NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER
Volume 18 - No. 4 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
MARCH 1-7, 2019
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Duterte says no proof Marcoses amassed DATELINE USA ill-gotten wealth despite overwhelming evidence FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
‘Not an average student’: Princeton student newspaper reports Imee Marcos didn’t graduate there ILOCOS Norte Gov. Imee Marcos “falsely� claims that she graduated from Princeton University, the school’s independent student newspaper reported, adding the daughter of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos “was not an average student� during her time at the Ivy League university. Marcos — a Senate candidate — has been in hot water amid questions about her educational credentials. In her official biography
mayors in Manila last Tuesday, February 26. “As I said, there is the Ecclesiastes 3. There will be a time to be silent, there will be a time PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte raised doubts on to just say nothing. But there will be a time for allegations that the Marcoses have amassed ill- reckoning. There’s always a time for war,� he gotten wealth despite previous court rulings that added. forfeited some of the family’s assets in favor of Duterte made the remark as he was justifythe government. ing his decision to allow the burial of Marcos Duterte, who had heaped praises on the late dic- at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemtator Ferdinand Marcos in his previous speeches, etery), a move that human rights groups view said the accusations against the former fi rst fam- as an attempt to rehabilitate the image of the ily remain unproven. late strongman. “Until now you have not proven anything ex“Who are allowed to be buried at the Libincept to sequester and sell — hindi mo nga sigu- gan ng mga Bayani? The law says soldiers or rado kung talagang kay Marcos ba ‘yan? Hindi presidents. That’s the law. The other law what (You are not even sure whether they belong to the they want to say is that Marcos was a dictator Marcoses),� Duterte said during a convention of that he stole (from the country’s coffers),� he by ALEXIS
ROMERO Philstar.com
said. Marcos, whose administration has been tainted with allegations of cronyism, corruption and human rights violations, was ousted during the historic 1986 People Power Revolution. His successor, the late former president Corazon Aquino, formed the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to recover the supposed ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses. The PCGG recovered more than P171 billion of the supposed Marcos ill-gotten wealth as of 2017, a mere fraction of the P530 billion that the former fi rst family allegedly stole from state coffers. More than 200 cases related to the Marcos wealth remain pending in courts. While Marcos loyalists claimed that none
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EDSA 33 years later: On preserving democracy and 5 Fil-Ams killed in its lessons Delano, CA car crash learning Political analyst say u PAGE A2
A FILIPINO-AMERICAN family of four and their friend were killed on Saturday night, February 16, in a deadly vehicle crash in Delano, California. The victims were 7-month-old infant Jarl Joseph Laguta; 5-year-old Jalson Laguta; Arlene Osarin Laguta, 30; Jalson Rubang Laguta, 46; and their family friend Danilo Aquino Sanidad, 60. All were residents of Delano and were pronounced dead at the scene. According to California Highway Patrol, Jalson Rubang Laguta was driving a 2004 Mitsubishi SUV northbound in the third lane on Highway 99 at approximately 70 mph. The SUV then swerved off the road for an unknown reason, hit a tree, and caught on fire. Local KGET News of Kern County reported that the victims—members of the Jehovah’s
nothing much has changed, FVR skips leap by NATHALIE
ROBLES
AJPress
AS the entire nation commemorated the 33rd anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) on Monday, February 25, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte urged the public to uphold democracy in high regard. “Let us never forget the sacrifice of those who came before us so that we may always be motivated to preserve and protect the democratic way of life that we enjoy today,� Duterte said as reported by Rap-
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METRO MANILA SUBWAY PROJECT. Government ofďŹ cials led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (partly hidden), Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (blue polo), Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Secretary of Public Works Mark Villar (5th from right), and Japan Ambassador Koji Haneda, lead the lowering of capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase 1 Partial Operability Section, held at Barangay Ugong in Valenzuela City on Wednesday, February 27. The Metro Manila Subway will have 15 stations from Quirino Highway in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in ParaĂąaque City, which is seen to ease trafďŹ c congestion in the metropolis by 2025. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
‘This is the most dangerous time for anybody to be playing with drugs’ by AJPRESS PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, February 24, said that now is the most dangerous time to be involved in illegal drugs. People who profit off of narcotics should find another income source or they will lose their lives quickly, the president added. “Don’t ever enter into that. Those who haven’t tried it yet, don’t... You’ll earn money there quickly, but you’ll lose your life just as quick,� he said during the distribution of grants to cash transfer beneficiaries in
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by NATHALIE
MENDIOLA
AJPress
A COPY of a resolution suggesting Senator Antonio Trillanes IV be charged for inciting to sedition was made public on Tuesday, February 26.
ROBLES
The alleged libelous article, entitled “CJ using SUVs of ‘controversial’ businessmen,â€? posted A HUMAN rights lawyers seven years ago linked businessgroup urged the Manila Region- man and complainant Wilfredo al Trial Court (RTC) on Tues- Keng to criminal activities such day, February 26, to dismiss the cyber libel complaint against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and co-accused, former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos. The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), along with former Supreme Court (SC) spokesperson Theodore Te, filed a motion Surigao del Sur authorities recovered on Sunday, February 24, 34 bricks of suspected cocaine to quash the cyber libel case bewith the same packaging and markings as the ones found on the shore of Dinagat Island in the fore the Manila RTC Branch 146, Caraga region last week. Police personnel from Surigao del Sur led by Senior Superintendent noting that the offense did not Francisco Dungo recovered the 34 cocaine bricks from two ďŹ shermen who found the contraband exist when the supposed crime off Tandag City. Philstar.com photo was committed. !.$2%7 " 3(). AJPress
as human trafficking and illegal drugs. The said article written by Santos was posted in May 2012, four months before the cyber-
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Trillanes charged for inciting sedition by RITCHEL
Lawyers’ group files motion to quash cyber libel case against Rappler chief
The resolution, dated Jan. 29, 2019, was released by Assistant City Prosecutor Reynaldo Ticyado. Labor Undersecretary Jing Paras and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Manuelito
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MARCH 1-7, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
Duterte says no proof Marcoses amassed...
ANTI-MEASLES DRIVE. A fast food chain mascot entertains children who were about to receive anti-measles vaccine at the Ayala Mall Serin Activity Center in Tagaytay City on Sunday, February 24. The Department of Health has urged parents to bring their children to the nearest health center so that they can be vaccinated and be protected from measles. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
PAGE A1 of the corruption allegations against the former president has been proven, there have been court decisions that forfeited some of the former first family’s wealth in favor of the government. In 2003, the Supreme Court awarded to the government at least $658 million Swiss bank deposits that Marcos and his wife Imelda supposedly stashed and hid “under layers and layers of foundations and corporate entities.� According to the ruling, the Marcoses had “failed to justify the lawful nature of their acquisition of the said assets� so the Swiss deposits “should be considered ill-gotten wealth and forfeited in favor of the state.� In 2014, the high court upheld the forfeiture in favor of the government the Arelma funds that were deposited in the United States. The ruling affirmed an earlier court deci-
In this Oct. 23, 2016 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte gives some guidance to Ilocos del Norte officials during a briefing on Super Typhoon Lawin at Laoag Airport in Ilocos Norte. Also in the photo is Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos. In a speech last Tuesday, Feb. 26, the president raised doubts on allegations that the Marcoses have amassed ill-gotten wealth despite court rulings and overwhelming evidence. PPD file photo by Toto Lozano
sion declaring all assets under the Arelma Foundation among the ill-gotten wealth of Marcos. Two years ago, Duterte revealed that the Marcoses have expressed readiness to return wealth accumulated during the 20-year reign of the late
strongman. He said a spokesman of the former first family told him that the late president had kept the wealth “to protect the economy.� Duterte has said the negotiation for the return of the Marcos wealth would require the approval of Congress. n
‘Not an average student’: Princeton student... PAGE A1 on her Facebook account and defunct website, Marcos claims that she “is one of the first female graduates from an Ivy League School—Princeton University, graduating with honors.� Interaksyon previously reached out to Princeton University, which confirmed that although she attended the school, she did not graduate. In a February 26 report, Daily Princetonian, quoting a university spokesperson, said no record shows that Marcos was awarded a degree. “In an email to The Daily Princetonian, Deputy University Spokesperson Michael Hotchkiss wrote that Marcos attended from fall 1973 to spring 1976 and returned again for fall 1977 to spring 1979. She had an independent concentration in Religion and Politics,� the report read in part. Despite previous denials from university officials, Marcos has repeatedly insisted that she finished a degree at Princeton. She also claimed that she graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law, which has been disproven by the school’s officials as well. In 2015, Marcos’ brother, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., stirred up controversy after reports show he did not complete the degrees and may have received mere diplomas instead from Oxford University in England and Wharton School of Business in Pennsylva-
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In this February 12 photo, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos attends the campaign launch of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago coalition in San Fernando, Pampanga. The governor and Senate candidate has been in hot water amid questions about her educational credentials. Philstar.com file photo by Michael Varcas
nia. ‘Different accommodations’ In the same report, Daily Princetonian also recalled Marcos’ years in the university, saying the daughter of late strongman was not an ordinary student. “In a letter from Philippine Consul General Ernesto C. Pineda to Dean of Student Affairs Adele S. Simmons dated July 30, 1973, Pineda described different accommodations that would be arranged for Marcos,� the student newspaper report said. “She would live off campus, be escorted by Philippine security personnel, and be driven to and from campus by a Filipino chauffeur,� it added. “According to an article in the ‘Prince’ on September 11, 1973, the Asian-American Students Association protested the University’s acceptance of Marcos and held negotiations with Simmons
regarding her matriculation. The AASA worried that the presence of Marcos and her security personnel would be threatening to students who were critical of her father’s government,â€? it continued. The Marcos patriarch, whose presidency was tainted by human rights abuses and massive corruption, was ousted in the 1986 “People Powerâ€? revolution. Despite the death of the strongman while in exile in Hawaii in 1989, his family has been making a steady political comeback, with his only son and namesake eyeing a return to MalacaĂąang as Philippine president. In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte, an ally of the Marcoses, granted the political clan’s longstanding wish to bury the late dictator’s remains at the Heroes’ Cemetery. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral/ Philstar.com) n
EDSA 33 years later: On preserving democracy... PAGE A1 pler. In his speech during the Partido Demokratikong PilipinoLakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) campaign rally in Cebu, the chief executive said that the “freedom and liberty� won in the bloodless revolt must be valued and cared for by the younger generation. “I am hopeful that this occasion will inspire all of us, especially the younger generation, to deeply value the freedom and liberty that we won in EDSA. May we all have a profound sense of appreciation and understanding of what we lost and what we reclaimed,� he said. “As the entire nation prepares for the upcoming midterm elections this May, let us always remember how this historic revolution restored our power
to collectively chart our future through the ballot,� the president added as reported by The Philippine Star. As observed in the previ-
ous years, Duterte once again skipped the commemoration rites in EDSA. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo PAGE A3
33RD EDSA PEOPLE POWER COMMEMORATION. Red, white and blue confetti abound during the commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution with “EDSA 2019: Pagkakaisa tungo sa Pambansang Kapayapaan� as the theme held at the EDSA People Power Monument at the corner of EDSA corner White Plains Avenue in Quezon City Monday, February 25. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in coordination with the EDSA People Power Commission, Spirit of EDSA Foundation and other national and local government agencies representatives, led the commemoration rites. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
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5 Fil-Ams killed in Delano, CA car crash... PAGE A1 Witness faith—were returning home to Delano from church. “We tragically lost the Laguta family in a terrible car accident. Jalson, Arlene, Caleb, and Joseph were a beautiful family who loved Jehovah and served him faithfully until their last day,” reads a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the funerals of all the victims. “They were loved by their family and congregation and were considered very close friends to all.” “Though it hurts us all now, it is comforting to know that they died faithful to Jehovah God and they are now safe in His memory,” the GoFundMe page continued. “We long for the day when we will be reunited with our dear friends the Lagutas when they return to life in the beautiful paradise Jehovah has promised.” As of press time, over $2,550 has been raised of the $30,000 goal. Bill proposes no speed limit on Highway 99 California state Senator John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) recently introduced a bill that would make the state’s Highway 99 and I-5 among the world’s few highways without a speed limit. Senate Bill 319 would add two lanes each to both the north- and south-bound lanes of the CA I-5 and Highway 99. The bill reasons that “traffic congestion increases the emissions of greenhouse gases as it causes automobiles to idle longer while on roadways.” Funding would come from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a funding source for state programs designed to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. But critics say that the oppo-
Arlene and Jalson Rubang Laguta and their two sons, Jalson (bottom left) and Jarl Joseph (right) were killed on Saturday night, February 16 in Delano, California, when their SUV swerved off the road, hit a tree, and caught on fire. A fifth victim in the car was identified as family friend Danilo Aquino Sanidad (not pictured). Photo courtesy of GoFundMe
site would happen—that emissions would actually increase. “Emission goes up at high speeds; this would encourage people to drive cars really fast on our highway, and that would increase emissions coming from transportation… the only sector where emissions are increasing in California,” Bill Magavern, a spokesperson for the Coalition for Clean Air, told SFGate. More concern for the introduced bill comes from a safety perspective. Many argue that having no speed limit would mean more accidents on the already accident-prone Highway 99. A recent study by information pulling source Value Penguin found Highway 99 to be the most dangerous highway in the whole United States. The study found that despite it being a relatively shorter highway compared to the others that topped the list, it had the most fatal accidents per 100 miles. “The state route which cuts up the center of California had a to-
EDSA 33 years later: On...
PAGE A2 denied that it was because of the leader’s close relationship with the Marcoses whose patriarch was ousted from power 33 years ago. “The president has been working tirelessly, including on weekends. (Duterte would be) in union with the celebrators as well as in recognition and reminder to all that our government is a fruit of democracy,” the spokesperson said. Robredo: EDSA is not about the ‘dilawans’ Vice President Leni Robredo appealed to the people to refrain from associating the EDSA Revolution to her “yellow-tagged” opposition group — Liberal Party and remember the momentous event as a celebration of unity among Filipinos. “Sana ma-break lang iyong misconception na iyong EDSA ay mga ‘dilawan.’ Hindi ito defined by isang kulay, hindi siya defined by any group, hindi siya defined by pulitika (I hope we break the misconception that EDSA is just all about the dilawans. It’s not defined by one color, it’s not defined by any group, it’s not defined by politics),” Robredo said. “Kapag ganito iyong pagtingin natin, insulto ito sa napakaraming mga Pilipino na wala namang political affiliations noong 1986 (If we view the EDSA Revolution that way, it would be an insult to so many Filipinos who didn’t have any political affiliations in 1986),” she added. As she led the EDSA rites in Naga City, Robredo said that the Filipino people should be inspired by the power of unity. She also emphasized the sacrifices made by those who endured the atrocities of Martial law declared by late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. “Kahit gaano ka-imposible iyong tinitingnan na task, iyong pinaka-lesson sa atin ng EDSA, basta magkaisa iyong mga Pilipino, iyong imposible puwedeng puwedeng maging posible (No matter how impossible the task is, the main lesson from EDSA is that if Filipinos unite, the impossible can certainly become possible),” Robredo stated. “Ito, talagang pag-alala sa lahat nang Pilipinong nagsakripisyo. Kasi nangyari lang naman ang EDSA dahil nagkaisa iyong mga Pilipino (This is really a commemoration of all Filipinos who made sacrifices. The EDSA Revolution only happened because Filipinos became united),” the vice president added. Noynoy, other officials and sectors on EDSA’s 33rd Former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said that people must remember the lesson of EDSA Revolution that elected her mother the late Corazon Aquino as the Philippines’ first female president. “Kung hindi na relevant, malimutan niyo ang aral ng nakalipas, garantisadong uulitin niyo ang pagkakamali (If it’s no longer relevant and you’ve forgotten the lessons of the past, guaranteed, you will repeat the mistakes),” Noynoy said. The young Aquino noted that forgetting the dark days of Mar-
tial law would subject the people to yet another tyrannical rule. However, he said that it is up to the electorate to decide who to place in the political seats this upcoming midterm election. “Nasa inyo ’yun, demokrasya. Nasa inyo kung gusto niyong ulitin ang madilim na bahagi ng kasaysayan. (It’s on you, the democracy. It’s on you if you want to experience again the dark chapter of our history),” he added. Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra emphasized that the current administration is still upholding the democratic government acquired from the victory of the People Power Revolution. “We Filipinos continue to enjoy the liberties that we regained after the People Power revolution in 1986. Our government institutions function with vibrancy under a democratic regime,” Guevarra said. EDSA People Power Commission chairman Pastor Saycon said in English and Filipino said that the two million “countrymen, nameless, faceless and colorless. No yellow, red, left or right” Filipinos who marched in 1986 should be deemed as “the real heroes.” Analyst: Nothing much changed since; Ramos skips leap University of the Philippines political science professor Clarita Carlos explained in a panel discussion aired by TMT TV that the revolt had impacted a very little change in the political landscape of the Philippines “There hasn’t been much change after 33 years. We should not call it a revolution because there was just a circulation of elites. Pinalitan mo si Marcos et al, ng Aquino, Roxas (You just changed Marcos et al, with Aquino, Roxas),” Carlos said as reported by The Manila Times. The analyst emphasized that the country’s political system “is still broken” due to the fact that the EDSA rally did not impact a structural change. “First, we are still under a presidential system, where every 2,000 days you change the face of the president; and every 1,000 days you change the face of Congress,” Carlos explained. Prominent people who participated in the revolt agreed with such a sentiment. Theater artist Cecile Alvarez said that despite such, the fruits of EDSA revolt must not be dismissed, including the freedom of the press. “The freedom of the press was restored nu’ng ibinalik natin ang demokrasya at sa EDSA mapayapang itinakwil ang diktadurya, walang karahasan at naging modelo sa buong mundo (when we restored democracy and we rejected dictatorship without violence and has become a model globally),” Alvarez said. Former president Fidel Ramos skipped the anniversary rites this year as he was in much pain due to his gout. The 90-year-old leader annually reenacts the famous leap he did when he was misinformed that the Marcos family fled the country in the height of the revolution. n
tal of 264 fatal accidents between the years 2011 and 2015,” said the study. But Moorlach believes that the fast lanes would make the highways safer, and would provide a shorter alternative to riding a train in getting to San Francisco. Referring to Germany’s famous speed-limit-free Autobahn, Moorlach told local news station CBS13, “If you look at what’s happening Germany, the freeway accidents on the Autobahn are a lot less than what’s happening on our roads!” “You’re burning the fuel efficiently, as opposed to just sitting in slow traffic waiting for one truck to pass another truck for 20 minutes,” he added. Anyone with information on this accident is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol in Bakersfield at (661) 396-6600. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)
CAMPAIGN RALLY IN CEBU. President Rodrigo Duterte raises the hands of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial bets during the party’s campaign rally at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City on Sunday, February 24. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez
Trillanes charged for inciting...
PAGE A1 Luna filed sedition raps against Trillanes for his “incendiary and hateful speeches against President Duterte after issuance of Proclamation 572 that voided the amnesty granted to him during the previous administration.” Under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code, inciting to sedition can be done through speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, cartoons, banners or other representations “which tend to disturb or obstruct any lawful officer in executing the functions of his office, or which tend to instigate others to cabal and meet together for unlawful purposes, or which suggest or
incite rebellious conspiracies or riots, or which lead or tend to stir up the people against the lawful authorities or to disturb the peace of the community, the safety and order of the Government, or who shall knowingly conceal such evil practices.” Trillanes is being sued over a media interview he did on Sept. 4, 2018 for allegedly saying: “Itong amnesty is an act of Congress. Hindi siya masusupersede ng isang executive order (This amnesty is an act of Congress. It won’t be superseded by an executive order),” and “Di ko maisip na they would go to great lengths, even make themselves look stupid para lang to get rid of
me. Isa lang hamon ko eh. Pumirma sya ng waiver. Magkaalaman. Magreresign ako. Sabi ko papasok ako sa kulungan. Di mo kailangan gumawa ng ganitong kalokohan. (I didn’t think they would go to great lengths, even make themselves look stupid just to get rid of me. I only have one challenge. Sign the waiver. Let’s see. I will resign. I said I’ll go to jail. You don’t need to do this kind of stupidity).” According to Ticyado, Trillanes’ words were intended to instill in the minds of the people a feeling of hatred and distrust towards the president of the Philippines, the government and its duly con-
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MARCH 1-7, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
OPINION
Universal health care
FEATURES
IT’S a dream measure for the millions of Filipinos for whom decent health care is a luxury beyond their reach. President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Universal Health Care Law, which expands the services covered by state health insurance and intends to include all Filipino citizens in the program. AS in many other laws in this country, of course, the devil will be in the implementation. The government has tried to temper high public expectations, pointing out that the wider benefits and coverage will not happen overnight. While public impatience could set in, the measured rollout should help ensure the efficient implementation of the new law. The implementing rules and regulations are still being drawn up, with proponents acknowledging that with limited resources, the new law could fail to live up to expectations. As things stand, the country’s health care facilities, whether state-run or in the private sector, cannot meet the demand. Government hospitals in Metro Manila are overwhelmed, with patients spilling outside the emergency sections and new mothers sharing beds. How to finance the expanded services promised under the new law is a big question. Apart from higher sin taxes, Republic Act 11223 intends to increase PhilHealth premiums. How much will still have to be worked out in the IRR, but certain workers’ groups are already protesting against any hefty increase. The extent of free or subsidized treatment also
still has to be specified, especially for those involving costly medication or services such as sustained treatment for cancer and AIDS. Will mental health care and drug rehabilitation be covered? There are also concerns about the capability of PhilHealth to process claims quickly and efficiently. PhilHealth officials have reassured the public that they are up to the job. The private sector will also need a capacity boost to deliver on the promise of the new law. Quality health care facilities and equipment, however, require substantial investments that only a few hospital operators can afford. There’s also the question of human resources. Will there be enough medical professionals to handle universal health care coverage? The law aims to encourage students to take up health-related courses, with government scholars required to render three years of paid service in the country once they become professionally eligible. Proponents acknowledge the challenges facing the implementation of the new law. Every effort is needed to ensure that this law delivers on its promise. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS
Philstar.com photo
Mounting opposition against Trump’s national emergency declaration to use funds to build border wall publicans chose to side with Trump. As the Washington Post reported, Democrats contend that Trump’s claim of an emergency crisis at the border was baseless, and that “he was embarking on the road to dictatorship by unilaterally declaring an emergency to try to get money from U.S. taxpayers to fulfill an unpopular campaign promise” to build a wall in the U.S.-Mexico border, which he said Mexico would pay for during the campaign season. The Post further reported that the Tuesday vote by the House was the first time since the passage of the Emergencies Act of 1976 “that the Congress has invited provisions allowing for passage of a disapproval resolution to nullify a presidential emergency declaration.” Trump accused Democrats of not wanting to protect the borders by denying his demand for $5.57-billion downpayment for his wall. Congress has previous-
ly approved $1.6 billion toward strengthening border security through smart and modern technology and adding manpower in legal points of entry and parts of the border, as well as improving barriers already in place in critical areas of the border. But Congress is not alone in this opposition to Trump’s declaration of a national emergency. On February 18, a coalition of 16 states, including California and New York, challenged the constitutionality of Trump’s declaration in a lawsuit filed in Federal District Court in San Francisco. According to the New York Times report, “the suit argues that the president does not have the power to divert funds for constructing a wall along the Mexican border because it is Congress that controls spending.” On February 25, 48 former national security advisers and officials who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations — including former Secretary of State Mad-
eleine Albright and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel — sent a letter to President Trump, sending the message they are not aware of any emergency that “remotely justifies” redirecting funds to begin construction of a barrier along the southern border. These officials pointed out that Trump had no basis for such declaration, arguing that illegal border crossings are at near-40 year lows, that there is no documented terror threat as Trump has been claiming without evidence, that immigrants are in fact not found to commit violent crimes as much as Trump paints. U.S.-born Americans have a higher rate of violent crimes committed per government data. Human and drug trafficking will not be affected by the construction of a massive wall as most of these crimes happen at legal points of entry and through tunnels built under whatever existing walls. Also on Tuesday, February 26,
PBS reported that top U.S. military officials told senators in a committee hearing that there is no military threat on the southern border. But Air Force Get. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, commander of the U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command said, “Russia’s advancements in training and capabilities, and its intent to hold the US at risk, present an urgent threat to America,” in addition to “real threats” from China. Trump’s judgment call is indeed questionable. Why is he cozying up with these dictators while alienating our allies, undermining the democratic institutions and the rule of law of the United States of America? ***
PRESIDENT Donald Trump, as of press time, is in Hanoi, Vietnam for his second rendezvous with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to talk about denuclearization. This comes despite no concrete verifiable evidence that North Korea has started to comply with the United States’ denuclearization requirement of the United States during their first summit in Singapore. “We fell in love,” Trump said, touting the “love letters” he received from the dictator and the “love” felt during the summit. Meanwhile, at the same time in Congress, Trump’s former long-time personal lawyer/fixer Michael Cohen has started giving his testimonies to reveal what he said everything the public needs to know about Trump’s evil deeds in violation of the laws of the land, offering to turn in more evidence to substantiate his allegations. These are all happening as
more people and institutions continue to challenge President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency just so he could get $8 billion from funds already appropriated by Congress for military projects and disaster relief programs — a blatant attempt to circumvent the power of the purse accorded by the Constitution to Congress. They all argue that there is is NO national emergency and that Trump is abusing his executive power, which could pose a threat to the country’s national security. On Tuesday, February 26, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to overturn Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on the southern border. With a 245-182 vote, the resolution was passed mostly along party lines, with 13 Republicans voting with the Democrats. This vote, however, fell short of the two-thirds majority required to overcome Trump’s veto threat because more Re-
PeaceMaker
Rebuilding new roads to peace, security and human development
FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. Part 3 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 7-11, 2019) The challenge to Asian countries Excellencies, friends: Our task is to ask ourselves why this is happening and how we can keep peace within our region despite the stiff economic competition our countries face. We must be aware of all the pitfalls and failings of democracy and free market competition. What ethical standards can we bring in so that we can bring all our entrepreneurial skills but operate fairly and with civility?
Perhaps, the answer is in our distant past when the maritime highways linked our nations to one another and participated in a trade where one country supplied what was needed in another, for which they bartered for what they needed. My own country the Philippines, located as it is on the margins of islands in Southeast Asia, developed virtually on its own, though it did take part in a long-distance trading system, that encompassed both the Indian Ocean and the China Sea and reached past Madagascar in East Africa to Nagasaki, Japan. Most practical solution in China Sea crises Excellencies, friends: As we pointed out much earlier, the raging conflict in the South China Sea, West Philippine Sea to the Filipinos, and East Sea to the Vietnamese, with conflicting sovereignty claims, may be settled by temporarily shelving the issue of sovereignty, as earlier proposed by Deng Xiaoping, the paramount leader of China’s peaceful rise: revive the Seismic Survey Agreement signed by China, the Philippines, and Vietnam, which we had the priviledge to inititate in 2004; undertake joint oil/gas exploration and joint develop-
ment with an equitable sharing of production and profits; designate “fishing corridors”; demilitarize the disputed islets through the phased withdrawal of armed garrisons; and convert the zone of conflict into a Zone of Peace, Friendship, Cooperation and Development. This is perhaps the most realistic, most common-sensical solution to the problem of the Spratlys and Paracels, and which could subsequently be joined by Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, and could also be the solution to the problem between China and Japan in the Senkaku Straits or Diaoyu in the East China Sea. Easier said than done but this is now the time to consider the practical, principled, commonsensical win-win compromises necessary for the geo-political settlements in the China Sea. Our own road to the future Excellencies, friends: We must make our own road to the future. And in this task we should take hope from the writer Lu Hsun, a hero of China’s revolutionary period. “Hope [says Lu Hsun] cannot be said to exist. Nor can it be said not to exist. It is just like roads across the earth. For actually the earth had no roads
to begin with; but when many people pass one way a road is made.” Here in our meeting in Seoul, we know the journey will be difficult. The journey will be long. But the rewards at the journey’s end will be more than justify every tear, every hurt, every fall. It is in this spirit that we in the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), and the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) join hands with all of you, distinguished delegates from around the world, all advocates of reconciliation and peace – peace in our time, hopefully sooner than later in this century – peace in the Korean Peninsula, peace throughout in our planet Earth. For we share rebuilding new roads to the future for mankind, for all our peoples. Two Koreas should adapt to global changes Excellencies, friends: We must point out that despite the occasional harsh rhetoric on both sides of the 38th Parallel, we believe governments, parliaments, political parties, civil society organizations, and religious groups must encourage and support
direct talks between Seoul and Pyongyang. Indeed, direct talks between North and South will complement these high-level explorations. Perhaps they could even catalyze the long-suspended SixParty Talks to prevent nuclear proliferation in the Korean Peninsula. Perhaps direct bilateral or multilateral talks could even lead to agreement on a road map to eventual unification. But these talks have not been reopened for a long time now. We in Asia and the global community most acknowledge and applaud the forthright efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un, consistently supported by the South Korean President Moon Jae-In, which have the potential for a breakthrough, hopefully sooner than later, towards a final peace in the Korean Peninsula. Today the basic fact is that the distribution of power in the world is fast-changing–particularly in East Asia–and the Korean Peninsula must adapt to these epochal transformations. Vietnam itself emerged from three difficult successive wars, winning against great powers, and its socialist government
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
adopting a market economy, lifted its people from poverty to become today a rising peaceful economic power. North Korea can be like Vietnam, which is already emerging as a significant state in Southeast Asia. The great example of course is how the two Germanys finally emerged from Cold War confrontation and totally united under then Chancellor Helmut Kohl, to become today the predominant economic power in Europe. And China, under the unforgettable leader Deng Xiaoping, opened China to the world, lifted more than 500 million people from poverty and introduced appreciable elements of free enterprise capitalism to China’s socialist economy, which has propelled China to the second largest in the global economy with the potential to become No. 1 within 10-15 years. In my view, the immediate task of the parliaments and mainstream political parties of the Republic of Korea and the Communist Korean Workers’ Party (KWP) of the North, aided by the parliaments, political parties, civil society, and business leaders of the global community, is to draw up a clear, distinct and workable road map toward unification. ■
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 1-7, 2019
A
PhilHealth needs P22 billion in De Lima’s ex-driver appears in court but cited 1st year of universal health care in contempt for refusing to answer questions by Sheila
CriSoStomo
Philstar.com
MANILA — The government needs some P22 billion to implement the Universal Health Care (UHC) law in its initial year, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said. PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Roy Ferrer said they stand to get P18 billion through the General Appropriations Act and P217 billion from premium collections. Ferrer noted that aside from this, PhilHealth will also receive funds from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. This means that there is a shortage of P22 billion to
implement the UHC law, which mandates the automatic enrollment of all Filipinos in PhilHealth, among others. Ferrer, however, said they are looking forward to their share from the revenues that will be generated by the sin taxes from tobacco and alcohol to address the funding gap. Under the UHC law, PhilHealth will also have to expand its benefit packages for treatment and diagnostics. Ferrer added that to strengthen PhilHealth’s fund life, they are “aggressive” in collecting premiums and, at the same time, “prudent” in their spending. Ferrer, however, assured the public they “do not compromise the services that we are giving to
our members.” PhilHealth vice president for actuarial Nerissa Santiago admitted that the benefits the agency could offer and expand over the next years will depend on the funding they would receive. Santiago cited for instance that they could increase the benefits “in terms of support” value and control “out of pocket” payments by members if the funds will be released early. “We are positive that we can have (sufficient) revenues (from tax increase) and it can also help in leveling down the number of smoker and drinkers,” she added. If this will still not be enough, PhilHealtth will ask Congress for more funds. n
THE former driver and selfconfessed lover of detained senator Leila de Lima took the witness stand on Wednesday, February 27, on a disobedience to summons case, which the former lawmaker filed against him but invoked his right against self-incrimination. Presiding Judge Ma. Ludmila de Pio Lim of Branch 34 of the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court, however, held Ronnie Dayan in indirect contempt and ordered him to pay a P200 fine when he refused to answer even the questions that she directed at him. Dayan made an appearance after Lim denied his previous motion to quash a subpoena for him to testify. Dayan, through his counsel, filed the motion after a similar case originally assigned to Quezon City MTC 35 was consolidated with the case at MTC 34 on Janu-
ary 30. He claimed that this would make him an accused. The court, however, denied the motion to quash the subpoena as it adopted the “consolidation for trial.” Former leaders at the House of Representatives filed a case against then Senator de Lima on December 2016 for allegedly advising Dayan not to go to the
PAGE A5
To ease the problem, 1-Ang Edukasyon Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. proposed a labor agreement with China to ensure reciprocity in migrant relations between the two countries. Belaro, an assistant minority leader in the House of Representatives, said a labor agreement, or treaty, would establish mechanism for the protection of migrants from
House inquiry on her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. De Lima also appeared in court although her counsel said the proceedings did not have any effect on her case. The prosecution is set to present Dayan’s daughter, Hanna Mae, in the next court hearing in May. (ManilaTimes.net)
Filipinos have better work-life balance than Singaporeans, Malaysians — study China warns of tit for tat if illegal... MANILA — Filipino working professionals have better work-life balance experiences compared to their counterparts in Singapore and Malaysia, according to a study by a Singapore-based website. Recruitment portal Monster. com reported that 65 percent of working professionals in the Philippines are satisfied with their work-life balance. Meanwhile, 28 percent said they would like to have more time to spend with friends and family. The also found that 41 percent of Filipino professionals feel content with the balance of their personal and professional lives. This is higher than the ratings in Singapore and Malaysia with 24 percent and 32 percent, respectively. For 59 percent of Filipino professionals, having flexible working hours is a key aspect of work-life balance. According to the study, 51 percent of Filipinos want to be able to leave work on time while 47 percent just want to balance work and life. The survey also found that Filipino employers are more accepting of work-life balance as 32 percent of them offer flexi-work policies, which is double the figures reported in Singapore and Malaysia. “An impressive 44 percent of Filipino respondents said their managers are supportive of them finding balance — once again
A study from online recruitment portal Monster. com found that 65 percent of Filipino working professionals are satisfied with their current work-life balance. Philstar.com photo
trumping Singapore (23 percent) and Malaysia (31 percent),” Monster.com said. Almost half of the respondents in Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore described their worklife balance as “average, but could have more balance.” “The Philippines is considerably ahead of its Southeast Asian peers in terms of fostering a workforce that is satisfied with the equilibrium between their professional and personal commitments,” Monster. com CEO Abhijeet Mukherjee said in a statement. Mukherjee added that this has a positive impact on business as it increases engagement, boosts happiness levels and encourages higher productivity. The survey was conducted among 1,000 respondents across Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore as part of Monster.com’s #WorkLifeBalance campaign. The campaign seeks to identify the sentiments of working profes-
sionals on work-life balance, as well as raise awareness among employers about its aspects that their employees value the most. “The survey was conducted in each market to understand what working professionals defined as ‘work-life balance’, as well as the various obstacles which lay in their way of achieving #ACompleteLife,” Monster.com said. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)
stance supported the “perception that he is nothing more than a puppet of China.” Labor agreement “Whatever China has on Duterte, to be able to hold him firmly by the neck while we are gradually turned into a Chinese vassal state, is definitely working to its advantage,” De Lima said.
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima flashes her signature D5 handsign after attending a hearing of her alleged inducement to disobedience to summons case before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 34 on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Next hearing is scheduled on May 15. Senate photo
both sides. He said a memorandum of understanding signed by the Philippines and China in Boao in April last year for the employment of Filipinos in Chinese industries would be “a good springboard.” To stem the tide of illegal foreign workers, the Dole is looking at how it could become the sole issuer of work permits to foreigners. n
A
MARCH 1-7, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARy 28-MARch 6, 2019
A
PhilHealth needs P22 billion in 1st year of universal health care by Sheila
CriSoStomo Philstar.com
CAMPAIGN RALLY IN CEBU. President Rodrigo Duterte raises the hands of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial bets during the party’s campaign rally at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City on Sunday, February 24. Malacaùang photo by King Rodriguez
MANILA — The government needs some P22 billion to implement the Universal Health Care (UHC) law in its initial year, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said. PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Roy Ferrer said they stand to get P18 billion through the General Appropriations Act and P217 billion from premium collections. Ferrer noted that aside from this, PhilHealth will also receive funds from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. This means that there is a shortage of P22 billion to
implement the UHC law, which mandates the automatic enrollment of all Filipinos in PhilHealth, among others. Ferrer, however, said they are looking forward to their share from the revenues that will be generated by the sin taxes from tobacco and alcohol to address the funding gap. Under the UHC law, PhilHealth will also have to expand its benefit packages for treatment and diagnostics. Ferrer added that to strengthen PhilHealth’s fund life, they are “aggressive� in collecting premiums and, at the same time, “prudent� in their spending. Ferrer, however, assured the public they “do not compromise the services that we are giving to
our members.� PhilHealth vice president for actuarial Nerissa Santiago admitted that the benefits the agency could offer and expand over the next years will depend on the funding they would receive. Santiago cited for instance that they could increase the benefits “in terms of support� value and control “out of pocket� payments by members if the funds will be released early. “We are positive that we can have (sufficient) revenues (from tax increase) and it can also help in leveling down the number of smoker and drinkers,� she added. If this will still not be enough, PhilHealtth will ask Congress for more funds. n
an accused. The court, however, denied the motion to quash the subpoena as it adopted the “consolidation for trial.� Former leaders at the House of Representatives filed a case against then senator de Lima on December 2016 for allegedly advising Dayan not to go to the House
inquiry on her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. De Lima also appeared in court although her counsel said the proceedings did not have any effect on her case. The prosecution is set to present Dayan’s daughter, Hanna Mae, in the next court hearing in May. (ManilaTimes.net)
Filipinos have better work-life balance than Singaporeans, Malaysians — study De Lima’s ex-driver appears in court but cited in contempt for refusing to answer questions MANILA — Filipino working professionals have better work-life balance experiences compared to their counterparts in Singapore and Malaysia, according to a study by a Singaporebased website. Recruitment portal Monster. com reported that 65 percent of working professionals in the Philippines are satisfied with their work-life balance. Meanwhile, 28 percent said they would like to have more time to spend with friends and family. The also found that 41 percent of Filipino professionals feel content with the balance of their personal and professional lives. This is higher than the ratings in Singapore and Malaysia with 24 percent and 32 percent, respectively. For 59 percent of Filipino professionals, having flexible working hours is a key aspect of work-life balance. According to the study, 51 percent of Filipinos want to be able to leave work on time while 47 percent just want to balance work and life. The survey also found that Filipino employers are more accepting of work-life balance as 32 percent of them offer flexi-work policies, which is double the figures reported in Singapore and Malaysia. “An impressive 44 percent of Filipino respondents said their managers are supportive of them
THE former driver and self-confessed lover of detained senator Leila de Lima took the witness stand on Wednesday, February 27, on a disobedience to summons case, which the former lawmaker filed against him but invoked his right against self-incrimination. Presiding Judge Ma. Ludmila de Pio Lim of Branch 34 of the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court, however, held Ronnie Dayan in indirect contempt and ordered him to pay a P200 fine when he refused to answer even the questions that she directed at him. Dayan made an appearance A study from online recruitment portal Monster.com found that 65 percent of Filipino working after Lim denied his previous moprofessionals are satisfied with their current work-life balance. Philstar.com photo tion to quash a subpoena for him to testify. higher productivity. finding balance — once again Dayan, through his counsel, The survey was conducted trumping Singapore (23 percent) and Malaysia (31 percent),� Mon- among 1,000 respondents across filed the motion after a similar case Malaysia, the Philippines and Sin- originally assigned to Quezon City ster.com said. Almost half of the respondents gapore as part of Monster.com’s MTC 35 was consolidated with the case at MTC 34 on January 30. He in Malaysia, the Philippines and #WorkLifeBalance campaign. The campaign seeks to iden- claimed that this would make him Singapore described their worklife balance as “average, but could tify the sentiments of working professionals on work-life balhave more balance.� “The Philippines is consider- ance, as well as raise awareably ahead of its Southeast Asian ness among employers about peers in terms of fostering a its aspects that their employees PAGE A5 workforce that is satisfied with value the most. stance supported the “perception “The survey was conducted in that he is nothing more than a pupthe equilibrium between their professional and personal com- each market to understand what pet of China.� mitments,� Monster.com CEO working professionals defined as Labor agreement Abhijeet Mukherjee said in a ‘work-life balance’, as well as the “Whatever China has on Duterte, various obstacles which lay in to be able to hold him firmly by the statement. Mukherjee added that this has their way of achieving #ACom- neck while we are gradually turned a positive impact on business as pleteLife,� Monster.com said. into a Chinese vassal state, is defiit increases engagement, boosts (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar. nitely working to its advantage,� happiness levels and encourages com) De Lima said.
Opposition Senator Leila de Lima flashes her signature D5 handsign after attending a hearing of her alleged inducement to disobedience to summons case before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 34 on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Next hearing is scheduled on May 15. Senate photo
China warns of tit for tat if illegal...
LUNGSOD NG LAS VEGAS MUNISIPAL PANGUNAHING HALALAN ANG ABISO NA ITO AY NAGBIBIGAY NANG KAALAMAN NA Ang lungsod ng Las Vegas Munisipal na Pangunahing Halalan ay gaganapin sa Martes,Ika-2 ng Abril, 2019 sa mga sumusunod na tanggapan: KONSEHO NG LUNGSOD PUROK 1
KONSEHO NG LUNGSOD PUROK 3
KONSEHO NG LUNGSOD-PUROK 5
Robert Blakely Drew P. Dondero Amy Emanuel Jesse “Jake� Holder Brian Knudsen Dean Lauer Dave Marlon Robin Munier Sherman Ray Margarita Velazquez Rebollal
Aaron Bautista Melissa Clary Mingo Collaso Olivia Diaz Ruben Kihuen David A. Lopez Shawn Mooneyham
Cedric R. Crear Henry “Hen-Hen� Thorns Derek Washington
ALKALDE Tina RanĂŠ Alexander Phil Collins Carolyn G. Goodman Zachary Krueger Amy Luciano Mack Miller Vance “Stretchâ€? Sanders
KOREO/MANLILIBAN NA BALOTANG KAHILINGAN NA MGA TARHETA ay maaaring makuha sa Lalawigan ng Clark /Kagawaran ng Halalan, online sa sumusunod na website www.lasvegasnevada.gov/elections. Lahat ng mga kahilingan para sa koreo/manliliban na balota para sa Pangunahing Halalan ay dapat matanggap sa Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan, 965 Trade Drive, Ste. A, N. Las Vegas, Nevada 89303, sa 5:00 n.h. sa Martes, Ika-26 ng Marso, 2019. SA KARAGDAGAN, ANG PANGUNAHING HALALAN na naka takda sa Martes, Ika- 2 ng Abril , 2019 ay gaganapin sa pamamaraan na ibinigay sa pamamagitan ng batas sa halalan ng Estado ng Nevada at ang Lungsod ng Las Vegas.
both sides. He said a memorandum of understanding signed by the Philippines and China in Boao in April last year for the employment of Filipinos in Chinese industries would be “a good springboard.� To stem the tide of illegal foreign workers, the Dole is looking at how it could become the sole issuer of work permits to foreigners. n
Karagdagang kaalaman sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov/votetag NOTICE TO ELECTORS OF CLOSE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2019 IN BOULDER CITY, HENDERSON, LAS VEGAS, NORTH LAS VEGAS, CLOSE OF REGISTRATION PERIOD BEGINS TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the close of voter registration period for the Municipal Primary Elections to be held on April 2, 2019, will begin on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 and end March 12, 2019. The deadline for online registration is Thursday, March 14, 2019. $Q\ TXDOLÂżHG HOHFWRU ZKRVH QDPH GRHV QRW DSSHDU RQ WKH RIÂżFLDO UHJLVWU\ OLVW PD\ DSSO\ WR UHJLVWHU E\ DSSHDULQJ DW WKH Clark County Election Department, 500 South Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas; Clark County Election Center, 965 7UDGH 'ULYH 6XLWH $ 1RUWK /DV 9HJDV WKH DSSURSULDWH &LW\ &OHUNÂśV 2IÂżFH DQ\ EUDQFK RI WKH 'HSDUWPHQW RI 0RWRU 9HKLcles; or by appearing before a Field Registrar in the manner provided by law. The Clark County Election Department is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Voter registration applications will be accepted by mail or in person up until 28 days before the election. Thereafter until 21 GD\V EHIRUH WKH HOHFWLRQ YRWHU UHJLVWUDWLRQ DSSOLFDWLRQV PXVW EH ÂżOHG LQ SHUVRQ DW WKH DSSURSULDWH &LW\ &OHUNÂśV 2IÂżFH RQO\ Online Registration $Q\ HOLJLEOH &ODUN &RXQW\ UHVLGHQW ZKR KDV D 1HYDGD GULYHUÂśV OLFHQVH RU DQ LGHQWLÂżFDWLRQ FDUG LVVXHG E\ WKH 1HYDGD Department of Motor Vehicles can now register or update his/her registration information online exclusively at only one website www.RegistertoVoteNV.gov, which is accessible through www.clarkcountynv.gov/vote in the “Online Registration Servicesâ€? box and click on the “Click Hereâ€? button. This service is available 24 hours a day. To be eligible to vote in the April 2nd Primary Election, online registration must be completed on or before March 14, 2019 by 11:59 p.m. 0DLO LQ YRWHU UHJLVWUDWLRQ DSSOLFDWLRQV DUH DYDLODEOH DW YDULRXV SRVW RIÂżFHV OLEUDULHV DQG XWLOLW\ FRPSDQLHV WKURXJKRXW &ODUN County. 7KH VFKHGXOH IRU WKH ÂżQDO VHYHQ GD\V RI LQ SHUVRQ UHJLVWUDWLRQ DW HDFK &LW\ &OHUNÂśV 2IÂżFH LV DV IROORZV %RXOGHU &LW\ &LW\ &OHUNÂśV 2IÂżFH 401 California Avenue Boulder City, Nevada Tuesday, March 5 Wednesday, March 6 – Thursday, March 7 Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 Monday, March 11 – Tuesday, March 12
Mga Sentro nang Botohan ay magbubukas sa 7 n.u. hanggang 7 n.g. sa mga sumusunod na lugar: Albertsons – 1650 North Buffalo Drive Albertsons – 4850 West Craig Road Centennial Hills YMCA – 6601 North Buffalo Drive Las Vegas City Hall – 495 South Main Street Doolittle Community Center – 1950 J Street East Las Vegas Community Center – 250 North Eastern Avenue Kitty Ward Elementary – 5555 Horse Drive Meadows Mall – 4300 Meadows Lane Mountain Crest Community Center – 4701 North Durango Drive Mountain Shadows Community Center – 9107 Del Webb Boulevard Rainbow Library – 3150 North Buffalo Drive Sahara West Library – 9600 West Sahara Avenue Skye Center at Skye Canyon – 10111 W. Skye Canyon Park Drive Veterans Memorial – 101 North Pavilion Center Drive Bonanza High School – 6665 Del Rey Avenue William K. Moore Elementary – 491 North Lamb Boulevard Kung ikaw ay nakarehistro upang bumoto sa loob ng hagganan ng lungsod ng Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, o North Las Vegas, ikaw ay maaaring bumoto bago sa Araw ng Halalan sa kahit na saa’ng lugar ng maagang botohan na iyong napili. Hindi ka na kinakailanga’ng magpunta sa lugar na sinasakupan ng iyong lungsod. Sa halip, maaari ka nang pumili ng lugar na pinaka malapit sa iyo. Upang hanapin ang pinaka malapit na lugar para sa iyo sa araw ng maagang pagboto, maaaring pumunta sa www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/ vote/TAG para sa isang interaktibong pakikipagugnayan, na gumagana sa pamamagitan ng pag gamit ng mobile na kasangkapan upang makita ang mga mapa ng mga Sentro nang Botohan.
To ease the problem, 1-Ang Edukasyon Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. proposed a labor agreement with China to ensure reciprocity in migrant relations between the two countries. Belaro, an assistant minority leader in the House of Representatives, said a labor agreement, or treaty, would establish mechanism for the protection of migrants from
7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
&LW\ RI +HQGHUVRQ &LW\ &OHUNœV 2I¿FH 240 Water Street Henderson, Nevada Tuesday, March 5 Wednesday, March 6 – Thursday, March 7 Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 Monday, March 11 - Tuesday, March 12
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Closed 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
&LW\ RI /DV 9HJDV &LW\ &OHUNœV 2I¿FH 495 S. Main Street, 2nd Floor Las Vegas, Nevada Tuesday, March 5 Wednesday, March 6 - Thursday, March 7 Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 Monday, March 11 - Tuesday, March 12
7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Closed 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
&LW\ RI 1RUWK /DV 9HJDV &LW\ &OHUNœV 2I¿FH 2250 Las Vegas Boulevard North Suite 800 North Las Vegas, Nevada Tuesday, March 5 Wednesday, March 6 – Thursday, March 7 Friday, March 8 – Sunday, March 10 Monday, March 11 – Tuesday, March 12
8:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. Closed 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 1, 2019
Fil-Am film editor Michelle Tesoro’s steady journey to editing the empowering story of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by
States, Michelle Obama. On Tesoro’s website, 40, who now resides in Los she cites the school as beAngeles. ing responsible for her “open Describing her upbringing mindedness and unending as being typical of any other drive to push the boundaries, American kid, Tesoro rememboth of her projects and of her bered spending a lot of time own potential.” in front of the television and “Most of the students there going to the movies. are very goal-oriented and “I guess because I grew up driven,” said Tesoro, adding here, I wasn’t intimidated about that it was also one of the most a career in film or television, diverse schools in the country. even though my mother might “No matter what race, have been,” said Tesoro. gender, or socio-economic While her mom and sister status you were, academic exwere artistic and had hobbies pectations were the same. Very of painting and calligraphy, Te- high,” added Tesoro. soro said they stuck to careers While at Whitney M. Young, that were considered more Tesoro was active in theatre practical. and already had an interest in When Tesoro secretly photography and movies. applied to the New York In the summer of 1995, TeUniversity Tisch School of soro got a flyer in the mail from the Arts—one of the nation’s Columbia College Chicago film top and most selective film school for a summer 16mm schools—she recalled her mom filmmaking class for high school being very upset. students, and decided to sign But that didn’t stop the up. young Tesoro from again apply“I loved it, and I loved ing to the school while finishing shooting and editing,” said up her general education reTesoro. Being the youngest in the class of mostly high school seniors, it was ultimately her peers that got quirements at the University of her thinking about seriously Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. pursuing a career in film in “I got in, and when I told university. her, her response was, ‘Well, “One kid was going to you just do whatever you want NYU in the fall, and that is how to do anyways, I don’t know I happened upon the idea,” why you even bother to tell recalled Tesoro. me,’” Tesoro recalled her mom Though Tesoro said she telling her. wouldn’t recommend going to “And that’s true,” she film school now due to the fact continued. “I’m pretty stubthat an education in filmmaking born. I think the pressure to has become absurdly expenhave a successful life pushed sive, her time at Tisch proved me to making sure this ‘dream’ to be time well spent. I had worked out and could be From school, Tesoro monetized. So that made me got a job at a record commore focused at [on] getting a pany in New York City editjob after Tisch.” ing promos. But in 2005, she But even before university, moved out to Los Angeles Tesoro honed her personal and began working her way drive while attending Chicago’s up, eventually cutting highWhitney M. Young Magnet profile films, television, and High School, which has gradustreaming series including the ated notable alumni like the Netflix series “House of Cards” former First Lady of the United and “Godless,” and HBO
Rae ann VaRona / AJPress
THE famous American filmmaker Orson Welles once said, “The notion of directing a film is the invention of critic—the whole eloquence of cinema is achieved in the editing room.” As the quote suggests, editing has the power of moving and pushing a narrative a certain way. How a film is edited can make all the difference in how an audience interprets a story. “Of all the visual arts, what separates film and television from the rest is editing,” explained Michelle Tesoro, the Filipina-American lead editor behind the recently released Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic “On the Basis of Sex.” “Editing gives a film meaning. It is how it tells its story,” added Tesoro. Inspired by the true story of Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg, “On the Basis of Sex” follows Ginsburg’s early journey from law student to legal champion by way of the courtroom, as the young Ginsburg (played by Academy Award nominee Felicity Jones) teams up with her husband Marty Ginsburg (played by Armie Hammer) in toppling down years of gender discrimination precedents before the U.S. Court of Appeals. Directed by acclaimed director Mimi Leder and written by Ginsburg’s nephew Dan Stiepleman, the film was received as being timely in the age of the current #MeToo movement in addressing the still present issues of gender equality, women empowerment, and overall social justice. But how Tesoro eventually got the responsibility of editing the justice’s story traces back to her upbringing in Chicago where her goal of working in the film industry started young. A steady career goal “I grew up in Chicago and my mother was a very hardworking nurse,” said Tesoro,
“Ultimately I believe those sacrifices in time and human capital are what led to where I am today.”
Tesoro edited four episodes of the first season of “House of Cards,” which premiered on Netflix in 2013.
Carlo and Nadine as credible lovers on screen by Ricky lo Philstar.com
THERE are loveteams and there are loveteams, and then come Nadine Lustre and Carlo Aquino who created some kind of chemistry on set and became credible lovers even if, as we all know, Nadine is committed to James Reid and Carlo to a non-showbiz girl, never mind if his highly-monitored rumored romance with Angelica Panganiban turned out to be, “false alarm.” Their starrer, Ulan, directed by Irene Villamor for Viva Films from her own screenplay, is a romance-drama about hopeless romantic Maya (Nadine), a young woman who, after getting her heart broken many times, unexpectedly meets Peter (Carlo), a young man who gives her new hope. But will her new-found love last forever? Asked if she has ever been broken-hearted, Nadine was mum while Carlo admitted that eight years ago he suffered his worst heartache without naming Paired for the first time in Viva Films’ Ulan, Nadine Lustre and Carlo Aquino started warming up to each other by engaging in deep conversations. In photo with them are co-stars Marco Gumabao (seated, left), the girl who broke his heart. “I Photo courtesy of Viva Films Continued on Page SF7 child star Elia Ilano, and writer-director Irene Villamor (in black).
Michelle Tesoro
series “The Newsroom,” and “Luck.” In 2011, Tesoro won Best Editing at SXSW for the film “Natural Selection,” which overall took home both the Audience and Grand Jury Awards. “My journey has been a lot of hard work—60 to 70 hour weeks, time away from friends and family. I’ve missed a lot of weddings,” said Tesoro. She added, “Ultimately I believe those sacrifices in time and human capital are what led to where I am today.” Telling the RBG story Ginsburg—an octogenarian and the eldest Supreme Court justice—is undoubtedly an icon of today. Also called “The Notorious RBG” (a name play on the 1990’s rapper The Notorious B.I.G.), Ginsburg continues to be praised by members across different generations expressing the need to “protect her at all costs.” This, nearly three decades after her 96-3 Senate confirmation vote in 1993. “I really wanted to be a part of telling the Justice’s story,” said Tesoro, who got the job after being approached by Leder who she worked with before. Among the first things viewers see in the film is the young Ginsburg marching alongside a parade of dark suited men against the tune of the Harvard fight song, “Ten Thousand Men of Harvard.” By the end of the film, Ginsburg is seen walking up the steps of the high Supreme Court, signifying a long but successful journey. But between those scenes, important milestones had to be strategically condensed to fit within the narrative. Among the toughest scenes Tesoro had to work with was a 16-page courtroom sequence, which required her to not only work with the large amount of legal dialogue, but with footage shot at various angles. While Tesoro said she doesn’t have a personal favorite scene, there were scenes she resonated with in regards
Tesoro worked as the lead editor of Focus Features’ “On the Basis of Sex,” which follows young lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg as she teams with her husband Marty to bring a groundbreaking case before the U.S. Court of Appeals and overturn a century of gender discrimination.
to often being a minority in her work. One scene, in particular, took place in a classroom where Ginsburg, despite knowing the answer to her professor’s question, gets interrupted and struggles to be heard as her professor refrains from calling on her and continues to call upon her male classmates who didn’t know the answer. “She stands up for herself and shuts them down,” said Tesoro. “Well, I identify with her in that scene,” she added. “You’ve got to pull yourself up to be heard and seen.” That sense of empowerment was something the film’s creators wanted to convey, and they knew that their goal was accomplished when the two preview screenings proved
successful. Variety reported that even Ginsburg, who watched the completed film for the first time at a National Archives screening in Washington, D.C., stood up and clapped to the cast and crew following the screening. “She loved the movie and said, ‘Oh, I hear you are doing a good job,’” Tesoro recalled of her meeting Justice Ginsburg. On why she thought Filipinos and others in general should watch the film, Tesoro highlighted Justice Ginsburg’s role as a defender of justice and emphasized that Justice Ginsburg was not a politician. “Filipinos should watch it to learn about how one person can make a difference,” said Tesoro. “It’s inspiring.”
Vogue features Darren Criss in Francis Libiran barong Tagalog by Jan Milo SeVeRo Philstar.com
INTERNATIONAL lifestyle magazine Vogue featured Filipino designer Francis Libiran’s barong Tagalog in an article about the wedding of FilipinoAmerican actor Darren Criss and wife Mia Swier. The magazine recently published the article on the wedding that was held in New Orleans. In the photo gallery, Vogue showed Darren wearing the Libiran-designed barong Tagalog as he danced with his Filipino mother. “Darren honored his Filipino heritage by wearing a traditional barong Tagalog by designer Francis Libiran while dancing with his mother,” the caption said. “This custom-designed piece was hand-loomed from pure pineapple fabric, and the intricately embroidered design was inspired by the famous tattoo patterns of the indigenous people of Cebu,” Vogue added. The Filipino designer shared the news on his Instagram page,
Darren Criss with wife Mia Swier
together with photos from the wedding. “What a great Pinoy Pride moment!! It feels wonderful to be featured on Vogue Magazine as the fashion designer of multi-awarded Hollywood star Darren Criss (@darrencriss), who
Photo from Instagram/@francislibiran
honored his Filipino heritage by proudly wearing the traditional Barong Tagalog I designed for him on his extravagant wedding. Mabuhay!!!” Francis proudly shared. A GMA News report narratContinued on Page SF7
Becoming a US citizen despite prior mistakes
Your Immigration Solution DEVIN M. CONNOLLY MANY people dream of becoming a U.S citizen so that they may vote in elections, help their parents immigrate to the U.S., be issued a U.S. passport, etc. Despite the many advantages of U.S. citizenship, it should also come as no surprise that people sometimes do things that make their path to U.S. citizenship more challenging. These mistakes are a part of life. Do these mistakes prevent a person from being granted U.S. citizenship? Thankfully, they frequently do not. One of the most common ways a person acquires U.S. citizenship is through the process known as naturalization. There are several requirements a person must satisfy for their application to be approved. They include permanent resident status for a prescribed period of time, physical presence in the U.S., and good moral character. Many applications are denied because the applicant lacks the requisite good moral character. The concept of requiring an applicant to possess good moral character for a prescribed period of time prior to submitting their application is one of the more complex requirements of naturalization. Many acts that one might not think of as evidencing bad moral character may nevertheless be considered in making a good moral character determination. The Immigration and Nationality Act lists several specific acts that preclude an applicant from establishing good moral character. These include lying to obtain an immigration benefit, committing certain criminal offenses, the willful failure to pay support for dependents, and engaging in an extramarital affair which tended to destroy an existing marriage. However, the list of prohibited acts is not absolute. Thus, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service may deny
an application on good moral character grounds even though their act was not specifically prohibited. Furthermore, acts outside of the required good moral character period can also be considered in determining an applicant’s good moral character. However, as the saying goes – good moral character does not mean perfect moral character. Proof of why those acts do not define the person can help overcome a prior misstep. Regarding prior criminal acts, a disqualifying criminal conviction in the prescribed period of required good moral character will automatically render an individual ineligible for naturalization. However, a disqualifying criminal offense outside of the prescribed period can also cause an application for naturalization to be denied. The government is afforded broad discretion to examine otherwise non-disqualifying criminal convictions outside the prescribed period to determine if the underlying facts warrant a favorable finding of good moral character. Therefore, an analysis of good moral character extends far beyond the prescribed period. These issues may not result in an automatic denial but they must be adequately explained. When applying for naturalization with a criminal history, it is important to determine whether the conviction could not only cause the non-citizen’s application for naturalization to be denied, but also whether it will cause the Department of Homeland Security to attempt take away their permanent resident status (Green card) and deport them to their native country. The answer to this question depends on various things, including whether the underlying crime is considered a ‘Crime Involving Moral Turpitude’ or an ‘Aggravated Felony,’ the date of the crime and the date on which the person was issue their green card, etc. This should be carefully analyzed before submitting an
application for naturalization. Another issue that is not uncommon is an applicant failing to register with the Selective Service. If you are a male living in the U.S. and between the age of 18 and 25, you are likely required to register with the Selective Service. Failing to register before you turn 26-years-old is often grounds for a denial of an application for naturalization. The applicant must then wait until they turn 31-years-old before they may be granted U.S. citizenship. A final issue worth mentioning is the submission of incorrect or fraudulent tax returns. Claiming ineligible dependents, not reporting all income, or filing under the wrong category could potentially cause an application to be denied. The process of acquiring U.S. citizenship is often far more complex than one might anticipate. It is important to remember, though, that past mistakes are not fatal and that even potential set-backs may ultimately result in U.S. citizenship. As with all requests for immigration-related benefits, one should know the positive and negative ramifications of the request before filing the application. Therefore, when contemplating the possibility of obtaining U.S. citizenship, the application should consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney to determine if it is advisable and how best to succeed. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
entertainment SF3 Christopher de Leon, Sandy Andolong renew vows overlooking Halong Bay The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 1, 2019
by CODY CEPEDA Inquirer.net
CHRISTOPHER de Leon and Sandy Andolong renewed their vows in the scenic Halong Bay in Vietnam to mark their 39 years together. Andolong shared the special moment via Instagram on Feb. 25, which showed her and De Leon looking all loved up during their bridal shoot and the intimate wedding-vow renewal itself. “Bridal shoot at Halong Bay,” said Andolong. In her pictures, she and De Leon can be seen posing while on a cruise, with Halong Bay as their backdrop. Andolong further shared that the bridal shoot is for The Wedding Library’s bridal fair slated for May at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall. In her other post, the couple can be seen renewing their vows in the presence of their loved ones. Andolong sported a sophisticated and elegant white gown by fashion designer Mikee Andrei, while De Leon wore a crisp black suit for the occasion. “To make our trip more memorable @theweddinglibraryph held an intimate renewal of vows to celebrate our 39th year,” said Andolong. Clebrities and fans alike took to Andolong’s post, in which they congratulated the couple, such as actress Janine Gutierrez, actor-singer Ogie Alcasid, beauty queen Lara Quigaman and, of course, De Leon’s adoptive daughter with Nora Aunor, Lotlot de Leon. “So beautiful, nanay!!!!” Gutierrez quipped. Gutierrez is Lotlot de Leon’s daughter with ex-husband actor Ramon Christopher. “Happy 39th!!” said Alcasid. “God bless you both.” Lotlot, meanwhile, greeted De Leon and Andolong a happy anniversary, calling them “nanay
Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong renewed their vows in the scenic Halong Bay in Vietnam to mark their 39 years together. Photo from Instagram/@sandy_andolong_de_leon
and daddy.” De Leon has shared in the past that he first knew of Sandy through a feature story about her in a magazine. “I said, ‘This is the girl I will marry!’” De Leon said back in February 2018. The two eventually met when they got to work together for a documentary on the late President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda. They
then began dating a couple of months later. Andolong and De Leon tied the knot in a civil union in 1981 and reaffirmed their marriage in a Catholic ceremony in 2001. Together, they have five kids: actress-singer-beauty queen Mariel de Leon, Rafael Sandino, Juan Carlos Miguel, Augusto Gabriel and Maria Mikaela. Happy anniversary, Sandy and Christopher!
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Duggan’s Serra Mortuary president Dan Duggan heads list of March birthday celebrants
By Ferdie Villar DAN Duggan, president of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary — a place where Filipino-Americans can honor and pay their last respects to their loved ones when they pass away — heads the list of prominent personalities celebrating this March. He will be celebrating his birthday on Wednesday, March 27. Other personalities also celebrating their birthdays this month are: March 1 - Royal Dynasty Foundation founder Nelly Cojuangco Tuazon, and Premiere Appliances owner Tony Premiere; March 3 - Actress Maricel Soriano, Dr. Tita Martinez Picache of Danville, and United Airlines employee Edward Teofilo Cabrera; March 4 - Beautiful actress Dawn Zulueta, and Pedro “Jonjing” Ejercito de Castro (nephew of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada); March 6 - Isabel Diaz (daughter of the first Filipina Miss Universe Gloria Diaz), and actress Gretchen Barretto; March 8 - Former senator Ramon Revilla, and Kapamilya actor Archie Alemania; March 9 - Veteran actress Rosemarie Gil, and Atty. KJ Petsas; March 10 - Philippines Today co-publisher Marilyn King Camilosa, Kapamilya actor JC de Vera, former Miss Universe and actress Gloria Diaz, and actor Paolo Contis; March 11 - Internationally known singer and songwriter Jose Mari Chan, and diva Kuh Ledesma; March 14 - Homeland Security officer Ermin Apolinario, and Pittsburg Filipina community leader Mathie Roldan
EMPLOYMENT
Velasco; March 16 - Actor Gerald Anderson; March 17 - Former Mr. United Nations-USA winner Roberto “Bobby” Tuason, and retired Navy captain Jimmy Velasco; March 19 - Kapamilya actress and lead star of “Asintado” Julia Montes; March 20 - Batanguenos of Northern California best dressed matron Liza Manalo, and Kapuso actress Bianca King; March 21 - Statewide Realty proprietress Alicia Gabriana Atienza; March 23 - “Party Pilipinas” co-host and actor Geoff Eigenmann, and actor Rocco Nacino;
March 24 - Kapuso actor Aljur Abrenica; March 25 - Asian Journal Publications president Cora Macabagdal Oriel, photographer Ray Guarin and actor Matteo Guidicelli; March 26 - Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi; March 28 - Miss Earth beauty pageant executive producer Ramon Monzon; March 30 - The late Thomasian USA founder and community leader Alice Pena Bulos, and SamTrans employee Eugene Cabugao; March 31 - Entertainment producer Lerma de la Cruz, and Kapuso actor Benjamin Alves. To all March celebrants, a very happy birthday and advanced Happy Easter to all!
Dan Duggan, president and owner of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, heads the list of March birthday celebrants.
EMPLOYMENT
Former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz will celebrate her birthday on Sunday, March 10.
Retired Navy captain Jimmy Velasco and his wife, Filipina community leader Mathie Roldan Velasco will both celebrate their birthday this March. (Ret.) Navy captain Velasco’s birthday is on March 17, while his wife is on March 14.
Entertainment producer Lerma de la Cruz will celebrate her birthday on Sunday, March 31.
United Airlines employee Edward Cabrera will celebrate his birthday on Sunday, March 3.
Statewide Realty proprietress Alice Gabriana Atienza will celebrate her birthday on Thursday, March 21. Madam Atienza is shown in photo with actor Dennis Trillo taken during his last visit to the Bay Area a few years ago.
Beautiful actress Dawn Zulueta will celebrate her birthday on Monday, March 4.
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There could still be hope after a denial Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ MANY people believe that once their case is denied, that is the end of the line. No more hope or chances. There is nothing more they can do, and the case is now dead. However, depending on the reasons for a denial, it could still be possible to salvage the case and get it approved. The first thing that should be done is a thorough and detailed analysis as to WHY the case was denied. What were the legal and factual bases relied on by the government to support that denial? Were the proper legal standards and burdens of proof utilized by USCIS or the U.S. Embassy in supporting the denial? Were there any misunderstandings or miscommunications that created confusion and resulted in a denial? (For example, the person was nervous, didn’t understand a question and gave a wrong answer, etc.). Did the person fail to fill out the forms correctly or include the required documents or information? The next thing to evaluate is WHAT can be done to overcome the denial. Is a waiver available to overcome the denial? Could additional documents or other evidence prove eligibility and overcome the denial? Is it possible to seek reconsideration or reopening of the case? Can or should the case be refiled? Can the case be appealed, and what would be the grounds for appeal? There are several reasons a case could be denied, including the following, where it could be possible to get the case approved: Child aged out and therefore not included under a petition. However, it could be possible the child could still be eligible under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Marital petition denied because USCIS thought the
marriage was fixed. If a couple truly married for love, the petition should be approved. However, in some cases the couple does not fully document or prove the bona fides of the marriage (they may not have enough joint documents, they live apart because of work, etc.). If they receive a notice of intent to revoke or the case is already denied, it could be possible to better document the case, refile with a far better packaging of the bona fides of the marriage, etc. The denied family petition could also be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Petitioner died. Ordinarily, if the petitioner dies, the petition dies with him. However, in certain circumstances, the beneficiary may be eligible to apply for humanitarian revalidation or reinstatement of his petition. Or if the beneficiary was in the U.S. when the petitioner died and has continued to live here after the death of the petitioner, it could be possible to process the case without even needing to seek humanitarian revalidation. Case is denied because of fraud. If a person commits fraud in connection with seeking or obtaining an immigration benefit (such as assumed name entry, fake or altered documents, etc.) their case could be denied. However, if they have a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen or immigrant, and can demonstrate “extreme hardship” on that relative, it could be possible to have a fraud waiver granted and the case approved. Fraud waiver was denied. Sometimes, a person files a fraud waiver, but it is denied because the officer was not satisfied with the documents or evidence submitted and was not convinced the qualifying relative will suffer extreme hardship. Sometimes it’s possible to seek reconsideration and submit new, additional, and stronger evidence. The person could also consider filing a new fraud waiver with a better presentation. Finally, they could appeal the denial to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in Washington DC.
Person was ordered deported/removed. Even if a person was ordered deported or removed, there could still be hope. For example, were there any procedural defects or irregularities in connection with their hearing? Are there any forms of relief available that were not asserted or not in existence at the time (such as just married a U.S. citizen for love, U.S. citizen child just turned 21, etc.)? Perhaps the trial attorney will agree to reopen the case to allow the person to apply for relief. The case can also be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) if meritorious grounds exist and the appeal is timely filed. These are only a few examples of where there could still be hope after a denial. Although there cannot be any “guarantees” of success, if your case was denied, you should consider consulting with an attorney, who can evaluate your situation, and determine if there is hope in overcoming that denial and assisting in helping you reverse the denial and your case approved. *** 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)
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 1, 2019
FRAUD WAIVER DENIAL TURNED AROUND TO APPROVAL WITH NO FRAUD WAIVER REQUIRED, ON THIS SUNDAY’S “CITIZEN PINOY!” Wilma entered the U.S. on a C-1 “transit” visa, on her way to work in Guantanamo, Cuba. She remained in the U.S., married a U.S. citizen, and filed for adjustment of status. A “consultant” gave her hope and said he would take care of Wilma’s papers. Unfortunately, the consultant altered Wilma’s documents and put down false information (that she entered on a visitor’s visa), to cover up that she actually entered on a C-1 transit visa. Her case ended up being denied because of fraud! Wilma then consulted with the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case, and filed an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in Washington, DC. Atty Gurfinkel convinced them that Wilma committed no fraud, and was eligible for a green card, despite her entry on a transit visa. Watch how Atty. Gurfinkel’s determination won the day for Wilma, when her name was cleared, and she got her green card with no fraud waiver required, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
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Love and deportability: Divorce, domestic violence, and immigration laws
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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).
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
Monsour del Rosario wants to do local version of ‘The Expendables’ by RONNIE CARRASCO III ManilaTimes.net
TAEKWONDO championturned politician Monsour del Rosario misses doing showbiz stuff, but too bad, his schedule won’t permit him to act again. He was supposed to star in an action flick with Robin Padilla and Ronnie Ricketts but had to beg off. “It could be difficult given my schedule,” said Monsour, who is an advocate of the country’s sports development, among others. “It was actually Rockets (Ronnie’s pet name) who wanted the three of us to pursue the movie, saying tatlo naman daw kami so we didn’t have to shoot every single day. Tig-one-third bale kami. But I came up with a better idea, why don’t we do a local version of ‘The Expendables’?” Monsour says referring to the Sylvester Stallone et. al blockbuster film in 2010, 2012 and 2014. If he had his way, Monsour would like to tap any willing producer to gamble on a project starring veteran action stars who “are still fit and good-looking,” citing names such as Lito Lapid, Phillip Salvador, Edu Manzano, Bong
Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS A 10-year study showed more than 57,000 pedestrians were hit by vehicles in Metro Manila — including those who lost their lives simply crossing the streets. Notwithstanding the designated crossing “zebra” lanes which are supposed to be the safe haven for crossing pedestrians, drivers and car owners do not seem to care to slow down and stop properly. They all break the traffic laws with impunity, putting the
reviewed and examined on a case-by-case basis, and given the whole picture, an individual might just be able to show that he or she is a battered spouse or has suffered extreme cruelty from their U.S. citizen or Lawful ATTY. LILLI BERBANO BACULI, ESQ Permanent Resident husband. If so, a VAWA Self-Petition will WHAT if I do not have enable her to adjust her status legal papers, and my spouse is without having to rely on their abusive? spouse. If safety is a concern, we California divorce – “no urge people to seek help first, fault” particularly if there are minor California is a no-fault children who may also be at risk divorce state. A party filing of abuse. For non-emergency for divorce does not need the calls, individuals may dial 2-1-1 consent of the other in order to seek help finding resources to file a Petition for Dissolution for health, mental health, or (Divorce) or, in some instances, temporary shelter. to get a judgment of divorce. Options available for What needs to happen victims of abuse: VAWA Selfis that the other party (your Petition soon-to-be ex-spouse) needs The spouse or child of a U.S. to be served with process. In citizen or a Lawful Permanent proceeding in an action for Resident, or the parent of a divorce, there are procedural U.S. citizen, who is battered or requirements dictated by law subject to extreme cruelty may that must be followed to ensure file a self-petition independently that the other party has notice of the abusive U.S. citizen or of the action (that is, that s/he Lawful Permanent Resident. is being brought to court for an The spouse or child must action of divorce) and that s/he demonstrate that he or she is given time to respond. Howresided with the U.S. citizen or ever, there is no requirement Lawful permanent spouse or for the other party to respond. parent; was battered or subject There is no requirement that to extreme cruelty during the s/he sign any document at all. marriage (or, in the case of a All that needs to happen is that spouse self-petitioner, the child s/he is properly served with was battered or subjected to ex- process according to the rules. treme cruelty); the marriage was Deportability issues for entered into in good faith; s/he green card holders with dois otherwise eligible for immedi- mestic violence conviction(s) ate relative or preference status; A non-citizen, even if a Lawand has good moral character. ful Permanent Resident (green In certain cases, though an card holder) for ten years, is individual has not suffered any liable to be deportable if s/he physical harm, abuse can still commits or is convicted of be argued depending on the certain crimes, even if it’s “just circumstances, since “abuse” a misdemeanor.” A conviction is not limited to physical for domestic violence can make harm. Each application will be a non-citizen deportable.
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 Paulo Avelino in character as Goyo Photo courtest of TBA Studios that she would like to travel to of moves and depth in acting. Europe except she could not Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Jeric The death in action stars is find the time while she is still Raval, Daniel Fernando, Dan a disturbing thought for Mon- working. There are those who Fernandez, among others. sour, as most of his colleagues list the Via Dolorosa in the Holy “We’re all in our 50s, have crossed over to politics, unlike Sylvester Stallone Land and would like to take both local and national. and Dolph Lundgren who the time to travel to pilgrimage “I told Binoe (Robin), are much older,” he justisites: Lourdes in France, Fatima ‘Dude, you’re the last man fied. Behind the dream cast in Portugal, Medjugorje in standing. I hope we can do a is Monsour’s message to the Bosnia and other sites where the remake of our ‘Eagle Squad’ millennial audience that “we Blessed Mother has appeared to (a 1989 film which also starred children. are the true-blooded action Edu, Jinggoy, Ricky Davao, stars” who may have aged The Grand Canyon is a sight Julio Diaz, Jorge Estregan and to behold. The Great Wall of but can still be at par with the Nikki Martel).” younger generation in terms 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 who ought to be penalized lives of people in jeopardy. of the more popular trips among several times more. If there is Reason: Our lack of discipline as a people, which is also why no existing “command respon- the very hip, is to experience, at least once in their lifetimes, sibility law” applicable to this our laws are not enforced. braving the freezing temperaparticular situation, its about Discipline must start from the tures in the Arctic regions to time our legislators enacted top executive of the city. witness first hand the dancing, I put the blame squarely on one to prevent more deaths mesmerizing Northern lights, and injuries. the city Mayors for defaulting the Aurora Borealis. To them, it Why should crossing the on their sworn obligation as is a sort of spiritual experience. heads of their respective cities street on the designated I’m a warm-blooded creature to uphold and enforce all laws lanes be risky at all? Weren’t so I’ll take their word for it and they so designed to protect to protect the public. Their experience the Northern lights the pedestrians? Why should negligence has led to the vicariously. current rampant life-threaten- the citizens be in constant Then there are those who fear and have to run for their ing behavior of drivers in our have been permanently bitten life every time they cross the cities. While the drivers may by the travel bug and have accustreets? be the actual law-breakers, mulated travel mileage to circle In more disciplined counwho should be penalized, the moon and back. tries, where laws are strictly their employers, who should A married couple I know know better, are unapologetic enforced and respected, like have made it a point to travel consenting co-conspirators, Continued on Page SF7
Run for your life
A criminal conviction’s negative impact on immigration status The Record of Conviction (ROC) details an individual’s criminal history – his/her arrest, what s/he plead to, and the final judgment/sentence. The relief(s) available to an individual facing removal/deportation proceedings will depend largely on that individual’s record of conviction. If you are a non-citizen, it is best to consult both with a criminal attorney and with an experienced criminal immigration attorney who handles deportation defense before pleading to anything in criminal court. No two cases are exactly the same. Consult with an experienced and competent family law and immigration attorney immediately, and more importantly prior to filing any applications with the USCIS, or prior to pleading to anything in any court, in order to explore their options and possible legal ramifications that they might be facing. As always, be wary of online tools that offer immigration help or notarios who are not licensed to practice law. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; lbaculi@ ctvattys.com. Visit www.chuatinsayvega. com for more information and other articles (Advertising Supplement)
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 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, 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 brokenin 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, Continued on Page SF7
Run for your life...
From Page SF6 Singapore, Japan, the United States, here in Dubai, and others, vehicles start to slow down (with no Police Officer around) when they are about 50 feet from the crossing lane and then fully stop about 10 feet from the lane when drivers see a person wanting (not even starting yet) to cross, and do not try to outrun the pedestrians as they do in MetroManila. As long as there is even a single pedestrian on that safety lane, no car would be passing in front or at the back of that person. The pedestrian has the right to change his/her mind and suddenly turn around and go back without being hit by a car behind her. Only when the entire crossing lane was totally empty would any car move. Pedestrians in those countries are respected and protected and not terrorized like pedestrians here. As late as last week, near Greenhills Shopping Center, an elderly couple, the wife walking with a cane, was in the middle (yes, halfway) of the crossing lane on Annapolis Street, when a van zoomed through in front of them, barely missing them, and another behind them. And this is not an isolated case. On some occasions, I have seen police officers modulating the traffic to allow pedestrians to cross on the designated lanes. That is good public service. But why do we even need an officer (or the mother of the driver) to stand by the corners to exact discipline? It is the car-owner/ employer’s responsibility to discipline his/her driver to protect the public and allow the officer to do his more needed job of arresting criminals instead. This would save the city some money. Assigning an officer at each of the thousands of crossing lanes in the entire MetroManila would be cost prohibitive, besides making policing even less efficient and the city less safe. These same drivers, who blatantly violated the laws in the city with brazen decorum, somehow became transformed into model law-abiding drivers when they entered the formerly American-owned Clark Field Subic Airbase. Why? Because they knew that traffic rules there were strictly enforced and violators severely penalized. But the moment they got out of the compound, they resumed their usual recklessness with impunity…because they knew they would get away with it. It is therefore clear that the behavior of drivers in MetroManila could be modified, IF (and only IF) our City Mayors, Chiefs of Police, MMDA, and other related agencies are themselves disciplined and patriotic enough to enforce the laws. Just one well-publicized story (highlighted in all news and social media around the country) about a drastic pen-
alty levied against a violator driver and heavier yet against the employee/owner of the car (under a new law) for not stopping properly at crossing lanes would surely be noticed nationwide and serve as a good warning and deterrent to future violators. Behavioral modification through legal enforcement and application of heavy penalties on the offenders have been proven to be effective. Obviously, the initiative must start from the top, with the Mayor, where the bucks stop! Part of Article 3 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the right to personal security. The Presidential decree of 1959 (1984), an amendment of the Land Transportation Traffic Code of 1964, obliges motorists to give way to pedestrians in pedestrians lanes or “Zebra Lanes.” Why mayors of Metro Manila do not ensure the city laws and ordinances are enforced is beyond me. They cannot claim ignorance because ignorance of the law excuses no one. They are the head of the city and must know all ongoing problems of the city, including law infringement that could hurt, maim or kill their constituents. If the Mayor says he has already ordered the enforcement of all laws and ordinances from day one, then he is an impotent, ineffective, and useless Mayor, whose subordinates who do not respect, follow, or fear him. If law enforcement is not executed properly, it is the Mayor’s fault (doctrine of command responsibility). He swore before God to make sure the laws and ordinances of the city are strictly enforced and lawbreakers (like drivers together with their employers) are punished accordingly. Anything less on the mayor’s part is a dereliction of a sworn duty and is legally liable under the laws of the Philippines. And the culpability is selfevident. The thousands of dangerous ongoing breaches of the laws and ordinances are evidences in themselves which the mayors cannot refute. I challenge the people of Metro Manila to be proactive and preemptive and not wait for another 57,000 individuals to be killed by reckless drivers (and their more guilty employers) before confronting mayors and demanding that laws (traffic and otherwise) are strictly enforced, putting the onus not only on the driver but the employer-owner of the car, who, as earlier suggested, deserves a harsher punishment. Every citizen, especially the youth, should organize themselves just like the vigilant electronic socio-civic watchdog, e-Guardian Angels, and take videos on their cellphones as proofs of this dangerous governmental neglect, any uncorrected infra-struc-
Vogue features... From Page SF2 ed that Francis and Darren met at the Golden Globe Awards last January 6 in Hollywood. A few days later, Darren’s fashion stylist Ashley Weston got in touch with Libiran’s business partner, Arsi Baltazar, to inquire if Libiran can create a modern barong Tagalog for the Hollywood star. “Seeing Darren Criss wear my design makes me extremely happy and proud to be Filipino. What better way to promote the Philippines but through the
Barong Tagalog, and worn by a multi-awarded Hollywood star, who happens to be half Pinoy! How awesome is that!” Francis said. “The entire process was smooth and I am so honored to have the privilege to be part of his very special day. What makes it even more special is that he chose to pay homage to his Filipino roots by wearing our national dress on his wedding day. This, for me is what makes Filipinos so amazing!!!” Libiran enthused.
The Bucket List...
From Page SF6 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
ture hazards, and other misdeeds or abuses by government officials. If needed, rally a protest demonstration to garner people power. Use the social media, including television, to call attention to these and to all ineptitudes, graft, and corruption perpetrated by these civil servants, from the Mayors down. And this netizen watchdog movement could be duplicated in all cities in the country to serve and protect our national dignity and our people’s rights.. It is our obligation to ourselves, to our family, and fellow citizens to help protect and look out for each other. The politicians won’t. Unless, We, the People, fight for our rights, we deserve every rotten situation we get, and we can blame no one else but ourselves. Now, shall we still wait for a member of our own family to be killed first before we act in solidarity? *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.co m
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 1, 2019
Carlo and Nadine as...
From Page SF2 didn’t handle the situation very well. Buti na lang I had friends who helped me heal and, of course, my family was a big help, too.” But Carlo was rather coy when asked, honestly now, what is his current status (single or committed?). Nadine was straight-forward about her relationship with James. “I am on Cloud 9 with him,” she said. Describing her character, Nadine said, “I’m a big advocate of self love. That’s what Maya is missing. And there lies the difference between Maya and me.” Said Carlo, “l love my character, Peter. He’s very optimistic, maganda ang pananaw sa buhay, and you can see that in how he deals with people, even those he’s meeting for the first time. He loves doing charity work and he learns even from small kids.” Since they come from different partners, how did they manage to create chemistry to make their characters credible? Nadine: “I think we both just started talking, started making conversations. We talked about random stuff. Direk Irene was a big help. She joined us in deep (Advertising Supplement) conversations. I think the three
Nadine Lustre
Photos courtesy of Viva Films
of us have a good connection.” Carlo: “Surprisingly, Nadine is very open. I never felt any resistance or any sign na ayaw niya ng ibang partner other than James. That’s important to me because I am very shy, especially with a new acquaintance. Importante sa akin na mag-try din ‘yung co-star ko to converse with me and reach out to me.” How do they know that they are in love? Nadine: “I get awkward when I am with him.” Carlo: “I don’t know. Siguro it’s more ‘I feel’ than ‘I think.’ Your heart tells you na you’re fond of someone na hindi mo
Carlo Aquino
kayang hindi siya makikita or makakausap. It’s sweeter to feel it rather than to think about it.” And while Carlo excused himself from answering the question if he’s the possessive/ jealous/suspicious type (“Better ask my ‘ex’,” he said without saying who his “ex” is), Nadine flatly replied, “No!” By the way, what has the rain (ulan) and water got to do with Maya and Peter? Well, it was raining when Maya went through tragedies in her life such as when her parents perished in a shipwreck and when her grandmother first kissed the man in whom she found true love.
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 1, 2019