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APRIL 12 -18, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 25 • 16 Pages
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Duterte: I won’t reveal where I keep my wealth by NESTOR
CORRALES Inquirer.net
The PCIJ also raised questions about the presidential MANILA – President Rodrigo family’s law firm and failure to Duterte on Thursday, April 11, disclose some business intersaid he won’t disclose where he ests in their Statement of Askeeps his wealth following the sets, Liabilities and Net Worth release of a three-part Philippine (SALN). “Wag kayo maniwala sa baCenter for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) series on the increase sura ng oposisyon. I will explain it…Well, sabihin ko sa inyo in in his family’s earnings.
DATELINE
due time (Do not believe garbage from the opposition. I will explain it. I’ll tell you in due time),” Duterte said in his speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDPLaban) rally in Bacolod City. But for now, the president said he isn’t revealing where his
u PAGE 2
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
DAY OF VALOR IN WASHINGTON. Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, a son of a Filipino World War II veteran, shakes the hand of 101-year-old Celestino Almeda, the oldest living Filipino veteran in the Washington DC area, during the Bataan Day commemoration at the National World War II Memorial on Tuesday, April 9. Photos by Bing Branigin.
US judge okays reparation for martial law victims A UNITED STATES federal judge approved the transfer of proceeds from late President Ferdinand Marcos’ ill-gotten assets to compensate the human rights victims of the martial law regime on Tuesday, April 9. New York City district court Judge Katherine Polk Failla signed the order that mandates the transfer of $13.75 million or about P715 million from the retrieved properties of the Marcos family to the victims of the dictatorial rule. “The Republic’s OSG (Office of the Solicitor General) sought to kill the settlement and prevent (a) distribution to human rights victims,” the statement from American lawyer Robert Swift, who represented the 9,539 human rights victims, read. “However, Judge Failla found that the Republic’s New York attorney had actual and apparent authority to bind the Republic to the settlement,” the unified class counsel statement added. Swift, who was the lead counsel for the martial law victims, said that $13.75 million will also cover the fees related to the settlement such as counsel fee, incentive award, collec-
Senate President Vicente Sotto III
Philstar.com photo
3 senators file resolution to rebuke US lawmakers for ‘interference’
Day of Valor in the nation’s capital honors Bataan & Corregidor heroes
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “I can think of no other place I would rather be today than at this ceremony, remembering with you the courage and sacrifice, the resilience and the strength of the Defenders of Corregidor and Bataan.” U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David H. by GAEA KATREENA CABICO Philstar.com Huntoon (Ret) said those words on Tuesday, April 9, at the NaMANILA — Three senators, including Senate Presitional World War II Memorial dent Vicente Sotto III, filed a resolution to rebuke some where community leaders, diplomembers of the United States Congress for supposedly mats, veterans, families, and vetmeddling with the country’s affairs following their coneran advocates gathered to mark demnation of Sen. Leila de Lima’s detention and jourthe 77th anniversary of the Fall of nalist Maria Ressa’s arrest. Bataan and Corregidor. On April u PAGE 2 9 and May 6, 1942, over 72,000 Filipino and American soldiers surrendered to Japanese Impe- Filipino World War II Veterans Celestino Almeda (left) and Rey Cabacar share a light moment rial Forces and were forced to after the solemn ceremony. march for over 65 miles to prison mon values, of our purposeful paign. His father-in-law was ascamps. In the infamous Bataan lives, and of our mutual respect signed at Clark Air Force Base u PAGE 5 Death March, approximately and compassion for each other for a number of years. 10,000 Filipino and 700 Ameri- that transcends and, in time, In his remarks, Philippine can soldiers died. can surmount the pain and suf- Ambassador Jose Manuel G. “Here at this national shrine fering of war.” Romualdez noted that this by NEIL ARWIN MERCADO of service, we pause to reflect on A 40-year veteran with the year’s theme of the “Day of Inquirer.net their service, to remember their U.S. Army, Huntoon served as Valor” or “Araw ng Kagitingan” MANILA — The United Nations Population Fund courage, and their resilience in Superintendent of the U.S. Mili- is “Sakripisyo ng Beterano ay FEDERAL officials on Tuesday, April 9, (UNFPA) reported that the Philippines’ population the face of death,” Huntoon add- tary Academy at West Point. He Gunitain, Gawing Tanglaw ng ed. “Learning about and teaching has a deep personal connec- Kabataan Tungo sa Kaunlaran.” dismantled a $1.2 billion Medicare scam grew by 1.6% annually from 2010 to 2019. According to the report, the annual population others the stories of these heroic tion with the war in the Pacific This theme “underscores the peddling unneeded orthopedic braces to hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting el- growth rate in the country is faster than India (1.2%), soldiers from the U.S. and from as his father worked in the staff sacrifices of our war veterans the Philippines matters. In doing of General Douglas MacArthur and urges our youth to draw inderly and disabled patients through call cen- the United States (0.7%) and China (0.5%). UNFPA’s report also showed that the country’s an- so, we are reminded of our com- during the New Guinea camters in the Philippines and in Latin America. u PAGE 2 u PAGE 2 According to the Justice Department, the scheme — which has been described as one of the largest health care frauds in United States history — relied on overseas call centers to pry Medicare numbers from beneficiaries. Twenty-four people were charged, by JAIME LAUDE pines-U.S. joint Balikatan exercises. including doctors accused of writing bogus Philstar.com The US Marines’ helicopter carrier was prescriptions. MANILA — The supposed unidentified reportedly near China-controlled Panatag “These defendants — who range from aircraft carrier seen by local fishermen Shoal. corporate executives to medical professionOfficials said the USS Wasps was only bound for Panatag Shoal was the USS als — allegedly participated in an expansive Wasps, a helicopter carrier of the U.S. Ma- around 35 to 40 nautical miles off Zambales. and sophisticated fraud to exploit telemedirines participating in this year’s joint Ba- Panatag is farther away at around 160 nauticine technology meant for patients othcal miles from the mainland. likatan exercises, officials said. erwise unable to access health care,” said Balikatan spokesman on the U.S. side, 2Lt. Reports said fishermen from Zambales Brian Benczkowski, the assistant attorney on their way to fish in Panatag or Scarbor- Tori Sharpe, pointed out the deployment of general for the department’s criminal diviough Shoal saw fighter jets taking off and USS Wasps and the F35B fighter jets highsion, in a statement. landing on the unidentified aircraft carrier. lights the U.S. support to its regional allies The Associated Press (AP) reported that “What was monitored is with the Balika- and partners. officials said the profits from the scheme Earlier, this year’s Balikatan planners and tan exercise, along with our two Philippine were laundered through offshore shell comNavy ships,” said Maj. Ericson Bolosan, organizers said USS Wasps with its empanies and then were used to purchase spokesman for the Northern Luzon Com- barked F35B figher jets will be operating in exotic cars, yachts, and luxury real estate international waters while conducting flight mand (Nolcom). around the world. Bolosan was referring to the USS operations. They added that the scam was detected Beefing up last summer after beneficiaries complained Tthe amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) maneuvers alongside the Philippine Navy offshore Wasps, an amphibious assault ship with The U.S. has increased its military presF35B Lightning II stealth fi ghter jets. The Alcaraz (PS 16) in support of Exercise Balikatan 2019 on Friday, April 5. u PAGE 5 patrol vessel BRP Ramon U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Barker ship was deployed at this year’s Philipu PAGE 3
Philippines’ 1.6% annual population growth rate 24 charged in billion dollar trumps India, US, China Medicare brace scam
Philippines, US ships conduct drills near Panatag Shoal
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From the Front Page
Duterte: I won’t reveal where... PAGE 1 wealth is. “Mayaman? Taguin ko. Bakit ko sasabihin sa inyo kung saan ko nailagay? Gago pala kayo eh. May tao ba rito, ma-holdap
pa tayo. May pera? May pera ako. Ulol (Wealthy? I’ll keep it. Why will I tell you where I keep it? You are fools. I may be robbed. I have money, fools),” he said.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo had earlier dared critics to file charges if they truly believe that the rise in the wealth of Duterte’s family was ill-gotten. n
3 senators file resolution to rebuke US... PAGE 1
Senate Resolution 1037, filed by Sotto and Sens. Panfilo Lacson and Gringo Honasan late Wednesday, April 10, expresses “the strong sense of the Philippine Senate to rebuke, for being an affront to the sovereignty of the republic of the Philippines and an undue interference on its judicial process, proposed resolution nos. 233 and 142 filed by some members of the United States Congress.” Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the National World War II Memorial. Both U.S. House Resolution Photo by Bing Branigin 233 and Senate Resolution 142 sought to condemn the Philippine government for the continued detention of De Lima and PAGE 1 than a dozen of us who were still best way to “repay the sacrifices called for her immediate release. U.S. Senate Resolution also spiration from this selfless act of around,” Cabacar recalls. “I miss of our veterans” is to get involved giving oneself so that they too can my friends especially on occa- in veteran-related activities, such called for the dropping of contribute to the advancement sions like this.” Cabacar keeps as participating in the annual charges against Ressa and her of this nation,” Romualdez said. himself busy by volunteering Bataan Memorial Death March online news company, Rappler. “Knowledge of history is an es- with the Veterans of Foreign in White Sands, New Mexico and The resolution likewise highsential guide to the future. We Wars and other community ser- the Freedom Trail Death March lighted human rights concerns in the Philippines, which is orga- in the Philippines and urged the have to know where we have vice projects. Despite his age, Almeda is nized by the Department of Na- Duterte administration to respect been and what brought us to the present, in order to be able still able to attend public events tional Defense and the Philippine freedom of expression. ‘Interference’ to chart a course toward a better and, with a strong and forceful Veterans Bank. He also urged The resolution filed by Philipvoice, always has something to support for FilVetREP’s Congrestomorrow.” Brig. Gen. Marlo M. Guloy, say. This time, at the end of the sional Gold Medal project, which pine senators said the U.S. resolutions are “undermining the Defense and Armed Forces At- ceremony, he spoke about his is now in its education phase. Also participating in the hour- independence of the Philippine taché of the Philippine Embassy, passionate love of country and expanded on the ambassador’s democracy. Quoting lines from long ceremony were the U.S. government and being an undue point by citing Proclamation No. Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, he Armed Forces Color Guard and 466, S. 1989, designating April 5 wondered if the nation he fought Filipino American stage actor to 11 of every year as Philippine for had “a new birth of freedom, Justine de Guzman Moral, who Veterans Week, in order to “pro- and that government of the peo- sang the Philippine and U.S. NaPAGE 1 mote, preserve and memorialize ple by the people for the people, tional Anthems. War and Memory nual population growth rate is the principles, ideals, and deeds will perish from the earth?” He At a reception held at the Phil- among the highest in the Southof the Filipino war veteran as a reminded the audience: “We did means to enhance patriotism and our best to fight for democracy ippine Embassy Chancery follow- east Asian region along with Malove of country, especially among in the Philippines. But today, it’s ing the wreath-laying ceremony, laysia, Singapore, and Cambodia, going nowhere. Are we going to the Filipino Veterans Recogni- which also reported an annual the youth of the land.” allow it to perish from the earth? tion and Education Project (Fil- growth rate of 1.6%. The great task remaining The Democratic Republic of Attending the commemora- Please rise to maintain democ- VetREP) presented a slide show on the recently-concluded Bata- Timor-Leste, had the highest antion, which included a wreath- racy in the Philippines.” That is the great task remain- an Memorial Death March 2019. nual population growth rate in laying ceremony, were two Filipino World War II Veterans: ing before the Filipino people, FilVetREP executive committee the region at 2.2%. The Philippines’ current popu101-year-old Celestino Alm- Almeda implied, so that those member Sonny Busa opened the eda of Gaithersburg, MD. and who died shall not have died in presentation by citing a quote by lation of 108.1 million, the report Vietnamese American scholar added, is 40 million more than the 91-year-old Rey Cabacar of Ft. vain. In his closing remarks, Com- and novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen: 1994 population of 68.2 million. Washington, MD. They are two In terms of population compoof only four living veterans resid- modore Elson Aguilar, the Philip- “All wars are fought twice, the ing in the Washington, D.C. area. pine Embassy’s Director of Phil- first time on the battlefield, the sition per age in 2019, 64% of “Ten years ago, there were more ippine Veterans Affairs, said the u PAGE A5 Filipinos are in the 15 to 64 age
Day of Valor in the nation’s capital honors..
interference to the sovereignty of our nation” as it noted that the calls of American legislators cannot be made without “encroaching and interfering on the exercise by the judiciary of its judicial power.” “Considering the tenor of the resolutions of both houses of the U.S. Congress, the same can be considered an interference and intervention on a purely domestic within the authority of the Republic of the Philippines, a sovereign state and equal in stature to that of the United States iof America,” the three Philippine senators said. Senate Resolution 1037 also stressed the criminal cases against De Lima and Ressa are already filed in the court and the judicial processes against them are underway. It likewise noted that De Lima is still allowed to deliver her function as a senator despite being incarcerated. Malacañang on Monday, April 8, called the resolution of the U.S. senators an “unwelcome intrusion to our country’s domestic legal processes and an outrageous interference with our nation’s sovereignty.”
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo also urged the lawmakers to “mind their own business” as “their country has enough problems and they should focus on them.” ‘Incidental’ In a separate statement, Lacson stressed De Lima and Ressa are “but incidental to the intent of this resolution.” “They are entitled to fair justice and judgment by the courts handling their cases,” Lacson said. He added: “But what we need to point out is that supremacism has no place in a civilized world regardless of race, color and status in wealth and power.” A staunch critic of the Duterte administration and its ferocious anti-narcotics campaign, De Lima was arrested on Feb. 24, 2017 on what she called “trumped-up” charges that she said were part of the president’s vendetta. After being rearrested in February on different charges and then freed on bail, veteran journalist Ressa was rearrested in March on charges that she and her colleagues at online news site Rappler violated rules on foreign ownership of media. n
Philippines’ 1.6% annual population growth... range while 31% are aged 0 to 14. Only 5% of the population are aged 65 and above. Life expectancy of Filipinos is at 70 years, an improvement from the 66 years in 1994 and 61 years in 1969. Amid the rising population, UNFPA hailed the government’s efforts to implement family planning methods in the country through the revamped National Program on Population and Family Planning (NPPFP) which would accelerate the full implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Act. “The Philippine government remains strong in its commitment to fulfill the promise of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, to put people at the center of sustainable development and to pursue the realization of every Filipino’s sexual and reproductive rights,” said Undersecretary for Population and Development and Executive Director of the Philippine Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III during the release of the report. n
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 12-18, 2019
Harvard admits highest number of Asian Americans in a decade by Rae
HEALTH FOR ALL. Health Undersecretary Dr. Mario Villaverde (7th from right, top row) and World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to the Philippines Dr. Gundo Weiler (8th from right, top row) lock hands with other health officials and advocates during a forum on Universal Health Care at the Palacio de Maynila on Monday, April 8. The WHO urges countries in Asia and the Pacific to invest more in primary health care services. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Philippines, US ships conduct drills near...
PAGE 1 ence in the South China Sea while engaging in alliance-strengthening moves with other countries in the region, including the Philippines, to counter China’s maritime aggressiveness. The Asia Maritime Transparently Initiative (AMTI), Asia’s think tank of Washington-based Center for Strategic International Studies (CISC), said Vietnam has discreetly extended its airfield on its occupied island in the disputed Spratly archipelago. In its latest brief involving its ongoing monitoring in the South China Sea, the AMTI said Vietnam has also expanded through a limited reclamation on Spratly Island (Storm Island). The reclamation of Spratly Island, one of 27 features that Vietnam is occupying, paved the way for the extension of a runway from 750 meters to 1,300 meters as well as the construction of two large sets of hangars at both ends of the airfield. “Vietnam continues to quietly upgrade its facilities in the Spratly Island, without facing the same reaction from China’s maritime military forces as the Philippines recently has,” AMTI said. Since the Philippines announced the military’s upgrade of facilities in Pag-asa Island last year, Chinese fishing boats have started converging near the island town. The presence of the Chinese fishing boats, which the defense and military establishments categorized as Chinese navy militias, further increased to more than 200 vessels near Pag-asa Island. Their presence was either to monitor as well as to intimidate or delay the ongoing infrastructure development in the area. AMTI said that aside from its runway extension, Vietnam has also built four hangars to accommodate its PZL M28B maritime surveillance aircraft and CASA C-295 transport planes or similar assets. Spratly Island is the largest of Vietnam’s outposts and the administrative center of its presence in the disputed region. The islet also has a protected harbor.
On the northeastern end of Spratly Island, hanoi has constructed a pair of large signals intelligence and communication facilities. A cluster of buildings was also constructed in the area of the new landfill alongside the island’s safe harbor. “Many of those (buildings) have been topped by solar panels, and a new sports field has been constructed alongside the island’s main administrative building, which has also received new solar panels,” AMTI said. In addition to Spratly Island’s upgrade, Vietnam has made some modest improvements at the small cay it occupies on Pearson Reef. It also has a pillbox-type facility built on another section of the reef. Vietnam occupies 49 outposts in the disputed region. Of those 27 features, only 10 can be called islets while the rest are mostly underwater reefs and banks. Most of Vietnam’s outposts are not on natural islets like Spratly and Pearson, but rather small facilities perched on low-tide elevations and entirely submerged reefs or banks. AMTI added the most numerous of these are the 25 pillboxlike structures constructed on reefs around the Spratlys. Since mid-2017, two of them – on Petley and South Reefs – have been expanded with the addition of a second structure. The facility at Petley reef was complete by late 2018, while construction was still ongoing at South Reef in the most recent imagery available. “Vietnam has not attempted to engage in the same large-militarization of its features as China; there is no sign of facilities built to house attack aircraft, for instance,” AMTI said. hanoi’s upgrades seem geared toward expanding its ability to monitor and patrol contested waters and, especially in the case of its pillbox and DK1 (ships) platform, improve living conditions and ensure it can resupply by air if necessary, AMTI said. Live-fire drill Filipino and U.S. servicemen
Day of Valor in the nation’s... PAGE 2
30 FilVetReP members and their families joined as marchers and volunteers. Next mission: Education FilVetReP National Chairman Retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba is now leading a nationwide effort to build a digital national education platform to complement the Congressional Gold Medal, which will be displayed at a major national museum, possibly at the Smithsonian’s American history museum. “The medal is not just a piece of metal,” he says. “It symbolizes the service and sacrifice of Filipino and American soldiers who fought under the American flag and made the ultimate sacrifice. Their stories are deeply moving and compelling. They need to be enshrined in American history and preserved for posterity so the next generation of Americans will learn what happened not only during the war, but after the war.” The first phase of FilVetReP’s mission is almost completed, with more than 1,500 medals awarded at 56 ceremonies in the U.S. and three in the Philippines. FilVetReP’s task now is to collect memorabilia, souvenirs, letters, oral histories and other documents related to the war in the Philippines. The plan is to launch a digital interactive program with an educational curriculum that’s accessible in classrooms, libraries and other public spaces. “We wish to educate the American public on the extraordinary acts of valor and selfless sacrifice of Filipino American soldiers in defense of the United States of America,” Taguba said. “Their exemplary story of patriotism, citizenship and courage embodied the U.S. Army Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon (Ret). American values of freedom and Photo by Bing Branigin democracy.” n second time in memory.” “Our participation in the Bataan Memorial Death March in the last six years has raised greater awareness about the role of Filipino soldiers, 10,000 of whom died in that 65-mile march from Bataan to prison camps,” Busa said. “Not very many people even knew that Bataan is in the Philippines. Today, the Philippines has a prominent presence in this annual event. But it is more than just a marathon. It is a meaningful way of remembering the courage of death march survivors who endured a horrendous experience. Those who could no longer keep pace with the march due to starvation, lack of water, shelter and medicine were beaten, bayoneted, shot while others were beheaded by the Japanese Imperial Army soldiers.” Busa encouraged more participation from the community next year, which will be held on March 15 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. This year,
conducted a combined live-fire exercise yesterday at the Armed Forces of the Philippines gunnery range at Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac. The joint war games also launched Amphibious Landing operations along the coast of Zambales today. “Service members from across the Philippine and U.S. militaries came together using their ground maneuver, artillery, mortars and air elements to successfully execute this complex live fire event,” said U.S. Army Col. Leo Wyszynski, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team Commander. n
ann VaRona AJPress
The amount of Asian American students admitted to harvard University is the highest its been in the last decade, as revealed by the university’s latest admission cycle results for its undergraduate class of 2023. In announcing the demographics for the 1,950 students admitted to the university, 25.4% were Asian American. That’s up from last year’s admission cycle of 22.7% Asian Americans, which was just up less than a percent from years prior. Not included in this year’s count were international students who made up 12.3% of the admitted class last year. The number comes as federal Judge Allison Burroughs is expected to determine whether the university’s admission policies discriminate against Asian American applicants by taking the applicant’s race into account over factors like test scores and grades — a practice widely known and practiced with certain limitations as “affirmative action.” In February, arguments from both sides of the lawsuit alleging the discrimination were heard in a federal court in Boston, repeating much of what was said during a nearly month-long trial that ended in November of last year. The lawsuit dates back to 2014 when anti-affirmative action group Student for Fair Admissions sued the Ivy League
university for allegedly violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in programs that receive federal financial assistance. In 2014, the university admitted a percentage of 18.2% Asian Americans with the percentage slightly climbing up in the following years. The group claimed that the university held Asian American students to a higher standard and used a subjective “personal rating” system that may be biased against Asian Americans to limit their admissions. The U.S Department of Justice, in siding with the anti-affirmative action group, once called the scoring system “vague and illusory” and said it scored Asian American applicants lower on the personal rating than white applicants. harvard, which moved to dismiss the suit, has argued that it looks at university applicants holistically by taking into consideration a wide range of applicant information, including personal essays, which it uses “to understand that applicant’s full life story.” In a previously made statement, it added that the personal rating system looked at information like where the student grew up, what opportunities or challenges they faced in their families or communities, and what “impact they might have both at harvard and after they graduate, as citizens and leaders out in the world.”
Standing with the university, groups like Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), have also described the university’s admission process as holistic and benefitting to underrepresented minority students, including Asian Americans. Groups in support of harvard have reasoned that numerical indicators like grade point averages and SAT scores — which data shows Asian American students excelling at — were not colorblind measures of merit. According to College Board data released last December, the average combined SAT score went up 42 points among Asian Americans — a gain much higher than black and white students who saw gains of five points, and Latino and Native American students who saw a decline in points. In a statement made last year, Advancing Justice said, “Research also confirms that the most promising students are not always the ones with the highest SAT scores or the best high school grades and that non-academic factors that predict success like grit, resourcefulness, creativity, and critical thinking are independent of (or even correlate negatively with) these traditional academic measures.” With Burroughs expected to make her ruling in the upcoming months, many are looking at how the outcome may affect the future of affirmative action in higher education. n
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 12-18, 2019
Minor planets named after 3 Filipinos students who excelled in int’l science fair
THREE minor planets were named after three Filipino students who received major award in an international science fair last year, the Department of Education said on Tuesday, April 9. This, after the high school students bagged “second award” in the Energy: Physical category of the 2018 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for their design and development of Solar-Tracking Arduino-Rooted PV Panels. “The study aimed to improve the power harvesting and genSEIZED. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel, led by jail warden Supt. Randel Latoza, prepare for disposal confiscated erating capacity of photovoltaic contrabands such as mobile phones, smart watches, tobacco bricks, tobacco sticks, and cigarettes, sneaked inside the Manila City Jail. The cells by designing and builditems were seized from inmates during the conduct of “Oplan Linis Piitan” on Tuesday, April 9. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan ing a solar device that mimics a flower opening when the sun is out, tracks the sun’s movement, closes when the light source is no longer detected and responds PAGE 1 The prescriptions would be Don Fort said. to humidity and temperature to “The conspiracy…details collected by call centers and to the Medicare fraud hotline. corruption, massive Under the scam, telemarket- sold to medical equipment com- broad ers would reach out to Medicare panies, which would ship out the amounts of greed and systemic beneficiaries offering free or braces to beneficiaries and bill flaws in our health care system low-cost braces. Interested ben- Medicare. Medical equipment that were exploited by the deeficiaries would then be patched companies would earn $500 to fendants,” he added. Healthcare fraud has been through to call centers that are $900 per brace from Medicare. Officials noted that charges costing taxpayers tens of billions part of an international telemarketing network operating in the were being brought against peo- of dollars every year. Its true Philippines and throughout Latin ple in California, Florida, New extent is unknown, and some America, according to AP. After- Jersey, Pennsylvania, South schemes involve gray areas of complex payment policies. wards, they would be connected Carolina, and Texas. The FBI, the IRS, and 17 U.S. “The breadth of this nationto telemedicine companies for FILIPINO and American consultations with doctors, who wide conspiracy should be attorney’s offices took part in forces on Wednesday, April 10, wrote prescriptions for orthope- frightening to all who rely on the crackdown of the Medicare completed the biggest drill of dic braces, regardless of wheth- some form of health care,” IRS scam. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJ- this year’s Balikatan Exercise in criminal investigations chief Press) er they were necessary or not. Tarlac. Military vehicles from both countries were used during the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise at Crow Valley in Capas, PAGE 1 Swift’s co-counsel Rod Domin- Tarlac. ing them of where and when they tive costs and expenses of coun- may come to receive checks,” the go urged the court to expedite The Armed Forces of the Philthe reparation process since the ippines and the U.S. forces offilawyers said. sel, and cost of distribution. The said accumulated pro- family of most of the victims were cially launched the annual joint “That will leave $10,712,157 for compensation to Class mem- ceeds came from the sale of four poor and in need of financial as- military exercises last week. bers and the cost of distribution. paintings, one made by French sistance. “Unique from the previous “Many of the victims of human years, Balikatan 2019 have If the Court directs distribution impressionist movement leader of $1,500 to each of 6,500 eli- Claude Monet and three other rights abuses are dead, so the scaled-up exercises gaining gible Class members, $762,157 paintings sold in November 2018 money will provide needed assis- more focus on the area of territance to their families,” Domingo torial defense and counterterrorwill remain in the Fund,” Swift worth over $3 million. The Monet painting was sold said. said. ism operations,” Gen. Benjamin The family of those that would Madrigal Jr., AFP chief , said U.S. District Court Judge Man- for $32 million by Imelda’s foruel Real, who has presided over mer secretary Vilma Bautista, claim the settlement proceeds during the operning ceremony. the Marcos litigation since 1990, who was “indicted, convicted and must bring the letter sent by the Aside from live fire exercises, signed the order on March 28. is currently confined in prison in lawyers’ team with two valid iden- the combined forces would also The distribution of settlement New York for offenses related to tification cards bearing their pho- participate in counterterrorism tos. In the case of deceased vic- training, amphibious operaproceeds will commence in Bu- the sale.” The paintings were believed tims, the next of kin may be able tions, urban operations training, tuan on May and will continue in to have been part of some 200 to receive the check. 15 other cities until July. aviation operations, bilateral This would be the third round planning, subject matter expert “Filipinos residing in the Unit- art collections former first lady ed States or other countries will Imelda Marcos accumulated of compensation from the U.S. exchanges, and humanitarian receive checks through the mail. over her husband’s 20-year re- court for the victims after they and civic assistance projects Class members in the Philippines gime. The court were adamant were awarded $1,000 and $1,100 throughout Luzon. (Patricia will receive letters about four on locating the rest of the paint- in previous wins. (Nathalie Ro- Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com) bles/AJPress) weeks before a distribution advis- ings.
24 charged in billion dollar Medicare...
Philippines, US troops complete biggest drill in Balikatan Exercise
US judge okays reparation for martial...
maximize power generation,” the abstract of the students’ study read. DepEd said Eugene Rivera, Joscel Kent Manzanero and Keith Russel Cadores of Camarines Sur National High School in Naga City “each received a certificate identifying their very own minor planet and an orbital plot showing its current location.”
The agency noted that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory has been naming asteroids it discovered in honor of high school students who excel at science competitions since 2001. The Intel ISEF, a program of the Society for Science and the Public, is the “world’s largest pre-college science competition.” (Philstar.com)
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APRIL 12-18, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
FEATURES
Honoring valor
EACH year their numbers dwindle, but a grateful nation is keeping alive the memory of their valor. On Tuesday, April 9, 77 years after the heroic resistance to foreign invaders ended with the Fall of Bataan, those who fought and died in Corregidor or were marched off to Capas in Tarlac are being honored again. Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) is marked by the country side by side with its treaty ally the United States, whose soldiers also died or endured the Death March in defense of the Philippines. The event is also commemorated together with the two countries’ former enemy Japan, which has renounced war in its pacifist constitution and is now the largest provider of official development assistance to the Philippines. War brings out courage and heroism. Sadly, over seven decades after the end of World War II, the Philippines continues to grapple with internal armed conflict, compelling state forces to put their lives on the line in fighting those who threaten national security. These men and women of the uniformed services are also being hon-
ored today, for their brave service to the country. As important as honoring them is promoting the welfare of those who have served, and the heirs of those who gave their lives for the country. President Duterte has done much since assuming power to correct this, but others can also do their part. Limited funding is not the only reason why Filipino war veterans do not get the same special privileges that their counterparts in other countries enjoy. There are still sectors of society that regard state forces chiefly as cannon fodder, with no thought about the sacrifice and love of country that are intrinsic to their mission. Araw ng Kagitingan honors these heroes, ensuring that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Trump wants to expand his inhumane policy of separating immigrant families at the US-Mexico border
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THERE IS a humanitarian crisis in the U.S.-Mexico border as President Donald Trump declared, but what is ironic is that he caused this crisis. Yes, there has been an influx of people coming in from Central America — thousands more are arriving as families with women and children in tow to seek refuge from violence and hunger in America. But the way the Trump administration has been trying to address this problem exacerbates the situation and created the humanitarian crisis we now face. While Trump has the right to stop the illegal entry of immigrants coming through the southern border, this president chooses to violate the law by not only reinstating but expanding the policy that has lead to the mass separation of families, with more than 2,700 children being separated from their parents who were taken into custody for criminal prosecution. These refugees took a long journey through Mexico to save their families and took the risk of crossing the border illegally
to seek asylum in the United States. This is a LEGAL recourse according to our laws and our treaties, and the asylum seekers can apply for asylum either when they enter the legal points of entry or through the border. Trump chose to call the asylum program a “scam”, and said asylum seekers are some of the roughest people you’ve ever seen…” During the campaign and up to last year, Trump has been demonizing immigrants coming from the southern border, calling them “animals,” criminals, who are invading the country to destroy America and steal American jobs. True to his record, Trump never owned his culpability on this crisis, blaming everybody else except himself. On Tuesday, Trump pivoted back to his default excuse and lies, saying it was former President Barack Obama who had the [policy of separating families and building cages — an allegation already debunked many times. Trump went further to say it was he who in fact ended family sepa-
ration. “The Obama administration did not do that, no. We did not separate children from their parents,” former Obama domestic policy adviser Cecilia Muñoz told NPR in May 2018, as reported by credible and independent news organizations. Muñoz said this “zero tolerance” policy “puts us in league with the most brutal regimes in the world’s history.” It was then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions who instituted the “zero tolerance” policy at the Southern border in April 2018 and many children up to now have not yet been reunited with their families because the Trump Administration implemented this policy WITHOUT A PLAN on how to reunite the children from their parents. It was only when a federal judge allowed a lawsuit to challenge the policy in June 2018 that Trump issued an executive order to end it. Relentless, Trump pushed for the construction of the border wall to please his base, at the expense of shutting down the government after an impasse with
the House Democrats who would not fund the border wall. Trump then declared a national emergency when in fact there is no emergency that would require a massive expensive wall to be built, because otherwise, he would have asked for it when the Republicans controlled both the Senate and the House before the 2018 midterm elections. However, Americans living at the border, including many Filipinos, as well as state and military officials who oppose funneling money allocated for military projects and disaster relief operations, contend that what is urgently needed now to solve the humanitarian crisis in the border is NOT the wall. But rather, more people are needed to help speed up processing the asylum claims, and a decent living condition at the border that will keep family together while ensuring their safety and basic needs are met. Even worse: CNN reported that during a visit to Calexico, California on Friday, Trump told border patrol agents behind the scenes not to let any migrants in and, if ordered to by a judge, to
respond, “Sorry, judge, I can’t do it. We don’t have the room.” According to the report, “When the agents later asked their commanding officers about the remarks, their superiors said [the] policy was to obey the law and that they would face personal liability if they complied with Trump’s orders.” Then during Friday’s trip to the border, Trump reportedly ordered Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to shut down the port of El Paso on March 22, with plans to close other ports later. Trump asked Nielsen to resign after she argued that closing down the ports would simply shut down legal commerce and travel while migrants entered between the ports. Trump reportedly responded “I don’t care,” two people in the room said, according to the CNN report. Nielsen allegedly tried in vain to explain to Trump that migrants from Central America are legally allowed to apply for asylum. CNN further reported that it was Acting White House chief
of staff Mick Mulvaney who was eventually able to talk Trump out of the plan, that was why Trump shifted gears and resorted to refusing entry to asylum seekers. Trump then ordered that asylum seekers be denied entry to the United States and to just wait in Mexico. But as the Washington Post reported, a federal judge on Monday blocked this policy that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their asylum claims are processed. However Trump would like to spin this issue and lie to the American people about his true intent, NBC News reported that Nielsen’s resignation Sunday night was largely due to Trump pressuring her to resume the separation of parents from their children at the border. Trump argued, “family separation was the most effective deterrent.” *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Public agendas and private interests in ICC/South China Sea
Commentary
DAN STEINBOCK In the contested ICC and South China Sea issues, there are increasing concerns about public agendas fueled by private interests. The structures of Albert del Rosario’s think-tank and its many bedfellows are a case in point. IN February, the U.S.-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) released a heavily promoted report alleging that China sought to intimidate Filipinos into ceasing construction work on the Pag-Asa Island (Thitu) in the South China Sea. In March, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales filed a complaint before the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Chinese President Xi Jinping’s South China Sea “plan” portrayed as a “crime against humanity.” Perhaps, emboldened by the filing, the ICC, reportedly, also tries to pursue a case against the Philippine drug war. Filed in the name of “Filipino fishermen,” the complaint has been followed by rounds of alarmist media headlines, coupled with heavily touted AMTI reports about “Chinese militarization” of the South China Sea. Yet local fishermen are appre-
hensive about the filing and its timing since they do not feel harassed by the Chinese coast guards anymore, according to Philippine-based GMA News. Nevertheless, media carousels have intensified after the visit of U.S. Secretary State Mike Pompeo and U.S. “freedom of navigation” exercises, the debate about the review of the Philippine-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, and the impending Philippine midterm elections. Worse, the ICC filing is also linked with potential private gains behind the public agendas. Every think-tank is entitled to its voice, but neither AMTI nor del Rosario’s think-tank are as “independent” as claimed – and the latter is haunted by allegations of perceived conflicts of interest, according to its Filipino critics. Interest conflicts and energy reserves Educated in the United States, del Rosario served as Philippine ambassador to the U.S. in the 2000s and Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the Benigno Aquino III government (2010-2016). His ties with the Aquino political dynasty go back to the presidency of Corazon Aquino (1986-1992), when he accompanied her on state visits to the U.S. While del Rosario is portrayed as a diplomat, he is also a business executive. In the Aquino government, he was reportedly the wealthiest, with net worth
almost $14 million in 2013. Prior to government, his business career covered many industries, corporate chairmanships and directorships. These ties were officially suspended during his government activities – but not effectively. In February 2010, Philippine government granted Forum Energy, the partner of Philex Mining, the right to explore oil and gas in Reed Bank. At the time, del Rosario served as director of Philex, which is led by Manuel V. Pangilingan, a wealthy businessman and the CEO of First Pacific Co., a Hong Kong-based investment firm which in the Philippines has major interests in telecom (PLDT), banking (Metro Pacific Investments) and mining (Philex). In February 2011, President Aquino appointed del Rosario as Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary. Reportedly, he left the Philex board in March 2011, when he also stepped down from his post as non-executive director of First Pacific. In January 2013, the Philippine Department of Energy deferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs the decision to grant permits concerning the exploration and mining activities at the Reed Bank “because the area was part of the disputed waters being claimed by China.” That gave del Rosario, as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, effec-
tive authority to influence concessions on Reed Bank. Indeed, the friction in the South China Sea involves more than sovereign interests of several countries in the region. According to a 2013 report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Reed Bank could hold up to 5.4 billion barrels of oil and 55.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. So, Philex Mining and its associates, including del Rosario, could gain hugely from concession rights. Bold dreams, cold realities At the same time, the Philippines also filed the arbitration case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague. And in 2014, a year later, del Rosario and Aquino achieved the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which again opened the country to U.S. military, ships and planes for the first time since 1991. That’s when efforts began to deepen U.S. ties with del Rosario’s think-tank, Stratbase (Albert del Rosario) Institute for Strategic and International Studies (ADRi), which evolved in parallel with the Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a major U.S. think-tank close to State Department, Pentagon and Wall Street. In May 2015, the CSIS/AMTI
launched a three-year U.S.-Philippines Strategic Initiative in Washington, with speeches by del Rosario, and William Cohen, former U.S. defense secretary. It was supported by del Rosario’s ADRi and the Philippine Trade Foundation (PTF), which is linked with the free-market Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) and partners with U.S. Asia Foundation, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department, USAID, World Bank, and Grover Norquist’s ultra-conservative tax lobby. The assumption was that Sen. Hillary Clinton would become the next U.S. president and that the U.S.-Philippine Strategic Initiative would promote “a greater sense of urgency” to deepen the bilateral trade and military partnership. On Feb. 8, 2016, del Rosario, citing health reasons, announced he would resign as Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Then the 2016 Philippine election caused a meltdown in Aquino’s Liberal Party, del Rosario’s core constituency. While sustaining U.S. ties, President Duterte began to recalibrate foreign policy for a better economic relationship with China. Clinton lost the presidency to Trump who buried Obama’s TPP trade deal, while questioning U.S. alliances – the twin cornerstones of del Rosario’s bilateral initiative. Think-tanks, governments
and moneymakers The fight was lost, but not the battle, del Rosario concluded. His health issues did not stop Pangilinan from re-appointing him as an independent non-executive director of First Pacific in July 2016, just weeks before the release of the PCA arbitration decision. As his think-tank and its foreign associates intensified their activities, the boundaries between public agendas and private interests dissolved further. Indeed, these organizational links are so diffuse that they require a chart (see figure). Del Rosario has long, historical business ties with Manuel Pangilingan, who is also the cochair of del Rosario’s think-tank. Due to public controversies about its water (Maynilad) and electric-power (Meralco) arms recently, Pangilingan’s Metro Pacific has not avoided negative publicity. In turn, Philex and First Pacific are linked with the Salim Group, which was created by Indonesia’s richest businessman Sudono Salim, who made his fortune in the Sukarno and Suharto years. Today, the Salim Group is led by his son Anthoni Salim whose net worth is $5.3 billion. The Salims own 44 percent of First Pacific, which has assets of $17.2 billion in six countries. In Philippines, these assets also include major stakes through PLDT in
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Dateline PhiliPPines
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 12-18, 2019
Dateline PhiliPPines
Tagle: Truth defines the whole of human existence Imee Marcos on criticisms: ‘Sanay na kami’ by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE Archbishop of Manila on Wednesday, April 10, expressed disappointment at how easy it has been to manipulate truths and criticized those who lie “for political expediency or out of fear.” “Test of that freedom in truth is when you are persecuted. How easy it is to change truths. so, now everyone is entitled to create his or her own truth for political expediency or out of fear,” said cardinal luis Antonio Tagle in a homily at the University of santo Tomas (UsT) in Manila for Radio Veritas’ thanksgiving mass. The statement was spurned after sara Duterte-carpio, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao city mayor, said honesty should not be an electoral issue when she endorsed Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos as senatorial candidate under her political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, despite allegations of Marcos falsifying her foreign university documents. Duterte-carpio also insisted being honest, truthful, and having good moral character are not
legal requirements for aspiring senators under the constitution. Tagle shared the story of four Jews named Daniel, shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego who refused to abandon their faith despite death threats from Nebuchadnezzar II, conqueror from the Babylonian empire from 605 or 604-562 BcE (Before the common Era). “He thought that by threatening them with death, they would abandon the truth about true God or discipleship. They refused to be enslaved by idolatry, to change allegiance from the personal God of their history to statue the false god that is being proposed to them look at the level of freedom coming truth. There is no need for us to defend ourselves to you in this matter, they said. The truth will set us free,” he said. Tagle also underscored the the importance of “serving” the truth, saying it should not be kept but shared, so “that the darkness of ignorance or illiteracy may be wiped out and the values may be shared by christians all over Asia” so they may be set free. According to him, the truth “defines the whole of human exis-
tence” and that slavery to untruth is a sin, as taught by Jesus christ. “And what is the opposite of truth, what is enslavement, it is not just ignorance, for Jesus it is sin. It is when our relationship with God is not right then miss out on the truth, we fail,” he said. “Jesus leads us to that liberation if only his word coming from the father could be accepted, could be loved then we are set free,” he added. The thanksgiving mass was held to commemorate 50 years of Radio Veritas. It was attended by prelates from the Federation of Asian Bishops’ conferences, Filipino priests, and UsT students and faculty members, and was celebrated by the Archbishop Gabriele caccia, the apostolic nuncio to the Philippines. Tagle noted that the auditorium where the mass was held was the same one where southeast Asian bishops in Manila decided to establish a radio station for Asia and oceania “to spread the truth and drive away ignorance and illiteracy and to direct the minds of Asians to the true values and meanings of life” back in December 1958. n
Sara Duterte backs brother Paolo: Show tattoo upon court order by nathalie
Robles
AJPress
DAVAo city Mayor and presidential daughter sara Dutertecarpio on Tuesday, April 9, urged her brother Paolo, not to show the tattoo on his back unless a court issues an order mandating him to do so. During a Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) campaign sortie in surigao, Duterte-carpio told the reporters that she would not show her tattoos if she were in her brother’s shoes because she has the constitutional right to refuse. “Kung ako, ‘di ko ipapakita yung tattoo ko kasi I have my right to privacy (If it were me, I would not show my tattoo because I have my right to privacy),” the Davao city mayor said as reported by The Philippine Star. “Unless there is a case about my tattoo, kung sinasabi ng judge ipakita mo yang tattoo mo then that’s the only time na magpapakita ako (Unless there is a case about my tattoo and if the judge ordered me to show my tattoo then that’s the only time that I would show it),” she added. This came after senator Antonio Trillanes IV dared the former Davao city vice mayor to dismiss the accusations regarding the latter’s involvement with the illegal drug trade in the country by showing the tattoo on his back. According to the opposition senator, Paolo Duterte has a dragon-like tattoo on his back that marks his ties with a known
drug-trafficking triad. The young- emies were behind the release of er Duterte already admitted that the said video. n he has a tattoo on his back but declined to show it by invoking his right to privacy. Duterte clapped back at the opposition senator and his critics as he taunted them to get a tattoo for themselves instead of focusing on his body art. “Pakialam gyud akong tattoo? Pabuhat mog inyo uy! (Really, pick on my tattoo? Have one yourselves),” Duterte said in a post on his Facebook account. The presidential son said that he has not spent years for his tattoo, enduring cries and sweats of pain, only for critics to feast on. “Are you out of your mind? No way, Trillilings,” Duterte said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Locsin: Never accommodate enemies Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) secretary Teodoro locsin Jr. agreed with the president’s daughter and advised the younger Duterte not to accommodate requests from the opposition so that they would not act “self-importantly.” “I won’t even show our notes verbale regarding china, tattoo ko pa? Manigas na silang lahat (What more with my tattoo? It won’t happen). It is a matter of honor never to accommodate enemies,” locsin said in a tweet. A six-minute video documentary detailing Duterte’s involvement in a drug syndicate circulated online last week. Duterte’s camp claimed that political en-
Senatorial aspirant and former special assistant to the president Christopher “Bong” Go shows his back to reporters to disprove the allegation that he has a tattoo linking him to the illegal drug trade. Inquirer.net photo
Palace: Duterte’s threat of revolutionary war an ‘expression of frustration’ by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
MAlAcAñANG on Tuesday, April 9, downplayed President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to declare a “revolutionary war.” Presidential spokesperson salvador Panelo said the remark was an “exasperated expression” directed, not at the people, but at the enemies of the state. “The threat, if it is a threat, is not against the people but precisely against their enemies – the criminals, people manning the illegal drug industry, corrupt bureaucrats, greedy politicians, communist rebels, foreign and local terrorists and other enemies of the state,” the spokesperson explained. last week, Duterte threatened to declare a “revolutionary war,” suspend the writ of habeas corpus, and arrest his critics after senator Franklin Drilon urged the administration to exercise
caution when reviewing government contracts. According to Drilon, no country or entity would forge deals with the Philippines if the sanctity of contracts is not respected. “I have enough problems with crime, drugs, rebellion and all but if you go too far, I will declare a suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you,” Duterte said during a convention of prosecutors in Palawan last week. “Why should I be careful in reviewing contracts that are not in the interest of the people? And the onerous and (burdensome) provisions there that the people will have to honor, so you think I will allow it? Just because we cannot impair the obligation of our contracts?” he added. “I will declare a revolutionary war until the end of my term.” The president drew flak from critics for threatening to suspend PAGE 8
by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos on Wednesday, April 10, dodged questions on her credibility to be a senator due to discrepancies in her school records. “sanay na kami (We’re used to it),” she said, referring to those doubting her capabilities and qualifications in running for senator. When pressed for her reaction about the criticisms involving her records in Ivy league school Princeton University and University of the Philippines (UP) college of law, Marcos only said: ““Next question, thank you.” separate statements have been issued both by the Princeton University and UP college of law regarding Marcos’ claims. The Ivy league school’s independent student newspaper Daily Princetonian quoted Princeton Deputy University spokesperson Michael Hotchkiss who said “records do not show that Ms. Marcos was awarded a degree.” Meanwhile, UP said Marcos had “no record of her graduation from UPD nor any honors or academic distinction received with the University Registrar’s office.” Marcos drew flak from critics for supposedly lying about her educational records. opposition senate bets — former solicitor General Florin Hilbay, former House Deputy
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos
speaker Erin Tañada, and lawyer Romulo Macalintal of otso Diresto all said Marcos is not fit to be a senator because of her dishonesty. “Kayo, alam ninyo gaano kahirap magkaroon ng diploma. ‘Yung isa riyan, graduate raw siya sa UP college of law. Pero walang diploma. ‘Yung isa riyan, graduate raw ng Princeton University. Pero walang diploma (All of you know how hard it is to earn a degree. There’s one who claimed she was a graduate of UP College of Law but there’s no diploma. There’s also another one who said she was a graduate of Princeton University, but there’s no diploma),” said Hilbay during otso Diretso’s forum with
Inquirer.net photo
students at the Bulacan state University. “Mapagkakatiwalaan niyo pa ba ang isang senador na hindi man lang makuhang maging matapat tungkol sa simple ngunit importanteng bagay katulad ng diploma (Can you put your trust in a senator who can’t even be honest about a simple yet important thing such as a diploma)?,” he added. In an interview with DZMM radio in December last year, Marcos dismissed the question about her scholastic achievements. According to her, the issue was only being thrown at her because it was the “election season” and that her “performance” record should speak for itself. n
april 12-18, 2019 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSiaN JOUrNal
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PET urged to resolve Marcos’ case vs Robredo by eDu
Punay Philstar.com
BAGUIO CITY — The Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) was asked on Wednesday, April 10, to resolve the election protest filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo. Supporters of Marcos belonging to the “Marcos Pa Rin” group held a rally outside the SC compound and urged the PET to settle the dispute in the 2016 vice presidential race 1000 days since the protest was filed. “We are appealing to our justices of the Supreme Court to expedite the resolution of the case TOURIST DESTINATION. Local tourists beat the summer heat by swimming at one of the beaches in Hundred Islands. One of the summer to allow the real vice president destinations to beat the heat is the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan, the first national park and protected area. Some 124 islands to start serving our country. This are scattered in Lingayen Gulf covering an area of 16.76 square kilometers. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon 1000-day period is not acceptable, especially for us millions who voted for him,” said the group’s leader Frank Esquilon. The camp of Marcos reiterated by Divina Joy Dela Cruz the earlier motion calling on the ManilaTimes.net PET to conduct a technical examination of the election returns A NEW human species called and Election Day Computerized “Homo luzonesis” was discovVoters List (EDVCLs) from the ered by an international team, provinces of Basilan, Lanao del led by a Filipino professor, in Sur and Maguidanao. Cagayan. They referred to the findings The groundbreaking discovery of the Voters Identification Diat the Callao Cave in Peñablanca was published by British multidisciplinary scientific journal Nature at 2 a.m.on Thursday, April 11, which comes as a formal anby Jomar Canlas nouncement and recognition of ManilaTimes.net the new human species. In this Aug. 4, 2010 photo, archaeologist and University of the Philippines professor Armand University of the Philippines Mijares displays the 67,000-year-old foot bone. Philstar.com photo THE Supreme Court (SC) on Associate Professor Armand SalWednesday, April 10, did not isvador Mijares led the team whose mosaic of archaic, Australopith- human species to be discovsue an order stopping the governmembers were paleoanthropolo- ecine-type features in both the ered in Asia, along with the ment’s $62-million loan agreegist Florent Détroit of France’s teeth and the bones and some Homo erectus, Homo sapiens, ment with China for the Chico National Museum of Natural homo sapien derived features, and Homo floresiensis, which River Irrigation Pump Project in History, zooarcheologist Philip so it’s a combination. With that was discovered in Indonesia in the Cordillera region. Piper of the Australian National it cannot be Homo sapiens, it has 2004. The tribunal, however, ordered “Very few people could idenUniversity, and geochronolo- to be a new species. So that now, Malacañang to submit its answer gist Rainer Grün of Australia’s we introduced the new species tify and present a new species, to the complaint. Griffith University. as Homo luzonensis,” Mijares very rare. There are only four “The Supreme Court ordered Mijares and his team found said, explaining that the name species in Asia and we have one the respondent to file their comfossils of bones and teeth of at was derived from a standard geo- of them,” Mijares said. ment to the petition within a peMijares said that the discovery least three individuals excavated graphic taxonomy convention inriod of 10 days,” Brian Hosaka, separately in 2007, 2011 and dicating that the species was first has put the Philippines under spokesman of the high court, the radar of human evolution re2015. The fossils were recovered found in Luzon. said. from a sedimentary level, three The fossils were identified to search. Named respondents were “Before the discovery of this meters below the surface of the be from 50,000 to 67,000 years President Rodrigo Duterte, Excave floor. old, which charted them as the new species, we [the Philipecutive Secretary Salvador MediThe fossils found were two earliest human remains to be dis- pines] are always in the periphaldea, Finance Secretary Carlos ery of human evolution debate. hand bones, two foot bones, one covered in the Philippines. Dominguez 3rd, Socioeconomic femur and six maxillary teeth Mijares said that most of We are now one of the regional Planning Secretary Ernesto Perthat had showed a combination the materials were analyzed in centers for human evolutionary nia, Justice Secretary Menardo of primitive features resembling France and the dating was done research,” Mijares said. Guevarra and Irrigation Adminis“Dati wala tayo eh, ngayon Australopithecus and more mod- in Australia. ern ones similar to Homo sapiens Mijares said that the discov- tayo na ang bida. So this is our that made it distinct from other ery has contributed additional contribution to the world, a PhilHomo species. knowledge to human evolution. ippine contribution as such,” Mi“What we have right now is a Homo luzonensis is the fourth jares added. n BUREAU of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morante has ordered an investigation of alleged involvement of some immigration officers assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in large-scale human trafficking. Acting BI Port Operations Division (POD) chief Grifton Medina on Tuesday, April 9, disclosed that Morente’s order was in reaction to President RoC<>8C @DD@>I8K@FE `j X 9@> @JJL< k_\j\ [Xpj% D8EP `e fli Zfddle`kp E<<; drigo Duterte’s special envoy to pfli j\im`Z\j% K_\i\ Xi\ k_fljXe[j n_f dXp nXek kf \og\[`k\ k_\`i i\j`[\eZp fi China Ramon Tulfo’s column in glijl\ ]lcc Z`k`q\ej_`g Ylk [feËk befn _fn kf Y\^`e Xe[ n_\i\ kf ^f% The Manila Times alleging that several middle-level immigration officials are leaders of a human trafficking syndicate at the NAIA. At the same time, Medina said 8J@8E AFLIE8CËJ GIF=<JJ@FE8C J<IM@:<J ;@I<:KFIP# n`cc efn Y\ as head of the POD, he was takilee`e^ n\\bcp# \m\ip =i`[Xp f] E\n Pfib& E\n A\ij\p <[`k`fe% ing full responsibility, even as he urged that it would be to the best
New human species discovered in PH
vision of the Commission on Elections-Election Record and Statistics Department (ComelecERSD) which conducted a technical examination in response to the election protest of former Sulu vice governor Abdusakur Tan against ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman. The report showed that in 508 precincts, 40,528 signatures and 3,295 thumbprints in the EDVCLs were not identical with the Voter’s Registration Receipts. “There is clear evidence of massive cheating in the provinces mentioned in the Comelec report. Ignoring this report would be unfair for the voters and would affect the integrity of our election system,” Esquilon said. The group also lauded Marcos for choosing to continue with his election protest despite the prodding from various sectors encouraging him to run for office in the upcoming 2019 senatorial elections. “His decision not to run but rather continue with his protest is truly admirable. This shows a strength of character, something that most of our leaders lack nowadays. A lesser leader would have buckled under that kind of tremendous pressure,”
Esquilon said. The PET has reportedly completed the preliminary revision of votes in the poll protest. George Garcia, counsel of Marcos, revealed that the PET has already finished the revision in three pilot provinces specified in their poll protest – Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental. “The tribunal is now in the stage of appreciation of votes where it is resolving the issues on ballots raised by parties,” he revealed in an interview. The preliminary recount covers Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental, covering a total of 5,418 clustered precincts. After recount of these three provinces, the PET will decide whether or not to proceed with the recount on a total of 132,446 precincts in 39,221 clustered precincts covering 27 provinces and cities identified in the protest of Marcos. With this development, Garcia said they are optimistic that the tribunal would be able to resolve his protest within the year. He said they are in fact hopeful that the PET would be able to resolve the case before Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin retires in October. n
SC to Palace: Answer Chico Dam complaint trator Ricardo Visaya. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Malacañang always respects the order of the high court. “It will respond properly. The loan agreement has passed through many channels. There has been many review, evaluation. We feel that it is not in violation of the Constitution as alleged by the petitioner,” he said. On April 4, a group of lawmakers asked the court to issue a Temporary Restraining Order against the P3.69-billion loan from China. The petitioners alleged that the loan agreement “contains express waiver by the [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] of its sovereign immunity from execution against its patrimonial assets.” They urged the respondents to produce procurement and other relevant documents.
The 20-year loan deal was signed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotenciary of China Zhao Jianhua and Dominguez on April 10, 2018. The lawmakers said the agreement, among others, contains a confidentiality clause in violation of the right to information of Filipinos on foreign loans contracted by the government as guaranteed in Sections 12, 21 and 22; Article II, Sec. 28; and Art. III, Sec. 7. “These assailed provisions open the possibility for China to acquire patrimonial properties in the Philippines which is tantamount to ceding in favor of China certain territories in the Philippines by virtue of our default in our contractual obligations. This situation obviously impacts negatively on our national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and is inimical to our national interest,” they said. n
BI orders probe of trafficking at Manila airport
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interest of everyone if evidence was presented and formal complaints were filed first. “My stand as chief of the [division is that] I remain accountable and responsible for alleged incidents [of human trafficking] and even [for those] incidents that happened before, even if [they] did not happen during my time,” he told The Manila Times in an exclusive interview. Medina said it was possible that there were cases of human trafficking at the NAIA but added that they were isolated incidents. In his column, Tulfo said the human trafficking syndicate at the NAIA nets P10 million to P50 million a day. But Medina said the figures were “mathematically impossible,” considering the accomplishments of BI in preventing
human trafficking, which enabled the Philippines to retain its Tier 1 rating for three consecutive years, 2016 to 2018, in the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report. Tier 1 rating implies that a country complies with the minimum standards set by the United States Trafficking Victim Protection Act. Immigration records showed that from January 2016 to February 2019, the Traffic Enforcement Control Unit has deferred the departure of 111,912 passengers at the NAIA and other airports and seaports. “If we have no accomplishments and we are not on Tier 1 status, that’s possible. The figures do not match. It’s mathematically impossible for me,” Medina said. (ManilaTimes.net)
Palace: Duterte’s threat of revolutionary war... PAGE 7 habeas corpus. They claimed his threat was just him trying to divert attention from the failures of his administration. Advocacy group Karapatan also pointed out that human rights are not subject to the “personal whims, interests and lunacy” of Duterte. Panelo, for his part, said Duterte was warning violators of
the law that the president would not condone their actions. “When the very democratic institutions are being used to the detriment of the people and have become illusory for the people’s interest; when their safety is imperiled, when the territorial integrity is at stake, and when the enemies of the republic are bent on bringing it down, then it becomes the constitutional duty
of the president to quell the attacks on the people and to save the state,” ” the spokesperson explained. “The president’s narrative on the revolutionary war is an expression of frustration and at the same time to put the transgressors of the law on notice that he will not sit idly and watch their transgressions (go) unabated,” Panelo added. n
Public agendas and private interests... PAGE 6 media, such as Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, TV5, Bloomberg Philippines and radio stations. Through its board members and executives, del Rosario’s ADRi is joined with its parent, Stratbase, an “advisory and research consultancy” founded in 2004, and Bower Group Asia led by Ernest Z. Bower 4th. With equity and intelligence arms, Stratbase is the Philippine partner of Bower Group Asia. Between the mid-1980s and mid-2000s, Ernest Z. Bower led the U.S.-Asean Business Council, which had been housed in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He remains senior non-resident Southeast Asia advisor at CSIS, embedded with AMTI, and board member of del Rosario’s think-tank. Due to interlocking leaderships, Stratbase’s head Victor Andres Manhit serves as ADRi’s president, heads Bower Asia Group’s Philippine branch and is a fellow at the FEF. Along with Pangilinan’s mining interests, ADRi’s trustees also include former president of Philippine
Mines and the incumbent ICC judge Raul C. Pangalangan, a former publisher of Philippine Daily Inquirer. The latter paper has been critical of the Duterte government, and Pangalangan remains in the ICC, despite the Philippines’ exit. Public agendas and private interests Here’s how the process plays out in the media: In a typical sequence, the CSIS/AMTI releases a commentary and satellite photos of contested spots in the South China Sea, which leads to commentaries by ADRi’s members, which are then promoted in the Philippines, especially in the country’s foreign-owned media, such as Rappler (linked with U.S.-based North Base Media and billionaire Pierre Omidyar’s network) and by media properties close to Pangilinan/del Rosario and their allies. Next, these articles are heavily headlined in international media, which republish the pieces or interview their authors as “independent” Filipino voices, even if they are ADRi’s non-resident fellows and
CSIS/AMTI authors in the U.S. (e.g., Richard J. Heydarian). Internationally, truly independent think-tanks shun interlocking directors and dual structures with private, particularly foreign interests, to ensure their integrity. Del Rosario’s ADRi is very different, and that’s its prerogative. Unfortunately, the net effect is that it is not clear whether ADRi seeks to influence Philippine decision-makers, who promote Filipino interests, or their American counterparts, who push U.S. interests – as evidenced by its tight cooperation with the AMTI that has been criticized for bias and alarmist hyping in the region. The perceived private interests and potentially huge private gains of ADRi’s co-chairs confound issues further, which is perhaps why del Rosario’s toughest Filipino critics have compared his alleged conflicts of interest with those of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and Halliburton. The comparison may be uncomfortable, but the substance of the argument is the same. n
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 12-18, 2019
10
april 12-18, 2019 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSiaN JOUrNal
100 groups push youth agenda
Dateline PhiliPPines
connected. Public transportation affects us in going to school, the war on drugs operations affect IN a bid to make themselves our security, and our job prosbe heard, dozens of youth groups pects are affected if we don’t joined ranks to form the #WeThhave an anti-discrimination act),� eBrave movement to push a huRama said. man rights-based youth agenda “The youth holds the future. in the May elections. Ito yung kinabukasan na para sa As the country marked Day of amin at kung ano man ang mangValor on Tuesday, April 9, 100 yari dito, ay directly or indirectly school, community, and issuesnaapektuhan kami (This is our based youth organizations across future. Whatever happens will the country formed the group directly or indirectly affect us),� to identify the key concerns of Laban-Polytechnic University of young people. the Philippines Chairman Hannah The youth agenda, a result of Jimala said. months-long consultations, highRama said young voters comlights human rights and national prise 31 percent or almost onesovereignty. The #WeTheBrave third of the total number of votmovement identified key coners. cerns, including civil liberties and “That [number] is enough to creeping authoritarianism; war on vote someone into office and to drugs, extrajudicial killings, and prevent someone from going into children rights; basic social seroffice,� she said. Rama urged the youth to express their views on issues; combat disinformation or fake news; join organizations in the community to discuss, educate and campaign for human rights; challenge and demand electoral candidates to address issues; and vote for candidates who will stand for the youth in the upcoming elections. The group, however, did not endorse any candidate. “We really want to avoid naming names per se because we want to empower the youth to make their own decisions, to own their decisions. The important part is identifying where they stand and what their positions are and makStudents advance their cause as they launch in Quezon City a movement composed of 100 ing that decision for themselves,� groups nationwide. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rudy Martinez Rama said. n by DivinA Joy
DelA ManilaTimes.net
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vices; employment and job security; marginalized sectors; gender struggle of women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender+ community; peace and security; democracy and sovereignty. Micheline Rama, executive director of Dakila, one of the convenors of #WeTheBrave movement, said the consultations showed that young people werealso aware of political and socioeconomic concerns. “Nakikita natin na connected lahat. Yung mismong pagpunta mo sa school, apektado dahil sa public transportation, yung security mo sa gabi, apektado dahil nagkakaroon ng tokhang operations sa neighborhood mo, yung job prospects mo kung ikaw ay babae or isang LGBT, nagkakaroon ng issues kung wala kang discrimination act (Everything is
Five of Rappler’s board plead not guilty to anti-dummy violation charge BAGUIO — Five of Rappler’s board members pleaded not guilty to the government’s charge of violation of the Anti-Dummy Law before a Pasig court. The online news site said five of its board members attended the arraignment hearing on Wednesday morning at the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 265 of Judge Acerey Pacheco. They are: • Glenda Gloria, managing editor of Rappler • Manuel Ayala • Nico Jose Nolledo • Felica Atienza • James Velasquez Rappler CEO and high-profile journalist Maria Ressa is also accused of the same violation, but the news site said that she is cur-
rently out of the country. Ressa’s arraignment is set on May 2. Pasig police earlier arrested Ressa as she deplaned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for the said charge. She paid the bail and was ordered released on the same day. Ressa’s co-accused, James Bitanga, is also out of the country and was not able to attend the hearing. A Star report said that the case stemmed from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s ruling that ordered the cancelation of the certificate of incorporation of the online news site and Omidyar’s Philippine Depository Receipts. Rappler is accused of violating
the constitutional restrictions on ownership and control of mass media entities because it supposedly received a donation from Omidyar Network, a fund created by eBay founder and entrepreneur Pierre Omidyar. PDRs are instruments that give foreign investors a passive economic interest in a Philippine company. The Court of Appeals has ordered to SEC to review Omidyar’s donation, and the legal effect of the “alleged supervening donation� on whether it has mitigated, if not cured, the violation the commission had earlier found. The anti-dummy charge is the latest among the list of legal suits Ressa and her media company is facing. (Philstar.com)
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VETERANS AT THE PBA. In celebration of the Philippine Veterans Week, veterans get to watch for free Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals between the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok and Barangay Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday, April 8. From April 5 to 11, veterans also get to enjoy free metro train rides, among others. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
PSA: 5 million Filipinos escape poverty in 2018 by Anne
GonzAles ManilaTimes.net
POVERTY incidence in the Philippines eased in the first semester of 2018, with some 5 million Filipinos rising out of poverty, results of the Family and Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. In a press briefing on Wednesday, April 10, Deputy National Statistician Josie Perez said poverty incidence, or the proportion of the population whose incomes fell below the poverty threshold, declined to 21 percent from 27.6 percent in the first semester of 2018. This means that 21 out of 100 Filipinos belonged to poor families whose incomes were below the amount needed to buy their basic food and non-food needs, a reduction from about 28 out of 100 Filipino in poverty in the same period in 2015. “This means that about 23.1 million Filipinos (from 28.8 million in 2015) had incomes that fall below the poverty threshold in the first semester of 2018,� said Perez. Poverty incidence among families on the other hand, or the proportion of families whose incomes fell below the poverty line, was estimated at 16.1 percent from 22.2 percent in the first half of 2015. This means that 16 out of 100 families had incomes below the amount needed to buy their basic food and non-food needs in the first food and nonfood needs, a reduction from about 28 out of 100 Filipino in poverty in the same period in 2015. “This means that about 23.1 million Filipinos (from 28.8 million in 2015) had incomes that fall below the poverty threshold in the first semester of 2018,� said Perez. Poverty incidence among families on the other hand, or the proportion of families whose incomes fell below the poverty line, was estimated at 16.1 per-
Deputy National Statistician Josie Perez
cent from 22.2 percent in the first half of 2015. This means that 16 out of 100 families had incomes below the amount needed to buy their basic food and nonfood needs in the first semester of 2018. This translated to about 4 million families, down from the 5 million recorded in 2015. Regions with the lowest poverty incidence among families were the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Central Luzon, while the Muslim autonomous region had the highest poverty incidence. The PSA said that during the period, a family of five needed no less than P7,337, on average, to meet the family’s basic food needs for a month. The amount is the food threshold, which increased by 11.2 percent compared with P6,600 in the first half of 2015. No less than P10,481, on average, was needed to meet both basic food and nonfood needs of a family of five in a month. This amount is the poverty threshold, which also went up by 11 percent from P9,453 three years prior. The PSA reported that the subsistence incidence among Filipino families, or the proportion of Filipino families whose incomes fell below the food threshold, was estimated at 6.2 percent, down from 9.9 percent in 2015. The subsistence incidence among Filipino individuals, or
ManilaTimes.net photo
the proportion of Filipinos whose incomes fell below the food threshold, went down to 8.5 percent from 13 percent. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) attributed the decline to the sustained economic growth and critical and broad-based reforms and investments that have translated to employment generation and social protection. “For one, growth in the construction and manufacturing sectors created more employment opportunities for Filipinos. Second, we like to highlight the increase in income of Filipino households, as well as employment shifts to the industry and service sectors from agriculture,� said Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro, NEDA officer in charge. Target: 14% poverty incidence Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Duterte government was eyeing to cut poverty incidence further to 14 percent, adding that lower poverty numbers proved the administration’s “significant strides and reflect how it seriously deals with the long-standing national issue of poverty.� “[These were] favorable to our marginalized brothers and sisters, with the goal of ensuring that Filipinos directly benefit from the country’s economic gains,� the spokesman said. n
Over 1.49-M foreign tourists visited PH from Jan-Feb by Krissy
AGuilAr Inquirer.net
MANILA —At least 1.49 million foreign tourists have visited the Philippines over the first two months of 2019, the Department of Tourism (DOT) disclosed on Wednesday, April 10. “January to February, we already have 1.49 million foreign visitors,� Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said dur-
ing the Kapihan sa Manila Bay at Cafe Adriatico. According to DOT’s data, 1,490,255 foreign visitor arrivals were recorded from January to February 2019. “So this represents almost 6 percent growth compared to the same period last year. [About] 1.4 million last year for the first two months,� Bengzon added. In January and February 2018,
DOT recorded 1,406,337 foreign visitors. Bengzon said Korea remains to be the top visitor market of the country while China and the United States trail at number two and three, respectively. “Number one market natin Korea, number two China, number three, U.S., number four Japan, number five Taiwan,� Bengzon said. n
Marchers decry Chinese activity in disputed waters
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OPPOSITION groups marched to the Chinese Embassy to protest China’s illegal activities on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) on Tuesday, April 9, to mark Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). More than 300 protesters led by Senate bets Neri Colmenares, Jose Manuel “Chel� Diokno and Leodegario “Leody� de Guzman gathered across the Chinese Consulate in Makati City to decry the Duterte administration’s alleged connivance with the Chinese government. “By accepting arms and military equipment from China for use against our own people, and by agreeing to onerous loan agreements, Duterte has literally been bought by China. We Filipinos will literally have to stand up for ourselves,� Colmenares said. In 2016, the Philippines won its legal battle against China at The Hague, but President Rodrigo Duterte refuses to enforce the ruling in exchange for economic benefits from Beijing. A recent survey showed 7 in 10 Filipinos want the Duterte administration to assert the 2016 Hague victory and the country’s sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the dis-
puted waters. “Duterte has betrayed the sacrifices of our heroes in fighting for independence and national sovereignty. His defeatist and mendicant foreign policy has emboldened China to treat the West Philippine Sea as its own, with utter disregard for our rights and dignity as a nation,� Colmenares said. Otso Diretso bet Diokno stressed that aside from sovereignty, the administration’s close ties to China leads to the exploitation of natural resources in the EEZ. “Why would we give them (resources) up? They are depleting our marine life, livelihood of our fishermen and our coral reefs. It should be ours, for our countrymen,� Diokno said in Filipino. Marine scientist Krista Melgarejo of science advocacy youth group Agham Diliman said the Chinese encroachment on the WPS was both an environmental and economic problem. “Experts say that every hectare of coral reefs destroyed in the WPS costs us $350,000 per year. This also means economic destruction as our corals can’t be revived immediately,� Melgarejo said.
Show outrage like Vietnam, Taiwan The opposition groups urged Duterte and the Department of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies to not be so trusting of the Chinese government. “Look at Vietnam, Taiwan and other claimant countries. Every time the Chinese government establishes more infrastructures or sends out ships to the WPS, they denounce it. They have practically fenced their territories,â€? Colmenares said. A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed 4 in 10 Filipinos do not believe that China has good intentions for the Philippines. It found that 44 percent of Filipinos disagreed with the statement that “most of what the Chinese government wants to happen in the Philippines is good for the Filipinos.â€? MalacaĂąang on Monday, however, blasted the survey, saying it was a political propaganda and expressed hopes that more Filipinos would warm up to Beijing. “We have international backing. Why cower from asserting our sovereignty through international diplomacy? Our government has become defeatist,â€? Diokno said. (ManilaTimes.net)
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 12-18, 2019
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA YOU have become a collector over the years. Memories, good and bad, you have them, by the bucketful, stacked in yellowing photographs in frayed and tattered albums. You used to dutifully collect them, way back when printed photos were the norm. But now you have them in your phones, in your computers, in USB drives and external hard drives in gigabytes of digital images. Somehow you long for the printed ones. These are important specially when the neurons in our brains begin to malfunction as a natural order of aging. These will become mental crutches as our memories fade. We became collectors of stuff as well. Admit it. There’s the spirit of a pack rat lurking in most of us. We load ourselves with stuff. Society encourages us. Witness the success of Costco, those warehouses and public storage companies. We buy as much or more than we really need or, in many cases, can really afford to pay in cash. So we have far more stuff than we need: clothes, shoes, furniture, linen, décor, technology, gizmos and gadgets and collectibles of all sorts like baseball cards, guns, antiques, books, kitchen ware, cars and whatever else one thinks is valuable to collect. So our apartments, homes and garages are bursting at the seams that we even feel the need to rent public storage spaces. Here’s a thought that may well be worth considering as we try to TRAVEL LIGHT during this segment of our life’s journey. We have been taught to invest early in real estate or in financial instruments so we can reap the benefits of investments over time in our re-
Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS NATURE is full of wonders. Among them are gems in the form of many food items, basically plant-based, have therapeutic effects that can provide safe relief from pains and other illnesses. A great example: The antibiotic penicillin, which has saved countless lives around the world, comes from penicillium mold (fungi) which naturally produces it, as discovered in 1928 by Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming. Today, we shall devote our column to exalting the “medicinal values or therapeutic effects” of regular, ordinary food that people all over the world eat as a part of their diet. The reported health benefits of some of the foods we have listed hereunder are anecdotal, passed down from generations after generations, and have not been thoroughly and scientifically proven. But since they are regular food items we consume daily, trying them for some of the ailments or situations they are allegedly effective for is simply natural and safe. As long as one is not allergic to them, ingesting these food items does not result in adverse “sideeffects” as could be encountered in, say, noni juice or some other cure-all “food supplements” in the market today. Besides their essential nutritional value, many of the foods we ingest regularly have “medicinal effects” that we are not conscious about but which help alleviate or correct some diseases or conditions. It is common knowledge that scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), for instance, is cured by eating a lot of citrus fruits, or that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) among diabetics will be alleviated by eating candies, sugar or other sweets. Or, that banana and apples are good for diarrhea, while papaya, prunes and other fruits, and vegetables are good for constipation. But did you know that onion, hot pepper and tomato are good for common cold? Or that cherries are good for cramps? Or that apple, grapefruit, kalamansi are good for halitosis (bad breath)? Here is a list of medical conditions and the corresponding food items claimed to either prevent, alleviate and/or cure them: 1. Arthritis: Apple, pineapple, cantaloupe, grape, grapefruit, orange, mustard green, straw-
The Bucket List Divest Early
13th of a Series
“…You won’t need a U-Haul truck when you pass. Jesus did say it is harder for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.…” tirement years. This is wise counsel for all and it pays to take heed. Keep resources liquid. But when it comes to stuff, you become a contrarian and do the reverse instead. DIVEST EARLY. Earmark those special high quality items that you have enjoyed but have no use for anymore and carefully consider giving to people in your immediate or even far-flung orbit who might appreciate it and use it and perhaps even remember you from time to time. It might be that dainty English porcelain teacup set you bought in an antique shop on a whim that you have on display for decades in your china cabinet. Give it to someone who enjoys taking tea. Or it could be a piece of antique heirloom jewelry that you can give to an appreciative relative or friend or just an acquaintance. Or, how about giving away piece by piece, your collection of designer bags hidden away in your closet, forgotten and unused? Okay, here’s the key. Divest wisely and choose recipients well. Give it to someone who can and will use it and not stash it away forgotten once more. In short, filter out those whom you know have too much of everything and will likely shrug off the value of your gift. Don’t give to ingrates and spoiled brats. More than likely, this is going to be a hit and miss operation. But over time, with practice, you will
eventually develop a well-honed instinct to find the deserving ones in your orbit. If you can’t find anyone, giving to Goodwill, Salvation Army and other organizations of the sort is a good idea. It may be simpler too. Divesting early is a way of paying forward for all the blessings we have received even if sometimes we didn’t deserve any of it. The payback is that you get to see the smiles and the genuine appreciation from the recipients who will be blessed by the item while you are still around. What do you get in return? Maybe some deep satisfaction only a genuinely generous giver gets when you find the right recipient. The circle of use for that special item begins to have a ripple effect of good over time. In divesting ourselves of it, we clear the space it once occupied as the blessing of that special item moves to another. We will feel lighter too. Guaranteed. There is beauty and poetry in an empty space. The Japanese, with their minimalist sense of beauty, order and composition, may be ahead of the curve on this matter. Our space is limited and so is our time on earth. How we use these can define the remaining segment of our life’s journey. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
Natural home therapy
berry, tangerine, cucumber, lettuce, cherries, celery, cauliflower. 2. Insomnia: Onion, cabbage, celery, avocado, onion, apple 3. Hemorrhoids: Prunes, date, beans, eggplant, plum, sweet potato 4. Nausea: Pineapple, papaya 5. High cholesterol: Soybean (tofu), red wine, oat meal, grapefruit, tomato, apple, eggplant, corn, cabbage, peas, beans, green leafy vegetables, high fiber cereals 6. Indigestion: Plum, papaya, pineapple, banana, apple, grapefruit, cucumber, peach 7. Sinusitis: Onion, hot pepper, tomato 8. Gastric ulcer: Pumpkin, rice, avocado, banana, date, okra, peach 9. Hypertension: Bamboo shoots, guava, pear, tangerine, squash, cherries, jackfruit, peach, celery, orange 10. Impotence: Pumpkin seeds, avocado, seaweeds, date, oyster, hot pepper 11. To lose weight: All variety of fruits and juices, like grapefruit, orange, apple, pineapple, radish, tomato, lettuce, especially when eaten as a substitute for red meat and carbohydrates. 12. Cancer: For prevention, high fiber, low cholesterol diet (fish), plus frequent intake of processed tomato (ketchup, tomato paste), broccoli, apricot, strawberry, cherries, mustard green, okra, apple, carrots, papaya, prunes, spinach, peach, pumpkin, watermelon, green leafy vegetables 13. Heart attack: Just like for cancer prevention, high fiber and low cholesterol diet, plus a lot of fruits (persimmons is one) and most vegetables. 14. Stroke: The same anti-oxidants as above. 15. Cuts & burns: Sesame Seed Oil, coconut oil, olive oil 16. Dry scalp, skin: Coconut oil, papaya, avocado, sesame seed oil 17. Constipation: Papaya, prunes, green leafy vegetables, peanuts 18. Dizziness: Onion 19. Gall Stones: Soybean, radish, tomato, apricot 20. Headache Beets, cabbage, apple, asparagus These are only a few sample conditions where foods have been taken not only for their fundamental nutritive and caloric value but for their alleged medicinal effects. We want to emphasize that these food items are not substitutes for prescription medications. As a general rule, one should never stop tak-
ing prescription drugs without consulting with a physician. Diet, smoking and alcohol are the three most important, if not the most notorious, killers of man and the reason why in today’s world we have catastrophic numbers of obesity, hypercholesterolemia, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, depression, infertility, male erectile dysfunction, and degenerative diseases like arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, etc. Of course, there are other factors that contribute to the epidemic of these ailments, but food, even more than heredity, plays a very significant role in the causation of diseases. What we eat, how much we eat, what we do not eat, how we take care of ourselves, or how we abuse our body, determine, to a great extent, how healthy or unhealthy we are, our quality of life, and our longevity. The United States Congress and the Food and Drug Administration are now putting the screws on the so-called “food supplements, alternative medications, herbal and homeopathic therapies,” all of which make up for a flourishing $30 billion business annually. The medical and lay community in the United States are now (finally!) realizing that majority of the so called “food supplements” with purported therapeutic values are mostly useless, and nothing more than a money-making scheme that victimizes hundred of millions of unsuspecting people around the world. The hundreds of food supplements in the market today are still not adequately regulated for efficacy, side effects, and potential complications. They advertised them so attractively, with money back guarantee, etc., just to lure the unsuspecting and misinformed public mostly for profit, not to help people become healthier. As a matter of fact, the use of unneeded substances, could be hazardous to health. The long term side-effects of these supplements, not to mention the money wasted purchasing them, should really concern the public. Living a healthy lifestyles is the best strategy for good health and longevity. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
Calendar of Events across
America
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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.
Recycling used motor oil event in Los Angeles, CA Attention all Florence Firestone residents! Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters in exchange for a free new oil filter on Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will take place at AutoZone at 1262 Firestone Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90002. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and helps our water stay clean. So, don’t miss out - we’re making it easier for you to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently.
A P R I L 22
West Ranch Music Masters Tournament in Valencia, CA West Ranch High School’s Instrumental Music Program is excited to announce their inaugural Golf Tournament fundraiser to be held on Monday, April 22 at The Oaks Club at Valencia, CA. Check-in and breakfast starts at 10 a.m. with a 12 p.m. shotgun start. The $125 per player fee includes: 18 holes of golf, use of golf cart, practice facilities, lunch and dinner. There will be an optional Mulligan and Magic Putt package for purchase. Additionally, a wide array of silent auction and raffle baskets will be available. The awards dinner will be served starting at 5pm and will feature students performing live jazz music. For those who wish to attend only the dinner and award festivities, the cost is $50. All proceeds go directly to support the West Ranch High School Music Program. To register for the tournament or for more information contact Jean Conway at westranchband@gmail.com or visitwestranchmusic.com. Deadline to register is on April 11.
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 4
Kulintang festival in Oakland, CA As part of the as part of the celebrations of Asian American Heritage Month, Gongster’s Paradise — a kulintang party — will be held on Saturday, May 4 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center where the father of Filipino-American Kulintang music, Danongan ‘Danny’ Kalanduyan was once an artists in residence. This year’s line up will feature a new generation of Maguindanaon Master Artists from Cotabato City, Traditional groups from all over the United States and Contemporary groups from all over the world including Toronto, Philippines, Seattle, Virginia, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Alongside non-stop kulintangan, Gongster’s Paradise will feature visual artists, vendors, and dancers to showcase movements related to kulintang music rooted from all over Mindanao. A feast will be served throughout the evening to be prepared and served by Chef Eric Pascual, rising star and owner of Eats By E and will be joined by collaborator and sponsor, Ramar Foods. It will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center (388 9th St., Oakland, CA 94607).
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.
M AY 25
Marist School Marikina to celebrate 55th anniversary in Buena Park, CA Marist Alumni Abroad, coordinated by Arthur ‘Jojo’ P. Armada ‘77, invites alumni, family and friends, and the public who are interested, to the 55th anniversary grand reunion of the Marist School Marikina, to be held on Saturday, May 25, at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel (7675 Crescent Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620). The event’s theme is “Celebrating Our Marist Life... The Legacy Continues,” hosted by Marist Alumni Abroad. Dinner and dance: 6 pm to 11 pm; donation: $55/pax (per person). Contact person is overall chair Jojo P. Armada at (626) 2163529 or email: armadaarthur@yahoo.com.
M AY 25 -26
Bulacan high schools reunite in Rosemead, CA The 2019 Global Gathering of Marcelo H. Del Pilar High School (MHPHS) of Malolos, Bulacan will be held on May 25-26, 2019 at the Double Tree Hotel in Rosemead, CA. For further information, please contact any of the following: Lourdes Ople-Smith at lourdesosmith@gmail. com / (310) 662-1948; Charito Aldaba-Gabriel at chato_gabriel1019@yahoo.com / (818) 6536047; Leni Flor Cruz-Florentino at lenflorcruz529@yahoo.com / (818) 282-0928; Tristan Zafra at tristan@trisoftco.com / (714) 686-3345; Gerry Torres, Jr. at gerrytorres50@gmail.com / (213) 249-1633; and Perfecto T. Martin at perfecto.martin@gmail.com.
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.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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PeoPle & events
April 12-18, 2019 • NEW YOrK AND NEW JErSEY ASiAN JOUrNAl
On the PEP Front
People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong TO plainly dub the living legend of the Philippine music industry Gary Valenciano’s enthusiastically high spirited performances as merely world-class would be a glimmering understatement, for the Filipino-Puerto Rican’s iconic stature and unrivaled talent are much beyond commonly observed standards. Gary has unquestionably demonstrated his innately supreme capability (both on live performances and recordings) that strongly catapulted him to such level of supremacy where only he could contend against himself. Born Edgardo Jose Santiago Valenciano (fondly addressed Gary or Gary V) on August 6, 1964 in Santa Mesa, Manila to Vicente Calacas Valenciano (a photographer from Camalig, Albay in Bicol) and Grimilda Santiago Ortiz (a Puerto Rican singer of Italian descent), the to-be-destined iconic singer-performer was the 6th among 7 siblings. Young Gary forayed into the topsy-turvy arena of the local music industry via joining the all-male chorale of De La Salle Greenhills when he was in the secondary level. Having discovered the motivating influence of music in impacting and touching other lives Gary readily embraces it and devotes his entire life to the propagation of the art that he loved doing best -singing. His maiden solo concert at 19 at the famed Araneta Coliseum, following his numerous TV exposures and instantaneous public acceptance, was (needless to say) an unprecedented hit that unsurprisingly catapulted him to stardom. Copious sold-out concerts, exceptionally in-demand radio and television exposures, remarkable record sales with hit after hit compositions, awards and recognitions from prestigious award-giving bodies, and incomparable blockbuster movie hits were but indubitable barometers that evidently gauged Gary V’s supreme reign in the field of entertainment. But there came a time when critics had qualms and concerns regarding Gary’s taking a break from the usual music genre he was closely associated with‌ when he took a leap to embarking on songs with Chris-
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Gary Valenciano: Filipino designers showcase A quintessence of design, creativity and tourism at indomitable energy the NYFW Bridal Fashion 2019 and consummate talent
Constantly on top of his league, Gary V mainstains an enviable spot all his own.
Mr. Pure Energy pours out his heart and soul in his every performance.
The insurmountably indefatigable performer who is best seen and heard.
tian themes. It was, for them, a huge gamble in Gary’s career that could affect his already time-honored status. But Gary’s self-composed religious-themed ditties attained exceptional commercial success especially “Revive,� a 2000 released recording that received sextuple platinum awards (having sold more than 180,000 units) following another well-sold 1995 Christian contemporary album, “Take Me Out Of The Dark.� Could the overwhelming success be due to the maddening curiosity of die-hard fans with regards to his new-found genre or because of his well-esteemed
moniker pompously stamped onto every copy, or to strappingly prove that if it was by Gary V it must be the best? Others wanted to believe that Gary’s zealous faith in his Creator did the magic. For whatever reason there was, it only showed that Gary V was indisputably made‌ and had just rightfully claimed the throne due him. The almost unattainable height of Gary’s popularity astoundingly reached a hallmark phase that toured him not only around the country but to almost every continent of the world. He was the top star to contend with‌the iconic concert performer with
NEW YORK — Renowned Filipino designers Albert Andrada and Barge Ramos called on Consul General Claro S. on Wednesday, April 10 ahead of their fashion show and exhibit in New York. The show, Fabulous Philippines: a Perfect Wedding Destination, is an official entry to the New York Fashion Week’s Bridal 2019 and will be held on 13 April 2019 at the Landmark on the Park. Before the fashion show, an exhibition of gowns designed by Andrada and Ramos, including the iconic royal blue gown worn by Ms. Universe Pia Wurtzbach, will also be held at the Philippine Center Lobby from 11-12 April. The three-day event will be a fusion of Filipino-made masterworks of handwoven fabrics and intricate lifestyle items. According to Christine May Daguno and Gina Reyes of Neocolors International which organized the events, Fabulous Philippines is not only a fashion
show but a tourism and lifestyle event focusing on the development, marketing, and promotion of the Philippines as a perfect wedding destination, as well as a celebration of the creativity and style of Filipino designers. Albert Andrada’s bridal collection is a mix of luxurious fabrics like silk, lace and jusi and his embroidery is inspired by the intri-
cate “solihiya� technique. Barge Ramos’ Perfume and Incense, on the other hand, is a 25-piece collection of handwoven fabrics, embroidery, and handpainting. Consul General Cristobal congratulated Andrada, Ramos, and Neocolors for bringing the Philippines and the creativity and design of Filipinos to the New York Fashion Week.
an almost indefatigable locomotive power and interminably sustained dynamism and vitality on stage‌ thus, the tag, “Mr. Pure Energy.â€? Gary V’s unrelentingly charismatic magic gained even more strength as the years went by only to meet an unforeseen halt on May 6, 2018 when an immediate heart bypass had to be performed on him due to an almost 95% blockage in the left anterior caused by his diabetes. The diagnosis came about after he submitted himself for a check-up after having felt severe pains in his chest after vigorously performing a strenuous production number in ASAP. After having rested for a couple of months and fully recovered, Gary’s much-awaited resurgence from a self-imposed hibernation was met with an even far-fetched reception from among his die-hard fans and followers. The significant event was for one of his product endorsements where he gracefully wowed his fans not only with a few of his popular songs but with his signature dance moves, as well. The implausible welcome offered the freshly healed en-
tertainer a virtuous reason to be back with a bang and hog the spotlights once again and entertain. A good soul earnestly armed with devotion and reliance constantly defies the world’s darkest elements and negativities. .. and Gary has effortlessly unveiled the heartening effectual reality of such.. Blissfully married for nearly 35 years to dutiful wife Angeli Pangilinan, a former Camay soap model and Music & Magic band member, and personal road manager, Gary and Angeli are not only “bedmatesâ€? but soulmates in music. Together they wrote and composed a number of Gary’s hits like “Sana Maulit Muli,â€? Their idyllic matrimonial bond was gifted with 3 children: Paolo, Gabriel, and Kiana, who, inevitably, inherited every aspect of their parents’ musical genes. If there’s one hero Mr. Pure Energy duly recognizes with much pride, that would be his ever supportive wife who, aside from being his ever-concerned manager, is also his personal medical assistant‌ constantly checking on his sugar level and health condition especially dur-
ing a performance. Knowing that Gary has Type 1 diabetes and insulin dependent, she’s cautious of her husband’s blood sugar status 2 hours before a show, closely monitoring him during breaks, and every time he steps out on stage again. Aptly decorated with a myriad of honors, tributes, accolades, and distinctive recognitions in television, live stage, cinema, and international platforms, the signature mark of Gary Valenciano has been indelibly stamped and ineradicably carved in the annals of the Philippine and international music history. Surely, the book of Philippine of music industry won’t be fully written without a page solely devoted to Gary Valenciano. Incidentally, the conscientious entertainment producers Melissa and Ogie Mendoza of Mountaintop Productions willfully trust Gary V’s magnetic influence to entice people to join the league of music believers and welcome him during his “He’s Back� concert at the historic Town Hall in Times Square. For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com.
60 COUNTRIES. OVER 100 CITIES WORLDWIDE. THAT’S INTERNATIONAL.
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Community Journal
What are a green card holder’s rights if they get stuck at the airport when returning to the US? Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ RECENTLY, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) posted a brochure concerning lawful permanent residents’ (LPR or green card holder) rights when they are detained at a port of entry, such as an airport, border crossing, or ship dock. Here are some of the key points of that brochure: If questions or issues arise at the immigration booth, the person may be sent to “secondary inspection,” where CBP will ask you questions and may collect biographic and biometric data, run record checks, and determine whether you should be admitted to the United States. If you are detained by CBP in secondary inspection, you have the following rights: • If you have a lawyer, you should ask CBP for permission to contact your lawyer. Note, however, that CBP may tell you that you do not have the right to speak to an attorney. • You have the right to review all written statements that are prepared for you, in a language that you can understand, such as Tagalog. • If you do not agree with the contents of any papers or statements that are presented to you, you may refuse to sign them. (In other words, if CBP types of a “confession” for you to sign, but it is not accurate, you should not sign it.) • CBP may search your cell phone, computer, iPad, text messages, and access your email and Facebook and Twitter accounts, to see if you posted anything that affects your admissibility. • If CBP determines that you are an “arriving alien,” you could have problems. An arriving alien includes the following people, even if a green card holder:
• Have abandoned or relinquished your LPR status. (This situation typically arises if a green card holder has stayed outside the U.S. for a year or more); • Have been absent from the U.S. for a continuous period of more than 180 days; • Engaged in illegal activity after departing the U.S.; • Departed the U.S. while in removal proceedings or extradition proceedings; • Committed certain criminal offenses unless you were granted an immigration waiver; or • Are attempting to enter without inspection. Right to a hearing before an Immigration Judge. An LPR who is deemed to be an “arriving alien,” may be placed in removal proceedings, and would have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge. Abandonment of Residence/ LPR Status. CBP may attempt to convince you that you abandoned your residence because of your lengthy or repeated absences from the United States and may urge you to sign a Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status. However, it is important to know: • You cannot lose your LPR status solely because of time spent abroad. • An LPR remains an LPR unless the government proves abandonment by clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence and an order of removal is issued by an immigration judge and becomes final. • Form I-407 must be signed voluntarily. You may refuse to sign the form and there are no negative consequences if you refuse to sign it. If CBP believes that you abandoned your U.S. residence and you refuse to sign a Form I-407, CBP must issue you a Notice to Appear (NTA) before an immigration judge who will determine if you have abandoned your U.S. residence. CBP cannot make this decision on its own. If CBP believes that you abandoned your U.S. resi-
dence and you sign a Form I-407, you still have the right to request a hearing before an immigration judge. If CBP takes your permanent resident card, you have the right to other evidence of your LPR status, such as a stamp in your passport. Future travel. To avoid delays at the ports of entry or legal issues in the future, you should consult with an immigration attorney prior to traveling if you: • Have a criminal record (criminal convictions or a pending criminal charge). • Have an application pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). • There is anything in your immigration history that was not disclosed during your immigration process or that might cause a government official to question you about the reason for your travel or about your immigration history.
*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 12-18, 2019
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“ABANDONED PETITION SUCCESSFULLY REOPENED 10 YEARS LATER BY ATTY. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL. Elsinore (left) was petitioned by his father back in 2001. However, when his younger sister, Elvie (center), checked the petition status online in 2005, she found out it was denied due to “abandonment.” USCIS had sent a notice to petitioner’s old residence requesting additional documents, but the petitioner never received the notice because he had moved, and therefore did not respond. Their first lawyer’s motion to reopen was denied for being untimely, so their mother, an avid viewer of “Citizen Pinoy,” suggested they retain leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
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12-18,4-10, 20192019 • NEW YORK ANDAND NEWNEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL JANUARY • NEW YORK JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL A14 14 APRIL
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people events arts culture entertainment
Changing our perception of ‘unhealthy’ Filipino food Chef, food educator and advocate Aileen Suzara aims to promote sustainable and healthy Pinoy food practices BY
W
MALOU LIWANAG-BLEDSOE / AJPRESS
ITH 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 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 stereo-types 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,
Veggie dishes by Aileen Suzara
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 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 AJPress illustrations by Godwin Gasaxao and Jillian Peñalosa likely to try new foods when they 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
6 Filipino-authored cookbooks to add to your shelf By CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
AS mentioned in the Asian Journal’s recent profile on Now Serving — Los Angeles’ only cookbook store owned by FilipinoAmerican 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.
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.
Zealand runner-up Leo Fernandez, five-time Palanca Award winner and poet Francis Macansantos, and the “Food Buddha” Rodelio Aglibot. “Having lived in many places with no Filipino food presence, I long for our cuisine to be more accessible globally,” 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.
“I Am a Filipino (And This is How We Cook)”
“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 with an understanding that it is a world cuisine. It is a cuisine to
“The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe”
“The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Around the Globe” edited by Jacqueline Chio-Lauri was released in 2018 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 André Pettersen, 2015 MasterChef New
“Pulutan! Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and Street Eats”
“Pulutan! Filipino Bar Bites, Appetizers and Street Eats” is the second cookbook by Marvin Gapultos, author of food blog Burnt Lumpia. Published last fall, “Pulutan!” — using the Filipino term for food paired with alcoholic drinks — was inspired by Gapultos growing up in a family “where PAGE 15
Food educator and chef Aileen Suzara
Photos by Sana Javeri Kadri
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 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/.
Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa (Longbean and Squash in Coconut) BY
AILEEN SUZARA
“Ginataang” means to cook in coconut milk. This simple, comforting dish can be easily adapted to what’s available, and served mild or spiced with chili, vegetarian, or with added meat. Try it with fresh malunggay leaf (mo-ringa), winged beans, or spinach wilted into the dish, or swap kabocha squash for delicata or another sweet, firm squash. Longbeans have a distinct texture and can be found at farmers markets and Asian grocery stores, but you can use green beans or fillet beans if unavailable. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 small onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon grated ginger 3 cups kabocha squash, cubed 2 cups yardlong, snapped or cut into segments (green beans or fillet beans if you can’t find them) 1.5 cup coconut milk sea salt and pepper Lemon or calamansi (a small citrus fruit similar to a lime) Optional: 1 birds’ eye or green chili, add briny flavor with bagoong (shrimp paste) or patis (fish sauce) or vegetarian bagoong, or fish sauce (this exists!) Directions: Heat oil in heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until soft. Add garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant. Add coconut milk and squash, cover, and simmer until squash is tender. Add longbeans and chilis and simmer just until longbeans are tender. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and citrus. Enjoy with hot rice.
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 12-18, 2019
Actress Chin-Chin Gutierrez now a Carmelite nun? By NiñA
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V. guNo
Inquirer.net
ACTRESS Chin-Chin Gutierrez, who has long left her showbiz career, is now reportedly a nun. A Facebook post last March 29 from one Vicksay M. Josol lauded her decision to become a Carmelite nun who is supposedly known as Sister Lourdes. The post has gained 8,000 likes as of this writing, with netizens praising “Sister Lourdes” for her choice of vocation. However, it is not the first time that such a rumor has surfaced. In 2013, the same rumor circulated online, which was then debunked by Gutierrez’s former manager, Angela Ureta. Ureta said in a May 2013 Facebook post that Gutierrez is an “ecological lay worker who collaborates with many religious institutions as part of her advocacy.” A lay worker is a person who works in a religious organization but is not a member of the clergy. Ureta said then that the former actress has a Facebook page managed by volunteers from a foundation she created. Though the page is regularly updated, it does not feature Gutierrez’ present life and mainly shares posts about religion and environmental advocacies. The former actress also has a website, though it is not
The OCR trainer on the set of “American Ninja Warrior.” Chin-Chin Gutierrez
indicated when it was last updated. In the webpage of her advocacies, it states that “she is a highly sought-after resource speaker and lecturer for environmental education.” During her acting days in the 1990s and 2000s, Gutierrez gained fame for her role as Maria Clara in the TV show “Noli Me Tangere,” and was part of the John Lloyd Cruz teleserye “Maging Sino Ka Man.” Her talent shone in a range of films like “Jose Rizal” and “Sa Aking mga Kamay.” Her last projects were 2010 TV shows. Gutierrez used her platform to advocate the environment and cultural heritage. She was
named one of Time magazine’s “Asian Heroes” in 2003 and was featured in one of its covers for her work for the cause of the environment. In 2006, she created a foundation Alaga LAHAT Inc. to promote sustainable lifestyles. Gutierrez has also been devoted to religion and spirituality. In a 2013 documentary “Portraits in Faith,” she gave her insights into serving God throughout her life. She explained that caring for the environment “is also about our sanctification. It’s also about our sacredness. It’s all about knowing we are home and treating one another as part of home.”
Jessy, Arjo go from teleserye to the big screen By TessA
MAuricio-ArriolA ManilaTImes.net
ABS-CBN stars Jessy Mendiola and Arjo Atayde top-bill maverick director Ice Idanan’s movie “Stranded,” which opens today under Regal Entertainment, Inc. And it is a huge albeit welcome challenge for the popular TV celebrities who want to show the public they can also bring their talent for the teleserye to the big screen. Atayde expressed at the movie’s press conference, “Nasanay kasi sila na kontrabida ako on TV and first time ko ‘to na bida in a love story so I’m hoping matanggap nila ako in ‘Stranded’ as a leading man. “Thankfully, Jessy and I have known each other for quite some time and it really helped in shooting the movie that we’re friends — walang ilangan — since a big part of the movie shows just the two of us talking with the film’s premise of two strangers relating to one another after they get stranded on a rainy night. We both had ideas on how interpret our characters but again, thankfully, Jessy is very collaborative.” Sharing the same sentiments, Mendiola said, “Grateful din ako na napadali ang trabaho namin kasi si Arjo ay isang napakagaling na aktor. Like he said, we’ve been friends for a long time now so we were comfortable agad to work work with each other. “Si Direk Ice naman is a very good director and so easy to work with kasi she’s very open to suggestions from Arjo and myself para mas mapaganda ang interpretation namin sa eksena. She really collaborates with her stars and very concerned kung paano mapapaganda ang visuals
Jessy Mendiola and Arjo Atayde play two strangers stranded together on a night — worlds apart in character and beliefs, they unexpectedly fall for one another in the movie. Contributed photos
niya on the big screen.” In “Stranded,” Mendiola plays the role of Julia, a woman who never imagined that meeting a stranger on one stormy night could change her life forever, when everything about her had been stable until then. Her career, her love life. On the other hand, Atayde portrays the role of Spencer, the man she meets, who always lives his life to the fullest albeit without direction. Locked up in a building overnight, he and Julia discover things about themselves they never thought were there all along. But just like chalk and cheese, the accidental pair disagree on everything and ironically find themselves attracted to one another. Julia and Spencer realize that despite their opposing views they still have something in common they are both searching for happiness. “Stranded” is Ice Idanan’s second feature film, following “Sakaling Hindi Makarating” (The Amazing Journey of the Letters),
a finalist at the Cine Filipino Independent Film Festival in March 2016. She took home seven awards out of 10 nominations for her debut flick including Best Director, Best Cinematography and 1st runner up for Best Picture. For the same film, Idanan also won Best Indie Cinematographer in 2017 from the PMPC Star Awards for Movies, and and in 2018 received an International Category Excellence Award at the Asia Tourism-Induced Film and TV Arts week in Taizhou China. Suffice it to say, much is expected from the feisty lady director with Stranded. She confessed, however, “One of the challenges of shooting a film that is 80 percent indoors is to keep the images interesting with proper blocking — but with these amazing actors, I’m confident we did it.” Written by Easy Ferrer and Jeps Gallon, “Stranded” also stars Miko Raval, Mich Liggayu, Miggy Marty, Pinky Amador and Johnny Revilla, and introduces Gretchen Ho in her very first movie.
Inquirer.net
THE official title of Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards’ upcoming film has been revealed to be “Hello, Love, Goodbye.” This was announced by Bernardo and Richards via their
FILIPINA American actress Ching Valdes-Aran, who was born in the Philippines, stars in a new animated film together with other Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman, Zach Galifianakis and Zoe Saldana. Aran, who can also be seen in blockbuster movies “Across the Universe” (2007) and “Sex & the City” (2008), lends voice to the character Gamu in the new animated flick, “Missing Link.” From the studio that released the dark fantasy comedy horror film “Coraline” and the epic samurai action-adventure “Kubo and the Two Strings,” comes another spectacular animated movie, “Missing Link,” which aims take Filipino viewers on a globetrotting heartwarming quest. This 2019, stop-motion animation studio, LAIKA, returns with its fifth and biggest feature film to date which showcases its expertise in art, cutting-edge technology, and powerful storytelling with a heart. Written and directed by Oscar-nominated Chris Butler (Paranorman), “Missing Link” follows the cross-country expedition of Mr. Link, Sir Lionel
official Twitter accounts on Tuesday, April 9. The fresh tandem said the film was slated to premiere in cinemas this 2019. “Hello, Love, Goodbye” is a project under Star Cinema and will be helmed by Cathy GarciaMolina.
PAGE 14 snacking and drinking were a common occurrence” 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,” Gapultos shared with the Asian Journal, 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.”
Photo courtesy of Star Cinema
New Kathryn-Alden film titled ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’ AguilAr
Fil-Am stars alongside Hugh Jackman in new Hollywood film Frost, and Adelina Fortnight in search of Link’s long-lost relatives in the valley of ShangriLa. This original story marks LAIKA’s first-ever full-on comedy enveloped in a grand adventure, complete with exotic locations, vicious villains, and relatable themes of belonging, fellowship, and identity. Butler describes “Missing Link,” “it’s a film about connectivity. It has a really potent emotional story at the core, and yet on the top of it we put this beautiful veneer of an incredibly exciting adventure and comedy. I thought that was a really exciting story to tell in animation.” On top of directing, Butler also took charge of writing the script, designing characters, and creating the storyboard. Inspired by his love for Indiana Jones’ archaeologist, he set out to create his own “cryptozoologist,” a searcher not of mysterious artifacts but of mysterious creatures. To give life to the characters of his imagination, Butler and LAIKA worked with a team of over 400 artists and
technologists and explored new areas and techniques in stop motion. As the film takes inspiration from Victorian Era, art director Rob DeSue shares it is the most colorful movie the studio has ever made. “With ‘Missing Link,’ he (Chris) wanted a vibrancy and a saturation of color that we hadn’t done before. We also steered away from neutral color and black and white. Finding alternatives proved to be an exciting challenge,” said DeSue. In terms of storytelling, voice actors Hugh Jackman (voice of Sir Lionel Frost), Zach Galifianakis (Mr. Link), and Zoe Saldana (Adelina Fortnight) share how much they loved doing the film for its profound message of acceptance and finding one’s place in the world. “I signed on to do the film because of LAIKA’s love for storytelling. The movies they make all have a great message; they leave you with something inspiring and heartwarming. With Missing Link, it’s about finding your family, finding your true friendships, and finding the things that really matter in life,” said Jackman. (Philstar.com)
6 Filipino-authored cookbooks to...
Kathryn, Alden, Garcia-Molina and Star Cinema managing director Olive Lamasan
By Krissy
Photos courtesy of Pamela Price
The announcement of the Kathryn-Alden tandem elicited a mix of reactions from fans of both actors who belong to rival networks and popular love teams. Meanwhile, Bernardo and Richards reportedly flew to Hong Kong to start shooting scenes for their upcoming movie.
“Quintessential Filipino Cooking”
“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 memories, those learned
from relatives and friends, or modern adaptations. Some standouts include the sinampalukang manok (chicken tamarind soup), pork rib adobo, crispy pork binagoongan (shrimp paste), and fresh lumpia, which is Chineseinfluenced 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.”
West and ending in Hawaii. It has anecdotes of the people I met, my experience in each state and the recipes I developed,” she explained. “The title is very tongue-in-cheek… it is about dining with your hands where no plates or utensils are given. At the same time it embodies a lot of my attitude/approach in my work. I give no forks.”
“Baking at République”
“No Forks Given”
“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 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
“Baking at République” by Margarita “Marge” Manzke arrives 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 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 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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April 12-18, 2019 • NEW YOrK AND NEW JErSEY ASiAN JOUrNAl
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