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MARCH 14-20, 2019
T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
Volume 30 - No. 11 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Palace disturbed by report Mindanao is new IS base by CATHERINE
VALENTE ManilaTimes.net
MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, March 12, expressed concern over a report that the Philippines is turning into a base of Islamic State (IS) fighters. “Definitely, then we should undertake measures to prevent that from happening,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a news conference. “I will have to ask the Department of National Defense because they are the ones monitoring the movements of these people,” he added. The New York Times reported that after losing their territories they controlled in Iraq and Syria,
‘The fighting has just begun,’” it added. Mindanao has been under martial rule since May last year in response to IS-inspired Maute rebels that laid siege to Marawi City and allegedly attempted to establish a caliphate for the terror group. Duterte, in his speech in February, warned of more terrorist attacks by the IS, which he described as “insane” and “made in hell.” “We have this insane IS that they would kill. And I expect that they would do some bombings here and bombings there ‘cause that’s what they get in the Middle
IS fighters were eyeing Mindanao as their new base, calling the region its “East Asia province.” “But far from defeated, the movement has sprouted elsewhere. And here in the Mindanao island group of southern Philippines, long a haven for insurgents because of dense wilderness and weak policing, the Islamic State has attracted a range of militant jihadists,” the report said. “An illustration circulated days later on Islamic State chat groups, showing President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines kneeling on a pile of skulls and a militant standing over him with a dagger. The caption on the picture sounded a warning:
USA
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OUTSTANDING WOMAN. President Rodrigo Duterte shares a light moment with Traffic Aide 1 Rowena Capistrano, one of the Outstanding Women in Law Enforcement and National Security of the Philippines awardees, during the awarding ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, March 11. Malacañang photo by Simeon Celiacs
Catholic priests amid death threats: The response is not silence
DATELINE PH out of ICC by March 17
by AJPRESS
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
AS the Philippines’ withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) becomes official on Sunday, March 17, the ICC vowed to continue its probe into President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs even after the withdrawal takes effect. Philippine Coalition for the ICC (PCICC) lead counsel Romel Bagares said that the international court ensured that all proceedings which started before a withdrawal will remain in effect even after the withdrawal. “If by lack of timely court action, the unilateral withdrawal by the Executive becomes effective we are still bound to cooperate with the ICC in respect of events and acts prior to the effective date of such withdrawal,” Bagares said as reported by Rappler. However, PCICC counsel Arpee Santiago said that the withdrawal would prevent the court from receiving “new information” after the date it takes effect which falls on March 17, so the alleged extrajudicial killings after that may no longer be examined. “Any new information would have to be up until March 16, 2019, only because after March 17, 2019, any new cases, any new allegations for events occurring after March 17
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US, PH launch Pacific Partnership disaster response THE United States and the Philippines on Monday joined allied forces and partner nations in launching Pacific Partnership 2019 – the largest annual multilateral disaster response preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific region – in Tacloban City. The event aims to improve on disaster response preparedness, resiliency and capacity while enhancing partnerships between participating nations and civilian humanitarian organizations throughout the region. Pacific Partnership 2019 includes more than 800 military and civilian personnel from the U.S., Philippines, Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, South Korea, Thailand and the United Kingdom. At the ceremony, Deputy Chief of Mission John Law of the U.S. embassy in Manila told participants, “The work that you are doing here today and over the next two weeks is extraordi-
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Fathers Albert Alejo, Robert Reyes and Flavie Villanueva are prayed over by nuns and lay leaders amid death threats they are receiving from unknown people on Monday, March 11. Photo courtesy of CBCP
ROBLES
AJPress
THE meeting of lawmakers with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte failed to resolve the conflict of the House of Representatives and the Senate regarding the 2019 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri revealed that the members of the two legislative members had dialogue but failed to arrive at a consensus on the proposed P3.757 trillion annual budget. “The president had asked us to pass the budget so that the programs of government can continue. We still met while the president had left but there’s still no consen-
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Tulfo draws flak for calling Filipino workers ‘lazy’
PH House and Senate fail to resolve impasse on 2019 budget by NATHALIE
PRIESTS remained firm in their criticism of the alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines as they shared the hateful messages they received from calling out the flaws in the government. Three Catholic priests Father Flavie Villanueva, Father Robert Reyes and Father Albert Alejo on Monday, March 11, revealed a series of death threats they received following the verbal attacks of President Rodrigo Duterte towards the religious institution.
“Hindi pananahimik, kundi ang malinaw, mahinahon, at matapang na pamamahayag at paninindigan. Itigil na ang pananakot, itigil na ang pagpatay (Not silence, but the clear, sober, and courageous proclamation and conviction. Stop the threats, stop the killings),” they said. In a press conference at the Saint Vincent School of Theology in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, the priests shared with the media the threatening messages they began to receive after Duterte’s tirade against the church. “Ang mga text na ito ay mga
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
LABOR leader and senatorial candidate Leody de Guzman on Sunday, March 10, said special envoy to China Ramon Tulfo is all talk while Filipino workers labor for the country’s growth. This was after Tulfo called Filipino workers “lazy” unlike the Chinese. In a statement, De Guzman said, “Kaya nga tinawag na manggagawa, kasi nga gumagawa. Walang ibang dahilan ng pagPH Special Envoy to China Ramon Tulfo Photo screengrabbed from unlad ng ekonomiya ng bansa Youtube/CNN Philippines liban sa manggagawang Pilipino
(That’s why they are called workers, because they work. There is no other reason behind the improvement of the economy but the Filipino workers).” “Kung masipag man itong si Tulfo, ito ay kasipagan niyang magsalita at mang-intriga. Malayong malayo sa manggagawa na lumilikha ng produkto at serbisyong may pinakikinabangan ng lahat ng tao (If Tulfo is hardworking, it’s about talk and intrigue, which is far from workers who create products and services that people benefit from),” he added.
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Duterte withdraws marijuana legalization bid by NATHALIE
ROBLES
AJPress
MALACAÑANG announced on Tuesday, March 12, that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will no longer push for the legalization of medical marijuana because he felt that it might go out of hand. “Kasi ang feeling niya (Duterte) you will be using that as an excuse, baka lumaki nang lumaki lang (Duterte feels that you will use that an excuse and it might go out of hand),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said as reported by ABS-CBN News. The chief executive said that
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the legalization of medical cannabis might push through but later on clarified “not during his time.” Panelo echoed the sentiment noting: “sa ibang panahon siguro, sabi niya (maybe some other time).” However, the spokesperson emphasized that the president might still root for the legalization of medical marijuana if doctors and medical experts of the said drug would prove its necessity in curing diseases. “Ang sabi niya pa, dapat yung mga medical yung mag-decide diyan kung talagang totoong nakakagamot yan (Duterte said medical professionals should de-
cide whether medical marijuana is really effective),” Panelo stated. Medical marijuana group still pushes Despite Duterte’s withdrawal of support in the said legalization, the Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society (PCCS) insisted that it will continue its fight for the approval of medical marijuana’s use. In a Facebook post, the medical marijuana group urged the public and cannabis advocates alike to push for its legal usage and accessibility. “To all patients and their family members advocating for medi-
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President Rodrigo Duterte will not allow the legalized use of medical marijuana during his term, Malacañang reiterated on Tuesday, March 12. Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales
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march 14-20, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
From The FronT Page
PH out of ICC by March... PAGE A1 (will no longer be taken),� Santiago said. Palace: ICC violates its own provisions Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the ICC cannot proceed with their investigation after the withdrawal since doing so would be against the regulation of the international court.
“We have [been] pointing out that the ICC itself has been violating its own provisions, because, under the law, you cannot proceed when, assuming there’s a withdrawal because they’re saying we can proceed with the investigation even if there’s withdrawal,� Panelo said. “But under the law, it says that they can proceed only if there is a preliminary investiga-
tion prior to the withdrawal. But there was no preliminary investigation. There was only preliminary examination,� he added as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. The spokesperson and chief legal counsel defended that the South African High Court has no jurisdiction over the Philippines. He emphasized that the country was not a member, to begin with. “In the first place, from the very beginning they cannot be doing any investigation because as we pointed out to them, it never acquired jurisdiction over the Philippines from the very inception,� Panelo said. “It does not matter to us because they have no jurisdiction over us. If they force itself to acquire jurisdiction, it only shows that from the very start talagang hindi dapat pumapasok diyan sa ICC dahil (no one should join the ICC since) it’s violating its own provisions,� he added. Panelo clarified that neither the administration nor the Office of the President withdrew from the international court. He said that they explained to the ICC that the Philippines was never a part of their jurisdiction. “Let me restate our position on the matter. One, we said we didn’t even withdraw, we said from the very beginning we were not under its jurisdiction. That letter was only to inform them as a matter of courtesy that, excuse us, we have not been under your jurisdiction from the very start,� Panelo said. “As argued by the president, there is a requirement of publication and that was never published, hence there’s no jurisdiction over his person and for that matter, over any person in this country,� he added. The high court is presently evaluating 52 cases alleging crimes against humanity. In February 2018, it launched its preliminary examination on the brutal war on drugs, which was accused to have killed thousands of suspected drug criminals, mostly poor. The administration perceived the judicial system as “robust.� “We have a robust judicial system. We’ve been prosecuting people and we have convictions as well as acquittals,� he said. (Nathalie Robles/AJPress)
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LOOSE FIREARMS. Personnel from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) inspect some 80 firearms seized by the Cavite Police Provincial Office in Camp Crame on Monday, March 11, The intensified campaign against loose firearms is in line with the implementation of the election gun ban. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Palace disturbed by report...
PAGE A1 East,� the president had said. Duterte earlier ordered government troops to annihilate terrorists and enemies of the state after the twin explosions at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu, that killed at least 20
people and injured almost 100. The IS had claimed credit for the attack, saying two suicide bombers detonated a belt of explosives. The Philippine military was not discounting this claim but said the Ajang-Ajang, a sub-group
of the bandit Abu Sayyaf Group, might be behind the blasts. The Philippine National Police had declared the Jolo cathedral bombing “case closed� after the alleged bombers surrendered separately to authorities in Sulu. n
PH House and Senate fail to resolve... PAGE A1 sus, unfortunately,� Zubiri said as reported by ABS-CBN News. The impasse was centered on the Senate’s stand to pass the “ratified version� as opposed to the Lower House’s position “on the line itemization and not lump sum.� Senate President Vicente “Tito� Sotto III explained that Duterte told the legislative leaders in his introductory statement that he will not sign the budget if Sotto refuses to initially do so. “He opened the dialogue by saying he will not sign the budget if I do not sign it,� Sotto said. Both sides were then given the chance to express their stand on the issue. According to the Senate president, Senator Panfilo “Ping� Lacson suggested that they should agree on the original bicameral report approved by both chambers.
“After some words from both sides, Sen. Lacson suggested that the HOR recall the enrolled copy they sent and revert back to the bicam report that both houses approved,� Sotto said as reported by CNN Philippines. “The president and members of the Executive Department concurred. The House of Representatives appeared to have acquiesced but we have yet to see if they will follow the agreement,� Sotto added. The Senate president clarified that he would only deem the dialogue a success if the lower House would re-submit its proposal as agreed. He further noted: “We have yet to see if they will follow (the) agreement.� House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro stated that the president ordered lawmakers to “finish the budget in a manner they are com-
fortable.� He added that both representatives and senators agreed that they will follow the president’s suggestion. Duterte said in a speech Monday night, March 11, that he would not sign an illegal budget bill. Among the members of the Senate present were Senators Loren Legarda, Gringo Honasan, and Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto. Members of the lower house including House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was there along with House Appropriations Committee Rolando Andaya, and House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro. The current appropriations bill implemented is the reenacted version of the 2018 annual budget. The P3.757 trillion 2019 budget was delayed over allegations of unnecessary and anomalous pork insertions. n
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DATELINE USA
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 14-20, 2019
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Congress honors youth leaders at Congressional Award Nevada luncheon LAS VEGAS, NV — On Saturday, March 9, the U.S. Congressional Award of Nevada Council hosted a recognition event for recipients of The Congressional Award, Congress’ highest honor for youth. U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (NV-01), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) were on hand at local restaurant MINT Indian Bistro to provide encouraging remarks and present the coveted awards. “It’s always exciting to see fresh, new leaders in our community. The requirements of this program are quite demanding, and I am inspired by the determination and enthusiasm demonstrated by this year’s awardees,” said Congressman Steven Horsford. “These students are not just recipients of an award but serve as role models for other young adults seeking to achieve their goals. I encourage others in Nevada to rise to the challenge and to participate in this transformative program.” To earn the award, each young person set and achieved personally challenging goals in four program areas – Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. “With young leaders like these, our future is bright. I was so in-
spired by these young Nevadans for the hours of service they’ve dedicated to our community,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “The hard work, dedication, and passion they have demonstrated through their actions in our community are an inspiration to the rest of us.”. The event showcased The Congressional Award’s focus on local collaboration and community engagement, welcoming Nevada business leaders and organizational partners like the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada. “It was truly a delight and honor to take part in the recognition of our exceptional young people across Nevada who took part in Nevada’s Congressional Award program,” said David Osman, President of the U.S. Congressional Award of Nevada Council. To hear and embrace their stories, to meet each of their families, accentuates and exemplifies the value that was a part of their personal development and the phenomenal public service provided within their respective communities.” A recipient of the Gold Medal, Ritvik Janamsetty volunteered with North South Foundation, a local non- profit that engages the local Indian community and secures scholarships for students
traveling to India. Ritvik gave a participant testimony on Saturday saying, “The Congressional Award has been one of the most pivotal things in my life to help me learn about myself and learn about my identity.” The Nevada Congressional Award recipients: Leyla Akgedik of Henderson (Silver Certificate), Zeynep Akgedik of Henderson (Silver Medal), Peyton Barsel of Las Vegas (Bronze Medal), Jordon Cranford of Las Vegas (Bronze Medal), Sonakshi Dixit of Las Vegas (Silver Medal), Ritvik Janamsetty of Henderson (Gold Medal), Kevin Leong of Henderson (Bronze Certificate), Jason Lin of Las Vegas (Silver Medal), Millenia Luna of Beatty (Bronze Medal), Amaya Mendeguia of Carson City (Silver Certificate), and Radhika Shah of Henderson (Bronze Medal) Near the close of the award presentation, Congressman Horsford issued a challenge to his young constituents. “You have an opportunity to forge ahead. Whether it’s in Congress, in business, in academia, whatever you do, this is all we ask: Come back, give back, and allow someone else to have an opportunity to follow behind you.” ■
AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal
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Pope Francis names second Filipino bishop in US to serve LA by Rae
PARCHED. A farmer looks at his farm in San Ildefonso town in Bulacan, one of the provinces affected by the El Niño weather phenomenon. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene H. Dilan
Tulfo draws flak for calling Filipino... PAGE A1 t
Tulfo on Thursday, March 7, claimed that Chinese workers “are better” than Filipino workers during an interview with CNN Philippines’ “On The Record.” “Do you know why the developers prefer Chinese workers? Because they are hardworking. The Filipino workers, pardon me, when they go to the job site, that’s only the time they would prepare their tools — whereas the Chinese workers are already prepared — and then they always smoke cigarettes and talk nonstop,” he said. Erin Tañada, another senatorial bet, also slammed Tulfo for his remarks. “Masipag ang Pinoy (The Filipino is hardworking),” he said on Sunday. “Huwag namang kapwa Pilipino at opisyal pa ng pamahalaan ang maglalaglag sa ating mga manggagawang Pilipino. Ginoong Tulfo, magtrabaho ka po para sa ating mga mamamayan (I hope it’s not a fellow Filipino and an official of government who will betray our Filipino workers. Mr. Tulfo, please work for our countrymen),” he added. Immersion challenge A group of construction workers has challenged Tulfo to “man up” by spending three days at a work site for saying Filipino laborers are lazy. Alan Tanjusay of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines shared a note from construction workers representing workers in the Construction Industry Tripartite Council, calling the government
official out and challenging him. According to the workers, they would wait for Tulfo to report to any construction site in Metro Manila for a three-day immersion to give him a better understanding of their situation. “Come live and work with us for three days before you make your conclusions. We have alerted all our members in Metro Manila to assist and accommodate you wherever… you may want to immerse [yourself],” they said on Monday. They also asked why Tulfo didn’t verify when Chinese contractors called Filipino workers inefficient. “We, the people, didn’t give you the mandate and authority as Philippine special envoy to China to embarrass and destroy our reputation before our families and to the whole world,” they said. “If Chinese contractors told you that Filipino workers are inefficient and are slowpokes, why didn’t you verify it? Why didn’t you even defend your fellow Filipinos from these foreign Chinese contractors? You didn’t even check that even the Chinese construction workers we have worked with, as well as other foreign workers, are also slow workers because of the high stress and hard work in the heat, cold and harsh conditions at work sites,” they added. The workers pointed out that critical infrastructure would not have been built if not for the workers that Tulfo labeled lazy. “Will we have built all the important and critical infrastructures on time if we were ‘inefficient’ and
‘slowpokes’ as you claim us to be? Do you even know how low [our] salaries are? Do you even know how hard and dangerous it is to dangle [from the] top of the 75th floor of a building just so a project can be completed on time?” they asked. As maintained by the National Wages and Productivity Commission, the minimum wage for non-agricultural workers is P280 a day in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and P537 a day in the National Capital Region. Adjusting for inflation and prices, the wage would actually be P220.13 for ARMM and P459.76 for NCR a day. Freedom of expression Malacañang, meanwhile, won’t castigate Tulfo for his disparaging statement. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Tulfo’s comments against Filipino workers is “freedom of expression.” “Well, that is freedom of expression. Everyone is entitled to make his opinion on any matter concerning the country or the people or anybody,” he said in a Palace press briefing. According to Panelo, Tulfo is a responsible man who doesn’t need to be advised. However, he added that he did not agree with Tulfo. “Definitely, Filipinos are industrious. The impression abroad is that we’re industrious, but on a personal level, there are hardworking workers, there are lazy workers. But the general impression is we’re hardworking, we are preferred in other countries.” n
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THE Vatican named Monsignor Alejandro “Alex” Aclan the newest auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 5, making him the second Filipino to ever be presented as bishop in the United States. Born in Pasay City, Philippines, Aclan, 68, moved to Southern California from the Philippines in 1982 and has served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for 25 years. But before entering priesthood, Aclan’s career path started with a degree in medical technology from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Aclan shared in a feature in the Asian Journal’s Balikbayan Magazine in 2017. Upon graduating, his career path moved yet again towards electronic data processing, which lead him to working as a programmer and systems analyst for companies like San Miguel Corp. and Citibank in the Philippines. Aclan’s decision to enter the seminary came after he moved to the U.S. and attended a religious retreat, while still working as a project manager for a bank in Los Angeles. By 1988, Aclan joined the St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California and was ordained five years later. Serving as an associate pastor at churches in Burbank and Norwalk, then pastor of the St. Madeleine Church in Pomona in 2001, Aclan was named associate vicar for clergy in 2011. Four years later in 2015, Aclan became vicar for clergy and immersed himself in more service within the Los Angeles archdiocese. This included serving as an archdiocesan liaison to the Filipino Charismatic Prayer Groups. “Everybody has his own share
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of troubles,” he said in his Balikbayan Magazine interview. “ That goes for priests and lay people as well, that seems to be part of the human condition. All have been given tasks to do, equal to all. We have some very holy priests, but they do not see themselves as holy. Some priests are holy, they have the desire and zeal to minister to people, despite their age. They continue to have compassion and care for the poor and they just say yes to God’s invitation to serve.” Having served in Los Angeles—home to the largest Filipino immigrant community in the U.S.—Aclan has been praised for being a connection to the city’s Fil-Am community. “As a priest, you are blessed with the opportunity to make Christ present to somebody else, every moment of your life, like no one else. Carpe Diem, be present and take advantage of it, it is a real blessing! At mass, you are the instrument to make Christ present, folks approach you, someone asks you to bless the water, everyone comes with different stories in their lives. Pope Francis is the best example, just Google him in the morning and listen to his homily. It is a gift, use those moments, don’t waste
them. Stay and be inspirational to the people,” Aclan added. Aclan’s nomination to bishop comes 15 years since Bishop Oscar Solis became the first Fil-Am priest to be name bishop in the U.S. in 2004. Solis served as an auxiliary bishop in Los Angeles until 2017 when he was named by Pope Francis to become Bishop of Salt Lake City in Utah. In a statement, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez described Aclan as a “proud son of our vibrant community.” “Bishop-elect Aclan is a man of prayer and he was a true heart for Jesus—and a deep concern for the people is called to serve,” said Gomez who announced the appointments on Tuesday. Gomez continued, “And I know he will be a voice for Filipino Catholics, who are a beautiful sign of growth and renewal in our Church here in Los Angeles and throughout the country.” Aclan’s ordination is scheduled to take place on May 16 with a special Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels. He joins Los Angeles auxiliary bishops Edward Clark, David O’Connell, Robert Barron, and Marc Trudeau, and will serve the Archdiocese of Los Angeles under Archbishop Gomez. n
FBI invites PNP chief for discussion on counter-terrorism by CathRine
Gonzales Inquirer.net
THE Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other law enforcement agencies in the United States have invited Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde to attend a 10-day official mission to tackle counter-terrorism. During the mission, Albayalde
will attend working meetings, discussions, and seminars on how to thwart terrorism, PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said in an advisory on Tuesday, March 12. The mission started March 12 and will go on until March 22, Banac said. Accompanying Albayalde in the U.S. official trip is Deputy Director General Fernando Men-
dez Jr., deputy chief for administration of the PNP. Albayalde has designated Deputy Director General Francisco Gamboa, deputy chief for operations, as the officer-in-charge of the PNP during his absence. According to Banac, the FBI has been inviting PNP chiefs in the past to attend similar meetings to discuss ways to combat various forms of criminality. n
Duterte withdraws marijuana... PAGE A1 t
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Aclan, a priest of 25 years, was named the newest auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, making him the second Filipino-American bishop in the U.S.
cal cannabis, are you ready and willing to continue the fight for legal, regulated and safe access to affordable medical cannabis?” the post stated. “Hanggang saan ninyo pwedeng ipaglaban ang medical cannabis? Kaya bang higit pa sa Facebook postings at comments? Kaya bang lampas pa sa social media? Handa bang dalhin ang laban hanggang kalsada, hanggang Malacanang? (How far are you willing to fight for medical cannabis? Can you go beyond Facebook posts and comments? Beyond social media? Are you
willing to bring the fight on the streets up to Malacañang),” it added. PCCS is a group of advocates pushing for safe, legal and affordable access to medical marijuana. In January 2019, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 6517 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act to be able to provide “compassionate and right of access to medical cannabis and expanding research into its medicinal properties.” Buhay Party-list Representative Lito Atienza said that the president’s decision constituted
a correct political leadership in throwing out the bill seeking to legalize medical marijuana. “The President’s case is consistent with our view that legalization [of medical marijuana] is bound to open a ‘Pandora’s box’ of drug abuse that can lead to an unwanted public health emergency, not to mention another law-enforcement problem,” Atienza said. “Now that the president has spoken, we reckon that nobody will be foolish enough to introduce a similar measure in the next Congress,” he added as reported by The BusinessMirror. n
US, PH launch Pacific Partnership... PAGE A1 t
narily important because you will help make people’s lives better, and we thank you for that.” U.S. Navy Capt. Randy Van Rossum, Commander of Destroyer Squadron 1, is leading this year’s
mission. He is joined by his staff aboard expeditionary fast transport ships USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) and USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4). Experts in the fields of engineering, medicine and disaster
response will partner with each host country to conduct civic action projects, community health exchanges, medical symposiums and disaster response training activities. (Pia Lee-Brago/Philstar. com)
PAGE A1 t nakakatakot na banta na nagsimula sa matabila na dila mismo ng ating presidente dahil sa galit niya sa ating Simbahan (These text messages are scary threats that began with the loud mouth of our president because of his anger at our Church),” Reyes said. Alejo, a Jesuit priest revealed that there were also unanswered calls before he received threatening messages. He noted that they too were scared but they continued on calling out the alleged state-sponsored killings in the Philippines. “Aaminin ko po na lumabas po kami dahil may takot din kami. Nananawagan kami sa mga utak, sa mga ulo, sa mga pasimuno ng pagpatay, itigil na po natin ‘yan. Itigil na ninyo ang mga nakawilihan ninyong negosyo (I admit we came out now because we are afraid. We appeal to the brains, the masterminds, the proponents of the killings, please stop it. Stop the livelihood you have been accustomed to),” Alejo said. The Jesuit priest exposed the curse-filled and disturbing messages he received on a Sunday night, February 10. “P***g**a ka! Bilang ng araw
mo animal ka. Di talaga kayu masabihan nila David anu. P***g**a talaga kayu. Magkano ba gusto nyu? P***g**a tala kayu. Pesteng yawa. P***g**a p***g**a nyu. Papatayin ko kayu (Son of a b****. Your days are numbered you animal. You and David don’t really listen. Sons of b****es. How much do you want? Sons of b****es. Devil shit. Sons of a b****. I will kill you),” the text message stated as reported by Rappler. One message even threatened Archbishop Socrates Villegas to prepare for his funeral as they warn him that his next mass would be on his death. “Ihanda nyu na ang lugar na pagbuburolan ninyo. Dahil ang sunod na Misa, ay Misa na para sa kapayapaan ng kaluluwa nyu (Prepare now the place where your wake will be held, because your next Mass — is the Mass for the repose of your souls).” Another message addressed to Bishop Ambo David on a Wednesday, February 13 was included in the threats they revealed. “Masyado kayung pakielamero ni Socrates lalo na yung olopong nyung pari si Alejo at Reyes. P****g i*a talaga kayu. Pakialamero kayu (You and Socrates, and the snakes among your priests,
Alejo and Reyes, love to meddle. You sons of a b****. You meddlesome people).” In a speech on February 25, the president read aloud a text message from Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle emphasizing the threats the religious leaders have been receiving. “Good day po. Greetings from Rome. I was informed that Bishop David, some priests got death threats from someone claiming to be working for the President’s family. Just to let you know, baka may naninira (someone might be trying to destroy your reputation). Thanks. We pray,” Tagle reportedly said. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the text “could be coming from pranksters, or could be from antiDuterte trolls” to put Duterte “in a bad light.” He said these could also come “from personal enemies of the priests.” “Sending threats via text messages is the easiest and convenient thing to do, you can’t trace the source,” Panelo said. However, critics believed that the chief executive’s tirades emboldened such threats to surface. n
Catholic priests amid death threats...
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MARch 14-20, 2019
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
A
Dateline PFirsthiliPPines batch of Philippine National ID registration to start in September by AJPress
The water level at Ipo Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan remains normal.
tHe leadership of the House of representatives on tuesday, March 12, said the first batch of registration for the implementation of the National Identification System Law will begin in September. “I am happy that it’s all systems go for the national ID system based on the timeline they have presented to us this morning,â€? said Speaker Gloria Macapagalarroyo in a statement. according to her, the National Statistics Office informed her that they are ready to conduct the “first batch of registrationâ€? and issue ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan the first IDs this September following the House oversight committee on population and family relations held in Dumaguete City, were due to Manila Water’s “ma- Negros Oriental. the republic act 11055 or the nipulationâ€? of water supplies. “Manila Water’s system main- Philippine Identification System tains separate reservoirs for reliability and redundancy so if there’s a problem, it’s easier to isolate,â€? she explained. “allegations of manipulation are not true. that’s just how the system is designed,â€? she added. MalacaĂąang worried by AJPress Malacanang on Monday expressed concern about the water aCCOrDING to the Social situation in parts of Metro Manila Weather Stations’ (SWS) fourthand nearby areas. quarter survey, more Filipinos at a press briefing, presiden- appear to be satisfied with the tial spokesman Salvador Panelo performance of the Duterte adsaid, “We’re always concerned ministration. with respect to any problem afthe poll, which was released fecting the welfare of people.â€? on Monday, March 11, revealed “We will respond to that. But 76 percent of adult Filipinos are the problem is the water should satisfied with the work of the come from the sky. What if it administration while nine perdoes not rain? We may have to cent said otherwise with a net wait,â€? he added. satisfaction rating of +66 — an the Department of agricul- improvement from September ture, for its part, has instructed its regional offices to conduct cloud seeding operations over Bulacan, Pampanga, and rizal to help fill up the La Mesa Dam. MaNILa — the number of peoaccording to the Philippine ple who have died after reportedly atmospheric, Geophysical and contracting measles have reached astronomical Services admin- 286 in two months, the Departistration (PaGaSa), hotter days ment of Health (DOH) said. may start this quarter along with In a latest report of the DOH’s lesser rainfall and dry winds and epidemiology Bureau dated will likely affect 47 provinces in March 8, a total of 18,553 meathe country. sles cases and 286 fatalities the drought is expected to were recorded from January 1 worsen by May, PaGaSa add- to March 7. ed. n the number of deaths recorded
Low water supply to continue due to El NiĂąo by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
Water concessionaires and the weather bureau recently announced low to no water supply will continue to be experienced by several areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces due to el NiĂąo, which would last until June. In addition, monitoring of La Mesa Dam in Quezon City last Monday, March 11, showed that the dam’s water reached critical level at 68.92 meters. Several establishments engaged in the water business have already started feeling the effects of the unstable water supply. H2O avenue, a water refilling station depending on Manila Water for its water supply, said that they have had no water at all since Friday. “I follow up with Manila Water every day hoping that we’ll have water. they said that unless there’ll be rains, we will have to bear this kind of situation,â€? store manager ralph Santos said. Manila Water Communications manager Dittie Galang, for her part, said that they are carefully studying the situation. “even if distribution stabilizes, it does not mean that supply will be back to its normal level. there will still be hours where consumers will have no supply but we will be more accurate as to the specific time,â€? she told The Phil-
ippine Star. “right now, we are studying our schemes and be more predictable as to when there will be no supply so that consumers will be able to prepare and store water,â€? she added. areas experiencing unstable water supply include the cities of Makati, Marikina, Pasig, taguig, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, San Juan, and antipolo as well as the towns of Pateros, angono, Binangonan, Cainta, Jalajala, rodriguez, San Mateo, taytay, and teresa. Galang said Manila Water has 27 tankers roaming around its concession areas to provide water to consumers. “We advise them to be more responsible now in using water in their households since several areas will have low water pressure (while) certain areas are possibly experiencing no water at all,â€? she added. West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. also said water interruptions will be experienced by the areas of Las PiĂąas, Muntinlupa, ParaĂąaque and Bacoor, Cavite as it temporarily shuts down Putatan Water treatment Plant. the shutdown will give way for the pumps upgrade in preparation for the activation of its newly constructed treatment facility. No manipulations Galang denied allegations that water shortages in certain areas Day
Location
Address/ Cross Streets
Time
Sat.
Albertsons
Boulder Hwy. / Lake Mead Pkwy., HEN
9am-5pm
March 16
Sat.
Albertsons
Craig / Decatur, LV
9am-5pm
March 16
Sat.
Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer)
2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee, NLV
9am-6pm
NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING FOR THE CITIES OF BOULDER CITY, HENDERSON, LAS VEGAS, AND NORTH LAS VEGAS 2019 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS
March 16
Sat.
9107 Del Webb Blvd. / Crown Ridge, LV
10am-6pm
March 17
Sun. Sun. Sun.
Craig / Decatur, LV
March 17 March 17
Mountain Shadows Community Ctr. Albertsons Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Mountain Shadows Community Ctr.
9am-5pm 9am-6pm
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that early voting for the April 2, 2019 Municipal Primary Elections will take place in the cities of Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.
March 17
Sun.
Vons
Horizon / Horizon Ridge, HEN
9am-5pm
March 18 March 18
Mon.
Albertsons
Craig / Decatur, LV
9am-5pm
Mon.
Cardenas Market
March 18
Mon.
Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer)
2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee, NLV
9am-6pm
March 18
Mon.
9am-5pm 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., East of Green Valley Pkwy., HEN
March 19
Stephanie / Horizon Ridge, HEN 9am-5pm 2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee, NLV 9am-6pm
March 19
Tue. Tue. Tue.
Sun City MacDonald Ranch Community Ctr. Albertsons Lowe’s Parking Lot (Trailer) Sahara West Library
9600 W. Sahara Ave. / Grand Canyon, LV
10am-6pm
March 19
Tue.
Veterans Memorial Leisure Ctr.
101 N. Pavilion Ctr. Dr., North of Alta, LV
10am-6pm 11am-7pm
All voters who are registered to vote in the Cities of Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas are eligible to vote in this election. You cannot vote in municipal elections if you are registered to vote in unincorporated areas of Clark County.
March 19
2570 E. Craig Rd./ Losee, NLV 9107 Del Webb Blvd. / Crown Ridge, LV
10am-6pm
4421 E. Bonanza Rd. / Lamb, LV 10am-6pm
March 20
Wed.
Alexander Library
1755 W. Alexander Rd., West of M.L. King Blvd., NLV
March 20
Wed.
Green Valley Library
2797 N. Green Valley Pkwy. / Sunset, HEN
10am-6pm
March 20
Wed.
Sahara West Library
9600 W. Sahara Ave. / Grand Canyon, LV
10am-6pm
March 20
Wed.
Veterans Memorial Leisure Ctr.
101 N. Pavilion Ctr. Dr., North of Alta, LV
10am-6pm
March 21
Thu.
Alexander Library
1755 W. Alexander Rd., West of M.L. King Blvd., NLV
11am-7pm
March 21
Thu.
Mountain Crest Community Ctr.
4701 N. Durango Dr., South of Lone Mountain, LV
9am-5pm
March 21
Thu.
Solera Anthem Community Ctr.
2401 Somersworth Dr. / Solera Sky, HEN
9am-5pm
March 21
Thu.
Veterans Memorial Leisure Ctr.
101 N. Pavilion Ctr. Dr., North of Alta, LV 10am-6pm
10am-6pm
March 22
Fri.
Alexander Library
9am-5pm
EARLY VOTING
1755 W. Alexander Rd., West of M.L. King Blvd., NLV
March 22
Fri.
Mountain Crest Community Ctr.
4701 N. Durango Dr., South of Lone Mountain, LV
9am-5pm
VOTING IS EASY! Eligible voters may vote at any of the convenient early voting sites listed below OR on Election Day at ÂŹany of the City of Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas or North Las Vegas Vote Centers, which replace the traditional Municipal Election polling locations.
March 22
Fri.
Rainbow Library
3150 N. Buffalo Dr. / Cheyenne, LV
10am-6pm 9am-5pm
LONG-TERM MALL EARLY VOTING SITES
VOTING BY MAIL Any registered voter who is eligible to vote in this election may choose to vote by mail. A written request for a mail ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on March 26, 2019. Mail ballot requests may be obtained from the Clark County Election Department at 702-455-8683 or online at www.clarkcountynv.gov/vote. If you received a ballot by mail, you may surrender that ballot at any Early Vote location and vote in person.
GALLERIA AT SUNSET - KOHL’S COURT, 1ST FLOOR 1300 W. Sunset Rd. / N. Stephanie St., Henderson Saturday, March 16 and 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10am-7pm Sunday, March 17 and 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11am-6pm Mon.-Fri., March 18-22 and March 25-29. . . . . . .10am-7pm MEADOWS MALL - JCPENNEY COURT, 1ST FLOOR 4300 Meadows Ln. / S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas Saturday-Friday, March 16-29 (every day) . . . . . . 10am-6pm
March 22
Fri.
Solera Anthem Community Ctr.
2401 Somersworth Dr. / Solera Sky, HEN
March 23 March 23
Sat. Sat.
Albertsons Alexander Library
Farm / Durango, LV
9am-5pm
1755 W. Alexander Rd., West of M.L. King Blvd., NLV
9am-5pm
March 23
Sat.
Skye Center at Skye Canyon
10111 W. Skye Canyon Park Dr. / 10am-6pm Skye Village Rd., LV
March 23 March 24
Sat. Sun.
Vons Albertsons
Windmill Pkwy. / Pecos, HEN College / Horizon, HEN
March 24
Sun.
Albertsons
Farm / Durango, LV
March 24
Sun.
Deer Springs Town Ctr. (Trailer)
N. 5th St. / W. Dorrell Ln., South of CC-215, NLV
March 24
Sun.
Skye Center at Skye Canyon
10111 W. Skye Canyon Park Dr. / 10am-6pm Skye Village Rd., LV
March 25 March 25
Mon.
Albertsons
Buffalo / Vegas, LV
Mon.
Deer Springs Town Ctr. (Trailer)
N. 5th St. / W. Dorrell Ln., South of CC-215, NLV
March 25
Mon.
Doolittle Community Ctr.
1950 J St. / W. Lake Mead Blvd., LV
9am-5pm 9am-5pm
9am-5pm 9am-5pm 9am-5pm 9am-6pm
10am-6pm 9am-6pm
LONG-TERM PUBLIC BUILDING EARLY VOTING SITES ALIANTE LIBRARY 2400 W. Deer Springs Way, East of Aliante Pkwy. North Las Vegas Saturday, March 16 and 23 ......................................... 9am-5pm Wed.-Thurs., March 20-21 and 27-28 ....................... 11am-7pm Friday, March 22 and 29 .............................................. 9am-5pm
March 25
Mon.
Paseo Verde Library
280 S. Green Valley Pkwy., South of Paseo Verde, HEN
March 26 March 26
Tue.
Albertsons
Buffalo / Vegas, LV
10am-6pm
Tue.
Doolittle Community Ctr.
1950 J St. / W. Lake Mead Blvd., LV
9am-5pm
March 26
Tue.
Nevada State College
Rogers Student Ctr. 1300 Nevada State Dr., HEN
9am-5pm
March 26 March 27
Tue. Wed.
Silver Mesa Recreation Ctr. Centennial Ctr. (Trailer)
4025 Allen Ln. / Alexander, NLV
9am-6pm
Home Depot Parking Lot, 7881 W. Tropical Pkwy., LV
10am-6pm
BOULDER CITY, CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 401 California Ave. / Arizona St., Boulder City Wed.-Thurs., March 20-21 .......................................... 7am-6pm Friday, March 22 .......................................................... 8am-6pm Saturday, March 23 ..................................................... 8am-6pm
March 27 March 27
Wed.
Silver Mesa Recreation Ctr.
4025 Allen Ln. / Alexander, NLV
Wed.
Sun City Anthem Ctr.
2450 Hampton Rd. / Anthem Pkwy., HEN
9am-6pm 9am-5pm
March 27
Wed.
March 28
Thu.
Westminster Presbyterian Church 4601 W. Lake Mead Blvd., West of N. Decatur Blvd., LV Centennial Ctr. (Trailer) Home Depot Parking Lot, 7881 W. Tropical Pkwy., LV
HENDERSON CITY HALL, CITY CLERK’S CONFERENCE ROOM 240 S. Water St. / W. Basic Rd., Henderson Mon.-Thurs., March 18-21 and 25-28 ......................... 8am-5pm
March 28
Thu.
East Las Vegas Community Ctr.
250 N. Eastern Ave. / Stewart Ave., LV
March 28 March 28
Thu. Thu.
SkyView YMCA Sun City Anthem Ctr.
3050 E. Centennial Pkwy., NLV
9am-6pm
2450 Hampton Rd. / Anthem Pkwy., HEN
9am-5pm
March 29
Fri.
Centennial Ctr. (Trailer)
Home Depot Parking Lot 7881 W. Tropical Pkwy., LV
10am-6pm
March 29
Fri.
East Las VegasCommunity Ctr
250 N. Eastern Ave. / Stewart Ave., LV
9am-5pm 9am-5pm
LAS VEGAS CITY HALL, 2ND FLOOR, CITY CLERK’S OFFICE 495 S. Main St. / E. Clark Ave., Las Vegas Mon.-Thurs., March 18-21 and 25-28 ............... 7:30am-5:30pm MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION EARLY VOTING NEIGHBORHOOD EARLY VOTING SITES FOR ALL VOTERS IN ALL WARDS
March 29
Fri.
Heritage Park Sr. Facility
300 S. Racetrack Rd. / Burkholder, HEN
March 29
Fri.
SkyView YMCA
3050 E. Centennial Pkwy., NLV
9am-5pm 10am-6pm 9am-5pm
9am-6pm
7R ÂżQG QHDUE\ VLWHV GXULQJ HDUO\ YRWLQJ JR WR ZZZ &ODUN&RXQW\19 JRY YRWH IRU D OLQN WR DQ LQWHUDFtive, mobile device enabled early voting site map. DATED: February 28, 2019 Joseph P. Gloria Registrar of Voters PUB: March 7, 14, 21, 28, 2019 Las Vegas Asian Journal
of last year’s +50 rating, with 65 percent satisfied and 15 percent dissatisfied. In Mindanao, the administration’s net satisfaction increased from +67 in September 2018 to +75 in December 2018. In Visayas, it went from +42 to +63; meanwhile, in Metro Manila, the satisfaction rating improved from +40 to +60. the rating also rose by 17 points in balance Luzon, with +48 going up to +65. the administration’s net satisfaction rating upgraded by
two grades from good to excellent in class aBC, up by 25 points from +47 in September 2018 to +72 in December 2018. It also rose by two grades from good to excellent in class e, from +49 to +70; meanwhile, it went up 15 points but remained very good in class D from +50 in September to +65 in December. SWS’ survey, conducted from December 16 to 19 last year, employed face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults, 18 years old and above, nationwide. n
DOH notes 18,553 measles cases; 286 related deaths
March 16
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Philstar.com photo
optional. the registrant will be given his/ her permanent PhilSys Number after the registration. the corresponding card, which will serve as a single identification system for all Filipino citizens and resident aliens, will be issued once the information is verified. Dela Cruz also said the government is targeting to issue 100 million cards to Filipinos and resident aliens by 2022. the government has guaranteed P2-billion funding for the national ID system. n
SWS: 76% of Filipinos satisfied with Duterte administration
Date
Karagdagang kaalaman sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov/votetag.
or National ID Law was signed into law by President rodrigo Duterte in august 2018. During the hearing, atty. Lourdines De la Cruz, deputy national statistician of the Philippine Statistics authority, said they will start the registration for the PhilSys this September by targeting about 6 million individuals. Filipinos and resident aliens that are at least five years old are eligible to register, but the first to be registered are indigents, People with Disabilities (PWDs), and government workers in several key areas all over the country. Information for the PhilSys will include biometrics (thumbprint, iris and face scanning), full name, sex, date of birth, place of birth, blood type, residential address, and if one is a Filipino or a resident alien, under the law. Meanwhile, marital status, mobile numbers, and email addresses are
this year is seven times higher than the 39 deaths recorded in the same period in 2018. the health department said out of the 286 deaths caused by the airborne disease, 131 or 41 percent were aged 1 to 4 years old, while 110 or 26 percent were less than 9 months of age. Meanwhile, 80 percent or 228 of those who have died did not have any history of vaccination,
28 have unknown vaccination status, and 30 had at least one dose of vaccination. Metro Manila recorded the highest number of deaths at 82, followed by Calabarzon with 80 deaths, the DOH said. Meanwhile, the highest number of measles cases were recorded at Calabarzon with 4,087 cases, followed by Metro Manila at 3,850. (Daphne Galvez/Inquirer)
A6
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
MARCH 14-20, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
Drug trafficking hub
FEATURES
ELITE police Special Action Force teams, complete with armored vehicles, were deployed in an effort to stop illegal activities. Periodic raids were conducted. The most notorious drug dealers were isolated from the rest. And yet here we are again, aghast at reports that drug trafficking in Metro Manila and other areas continues to be directed from within the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. The trafficker, drug convict Rusico Ygot, used the internet for his business with the help of his girlfriend Jocelyn Encilla, who operated from her house in Cebu, according to the Department of Justice, which has jurisdiction over the Bureau of Corrections. The DOJ is conducting a probe into the latest drug scandal to hit the NBP. Instead of calling in SAF teams and armored vehicles again, prison authorities may want to try something simpler: an honest-to-goodness crackdown on the use of any gadget that allows internet access, particularly cell phones and tablets, by prisoners and their visitors. This is not a human rights violation. By the nature of their legal status, convicted prisoners cannot have all the civil liberties enjoyed by people who have not broken the law and been placed behind bars. The NBP has landlines for the use of inmates. More landlines can be installed to allow
prisoners broader opportunities for communication. The phone number and person called plus the nature of the call – to consult with a lawyer, for example, or contact relatives – can be recorded. Inmates’ visitors must deposit their cell phones and other gadgets at the entrance to the prison facilities. This is done even in certain security offices and foreign embassies. It shouldn’t raise howls of protest in the country’s main prison. The government can also invest in metal detectors for the prisons. The most high-tech security scanners, of course, will prove no match for crooked prison personnel who allow inmates to continue with their criminal activities even behind bars. Only corruption can explain how high-value drug traffickers managed in the recent past to bring in Jacuzzi-equipped bathtubs and expensive household appliances, and to live in air-conditioned comfort in a national prison. With this latest scandal, the government must deal decisively with corruption in the NBP and Bureau of Corrections, sparing no one from punishment. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS “SHOW me your budget and spending and I will tell you your values.” Sounds familiar? Life coaches say it, financial analysts say it, our parents say it, politicians say it. Indeed, with limited resources, where we put our money mostly reveals what matters more to us, what our priorities are. This is true among us people. This is true in government. In the United States, the president submits a budget proposal for the next fiscal year and submits it to Congress, the co-equal branch of government accorded the “power of the purse” by the Constitution. For Fiscal Year 2020, President Donald Trump has pretty much revealed what matters most to him, where he thinks our hard
Trump’s 2020 budget prioritizes border wall, military at the expense of health care, education
earned taxpayers money should go, and which ones are least important. Sorry, folks. If Trump will have his way, the people, especially ordinary hardworking Americans who are deprived by this broken economic system of a decent living wage to favor the richest people and corporations, will lose much of what matters to us in terms of the safety nets we rely on during challenging economic times, during sickness, and the means by which we and our children can have the fair share of getting ahead and pulling ourselves out of poverty. On Monday, March 11, Trump submitted his “Budget for a Better America” proposal to Congress, asking for a record-breaking $4.75 trillion for the upcoming fiscal year.
HUH? Why is media to blame for such deceptions as bogus academic credentials and baseless claims and accusations? It’s the politicians mouthing untruths, which journalists are supposed to report without comment or embellishment. So, why is it the messengers’ fault if the news contains unfounded or malicious assertions? Well, ask anyone maligned on Facebook, twitter and other social media. While these online channels merely disseminate what users post, it’s now widely expected, if not legally required, that websites validate messages posted and stop fake news, terrorist exhortations and other harmful or false content from going viral. News media commands much more authority and credibility than social media, so it, too, should be at least as vigilant as FB in validating claims, especially from politicians. Many of them bend or twist the truth for ulterior motives, especially during elections, so reporters and editors should always demand proof of politicians’ assertions. Well, often in this country, proof isn’t asked, especially from the opposition. Take the recent claims of Sen. Panfilo Lacson that the House of Representatives inserted tens of billions of pesos in pork barrel items in the proposed
Fortune summarizes budget increases, budget cuts, and what will happen to the goal of paying for the expenses in the proposed budget of President Trump for the Fiscal Year 2020. Budget increases The president requested $750 billion for FY2020, a nearly 5% increase in this area, which exceeds what the Pentagon had asked for. Trump also prioritizes asking for more money for his controversial border wall, almost $9-Billion despite its lack of support from the American people, and despite Congress already earlier denying his demand for $5.7 billion for the wall. Beyond military and security spending,Fortune reported that Trump included in the budget funding for efforts to combat the opioid crisis, a 10% increase in health care spending for veter-
ans, $200 billion in infrastructure spending, spending to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, and increased resources for school choice, including federal tax credits. Budget cuts According to the Fortune report, Trump proposes a 5% cut at non-defense federal agencies, including a total of $1.9 trillion in cuts to safety net programs like Medicaid. Trump also proposed new work requirements for Medicaid recipients and turning more power over to states. On Medicare, Trump called for an $845 billion budget cut. Trump’s proposes a 10% decrease in funding for the Department of Education, totaling $62 billion or $7.1 billion less than the department’s allotted funds for 2019. Cuts and other revisions in the
federal student loan program are woven into this budget cut for education. Fortune quoted James Kvaal, president of the Institute for College Access & Success, who said the budget blueprint, subject to congressional changes, would “raise costs and increase student debt,” making borrowers pay $207 billion more on their student loans, which he calls a “dangerously wrong-headed proposal.” Other agencies that would see budget cuts include the Environmental Protection Agency, the State Department, the Transportation Department, and the Department of the Interior, affecting matters such as foreign aid, federal employee retirement programs, and clean energy. Budget deficit One of the campaign promises
Trump made in 2016 was that as president, the United States will pay off the national debt in eight years and earlier suggested that a balanced budget would be a reality in 10 years. But according to Fortune, “ the budget forecasts trillion-dollar deficits through 2022. These deficits build on the already $22 trillion of national debt.” How did we get here? Is America really well off under Trump as he promised? Are the lives of hardworking Americans better under his presidency? What do you experience in your own life? *** 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.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Why Filipino politicians lie: It’s the media’s fault
Commentary
RICARDO SALUDO
Philstar.com photo
2019 national budget. Did media ask proof from him? If it did, were the bases of his claims ever reported? And was Lacson asked to substantiate his claim that House Speaker Gloria Arroyo, whom he detests for the Dacer-Corbito murder charges filed against him, was behind the alleged insertions in the proposed General Appropriations Act (GAA)? By contrast, reporters are quick to require evidence when the government or administration officials make accusations, like the narcolist of local election candidates suspected of protecting or profiting from illegal drugs. News outlets are even more demanding of proof when one or some of them are accused of wrongdoing. In short, there is a double standard in validating politicians’ statements, partly due to the adversarial stance of American media influencing local press: skeptical toward the administration, but quick to accept opposition and citizens’ claims even without proof. Needless to say, that kind of coverage may lead to untruths outside the government. The art of ‘sabong journalism’ Another factor leading to lies in politics is “sabong” or cockfight journalism. With this habit, some media don’t bother asking the basis of allegations but, instead, turn to those accused or criticized for their retorts, no matter how unfounded the assertions may be. That’s exactly what hap-
pened to the budget pork barrel story, with little validating material presented, but lots of accusing soundbites exchanged. Just think: Has there been any specific item allegedly inserted by the House or the Senate, which has been cited for being illegal, improper, or ill-advised? There was criticism of unspecified “institutional amendments” and “flood-control projects,” but which exactly and why was it wrong for them to be included in the GAA? Rather than verifying claims with hard facts, news becomes a litany of he-says-she-says, with the reputation of contending voices deciding which side gets public acceptance. In the pork barrel squabble, Lacson keeps accusing Arroyo, maybe hoping that her low trust rating would win the argument for him, even without proof. When this writer was a Palace official, journalists routinely asked for comment on opposition remarks. The standard procedure was to first verify that the reported statement was actually made. If it was genuine, one would then ask if the reporter asked for the critic to substantiate his or her allegation. The media would often query if the Palace was demanding proof. One would then repeat the question: Did you, the reporter, ask for proof, as a competent journalist should? Once the opposition had given the basis for their accusation, then the Palace would comment.
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, re-electionist Senator Bam Aquino, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Marawi civic leader Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal and former Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada conducted several door-to-door persuasion campaigns. Inquirer.net photo by Gab Lalu
Invariably, reporters promised to get back to this writer with proof of the allegation. None ever came back with evidence, and that ended many baseless stories. Most government spokespersons quickly issue denials, however, instead of asking journalists to do their job by validating claims, not just fishing for comments. So, instead of retiring baseless accusations, Palace denials turn them into headline stories about Malacañang denying this or that. That encourages more unfounded accusations. A couple of times, the press did follow this writer’s urging to demand proof from accusers. In late 2005, ABS-CBN New Channel anchor Carmina Constantino asked then Sen. Serge Osmeña to substantiate his claim that the Ombudsman at the time, Simeon Marcelo, quit over Palace pressure. Osmeña replied: “The peo-
ple will just have to take my word for it.” In 2007, Lacson himself was asked for proof that Philippine National Police (PNP) intelligence funds were the source of bags of money allegedly given to legislators at the Palace, as he claimed. He said the PNP should open its funds to scrutiny. In sum, Lacson wanted the PNP to prove its innocence by doing an utter no-no for any law enforcement agency, as the former PNP chief knew: publicizing its intelligence budget, which would alert lawless elements how to counter its detective efforts. To uphold truth, demand proof In 17 years of international journalism as editor-writer with Asiaweek magazine in Hong Kong, this columnist and his colleagues then always pressed politicians for proof. Not only was it part of professional journalism;
it was also needed in case the publication was sued. In libel cases in Hong Kong, crucial to the defense were efforts to verify claims, rather than just repeating them without asking proof. But libel law may operate differently in the Philippines, which may further make sabong journalism the preferred way to get headline news hereabouts. Especially if asking for proof might just show many allegations to be baseless and unworthy of coverage. But readers should not let sabong journalism blunt their quest for truth. In reading news, one can check if there are any supporting facts and evidence given for statements quoted. If there is none, responsible media would say prominently: “No proof was provided for the allegations.” If journalists did that, it would help stop untruth in politics. (ManilaTimes.net)
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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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MARch 14-20, 2019
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Prosecution panel wraps up probe into graft, admin raps vs Lapeña, 50 others by KristiNe Joy
Philstar.com
BAYWALK PATROL. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ group of bikers called Manila Bay Watch Bike Patrollers join the bike ride on Saturday to guard the baywalk from littering civilians as it undergoes rehabilitation. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
RCBC files complaint vs Bank of Bangladesh by Neil JaysoN
servallos ManilaTimes.net
The Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has filed before a defamation case against the Bank of Bangladesh for its supposed “baseless allegations” that RCBC officials were involved in the $81million cyberheist in 2016. The complaint was filed on March 6,2019 before a Makati City court. “It is public knowledge that Bangladesh Bank has embarked on a massive ploy and scheme to extort money from plaintiff RCBC by resorting to public defamation, harassment and threats geared toward destroying RCBC’s good name, reputation and image, all with the intention of getting RCBC to pay Bangladesh Bank money that RCBC does not have in its custody or possession and which it does not owe to Bangladesh Bank,” RCBC
said in its complaint. It added that the suit was served to Abu hena Mohammad Razee hasan, the deputy governor and head of Bangladesh Bank Financial Intelligence Unit. Other members of the Bangladesh Bank delegation that arrived in the Philippines this week for meetings were also served with the suit. hackers stole $81 million in February 2016 from the Bangladesh central bank’s account with the U.S. Federal Reserve in New York. The money was transferred to the RCBC Jupiter Branch, quickly withdrawn and laundered through local casinos. Last month, the Central Bank of Bangladesh filed a lawsuit against RCBC in a New York court, seeking damages and the return of the $81 million stolen from its account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Duterte claims female critics depriving him of his right to freedom of expression by alexis
romero Philstar.com
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte lashed back at critics who called him out for his remarks about women, saying they are depriving him of his right to freedom of expression. Duterte, who has drawn flak for making remarks that were seen as derogatory to women, claimed his critics are making it appear that he hates and disrespects women. “I can’t remember really na may binaboy ako (maligning anybody). Actually, if you review the tapes, it was with a purpose,” the president said during an awarding ceremony in honor of female government employees last Monday, March 11. “You women, you... deprived me of my freedom of expression. I was not referring to you. But you criticize every sentence or word I say. But that is my freedom to express myself,” he added. “even if I am just a president, do not take it. Do not take me away from the crowd of being a Filipino citizen.” Duterte said he never transitioned from mayor to president so he has not changed considerably “except to bow in diplomatic dinners.” The president also disputed claims that he is a misogynist or a hater of women. “I love women. You see, I have two wives. That means, I really like women,” Duterte said. “That does not mean I want to touch them. I just like women... When I say that I like women, (it does not mean) I want to despoil or dishonor. They do not get it,” he added. Duterte went on to justify some
of his controversial remarks that he claimed were misunderstood by his critics. he said he was just lecturing female communist rebels when he said he would shoot their vaginas. The president previously said he was just angry that some female rebels left their children to join the armed struggle. The president also defended his remark that women should stay away from priests, citing the sex abuse scandals involving members of the clergy. “It’s true. It’s happening everywhere. The pope has admitted that priests had abused nuns,” Duterte said. Duterte, who served as mayor of Davao City for 23 years, said he has been portrayed as a womanizer and a killer even before the 2016 polls. “But you have sometimes to defend the government against calumny and slander because that is the job always of an oppositionist,” he said. “That has been the issue since I was a mayor. They brought it to the national scene. I have no problem with that.” In 2016, Duterte stirred controversy over a statement about the rape and murder of an Australian missionary in Davao City in 1989. Speaking to his supporters, Duterte said the slain missionary looked like an actress and as mayor “he should have been first.” he, later on, claimed he was just expressing outrage over the crime. A year later, the president drew flak for saying that if a soldier rapes three women, he would own up to it. Officials said the president was just stressing that he would be responsible for the acts of soldiers. n
Comelec to rumor mongers: We will track you down by Faye
orellaNa Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Commission on elections (Comelec) cautioned individuals spreading malicious rumors against the election body that they will be tracked down by law enforcement authorities. “We are here to set that record straight and to warn the public not to fall for these kinds of allegations and malicious rumors,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said. “Also here to warn people behind that we will be cooperating with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to track down the persons or parties responsible for creating and spreading these rumors,” he added. Some of the rumors circulating include the alleged offer by some commissioners to candidates that they will fix the election results in exchange for financial considerations.
Aside from this, there were also allegations of partisanship or expressions of support by a commissioner for a particular candidate. According to Jimenez, undermining public’s trust and confidence in the elections is an election offense and is punishable by law. “That will be dealt with accordingly not just the rumor, but the persons and the parties who are actively spreading these rumors,” he said. “Undermining confidence in the electoral system is an election offense which is punishable of imprisonment of up to six years, and if they are connected to a political figure or maybe they have plans of running office at some point, or their activities are traceable to any politician, then very relevant yung penalty na disqualification,” he added. The official campaign period for the local elections will start on March 29, while election day is set on May 13, 2019. n
Patag
MANILA — The Department of Justice wrapped up on Tuesday, March 12, its preliminary probe into graft raps against former Customs commissioner and now Technical education and Skills Development Authority chief Isidro Lapeña and 50 others. Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Jane Sytat had clarificatory questions to the two parties during the preliminary investigation hearing, before deeming the complaint submitted for resolution. The prosecution panel is determining whether there is probable cause to charge Lapeña and 50 others with graft and administrative charges over two incidents of
shabu smuggling last year. The TeSDA chief is facing two counts of violation of the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act and administrative complaints of dereliction of duty and grave misconduct over two smuggled magnetic lifters believed to have contained illegal drugs. Authorities seized lifters in Manila that are suspected to contain P2.4 billion worth of shabu. Another shipment of magnetic lifters, also believed to have concealed P11 billion worth of shabu, was found empty in Cavite. The National Bureau of Investigation said Lapeña, head of the Bureau of Customs during the incident, did not file any case against the shippers and consignee of the magnetic lifters even after it was
discovered that the goods were misclassified. “his deliberate intent to favor the violator was manifested by the fact that, in spite the violators were identified by Commissioner Lapeña, he did not prosecute or cause the prosecution of the violators,” the complaint read. Former Customs Intelligence Officer Jimmy Guban is also facing at least three criminal complaints. Guban has been admitted to the DOJ’s Witness Protection Program. The NBI also named former Police Senior Superintendent eduardo Acierto, former PDeA Deputy Director General Ismael Fajardo, Customs Deputy Commissioner Ricardo Quinto and Police Inspector Lito Pirote in the complaint. n
In 2016, the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) slapped a P1-billion fine against RCBC in connection with the stolen funds. Tai-heng Cheng, RCBC’s lead counsel, said the Bank of Bangladesh’s claims were baseless. he maintained that the local bank had no hand in the crime. “Bangladesh’s suit is nothing more than a political stunt to try to shift blame from themselves to RCBC,” Cheng said. In January, a Makati court convicted former RCBC Jupiter branch bank manager Maia Deguito of eight counts of em- A Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agent examines one of four magnetic lifters following a raid on a warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez, bezzlement. She appealed her Cavite on Aug. 11, 2018. The lifters were empty, but PDEA dogs detected traces of illegal drugs worth an estimated P6.8 billion. conviction. n Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban
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March 14-20, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
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Journal Changing our perception of ‘unhealthy’ Filipino food 6 Filipino-authored cookbooks to Chef, food educator and advocate Aileen Suzara aims to promote sustainable and healthy Pinoy food practices add to your shelf By Malou liwanaG-Bledsoe AJPress
Food educator and chef Aileen Suzara Photos by Sana Javeri Kadri
WITH Filipino food’s presence increasing in the mainstream, it is also hard to ignore that Filipinos and Filipino-Americans have high rates of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Because of this, some people tend to take a step back on Filipino cuisine, as they perceive it to be one of the main causes of these diseases. Chef, food educator and advocate Aileen Suzara begs to disagree, explaining that these perceptions are “relatively recent.” “Digging into the roots of Filipino food culture reveals how closely our foods were — and are — tied to the land, sea, and seasons. Traditional methods
focused on boiling, steaming, grilling, and naturally fermenting or preserving foods — or serving them fresh as can be, like kinilaw. Meats we consider trademarks today (like pork) could not be staples for most people, given how costly and labor intensive hunting or raising animals used to be,” she explained. “Meats were precious — used more like a flavoring for ulam, in smaller portions than we see today, and for special occasions. Fish and seafood would be more abundant, especially in coastal regions.” Suzara even points out that our idea of rice — which is a staple in Filipinos’ diets — has changed. “I grew up thinking [that] eating a Filipino diet meant eating only white rice and that brown
rice was ‘White people health food,’ and had my mind blown realizing there are thousands of varieties of rice, in a rainbow of colors,” she said. Recognizing history and finding connections to health A lot of people have reasoned and acknowledged that Filipino dishes, such as lechon (roasted pig) are greasy and unhealthy. Suzara, however, explained that there are better — and healthier ways to make Filipino food. A start is to look into our history to find the connections to the way we eat and how it has changed. “It’s essential to recognize history, especially as our community faces an epidemic of diet-related chronic diseases like type II diabetes, heart disease PAGE B3
Three Fil-Am chefs named 2019 James Beard Awards semifinalists By MoMar
G. Visaya
AJPress
THE James Beard Foundation has announced the list of semifinalists in the running for its 2019 Restaurant and Chef Awards and three Filipino American chefs have made the list. The awards, presented to recognize culinary professionals in the United States, are sometimes called the “Oscars” of the food world. For the third year in a row, Tom Cunanan of Bad Saint is once again nominated for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic while République’s Margarita Manzke makes a return appearance in the Outstanding Pastry Chef category. Sheldon Simeon’s new restaurant in Hawai’i called Lineage, is up for Best New Restaurant. In an Instagram post, the official account of Bad Saint congratulated their beloved Cunanan and said “His creativity, vision,
and superlative food are the beating heart of this restaurant.” Cunanan co-owns the restaurant with Genevieve Villamora and Nick Pimentel and collectively, they came up with the menu that captivated both diners and food critics alike. Bad Saint is named after St. Malo, Louisiana, where the first Filipinos settled in the United States. Cunanan was also named Star Chefs D.C.-Chesapeake Rising Star in 2018 and Eater named Bad Saint as one of America’s 38 essential restaurants. The Eater blurb mentioned the challenge to this 24-seater dining destination: its no reservations policy. That aside, eating at Bad Saint is a must and as Bill Addison, the new Los Angeles Times food critic wrote last year, “The payoff: Tom Cunanan’s peerless Filipino cuisine. Inspirations PAGE B3 Tom Cunanan
Photo from instagram/@tomccunanan
By Christina
M. oriel
AJPress
AS mentioned in the Asian Journal’s recent profile on Now Serving — Los Angeles’ only cookbook store owned by Filipino-American couple Ken Concepcion and Michelle Mungcal — cookbook sales have significantly increased in the past two years because of the preference of dining at home, learning about regional cuisines, or keeping the book on a coffee table or kitchen shelf for display and aspirational purposes. On what makes a great cookbook, Concepcion had shared “You have a narrative or a distinctive point of view from the author. Once you have that, you’re able to really take a deep dive with the recipes or the history of the cuisine or if it’s about the restaurant, it’s a story about it. Beautiful pictures always help.” With more Filipino centered restaurants emerging across the United States, there has also been a handful of cookbooks published on the cuisine that goes beyond the popular classic dishes and delve deeper into the Filipinos’ culture of feasting and the regional influences. In this issue, we take a look at several cookbooks published within the last year, as well as those to look out in 2019, that are notable. “I Am a Filipino (And This is How We Cook)” by Nicole Ponseca & Miguel Trinidad of Maharlika and Jeepney in New York City landed spots on Best of 2018 lists and was one of the Asian Journal’s book recommendations to kick off 2019. From classic dishes to street food, this cookbook came from Ponseca and Trinidad’s experiences cooking the cuisine as well as their travels to learn about the Philippines’ history and culture. “I want them to come away
I Am a Filipino
The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe
with an understanding that it is a world cuisine. It is a cuisine to be respected and learned. In my restaurant life, I worked for French and Italian restaurants; and now Nordic food and Israeli cuisine are revered and understood. Filipino food is equally important. There’s a discipline behind it,” Ponesca told Saveur. “The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe” edited by Jacqueline Chio-Lauri was released in 2018 PAGE B3
B march 14-20, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
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Alden Richards, Kathryn Bernardo to star in new Cathy Garcia-Molina movie by Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
LoCAL film studio Star Cinema has announced on Tuesday, March 12, that Kapamilya actress Kathryn Bernardo and Kapuso actor Alden Richards will team up in the big screen. The movie will be directed by blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Molina and will be released this year. Star Cinema posted on its Facebook page photos of Kathryn, Alden, Garcia-Molina and Star Cinema managing director olive Lamasan. Garcia-Molina said she immediately accepted the project upon learning that Kathryn and Alden were cast to be in it. “I like the idea na gagawa ng bagong kwento and bagong combination. It’s exciting! The story is about two strangers meeting and parang strangers talaga sila in real life,” the director said, as cited in ABS-CBN Star Cinema’s YouTube video. The director revealed Alden and Kathryn’s pairing was Lamasan’s idea and that the film will be shot in Hong Kong. “[It’s] a story about mga kabataan, mga millennials na new oFWs. It’s a romance drama pero hindi mawawala ‘yung sundot ng comedy. Hindi tayo luhaan,” she shared. In the same video, Alden said
Kathryn, Alden, Garcia-Molina and Star Cinema managing director Olive Lamasan. Photo courtesy of Star Cinema
he is excited to work with Kathryn and Direk Cathy on his first ever Star Cinema project. “’Yung thought na Star Cinema, tapos si Kathryn ang makakapareha ko, tapos si Direk Cathy, parang total package na ‘to. Wala na kong mahihiling pa. Sobrang saya ko na I was given the chance to be here,” he remarked. “Kinakabahan ako and naeexcite ako kung paano kaming dalawa. For sure I am very happy and nervous and excited,” noted Kathryn. Kathryn and Alden are part of leading love teams in the country. Kathryn makes half of the KathNiel love team with Daniel Padilla, while Alden is the other half of
AlDub with Maine Mendoza. Fans of both celebrities are excited for the movie. “KAthniel padin Pero oK din nmn ipartner cla sa iba... Part of maturity in showbiz.. love you both Kath Daniel,” a Facebook user commented. “Kung totoo na KATHNIEL FAN KA, You will respect Kath and Alden and their new Movie,” another user commented. “oMG mahahasa na talaga Bibi Boy namin. Thanks direk Cath and Kathryn. Di kami mapapahiya sa bibi boy namin magaling at mabait na actor yan. Support kaming A fans and don’t worry kami bahala sa magbabash kay Kath we will defend her,” wrote another Facebook user.
After interviewing Brie Larson, aka Captain Marvel for the movie series’ Facebook page, Pia Wurtzbach said she might be working with Marvel and Disney again. Photo from Instagram/@piawurtzbach
Will Pia be introduced as the next Marvel heroine? by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
AFTER her interview with Captain Marvel Brie Larson — now up on Marvel’s official Facebook page — it looks like Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach imbibed the superhero aura when she arrived at the red carpet premiere of this month’s biggest superhero movie. She turned every head at the Mall of Asia Imax Theatre with
a feisty hairdo, denim dress and killer white boots. She was both proud and giddy to share her one-on-one with Brie and their conversation on women empowerment, which our Miss Universe believes left a pretty good impression on Captain Marvel herself. “I’m really kilig because after I did the interview with her, she was already saying goodbye to everyone. She was about to leave but she came back to me and she
shook my hand and said, ‘Thank you for everything that you do.’ Sobrang kinilig ako. I really feel like I met a superhero!” Pia then hinted she might be working with Marvel and Disney again for an upcoming project. Without giving away anything more though, she simply said “Fingers crossed, matutuloy pa ‘yung isang pinaplano namin! It’s always going to be a dream for me to one day play a superhero, so tingnan natin.”
Bea Alonzo surprises Gerald Anderson Isko Moreno’s son steps in to the biz with black-themed 30th birthday bash by ricky
by Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
BEA Alonzo organized a surprise birthday party for boyfriend Gerald Anderson, who turned 30 on March 7. Bea was seen in a series of Star Magic videos on Instagram surprising Gerald with guest including the celebrant all wearing black. “Bea Alonzo puts up a surprise gathering party to mark Gerald Anderson’s 30th birthday!” the Star Magic wrote. The talent agency’s Instagram Celebrity couple Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo pose for a photo at her surprise account also posted a photo birthday party for him in an undisclosed of the couple with the caption location. Photo courtesy of Star Magic “Bea Alonzo puts up a surprise
calderon ManilaTimes.net
gathering party to mark Gerald Anderson’s 30th birthday!” Bea, meanwhile, posted a throwback photo of her and Gerald in her Instagram account to greet her boyfriend. “This photo was taken back in 2010. Back when I fell in love with you for the first time. Amazing how time just flies,” Bea wrote. “Can’t help but get a little sentimental especially because you’re spending your 30th birthday in another continent in a different picture. You are a wonderful man. Happy birthday, babe. You are my great love story,” she Joaquin Ditan added.
THE son also rises. Seventeen-year-old Joaquin Ditan Domagoso is the newest artist among the stable of comebacking talent manager Daddie Wowie Roxas. Joaquin is the second eldest son of actor-turned-politician Isko Moreno [who by the way is running for Mayor of Manila this coming May], and is currently studying at Southville International School where he is Grade 12. He is considered a heartthrob in school where he won the title Mr. Teen SGEN 2018. Daddie Wowie said it took a lot of convincing Isko and his wife Dynee to give Joaquin their blessing to step into showbiz. The couple, however, agreed to Daddie Wowie’s pleading on the condition that Joaquin continues his studies and maintain his good grades. “It feels good to manage a talent who is the offspring of my talent before. I’ve come full circle as they say,” said Daddie Wowie who was inspired to return to talent management after ManilaTimes.net photo he discovered his first talent, Uno Santiago, in 2018.
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Changing our perception of ‘unhealthy’... Three Fil-Am chefs named 2019 James Beard... PAGE B1 and hypertension. I know how frustrating it can be to look for resources on ‘healthy eating’ and not see yourself reflected — the nutrition field is still largely Eurocentric, and has a long way to go in better representing the wisdom of many food traditions found in the U.S. These stereotypes do a disservice when they pose a false choice of culture vs health,� she stressed. During her research into food during World War II and the American colonial period, Suzara learned that the colonial system not only enforced the English language to Filipinos, but also home economics classes tapered to the “American nutrition� at the time. This introduced processed and imported food from brands like Hershey’s and Hormel. “A more common diet — such as munggo (mung beans), fish, vegetables, and colorful rice — would have been considered nutritionally inferior, and we now know is the opposite,� she explained. Suzara believes that we can be healthy without leaving our food culture behind by getting inspiration from a wealth of foods that are both traditional and contemporary. “There are certainly foods that are fatty, sweet and salty — party foods and treats exist in any culture,� she said. “We don’t need to throw these away, either. Instead, we can make more room in our plates and palates for foods that keep us healthy and strong.� Growing up in Hawai’i, Suzara also noted that she was surrounded by markets that are full of produce, such as long beans, bittermelon, eggplants, banana hearts and more, all planted by longtime Filipino farmers. “In CA (California), earlier generations shaped the farmworker and labor movement, and there are still farmers both new and old who carry on these traditions. Elders have [been] practicing ‘urban gardening’ before it became trendy again,� Suzara said. Raising the flavor profile of vegan/vegetarian dishes “Our people were among the world’s most skillful vegetable farmers, and our traditional foods reflect this agrarian heritage. I think of this when I hear comments that ‘Filipinos don’t eat vegetables’� she said. For those who are thinking of going meatless (or at least plan to eat more vegetables) but are scared of how it will taste like, Suzara has a few ideas. “If people are unfamiliar with ingredients, or have had them poorly prepared, it can seem like these foods must be bland or boring. Luckily, vegetables can be just as — and sometimes even more than — flavorful and creatively prepared as meat. I’d recommend people try an approach of ‘more’ vs ‘elimination,’ she said and continued, “For example, ‘how can I focus on
PAGE B1 like piniritong alimasag (fried soft-shell crab in spicy crab-fat sauce) also brilliantly signal the Chesapeake region in which he cooks.â€? Last January, the restaurant also announced that it is now accepting limited reservations, which means that diners do not have to wait outside for hours, although there will be seats for walk-incustomers. Margarita Lorenzana Manzke and her husband Walter run Republique, a French restaurant in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles that the couple opened in December 2013. Last year, Los Angeles Times named it one of the “101 Restaurants We Loveâ€? and called Manzke’s desserts as “terrific riffs on classics‌so good that you’ll forget to Instagram it.â€? According to their website, Margarita oversees Republique’s Pastry Department, bakes the wildly popular breads, and is largely responsible for the success of the daytime CafĂŠ. In 2017, Margarita and Walter opened Sari Sari Store, a Filipino Rice Bowl Stall, in Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles. Born and raised in the Philippines, Margarita grew up in the kitchen since her family owned and operated a hotel and a restaurant. Her grandparents founded the Lorenzana Food Corporation, which was famous for their patis (fish sauce) while her parents owned and managed the White
Veggie dishes by Aileen Suzara
bringing in more colors, textures, and varieties of vegetables into my daily meals, vs focusing on what to take away?’� She suggests dark leafy greens, like kamote greens, kangkong and bok choy, because of the taste, nutritional value and can cook quickly. Adding seasonings like calamansi or lemon, chilis and garlic help add to its flavor profile. “Making small steps is [the] important thing to getting started! Having a buddy system — a friend or family members — can be motivating and make the process fun,� Suzara said. “For parents who worry they may have the added labor of cooking different foods for themselves and their kids, I’d encourage them to involve kids with cooking ‘new’ foods as much as possible and incorporating it into their diet as well. Easier said than done, for sure, but as I’ve found while cooking and teaching children and youth, kids are more likely to try new foods when they have an active role in preparing it, and also try it multiple times. Some families might opt to make it a weekly tradition and do ‘Meatless Mondays,’ then go from there.� At present, Suzara is also busy with her food business, Sariwa (Tagalog for “fresh�), which she started when she reconnected with her Filipino roots. “I was inspired by flavors tasted while visiting rural areas of the Philippines, in Hawai’i, and while reconstructing dishes found in old cookbooks. When I spent two years as an organic farmer in coastal California, I was immersed in agriculture and was able to grow, taste and cook with some of the freshest and most delicious ingredients, and I wanted to find out how to make them more accessible,� she shared.
Sariwa had its first big popup in Oakland in 2011, with the support of the Peoples Kitchen Collective and as a benefit for Filipino/American Coalition for Environmental Solidarity’s (FACES) typhoon relief efforts. “It took more years of experimentation and work in the public health world before I decided to return to the kitchen. I was concern about the growing chronic disease epidemic our community faced, and also disturbed by the times I’d heard friends or community members share that they were instructed to ‘stop eating Filipino food before it kills you,’� she said. “I realized the most direct way of touching people’s palates was through our tastebuds, and to show how eating for health could also taste good and celebrate culture. I wanted to find ways to make health more celebratory, and to find a practical way to support local farmers who are growing heritage crops.� Sariwa has grown as a food business since 2016, with the support of La Cocina, a nonprofit that supports low-income women, people of color and immigrants. Aside from this, Sariwa brings workshops and food demos to schools, clinics and public events, as well as collaborates with community Margarita Manzke organizations. “Health and wellness are already within our roots. We have a wealth of practices that we can now bring forward to fit our 21st-century lives, and have the tools to feed ourselves in ways that honor our ancestors, heals our bodies, and takes care of the earth,� she said. A podcast featuring Sariwa and healing within Filipino-American foods will soon be posted on https://www.realfoodrealtories. org/.
Sheldon Simoen
Rock Resort in Subic. After studying pastry at Le Cordon Bleu in London, Margarita enrolled in The Culinary Institute of America in New York, where she received her degree in Culinary Arts. The couple also co owns the wildly popular Wildflour chain in Manila with Margarita’s sister Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo. They opened the first one in BGC back in 2012 and now they have five locations across the metropolis.
Photo from Instagram/@chefwonder
Top Chef alum Sheldon Simeon posted his thanks on his Instagram account. “Words can’t even start to describe on how honored it is to be recognized by @beardfoundation amongst the great chefs and restaurants whom I only have the utmost respect for,� he said. Simeon opened Lineage, his second solo restaurant in October last year. He opened Tin Roof in Maui, his first venture back in 2016. He was in two seasons of the Bravo reality show Top Chef, first in the show’s 10th season in Seattle and in the show’s 14th season shot in Charleston. Lineage’s menu is a nod to Simeon’s Filipino heritage as well as his growing up years in Hawai’i. A Hemispheres feature showcased one of the restaurant’s specialties: lauya, a bone broth soup famous in the northern regions of the Philippines. “The restaurant is right down the street from several fancy hotels, so we wanted to showcase an off-cut, like beef shank,� Simeon told the magazine, “something that’s going to take time to cook properly.� “Bone broth with ginger is already warming and soothing,� Simeon added. “We always have herbs left over from other dishes, so we throw those in, too.� The winners will be announced on March 27 and the James Beard Awards Gala will happen on May 6 in Chicago.
6 Filipino-authored cookbooks to add... PAGE B1
after nearly three years in the making. It features 30 recipes and stories from international Filipinos — including White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford, Bocuse d’Or Norway winner Christian AndrĂŠ Pettersen, 2015 MasterChef New Zealand runner-up Leo Fernandez, five-time Palanca Award winner and poet Francis Macansantos, and the “Food Buddhaâ€? Rodelio Aglibot. “Having lived in many places with no Filipino food presence, I long for our cuisine to be more accessible globally,â€? Lauri, who now lives in the United Kingdom after six other countries outside of the Philippines, said in her interview with the Asian Journal in January. “Pulutan! Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and Street Eatsâ€? is the second cookbook by Marvin Gapultos, author of food blog Burnt Lumpia. Published last fall, “Pulutan!â€? — using the Filipino term for food paired with alcoholic drinks — was inspired by Gapultos growing up in a family “where snacking and drinking were a common occurrenceâ€? and his interest in cocktails and writing about and cooking Filipino food. “So to be able to write a cookbook focusing specifically on the drinking food of the Philippines just goes to show that there is so much breadth, depth, and diversity to Filipino cooking,â€? Gapultos shared with the Asian Journal,
Quintessential Filipino Cooking
noting the lack of Filipino cookbooks in the United States only a decade ago. “There’s so much more to our cuisine for everybody to discover and enjoy, and there are so many different dishes and flavors that can be replicated by the home cook, so I hope people come away with an appreciation for that.� The book contains over 60 recipes, with each one suggesting a beer or cocktail as a complement, for any cooking level. You’ll find a range of kinilaw dishes, like shrimp kinilaw with gin and pomelos, and other creations from Bicol Express meatballs, squid sisig, pig ear lumpia, Bacon isaw, and papaitan, a beef and tripe stew. “Food doesn’t have to be fancy to be good, and you don’t need a special occasion to socialize with friends or family,� Gapultos said. “That’s the great thing about Pulutan. Simple food, easy drinks, and a casual setting are all you need to have a good time.� “Quintessential Filipino Cooking� by Liza Agbanlog is an extension of her recipe blog Salu Salo, which was born out of making Filipino dishes using locally available ingredients in Vancouver, Canada, where she has lived with her husband and children since the 90s. The result is an index of 75 recipes developed based on childhood Pulutan! Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and memories, those learned from relatives and friends, or modern Street Eats
No Forks Given
adaptations. Some stand-outs include the sinampalukang manok (chicken tamarind soup), pork rib adobo, crispy pork binagoongan (shrimp paste), and fresh lumpia, which is Chinese-influenced and was handed down by a cousin. “For those who grew up eating Filipino food, I hope that this book will help them make the dishes they grew up eating,� Agbanlog told the Asian Journal. “For those who are not familiar with Filipino cuisine, I hope they can give Filipino cuisine a try and get an appreciation for the cuisine.� “No Forks Given� by Yana Gilbuena is more than a cookbook — it’s a compilation of stories and recipes from Gilbuena’s mission to bring Filipino food to all 50 U.S. states through the SALO Series. Gilbuena told the Asian Journal that this book is a testament that cooking Filipino food is accessible to anyone and that Filipinos can connect with and remind themselves of the Philippines through food. “It is by no means a compendium of Filipino dishes or an encyclopedia of Filipino food, but it is meant to share some knowledge to folks who are interested in adapting local and seasonal ingredients into Filipino dishes,� she said. Some notable recipes in it are the sinigang poke, lengua kare-kare, halo-halo turon, for PAGE B4
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B march 14-20, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
EntErtainmEnt
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Marvel to introduce first After all this time, Barretto sisters realize blood is thicker than water Filipina superhero by Ronnie
CaRRasCo ManilaTimes.net
by AJPress WITH the release of “Captain Marvel” — the first woman superhero to have its own major film in the film franchise, a Filipina superhero will be gracing the pages of the Marvel comic book pages. Just in time for International Women’s Day, comic book writer and filmmaker Greg Pak on March 9 unveiled “Wave” on Twitter, designed and co-created by Filipino comic book artist Leinil Francis Yu. Though there is not much information about Wave, she was described by Marvel as “a mysterious new Filipino heroine.” She has identifiable Filipino “morena” skin, donning a green and gold costume as well as weapons and will be teaming up with heroes from China named Aero and Sword Master. Wave will debut in “War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1,” the first of four “War of the Realms” issues to be released in May. The story will be set in Asia and will center on the New Agents of Atlas led by Korean-American superhero Amadeus Cho (aka Brawn, previously the Hulk). Also joining his team (aside from Wave) are Chinese Kung-Fu master Shang-Chi, Korean-American heroine Silk and SHIELD agent Jimmy Woo. “Thank you so much for the huge response to Wave, Marvel’s new Filipina superhero, who’ll
Wave
debut in War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1! Huge thanks to [Leinil Yu], who co-created and designed her,” he posted on Twitter. In an interview published on Marvel’s website, editor Will Moss said that “War of the Realms”
Manager speaks up on Maine Mendoza’s alleged ABS-CBN transfer ACTRESS Maine Mendoza’s manager Rams David debunked rumors that the “Eat Bulaga” host will transfer to the Kapamilya network. In his Facebook account, Rams also denied rumors that Maine was suspended and kicked out from the longest-running noontime show in the country. “Kesyo Suspended, Tinangal at Lumipat. Wala pong totoo kahit ano po dyan. #lovelivelove mga Beshie,” Rams wrote. Suspicions surrounding Maine’s transfer reportedly began with a tweet from Entertainment Uptake’s Twitter account, which alleged that Maine is being “let go” by “Eat Bulaga.”
EMPLOYMENT
“SCOOP: There are unconfirmed reports that Maine Mendoza is being let go by her current management and “Eat Bulaga”. Will she be transferring to ABSCBN soon to be with Arjo Atayde? Soon we will know the answer!” the Twitter account wrote. Maine’s fans commented on Rams’ post, thanking him for updating them on the situation. “Thanks for the update, dami po mga nega na naman buti na lang di ako paniwala,” a Facebook user said. “Salamat Sir Rams sa update… Support po kami Mainephils,” commented by another Facebook user. After becoming an Internet
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FOR sisters Gretchen and Claudine Barretto, the age-old truism “Blood is thicker than water” apparently still holds water after all this time. It’s been a while since the sisters fell out but Gretchen and Claudine finally ironed out their differences early in February after a scheduled meet-up at a plush hotel in Pasay City. The long-overdue, good news was posted by the youngest of the Barretto sisters in her Instagram account. It read, “I’m very, very happy tonight because of my ate.” Happily, the often warring sisters have both been making efforts to reach out to one another since then, with Gretchen sending food and a large huggable pillow when Claudine was confined in hospital shortly after; and most recently, with Claudine surprising her “Ate” on her March 7 birthday with a bunch of balloons. The touching scene was uploaded on Instagram as well with video showing Gretchen running to Claudine with an embrace Photo from Instagram/@leinilyu and saying “I thought you won’t will involve all the heroes from come, eh.” Claudine replied she wouldn’t the “Avengers,” “Fantastic Four,” “Wolverine” — pretty much the have missed the occasion for whole line. All these superheroes anything, handing her the balloon are out to fight Malekith, the king of the dark elves, who is conquering all realms including Midgard or Earth. PAGE B3 example. The book was announced on Kickstarter in 2017 and garnered 600+ backers who pledged $44,925. Those who supported the campaign will be receiving a physical copy of the book this March, but it’s currently available onsaloseries.com in eBook form. “It is structured just how my tour was, starting from Key West and ending in Hawaii. It has anecdotes of the people I met, my experience in each state and the recipes I developed,” she exMaine Mendoza Photo from Instagram/@mainedcm plained. “The title is very tonguein-cheek…it is about dining with sensation for her Dubmash vid- your hands where no plates or eos, Maine was tapped by Tape utensils are given. At the same Inc. to become a host of “Eat time it embodies a lot of my attiBulaga’s” “Juan For All, All For tude/approach in my work. I give Juan” segment as Yaya Dub, no forks.” paired with Alden Richards to “Baking at République” by form the phenomenal love team Margarita “Marge” Manzke arAlDub. (Philstar.com) rives this April for aspiring home
cooks and pastry chefs who want to replicate the pastries and sweets Manzke makes almost daily. Manzke, who owns République and Sari Sari Store in Los Angeles plus eight cafés like Wildflour in Manila, is a four-time semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Pastry
EMPLOYMENT
PSYCHIC
The Barretto siblings with talent manager Dolor Guevarra.
arrangement as friends cheered them on. “She thought I was not going to see her on her birthday. I ended up not going home. I missed u @ gretchenbarretto…” wrote Claudine in the caption. But here’s the the catch amid the siblings’ reconciliation. Many believe that Gretchen’s move still has something to do with her online war with Kris Aquino, since siding with the latter’s arch nemesis Nicko Falcis. In Gretchen’s IG post weeks
ago, she revealed how Kris allegedly called up Claudine and asked her to pass on message to her older sister that she will sue Gretchen and have her jailed. Claudine, however, flatly denied having been threatened by Kris, let alone speaking with the online celebrity. Whatever her motives though, the Times — and many showbiz netizens are simply happy to see the Barretto sisters together no matter what led to their reconciliation. Family is family!
6 Filipino-authored cookbooks to add...
Baking at République
SERVICES
Chef award. Her credentials and skill level should not intimidate those seeking to learn how to bake, however, as this book delivers clear instructions on how to master brioche, croissants, or a basic cake batter. “The book has a range of easy, you can start from cookies that literally have four ingredients, to something that requires a little bit more practice or skill…I hope it brings readers joy,” Manzke told the Asian Journal. Though Manzke is known for her French-influenced desserts, the cookbook has a host of desserts based on her upbringing in the Philippines and and those she serves at Sari Sari Store. “There are a couple of Filipino recipes like the halo halo, which is a very long recipe, a coconut cream pie derived from buko pie, bibingka, and ginataan, which is perfect for rainy days,” she shared.
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COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Green card marriages are not a realistic option Your Immigration Solution ATTY. DEVIN CONNOLLY MANY people mistakenly believe that marrying a U.S. citizen will guarantee them permanent resident status (“green card”). However, the reality is that obtaining a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen is far more difficult than simply filing an application and awaiting the arrival of a green card. In fact, the desperate act of marrying someone solely for a green card almost always ends very badly. Marrying a person solely for a green card is often called a “green card marriage,” but the more official term used by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) is “sham marriage.” The USCIS is well aware that many people are willing to marry a person for the sole purpose of obtaining a green card. For this reason, they dedicate a substantial amount of resources towards detecting these “sham marriages.” Because of the USCIS’ efforts, it is crucial that a person applying for a green card on the basis of their marriage understand what the USCIS considers to be a valid marriage for immigration purposes. The applicant and their U.S. citizen spouse must prove that their marriage is “bonafide.” The USCIS will not consider a marriage to be a “bonafide marriage” if the only reason the parties got married was so that the nonU.S. citizen could obtain a green card. The USCIS is not required to conclusively prove that the marriage is a “sham marriage.” Rather, the applicant must prove to the USCIS that the marriage is bonafide. This is not an easy task, though, as the USCIS officers
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Tenth of a series)
are highly trained to detect sham marriages. The USCIS will attempt to determine whether the parties “intended to establish a life together” at the time they recited their marital vows. But the USCIS will not be convinced based solely on the statements of the parties. On the contrary, they will also want to closely examine the conduct of the parties, e.g., is the couple residing together, how long have they known each other, are they conducting themselves as husband and wife, etc. Additionally, the USCIS will also consider whether the parties have a sufficient amount of documentation proving the bonafides of their marriage. The USCIS will also commonly want to ask the parties personal questions about their relationship. The potential questions a person may be asked are nearly limitless, as the USCIS may ask just about anything they believe a person should know about their spouse. Nonetheless, it is crucial that the parties object to any vague, misleading or inappropriate questions. Also, it is not uncommon for a person to be questioned with only their attorney present, while their spouse is required to wait outside the examination room. Though this process may seem bizarre, the answers provided to the USCIS’ questions will likely determine whether a green card will be issued. The USCIS may also conduct a field investigation if they suspect the marriage is fraudulent. A field investigation may include an officer visiting your home early in the morning or late at night, interviews with neighbors or your employer, and a review of public records. Moreover, it may also include a review of social networking sites, such as a person’s Facebook page. As you can see, field investigations are tremendously thorough, sometimes taking years to complete, leaving the applicant
in limbo the entire time. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to prove the bonafides of your marriage during your initial interview with the USCIS. The USCIS will only grant permanent resident status if they believe the marriage is valid after all of the above steps are completed. However, if the USCIS believes that the marriage was entered into to evade the immigration laws of the U.S., then the person being petitioned may become barred from ever being petitioned again as an immigrant. They will likely also be deported! There are many other steps to properly determine whether a person is entitled to their green card on the basis of their marriage to a U.S. citizen, such as ensuring that the marriage is legally valid under the laws of the place where the marriage took place. This requires that the parties’ prior marriages were terminated before entering into the current marriage. And yes, this also includes marriages entered into outside the U.S. In conclusion, obtaining a green card through a marriagebased petition can be a very complex process. Therefore, it is always advisable to retain the services of an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
The bucket list Let the music move you
“ … And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” –Ascribed to Friedrich Nietzsche
CARE to dance? Most people have rhythm embedded in their DNA. Music moves them emotionally and physically. Music is a powerful gravity-defying force that can speak to the soul. Watch when people listen to an upbeat Michael Jackson tune or even a Strauss waltz piece and before long, they will transform any empty space into a dance floor, dancing by themselves, or even trip the light fantastic if they are lucky enough to be with someone who shares their love for music and dancing. Test yourself if you have rhythm in you. See if a few strains of any kind of music move you emotionally and get you busting a few moves yourself. Want to see real honest to goodness dancing? Check out the video on youtube titled “Old movie stars dance to Uptown Funk” sang by Bruno Mars. It is this wonderfully edited and seamlessly spliced YouTube video of the Hollywood stars of a past golden era, exhibiting real talent in dancing. I just love watching the mixing of dance talent and current modern beat. The video
editor, whoever he or she may be, deserves praise. Kudos! Fred Astaire, in my opinion, is beyond compare. There will never be another Astaire on earth who can take to the dance floor and make it look so easy. Sigh … The music he danced to seemed welded into his bones. But such perfection in movement didn’t come without a price. He must have practiced until his bones and muscles at the end of each rehearsal day cried out for mercy. He must have burned out so much energy that accounted for his lean physique and lightness of feet. But we don’t’ have to be that great of a dancer to enjoy the music and move to its beat. Dancing is exhilarating. If you want real justification to ‘bust a move’ as they say, dancing is real good exercise and is fun! Exercise, as you probably know, is one of only 2 ways (laughter being the other one) that the body naturally produces endorphin — that feelgood, healthy hormone that is still by far, the best medicine for both
Health@Heart
ASA, sushi, and other facts
PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS CAN aspirin prevent stroke/ heart attack? Daily low-dose of aspirin (81 mg to 100 mg Acetylsalicylic Acid or ASA) is prescribed by physicians for the prevention of heart attack, stroke and blood clot formation among appropriately selected patients who can tolerate it and who do not have any contraindication (bleeding tendencies, stomach ulcer, etc) to aspirin ingestion. It is a simple, cheap, and convenient regimen which physicians themselves take for prophylaxis. But just like any other drug, aspirin isn’t good nor safe for everyone. There are potential serious complications from this seemingly harmless medication. Be sure to consult your physicians before starting yourself on aspirin, or on any other medications. Are skin lotion useful, safe? Skin moisturizers like drinking water for hydration, is vital to health. Popular skin moisturizing lotions and creams manufactured by reputable companies are in general safe and effective in fighting off, and soothing, dry skin. The usual ingredients in most of them are water, glycerine, aloe vera,
palm glyceride, ceteareth-20, hydroxylated lanolin, dimethicone, alkyl benzoate, glyceryl dilaurate, mineral oil, stearic acid, petrolatum, sodium carbomer, methylparaban, dmdmhydantoin, fragrance, cetyl alcohol, prohylene glycol, etc. Each company varies its skin lotion it a bit, adding vitamin E or cocoa butter, etc. For those with skin allergies, there are fragrance-free lotions and creams. More expensive ones are not necessarily better. If they have the same formulations and made by reliable firms, the less expensive one is obviously the better bargain. Both women and men and children need skin moisturizers. Moisturizers are vital to our facial skin, to minimize aging and wrinkling. Are penis enlargers true? Lately the internet has been flooded with unsolicited ads about penis enlarger. We have received a few emails from our readers inquiring about its veracity and safety. We are amazed at the grave concern some men have about themselves, and their confusion in equating the size of their genital with the degree of their masculinity and potency. There seems to be an obsession among some men to have a “bigger one.” Being a student of magic and illusion, I have always said it is not the size of the wand that counts, but the magic it creates. The largest sex
body and spirit. We all have it in us and is absolutely free. So go ahead, even if you have two left feet, and tend to step on your partner’s feet when dancing. Shed your inhibitions and DANCE! Let the music move you. With dedicated repetition and practice, you might even surprise yourself one day with a dance routine. Cut back the time spent online. We fritter away much of our time browsing and imbibing toxic things from the internet that wear away and erode the joy of our souls during our time here on earth. Get off your backside and listen to music that resonates with your body as you cook, clean your car, clean out the garage or do other mind numbing chores. If all else fails, start humming as you work. My cousin, who has been a dentist for decades and has just retired in her early eighties, used to hum as she worked on her patients’ mouths. She was passionate about her work and it showed. The music pours out of PAGE B6
organ in the body is the brain and that’s where the magic begins. These so-called “guaranteed penis enlarger or your money back” offers are nothing else but a scam. There is no medical evidence or scientific basis for the claim, be they “the exercise,” the pill or lotion or potion. The only ones that will grow larger, if the ignorant public is duped into buying these worthless products, are the bank accounts of these unscrupulous companies. Guys, let’s use our brain instead. Do painted cribs cause lead poisoning? If the paints used in the crib have lead in them, yes they can cause Plumbism (lead poisoning) when the toddler chews on the crib or painted toys, etc. In the United States “leaded” paints are banned from use where children are exposed to them, among toy manufacturers, classroom/school paints, etc. Homemade cribs coated with “leaded” paints, are a constant cause of Plumbism, even today. Other sources at home are foods and beverages (fruits, fruit juices, cola drinks, tomatoes, tomato juice, cider, wine, etc) stored in improperly lead-glazed ceramic wares or any lead-lined containers, leaded glasses, etc. Some of the symptoms include persistent and forceful vomiting, abdominal pains, seizures, unstable gait PAGE B6
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 14-20, 2019
Calendar of Events across
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Philippine Medical Society of Northern California installation of officers in Foster City, CA The Philippine Medical Society of Northern California will hold its 47th anniversary and installation of officers for 2019-2021 at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City, CA on Saturday, March 30. For sponsorship information, please contact Dr. Clementina Manio at drtina0427@gmail. com or visit https://www.pmsnc.org/.
United Bicolandia Los Angeles induction in Montebello, CA United Bicolandia Los Angeles will hold its 45th Anniversary and Induction Ceremony at Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA on Saturday, March 30. For tickets and sponsorship information, please contact Lanie Berrei at lanieberrei@hotmail.com or (818) 281-3169.
APRIL 7
Ryan, Ryan! The Maestro and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in Glendale, CA Recently proclaimed National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab’s works will be showcased on Sunday, April 7 at the John Wayne Performing Arts Center (1440 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205) at 6 p.m. by his multi-talented singing group, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers joined by some local artists like Mon David, Annie Nepomuceno, Louie Reyes and many more. Come and hear how his work that spans five decades has made an indelible impact on Filipino culture. Copresented by Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, a 501 (c) 3 organization that brings exemplary Filipino Artists to U.S. stages. For ticket information ($35-$125) visit www.philpatrons.org and to learn about other tour stops in Las Vegas (April 7), San Diego (April 12) and Seattle (April 14).
APRIL 13
2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit in LA The 2nd annual Filipino mental health well-being summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at The Center of Cathedral Plaza (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). In partnership with the LA County of Department of Mental Health, registration begins on March 11. This is a FREE event for all. Breakfast and lunch included with registration. Please email FilipinoWellBeing@Gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/FilipinoWellBeing for more updates.
A P R I L 25 -28
Philippine Nurses Association of America - North Central Regional Conference in Columbus, Ohio The Philippine Nurses Association - Central Ohio will hold a regional conference from April 25 to 28 at the Embassy Suites (2886 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio). For more information, please visit http://www.mypnaa.org/.
M AY 1 7-1 9
Santa Maria Ilocos Sur 12th Global Reunion in Honolulu, Hawaii The Santa Maria Ilocos Sur Global Association (SMISGA) and the Santa Marians of Hawaii are sponsoring the Santa Maria Ilocos Sur 12th Global Reunion in Honolulu, Hawaii from May 17-19, 2019. The festivities will start with a meet and greet on May 17 at 5 p.m. at the Ala Moana Hotel Hibiscus Ballroom to be followed by a gala night on May 18 at 5 p.m. at the Dole Cannery Pomaikai Ballroom. A picnic is also scheduled at Ala Moana Beach Park’s Magic Island on Sunday, May 19 starting at 10 a.m. The ticket to attend all the events is $130.00 per person. Due to limited space, reservations must be made not later than March 31, 2019. Hats and t-shirts will also be on sale for $20. For further information, call Nena Empleo at (808) 384-0394, Carlito Soria at (808) 487-3370, Alex Pena at (702) 373-9522 or Orlino Baldonado at (865) 789-8324. Leave a message if there’s no answer. Additional information is also on SMISGA.com and Facebook @ SMISGA19FB. Proceeds from the events will be for various projects in Santa Maria Ilocos Sur and in Hawaii. Donations are tax deductible since SMISGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization approved by the Internal Revenue Service.
JUNE 1
7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival in LA The 7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival Committee (7KPFC) announced that it will holding the 7th Kalayaan Parade in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 1, 2019 in commemoration of the 121st PH Independence Day on June 12, 1898. This will be the 7th Kalayaan Parade and Festival in Historic Filipinotown, as the first was held in 2013 in cooperation with the PH Consulate General in Los Angeles. This is the only Independence Day parade and Festival in Los Angeles and is held every year in Historic Filipinotown. For more information, please call Freddie at (818) 220-2075 or email at jfavusa8@gmail.com.
Kalayaan Incorporated’s annual Philippine Independence Day gala in LA Kalayaan Incorporated invites the community to its celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel (5855 W. Century Blvd. Los Angeles, CA). Kalayaan is extremely proud to have Honorable Risa Hontiveros, an incumbent senator who assumed office on June 30, 2016, as the grand gala’s guest of honor and speaker. For tickets to the Gala Night, please contact Annie Cuevas-Lim, Kalayaan President at (213) 447-7078. For more information, contact KI PROs Violet Mislang at vmislang@gmail.com or Lady Hope Robillos at lhopepr@yahoo.com.
J U LY 2 0
The Ibaan Association USA-Canada gala dinner in LA The Ibaan Association USA-Canada will hold its 32nd Annual Gala Dinner & Dance July 20, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City - Ballroom A at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, California 91608. For reservations call Monica Benitez at (323) 697-3731 / email: monica_benitez03@yahoo.com or Irene May Villafranca at (323) 423-2299 / email: imay02@ yahoo.com. Tickets are $85 for Adults and $40 for Children (3 to 10 years old). Please make checks payable to: Ibaan Association USA-Canada and mail to: Merly Pagunsan at 5025 Heintz St. Baldwin Park, CA 91706. For sponsorship information on our 2019 Souvenir Program please contact President Noli Reyes at homesbynoli@gmail.com or call (818) 458-7888. Please RSVP by April 12, 2019.
J U LY 24 -28
40th annual Philippine Nurses Association of America National Convention in Atlanta, GA The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) will have its 40th annual national convention from July 24 to 28 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA, hosted by the PNA-GA chapter. More information and details TBA. To learn about the PNA-GA, please visit: https://pnaga.wildapricot.org/.
AU G U ST 1 - 9
University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International Convention & Alaskan Cruise The University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International, Inc. (UPNAAI) will have its 40th convention on a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. The theme will be “In the New Millennium - UPNAAI at 40: Evolving and Emerging Nursing Roles.” On Aug. 1. it will be UPNAAI Volunteers Service Day in Seattle, then 2-9 will be a cruise from Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Victoria, and back to Seattle. Convention Fee $100 for Alumni in addition to cruise pricing. No convention charge for friends and family members. Contact Hours will be provided for the educational conference. For more information/to register and view cruise rates, please visit https://www.upnaai.com/.
AU G U ST 3 - 4
Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo in Carson, CA The second annual Travel, Trade & Consumer Expo is back on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, CA. The two-day event is Southern California’s largest B2B expo showcasing tourism, trade, and investment opportunities in the USA and Philippines. It will feature networking opportunities for business-to-business, business-to-government, and business-to-consumer. The event is powered by the Asian Journal and Balikbayan Magazine. For more information, please visit https://traveltradeconsumer.com/.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
EntErtainmEnt
B march 14-20, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
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Lovi Poe in La La Land
by Ricky Lo Philstar.com
WEST HOLLYOOD, California — Last February 26, my Viber beeped. Somebody named Virginia was sending a message, “Hi, Tito Ricky!” I wondered, who is Virginia? Second message, “Are you in LA?” Couldn’t figure out who Virginia was. Third message, “This is Lovi!” Oh, so it’s her! Blame jetlag, I have forgotten that Lovi’s full name is Lourdes Virginia Moran Poe. Rewinding my memory, I recalled asking Jun Lalin to ask Leo Dominguez (Lovi’s manager who is, according to Lovi, “like a second mom to me”) if it was possible to meet up with Lovi during my four-day working visit to La La Land (used as a nickname for Los Angeles). Lovi could have just ignored my request but, thank goodness, she didn’t. “Free for brunch tomorrow (Feb. 27)?” she Vibered back after I thanked her for texting thrice. “I’m going back to Manila tomorrow,” I replied. “What about early dinner tonight?” “Okay,” she said. “Let’s meet later at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood at 5 o’clock. See you.” As soon as she arrived, Lovi ordered a plant-based Whole Cauliflower salmoriglio, almond aioli. Jemela and I picked Beyond “Sausage” pizza, tomato, mushroom. “I love this place,” Lovi said, “and I always order the Whole Cauliflower. Been here five times.” Must be near where she lived but we didn’t ask where. Privacy, please! With the permission of GMA with which she has an exclusive contract until next year, Lovi has been enjoying her La La Land holiday for more than a month now. “I deserve it,” she said, “after all, I’ve been working since I was 15. But I’m here not just to take it easy; I’m also trying to learn more about acting and new things. In the Philippines, everything I do is great but I feel that it has become so routine. When I go back home, I want to do something new naman. I’ve been doing drama at balde-balde na ang nai-luha ko. Dapat ma-iba naman.” And, I may add, bold in film (“The Escort,” with Derek Ramsay, etc.) and on billboard (the Belo Clinic’s) that stops traffic around the metropolis. “I’m actually very shy but when it comes to work, I can be daring, hahaha!!!”
Lovi Poe
Photo from Instagram/@lovipoe
When we asked who Monty was, Lovi stopped chewing her cauliflower. “He’s my friend here…Hmmm, he’s kind of, ah, English…doing films in LA, behind the scenes. He’s a writer-producer. His full name is Montgomery Blencowe.” Just a friend? Lovi resumed eating her cauliflower. Then she gasped. “Oh my God, am I so transparent? Hahaha! He’s great. I’m happy that he’s here and I’m here. He’s a nice person to be around with.” We pursued the topic and asked who were the two other gorgeous-looking guys (aside from Monty) with her in the picture she has posted on her IG. Her suitors, perhaps, now that she has broken up with her what’s-hisname French boyfriend? She first met them last year when she took an acting class — Gavin Leatherwood and Garrett Myers. “It’s nice to be hanging around with them again. We have a lot to talk about. Gavin is a fantastic actor who was part of Sabrina (a TV series). He’s very, very nice.” Just a friend; nothing romantic? “Hahahaha!!!” She repeated, “I’m fancyfree...single. I’m just enjoying myself.” In Manila, if she has an earlymorning shoot, she would wake up at 3 a.m., run for one hour and, by 4 o’clock, rush to the set. It has become a routine. In LA, she has time at her disposal. “I wake up
anytime I want to. No pressure. My time is flexible. I hang out with friends. Since I eat a lot... sarap kasi kumain dito!...I make sure that I exercise. These past several days, it has been raining and it’s only now that the sun has come out.” She has even time to travel. In December last year, she flew to New York and celebrated the New Year with Rhian Ramos, who is there purportedly to take acting lessons. “I love my BFF Rhian. She’s also independent like me. Like me talaga, o! Hahaha!!! I also went to Las Vegas to cheer for Manny Pacquiao during his bout with (Adrien) Broner.” To celebrate her birthday last Feb. 11, Lovi went to Malibu with friends but on Valentine’s Day she was home alone watching Netflix (“American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace” for which Fil-Am actor Darren Criss won Best Actor and the Lily Tomlin-Jane Fonda starrer “Grace & Frankie”). But it hasn’t been all play and no work for Lovi. “Aside from taking lessons in acting, I’m also tapping more of my artistic side. I’m thinking of writing a screenplay and a book. You see, I have a wild imagination like Coleen Hoover, my favorite writer. I’ve read a lot of her books. I love her.” It’s a pity that her scheduled meeting with Hoover (that Lovi told us about) has been postponed. “I’m so flattered and honored that she would find time for a fan like me.” Asked how soon she was going home, Lovi said, “I’m not sure yet.” Hopefully, maybe before the May elections so she could join her Ate (Sen.) Grace (Poe who is running for re-election) during the last stretch of the campaign? The sisters were featured in a joint interview (their first ever and, so far, the last) with The STAR a few years back. “We got a lot closer after that. Up There, I’m sure our dad was smiling at how things have turned out. I’m so blessed that they have accepted me.” Quarter to 7. After we took some pictures and swapped goodbye (till next time) kisses, Lovi hailed an Uber for her next appointment for the day. There was a little twinkle in her eyes when she waved back before the Uber turned around the bend.
Carlo Aquino and Angelica Panganiban give viewers a contemporary view on love and relationship.
Contributed photo
Carlo Aquino, Angelica Panganiban star in romantic digital short, ‘Solb’
GOING viral among netizens at the moment is a thought-provoking, bittersweet digital short film helmed by ace director Dan Villegas, starring versatile actors and on-screen — and once offscreen — partners Carlo Aquino and Angelica Panganiban. A digital short produced for the homegrown Mang Insal fast food chain, the threeminuter captures a very contemporary view on romance and relationships in a way that only Villegas and “CarGel” can deliver spot on. Dubbed #SolbAngBuhay, the video ushers viewers into the happy couple’s relationship, which give them much fulfillment. In other words, they feel completely “solb,” which is the Filipino slang for being satisfied. The first half of the video showcases the engaging chemistry of the couple as portrayed by CarGel, including their most kilig moments — playfully washing the dishes, texting sweet messages to each other, and sharing their love for Mang Inasal Chicken Inasal. Their characters express what they think about each other, and how one cannot live without the other. The popular song “Sana” of folk artist I Belong to the Zoo complements the digital film’s romantic narrative, especially as the couple is shown having a misunderstanding, with Carlo trying his best to comfort a crying
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Angelica. They part ways, in tears. This is followed by a montage of the characters doing their favorite things by themselves. The twist at the end lays the truth that the two are no longer together. But even with a tinge of sadness, the couple still manage to be happy. As the two are shown eating in a Mang Inasal store by their lonesome, a loving moment that they used to share together, they seem to be contented eating alone by themselves. This is where Mang Inasal’s self-assuring message that “one can still be happy regardless of one’s relationship status.” In reality, relationships end even between two people who seem to be perfect for each other. And when it does, the important thing is to know that life does not end there. People will eventually be okay, and that it is okay to be single, that it is okay to love yourself. The closing line goes: “Kahit single, in a relationship, or it’s complicated, solb pa rin ang buhay, di ba? (Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or ‘it’s complicated, you can still enjoy life to the fullest).” “The film feels very real, as everyone does experience heartbreak once in a while. It’s our post-Valentine treat to our customers and CarGel fans, where we want to show the other side of love, where you don’t have to be in a relationship with anybody
to be happy. We want to tell everyone that there is such a thing called ‘self-love,’ and this is the most potent of all kinds of love. It inspires one to discover happiness within, against trying to find it in someone else,” said Mang Inasal Marketing Director Michael Dumaual. The digital short is a reunion for Angelica, Carlo and Direk Dan, coming off from the highly successful romantic drama “Exes Baggage.” Birth of loveteam Aquino and Panganiban were child stars in the ‘90s who made names for themselves for their superb acting and talent. They were paired in many television shows and films until they became real-life lovers. The two eventually ended their relationship and went their separate ways, pursuing their own careers in showbiz. But Exes Baggage reignited the comeback of the CarGel loveteam. To date, many fans still root for the couple, who now star in ABSCBN’s “Playhouse.” With the digital film’s release on February 25, Dan Villegas continues his streak of tearjerkers like “Never Not Love You,” “All of You,” and “The Breakup Playlist.” Villegas was the awardwinning force behind “Hintayan ng Langit” and highly successful TV drama series “On The Wings of Love” and “Till I Met You.” (ManilaTimes.net)
The bucket list
her. When her husband was still alive, they would hit the dance floor at parties whenever they could. Music makes things easier as the arduous tasks get done. If you do mental work like writing or analysis that needs intense focus and you tend to get easily distracted, listen to soft, unobtrusive instrumental music so the words don’t get in the way. On hot summer nights when sleep is elusive and the air conditioning is busted, listen and fall asleep to the sounds of gentle rain on your smartphone. It’s hypnotic. This beats having to drink those dangerous sleep aids with horrid side effects. Not all music soothes the soul though. Choose wisely. There is a smorgasbord of music to choose from and like anything else, our
choices determine the outcome. It is no wonder that the younger generations who grew up listening to that so-called music genre of troubling, raspy, jagged sounds that focus on the seedy side of life such as blood, sex, violence, gang culture and others have strayed so far away from what is good. It was said that there were celestial strains of music by a host of angels floating above the stable in Bethlehem at the time Christ was born more than two thousand years ago. My wild guess is it may have been musical strains of Handel’s “Messiah.” Was there music in the Garden of Eden? Perhaps yes before sin came to be and Eden went dank and dark. And if you are living and trying to get to heaven, you may wonder if there is going to be music and dancing there as well. If lightness of being and free-
dom from the stranglehold of gravity and earthly concerns characterize life beyond death, the answer is probably a big resounding YES. So while alive and your body and limbs are functional, dance with sheer abandon as you let good music move you. It is purely speculative but I have a gut feeling there is going to be a lot of dancing on an immense celestial dance floor as you bust your heavenly moves on a conga line. Stand aside, Fred. You’ve got some serious competition up there. 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
ASA, sushi, and other...
PAGE B6 (walking), mental retardation, varied levels of consciousness and coma, depending on the chronicity and severity of poisoning. Are there pills that dissolve gallstones? Presently, there is no medication (or any chemical safe for humans to ingest) that will dissolve gallstones, kidney stones or cholesterol plaques in arteries. There will always be claims for a “super-cure” from charlatans and opportunists, who are out there to make a quick buck, as long as there are willing victims. It behooves us, the public, to be well-informed and skeptically cautious (holding on to our wallet) when dealing with “panaceas.” It is always wise to verify the information with your physician. Skin rash after sex? Skin rashes that develop almost immediately after intimacy is usually due to allergy. The allergen (material or substance causing the reaction) could be the latex in condom, diaphragm, spermicidal agent, cosmetics, or in very rare instances, the semen itself. It is advisable to seek medical care if this happens to rule out other causes. In the meantime it will be helpful to the physician if the partners jointly analyze the circumstances and make a list of possible allergens. Is sushi healthy food? Provided they are clean and not contaminated by bacteria or toxic chemical, sushi (uncooked fish), just like raw Visayan kinilaw with all the omega 3 fatty acids in them, is healthy food and good for the cardiovascular system. Sushi has been very popular in
its adopted country, the United States, especially among college students, white collar workers, professionals, the yuppies, etc. Some people do not like even the idea of eating raw fish, period, but those who have a taste for it simply salivate at the thought of having it, especially with wine or beer. Ingestion of contaminated sushi leads to gastroenteritis, with abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, the gravity of which depend on the dose of the bacterial contamination. The art of preparing sushi incorporates with it strict discipline in the choice of quality fish, meticulous observance of hygiene and an impressive artistic presentation of the dish. Patronizing only well-established and reputable restaurants that serve sushi or kinilaw is always a safer option for these particular items. Sushi is full of vital ingredients and disease fighting proteins and antioxidants like raw fresh vegetables, which are immune boosters and anticancer foods. Can one survive on a redmeatless diet? Yes, most definitely. And those who eat only fish, vegetables and fruits (absolutely no red meat like pork, beef, or other meat from four-legged animals, and even without poultry meat) can survive very well. As a matter of medical fact, most of these people will even outlive those who eat red meat regularly. Fish, vegetables and fruits, and a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement, is a healthy diet regimen for all of us, except for anyone who is allergic, or somehow intolerant, to any of these food items. We, humans,
do not really need to eat red meat (and eggs!) to survive. We will even be healthier without them. How much water do we need a day? For daily normal activities, it is recommended that we drink at least 6-8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day, or a total of about 48 ounces (1440 ml) a day. Regular bottled water is about 16.9 oz or 500cc. Nowadays, 8-stage filtered water is preferred, where practical. For tourists and visitors from other countries, filtered water is a must to prevent gastrointestinal problems. Those manual laborers exposed to the hot sun have water higher body water loss, and therefore need more hydration. And so with those with fever or patients with diarrhea and/or vomiting from gastroenteritis. Proper hydration is very important in keeping our organs and tissues healthy, including our skin and complexion. Water is the best liquid for daily fluid replacement because soft drinks are toxic to our body. Natural fruit juices are better but contains a lot of sugar (albeit fructose) and those with diabetes or pre-diabetics must be conscious of this. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 14-20, 2019
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B march 14-20, 2019 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678