that have been guiding the United States of America toward a more perfect union. Abraham Lincoln went further in his Gettysburg Address to say that “The government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth,” but the toxic climate of division, hate and fear during the age of Trump has made many of us wonder how we, the people, have allowed the very principles of democracy seem to be elusive, with the government seem to be moving toward serving the “governors” instead of the governed. It has not always been this way. Lest we forget about what has propelled the United States of America become the greater and most powerful union in the world, John D. Dingell — the longest-serving member of Congress in American history — dictated these reflections to his wife, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), at their home in Dearborn, on Feb.
7, the day he died. John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who served in the U.S. House from 1955 to 2015, left us with “My Last Words for America”. May this help us discern the truth that is in our heart: “One of the advantages to knowing that your demise is imminent, and that reports of it will not be greatly exaggerated, is that you have a few moments to compose some parting thoughts. In our modern political age, the presidential bully pulpit seems dedicated to sowing division and denigrating, often in the most irrelevant and infantile personal terms, the political opposition. And much as I have found Twitter to be a useful means of expression, some occasions merit more than 280 characters. My personal and political character was formed in a different era that was kinder, if not necessarily gentler. We observed modicums of respect even as we fought, often bitterly and savagely, over issues that were literally life and death to a degree that — fortunately – we see much less of today.
PeaceMaker
Rebuilding new roads to peace, security and human development
FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. (PART 1 of 3) (Remarks of former Philippine speaker Jose de Venecia founding chairman, International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP); co-chairman, International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP); chairman emeritus, Universal Peace Federation (UPF); Special Envoy of the President to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and for Intercultural Dialogue at the UPF World Summit 2019 “Peace, Security and Human Development” Seoul, Republic of Korea; February 711, 2019) Excellencies, friends, ladies and gentlemen, Let me express our greetings to Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Co-Founder of Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and Founder of the celebrated Sunhak Peace Prize; and the outstanding UPF President Dr. Thomas Walsh. Let us congratulate Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon for deepening and enlarging the late Reverend Sun
Myung Moon’s sustained commitment and tireless efforts in promoting peace, reconciliation and unity, interfaith dialogue, the strengthening of marriage and family, and many other heart-warming initiatives in Asia and in the global community. The life and legacy of Reverend Moon and Madame Moon, especially in advancing the cause of peace in our troubled world, have continuously elicited praise and support in the United Nations family, in the continents, with admirers and dedicated Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) members in Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa and Australia. Mother Moon’s leadership and the UPF initiative in establishing the IAPP—earlier launched and inaugurated in more than 80 countries, attended by more than 3,000 parliamentarians—today mobilizes parliamentarians not only in Asia but throughout the world to a dedicated, single-minded agenda and purpose: the achievement of peace—peace
among nations, peace among peoples, and peace in the hearts of men. For we must focus today on the need for peace in Northeast Asia, most specifically in our immediate environs in the Korean Peninsula and in the South and East China Seas, and onward to South Asia and on the Middle East areas and the danger zones of the Persian-Arab Gulf. A crucial juncture in history Excellencies, friends: We meet at a critical time. Two contrary impulses pull at every new state in the developing world. The first is the elite impulse to centralize political power, the better to achieve economic development and social modernization. The other impulse stems from ethnic nationalism—as people forcibly put together by colonialist powers seek to rally round some icon symbol of unique group identity. Democracy’s rise and fall The post war wave of emancipation had produced a generation of fledgling liberal democracies in the new countries of Africa and Asia.
But parliamentary institutions have not always worked as advertised. Political democracy at times has proved unequal to the complex problems of societies characterized by great inequality and hierarchical traditions and capitalism. Less than a century after independence, most of these fledgling democratic societies set up so grandiosely had reverted to authoritarian regime of various intensities. Indeed, there have been instances that transition from democracy to authoritarianism has become so common that the Harvard professor, Samuel Huntington, seems to justify an “authoritarian transition” for Meiji Japan, Ataturk’s Turkey, Lee Kuan Yew’s Singapore, Park Chung Hee’s South Korea, and Chiang Ching Kuo’s Taiwan, all of which were forced to march to modernization to wealth and power. None of the successor state has escaped this authoritarian transition. Only some regions have been relatively lucky. But, they, too, are feeling the tensions of separatist extremism and religious terrorism. The China challenge
Meanwhile, China offers herself as a model of the new “mixed economy” under state direction and control. And the Chinese model has strong credentials. In the late 1970s, China’s economy had been smaller than Italy’s and just about the same size as Canada’s. It surpassed Germany as the largest exporter in 2009, and overtook Japan as the second-largest economy in 2010. Now only the U.S. is ahead in GNP terms—and even that may change by 2025. During the Cold War, the communist bloc challenge led by the Soviet Union, is at bottom military. Now China, on its own, is challenging the West in its own field, that of the economy. The Beijing model—free market guided by state control—has resulted in an unprecedented growth for China and in some respects appears to be superior to the western model. Consequently, China sees itself as rising in economic, military and diplomatic power. This phenomenon is transforming the world order: the center of global gravity shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
ther and mother, and one I have tried to impart to the people I’ve served with and employed over the years. As I prepare to leave this all behind, I now leave you in control of the greatest nation of mankind and pray God gives you the wisdom to understand the responsibility you hold in your hands. May God bless you all, and may God bless America.” REST IN PEACE, Rep. John Dingell. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your legacy. Thank you for believing America can still rise above the challenges we now face. Dear America: the power to rise above the challenges we now face is with us, we, the people. Let us reclaim that power and decency and leave a better America for our children, grandchildren and the generations more to come. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Promoting peace and reconciliation Excellencies, friends: In the light of the many difficult, intractable political, territorial, religious, separatist, ideological, and ethnic conflicts in Asia and in various parts of the world, we, in the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), and the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), the members of parliament, political leaders, civil society, and religious leaders must contribute our share in promoting peace and reconciliation, peaceful settlement of disputes, sustainable human development; and in fighting poverty, disease, and climate change and environmental degradation. While we are deeply aware of the historical and cultural roots of many of those conflicts—and the enmity and bitter divisions that have grown between rivals—we cannot turn away from the pursuit of peace because the alternative, which is conflict and war, would be immeasurably costly and make all of us losers. (To be continued next week)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARy 14-20, 2019
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Immigration seeks deportation of Chinese taho thrower by EvElyn
Macairan Philstar.com
VALENTINE’S WEEK. Early buyers of Valentine’s Day merchandise purchase heart-themed products along Carriedo Street in Manila. ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia
SC junks lawyer Pamatong’s quo warranto plea vs Duterte by KristinE Joy
Philstar.com
Patag
MANILA — The Supreme Court has junked lawyer Elly Pamatong’s quo warranto petition against President Rodrigo Duterte. In a six-page minute resolution of the SC en banc, the tribunal dismissed Pamatong’s July 2018 petition due to the petitioner’s lack of legal standing and for being filed out of time. Pamatong argued Duterte does not have any constitutional authority to serve as president because the latter’s COC was filed late and that it was not approved by the Commission on Elections en banc. “Rodrigo Duterte ran and was ‘elected president’ by voters who were not informed of the fact that he was not qualified to run and thereafter, Duterte usurped the presidency without a simulacrum of constitutional authority in flagrant violation of Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code,” the petition read. Duterte was the substitute candidate for former PDP-Laban standard bearer Martin Diño, since appointed to the Department of the Interior and Local government, after the latter backed out. Lack of legal standing The SC stressed that the Rules of Court dictate that a petitioner may file a quo warranto “when such individual, in his own name, has an uncontroverted claim to the position from which ouster is sought.” It added that for Pamatong to have a legal standing in the case,
spondent was inaugurated as the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines. Following this, petitioner’s cause of action prescribed on June 30, 2017,” the court said. Pamatong filed his plea on June 6, 2018. Pamatong has a reputation for stunts such as tossing spikes on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue in 2004 and was arrested in 2014 over a bombing plot foiled outside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. In 2016, the Supreme Court Elly Pamatong was declared a nuisance candidate in the 2016 national elections. also suspended Pamatong from Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toldeo IV practicing law for two years for calling a judge “corrupt.” n he should be claiming entitlement to the position he alleges to be usurped by Duterte. Pamatong, in his plea, claimed that he “took an oath as caretaker President of the Republic of the Philippines, and assumed the Presidency on June 30, 2016.” This is demonstrably untrue and the SC said that Pamatong’s claim lacks factual basis. It also pointed out that the Commission on Elections declared him a nuisance candidate in the past elections. Filed out of time The SC also pointed out that Pamatong filed his plea past the allowed time for filing. Section 11 of Rule 66 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure provides that a quo warranto petition may be commenced within one year after the cause of action. “Petitioner’s right to hold the disputed office, if at all, arose on June 30, 2016, when the re-
MANILA — The legal division of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) recommended the deportation of the female Chinese student who threw taho or soybean dessert at a policeman who barred her from entering the Metro Rail Transit 3 Boni Ave. station in Mandaluyong City after authorities banned liquid substances and food items as a security measure against bomb threats. BI spokesperson Dana Mengote-Sandoval said the division recommended to the BI Board of Commissioners (BOC) the deportation of 23-year-old Zhang Jiale for being an undesirable alien. “Our legal team saw that there was probable cause to file a deportation case against her. The BI can file a case motu proprio, especially since there are photos showing what happened,” Sandoval said. Zhang might face deportation for posing a risk to public interest in violation of immigration laws after she tossed the taho on Police Officer 1 William Cristobal last Feb. 9. Aside from being deported, the Chinese would automatically be placed on the bureau’s watchlist upon approval of the deportation charge. Zhang, a freshman Bachelor of Fashion student at the School of Fashion and Arts (SoFA) Design Institute in Makati and a resident of Mandaluyong City, reportedly arrived in Manila last October with a special resident retiree’s visa. Sandoval said as the Mandaluy-
ong City Prosecutor’s Office found probable cause to file direct assault against Zhang, the BI would wait until the case has been settled in court, including the possibility of her being found guilty of the crime and sent to prison, before deporting her. Charges of direct assault were filed against Zhang before the Mandaluyong regional trial court by the City Prosecutor’s Office following inquest proceedings on charges filed by Cristobal last Sunday. Assistant City prosecutor Leynard Dumlao set P12,000 bail for the temporary liberty of Zhang, said Chief Supt. Bernabe Balba, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD). Zhang was able to post bail and was released from the Mandaluyong police jail. “Respondent’s act is an abrasive affront against an officer in uniform representing a national institution,” read the inquest resolution approved by City Prosecutor Bernabe Augustus Solis. If found guilty of direct assault, the Chinese student could be imprisoned for at least four years and two months and fined P1,000 under Article 148 of the Revised Penal Code. Records showed that Zhang was entering the MRT Boni Station in Mandaluyong at around 8:30 a.m. last Saturday when she was stopped by security personnel because of the taho she was carrying. The policeman told the student to consume the dessert first before she could enter the MRT platform because of the strict implementa-
Juan Ponce Enrile attributes long, healthy life to ‘saluyot’ MANILA — Former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who will be celebrating his 95th birthday on Feb. 14, said his secret to longevity is eating saluyot or jute, apart from regular sleep and exercise. “My secret in fighting ageing is saluyot. My foods are dinengdeng. Every Sunday, that is what I’m eating,” Enrile said in an interview on 92.3 News FM. Enrile was referring to a bagoong (fish sauce)-based soup dish from the Ilocos region made from vegetables such as saluyot and topped with grilled or fried fish. Enrile, however, also mentioned he has no strict diet. “I eat lechon, chicharon, adobo, pork chop and bagnet,” Enrile said. “I’m just avoiding food rich in uric. I am not diabetic, but I’m prone to uric acid (yet still) I eat monggo with ampalaya leaves and chicharon.” In another interview, Enrile also mentioned he controls the amount of rice he eats. “I don’t eat rice in the evening when I already ate rice in the morning and at noon. I eat not more than a cup (per meal),” Enrile said. Apart from a healthy diet, the veteran lawmaker, who is seeking a comeback in for this year’s elections, added he sleeps eight hours and maintains a regular exercise routine, stressing he has to exercise every day to maintain his balance. In response to questions on his longevity, Enrile posted on his Facebook page that he continues to drink alcohol but has quit smoking.
“I began smoking cigarettes when I was 10 years old. I stopped when I was 60 years old. I used to consume between two to three packs of cigarettes a day,” Enrile shared. “I drink alcohol moderately – half a glass of wine or half a bottle of beer. I seldom drink whiskey or brandy,” he said. As he gears up for the campaign, the former senator allayed doubts on his capacity to campaign for the upcoming elections, saying, “How I feel today is the same way that I felt when I was 70, the same way that I felt when I was 60.” To keep his mind sharp, Enrile reads books covering the economy, foreign policy, history and geography as well as using the internet to research on trending issues. The soon-to-be-95 former statesman also admitted that he personally responds to questions and comments on his Facebook page, citing that he is “self-taught” in using the computer. “I think man can adapt to its environment, for one thing. If you are not lazy to learn, even an old man like me can learn the things that are known and familiar to the young,” Enrile said. “Your brain can be as young or as old as you want it. If you want to have a young brain, just don’t use it. If you want an old brain, fill it with ideas and information,” he added. “I’m not going to use my brawn, my legs or my arms. I will not wrestle with anybody in the Senate. I’m going to think and decide for a country,” he earlier said, adding that he is “ready” for another six years if elected again to the Senate. (Philstar.com)
Despite evidence, Imee Marcos... PAGE A5 their track record),” she added. Last year, a supposed photo of Marcos’ sholastic records went viral, raising questions on her academic credentials Interaksyon reached out to Princeton University, which confirmed that although she attended the school, she did not graduate. “I included all the information within her file that I am permitted to release to you but she did not earn a degree,” the university’s archivist told Interaksyon in an
email. According to the Princeton archivist, Marcos attended the university from the fall of 1973 to spring 1976 and the fall of 1977 to spring of 1979. Records from the university showed that Marcos took Independent Concentration in Religion and Politics. This, however, does not correspondent to an undergraduate degree as an independent concentration is among the special features of the undergraduate program that lead to a degree. n
)ROORZ XV RQ
BI spokesperson Dana Mengote-Sandoval said the division recommended to the BI Board of Commissioners (BOC) the deportation of 23year-old Zhang Jiale for being an undesirable alien. Philstar.com photo
tion of no-liquid policy in the mass transit system. The MRT management has been implementing the no-liquid policy inside the station and train premises as part of security measures following the twin bombing at the Jolo Cathedral in Sulu that killed at least 20. During the commotion between Zhang and security personnel, Cristobal intervened and explained to the foreigner the reason for the ban on drinks inside the MRT. But Zhang threw the cup of taho at the policeman. BI Commissioner Jaime Morente expressed his dismay over the incident. “This is an utter display of disobedience and arrogance against a person of authority. The bureau will not tolerate such acts, as this shows disrespect to the country,” he said. The taho-throwing incident went viral on social media, with photos showing the uniform of PO1 Cristobal stained with taho. n
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FeBruary 14-20, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 14-20, 2019
VEGAS&STYLE
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Journal Fil-Am R&B singers Managing a business and marriage: How 3 Fil-Am couples make it work H.E.R. wins 2 Grammys By Klarize
By Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
IT’S Valentine’s Day this week and you can expect couples posting on social media about how they’re spending the day, their “love story,” and what they enjoy about one another. Among the relationship dynamics that exist, there is a rare crop of couples who have added another level by working and running a business together. The National Federation of Independent Business reveals that 43 percent of small businesses are family businesses; of that number, 53 percent of managers say a spouse shares day-to-day management duties. Continuing a series by the Asian Journal, in this issue we speak to three couples on the lessons and challenges that come with successfully balancing business and family. Valerie and Zach Fishbain — Los Angeles When Valerie (“Val”) and Zach Fishbain gave away 150 jars of homemade peanut butter — using a Vitamix Valerie received as a bridal shower gift — as their wedding favors in 2013, little did they know that it was a sign of another union they would enter. The peanut butter was a resounding hit that friends would put in special orders, which soon led to the couple acquiring a business license and starting a venture together called Spread the Love based in Los Angeles. “This opportunity presented itself and as an entrepreneur, it was so exciting because it was the chance to build a business quite literally as old as our family,” Zach says. “This business, although we didn’t know it at the time, started the same day our marriage did.” Nearly six years later (and with two young daughters in tow), Spread the Love’s handcrafted, all-natural, vegan and gluten-free
products can be found in over 100 stores across the United States and is an Amazon Best Seller for the peanut butter category. The brand has expanded its offerings from the initial ‘naked’ organic peanut butter to unsalted and crunchy varieties, as well as almond butter and raspberry and marionberry artisanal jams. Delegate and outsource tasks Spread the Love started as a side venture for the couple, with Val working as a social worker for LA County’s Department of Children and Family Services and Zach running a translation and multilingual content creation agency. They would spend their free time concocting peanut butter to sell at weekly farmers’ markets like the one at Melrose Place every Sunday, which “was our test and laboratory, essentially what validated that we had a good product,” Zach shares. The manual process that went into making each jar from their home kitchen took a toll, especially when Valerie was pregnant with their second daughter, so she suggested outsourcing to a facility. “I cried and said, ‘I’m done making peanut butter and doing the farmers market.’ This was heavy work,” she recalls. “We got smart with how we marketed our products so we ended up moving out of our kitchen and into a co-packing facility in Central Valley where our time and effort could be spent growing the business and not necessarily roasting and grinding the peanuts. That’s something we were able to outsource,” Zach says. From the farmers’ markets, Spread the Love made its way onto the shelves of local markets and secured large food service accounts in Los Angeles and nationally, such as Erewhon where they produced buckets of the peanut butter to be used in the market’s
Medenilla AJPress
Val and Zach Fishbain of Spread the Love, which handcrafts all-natural, vegan and gluten-free spreads like peanut and almond butters. Contributed photo
ice cream and smoothies, and Porto’s Bakery. Being parents with a business has also led them to seek some help with child care as well. Val notes how her mom is “a very big part of our family and business because she allows Zach and me to really focus on work by helping out with the kids.” Recognize each other’s strengths and set boundaries Val handles most of the branding, marketing and partnerships for the business, while Zach manages the operations, sales and logistics. “I wouldn’t say we stay in each other’s lanes because we’re a small company so there’s overlap but Val and her thought leadership when it comes to brand management will override any decision I may make when it comes to that,” Zach says. “When it comes to production or which shipping carrier to use, some of the less glamorous stuff, that’s on me.” Unlike couples who work separately and can see off-duty
RISING R&B star H.E.R. had a successful night at the 61st GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, nabbing two golden gramophones: Best R&B Album for her EP “H.E.R” and Best R&B Performance for “Best Part” with Daniel Caesar. “So first thing I wanna say is this is unbelievable and second, it’s not even an album. It’s an EP!” the 21-year-old artist said in her acceptance speech after winning Best R&B Album. “I’m speechless right now. I’m holding back tears,” the firsttime nominee and winner said. H.E.R. was also nominated for Album of the Year (for compilation album, “H.E.R”), Best New Artist, and Best R&B Song (for “Focus”). Wearing her signature dark sunglasses paired with a vibrant PAGE B2
hours as time to decompress, it can be easy for entrepreneurial couples to transfer the work to the household. However, the Fishbains agree that a line has to be drawn. “You have to have limits and boundaries…It’s a challenge, but at the same time, it’s a gift because we like being with each other and get to communicate a lot about the family and the business. You have to make it work,” Val shares. They moved to an outside office space last year to delineate that physical boundary between home and work. Having a weekly date is also important to remember they’re a married couple foremost. “Every Thursday night Val and I have a date night. Whether we’re at each other’s throats or not, it’s something that’s sacred to us. It’s what allows us to unwind, recharge, reflect and we let any tensions melt. We’re having a good dinner, a bottle of wine, or Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano ABS-CBN photo PAGE B3
RISING R&B star H.E.R. had a successful night at the 61st GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, nabbing two golden gramophones: Best R&B Album for her EP “H.E.R” and Best R&B Performance for “Best Part” with Daniel Caesar. Photo from Instagram/@hermusicoffical
Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano confirm they’re a couple by Jan
MilO severO Philstar.com
LOVE team Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano have officially confirmed that they are already in a relationship. During the Lie Detector Test segment of “Gandang Gabi Vice,” host Vice Ganda asked Enrique if he and Liza are already a couple. Enrique answered “Yes,” which drew cheers from the audience. Liza later admitted that she and Enrique have been in a relationship for more than two years and that they celebrate their anniversary in October. Last March 2018, during the press conference of their show “Bagani,” Liza slipped that she PAGE B2
EntErtainmEnt
B February 14-20, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL
Party for one: How singles celebrate Valentine’s Day by Ritchel
Mendiola
AJPress
THE most romantic day of the year is here once again, and the telltale signs are everywhere. An increase in flower sightings — especially red roses — and decorations that range from sweet to overbearing, and love songs being played make sure that you don’t miss out on the holiday. It’s Valentine’s Day, the one day where public displays of affection are celebrated all over the world. For cynics, it’s an occasion invented to produce consumerist desires. But for everyone else, it’s an opportunity to celebrate love through sweet gestures, endearing gifts, or romantic dinners. It’s easy to feel alone during this particular day though, especially if you’re flying solo. The romantic festivities for Valentine’s Day tend to cater more to couples, after all. Because of that, singles find different ways to get through the day. Work first Valentine’s Day happens to fall on a Thursday this year, which means it’s just another workday for Narlyn Balidoy, a junior research consultant for a BPO company. “Work is always busy, so I don’t have time to celebrate Valentine’s Day,” she said, adding that she doesn’t have plans to do anything after work hours either. “I work in a business district; it’ll just be a hassle to brave through the thick crowd. Being single, her feelings to-
ward Valentine’s Day are mostly neutral. A lot of times people feel the need to seek company on this day, but Narlyn said she’s fine on her own. “Even with couples around, I really don’t feel compelled to get a date. I don’t want to wallow in a pity party. I chose to be independent — and I like it,” she said. Figuring it out For Patricia Benito, plans for Valentine’s Day aren’t concrete yet. Currently, she’s in an “it’s complicated” relationship — that weird limbo between being more than friends but less than lovers. “I’d like to think I have plans, but he hasn’t really asked yet,” she said. She admitted that, in the past, Valentine’s Day wasn’t special for her. “I didn’t care that people were being very public with their displays of affection,” she said. “But now it’s different. The day is approaching and I still don’t know if I should get him something because we’re not exactly dating.” For singles who are not totally “single,” Valentine’s Day is like walking a tightrope between expecting something to happen and not wanting to expect that something will happen. Benito, at least, has a backup plan in mind for herself. “I’d probably go to a Valentine’s Day gig for singles and just party,” she shared. “There are a lot of people during Valentine’s Day but it’s nice because even if you’re alone, you
won’t feel alone,” she added. Self-love All types of love are celebrated during Valentine’s Day, and that includes self-love. For Chester Padilla, who experienced a breakup months ago, that’s exactly what he has in mind for the occasion. It’s a completely different experience, celebrating Valentine’s Day alone when you had someone to celebrate it with in the past. Sometimes, the day becomes a bitter, if not cruel, a reminder that your heart isn’t what it used to be anymore. “I get a little nostalgic, and there’s always that twinge whenever I see other couples,” Padilla admitted. “But you learn everything happens for a reason,” he continued. “And acceptance is key. This year, I just want to spend Valentine’s Day with myself.” Other ways to celebrate the day could be to host a dinner party with your fellow single friends, splurge for yourself with a decadent meal complete with dessert or a treatment like a massage, have a movie marathon with films that make you feel good, or unplug from technology and stay off social media. In the end, there are many ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, whether you’re in a relationship or single — what matters is that you don’t let the weight of the day pull you down. Valentine’s Day is just one day, after all; come February 15, it’ll be a thing of the past.
Arjo Atayde posts photo of Maine Mendoza as they meet in US by KRissy
aguilaR Inquirer.net
A photo of Maine Mendoza taken by Arjo Atayde.
ACTOR Arjo Atayde posted on Monday a photo of a smiling Maine Mendoza after they met in the United States. Mendoza was seen smiling from ear to ear in a photo posted by Atayde via his Instagram story. “Save the best stop for last,” Atayde wrote in the caption. Mendoza recently flew to the U.S. for a collaboration with a global cosmetics brand. Meanwhile, Atayde was part of Maja Salvador’s concert in Virginia last Saturday, FebruPhoto from Instagram/@arjoatayde ary 9.
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Be careful with your heart
Tips on how to show some TLC for your physical heart By nathalie
Robles
AJPress
FEBRUARY marks the month wherein Valentine’s Day is celebrated. Tokens of affection — candies, chocolates, flowers and pieces of jewelry — are often seen sprouting around, with lovers exchanging sweet gifts with each other. Specifically commemorated on the 14th day of the month, Valentine’s is often associated with romance, love and matters involving the heart. The heart is often the metaphor for affection and romance. The organ is the star every month of February, being the default decoration in the celebration of love. More often than not, its figurative representation overpowers its literal one which holds so much meaning in the human body. The heart in its entirety stands out in human anatomy, having more tasks than some of the other organs combined. The heart works as a pump that allows your blood to stream all over your body bringing with it oxygen and nutrients while leaving carbon dioxide and waste products. Along with blood and blood vessels, it makes up the human circulatory system also known as the body’s transport system. That is why taking care of one’s heart should also be of utmost importance. Cardiovascular or heart diseases remain the leading global cause of death with more than 17.9 million deaths each year. That number is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030. In the U.S. alone, heart disease is responsible for one in every four deaths; about 735,000 Americans are expected to have a heart attack this year. It is also one of the main causes of death, second only to cancer, for Asian or Pacific Islanders. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including: diabetes, overweight and obesity, poor diet,
physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use. However, statistics reveal that about 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases may be preventable with education and prevention. February is American Heart Health Month -- which is meant to raise awareness on the dangers of heart disease and what can be done to reduce the risks. Here are some tips to help maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle: Schedule an annual check up and consultation Be familiar with the overall status of your body by scheduling an appointment with your doctor to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked. Ask your doctor to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight with consideration to any past and recent medical conditions. Be sure to follow your healthcare professional’s recommendations, including taking prescribed medications as directed. Maintain the prescribed healthy weight Follow the prescribed healthy weight based on the doctor’s prescription. Excess weight increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. To achieve steady, painless weight loss, follow a lifestyle of a balanced diet and exercise. Each day, if you eat 200-300 calories less than you would normally consume, and exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week, you’ll get closer to your goal and be able to achieve weight loss that’s steady and painless. Exercise regularly Physical inactivity increases the likelihood of obesity and other medical complications. It is advisable to step, march or jog in place for at least 15 minutes on a daily basis. Increase your activity in increments — like five minutes each week — until you get a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week. Your physician can help you create a specific exercise regimen that is right for your specific needs. Always hydrate and eat healthy Studies reveal that up to 60 percent of the human body is
composed of water. It is a must to take a water bottle with you wherever you go. Consistent rehydration will also help flush out toxins that can be deemed as harmful not only for the heart but for other organs as well. More than keeping one’s body hydrated, the bottle’s weight will also help strengthen one’s arms. Keeping a healthy diet is not just about the consumption of nutritious food nor the avoidance of junk food. It is equally important to know how to cut off your supply of salty, fatty, cholesterol-rich and diabetes-inducing food. Fruits and veggies, low-fat or fat-free dairy products and whole grains are the most common alternatives to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular and heart diseases. Quit smoking Habitual cigarette and tobacco use is harmful to any organs in the human body. Even inhalation of secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer so it is important to refrain from smoking. If one has started smoking, it is essential to gradually quit the habit by cutting off its consumption slowly to avoid withdrawals. In line with the said tips and precautions, the United States government has also designated an event to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends and communities involved. Aptly placed in the month of February in 1964, the American Heart Month is commemorated to remind the people that cardiovascular diseases know no borders. The biggest part of living healthy comes down to simply making healthy choices. While you can’t change things like age and family history, the good news is that even modest changes to your diet and lifestyle can improve your heart health and lower your risk by as much as 80 percent. As Proverbs 4:23 said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” What the said scripture meant remains a mystery. However, guarding your heart could save you from getting hurt — figuratively and literally.
James Reid, Nadine Lustre celebrate 3rd anniversary in island getaway REAL life couple James Reid and Nadine Lustre are celebrating the love month and marking their third anniversary by spending quality time together in a romantic island trip. The couple, known as “JaDine,” is posting photos and videos of themselves in an undisclosed island. James posted a photo of them staring at a falls, somewhere in the country and captioned it “Healing” while Nadine has been sharing photos of them enjoying a meal and their vacation. The posts were also reshared by their fans. Nadine also took to Instagram to dedicate a message to her boyfriend, by posting a photo of James and captioning it “ilyssm.” JaDine first admitted they are in relationship in 2016 during their first major concert titled “JaDine in Love” held at the Araneta Coliseum. They became a couple on Feb. 11, 2016. The announcement came after their primetime series “On the Wings of Love.” Their relationship sparked after being a love team for years. The two Viva stars have been a “reel-couple” in their movies
Nadine Lustre and James Reid
“Ang Diary ng Panget,” “Talk Back and You’re Dead” and “Para sa Hopeless Romantic.” Nadine is set to release her
Photo from Instagram/@nadine
film with Carlo Aquino titled “Ulan” on March 13. It will also star Marco Gumabao and AJ Muhlach. (Philstar.com)
Fil-Am R&B singer H.E.R wins...
PAGE B1 fluorescent yellow ensemble, the half-Filipina and half-Black Bay Area native (real name Gabriella “Gabi” Wilson) seemed at home on the Grammy stage. She also took to the stage as a performer, delivering a soulful rendition of “Hard Place” from her nowaward-winning EP. As previously reported in the Asian Journal, the talented H.E.R. (which stands for Having Everything Revealed) has had a busy last few months and is on track to become a mainstay in R&B. In April, she will perform both Sundays of the Coachella Valley
Music and Arts Festival and is currently working on a debut album. “It feels like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,” H.E.R. told the Recording Academy. “It’s so easy to question your art, even to question what you’re doing, to question the path that you’re on. But this is such confirmation to me. It just feels amazing. It feels like I found my objective and I’m fulfilling it. I’m so blessed.” Fil-Am record producer !llmind also nabs Grammy H.E.R. wasn’t the only Fil-Am to win a Grammy on Sunday. Filipino-American record pro-
ducer and songwriter !llmind (real name Ramon Ibanga, Jr.) won Best Urban Contemporary Album for his work on Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s collaboration album “Everything is Love.” “Woke up to my first Grammy win,” the Brooklyn-based producer wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m just so thankful for all the people in my life who truly believe in me. To me, this doesn’t make me better than anyone else. All it does is prove that when you never EVER give up on something you truly feel in your heart, things will eventually manifest.”
Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano confirm... PAGE B1 and Enrique are in a relationship. Press conference host MJ Felipe asked the cast if all the “Bagani” main characters are already taken, which Liza replied with “O.” She later then tried to pull back her answer “Oo” with “Oh
no.” To make it clear, MJ repeated his question, and this time, Enrique answered a firm and loud “Yes!” In an exclusive interview with The Star’s Ricky Lo published on Sunday, the veteran journalist asked Enrique, “Are you and Liza alone or together?” which he
answered, “Yes, we are.” When asked if “On-screen or off-screen?” the young actor replied, “On screen and off screen. I wanna say that we are together.” The couple’s upcoming Valentine movie “Alone/Together” will be shown in cinemas nationwide beginning February 13.
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Managing a business and marriage... PAGE B1
whatever it is…it’s something we need to do. It really helps us survive as a team and married couple,” Zach says. Be authentic As any successful company can attest to, a strong and authentic brand story establishes a connection with the audience. The Fishbains’ wedding story is the reason why Spread the Love exists — it shows a human element to the brand and customers can trust that they’re talking to actual people. “I came here to the United States when I was 15 so we’re a minority, woman-owned business,” Valerie says of her story as an immigrant from the Philippines. “It’s part of our narrative that we’re very proud of.” Adds Zach, “Our daughters are growing up in a multicultural, multilingual household. They’re seeing mom and dad work hard — they know what Spread the Love is, they ask for it every day and it’s pretty cool as our business, family and lives grow. It’s all very intertwined in a good way.” Align on business plans and goals Going on six years in business, Spread the Love has gotten creative with engaging with its audience, whether it’s partnering with social media influencers who share how they incorporate the products into their daily lives or doing in-person events where potential customers can sample the brand. They are now at the point where they can give back to their
community — ‘spreading it forward,’ as the Fishbains say. They teamed up with People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) and held a fundraiser for the organization last year. The couple is conscious when it comes to introducing new products as they don’t want to “spread too thin,” but they can agree that in the coming years, they envision developing more offerings and fortifying Spread the Love as a go-to health brand. “We listen to our audience before we introduce other products and that’s what we stand for now. We don’t try to be a gourmet company, but we try to be a company that is fueling healthy lifestyles — a company that’s focused on nutrition, quality flavor... something that people can have confidence in, knowing that what they’re feeding themselves and their families is something that is made with integrity and that’s very healthy,” Zach says. Adds Val, “We see ourselves definitely as a leader in the natural food and condiments space. It’s not just peanut butter and almond butter. But we want to do other spreadables, like cream cheese, honey or hummus. We see ourselves getting into more lines of products.” Marisse Panlilio and Cosette Malig — New Jersey Marisse Panlilio and Cosette Malig first met in the Philippines, but reconnected in New Jersey. They have now been together for 29 years and married for three. Over the years, the couple has delved in various entrepreneurial
In this photo taken by Jersey Journal photographer Reena Sibayan on June 26, 2015, Marisse Panlilio and Cosette Malig celebrate the Supreme Court decision legalizing marriage equality across the 50 states. Contributed photo
ventures from health care to apparel. But today, they juggle three: MPEntertainment, an events company; MP Grafx, a printing and graphics service; and Popsie’s Mobile Food Concession, a Filipino cuisine pop-up/food truck. “It’s [about] feeding each other’s strengths and correcting one’s weakness and flaws. Patience is the key,” Marisse says. Designate roles Marisse shares that with the three ventures, they have clear roles and responsibilities for each. For MPEntertainment, she trained Cosette on how to handle the equipment and connect wires and cables because outside contractors wouldn’t take extra care of the expensive equipment. MPGrafx is “pretty much my turf,” Marisse says, but Cosette occasionally helps with t-shirt production and finishing touches on signs and graphics. Cosette is in charge of the front end of Popsie’s, but the two prepare the food together. “She does play an important role in my business,” Marisse says. “There are times when nerves cannot be avoided, but at the end of the day, we realize that it is a day’s worth of work.” Seek advice and feedback Marisse sees Cosette as her “extra eyes and ears” especially when there’s a business decision to be made. “She tells me like it is when she does not feel right or good about a project, an individual, [or] money matters,” Marisse says. Having that sounding board has been proven useful because Marisse is quick to say ‘yes’ on projects or purchases. Cosette “gives me her input on why she thinks it is ok or not. We argue, yes,” Marisse says. “I have invested thousands of dollars in all my businesses from buying a $35,000 printer in cash to countless light and sound equipment for my production company. With my new business, I listen to her input first before I make the move.” Keep it transparent “If we were not meant to be, we would have parted ways a long time ago,” Marisse says. “Twenty-nine years is a testament that love does endure the test of time.” The couple says having no secrets and adopting and rescuing pets (“great pacifiers” that they treat as their own children) have contributed to the longevity of their relationship. Spend time out outside of work, but also give each other space
When they’re not mounting events, the couple likes to go watch movies, eat out and have a routine where they de-stress and spend time together outside of a professional setting. They also make sure to give each other space, like Marisse going out to run errands alone, while Cosette stays at home to catch up on her favorite TV shows. Mia McLeod and Leonard Mercado — Walnut, CA When Mia McLeod and Leonard “Len” Mercado met over a decade ago, it was “instant chemistry.” The couple can thank Mia’s mom for playing matchmaker after she introduced Len to Mia because they were both real estate brokers. In 2004, Mia established McLeod & Associates, a real estate and mortgage company in Walnut, California, at the age of 22 and was recognized as a 30 under 30 honoree by Realtor Magazine at 25. “I was in the thick of my career and I was super driven in building my own business. The chemistry was so strong but I almost didn’t want to see it in a way because I wanted to stay focused on my business,” Mia recalls her initial interactions with Len. “But when it’s really meant to be, there’s nothing you can do.” Len joined Mia’s team as a broker in 2008, but their relationship was professional and platonic. In fact, he would see her leave work at the end of the day and head to dinner dates. Set a professional working environment When Mia and Len started dating, they kept it professional and private that their colleagues, for the most part, did not sense there was a romance brewing between the two. Mia says she was discreet about the relationship until she was “comfortable” enough to share it with her team. When she was ready, she called a meeting and told them because she “knew we would move into the next stage where engagement and all of that would come.” Mia and Len got engaged in 2014 and were married the year after. Len, who started out as a broker associate at the firm, is now also a partner. “Even to this day as husband and wife, we are still professional and keep that same environment,” Mia says. Though, don’t expect their office atmosphere to be stiff and
Mia McLeod and Len Mercado of McLeod & Associates, a real estate and mortgage company in Walnut, California. Contributed photo
uptight. Len, who is known for his playful humor, says that being in business together is serious, but that doesn’t mean “you should take yourself so seriously.” “He has grit, perseverance, strength, and a caring and loving spirit, while I’m more of a feeler and have a strong intuition. Bringing those two spirits together has worked well for us,” Mia shares, adding that the way that they communicate with each other and their team is without much of a filter, but “we just say how we feel in a caring way. What you see is what you get.” Len also says that they are intentional and think about whether their responses would add value to a situation, especially on sensitive topics because “sometimes proving a point doesn’t serve anyone.” Seek mentors and have a conflict resolution plan Over the years, Mia began to understand the importance of personal and leadership development and has since extended those opportunities to her team members through access to coaches, trainings, and a monthly book club for example. She and Len have mentors for their work and personal lives, such as coaches, role models in their industry, or other couples in the community. When brainstorming or having to make crucial decisions, Len says they turn to one of their trusted advisers for guidance or they take on the mindset of these people and think about how they would handle the scenario. “We also ask, ‘Are we looking at it in alignment with our core values and purpose?’” he adds. They have found that their values and mindsets are so aligned that even if a team member asks them a question separately, they
will usually have the same answer. One of the questions they frequently get asked is, ‘do you both ever fight?’ to which they laugh at because they “are not super humans,” Mia says. Though they do have small ‘fights’ — which “people find refreshing and relieving to hear” — they choose their battles and remember that the end goal is to find a solution. “Conflict happens but it doesn’t feel like it happens. I hate to sound like it’s all rainbows and unicorns because it’s not. The truth is, when you dig deeper and when you understand that your goals, purpose and dreams are the same and you respect each other, for us at least, it’s really hard to get into heated conflict and discussions,” Mia says. “It doesn’t really happen on the business side, it’s more of asking questions: Are we missing something by not looking at it this way? Do we need to bring in a coach to help us find clarity in this particular decision? It’s more that so it never becomes what you think of as an argument or conflict.” Cherish the time together and be each other’s champions The couple warns that working together is not for every couple, but they don’t take it for granted that they spend almost 24/7 with one another. Faith is a core value for them so they pray daily and carve out time for church on Sundays. On most days, they carpool to the office and have lunch together which allows them to catch up and talk about a multitude of things beyond work too. “These are special things that are not typical in today’s environment because both husband and wife are working,” Mia says. “When we talk to our other friends, couples and even clients, PAGE B4
B February 14-20, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL
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There’s no stopping Gary V. by ricky
calDeron ManilaTimes.net
As UNICEF national goodwill ambassador, Anne Curtis will be involved in special projects like Heroes for Children, fundraising and a children’s book that promotes reading among children. Photo courtesy of Unicef Philippines
Anne Curtis: A champion of children’s rights by Jerry
Donato Philstar.com
ANNE Curtis has played different roles in life. Being a face for UNICEF is one. She has made a great stride in advocating for children’s rights. “I don’t know if it’s specific because UNICEF, of course, is a global brand with global goals, (and) the priority, of course, is children’s rights,” replied Anne when asked about the particular programs she will be doing with UNICEF to benefit Filipino kids in a recent group interview with media. “So what I will be working on this year is working with the adolescents and their health programs.” Part of that is to address the growing rate of HIV in the country. The age of those infected now ranges from 15 to 24. This health issue needs to be addressed. “I will be working closely (with adolescents) in that field,” added Anne, who will help teach the young the value of health and education and speak on other relevant issues like violence and teen pregnancy. Anne belongs to that circle of local and international celebrities — Gary Valenciano, Jackie Chan, David Beckham, Orlando Bloom, Millie Bobby Brown, Priyanka Chopra, Ricky Martin, Leo Messi, Liam Neeson, Shakira and Lilly Singh — who find the time to work on their advocacies on top of their work commitments. “With (It’s) Showtime, it’s a live show so you see me. It’s different from my movies,” shared Anne on how fans might see her from these personal and professional endeavors. “It’s very easy to (differentiate me) from the actress and who I am as a host
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and as an ambassador.” The UNICEF event, announcing the elevation of Anne and Daphne Oseña-Paez from celebrity advocates to national goodwill ambassadors, saw the passion of a young advocate in the former, who breaks stereotypes of being a TV and movie personality. Anne generously gave members of the media a sneak peek into her life as a goodwill ambassador by recalling the opportunity to meet mothers and babies in her fieldwork. In this journey, she learned the importance of prenatal care and “the first 1,000 days of a child.” That explained why she got emotional watching her video for it reminded her of a mom, whom she met, “when I was meeting the mother, she had just lost her child because she had given birth… She had not known the importance of prenatal care, which is part, of course, of a pregnancy,” Anne said. “So all those feelings that I felt during these field visits came rushing back to me.” As for her presence on social media, Anne shared with the press that she would use it, “every chance I can get to raise awareness.” She also implied that if one feels the need to stand up for something, the platform can be tapped for that. From there, one may see the democratic spaces social media may afford. With her work as a UNICEF major donor and celebrity advocate for the past nine years, Anne deserves the appointment and the privilege to further make a difference in the lives of children. Based on the information provided by UNICEF, the actress-host is involved in special projects like Heroes for Children
(which supports the first 1,000 days of children), fundraising via international marathons and a children’s book that promotes reading among children and instills self-confidence in them. Daphne, on the other hand, will be busy with her flagship program, Auction for Action, for UNICEF Philippines. It is an art auction that gathers Pinoy artists (from art, design, furniture and jewelry) for a good cause. “As I’ve mentioned earlier, it’s a whole educational experience for me, transitioning into a wife and you know being more aware of where the future will lead me,” Anne said. “It’s a whole educational experience for me and I said this is almost prepping me to be an amazing mother.” What’s good about Anne is she never fails to use her celebrity status for good causes and is aware that working with UNICEF comes with a responsibility. The new designation sees Anne having meetings and discussions with UNICEF, receiving phone calls from the organization and doing field visits. “It’s hard when you’re just reading the information, right? (You have to) learn from people who have been on site and who have experienced it and they are bringing you to the field,” she shared. “So you experience (it) first hand. You have to know what it is you are promoting and advocating.” Asked what’s her stand on efforts to lower the age of criminal liability of the young, Anne replied: “I think that the existing law should be just fully implemented. There’s no need to lower the age. At 15, may discernment na. You are aware of what you’re doing.”
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MANY people look up to Gary Valenciano for the inspiration he brings but the health issues he endured in the past year have made him even more sensitive and aware of his effect to people. As a result, Gary has resumed his dream of visiting 35 universities for his 35th anniversary in showbiz. It was a plan that had to be cut short when he was diagnosed with heart ailment and cancer, both of which he survived. The recent school that Gary V visited was Unibersidad de Manila where he was able to share his journey to the young students. “I told them they can’t do shortcuts. If you want to go somewhere, you have to go through the journey. All the ups and downs are going to teach you who you are going to be,” said Mr. Pure Energy. Now what about his colleagues in the industry who are going through tough challenges as well? “People know me as a man of faith but I have come to realize one thing — you can only exercise faith when fear comes knocking at the door. You cannot say you have faith if there’s no fear because when things are great, it’s easy to say that you have faith. “But when things become questionable and uncertainties knock at the door…when I was going through all these health challenge, take note, it was from a person who is seemingly supposedly healthy all these time. But my
Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano gets his share of bashers online.
heart’s artery has a blockage and a cancer was brewing.” It got to the point that Gary V, humanly, could not do it anymore. Even if he went through surgery, there was no certainty that the ailment would not comeback. “It made me realize that yes, I can only rely on God for Him to do things that humans cannot do. And that is my message to everyone. That was the message I have spoken before but I guess it is more driven at home now. The message became deeper because nobody expected I will go through that experience.” With renewed energy and stronger faith, Gary V was ecstatic when he was offered to be one of the judges of World of Dance Philippines, together with Billy Crawford and Maja Salvador. Bashers, who took notice of
ABS-CBN photo
Gary V’s judging style, however, did not spare the recovering star from their negative comments online. But the ever gracious Gary said he doesn’t mind. “It’s their drama that was has inspired the contestants to dance the way they do. Just like in Tawag ng Tanghalan, they were trying to sing for their families so they can provide. I am not judging that story. I am judging their singing or their dance. “I actually respond to some of the bashers who eventually would stay silent. I take that as a sign that they’ve understood what I was trying to say.” At the end of the day, Gary V is glad that a show like World of Dance Philippines is now in the country, enabling local dancers to showcase their world-class talent.
Managing a business and marriage... PAGE B3 we realize what a blessing it is because a lot of these people…don’t really get to see their significant other because they’re so busy in their individual careers,” Len says. “So for another relationship if I was working elsewhere and in a totally different frame of mind, I could see how that could cause some friction. If you’re not growing together, you’re growing apart.” The couple also shares that one of their recipes to success is having that support system, whether it’s understanding that they need to shut off work or finding opportunities to boost their business. Each year, Mia has a handful of speaking engagements and workshops, “which makes me proud as her husband and part-
ner,” Len says. “Why wouldn’t you want to be with a boss lady and…do everything you could to support your partner? I know Mia is very supportive of me,” he adds. “Mia gets invited to all these engagements and I want to see more of them because she has so much substance to share. If I could support that, would that make me insecure? Absolutely not.” Define a purpose statement Mia and Len advise that couples who want to be in a venture together must have a guiding principle to remind them why they’re in this business. Though selling homes is what McLeod & Associates does, at its heart they are focused on the difference they make in people’s lives and what
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kind of legacy they want to leave — that is something they want to impart on their one-year-old son Leon as well. “The purpose statement, how you decide you want to live your life and the impact you want to make, needs to be so clear. In a marriage, what kind of life do you want to live together? You really have to put time and effort into that statement because when challenges do come up — because they will — that will be your foundation and you can always go back and build on that,” Mia says. “If you’re coming together for a business or a project, you need to understand why and the purpose behind that and make sure you are 100 percent aligned there.”
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Another brick in the invisible wall: Overcoming USCIS processing delays Your Immigration Solution ATTY. ERIC WELSH THE border wall, Donald Trump’s as-yet unrealized passion project, has consumed the political discourse for the past two years. Trump’s wall may or may not ever happen, but if it does, it is likely to have little effect on the flow of illegal border crossings (which have already been steadily declining over the last decade). However, the wall would likely provide an incredible market opportunity for entrepreneurial smugglers and traffickers. It would also stand as an indelible symbol, in the same way that the Statue of Liberty once did, although with a very different message. In place of “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” it would tell the world: “Gated Community—Keep Out.” The debate around Trump’s border wall have largely obscured the construction of another wall against legal immigration that has been taking shape since Trump took office. This “invisible wall” is being built not with brick and mortar, but with policy memoranda and internal directives that result in dramatic reductions in legal immigration and crisis-level delays in otherwise meritorious applications. A recent analysis by the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) shows that while case receipts have leveled or declined, the backlog of cases awaiting decisions by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has nearly doubled in the last two years, resulting in dramatically slower case processing times compared to only a few years ago. The delays force employers to scale down or seek less talented workers, and discourage
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Seventh of a series) Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, it means before your life’s energy goes into ‘ low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into. Things break. Once broken, a thing loses its value. If it is worth fixing, it can be fixed and in the hands of a whiz, can be as good as new. In our throw-away consumerdriven, impatient society where quality has taken a back seat to quantity in the name of profit and the bottom line, we are encouraged to simply toss away the broken item in the trash heap and replace it with a new one. For those of us who grew up and were trained by mothers, fathers, teachers and even great nuns (in my book) who taught us the meaning and value of preserving items, we tend to find the fix for the broken item. We look at the rip in the hemline of a nice dress and figure out carefully how a stitch here
Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS APPETITE suppressants, weight loss products, herbal aids for dieters, food supplements for weight watchers, are all potential harmful substances, with side-effects in the long run. Since overweight and obesity are generally in most cases due to more calories getting in and less calories getting out, reducing food intake and expending excess calories through physical exercises are the safest, most inexpensive, and most beneficial strategy to manage the waistline and general health. *** Individuals taking Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) pills for gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), like Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, etc., reduce stomach absorption of Folic acid and Vitamin B 12. In view of this, physicians prescribing PPI medications also add Folic acid and B 12 in the treatment regimen. Another sample of remedial therapy is co-prescribing CoQ10 for those on cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins, because statins also act to lower the body’s natural CoQ10 as a side-effect. The other is adding a beta blocker (like Bystolic) to protect the kidneys
students and others from seeking to study, work, and immigrate to the United States. The “invisible wall” is the result of polices and practices that have been implemented by USCIS over the last two years with the apparent goal of slowing and reducing legal immigration to the U.S. Some of these policies include: (1) USCIS’ rescission of longstanding guidance that directed its adjudicators to give deference to prior applications for extension of status of employment-based cases involving the same position with the same employer, forcing USCIS to reexamine matters that were previously assessed; (2) overhaul of refugee adjudications, bringing many applications to a virtual standstill; (3) implementing a new in-person interview requirement for all employment-based applications; and, (4) dramatically increasing the number of cases that will be referred to immigration court for removal (deportation), including new directives to issue notices to appear in almost all denied applications, and new measures subjecting students and visitors with even minor status violations to deportation. These and other policies result in extreme delays and denials in cases that in the recent past would have swiftly been approved. AILA recommends strengthened Congressional oversight and heightened USCIS transparency, and this is certainly important, considering that USCIS is an executive agency controlled by a man who campaigned on a promise to build walls and reduce immigration. Our immigration laws grant considerable discretion to the agencies adjudicating benefits and relief, and many relief applications are based on equitable standards like “hardship” and “humanitarian interest” that are subject to interpretive caprice. In the last two years, for example, USCIS has narrowly interpreted the meaning of words like “specialty occupation” to make it dramatically more difficult for foreign workers to
qualify for temporary visas. Facing such daunting obstacles, a vulnerable and unempowered foreigner may find herself on the outside of this “invisible wall,” losing hope of ever finding a door. Fortunately, the federal courts still provide certain avenues to challenge the immigration service. A person facing agonizing delays far exceeding “standard processing timelines” may consider filing for mandamus relief in district court (i.e., an order from a judge compelling the agency to do its job). A person who receives an adverse decision based on unfair or unwarranted conclusions may have a case for declaratory relief (i.e., a finding by a judge that the agency misapplied the law or failed to correctly analyze the facts or provide basic constitutional safeguards). Even before going to federal court, an applicant may make multiple inquires to seek action on their case (although these options are becoming more and more limited). The “invisible wall” is, in many ways, more frustrating and impossible to scale than the proposed border wall. It is designed to extinguish hope and reduce immigration by frustrating and confounding lawful applicants. For that reason, the best weapons against it are persistence, fortitude, and zealous advocacy by an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney. *** 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) 7958009 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)
The bucket list Fix the broken
”Broken hearts? Broken relationships? The solution is always the same. FORGIVE. Forgive as you have been forgiven. And while you’re at it, FORGET.” and there can make it good as new. That is probably why I can never get on with the supposedly “fashionable” items of ripped jeans. It is, to me, a nod toward rottenness and ugliness. Why pay good money for something so unattractive? Oy Vey! We look at holes in the wall and buy spackle and paint to patch it up and smooth out the flaws. We crazy glue crockery to weld things back. We solder metals so that the thingamajig, whatever it is, functions once again. We replace batteries so watches and clocks go tick tocking again. We repair broken items. That is our default setting when we see things that are broken. But how about when the breakdown is with affairs of the human heart? How do you fix a broken heart?
There are no easy answers. In the physical realm, if something is broken, you can fix it. And if you can’t, you relegate it to the trash heap. But not so with the human heart … Though broken to a thousand pieces, the heart can live through the dark days until time brings its healing effects. The pain becomes dull and as life goes on, the sunlight breaks through the darkness and the heart is made whole. Resiliency of the human heart is based on the deep and enduring understanding in the wisdom of the words: “This too, shall pass.” But when the pains and the hurt are forged into the deep recesses of the memory and the wounds are encouraged to fester, the brokenness can be PAGE B6
Valuable tips for those taking Metformin for diabetes. *** Current trend in medicine when it comes to diet is extreme reduction in carbohydrate intake, like rice, bread, desserts, and sweets (candy, ice cream, etc.), and total abstinence from any and all forms of soft drinks, because they increased the risk for the development of Metabolic Syndrome, among both adults, and especially children. Protein, more on wild caught (not farmed) fish, like salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, shrimp, crab, lobster, scallop, and oysters (preferably cooked), chicken, lean red meat, oat meal, grains, nuts (almond, walnuts), avocados, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, asparagus, various spices, and moderation in fruits (organic berries). *** Abstinence from or severe restriction in rice (white or brown) and in bread and potatoes (regular or sweet) consumption effectively lead to dramatic weight loss, waistline reduction, and lowering of serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels. This strategy and caloric control have been noted among those who are normal weight individuals, but especially more strikingly among overweight and obese persons. Rice (white or brown) has a
high glycemic index that almost instantly leads to spike in blood glucose after ingestion, is a major culprit in the high incidence of T2 diabetes, besides cardiovascular diseases, in the Philippines and in other high-carbs eating nations. Indeed, LOW-CARBS-high protein diet is in, like the Ketone diet. *** Owning a pet, especially a dog, reduces the risk for depression, more impressively among women in pre and post menopausal stage of their life. This beneficial psychological effect is also generally found among men. Having a pet also provides joy, security, and calmness to children. For homes, these man’s best friends are good addition to or an effective substitute for security alarm. Studies show that a barking dog, especially the big ones, almost always deter home break-ins. *** New studies showed that there is NO safe level for alcohol intake. Previous recommendations were one drink per day for women and two drinks for men to be medically acceptable, and that drinking red wine with dinner was good for the cardiovascular system. The most recent clinical research suggests even one drink is unhealthy, especially for the liver and the brain. On holidays PAGE B6
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 14-20, 2019
Calendar of Events across
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America
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS 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.
F E B R UA RY 1 6
Domestic Violence Prevention Symposium in San Fernando, CA The Valley Care Community Consortium partners with the Lions Clubs International/District 4-L3 to host the inaugural Domestic Violence Prevention Symposium to be held on Saturday, February 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the San Fernando Regional Recreation Park (208 Park Avenue, San Fernando, CA). Admission is free, open to the public and registration is strongly encouraged. For more information or to register for the event, please contact the Valley Care Community Care Consortium (VCCC) at (818) 904-5566 or email at healthy@valleyccc.org.
F E B R UA RY 2 0
FACCGLA hosts Music and Merlot in Sherman Oaks Join us for evening of Wine & Cheese to unwind after a busy day on Wednesday, February 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. as we enjoy the music of jazz guitarist Ric Ickard. Get to know the members of the the Filipino American Chamber of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA), and get a chance to tell us about your business or profession. We love to meet new people to share our plans for the year, with some time for a Q & A and inspirational talks from Asian Business owners. We will announce a special perk for our members AND you can be one of the first to get hold of the FilAm Entrepreneurship Magazine. Register at www.faccgla.org. Venue is BFG Room, 2nd floor, 5121 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.
F E B R UA RY 23
Free oil filter exchange in Lynwood, CA Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event! Everyone is invited to bring in their motor oil and used oil filters on Saturday, February 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new oil filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. It will be held at O’Reilly Auto Parts at 10727 Long Beach Blvd. Lynwood, CA 90262.
MARCH 9
LolaLand: The Grandmother of All Shows in Los Angeles Rejoicers Events brings to Los Angeles, “LolaLand: The Grandmother of All Shows,” the show that sold out in Manila, and soon restaged in New York and the Bay Area. It will be held on Saturday, March 9 at the Aratani Theatre (244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) at 7 p.m. Headlined by comedienne Fe delos Reyes, award-winning songwriters Cecile Azarcon and Odette Quesada are joined by singers Jam Morales and Chiqui Pineda, who popularized numerous OPM Songs. Part of the proceeds of this much-anticipated concert benefit Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, a non-profit organization that helps bring Filipino Artists to U.S. stages.
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.
APRIL 7
Ryan, Ryan! The Maestro and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in Glendale, CA Recently proclaimed National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab’s works will be showcased on Sunday, April 7 at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center (1440 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205) at 6 p.m. by his multi-talented singing group, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers joined by some local artists like Mon David, Annie Nepomuceno, Louie Reyes and many more. Come and hear how his work that spans five decades has made an indelible impact on Filipino culture. Copresented by Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, a 501 (c) 3 organization that brings exemplary Filipino Artists to U.S. stages. For ticket information ($35-$125) visit www.philpatrons.org and to learn about other tour stops in Las Vegas (April 7), San Diego (April 12) and Seattle (April 14).
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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/.
J U LY 24 -28
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/.
AU G U ST 1 - 9
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/.
AU G U ST 3 - 4
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
B February 14-20, 2019 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL
PeoPle and events
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Curtain call for Armida Siguion-Reyna ‘Counting the days’: Catriona Gray excited for her homecoming
by Ricky Lo Philstar.com
THE entertainment industry is mourning the passing of Armida Siguion-Reyna at 3 on Monday, February 11 at the ICU of a Makati hospital. She turned 88 on Nov. 4. As of last night, members of the family were not available for comment on what caused the death of the feisty head of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) during the Estrada administration and a strong defender of the industry that she loved so much. Fondly known as Tita Midz, she left an impressive body of trimedia work – in television, theater and film. Her well-loved and enduring TV show “Aawitan Kita” is considered a national treasure as Tita Midz also was. Armida Ponce Enrile SiguionReyna was the daughter of Spanish lawyer-politician Alfonso Ponce Enrile, and the sister of artist Irma Potenciano and half-sister of former senator Juan Ponce Enrile. In the world of opera, she performed lead roles in “Lucia de Lammermoor”, “Rigoletto”, “La Traviata”, “I Pagliacci”, “The
by Rosette
Armida Siguion-Reyna
Merry Widow” and “Ang Mestiza (a zarzuela)”. In television, aside from “Aawitan Kita” where she sang kundiman and harana among other Filipino classics, she also hosted “Cooking Atbp” and “Let’s Talk Movies”, one of the early showbizoriented talk shows with Mario Bautista as co-host. She recorded two Aawitan Kita albums for Villar Records and Dyna Records, and another album titled “Sa Lungkot
Inquire,net photo
at Saya… Aawitan Kita” (Viva Records). She put up two companies, Pera Films and Reyna Films, that produced films directed by her son, Carlitos Siguion Reyna (married to actress-scriptwriter Bibeth Orteza), among them “Laruang Apoy” and “Bilanggong Birhen”. As of press time, the family hasn’t announced where the wake and when the interment will be.
Julia Barretto cuts vacation short due to ‘homesickness’ by Niña GuNo Inquirer.net
A LOOK at Julia Barretto’s Instagram would fill one with wanderlust. The actress has been traveling around South America and taking stunning photos of Cuba and Mexico. The “Ngayon at Kailanman” actress announced Friday, Feb. 8 on Twitter that she would be packing her bags to come home sooner than expected. “Not easy to feel homesick. Cutting my trip short to be with the ones I love most,” she wrote. “I am satisfied with the time I gifted myself… it’s time to go home.” In another tweet she said, “Take care of your soul and prioritize it.” On Feb. 4, Barretto expressed hesitations at traveling to the next set of places after visiting Tulum, Mexico and Havana, Cuba. “We spent 5 days in our first destination and spent only two days in our second destination and flying out again tomorrow for another country,” she narrated. “To be absolutely honest, I am
adeL
Philstar.com
MISS Universe 2018 Catriona Gray once again expressed excitement over her upcoming return to the Philippines. In her Instagram post, Catriona said she is “counting down the days till she will be home.” She also said she is excited about the looks her team is preparing for her grand homecoming this month. “Loved the collections we got to see today at #NYFW Can’t help but think about the amazing designers back home in the Philippines. Speaking of which, I am so excited for the looks my team is creating for my homecoming!” Catriona said. In January, Catriona said she has not been informed of the concept of the gowns she would wear during her homecoming. But it was earlier reported that her gowns were grander than the ones she wore during the Miss Universe pageant praised on social media. Catriona is set to return midFebruary. The welcome parades for her are scheduled in the cities of Pasay, Manila and Makati on February 21 while a separate homecoming event is slated on
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray
February 23 at The Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City. The 25-year-old Filipina-Australian is now residing in New
Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray
York City for her Miss Universe duties. She is recently seen attending the prestigious New York Fashion Week.
Remembering Rico J. on Valentine’s big loss to Original Pilipino Music after his passing in October 2018 from heart failure, his good friends THE name Rico J Puno would — the Hitmakers — continue to always be a headliner among Val- remember him as the season of entine shows in the country for so love comes along. many years, making 2019 the first But the show must go on and without him in the music scene. A Valentine’s will still see OPM icons
Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera and Marco Sison on stage for a night of great music, and to be sure, with laughter still very much part of the act as the Hitmakers join forces with Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas to step in for the group’s biggest — and greenest — joker. “Nami-miss naming lahat si Kuya Rico,” said Ai-Ai of the Total Entertainer-cum-funny man of OPM. “Nalulungkot ako kahit hindi ako Hitmaker kasi madalas Julia Baretto Instagram/@juliabarretto ko ring kasama si Kuya eh. At kahit extremely excited but at the same 8, she described the UNESCO anong saihin niya sa akin OK lang. time extremely nervous for our World Heritage site as “Stunning. Ang sarap niyang kabatuhan at next destinations… Only because Breathtaking. Life changing.” ibang-iba talaga ang timing niya, Just as Barretto already misses as early as now I can already tell kaya alam ko, sabi nga nila I have that these places will change my home, she is also missed back big shoes to fill,” delas Alas said. life and help me find my peace home. Just a few days into her The singing gentlemen, on trip, love team partner Joshua and serenity.” their part, cannot be more grate“Here’s to the year of getting Garcia tweeted on Feb. 1, “Go ful that they have the Comedy out of my comfort zone, surren- home! Now!” Queen in place of Puno for their Last Friday, she also shared on dering and most of all living.” first concert without him, because One of the recent destinations her Instagram Stories a video of with her, they can guarantee their she went to was the Inca citadel youngest sister Erich telling her audience that the perfect blend of Machu Picchu in Peru. As per to go home. She wrote over the music and comedy they look for in her Instagram Stories last Feb. video, “Coming my love.” every Hitmakers show will be very much on stage on February at the Ai-Ai delas Alas, Marco Sison, Rey Valera and Hajji Alejandro offer a night of great music and Newport Performing Arts Theatre laughter in memory of the total entertainer-cum-funny man Rico J Puno. Contributed photo in Resorts World Manila. by tessa
MauRicioa-aRRioLa ManilaTimes.net
The bucket list PAGE B5 as deep as the Grand Canyon. These are the very sad cases, when the heart never heals. It is true what they say about dying of a broken heart. There is that thing called pride and in extreme cases, hubris, the kind that damned the fallen angels. This is the one that makes it hard to fix brokenness. We become so big for our britches that forgiveness is beyond us. We equate forgiveness with weakness and our supreme pride won’ t let us do it. Broken hearts? Broken relationships? The solution is always the same. FORGIVE. For-
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give as you have been forgiven. And while you’re at it, FORGET. You do yourself no favors by letting the pains and hurts fester. Not that it’s easy to forgive and forget. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. But that’s the whole story of our redemption. God forgives and forgets our iniquities. Who are we not to try and do likewise during our short time here on earth? The full benefits of forgiveness accrue first to the aggrieved party, the one who forgives and forgets. Why? Because then the heart is allowed to mend and heal with time, it becomes whole
once again. There is a play on words about time and healing that one wit wrote. It is said that. “Time heals all wounds.” And if you believe in karma, “Time wounds all heels.” Let that sink in for a moment. God makes the prayerful heart resilient. In time, the human heart can love again as though it was never broken. Next week: Another idea to consider for The Bucket List … *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
Valuable tips
and special occasions, about 12 times or so a year, I still enjoy my Beefeater’s very dry Martini with 3 large olives. *** Coffee is in as a health drink, minus sugar and cream. Soft drinks are toxic and are out! Coffee is an antioxidant that lowers the risk for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and also for Alzheimer’s and even cancer. There was a time when coffee was feared to contribute to cardiac rhythm irregularities. Indeed, continuing, never-ending, scientific researches lead to a healthier life for the world, albeit sometimes reversal or 360 degree-change in medical recommendations is confusing. But progress always includes correction of old dogmas and data with new updated evidence-based medical facts, for the benefit of mankind as a whole. *** COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases) is not associated with smoking cigarettes only. It could be genetic and is also seen among individuals with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, where gastric acid could regurge (flow upwards from the stomach to the throat) into the airway pipe (between the vocal cords) down the lungs, causing some inflammation over time, eventually leading to COPD. The individual could have episodes of itchy throat and mild coughs. Instead of the toxic tobacco smoke, the irritant here is the stomach
acid going to the airway pipe and the lungs. For those with reflux, the best is to avoid spicy foods and alcohol, and raise the head part of the bed to prevent stomach acid from backing up and spilling over from the food pipe to the air pipe. Using bed raisers is better than using 2-3 pillows which get displaced while asleep. *** This electronic age and the continued progress in computer technology, including virtual reality and all the related gadgetry have been a boon to mankind. Depending on how they are used, computerized gadgets, including the cellphones, pods, tablets, laptops, etc., could bring families closer and help improve health. On the other hand, their overuse, misuse, or abuse could lead to adverse effects overall. Children, unsupervised and undisciplined, spend too much time with any of these devices, all to themselves, sometimes missing meals, social interaction, and in some cases even school. The addiction could lead to 8 hours or more screen time, attention deficit, poor school performance, maladjustment in the social environment, and, physically, to poor posture (with neck aches and backaches), impairment of vision (blurry or double vision) from the prolonged screen glare and not blinking enough causing eye dryness, tiredness, and eye irritation, leading to actual damage to vision (computer vision syndrome) and general health. Of course, the same negative
impact from undisciplined use of electronics could also be seen among older children and adults. Abuse in computer use could lead to cataract formation even among younger individuals and also increase in the risk for macular (central part of retina vital to vision) degeneration and blindness. Parents should limit screen time for their children, encouraging them to play more, outdoors, with their friends, and make sure they get adequate sleep. At night the blue lights from thes gadgets impair sleep. Never use these gadgets as “baby-sitters.” Teach them the 20-20-20-20 rule: Blinking at least 15 times a minute, have a 20minute break from these devices after 20-minute use, and get up, stretch, and look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds, staring at a distant object. This will relax the body and the muscles of the eyes. Let’s use these marvelous gadgets wisely and take advantage of them to help us attain improved brain-power, better health, more substantial joy, and greater security and prosperity. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARy 14-20, 2019
B
B8 FEBRUARY 14-20, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
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Located in Montemaria, home to the ninth largest monument in the World—the shrine to Mother Mary,Tower of Peace.
A world-class township development located in Montemaria, Batangas City, the Philippines.
“For your retirement, family vacation, pilgrimage, and investment...for generations.�
THE TOTAL LAND AREA OF THE MONTEMARIA DEVELOPMENT IS APPROXIMATELY 130 HECTARES WHICH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TOWNSHIP* PROJECTS: 01 Condominiums, hotels, and resorts 02 Commercial developments such as a shopping center which includes restaurants and cafes 03 Golf Course and Water Park 04 Spa and Wellness Centers 05 Marina and Fisherman’s Wharf 06 Housing, residential subdivision, and retirement village 6XEMHFW WR ƓQDO GHYHORSPHQW SODQ TOTAL LAND AREA 2.1 Hectares
INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
01 Development site is adjacent to the Statue of Virgin Mary. 02 5HVRUW VHWWLQJ ZLWK PDJQLĆ“FHQW YLHZ RI WKH ED\ 03 High-quality asset with world-class exterior and interior design. 04 Designed by award winning and internationally renowned Architecture and Design Firm, ARCH HAUS ASIA. 05 Montemaria is located on top of the Batangas Bay Peninsula facing the Verde Island Passage, reputed to be the U.N. recognized “Center of the Center of Marine Bio-Diversity of the World.â€?
DATE OF COMPLETION Second Quarter of 2020 TOTAL NUMBER OF UNITS PHASE 1 866 Units BUILDING 1 164 units
BUILDING 2 Clubhouse
Lombard By The Bay is a joint venture development project between 3UHPLHU $VLD 3DFLĆ“F 5HDO (VWDWH DQG Development Corp.and Omnicor ,QGXVWULDO (VWDWH 5HDOW\ &HQWHU ,QF
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT SUSAN K. GROSS-NIEDERMEYER AT (480) 227-7782 SUSAN@SUSANGROSSREALTOR.COM I SUSAN.GROSS@PREMIERASIAPACIFIC.COM I LOMBARDBYTHEBAY.COM