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FEBR U A R Y 15-21, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 17 • 16 Pages
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Rappler’s Ressa posts bail after night at NBI by KRISTINE JOY
Philstar.com
PATAG
MANILA — Rappler CEO Maria Ressa posted bail on a cyberlibel case against her on past noon on Thursday, February 14, after spending the night in detention at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters. Ressa and her lawyers arrived at Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 and paid the bail bond of P100,000. “Bail posted. We’re just waiting for the release order,” Rappler multimedia head Beth
Frondoso told reporters just past noon. Manila RTC Branch 46 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montessa, who issued the order for a warrant against Ressa, was attending to a trial at a Las Piñas court. The Rappler CEO appeared before Manila RTC Branch 45 Judge Maria Teresa Abadilla to post her bail. NBI agents arrested Ressa at her office early Wednesday evening, February 13. Her camp tried to post bail before a night court in Pasay, but failed to do so. Rappler said that
USA
DATELINE Fil-Am federal workers reflect on longest gov’t shutdown ahead of a possible second closure
according to their lawyer, the Pasay Metropolitan court judge expressed concern on jurisdiction matters, as the case was being handled by an RTC, and not an MeTC. Keng complaint Ressa’s cyberlibel charge stemmed from businessman Wilfredo Keng ‘s complaint against Rappler over an article published in May 2012. He filed the complaint in 2017, five years after the story was published. Keng, in a statement, called Ressa’s arrest a vindication over
Palace on Maria Ressa arrest: Peso seen weakening to 54 to $1 ‘No one is above the law’
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 re-
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Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo
THE peso may slip to the 54 level against the dollar by the third quarter of this year as the U.S. Federal Reserve may not by NESTOR CORRALES turn out to be as dovish as exInquirer.net pected by global markets while MANILA — “No one is above the country’s trade deficit continthe law,” Malacañang said on ues to worsen. This was the view of ING Wednesday, February 13, after the National Bureau of Investiga- Philippines economist Nicholas tion arrested Rappler chief ex- Mapa, who projected the peso ecutive officer Maria Ressa over to reach 53.09:$1 by the end of the second quarter, weakening a cyberlibel case. According to presidential to 54.64 by the end of the third spokesperson Salvador Panelo, quarter and close the year at the Duterte administration “has 54.04 to a dollar. The local currency is seen to u PAGE 2 remain at the 54 levels against Inquirer.net photo the greenback in the first two quarters of 2020. While the peso has strength-
Historian: ‘Maharlika’ does not mean ‘noble’ by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
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.
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 u PAGE 2 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 THE U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has as- Maharlika is a Malay word and it means sured the Senate that Southeast Asian nations continue to share common principles with Washington. “The United States and ASEAN share the common principles of a rules-based international order, respect for international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” Indo-Pacific Command commander Adm. Philip Davidson told the Senate Armed Services Committee. While Davidson declared confidence with Washington’s regional allies, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative director Gregory Poling pointed out that long-time ally the Philippines has been asking for a treaty review. “During SASC testimony, Adm. Davidson twice said there is no doubt U.S. credibility in any of our Asian allies. That must come as a big surprise to friends in the Philippines who are demanding a review of the (Mutual Defense Treaty) because of U.S. ambivalence,” Poling said on Twitter. In his statement, Davidson said he was fo- President Rodrigo Duterte raises his fist while delivering his speech at the cused on working with allies Thailand and ceremonial distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to the
US confident in ‘likeminded’ allies while PH seeks treaty review
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RESSA ARRESTED. NBI agents from the cybercrime division arrested Rappler CEO Maria Ressa from her office in Pasig City after securing an arrest warrant from Manila City Regional Trial Court Branch 46 over a cyber libel case recently filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, February 13. Philstar.com photo by Manuel Tupac
Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Maguindanao at the Buluan Municipal Gymnasium on Monday, February 11. Malacañang photo by Albert Alcain
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ened recently, Mapa said this was due to foreign portfolio flows to local stocks, driven by expectations of a dovish U.S. Fed. But Mapa said the Fed might not remain as dovish. “That can have a negative impact on the peso. That’s why we think the dollar will eventually move higher for the rest of the year,” he said. “The second reason is the trade deficit will continue to outpace traditional flows of foreign currency,” Mapa said, noting that remittances would not be enough to fill the gap. In previous years, the Philippines enjoyed a current-account surplus because large remittanc-
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A man claims his money at a foreign currency exchange booth.
Inquirer.net photo
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 Omnibus Election Code 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 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
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From the Front Page
Rappler’s Ressa posts bail... PAGE 1 “their publication of clearly defamatory statements against me through their online news platform.” Keng wanted Ressa and Rappler to be accountable for a story published four months before the Cybercrime Prevention Actl was signed. Laws are not retroactive but Keng raised that the assailed article remains published on the site. State prosecutors who resolved
the NBI complaint said that Rappler’s publication of an updated article on Feb. 19, 2014 puts its under the “multiple republication rule.” Ressa released Ressa speaking to reporters after posting bail, recalled that this is the sixth time she has posted bail in two months. Rappler is facing tax-related cases before a Pasig court and the Court of Tax Appeals. The Securities and Exchange Commission also revoked the company’s
A defiant Ressa, who repeatedly said that the cases against her and her company are a “persecution” by the government, also said that she would not duck and hide. Local and international groups of journalists rallied behind Ressa in questioning the motives behind the legal suits they are facing. Ressa also said that the arrest and her subsequent detention at the NBI on Wednesday night showed “abuse of power and weaponization of the law.” n
Palace on Maria Ressa arrest: ‘No one... PAGE 1 always respected the judiciary on how it handles cases pending before its courts,” adding that the President would “refrain from interfering in its own present affairs.” “Ms. Ressa being a media practitioner and a high ranking officer of a media outfit critical of the President’s programs and policies has nothing to do with the present circumstances she is currently in,” Panelo said in a statement.
“Freedom of expression, as critics of this Administration erroneously suggest, is absolutely unrelated with Ms. Ressa’s probable violation of the country’s laws,” he added. “Ressa should, in fact, welcome this as an opportunity to defend herself and be heard before the court of law.” Ressa will spend the night at the NBI headquarters in Manila after a Pasay City night court refused to accept bail for her cyberlibel case. She was arrested after Branch
46 of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday, Feb. 12. But NBI agents only served the warrant at the Rappler office in Pasig P90-M SHABU SEIZED. Personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) present the P90 million City on Wednesday afternoon. worth of shabu intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in a press conference in Pasay City on Tuesday, February 12. The “We are a country of laws and contraband, weighing around 13 kilograms, was concealed in a parcel shipment containing muffler parts. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan every citizen must adhere to the rule of law. No one is above the law, not even high profile selfanointed crusading journalists,” Panelo said. “Whatever the out- PAGE 1 electronics, are likewise affected ed that global markets seemed come is, it must be respected by es from overseas Filipinos offset by the U.S.-China trade tension. overoptimistic at present. He everyone for such is the law. This trade deficits. Against such backdrop, Mapa noted that Fed Chair Jerome is how the rule of law work.” n These days, however, the im- said exports of other products Powell’s comments at the latest port bill has widened as the gov- such as tuna and mangoes were Federal Open Market Committee ernment strived to build much- not enough to offset the adverse meeting were interpreted as signeeded infrastructure. Mapa impact on the trade position. naling rate cuts. Meanwhile, ING is expecting referred to the importation of “The Fed will still hike in 2019 and I’m proud of what we’ve raw materials such as iron and the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise and the best we can hope from accomplished because people steel for the “Build, Build, Build” interest rates by the second quar- the [U.S.-China] trade discuslearned during that shutdown program as well as capital forma- ter of this year, citing the U.S.’ sions is a cessation of additional all about the problems coming tion with the purchase of new “red-hot” labor market. hostilities, not a rewind of existin from the southern border,” airplanes and machinery. Robert Carnell, ING head of re- ing tariffs,” Carnell said. (Doris Trump added. “I accept it — I’ve The Philippines’ main exports, search for Asia-Pacific, suggest- Dumlao-Abadilla/Inquirer.net) 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.” PAGE A1 But Trump indicating he is denied. The U.S. Army rejected “proud” of what was accomIn 1978, then-Batasang Pam- Marcos’ requests, calling his plished sugarcoats the frantic bansa member Eddie Ilarde claims “distorted, exaggerated, upheaval that plagued the fedproposed the Philippines’ name fraudulent, contradictory and eral workforce. Amid the partibe changed to Maharlika through absurd.” san battle in Washington over Parliamentary Bill 195. U.S. It was concluded by army inspending packages and border Army investigators said the term vestigators that Maharlika was walls, the economic well-being was also used by former presi- a fictitious creation and that of individual employees was at dent Ferdinand Marcos when he ‘’no such unit ever existed’’ as stake, Aquino remarked. faked his military records during a guerrilla organization during “It’s not a game, it’s our lives the World War II. the war.” here, and that time was really At that time, the late dictator Presidential spokesperson hard because I would go into claimed to have commanded Salvador Panelo, for his part, work unsure if I would get paid a group of guerrillas known as clarified that Duterte would not for my work that day, which, I adthe “Maharlika Unit.” However, actively push Congress to change mit, did mentally affect me most a 1986 New York Times report the name. days [during the shutdown],” Dr. Rolando Borrinaga, a historian from the revealed that Marcos’ petition re“It’s not the style of the presiNational Commission for Culture and the Arts questing recognition of the unit dent,” he said. “He floats [the] Aquino said. Photo from Twitter/CNN Philippines between 1945 and 1948 were idea and someone gets it.” n u PAGE p5
Peso seen weakening to...
Fil-Am federal workers reflect on longest... PAGE 1
cently. Aquino was one of the thousands of “non-essential” federal workers who worked without pay during President Donald Trump’s 5-week government shutdown, the longest shutdown in American history. 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,
Historian: ‘Maharlika’ does not...
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 15-21, 2019
Palace: Duterte allowed to endorse election bets
PAGE 1 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 (L-R) Steven Hunter, McDonald’s Multicultural and Brand Engagement Lead, moderator Leangelo Acuna, William Cho, McDonald’s OwnerOperator, Rosa, and former political adviser Francis Tolentino. Jevh Maravilla and Christian Toledo 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
PAGE 1 the Philippines, as well as partners Singapore and Vietnam, to “strengthen ASEAN, expand multilateralism, and improve their combined capacity to stand up to the malign influence of state and non-state actors, especially in the South China Sea.” He reported that Beijing contincom, or follow us on Twitter @ ues to maintain claims in the disMcDonalds and Facebook www. puted waterway that are contrary facebook.com/mcdonalds. Run solely by volunteers, to international law and threaten The East Coast Asian American international order. China continues to ignore the Student Union (ECAASU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mis- July 2016 ruling of a United Nasion is to inspire, educate, and tions-backed arbitral tribunal that empower those interested in invalidated its nine-dash line claim Asian American and Pacific Is- over the South China Sea. Davidson also pointed out that lander (AAPI) issues. For more Chinese Coast Guard vessels reguinformation please contact comlarly harass and intimidate fishing munications@ecaasu.org. n
vessels from the Philippines that are operating near Scarborough Shoal off the coast of Zambales. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, meanwhile, is looking to strengthen the region’s capability to “deny adversaries’ attempts to dominate or disrupt the gateway between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, while enabling the region to promote their sovereign interests.” “The command’s efforts will improve the region’s awareness and capability to enforce their borders, territorial waters and exclusive economic zones,” Davidson said. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier called for a review of the provisions of the 1951 treaty between the Philippines
and the U.S. The Defense chief said he wanted the U.S. to provide a definitive stand on whether it will support the Armed Forces of the Philippines in case of a confrontation with other South China Sea claimants. U.S. Ambassador to Manila welcomed Lorenzana’s call, saying that any agreement of this importance “should be looked at very closely.” “The circumstances surrounding the agreement on our alliance evolves so we would welcome taking a close look at the treaty to see whether we can make any adjustments to make even better what it is now,” Kim told reporters last week. (Patricia Lourdes Vira/Philstar.com)
McDonald’s and special guests lead conversations about diversity at 2019 East Coast Asian American US confident in ‘like-minded’ allies while... Student Union Conference (ECAASU) in Orlando “McDonald’s pranksters” Jevh Maravilla and Christian Toledo and YouTube star Mike Bow showcase the brand’s commitment to inclusion ORLANDO, FL — ‘McDonald’s pranksters’ Jevh Maravilla and Christian Toledo and YouTube star Mike Bow discussed the importance of diversity in marketing at this weekend’s ECAASU Conference in Orlando, the nation’s oldest conference run by-and-for Asian American and Pacific Islander students. First time sponsor McDonald’s worked with the ECAASU conference team to arrange the panel featuring Maravilla and Toledo -- the Filipino American college students who received national attention for a viral poster prank inside a Houston McDonald’s restaurant -- and to secure Bow, who stars in a new TV commercial for the Golden Arches -- to serve as the event’s keynote speaker. Now in its 41st year, the conference was one of the organization’s largest to date, attracting over 800 students from 100+ schools in the East Coast. The event explored a range of community issues with interactive workshops, speeches and performances. During the McDonald’s panel, the pranksters discussed the inspiration behind their headline-making stunt and the media whirlwind that followed, which culminated with an appearance on ‘The Ellen Show.’ The duo was later joined by company representatives who spoke about the Golden Arches’ ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. “McDonald’s continues to demonstrate that it’s serious about having an open dialogue about diversity and we’re very proud to be part of that conversation,” said Maravilla, who, together with Toledo, was awarded $25,000 by the Golden Arches for their poster stunt and recently made a surprise cameo in a national McDonald’s TV commercial. During their panel discussion at ECAASU, the University of Houston students spoke about what individuals can do to help
drive change at both the local and national level. “It starts with realizing that your voice matters and then taking action,” said Toledo. “Social media also helps -- as Jevh and I know.” Social media was also a prevalent theme during Mike Bow’s keynote address, in which the YouTube personality credited today’s digital landscape for enabling new forms of Asian American representation. “Asian Americans today are bypassing traditional media channels to redefine themselves in bold new ways that challenge conventions and shatter stereotypes,” said Bow, who creates comedic sketches exploring Asian American topics. McDonald’s has been a strong supporter of education and achievement in the Asian American community from a national and local level through its support of program such as the Education Workshop Series and Archways to Opportunity. The Golden Arches’ presenting sponsorship of the 2019 ECAASU Conference is part of the company’s mission to help young people reach their academic aspirations and dreams by providing access to educational resources. “ECAASU welcomes the support of companies that are willing to directly invest in diverse communities like ours,” said Justin Chu, the 2019 ECAASU Conference Director. “McDonald’s went above and beyond the traditional sponsor role by working closely with our team to secure special guests that helped take this year’s conference to whole new level.” McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.
McDonald’s Pranksters Jevh Maravilla and Christian Toledo
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-heavy-
weight. 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 mid-term 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)
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Dateline USa
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 15-21, 2019
OSG clueless on $3 million sale of Marcos paintings AFP chief welcomes US support by elizaBeth
marcelo Philstar.com
THE Office of the SolicitorGeneral (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,” an 1897 work by British
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
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
PH, 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
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
information 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 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 reenter the Philippines. The U.S. Embassy in Manila
ated 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 work-
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, surveillance, and reconnaissance because of its “limited capability” to gather information on a target. “This quarter, the Department of Defense (DoD) continued to provide assistance to the AFP in its fight against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Philippines (ISISPH) and other violent extremist organizations,” Fine said. The ISIS-PH might remain fragmented and degraded, but it still poses a security 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. n
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the commitment reflected the “very strong” alliance between the Philippines and its defense treaty partner, the U.S. Released photo by Jason W. Fudge/U.S. Marine Corps
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 AFP Chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. Philstar.com photo 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” proC<>8C @DD@>I8K@FE `j X 9@> @JJL< k_\j\ [Xpj% D8EP `e fli Zfddle`kp E<<; gram in the country’s ports. n
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Fil-Am federal workers reflect on longest... PAGE 2 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 cre-
by AJPress
ers 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 willy-nilly 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)
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
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FEBRUARY 15-21, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426
OPINION
FEATURES
Fair and peaceful campaign
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
Philstar.com photo
Dear America: Lest we forget, this was how democracy and decency looked like before Trump
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS
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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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 15-21, 2019
Dateline PDuterte hiliPPines inaugurates rehab center in Nueva Ecija by evelyN
MacaiRaN Philstar.com
President rodrigo duterte continued his advocacy against illegal drugs during the inauguration of a residential treatment facility in nueva ecija on Wednesday, February 13. After a brief tour of the privately operated Moscati Meadows residential treatment Facility, duterte chatted with local residents in Barangay san Juan. the President threw basketballs before addressing the crowd. “You can call God and intervene or continue to… drugs, i will kill you, period,” he said. When he became President, duterte realized he was fighting BALLOT PRINTING BEGINS. A foreign consultant supervises the printing of official ballots to be used in the May 13 mid-term elections at the against people in government, 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 from the customs bureau to the police, he said. “i am happy that there are Filipinos, well-meaning ones, can help us,” he said, addressing the treatment facility’s founder, physician sarah Joy Molleston. duterte told those who can afuted the all-time-high increase to ford to pay the price for treatment: ported by the Philippine star. by Nathalie Robles a vaccine scare created by the “You can start rehabilitating your death toll at least 70 AJPress As of Monday, February 11, linking of children deaths to the character and repair your brain.” substance abusers who cantHe Philippines’ department the health department revealed controversial dengue immunizanot afford private help may seek of Health (dOH) secretary Fran- that there are at least 70 deaths tion program — dengvaxia. duque reminded the public to treatment at government-funded cisco duque iii urged the par- in the said outbreak based on the ents on tuesday, February 12, cases recorded from January 1 to avail themselves of the free im- rehabilitation facilities. “My God, no quarters given, to isolate their infants below six February 9, 2019. dOH recorded munization shots in public health months old if there is a measles a total of 4,302 measles cases centers to curb the outbreak and no quarters asked. i will not give this year alone, with the majority ensure the safety of the general a s**t, i will just kill you,” he said outbreak in the community. duque explained that it is still of fatalities coming from CALA- population. He noted that other during his speech. duterte said the police and the dangerous for infants aged five BArZOn region (Cavite, Lagu- vaccines were “long proven to be military are “ready for the chalmonths and below to acquire a na, Batangas, rizal and Quezon). effective.” n the epidemiology Bureau said measles immunization shot since “their immune system is not yet that such number constitute a fully developed.” However, he 122 percent increase of cases as noted that such babies “have compared to the same period in natural protection against mea- 2018 with only 1,935 cases and sles that they acquired from their 18 deaths. Majority of those who died were at least one month old mothers.” the health secretary advised to 31 years old. Based on the dOH’s latest that it is necessary for infants who tested positive with measles data, the majority of the cases to be isolated. He stated that as are still concentrated in Metro a precaution, they must “let the Manila with 18 deaths among body take care of its own” if there 1,296 cases. Followed by CALAare several cases of measles in BArZOn with 25 deaths among the community to prevent the 1,086 cases. Central Luzon came at third with three deaths among spread of the disease.” dOH originally conducted the 481 cases. Western Visayas had four immunization program among infants aged nine to 59 months as deaths with 212 cases, northern a move to contain the increasing Mindanao had two deaths with number of measles cases. How- 189 cases, eastern Visayas had ever, the health secretary noted seven deaths with 166 cases, that they expanded the coverage MiMArOPA (Mindoro, Marinof the vaccination campaign so duque, romblon and Palawan they could include infants aged had one death with 131 cases, Central Visayas had two deaths six to nine months. “in hospitals, there is triaging with 109 cases and Bicol has one where infants are assessed by death with 44 cases. duque said that the data from pediatricians to determine if they suffer from measles complica- the bureau showed that 79 pertions and need to be confined,” cent of the fatalities were not the health secretary said as re- vaccinated. thus, the dOH attrib-
Health department: Isolate infants below six months amid measles outbreak
COMELEC suspends canvassing of BOL votes by Nathalie
Robles
AJPress
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 encouraged 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 ang Maguindanao! Mabuhay si Murad (Long live the BOL! Long live Maguindanao! Long live Murad)!” 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, Malacañang 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,” 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 “yes” vote of 36,682 votes and 24,994 “no” in the voting held last January 21. n
President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at the Moscati Meadows Residential Treatment Facility (MMRTF) in Laur, Nueva Ecija during its inauguration on Wednesday, February 13. Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi
lenge” in his administration’s war against narcotics. For her part, Molleston said she believes that drug offenders as well as other individuals with certain forms of addiction can be rehabilitated. A balikbayan from the U.s., Molleston established the 50-bed treatment facility at her ancestral home. While recovery from addiction relies on the personal will of an individual, Molleston said professional help also plays a major role. “We never lose hope on a person,” said Molleston, an addictionologist. “in fact, some of my patients (get discouraged) but i tell them, ‘i’ll show you’ and then i challenge them to come back when they are done. they really come back (to tell their story),” she said in an interview.
Going back to her hometown, she said it is time to give back to the Filipino community. she said her team consists of a psychiatrist, addictionologist, primary care physicians, nurses, therapists, a psychologist, pharmacist, administrator, confessors, life coaches and vocational teachers. “We have to teach them skills,” Molleston said, adding that she eyes enrolling patients in online courses. the facility is named in honor of st. Guiseppi Moscati, also called the doctor to the Poor. Moscati, an italian, practiced medicine in naples. He lived in the 20th century and was canonized in 1987. Molleston saw a portrait of the saint during her stint at the shrine of Lourdes in France, where she worked as a volunteer physician at Poste secours Medical Clinic. n
February 15-21, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
Dateline PhiliPPines
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PNP identifies 701 election hotspots by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
HOW TO SAVE A LIFE. Guests at the health forum, “Awareness Campaign about Heart Diseases”, get hands-on training on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), at Annabel’s Restaurant along Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City on Tuesday, February 12. The forum, organized by the Philippine College of Physicians, in partnership with the Philippine Heart Association, pointed out the importance of having a family member who knows CPR as this would help save lives. PNA photo by Gil Calinga
Senate, House to share P99-billion ‘pork barrel’ in 2019 by JeSS
diaz Philstar.com
MAnilA — Senators and congressmen will share a total of nearly P99 billion in pork barrel funds this year – that is, if President Duterte ignores the appeal of anti-“pork” Sen. Panfilo lacson for him to excise fat in his administration’s proposed P3.757-trillion budget. The lawmakers’ “pork” insertions are reflected in a matrix of realignments the house of Representatives, the Senate and their bicameral conference (bicam) committee have made in Duterte’s budget proposal. Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., appropriations committee chairman, provided the matrix to the media “in the spirit of transparency” even if it embarrasses house members and senators. One committee member has told reporters privately that they want to be transparent “in protest over the lopsided sharing of funds in favor of senators.” The matrix shows that congressmen have inserted pork barrel funds in the budget amounting to P23.9 billion, while senators realigned a total of P49.6 billion. The bicam had P25.2 billion in its own insertions, for a total of P98.7 billion. Andaya and his Senate counterpart loren legarda jointly chaired the budget conference. if the bicam insertions are to be split equally, senators will share
P62.2 billion or 63 percent of the P99-billion “pizza pie,” as lacson calls the pork barrel, while the 291 house members will have P36.5 billion or 37 percent to divide among themselves. Bicam amendments are usually considered as common funds. The congressional pork barrel used to be known as Priority Development Assistance Fund before the Supreme Court struck it down as unconstitutional in november 2013. it had an annual appropriation of P25 billion. each senator was allocated P200 million, while each house member was given P70 million for his district. The congressional pork barrel held only P2.5 billion during the time of the late president Corazon Aquino. The P99-billion “pork” was funded out of the controversial P75-billion Department of Budget and Management (DBM) “insertion” in the 2019 funding for the Department of Public Works and highways (DPWh) and reductions taken from other agencies or lump-sum appropriations. P75 billion realigned The entire P75 billion has been realigned, though P46.4 billion of it was retained with the DPWh, no longer as a DBM insertion but as part of the lawmakers’ pork barrel. Of the P46.4 billion, the congressmen’s share amounts to P20.7 billion, while senators have P25.4 billion and the bicam has P274 million.
Billions in additional realignments were given to other agencies where pork barrel funds are usually hidden. The Department of health received P17.6 billion, of which P1.6 billion is treated as a Senate insertion, while P16 billion was added by the bicam. The P16 billion would be spent for health facilities senators and congressmen will identify. There was no money for this purpose in the President’s budget proposal. Other departments that were allocated additional funds and which are “pork” conduits are labor and employment (which received P2.7 billion), education (P2.5 billion), agriculture (P485 million), social welfare and development (P1.6 billion) and trade and industry (P1.5 billion). The house and the Senate and their bicam made the realignments without the details of projects, activities or programs to be funded. According to Andaya, both chambers started the detailed listing last Monday. he promised to release the house itemization when the Congress version of the budget is ready for printing prior to submission to the President for his signature. Andaya also refuted Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s claim that the government’s early procurement system actually started in 2009 during his term as budget chief under the Arroyo administration. n
PhiliPPine national Police (PnP) Director General Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday, February 12, said a total of 701 cities and municipalities nationwide have been identified as election hotspots for the May 13 midterm polls. These 701 election hotspots comprise 42.9 percent of the country’s 1,634 cities and municipalities. According to Albayalde, the election hotspots were categorized and color-coded based on a set of parameters. Of the total, 223 are “areas of concern” under the yellow category. Cities and municipalities under this have an intense political rivalry, a history of election-related incidents in the last two polls, and have been placed under the control of the Commission on elections (Comelec). Currently, there are two areas under Comelec control, namely Cotabato city and Daraga town in Albay. The Comelec put Daraga under its control after the assassination of AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe allegedly by the town’s mayor, Carlwyn Baldo. The Comelec has control over security forces and supervision over local officials doing poll
duty under this set-up. 382 cities and municipalities, meanwhile, are areas of immediate concern under the orange category. Cities and municipalities under this category experience a serious armed threat posed by terror and rebel groups like the new People’s Army, Bangsamoro islamic Freedom Fighters, Abu Sayyaf Group and rogue elements of the Moro national liberation Front and Moro islamic liberation Front. Under the red category or election areas of grave concern are a total of 94 cities and municipalities. hotspots under this have the combined factors of the yellow and orange categories. “Una may intense political rivalry doon mayroon nang history of election-related violence doon whether physical injury, killing and others, or there’s threat of the national People’s Army, and other threat groups. ito ‘yung naparami doon kaya naparami ang itong tinatawag natin election areas of grave concern. (First of all, there’s an intense political rivalry there, history of election-related violence whether physical injury killing and others, or there’s a threat of the national People’s Army and other threat groups. These increased in those places that’s why the number of areas of grave concern rose),” Albayalde explained.
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has the biggest share of election hotspots with 98, followed by Bicol with 72 and the ilocos Region with 64. The campaign season for Senate and party-list candidates officially began on February 12. Albayalde said the PnP will be continuing their gun ban, law enforcement operations, dismantling of private armed groups, contingency planning and security measures for vulnerable candidates. he also said that the candidates are allowed two armed security personnel subject to Comelec approval. Not a cause of worry The PnP on Wednesda, February 13, assured the public that the classification of 701 areas as election hotspots should not be a cause of concern. national police spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said the declaration of hotspots lets the PnP assess if an area needs additional law enforcers. “Wala pong dapat ipangamba ang ating mga kababayan na ganito na ang sitwasyon natin. Maaaring sa susunod po na linggo, nagbago na ito. (Our compatriots should have nothing to worry about our situation. Perhaps next week, this would change),” he told radio DZMM. n
SWS: 51% of Filipinos ‘very happy’ with love life by catheRin
S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
A liTTle more than half of Filipinos are “very happy” with their love life, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on the eve of Valentine’s Day. The poll from December 16 to 19 among 1,440 adults nationwide showed 51 percent were very happy, 36 percent said they could be happier while 13 percent did not have a love life. “This compares with 57 percent who said their love life was very happy, 29 percent who said it could be happier, and 14 percent who said they do not have a love life in 2017,” SWS said. When SWS first conducted
the survey in 2002, the fraction of people who said their love life was “very happy” was at 58 percent. “it fell to 46 percent in 2004, and recovered to 50s levels from 2010 to 2012, reaching a record-high 59 percent in 2011. it declined to 49 percent in 2014 before bouncing to 51 percent in 2015, 55 percent in 2016, and 57 percent in 2017,” the polling firm said. Since 2002, SWS said the proportion of those saying their love lives could be happier has been at the 30s, except in 2004 and 2014 when it was at a record-high 44 percent and 40 percent, respectively. “it reached its lowest level of 29 percent in 2017,” it added. Meanwhile, the proportion
of those who have no love life ranged from 9 percent to 14 percent from 2002 to 2018, with the highest level observed in 2016 and 2017. The new survey also showed 50 percent of adult Filipinos say that an age gap matters in a relationship, while 41 percent believe it does not. The remaining 9 percent are undecided on the matter. The SWS said that “opinions about age gap hardly vary among men and women.” The December 2018 survey, conducted using face-to-face interview, has sampling error margins of ±2.6 percent for national percentages, and ±5 percent each for Balance luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. n
VACC defends Acosta from criticisms by noVa Joy dela
ManilaTimes.net
cRuz
The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) defended Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta from criticisms that her statements against Dengvaxia scared parents, prompting them to decide not to have their children immunized against other diseases such as measles. Acosta had been vocal in lambasting the acquisition of P3.5 billion worth of Dengvaxia vaccines in 2015. The PAO probed the deaths of children allegedly linked to the dengue vaccine. The Department of health earlier reported that 90 percent of patients infected with measles in Metro Manila were not vaccinated. health Secretary Francisco Duque attributed the decline in vaccination rates to Acosta’s statements.
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta
But Acosta said the vaccination rate started to drop even before the investigations on Dengvaxia. in a statement, VACC said the PAO chief was merely doing her job and sole mandate — to provide legal assistance to the poor and marginalized. “PAO continues to be in the forefront of the issue with the sole intention of uncovering the
ManilaTImes.net photo
truth and only the truth, while in defense of more than 100 innocent children who succumbed to fatal diseases after having been vaccinated with Dengvaxia,” the VACC said. “Finger pointing by dissenters is only diverting the attention of the public from the true issue as to who are to be blamed for the Dengvaxia fiasco,” it added. n
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
Jose Maria Sison
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
Philstar.com photo
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 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)
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DILG: 95 LGUs around Manila Bay failed ‘Not illegal’ for media to record arrests, Justice chief says to comply with environmental laws by Kristine Joy
MANILA — Ninety-five local government units within the Manila Bay watershed failed to comply with environmental laws, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said on Thursday, February 14. The 95 make up the 53 percent of the 178 LGUs from Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon within the Manila Bay watershed area. DILG did not identify the LGUs but it said that out of the 95 LGUs that failed the assessment, 56
were from Central Luzon, 37 from Calabarzon and two from Metro Manila. These LGUs will not face complaints just yet as the agency will first assist them with compliance — prioritizing the 16 LGUs with the worst problems. “Based on our assessment, we still have a lot of work to do and we intend to start with these 16 LGUs as we go along assisting all of 178,â€? DILG Secretary Eduardo AĂąo said. But DILG chief warned that
those who will not cooperate with the agency’s efforts to rehabilitate Manila Bay might face cases before the Ombudsman or disciplinary action from the president. “So we challenge all LGUs to shape up. We need them to fight and win the Battle for Manila Bay,â€? AĂąo said. Manila Bay became the government’s “next big targetâ€? after the rehabilitation of Boracay. The government’s cleanup of the polluted bay kicked off last January 27. n
Comelec to monitor bloggers, influencers by sheila
Crisostomo Philstar.com
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now on the lookout for bloggers or social media influencers who have become campaign “outlets� of candidates in the May 13 midterm elections. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said he is heading a 10member team that will closely monitor blogs or social media posts that are serving as campaign propaganda tools for candidates. He, however, clarified that the Comelec’s intention is to determine if these sites are declared in the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures of the candidates if it turns out that they are being paid. “So far, we don’t have regulations against people who are not official outlets of the campaigners. But there are provisions that give the Comelec the freedom to determine for itself if a particular site is acting as campaign outlet,� he said. Jimenez conceded that the poll body does not regulate contents of campaign advertisement, but candidates and political parties must observe the campaign spending limit. The Comelec, according to him, will be using some forms of measurements in monitoring the activities of social media influencers. “Number one, we have to look at the overall pattern of activity. It’s not that when you posted something, we will go after you already. We are going to check over time what you have been doing,� he told the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum. For election lawyer George Garcia, however, the move of the
Comelec to regulate social media may be contested before the Supreme Court. Garcia said there is no law that gives the Comelec such power over the internet. “The law provides that the Comelec can regulate television, radio and newspapers and other means. There is no specific law for social media. Maybe it (falls under) other means but there is still no specific provision,� he said. ‘Be on guard vs disinformation’ Jimenez and Garcia also asked the public to be on guard against “disinformation� circulating ahead of the elections. Jimenez said they have monitored various disinformation articles that appeared to be intended to hinder voters from casting their votes and to create doubt on the elections. He said one of the wrong information being spread is that the Comelec will be requiring voters to show their voter’s ID or voter certification before they can vote on election day. “It is not true. We don’t require any identification documents. If the identity of a voter is being challenged, they can present any valid government ID,� he said. Jimenez also alerted the public about the disinformation that some individuals have the capability to know which candidate is voted for by a particular voter. “There is no means for anyone, not even the Comelec, to determine who were voted by individual voters,� he noted. Meanwhile, Garcia said he received information regarding some candidates being approached by unscrupulous individuals who claim that they can make them win in exchange for a
certain amount. “They are asking candidates for P50-P60 million in exchange for sure win. They claim that they are from the Comelec-IT department,� he said. “This is impossible as nobody can manipulate the result of the automated elections.� No cause for worry In a related development, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the public should not worry on the identification of 701 towns and cities as hotspots in the upcoming midterm elections. PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said the classification of the areas in the election watchlist is just a guide for them on what areas need more deployment of police officers and personnel. “This should not be a cause for worry. This is just a guide for our security forces on what to focus on in monitoring,� Banac said in Filipino over radio dzMM. He said the figure could change as the PNP conducts an assessment of the situation on the ground every week. “The figures on the list may fluctuate next month,� Banac said. Of the 701 election hotspots, the PNP said 94 are considered “areas of grave concern� or under the red category, citing intense political rivalries, presence of armed groups and history of election-related violent incidents. A total of 223 cities and municipalities are included in the areas of immediate concern while 382 are considered as areas of concern. Two areas – Cotabato City and Daraga, Albay – have been placed under the control of the Comelec. n
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Philstar.com
Patag
MANILA — It is not illegal to record an ongoing arrest, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Thursday, February 14, less than a day since a reporter for news site Rappler was told to stop taking a video of the service of a warrant on its CEO in its own office. The video, which journalist Aika Rey posted on her Twitter account, recorded a man, presumably an agent of the National Bureau of Investigation, telling her not to record the service of a warrant on Rappler CEO Maria Ressa on a case of cyberlibel. She also said the man said “we’ll go after you�, but this was not in the video. Guevarra said that members of the media are allowed to document the act of serving a warrant but they “should give enough space to our law enforcers so that they could perform their duties without any unnecessary obstruction or interference.� ‘Simple request’ The unidentified man can be
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Department of Justice “will not tolerate harassment of journalists who obey our laws.� Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban
heard on the video trying to convince Rey to stop recording, calling it a simple request. “Come on, be cooperative. your boss is already talking to us, no need for that. I sure you do understand what I’m telling you, right?� he also says, later telling her that he would talk to others in the Rappler office to stop recording the proceedings. Asked to explain why she should stop taking the video, the man says: “Because I’m saying so.� He adds that it would be up to
Rey to comply with this “simple request� before saying: “Okay. We’re gonna do same banana.� It is unclear what the man meant by that. The man again refuses to explain and says “I warned you�, which he follows up with: “Your boss is already talking to us, okay? Chill out.� Guevarra on Thursday said his department “will not tolerate harassment of journalists who obey our laws.� The NBI is an attached agency of the DOJ. n
Despite evidence, Imee Marcos insists she graduated from Princeton
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 dictator Ferdinand Marcos also claimed that she did not know the spokesperson of the university who said she did not finish a degree. Asserting her academic record, 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
In this February 12 photo, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos attends the campaign launch of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago coalition in San Fernando, Pampanga. Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas
just like you and we know that the important thing here is who delivers in their performance and most importantly 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
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COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA [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.] Life is, indeed, “a moveable feast” to borrow verbiage from Hemingway. Travel makes it so. Do it while you can. I ask friends at random what is on the top tier of their personal bucket list. A consistent response is that they want to travel — to see the world —whether the world as their oyster, is local or global: just their city, their state, the length and breadth of their native land, or the world at large. One friend said that she and her family have been to 22 of the states in the US and would very much like to go visit all 50 states. This is at the top of her bucket list. Another said that she would like to travel to Europe except she could not find the time while she is still working. There are those who list the Via Dolorosa in the Holy Land and would like to take the time to travel to pilgrimage sites: Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal, Medjugorje in Bosnia and other sites where the Blessed Mother has appeared to children. The Grand Canyon is a sight to behold. The Great Wall of China is a must-see. Hongkong rocks and Palawan beckons. Bali says hi. What’s up with Cambodia’s Angkor Wat? Among the Japanese where the love of nature is deep, one of the more popular trips among the very hip, is to experience, at least once in their lifetimes, braving the freezing temperatures in the Arctic regions to witness first hand the dancing, mesmerizing Northern lights, the Aurora Borealis. To them, it is a sort of spiritual experience. I’m a warm-blooded creature so I’ll take their word for it and experience the Northern lights vicariously. Then there are those who have been permanently bitten by the travel bug and have accumulated travel mileage to circle the moon and back. A married couple I know have made it a point to travel extensively and have visited more than 50 countries thus far, making it a point to spend the Christmas holiday season in a different country every year. They travel light (perhaps the first rule of travel) and have become savvy on the art and science of world travel: planning in advance, budgeting, dealing with foreign currency, being aware of the local culture,
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 gastro-esophageal 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 for those taking Metformin for diabetes. *** Current trend in medicine when it comes to diet is extreme reduction in carbohydrate in-
The Bucket List
The World is Your Oyster - Go Travel 6th of a Series
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” - Marcel Proust booking planes and trains and arranging transport, choosing hotels and navigating their way in strange countries. Their experiences over the years can fill a travelogue but they go for the sheer love of adventurous travel, having gone to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas in Peru and other exotic destinations. There are 3 things required for travel. These include health, time and money. You need to be in relatively good health to have the stamina for the rigors posed by walking, hefting luggage, prepping and being on your toes for activities and the stresses that come with travel. Particularly post 9/11, travel has become so tiresome because of tight security measures to counter terrorism. The second factor, especially for those who are still working for a living, is finding the time to squeeze travel in the limited amount of vacation days. The third factor is, of course, probably easier than the first two — finding the money required to fund travel. If still employed, then you can still make the money to fund the trip. Depending on the destination and the duration chosen, travel can require very little money or a lot of it. The most basic of travel gear is a good pair of broken-in walking shoes. Your feet will love you for it. While you can travel alone, it is certainly much more fun and safer, if you go with a traveling companion who shares your spirit of fun. If you are straddling the issue of whether to travel or not and you have at least 2 of the 3 basic requirements, I say, GO FOR IT, while you can still walk on two feet and have good eyesight and in relatively good health. If this is important to you, don’t hesitate. You can perhaps wangle the time, save the money or charge it to your credit card and pay it down later. But if one has serious health challenges that require being close to a medical facility, it can be a bit tricky to pull this off as part of your bucket list. It is still possible to travel even if wheelchair-bound or if one uses a walker or a cane, but the level of difficulty for yourself and your companions will be a tad higher. Still, it may be worth a try. As in any circumstance, the mind can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven. A lot of people wait for retirement age to do this because
there is available time and more often than not, there is expendable money for travel. The problem in many cases, is that when the time comes, there may be health challenges to contend with But who says one has to travel far in order to check this off from our bucket list? You can certainly explore the wonders in your own backyard or in your own neck of the woods. If you live in California, the possibilities for day trips and short trips are endless. Become a tourist in your own backyard and explore places like there is no tomorrow. There are mountains, deserts, coastlines, forests and campgrounds to explore. There are observatories, museums, restaurants parks and trails to discover. The truth is, we are only limited by our own sense of adventure. There are so many places that can be explored everywhere around the world but it is probably wise to start where we are right now. Or we can experience things vicariously as we read about travel adventures or watch travel shows or even surf virtually through the internet. But if life gives you the chance to physically travel and the spirit of adventure is in you, just do it. Getting there is half the fun; being there with all your senses engaged in the moment is the other half. The best thing about any kind of travel, local, domestic or international, is that it opens our eyes to the richness of our life here on earth. Yup, there is an embarrassment of riches right where we are. We just need to open our eyes and see and take it all in. Travel widens our horizons and broadens our understanding of human nature. We become aware of people of every stripe, color and persuasion. Above all, we learn to take nothing for granted. We come home appreciating our awfully tiny place in the universe and realize how blessed and fortunate we are to be part of all these. Don’t do it for show to post on social media. If done in the right spirit, there is something about travel that makes us more deeply thankful of just about everything in a quiet way. 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
take, 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 highcarbs 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 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 rePAGE 12
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 15-21, 2019
Calendar of Events across
America
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS 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. Co-presented 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).
A P R I L 25 -28
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/.
JUNE 1
7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival in Los Angeles The 7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival Committee (7KPFC) announced that it will holding the 7th Kalayaan Parade in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 1, 2019 in commemoration of the 121st PH Independence Day on June 12, 1898. This will be the 7th Kalayaan Parade and Festival in Historic Filipinotown, as the first was held in 2013 in cooperation with the PH Consulate General in Los Angeles. This is the only Independence Day parade and Festival in Los Angeles and is held every year in Historic Filipinotown. For more information, please call Freddie at (818) 220-2075 or email at jfavusa8@gmail.com.
J U LY 2 0
The Ibaan Association USA-Canada gala dinner in LA The Ibaan Association USA-Canada will hold its 32nd Annual Gala Dinner & Dance July 20, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City - Ballroom A at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, California 91608. For reservations call Monica Benitez at (323) 697-3731 / email: monica_benitez03@yahoo.com or Irene May Villafranca at (323) 423-2299 / email: imay02@yahoo.com. Tickets are $85 for Adults and $40 for Children (3 to 10 years old). Please make checks payable to: Ibaan Association USA-Canada and mail to: Merly Pagunsan at 5025 Heintz St. Baldwin Park, CA 91706. For sponsorship information on our 2019 Souvenir Program please contact President Noli Reyes at homesbynoli@gmail. com or call (818) 458-7888. Please RSVP by April 12, 2019.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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February 15-21, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
Radharani Martinez: “Failure is just a motivational factor to attain a goal!”
PeoPle & events
http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426
On the PEP Front
People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong SUCCESS, for those who struggled hard, isn’t about the absence of disappointments, failures, and personal let-downs but the byproduct of overcoming incessant challenges while duly equipped with undiminished persistence. For somebody with a strong faith and innately driven creativity no amount of failure could affect and weaken his / her unflinching dedication to succeed… for giving up easily after a fall could indubitably be the only sure way to fail. Potential luminary Radharani Martinez, a petite singer-songwriter from Jersey City, came face to face with a distressing challenge that inevitably tested her endurance and stability in the music arena when she contended head-on against the country’s equally promising talents during The Voice’s 15th Season. It was her most magnificent obsession to audition and at least earn a coveted spot in NBC’s The Voice that premiered last September 24, 2018. The exhilarating vocal talent show, hosted by Carson Daly and coached by Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton, prolifically gave the 20-year-old Marist High School graduate and currently a Television and Digital Media junior from Montclair State University, her most awaited moment to shine on national TV and prove her worth as a singer. Radha’s powerful vocal rendition of Jessie J’s “Mamma Knows Best.” during The Voice’s blind audition more than earned for her a stable ranking after Adam Levine (of Maroon 5) took notice of her wide-ranged vocal prowess and eventually ended up her vocal coach. The program’s production team discovered Radha from YouTube after listening to her voluminous uploaded cover and original songs. After her submitted demo tapes unanimously received a thumbs-up she was invited to fly to Los Angeles where the show was taped and recorded.
EMPLOYMENT
To fail is only to be much more motivated... Radha
Radha’s blind audition
The profile of a soon-to-be huge recording artist, Radharani Martinez
Radha’s instance while hitting that high note...
Radha took every step of her journey with persistence and dedication.
The petite warbler was all eyes to an auspicious future, inspiringly looking forward to an exciting and profitable journey. Radha’s unique name (Hindu: Radha meaning “success” or “lightning” and Rani meaning “queen” or wife of a Rajah) offered an easy recall for televiewers… not to mention her unique vocal mechanism, powerful breath support, and innately effervescent singing style. But Lady Luck must have left her side during that fateful night when Radha had to stay strong for the bitter-sweet taste of success would be just momentary… such fleeting ecstasy that seemingly gave her that intermittent opportunity to hold fame for just a while then suddenly lost its grandeur before she could even enjoy
its bliss to the fullest. Sadly the early favored Jersey City girl was prematurely eliminated. The unforeseen “downfall” of one of the strongest contenders in the show hit a startling blow especially to Radha’s parents George and Jocelyn, her siblings, and especially her avid supporters. “I have learned to accept my fate. If my journey had to end at this point, then so be it!” the lowkey belter openly commented. “But that was not the end of the road for me… and maybe, for the rest of my batchmates that failed to make it. It only gave me more options…much more possibilities… and limitless opportunities. It strengthens my will-power and boosted my enthusiasm even more. The experience was in-
EMPLOYMENT
credible and worth my time and effort. I still feel like a winner. Just being part of Season 15 was more than a blessing…no matter how short my stint was,” she stated candidly with conscientious pronouncement. If there’s but one who was more than devastated, that would be Radha’s amiable manager, Magnolia Ocampo, who, with her high skilled managerial knowledgeability and excellent capabilities to anticipate roadblocks effectually created for Radha an organized and stable career status. She’s Radha’s able counsellor, career adviser, PR builder, booking and communications agent, and personal publicist. “Definitely, we did the best effort expected of us…of Radha. We never left a single stone unturned just to ensure and nail Radha’s position in the game,” Radha’s assiduous manager professed. “Nobody could argue with fate. If we have to exit at this point despite her best, we couldn’t do anything.
Maybe, that wasn’t her time yet!” After Radha’s instantaneous exit from The Voice, having moved on and reinvented herself, she was deluged with offers to perform in various community and social events. Her distinctive performances gave her publicity mileage and exposures in major media and various publications and platforms like Rolling Stone, Billboard, Daily Mail, and Viral Video. Currently, she resumed writing, composing, and building her catalog with updated videos and monthly original releases while simultaneously having her songs “High Tide,” “Somebody Like Me,” “Chances,” and “Mama” available on all music streaming platforms globally. And as if these are not enough to keep her hands full, Radha is slated to release her latest composition, “Wrong Woman” along with a concert, “Radha Live,” at Chelsea Music Hall NYC (407 W 15th Street, New York, NY 10011)
on February 23, 2019 together with some fellow contestants from Season 15 of The Voice. Incidentally, the emerging R&B pop soul singer-songwriter who had been singing since age 4 and had relentlessly honed her singing skills to the fore since, will be duly honored and recognized by PACCAL (Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc.) with an “Excellence in Mainstream Performance Award” on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in connection with the international celebration of Women’s History Month. Once more, it has been proven again that: a moment of failure only induces one to doubly strive, the fateful fall only strengthens the will, and once up, a new path leads her to the right track where success gloriously awaits in the offing. For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com.
Valuable tips...
PAGE 11 searches 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 23 pillows which get displaced
SERVICES
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 PAGE 13
Community Journal
(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 15-21, 2019
13
Can I remarry my first spouse and petition her? Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I divorced my Filipina spouse and married a U.S. citizen who petitioned me for a green card. Unfortunately, things did not work out, and I divorced the U.S. citizen. I just recently took my oath of U.S. citizenship. My first wife and I have rekindled our love and are thinking about getting remarried. She is out of status, and I would like to petition her. Do you think I will encounter any problems or issues if I marry and petition my first wife? Very truly yours, JT Dear JT: There is nothing wrong or illegal about a person re-marrying and petitioning their first spouse. However, USCIS will likely be concerned or suspicious on whether your marriage to the U.S. citizen was real or fixed, meaning you married the U.S. citizen only to get a green card. Therefore, you might have to make a clear and convincing presentation about the bona fides of your marriage to
the American, even though you are petitioning your spouse. Let’s be honest: many times, a couple is truly in love, but agree they will divorce and one of them will marry a citizen in a fixed marriage, solely for a green card. Sometimes they continue living together (or even have children together) while supposedly married and in love with their second (US citizen) spouse. After getting the green card, or even U.S. citizenship, they divorce the US citizen and remarry their first spouse. In your case, if you remarry and petition your first spouse, although the interview and inquiry is supposed to be about the married couple, you will likely be questioned extensively about your marriage to the U.S. citizen. If it truly was for love and you lived together with the U.S. citizen spouse, and truly fell out of love, then it may be worth pursuing a petition of your first wife. If the marriage to the American was fixed, you should not pursue the case, because you were not eligible for your own green card based on the fixed marriage, and USCIS could uncover the fraud and try to put you in removal proceedings or denaturalize you, if they believe your green card was fraudulently obtained. That is why if you are pur-
suing a petition of a first wife, after having married and obtained a green card through a U.S. citizen, I would strongly recommend you consult with an immigration attorney, who can evaluate your case, and help prepare and document your case, including the marriage to the U.S. citizen. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Valuable tips...
PAGE p12 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 20-minute 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, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is a medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com (Advertising Supplement)
CAREGIVER PETITION ALLOWS ISAAC TO BE REUNITED WITH HIS CHILDREN IN THE U.S. AS GREEN CARD HOLDERS. Driven by the desire to improve his life for his children’s sake, Isaac (left) jumped ship when his ship docked at Los Angeles in 2007. Fortunately, he found an employer who was willing to petition him as a caregiver. The employer’s petition was approved, but Isaac still had to wait several more years before his priority date was current and he was eligible for a green card. All that time, Isaac could not return to the Philippines due to his immigration status. But he still made that sacrifice, knowing it was the right way to do. For him, it was better to wait, if everything was done properly and legally. Isaac knew he was in capable hands under the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, who helped obtain green cards for Isaac and his two young sons. Watch this happy family reunion on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
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2019••NEW NEWYORK YORKAND ANDNEW NEWJERSEY JERSEYASIAN ASIANJOURNAL JOURNAL JANUARY 15-21, 4-10, 2019 A14 14 FEBRUARY
http://www.asianjournal.com http://www.asianjournal.com •(212) (212) 655-5426 NEW Y O R K / N E W J E R S• E Y 655-5426 FEBRUARY 15, 2019
people events arts culture entertainment
Managing a business and marriage: How 3 Fil-Am couples make it work BY
I
CHRISTINA M. ORIEL / AJPRESS
T’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. 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. 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 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. “Twentynine years is a testament that love does endure the test of time.” The couple says having no secrets and adopting and rescuing pets (“great
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
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. 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
Val and Zach Fishbain of Spread the Love, which handcrafts all-natural, vegan and gluten-free spreads like peanut and almond butters. Contributed photo
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,
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
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Oher 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 200300 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
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 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 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 whatever it is…it’s something we need to do. It really helps us PAGE 15
Mia McLeod and Len Mercado of McLeod & Associates, a real estate and mortgage company in Walnut, California. Contributed photo
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.
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EntErtainmEnt
Catriona Gray, Vietnam’s H’Hen Nie reunite in New York Fashion Week By Rosette
Adel
Philstar.com
MISS Universe 2018 beauties Catriona Gray and H’Hen Nie on Tuesday, February 12, reunited while attending the New York Fashion Week 2019. The 25-year-old FilipinaAustralian said the highlight of her day was “catching up” with her former rival and Miss Universe sister, H’Hen. “Despite the snow/rain/ hail today’s highlight was definitely catching up with my @ missuniverse sister @hhennie. official,” Catriona wrote. The two also caught up with former Miss New York Iman Noelle Oubou and walked around the snowy New York. H’Hen said it was her first time to experience snow. H’Hen said she is so happy to see her sisters and her Miss Universe Organization manager, Esther Swan. Catriona wore a faux fur
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEbRUARY 15-21, 2019
Atom Araullo: Man on a mission By Angel JAvieR Philstar.com
CRuz
ATOM Araullo is a man on a mission. After decades spent in front of the camera — first in “5 and Up” and as host in Breakfast, Atom actually kicked off his career in news reporting with GMA. The fertile training ground provided by the Kapuso Network in his early years allowed him to hone his skills as a news reporter — skills that he employs until today. Now, 36, (with a starring role in the 2018 movie “Citizen Jake”) and back at GMA, Atom is ready to take on the new challenges that technology and social media present. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray with Miss Universe Vietnam H’Hen Nie The shifting landscape of Photo from Instagram/@hhennie.official media is like uncharted territory. Catriona greeting her Vietnamese “TV is the kind of medium that styled by Marquis Bias for the supporters in their l language: cold weather while the two other I think you’ll never be able to “Xin chào Vi?t Nam! Sending beauties wore coat. The Miss master, especially since the you love and kisses from New Universe has been attendeing the technology is always changing, York,” Catriona said. NYFW for days now. the medium is always evolving, H’Hen flew to New York to They attended the show of and the audience is also evolving. attend the fashion event nearly designer Phuong My. I don’t feel I’m anywhere close to two weeks after her visit to the Meanwhile, H’Hen also mastering the medium,” he says. Philippines. posted a video of In Dumaguete last December, Atom kicked off the first leg of the Kapuso Campus Tour: The Regional Masterclass Series at Silliman University. He shared with students what it was like being a millennial journalist and how he is adjusting to the digital demands without sacrificing traditional fact-checking of journalism. “The first question I ask is ‘Why are we doing this story? Why are we embarking on this project?’ I think that’s a good way to start and everything else follows.” “After you answer the why, ask the how: ‘How am I going to present this?’ Hindi literal. Hindi ko naman ito isinusulat but it’s important to ask, ‘What did you learn from all of this? What do we want our audience to take away?’ It’s like a guide para hindi kami maligaw o mawala sa objective while we are doing the story. It might become more confusing for the people who watch it.” With decades of experience in the business, Atom has amassed countless stories, learned numerous lessons, met hundreds of people. A book detailing these stories, lessons and personalities would make for an interesting read, and he is open to writing it but not Solenn Heussaff with husband Nico Bolzico Photo from Instagram/@nicobolzico anytime soon. “Sabi nga nila, sa buhay her, give her the freedom she be fine with our ladies talking to deserves and let her be; this way kailangan kong umakyat ng other guys.” bundok, magsulat ng libro at you will see your relationship While it may be difficult to magkaanak. Nakaakyat na ako getting stronger every day!” see his wife talking to another ng bundok so siguro isusunod ko Bolzico ended his post with guy, Bolzico said it should not be na ‘yung... sige. Sabihin na lang a funny disclaimer, “If by any a problem because “they should nating gusto ko magsulat ng libro.” means, what I write, say or even be able have male friends, as we “Honestly, I don’t think I’m think, is not in line with my should be able to have female equipped to write a book right wife’s opinion, then my wife’s friends.” opinion should predominate and now. That’s why I’m writing Bottomline is, Bolzico said, regularly to find my voice and to everything else was wrong.” “If you really love her, then: trust
Nico Bolzico on Solenn Heussaff talking to other men: ‘If you really love her, trust her’ By KRissy
AguilAR Inquirer.net
AS Valentine’s Day nears, “Bullied Husbands Club” founder Nico Bolzico shared how he deals with his feelings whenever his wife Solenn Heussaff talks to other men. Bolzico posted via Instagram on Wednesday a photo of Heussaff showing off a ring captioned: “As you all know my wife is very beautiful, probably the most beautiful girl in the world, that is why she has so many guys proposing to her all the time.” “In line with that, I think it is a good opportunity to discuss how we feel when our Wifezillas talk to another guy,” he said. Bolzico admitted how he used to be a jealous person before meeting Heussaff and said, “I always assumed that any guy talking to my girlfriend was trying to hit on her, I didn’t believe in friendship between opposite sexes.” He realized he was “a million times wrong” because “thinking that way only leads to unfounded fights, drama and degradation of the relationship.” Bolzico added, “The truth is, if our relationship is based in trust and respect, we shouldn’t be worry about it, and we should
Managing a business and marriage...
PAGE 12 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.” 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 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
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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
Now 36, Atom is ready to take on the new challenges that technology and social media present. GMA photo
know if I can write a book. “Sa ngayon, magkakasya na ako doon sa paggawa ng mga long-form stories for online, mga text stories but who knows maybe in the future that would be a good idea? There’s still time.” Atom might seem a bit laidback but that is really the nature of his work — there are days that can be hectic and there are days that are slow. It’s different from those who follow a routine or work 9-to-5. “It’s both a blessing and a curse, I suppose. It’s a blessing, obviously, because every day is different. No two days are the same so you’re not stuck in a routine. But sometimes routine is good. It’s nice to be able to say that when I wake up at this time, I’m going to write from this time to this time. I’m going to go for a walk and then have a nice lunch, maybe walk the dog, and then go back to work and then sleep at a certain time, maybe exercise. But that’s the price to pay for doing this kind of work which is amazing. No complaints at all,” he says. “Sometimes there are late nights so medyo mapapatanghali ng gising. Sometimes, there are early days when you have to catch an early flight. I make sure to eat three times a day and brush my teeth.” He keeps in shape by packing a pair of running shoes and exercise gear whenever he travels so if there’s an opportunity to run and get the blood flowing, he’ll do it. “I remember we were doing this story with I-Witness in Sorsogon,
and we had this two-hour downtime. Wala akong dalang shoes so tumakbo na lang ako sa beach na nakayapak. Enjoy naman — nakita ko yung beach, naaliw ako sa mga tao, tapos medyo nakapag-exercise pa ako. You take advantage of those moments.” A life in politics is not in Atom’s future because he believes there are other ways to effect change. It may be in public service or it can be in media or in other professions. “We have teachers, we have doctors. We each have our own contribution. Hindi ko naman nakikita bakit kailangan pa ako pumasok sa pulitika. Dito pa lang, ang dami-dami nang pwedeng gawin.” Atom’s international awards include those won for his first documentary for the Kapuso Network, Philippine Seas, and for Silang Kinalimutan (The Forgotten), his first documentary for I-Witness. Recently, his documentary No Leftovers for The Atom Araullo Specials, was nominated at the prestigious New York Festivals. It’s been a year since Atom came back home to GMA but has already received accolades from here and abroad. Just recently, the Kapuso broadcast journalist has been named as National Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He is also set to coanchor the upcoming online newscast Stand for Truth. With so much more Atom is capable of doing and wanting to do, I think he’s just beginning.
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, 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 partner,” 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 kind of legacy they want to leave — that is something they want to impart on their oneyear-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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February 15-21, 2019 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
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