050419 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

MAY 4-7, 2019 Volume 29 - No. 34 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

USA

DATELINE Fil-Am suspect of thwarted terrorist attack lived a “quiet life” in Reseda FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Mark Steven Domingo’s younger brother speaks out, shocked at brother’s arrest FAMILY members and neighbors are still grappling with the recent arrest of a Filipino American Army veteran in Reseda, California who is suspected of plotting a terrorist attack in the Los Angeles area. In the quiet San Fernando Valley neighborhood, Mark Steven Domingo was arrested by the FBI on Friday, April 26 on suspicion of planning an attack last weekend in Long Beach as revenge for the recent terrorist shootings in New Zealand, the Asian Journal previously reported. u PAGE A4

Mark Steven Domingo, 26, a Fil-Am U.S. Army veteran was arrested on Friday, April 26 on suspicion of plotting a massive terrorist attack in the Los Angeles area. Photos courtesy of the FBI

Garcetti launches LA’s Green New Deal, setting ambitious environmental goals LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti this week released the city’s Green New Deal, which creates a roadmap to confront the current issues revolving around climate change. Garcetti on Monday, April 29 spoke about the city’s sustainable future, which includes plans to tackle the climate emergency with accelerated targets and keep LA on track to be carbon neutral by 2050. “Politicians in Washington don’t have to look across the aisle in Congress to know what a Green New Deal is — they can look across the country, to Los Angeles,” said Garcetti. “With flames on our hillsides and floods in our streets, cities cannot wait another moment to u PAGE A5

Sustained economic growth, ﬁnancial reforms cited for PH’s credit upgrade by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philippines’ recent credit rating upgrade from Standard and Poor’s (S&P) is due to the economic reforms under the Duterte administration, Malacañang asserted on Thursday, May 2. S&P upgraded the Philippines’ credit rating to

BBB+ with a stable outlook, citing the country’s consistent growth, solid fiscal accounts, and the economy’s sound external settings. According to the company, it updated the country’s long-term rating to BBB+ from BBB to reflect the Philippines’ strong economic growth trajectory.

S&P also said it expects that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth will pick up to 6.3 percent this year after slowing down to 6.2 percent last year from 6.7 percent in 2017. “The stable outlook reflects our assumption that the Philippine economy will continue to achieve u PAGE A2

Palace ensures fight against fake news during World Press Freedom Day by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

PRESIDENTIAL Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar ensured the Filipinos that they will fight disinformation on Friday, May 3 as they commemorate the World Press Freedom Day. “Tayo naman po sa PCOO ay patuloy ang kampanya natin laban sa disinformation o pagpapakalat ng fake news sapagkat isa po ito sa sumisira sa malayang pamamahayag (We in the PCOO will continue our campaign against disinformation and the spreading of fake news because it is one of the disruptors of free press),” Andanar said in a statement. The PCOO secretary said the current administration continues to respect press freedom in the Philippines despite various allegations of attacks against the media by President Rodrigo Duterte himself. “Asahan niyo po na patuloy na irerespeto ng Duterte administration ang press freedom sa bansa taliwas sa mga alegasyon ng iilan (Rest assured that the Duterte u PAGE A2

NEW LAWYERS ANNOUNCED. Bar exams takers check the board in front of the Supreme Court to see if their names are in the list of passers. The Supreme Court (SC) has announced that the result of the 2018 Bar examination will be released on Friday, May 3. The passing rate for Bar Examinations 2018 is 22.07%, equivalent to 1,800 of the 8,158 examinees who took the Bar. Inquirer.net photos

No rule barring foreign Marcos victims get P77,500 each amid objection from gov’t journalists from entering PH by CHRIS

PANGANIBAN

Inquirer.net

BUTUAN CITY—At least 140 victims of torture, summary execution and enforced disappearance during the Marcos dictatorship or members of their families each received a check for P77,500 as part of the compensation awarded by a Hawaii district court, which ruled on a class action suit against the estate of Ferdinand Marcos. It was the third payout ordered by the court after Marcos was overthrown in 1986.

About 6,500 registered members of the class suit, or their duly appointed heirs, will each receive the peso equivalent of $1,500. The checks were to be distributed nationwide to the documented members, starting in Butuan City on Wednesday, May 1. These were personally handed over by American lawyer Robert Swift, who led the legal battle for victims of human rights violations. Imelda’s paintings In March, District Court Judge Manuel Real, who has presided over the Marcos litigation since 1990, approved a $13.75u PAGE A3

lines on the Issuance of Work and Employment Permits to Foreign Nationals with the DepartTHE Department of Labor ment of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of and Employment (DOLE) on Immigration (BI), and the Bureau Wednesday, May 1, clarified of Internal Revenue (BIR). that no rule from the new gov“Nothing in the guidelines ernment guidelines on issuing would state so that we are barworking permits to foreigners ring specific foreign journalist bars foreign journalists — espe- or foreign media outfit to come cially those critical of the Duterte into the Philippines and cover administration — from entering the events of the current adminthe Philippines. istration,” said Dominique Tutay, The statement came after director of the Bureau of Local DOLE signed the Joint Guideu PAGE A3 by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

PH gov’t to tighten rules on work permits by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

A Chinese worker is seen at the construction site of the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge in Manila. The project is funded by loans from the Chinese government. Philstar.com photo by Russell Palma

THE Bureau of Immigration on Wednesday, May 1, announced that the government will tighten rules on issuing work permits for foreigners “to ensure that jobs that can be done by Filipinos will not be given to foreigners.” In a BI press release, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the joint guidelines on the issuance of work and employment permits to foreign nationals have been signed by the bureau, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Justice. “We saw a rise in the num-

ber of foreign nationals in the previous years due to emerging industries such as the online gaming industry,” Morente said, in reference to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, where 138,001 foreign nationals are employed, according to data released by DOLE and BI. “Issues and challenges only appear now. This has never been a problem in the past because of the relatively smaller number of foreign nationals working in the Philippines then,” he added. In 2018, BI issued 83,670 special work permits which were valid for six months and allow foreigners to “render service” while on a tourist visa. Meanwhile, DOLE issued 54,241 Alien Employment Per-

mits — which are a requirement for 9(g) visas, a visa “for aliens employed in the country, with contracts usually lasting for one to three years.” BI said it will also require the alien applicant to show proof of tax payments. According to Morente, the new rules will not make it difficult for foreigners working or doing business in the Philippines to follow. “We have made it easier for foreign nationals to comply with our laws,” he said. “The procedures are simple, the process is now quicker, so there’s really no excuse for foreign nationals to not follow,” he added. u PAGE A2

A May 4-7, 2019 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOURNaL

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From the Front Page

Sustained economic growth...

PAGE A1 t

above-average real GDP growth over the medium term, supporting the sovereign’s credit profile,” it said. S&P further lauded how the country’s economy is growing at a consistently faster pace than that of its neighbors.

“The Philippine economy is among the fastest growing in the world on a 10-year weighted average, per capita basis – a reflection of its supportive policy dynamics and improving investment climate. The country has a relatively diversified economy with an increasingly strong

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo Philstar.com photo

track record of high and stable growth,” it said. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo welcomed the report and said: “The Palace is pleased with the report from global debt watcher Standard & Poor’s that the Philippines has received a credit rating upgrade of BBB+ stable outlook.” “The economic team of the President has done a splendid job in putting the economic house in order and spearheading bold economic reforms, in cooperation with Congress, in bolstering the domestic economy, which is projected to become the world’s top 25 economy,” he added. Panelo listed the tax reform package, liberalization of the rice sector, strengthening of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas charter, improving ease of doing business, relaxing the foreign investment negative list and modernizing infrastructure under the reforms implemented by the administration. He also cited President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against crime as a key aspect to the country’s economic growth. “The president understands that a thriving economy under an environment free from drugs, crime and corruption is essential to bring our people to a life which is comfortable and secure,” Panelo said. “His actions based on this belief have thus promoted our country’s standing not just in peace and order but also in terms of our economy,” he added. n

PROTECTING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS. Save the Children Philippines, a non-government organization, held a Children’s Interface Meeting with Pasay City mayoral candidates at the Barangay 201 covered court in Pasay City on Friday, May 3. The organization says local candidates in the May 13 elections should integrate protection of children’s rights in their platform as most of child abuse cases happen at home, in schools and in the communities. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

PH gov’t to tighten rules on... PAGE A1 t Numerous concerns have been raised due to the influx of foreign workers in the Philippines. A data released by BI revealed

that a total of 2.44 million Chinese arrived in the Philippines from mainland China between January 2016 to May 2018. The influx, then, caused resi-

dential rental rates in the areas near Manila Bay to surge by 62.2 during the first half of 2018, property firm Santos Knight Frank noted. n

Palace ensures fight against fake news... PAGE A1 t

administration will continue to respect the press freedom in the country, contrary to the allegations of the few),” Andanar said. He added that the creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) is intended to support the journalists and condemn the media killings. He said the task force was one of the first directives Duterte signed in his early months as president and shows how the administration “respects and protects” journalists. Andanar reiterated the administration’s regard for the freedom of press despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent attacks to the media. The strong-mouthed leader threatened to block ABSCBN’s franchise renewal, called out the Inquirer for its critical reporting, and slammed Rappler as “fake news site,” “Tayo naman po ay kaisa ng lahat ng mediamen sa bansa at sa buong mundo sa pag-

PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar

susulong at pangangalaga sa karapatan sa press freedom (We are one with the mediamen of the country and the whole world in promoting and preserving the rights to press freedom),” Andanar said. The World Press Freedom Index issued in April of this year said that the Philippines dropped one spot from its rank in the 2018 index from 133rd to 134th. “The government has devel-

Inquirer.net photo

oped several ways to pressure journalists who dare to be overly critical of the summary methods adopted by ‘Punisher’ Duterte and his notorious ‘war on drugs,” Paris-based Reporters Without Borders stated. The media group cited three journalism-related deaths in 2019 and the prevalence of “troll armies” who launch “online harassment campaigns” against the media. n

A May 4-7, 2019 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOURNaL

Dateline USa

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Fil-Am suspect of thwarted terrorist attack lived...

PAGE A1 t According to interviews with neighbors in the Daily News, it was evident that the 26-year-old Filipino American did not tout his radical beliefs outside of the internet correspondence and online forums, one neighbor noting that Domingo seemingly lived “a quiet life.” Court papers showed that Domingo — a former U.S. Army infantryman who finished a fourmonth deployment to Afghanistan in January 2013 — used online forums to vent incendiary remarks in the name of radical jihadism. According to an affidavit, the former U.S. Army infantryman posted a video on March 2 in which he declared allegiance to the religion of Islam and expressed support for jihadist groups like the Islamic State. Shortly after, Domingo began spewing hateful comments towards Christians and Jews, and after the March attacks in New Zealand in which a white supremacist opened fire in two mosques in Christchurch, Domingo began planning an act of revenge. “I feel like I should make a christians life miserable tomorrow for our fallen bros n sis in

new zealand (sic) ... maybe a jews life [I don’t know] ... they shed our blood,” he wrote in a post after the shooting, according to the affidavit. “No Muslim should have to experience this, a message needs to be sent.” Domingo began corresponding with someone who turned out to be an FBI informant on how he could help in staging a retaliation attack. He received a package from an undercover FBI informant which he believed to be a live bomb but was actually an inert explosive device (IED) that he planned to use for “retribution” for the New Zealand attacks. The Filipino American veteran had planned to attack a white nationalist rally in Long Beach that was to take place during the last weekend in April. (The rally itself was cancelled.) Domingo’s younger brother, 22-year-old James Domingo, told the Daily News that when his older brother began attending a mosque in their quiet neighborhood of Reseda, he saw it as a “good thing.” “I thought maybe my brother finally found some sort of guidance in this world,” said the younger brother, who lived with

the suspect and their aunt and grandmother for much of their young lives. “Like anybody else, I don’t want to assume a thing when someone is going into a new religion.” Though most of Mark Domingo’s radicalization were relegated to online forums and digital correspondence, the younger Domingo brother did not indicate whether or not he knew of his older brother’s radical intentions. In a public letter, the Domingo family requested privacy on the matter as they have “family members who are ill right now and require our full attention and care.” But in the Daily News interview, James Domingo said, “I hope this dies down eventually and hopefully my brother will be found innocent of all of this.” Mark Steven Domingo has been in federal custody since his arrest and made his first appearance Monday in the U.S. District Court. He has been charged with “providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists” and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke visited Los Angeles on Saturday, April 27 where he held a campaign rally attended by hundreds of supporters. AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

2020 presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke talks... PAGE A3 t

our actions to make sure that in this country that sees more than 30,000 gun deaths in a year — a rate not seen anywhere else in this world — that we will insist on universal background checks for everyone without loopholes or exceptions and we will insist and ensure that weapons that were designed and sold to the military for the express purpose to kill are kept on the battlefields and no longer in our homes, our synagogues, our churches, our mosques and take the lives of those in our lives.” A talented orator, O’Rourke has harnessed his social media savvy and inherent everyman charisma to propel him to the national stage where he’s acted as a firm promoter for social unity and inclusion. “It doesn’t matter who you love, how you pray or whether you pray at all, where you live, how many generations you can found your family as American or whether you just got here today, this defining moment of truth for this country calls for a service and a sacrifice and unity that puts this country first before any personal interest or any divisions put between us,” O’Rourke said to a roaring applause. The political ecosystem this early in an election period is typically receptive to effervescence and patriotism over specific strategy from candidates, and of the 21 Democratic candidates running so far O’Rourke stands tall in that image. Magazine profiles have fashioned O’Rourke as a Robert F. Kennedy type, a candidate stepping away the strategies and

processes of the Democratic establishment and opting for a sincerely grassroots campaign with a primary focus of equity for marginalized communities. Last month, O’Rourke visited Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders in Nevada where he expressed commitment to listening to the AAPI community and addressing their specific needs, saying that he has “no hope of understanding things from your perspective unless we first have that conversation.” But the issue that seems to be the most front of mind for the O’Rourke campaign is the ongoing immigration crisis that he acknowledged affects a diverse array of communities across the country. Where Kennedy stood up for Black Americans during the civil rights era, O’Rourke has become an agent for the undocumented community. In addition to condemning Trump’s border wall plans and family separation at the border, O’Rourke supports the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and establishing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented youth. “We must rewrite our immigration laws in our own image,” O’Rourke said. “It must reflect communities like the ones in Los Angeles and El Paso, and that means taking away from every DREAMer the fear of deportation and making them citizens of the U.S., their true home country.” O’Rourke’s groundsgameheavy Senate run was revolutionary in a time where national

electoral politics is in the middle of a massive paradigm shift, but with the bevvy of Democrats running for the White House — 21 as of press time — it’ll be an uphill race to the nomination. In the age of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez answering supporter questions on Instagram Live and South Bend, Indiana Mayor and fellow 2020 Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg directly tweeting at supporters and opposers alike, the accessibility and intimacy between politician and constituent is closer than ever before, and it’s more important than ever before. He appeals to the faction of liberals who have grown disillusioned with politicians along the ranks of Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden and desire a more transparent, on-the-ground candidate who speaks without a teleprompter and isn’t swayed by corporate dollars. In his race against Cruz, Beto refused campaign donations from political action committees and corporations. But since former Vice President Joe Biden announced candidacy last week, O’Rourke faces heavy competition in addition to the other heavy hitters in the race. Although it’s too early to configure a true front runner, RealClearPolitics puts Biden 13 points ahead of the pack and O’Rourke in sixth place. But when asked whether or not early polls really affect voters’ behavior, one O’Rourke supporter on Saturday told the Asian Journal, “Polls mean nothing this early on. When we get to a debate, that’s when we’ll really see who has power.” n

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Rights activists protest drug war at Portugal policy conference Health coverage available through Covered HUMAN rights defenders from around the world rallied in Porto, Portugal to send a message to the Philippine government: Stop the killings associated with its campaign against illegal drugs. The protest was staged on the sidelines of the 26th Harm Reduction international Conference (HR19) on May 1, where the participants showed solidarity for the victims of the brutal war on drugs and demanded an end to it. The global conference, held every two years, tackled the latest research and discussions on best practice in drug use, harm reduction and human rights. “The Philippine government’s barbaric campaign against the drug trade is severely harming the health and security of its communities. The evidence that punitive drug policies don’t work is irrefutable. People around the world have sent a clear message to the government today—stop the killings and invest in the health and human rights of your people,” Naomi Burke-Shyne, Harm Reduction international executive director, said. The Philippine government acknowledges 5,375 deaths of “drug personalities” in police operations since July 2016. But human rights groups claim the figures are higher, citing unresolved

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Human rights activists stage a protest in Porto, Portugal to demand an end to the war on drugs in the Philippines. Photo by Steve Forrest/Harm Reduction International

killings under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Kristine Mendoza of StreetLawPh earlier in the conference warned that the Philippines’ “war on drugs has unravelled into anything but a war on illegal substances,” according to an article on TalkingDrugs, a platform that provides news and analysis on drug policy and harm reduction. StreetLawPh is an organization of lawyers and advocates seeking to provide access to justice and protection for the rights of persons who use drugs. “[Duterte has created a] long-term, institutionalized and well-funded pseudo-war which centralized all governmental powers into one strongman

who—through effective social control—was able to damage our democratic principles, such as checks and balances, accountability and transparency, the civilian nature of our police force, the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law and respect for human rights,” Mendoza was quoted as saying. A study presented by the Ateneo School of Government and the Ateneo Human Rights Center last week showed that the administration’s war on drugs, enforced through the police’s Oplan Tokhang, risks violation of at least eight citizen’s rights enshrined in the 1987 Constitution. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar. com)

Garcetti launches LA’s Green New Deal, setting... PAGE A1 t confront the climate crisis with everything we’ve got. L.A. is leading the charge, with a clear vision for protecting the environment and making our economy work for everyone.” LA’s Green New Deal is guided by four key principles: a commitment to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement; a promise to deliver environmental justice and equity through an inclusive green economy; a plan to ensure every Angeleno has the ability to join the green economy by creating pipelines to good paying, green jobs; and a determination to lead by example within City government, showing the world what an urban Green New Deal looks like in practice. The Green New Deal leads with bold action to zero out Los Angeles’ main sources of emissions: buildings, transportation, electricity, and trash. The goals of the plan include: Building a zero carbon electricity grid — reaching an accelerated goal of 80% renewable energy sup-

ply by 2036 as we lead California toward 100% renewables by 2045; creating a Jobs Cabinet to bring city, labor, educational, and business leaders together to support our effort to create 300,000 green jobs by 2035 and 400,000 by 2050; mandating that all new municipally owned buildings and major renovations be all-electric, effective immediately, and that every building in Los Angeles — from skyscrapers to single family homes — become emissions free by 2050. Other considerations include phasing out styrofoam by 2021, ending use of plastic straws and single-use takeout containers by 2028, recycling 100% of wastewater by 2035, and maintaining at least 90,000 trees. The Green New Deal’s targets solidify L.A.’s position as the national leader in solar energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, and green jobs. it incorporates initiatives from 44 partner organizations, employing a unique, collaborative, multi-sector approach to meeting our shared goals of a

more sustainable, equitable city. Our plan also calls for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 — outpacing the standards set by the United Nations iPCC report. By 2050, Garcetti’s administration boasts that the Green New Deal is expected to save more than 1,600 lives, 660 trips to the hospital, and $16 billion in avoided healthcare expenses each year. four years ago, Garcetti released Los Angeles’ Sustainable City pLAn — his vision for a more sustainable, prosperous, and just Los Angeles, built on three es: the environment, the economy, and equity. The Ccty has already met or exceeded 90% of the pLAn’s near-term goals on time or early, and Angelenos have seen the results: LA became the number-one solar city in America, pioneered new transportation technologies, reduced the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 11% in a single year, and created more than 35,000 green jobs. (AJPress)

Life can change in an instant, whether it’s your health or your personal situation. elvira of Los Angeles lost her health insurance when the auto dealership she worked for closed its doors suddenly at the end of January. “i did not want to be without a job and without health insurance. You never know when you might need to go to the doctor or the hospital,” she said. “Who knows? Life is very unpredictable.” elvira got a quote from COBRA that would let her keep the health plan she had had through work, but with her employer no longer picking up part of the cost, she would have had to pay nearly $600 a month. “A friend reminded me that Covered California could be cheaper,” elvira said. “i remembered hearing on the radio there is financial help, so someone referred me to a certified agent.” elvira found out that she qualified for financial assistance through Covered California, and she enrolled in a plan from a name-brand company at a fraction of the cost she would have paid through COBRA. The plan provides free preventive care — along with lab tests, Xrays and imaging — and allows elvira to see her primary care physician or specialist without first needing to meet a deductible. The recently unemployed have many things to worry about, but having health insurance for themselves and their families shouldn’t be one of those concerns. even though Covered California’s annual open-enrollment period is over, if you have lost your coverage because you lost or changed your job, you may be eligible for special enrollment. You may qualify for financial assistance to help you afford coverage. Those who are eligible can sign up for coverage through Covered California’s specialenrollment period, as long as they do so within 60 days of a qualifying life event. The following circumstances are among the more common reasons individuals become eligible for special enrollment:

• They lose their health coverage because they have lost or changed jobs. • They get married or enter a domestic partnership. • They have a baby, adopt a child or place a child for adoption or in foster care. • They move and gain access to new health plans through Covered California that were not available where they previ-

ously lived. • They become a citizen, a U.S. national or a lawfully present individual. Those who qualify for MediCal may enroll through Covered California year round. They can enroll online at CoveredCA.com or get information about obtaining free, confidential in-person assistance in a variety of languages. n

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D ateline PhiliPPines ADB to finance Metro Manila sidewalk construction by Nathalie

Robles

AJPress

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in collaboration with the Philippine government, is set to finance the construction of sidewalks in Metro Manila. The ADB is said to provide $100 million in loans to implement the Greenways project in the Philippines. This would lead to the construction of elevated walkways for pedestrians, with the possibility of using them for bicycles as well. ADB Director-General for Southeast Asia Ramesh Subramaniam said that they have selected six initial sites to launch the project and will discuss the plans with the National economic and Development Authority (NeDA). Among the initial sites selected are North eDSA, Ortigas and Taft Avenue. Independent consulting firms are designing the elevated walkways. “We are very optimistic about it. We are going to start small,” Subramaniam said as reported by

The Philippine Star. According to the director-general, the Philippine government is eyeing the completion of the initial phase of the project within the year, but the actual completion is more likely by 2020. Metro Manila is known to be rigged with streets that are not pedestrian-friendly, except in newer developments and business centers. In the older sections, sidewalks are crowded with vendors. Commuters, due to the congested sidewalks, fill the streets as they anticipate the public utility vehicles (PUVs). Sometimes they even board buses in the middle of main highways. This has resulted in accidents that have caused injuries and deaths. In December last year, a man was pinned to death between two buses as he was trying to board one on eDSA in Guadalupe, Makati. The Greenways project had been planned as early as 2014, with the Ortigas Central Business

District targeted as the pilot area. It was meant to promote sustainable development goals on improving public health by encouraging walking and non-motorized transport as well as reducing air and noise emissions. Greenways have been described as “activity corridors” for non-motorized transport that “create quality space for commercial exchange, health and recreation, and access to jobs and services.” There are Greenway projects in places such as Seoul, South Korea; hong Kong; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Guangzhou, China. NeDA previously approved the demonstration Greenway project for implementation in 2015, connecting SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria, Shangri-La eDSA Plaza and the Metro Rail Transit station in the area. The ADB will provide the engineering design while the Philippine government will shoulder the funding for the civil works as well the financing. n

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JOB FAIR. Job seekers flock to the job fair held at Resorts World Manila on Wednesday, May 1.

ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

Philippine Deptartment of Health launches mental health crisis hotline by Ritchel

MeNdiola AJPress

The Department of health (DOh) on Thursday, May 2 launched the National Center for Mental health (NCMh) crisis hotline which aims to help curb the rising suicide prevalence in the Philippines. According to health Secretary Francisco Duque III, the hotline will be operated by the NCMh 24/7 and will “respond to the needs of those in any mental health crisis, [and] respond to queries on all issues related to mental health and the mental health law.” The hotline can be reached at 0917-899-USAP (8727) or 0917989-8727. In a press conference, Duque explained: “The hotline aims to send a message to those with mental health issues that they are not alone. It’s okay to not be okay... There is hope. Recovery is possible and there should be no shame in getting help.” Last year, the World health Organization (WhO) stated that suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-

olds. Over 800,000 people die by suicide each year, a number that translates to one death every 40 seconds. NCMh officer-in-charge Allan Troy Baquir, for his part, said the hotline will offer assistance for callers experiencing anxiety and depression as well as health workers who need guidance in handling their patients with mental illness. The hotline will also help individuals needing mental health assistance related to issues like gender identity and sexual orientation, school and career, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and violence against women and children. The operators who would take the calls will assess and classify the risk of callers, according to NCMh, and will refer them to a proper specialist or medical facilities if necessary. Beverly Azucena, another OIC of the NCMh, also assured that the hotline, which has already been set up with the National Telecommunications Commission, will be able to accommodate about 8 to 10 callers at a time — unlike hopeline, the national

Health Secretary Franciso Duque III ManilaTimes.net photo

support hotline for depression and suicide prevention, which drew flak in 2017 for supposedly being inaccessible. Aside from the hotline, the DOh also launched programs under the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act on Thursday. The newly introduced programs aim to help boost children’s health and reduce stunting and malnutrition. Pregnancy and after birth medical services will also be provided by the DOh to both mothers and infants, Duque said. n

Rudy Fariñas withdraws Ilocos bid; says he is retiring

the gubernatorial race since day one of the campaign period. “In fact, I do not have a single campaign poster, nor my name MANILA — Ilocos Norte 1st is in our sample ballot. I’ve never district Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas even gone to the other district of confirmed on Thursday, May 2, our province,” he added. that he had withdrawn his candiFariñas’ withdrawal leaves indacy for the northern province’s cumbent Governor Imee Marcos’ governor in a bid to finally retire son, Matthew Marcos Manotoc, from politics. “Yes. I did not really want to unopposed in the May 13 elecrun for any office as I want to tion. he was a board member of retire on Jun 30 – after 39 years Ilocos Norte’s 2nd district. since I started as Laoag City Manotoc, the youngest of mayor on March 3, 1980, at the Imee’s three sons, replaced conage of 27,” Fariñas told reporters victed Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas Inquirer.net photo through Viber. Rep. Imelda Marcos when she The former house of Rep- explained that he had been an- canceled her gubernatorial bid resentatives Majority Leader nouncing his plan to back out of last November 2018. n by PathRicia

aNN Inquirer.net

Roxas

10 killed in election-linked incidents across PH TeN individuals, including local candidates, were killed in 35 election-related violent incidents that were recorded since the start of the election season, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). Police Col. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, said in a news briefing on Friday the 10 individuals were confirmed killed in such incidents recorded from January 13 to April 30. Some of the fatalities were

candidates in the May 13 midterm polls, while some were just supporters, he added. Banac said 11 were injured and 14 were unharmed in these incidents. All 35 incidents were still under investigation and were considered as homicide cases, he added. Banac said these cases happened in different parts of the country and there was no focused area of the violent inci-

dents. “There is no specific concentration. All regions had one or two such incidents,” he added. The PNP is on full alert status to further prevent other possible violent incidents, especially now that the polls are getting nearer. It has increased deployment from 143,000 to 160,000 police personnel, so that the PNP can conduct more operations and monitor peace and security in the elections.(ManilaTimes.net)

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 4-7, 2019

Philippines, regional navies hold maritime crimes scenario training by Frances

Mangosing Inquirer.net

FINDING SOLUTIONS TO POWER OUTAGES. “Let’s find solutions to power outages,” said Sen. Win Gatchalian, Senate panel chair of the Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC), during the hearing at the Senate on the recent simultaneous power plant shutdowns on Thursday, May 2. His House counterpart, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco (left) and 1-CARE Party-list Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarretta (right) took turns in grilling energy officials on possible options to help prevent rotating brownouts in the coming days. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

‘Rise above the hate’: Bullying didn’t stop Ateneo grad from topping 2018 bar exams MANILA — Ateneo de Manila University alumnus Sean James Borja led the 1,800 aspiring lawyers who passed the 2018 bar exams — and he did that despite the hatred he received in the past for being gay. The Supreme Court on Friday, May 3, announced that Borja obtained the highest score of 89.3060%. Asked if he had ever felt that “being gay did not make you worthy to follow your aspirations,” Borja told the ABS-CBN News Channel that despite being a victim of bullying, he managed to rise above the hate. “Definitely. I guess especially during grade school—you know how grade school is like when you’re being bullied for being different and it was during that time... where you think you’re not good enough to be at the top—to be a lawyer to fulfill your dreams just because of who you are,” he said. “And yes, definitely there were a lot of times I doubted myself but I’m happy to say that I did overcome those doubts and insecurities and I’m just happy to be me right now,” he added. The 2018 bar exam posted a passing rate of 22.07%, which is lower than the previous year’s

passing rate of 25.5%. In the same television interview, Borja, the valedictorian of the Ateneo Law School Class of 2018, said he felt some pressure when he took the bar exams. “It was my dream to top the Bar,” said Borja, who was celebrating his brother’s birthday when he found out that he topped the bar. “I guess when you’re a valedictorian, a lot of expectations come up. A lot of faculty told me after graduation, ‘Hey ha top the bar ha,’” he added. “There was definitely that pressure going into the bar exams but I just thought I guess I don’t owe anybody anything anyway,” he continued. Initially, 8,701 law graduates were allowed to take the Bar, but more than 500 failed to show up on the first of four Sundays in November 2018 when exams were held. Only 8,158 examinees appeared on the first day of the examinations. Two more were absent on the succeeding Sundays of the exam, while another one dropped out on the last Bar Sunday. The exams covered eight subjects: Political Law and Labor Law, Civil Law and Taxation, Mercantile Law and Criminal

The Supreme Court on Friday, May 3, announced that Sean James Borja obtained the highest score of 89.3060%. Photo from Facebook/Sean James Borja

Law, Remedial Law and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises. The 1,800 Bar passers will still need to take their oath and sign the Roll of Attorneys. Last year, the country welcomed 1,724 new lawyers, posting a 25.5% passing rate. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral with reports from Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar. com)

MANILA – How can ASEAN and other regional navies work together in responding to international maritime crimes? This was addressed during the recently concluded first phase of the ASEAN-Plus Defense Ministers’ Meeting Maritime Security Field Training Exercise in Busan, South Korea. At the sea-phase of the event, multinational navies, which included the Philippines, conducted voice radio drills and an international response training scenario designed to protect merchant ships and key facilities, the Philippine Navy said in a news release. “The Philippine Navy, once again achieved its objective by participating in this maritime exercise. We are really looking to step up in this multinational arena and know that we can be at par with our counterparts,” said Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad, commander of Naval Task Group 80.6

Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy

The Navy deployed BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17) to participate in the event. Aside from the Philippines, 11 other countries have sent their ships for the major sea exercise: Australia, Brunei, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, U.S. and Vietnam. Six other nations joined as observers: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, New Zealand and Russia.

Aside from the at-sea phase, the Philippine Navy also joined confidence-building activities like sports, welcome reception, ship tours and subject-matter expert exchanges. The Navy patrol ship is now on its way to Singapore for the second phase of the event. The ADMM- Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise, co-organized by Korea and Singapore, runs from April 30 to May 13. n

A8 MAY 4-7, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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O PINION Media for democracy

FEATURES

THE Philippines marks the 26th World Press Freedom Day on Friday, May 3, with the government fending off accusations that it is clamping down on critical reporting. The Duterte administration and mass media are also swapping accusations of spreading fake news and disinformation. The role of the media in strengthening democracy is critical especially during elections — the ultimate expression of the people’s will in free societies. This year’s UNESCO theme for World Press Freedom Day is particularly timely for the Philippines: “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation.” Making informed choices can spell the difference between good and lousy governance, between the efficient and poor delivery of basic services, and between national prosperity and underdevelopment. Making informed choices can spell the difference between continuing poverty and a better quality of life. To make an informed choice, voters need accurate information on candidates, to see beyond populism and candidates’ carefully cultivated public images

or entertainment-based popularity. While advances in communication technology have given millions easy access to information, they have also made it easier to disseminate fake news. Independent, responsible journalism plays an important role in countering disinformation. Performing this role has cost scores of journalists their lives. Today’s observance also pays tribute to the media workers who have been killed or continue to be harassed in connection with their profession. The Philippines has been consistently ranked as one of the world’s deadliest and “most murderous” country for journalists. The country also ranks high in the impunity index because of its poor record in bringing to justice those behind the murders. general, on the role of independent media: “No A good reminder on this special day is the mes- democracy is complete without access to transparsage of Antonio Guterres, United Nations secretary ent and reliable information. It is the cornerstone

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

for building fair and impartial institutions, holding leaders accountable and speaking truth to power.” (Philstar.com)

Fil-Ams ask: Where are our ballots for the Philippine Midterm Elections?

The Fil-Am Perspective

Is the Philippine government silencing the voices of the overseas absentee voters?

GEL SANTOS-RELOS FILIPINOS who are now working, are permanent residents in the U.S., or even dual citizens have been taking a more active role in participating in civic and democratic processes in the Philippines, never abandoning our love and concern for the Motherland, especially when we still have families back home. We Filipinos in America work hard and save money to be able to help our families in need in the Philippines through our remittances, and we want to make sure our sacrifices do not go in vain by making the Philippine government accountable despite the distance, and for those who are dual citizens, to make sure we exercise our right to vote for candidates we believe will help steer the country in the right direction. This is especially true in this year’s midterm elections in the Philippines on May 13, when many kababayans here in America have increasingly been alarmed by news back home. There are Filipinos in America who do not support the Duterte

administration’s war on drugs, and are worried that the principles of checks and balances, and accountability, are not as strong as they should be in a democracy like the Philippines. Many Fil-Ams are surprised to see how familiar names, known not only for their celebrity status, but for their involvement in crimes and transgressions against the country, abusing and violating public trust, are accorded to their positions of power and are still able to run for public office, and worse, still dominate in the polls. While Filipinos from all over the world eligible to vote have their own reasons in making their choices in this election, Filipinos in America want to have their voices heard, but are worried the way the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) process has been rolled out leading up to May 13. As of press time, with less than 10 days to go before the elections, many Filipinos in different jurisdictions in America continue to ask: WHERE ARE OUR BALLOTS? The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America” (BA) has been following this story

and have interviewed our Consular officials in different jurisdictions. They have been committed to urging Filipinos in America to vote, have been sharing information about the voting process. However, they can only do so much if the logistics required would be coming from the Philippine government in the homeland. While the target time to mail out all ballots was on April 13, BA reported that “only 50 percent of postage funding from the Philippine Commission on Elections, or COMELEC, were admitted to the Philippine embassies and consulates in North America. Officials have only started mailing out about a quarter of the ballot packets on April 22, 9 days after the overseas voting period has already started.” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez told “Balitang America” he is concerned that there may not be enough time to mail out the ballots to the voters. And as BA Correspondent Don Tagala reported, “for the voters to mail their completed ballots back and still make it to the May 13, 6:00 a.m. absolute deadline for their

votes to be counted.” “If they can personally claim this ballots at their nearest Consulate that they registered, we can process it and again, even if it’s beyond the deadline, we can ask the COMELEC, and be able to explain to them na, why there was a delay, and I‘m sure the Commission on Elections [is] aware of exactly what the problems are,” Romualdez said. According to the BA report, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said they have authorized the foreign service posts to advance the cost of the remaining postage fees in order bridge the funding gap while awaiting the remittance from COMELEC. The DFA advised voters to contact the embassy or the consulate where they are registered to pick up your ballots, if possible. The DFA further added that embassies and consulates will open its doors during weekends and holidays for the rest of the voting period to accommodate more voters. BA reported that the members of the U.S. Pinoys for Good Governance and the Filipino American Human Rights Alliance are leading protests in front of the Philippine Consulates in San Francisco

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and then you will be my witnesses…” – Acts 1:8 “The Spirit calls us to share our faith with those who are near and far. It could be as simple as giving witness in our everyday lives. Or it might involve a vocation to go to a foreign land [Holy Land] or at least to support missionaries who do that in Christ’s name.” – Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv., 2008. HAVE you ever been asked about your faith in God? Have you been tested, as to be shunned, because of it? Did you get a chance to examine your life to see how much blessed you are, by God’s grace? Are you reading about folks who lost their lives, while praying inside a mosque in Ne w Zealand, a synagogue in Poway or a church in Sri Lanka? Gifts of seeing with the heart’s eyes Do you recall reading about the Sea of Galilee, where much of Jesus’ ministry happened? Where Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000 people? The feeding occurred in the Tabgha Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee. Read Mark 4:1, where it states: “On another occasion he began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the

whole crowd was beside the sea on land.” During Jesus’ time, the Sea of Galilee supported a fishing industry, with about 230 boats involved, according to Flavius Josephus, a first century historian born in Jerusalem. “The Sea of Galilee yielded an unexpected catch in 1986 — the hull of a fishing boat old enough to have been on the water in the time of Jesus and his disciples. The remains of the so-called Jesus Boat were found in the muddy lakebed (the Sea of Galilee is actually a freshwater inland lake) during a time of severe drought. The remains were 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide and 4.3 feet high. This size would have enabled it to carry up to 15 people.” (Seetheholyland.net). It took 10 years of conservation, which included excavation by hand, protecting the hull with resin, since washing the wood off to clear the mud would have disintegrated its wood pieces. It was kept secured to the pool floor, while every piece was being reconstructed to become a whole boat. When it came time to remove the boat, a system of telescopic legs was devised. “In 2000 the vessel — officially known as “The Ancient Galilee Boat” — went on permanent display in the Yigal Allon Museum at Kibbutz Ginosar, near where it was discovered. I was so moved by what I saw, as this boat was similar to the one Jesus was preaching at, in the Sea

GREG B. MACABENTA

Photos show a 2,000-year-old boat and the twelve types of wood. Photos by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz

of Galilee. The boat also revealed 12 types of wood used in the boat construction: Christ Horn, Carob, Aleppo Pine, Hawthorn, Cedar, Tabor Oak, Sycamore, Laurel, Willow, Judas Tree, Plane Tree and Atlantic Terebinth. But, to the skeptics, the ques-

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vote and make their vote count. It is our right and duty as Filipino citizens. Let us all take part ins shaping the future of our nation.” “All of us are committed to ensuring that our elections are free, fair and credible,”Romualdez said. “The Embassy and Consulates General, he said, are open daily, including weekends and holidays, for the purposes of the May 2019 elections.” WHAT IS GOING ON? Why all these delays which could have been prevented if DFA acted in a timely manner and gave importance to the OAV Vote! Many Fil-Ams express concerns about their disenfranchisement as voters in the Philippine elections. Is this a deliberate attempt by the Duterte administration to silence dissent among overseas absentee voters who are critical of his administration and deny them of their right to make their voices heard in the ballot?? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe: Whom should I choose for senator?

Gifts from the Holy Land: Street Talk Seeing with my heart’s eyes

Rhizomes

and Los Angeles at noon on Monday, May 6, demanding to know where the 100,000 ballots are which should have been mailed out on April 13. The groups have been circulating online videos to encourage Filipinos in other areas who have not received their ballots b to hold their own protests in their regions. Calls to extend OFW voting in the U.S. have reached Comelec, its Spokesperson James Jimenez’ “that will have to be taken up by the en bang under the law and the Ambassador Romualdez would have to write a formal request for Comelec’s consideration”. However on Friday, May 13, the Philippine Embassy told BA’s Correspondent Don Tagala in a text message sent by Consul Darell Artates that there will be NO EXTENSION. Absolute deadline is May 13 at 6:00 AM. “As the funds for mailing had been received and ballots had been mailed out to voters, all is set for the counting and canvassing of votes as scheduled,” Artates said. Ambassador Romuladez issued a statement late Friday urging registered overseas Filipino voters to exercise their right to

I have just filled out my ballot as an overseas Filipino qualified to vote in the May 13, 2019 midterm elections. While we are outside the Philippines, dual citizens like me are entitled to vote for party list contenders and for national officials – in this case, senatorial candidates. Despite being relatively familiar with the political environment in the Philippines, as a newspaper columnist of several decades, it wasn’t easy choosing 12 candidates from among the 62 contenders listed in the official ballot. It was like playing the kiddie game, eeny, miny, miney, moe. Or doing the toss-coin – except that in most political choices, it’s heads they win and tails you lose. It was so much easier picking one out of the many party list contenders in the ballot. I did what I think most voters would do. Not knowing what the clever acronyms stood for and having known about family dynasties ostensibly representing tricycle drivers or other underprivileged sectors even if they have never taken a ride in a poor man’s transport and have enjoyed nothing but privileges in their whole wealthy lives, I simply based my choice on self-interest. Being a full-blooded WarayWaray, I chose a Waray. So, there!

But to go back to choosing 12 senatorial candidates out of 62 - perhaps, my difficulty has been due to my relative familiarity with Philippine politics and politicians. I, frankly, have become a cynic. I have learned to take campaign promises with a bushel of salt (not just a grain), and have come to expect dashed hopes once those I vote for assume office. But, at least, I have been able to weigh the pros and cons and have had some basis for choosing the lesser evil among the candidates, as well as the relatively better qualified. I can only imagine how it is with those who have spent their entire lives being fed with controlled media messages, being dazzled by celebrity, and being impressed with the way candidates dance and sing on-stage. They depend mainly onward leaders for instructions on whom to vote for, expect nothing more from the candidates than the few hundred pesos (or is it now in the thousands?) handed them for their votes, and rationalize that the winning candidates will likely steal once in office pagka’t ganyan talaga ang politika (that’s how it is in politics). Weather, weather lang iyan. Oh, yes, some of them can expect a job because malakas si ninong kay sir (my godfather has influence with sir). And some can look forward to a basketball court or team uniforms or even a rural health clinic from the candidate they help vote into office.

At least, may pakinabang ang pork barrel (at least, there’s a benefit from the pork barrel). Eeny, meeny, miney, moe, whom should I choose for senator? The truth is that many voters don’t even have a chance to choose or don’t bother to choose at all. They depend on their ward leaders who hand them sample ballots with instructions not to deviate from the list. Often times the instructions are accompanied with warnings and threats. How will the ward leaders know if a voter changes a name on the list? In the old days, carbon paper was placed under the ballot. This provided proof of compliance. How is it done now? Who knows? But you can be sure that clever political operators have ways of knowing. Of course, there’s the timeworn and proven trick known as Garcification, named after Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s favorite Comelec commissioner. The Comelec is said to be one of the most profitable business enterprises during elections. I know of a political family in Manila that had fielded a candidate for Congress. The local Comelec official actually told them to their faces that he could guarantee them a victory - for a price. They refused to pay. Their candidate lost. What I couldn’t understand was why they did not blow the whistle on the extortionist. Their explanation was, who would respond to the whistle? Their im-

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Inside the Encounter Chapel

OpiniOn & Features

Photo by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz

Gifts from the Holy Land: Seeing with... PAGE A8 t

tion remain – did this 2,000-yearold boat belong to Jesus and his disciples? Or did they belong to the fighters of the Migdal battle or simply to a fisherman from the Sea of Galillee? Magdala Ruins and Encounter Chapel Instead, I correlated this finding of the 2,000-year-old boat with the recent archaeological findings in Magdala. In Magdala, we saw the ruins of very recent 21st century archaeological findings of 2009, of the only first century synagogue on the Sea of Galilee, one of only seven synagogues from this period in the world, along with the archaeological remains of the 2,000-year-old city of Magdala in 2010. It quickly became a holy site, and the original plans of simply turning this into a guesthouse was set aside for a bigger vision. The story goes that Fr. Juan Solana, L.C. was drawn to Mary Magdalene as a Christian witness. “Fr. Juan’s mother had a significant life event that endeared Mary Magdalene to her. As a result, Mary Magdalene also held a very special place in Fr. Juan’s heart as he became a priest and ultimately was assigned to serve in the Holy Land. Upon arrival in Galilee, Fr. Juan

was surprised to find nothing in Magdala to honor this woman of God. It was then that he felt inspired to purchase land in the area to build a place for pilgrims to experience Jesus’ ministry. In just a few short years, with only part of the site excavated, Magdala has already become a very special place of history and culture for the Jewish community as well as a holy site for reflection, teaching, prayer, and worship for all Christians, regardless of background or denomination,” according to Magdala.org. The Encounter Chapel, a basement chapel, made use of the original stones found in the excavations of the road and marketplaces near the port. Remember that this synagogue was on the sea of Galilee. This interdenominational place of prayer, as its brochure states, is modeled with six columns, like a synagogue with colorful walls and placement of stones. It was not so much the chapel, nor its structure, but it was how folks were overcome by tears, perhaps moved by the depths of spiritual wisdom from the homilies we were lucky to receive from Fr. Michael P. Hanifin, our spiritual chaplain, who celebrated daily masses at our Holy Land Pilgrimage, organized by Lourdes Alo of QTS Tours and

Travels. It was also here that we realized the false mythology around Mary Magdalene and appreciated her more as a loyal follower of Jesus, whom Jesus delivered from seven demons. It was also here where St. John Paul II wrote the golden Latin phrase encircling the image on the cupola, echoing the dignity of woman from his letter #31: “In this holy place, the Church gives thanks to the Most Holy Trinity for the mystery of woman, and for every woman, for her eternal dignity and for the wonders God has worked in and through her in the history of humanity,”cited from Magdala’s brochure. The cupola is shown reflecting the sky, stars, and sun’s rays with a piece of image from Our Lay of Guadalupe, the Mother of Jesus, found on the “tilma” of a native Mexican in 1531, named Juan Diego. How appropriate is it that another Fr. Juan Solana, born in Puebla, Mexico, led to the unearthing of the first of the Magdala stones from one of the seven synagogues of 2,000 years ago? The year of the millennium is also ushering us to more physical evidence of Jesus’ life on earth, more specifically in the Holy Land, and in this junction, Migdal Junction in Migdal, Israel.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 4-7, 2019

A10 May 4-7, 2019 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOURNaL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Admin of site posting links to ‘Bikoy’ videos may be state witness — NBI by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — Arrested web administrator Rodel Jayme, accused of sharing links to the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos, may be a state witness as the government continue to look for the persons behind the alleged malicious video series. The National Bureau of Investigation on Friday, May 3, presented Jayme to the media. The Bureau’s Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said that Jayme may later serve as state witness as the government continue to determine the uploader and creator of the anonymous videos. “That’s very possible that’s why if you look at the strategy of the

NBI, we have to file a case against him. Because later on if we intend to consider him as a state witness, he should be charged first,” Lavin explained. “If we could prove that his involvement is only until the creation of the website, then upon due application with Department of Justice and it is considered by DOJ, we could qualify him as state witness,” he added. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra Thursday said that he has ordered an investigation into the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos as early as April 17. On April 29, NBI Cybercrime Division agents obtained a courtissued search warrant to look into the belongings of the administrator of metrobalita.net, the website

Rodel Jayme, the administrator of a website where the ‘Bikoy’ videos were first uploaded, is escorted out of the Department of Justice building in Manila following an inquest on Friday, May 3. Philstar.com photo by Joven Cagande

traced to Jayme. Late Thursday afternoon, the NBI filed inciting to sedition raps against Jayme. Jayme, during the press conference, clarified that he knew nothing about the anonymous videos that tagged the Dutertes to the illegal narcotics trade. He repeatedly said that he was neither given a video nor did he upload it. He alleged that he was just tapped by someone, who he knew is a fellow supporter of the Liberal Party in the 2016 national elections, to create a website. Jayme, however, refused to identify the person. He shared that he was just told that website would be used to post “good works” of the candidate whom the person supported. Jayme clarified that he is not a staff of Vice President Leni Robredo. The arrested web administrator told the media that he is ready to serve as state witness. “Because I know, I am telling you, I have no direct knowledge and I can point whoever ordered the creation (of the website). Like I said, I am cooperating with the NBI,” Jayme said in Filipino. The inquest prosecutor who handled that NBI complaint has yet to issue a resolution as of this story’s posting. n

Cebu Pacific shrugs off labor issues by Lisbet

esmaeL ManilaTimes.net

CEBU Pacific dismissed speculations that labor woes were behind the airline’s decision to cancel more than a hundred flights. Charo Logarta-Lagamon, the airline’s spokesman, said the company had a good relationship with Juan Wing Association of the Philippines (JWAP), Cebu Pacific’s union. “The cabin crew formed a union, and I don’t think that’s related,” she told The Manila Times on Tuesday, April 30. She said that while the company acknowledged there were absentees everyday, this was “normal” as it was not preventable. “There are contingencies for these,” the official said. Cebu Pacific had canceled over 100 flights extending up to

May 10 and affecting thousands of flyers. A source told The Times the problem stemmed from issues on the ground. He said pilots and flight attendants have raised concerns about low salaries. He described the waves of flight cancellations as “unbelievable,” and urged Cebu Pacific to address its employees’ issues instead of “making so many alibis.” Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) spokesman Allan Tanjusay said Wednesday the group was coordinating with JWAP regarding the matter. JWAP is affiliated with TUCP, an umbrella of worker unions. “The union will negotiate for better wages and benefits, better working conditions, and better terms under the existing labor policies and regulations to improve … working climate that

would benefit the interests of both the union members and the management,” TUCP President Raymond Mendoza was quoted as saying in a statement issued on April 21. The Department of Transportation had also stepped into the issue. “I have talked with CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board), MIAA (Manila International Airport Authority) and CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) to look into the matter,” Transportation chief Arthur Tugade said in a television interview on Wednesday. “While we’d like to understand the present predicament of Cebu Pacific in relation to their internal requirements, they should equally understand our mandate of making sure that the traveling public is safe, secure and convenient,” he added. n

National Water Resources Board (NWRB) executive director Sevillo David Jr. said cloud seeding has been set on May 6.

Philstar.com

Cloud seeding set as Angat level dips further by Louise

maureen Philstar.com

simeon

MANILA — Cloud-seeding operations will begin next week as the water level in Angat Dam, Metro Manila’s main water source, has dipped further below critical as El Niño continues to persist in the country. National Water Resources Board (NWRB) executive director Sevillo David Jr. said cloud seeding has been set on May 6. “As per MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System), we will start next week. Now is the best time to do it because our main concern is the timing on the seedable clouds,” David told The Star. Even before Angat Dam reached critical level, MWSS and NWRB suggested conducting cloud seeding but the quality of the clouds would not permit it. Latest update showed Angat Dam elevation at 177.96 meters, which is below the 180-meter minimum operating water level. This prompted the NWRB to tweak its earlier plan of cutting down allocation for irrigation. “Starting the second week of May, we will suspend allocation

for irrigation,” David said. NWRB’s original plan was to allocate 10 cubic meters per second (CMS) for irrigation for the month. “Instead of the 10 CMS every day for the whole month, we will instead allocate 20 CMS for 15 days until May 15,” David said. “After that, no more allocation for irrigation until such time Angat is able to recover and reach above 180 meters again,” he added. The prevailing Angat Operations Rule states that when the water level in the dam reaches below 180 meters, water releases shall be made on the following order of priority: municipal use, irrigation use and river maintenance. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, for his part, said NWRB’s move will not impact the farm sector. “By this time, it’s either farmers have harvested already or still in the maturity stage. If they return the allocation by June or July, it will just be in time for the wet season,” Pinol said Thursday. The lowest water elevation this year is also expected at 173.13 meters by end-May but

will slowly return to normal in June with the onset of the rainy season. State weather forecaster Lanie Bitagon said the early rains in May are not the result of cloud seeding, but clarified this does not indicate the start of the rainy season. “Normally, we declare the rainy season during the last week of May or the early part of June but because a weak El Niño is affecting the country, it might get delayed,” Bitagon said. She pointed out the heavy rains experienced in some parts of the country on Friday, May 3, including in Metro Manila, were isolated thunderstorms. Metro Manila residents are advised to conserve water to reduce the water demand from Angat and prevent the rapid decline of water level and contribute to its recovery. Located in Barangay San Lorenzo (Hilltop) in Norzagaray, Bulacan, Angat Dam supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water needs and powers the Angat hydroelectric power plant. The 131-meter high dam impounds water from the Angat River that subsequently created the Angat Lake. n

UP enters top 100 universities in THE Asia rankings MANILA — The University of the Philippines is among the top 100 in unversities in Asia after placing 95th in the 2019 Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings. This is the first time that UP entered the top 100 although it has been in the THE rankings since 2017. “UP soared 61 places from its 156th position in 2018 to sit in the upper 23 percent of 417 universities from 27 countries for 2019. It is one of only five universities from Southeast Asia in the top 100, with two from Singapore and the other two from Malaysia. UP remains the highest ranked university from the Philippines,” the

university said in a press release. According to the THE website, the Asia University Rankings 2019 use the same 13 performance indicators used in the world rankings, “but they are recalibrated to reflect the attributes of Asia’s institutions.” “The universities are judged across all their core missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook – to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons available,” THE also said. It also noted that UP has 9.7 students per staff and a female-tomale ratio of 53:47. UP was in the top 600 in the 2019 THE world University rank-

ings, up from the 601-800 bracket in 2018 and 801-1,000 bracket in 2017. “Earlier this year, London-based THE also published the rankings for universities in emerging economies where UP made a 79-place leap to 87th, and in the Asia-Pacific region where UP edged into the 101-110 bracket from 150-160 in the previous year,” UP said. “For the fifth year running, UP was in the top 100 of the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) Asia University Rankings, holding the 72nd spot in 2019. The rankings published by British company QS are also among the most recognized in the world,” it added. (Philstar.com)

Gifts from the Holy Land: Seeing with... PAGE A9 t

Qumran Scrolls In 1947, there were two young Bedouin shepherds who were looking for their lost goat, and what they discovered was a hoard of ancient manuscripts in a cave in Qumran. The Holy Land souvenir book, with an introduction by Fr. Benedict, published by Palphot, described Qumran as situated in the lowest point of the earth’s surface in the Great Rift Valley: “At that time, it was a flourishing settlement, where the community of the Essenes found an ideally secluded place for prayer and contemplation. Exiled from the temptations of the city, high up on the limestone plateau, overlooking the Dead Sea, they awaited the coming of the Lord, according to prophet Isaiah 40:3” “The ruins included Assembly Hall, kitchens, laundry room, cisterns, ritual baths and vast writing room where the Essenes tranPhoto shows ‘The Faces Behind the Scrolls’ scribed Biblical texts on leather, papyrus and copper scrolls. When taught primarily in Italy, philosothe Roman conquerors came, the phy and theology for 14 years. He Essenes fled and hid their scrolls spent four years in the U.S. with in nearby caves. The desert kept the Legion of Christ communities their secret for 2000 years, “ the in New York and Connecticut, and souvenir book described the exca- then, he went to Jerusalem for anvations. other assignment. The Legion of Many of these discovered scrolls Christ communities are now helpat Qumran are now housed in the ing him with the development of Shrine of the Book at the Israel this area. Museum in Jerusalem, which we In 2004, Fr. Solana was appointalso visited. ed by St. John Paul II to be Chargé Do we need more evidence of of the Holy See for the Pontifical Jesus’ life in Holy Land 2,000 years Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem ago? Center and has been serving in Do you notice that not all of the this role ever since. He initiated excavational findings were dis- the Magdala Project in 2005 and covered in the same year nor in similar to Notre Dame in Jerusathe same century, nor in the same lem, it will be an opportunity to ofperiod? fer services, in the form of a guestThe boat was a happenstance, house and a restaurant, but mostly brought about by the drought, re- to highlight Magdala as a house of vealing the mudfloor of the lake prayer, meditation and spiritual bed in 1986. growth but also a confluence of Or that the city of Magdala was Jewish and Christian faiths. discovered in 2010, a year after To be congruent, “the archithe 2,000 year old Jewish syna- tecture of the Magdala Center gogue was excavated in 2009, was designed by Nassim, Shireen by a Father Juan, a Mexican who and Raneen Nakhleh (Christian

Photo by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz

Arabs from Nazareth), as well as the overall vision of Fr. Juan Solana. The architects used colors and materials that blend with the atmosphere here: the color of the land, water and the ancient synagogue frescoes blend to create a warm, bright and peaceful ambiance,” the Magdala brochure described. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL â€˘ MAy 4-7, 2019

A11

PRAYER FOR THE NATION. Re-electionist Sen. Cynthia A. Villar was among the Speakers during the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ 4th Watch, Prayer for the Nation, held in Marikina City. The senator called on everyone to unite in prayers for a peaceful nation especially with the upcoming midterm elections in May. She also asked the cooperation of everyone for a progressive Philippines. Villar, along with three other senators being supported by Hugpong ng Pagbabago and PDP- Laban, was invited by Pentecostal Missionary founder Apostle Arsenio Ferriol to this event. Senate photo

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe: Whom should I... PAGE A8 t

pression was that everyone was in on the racket, including â€œthe people upstairs.â€? At any rate, if anybody did act on their complaint, the election would have been over before any action could be taken. And, in the Philippines, once a â€œwinningâ€? candidate has been sworn into office it could take nearly the entire tenure before a complaint can be resolved â€“ if at all. On the other hand, I understand that the voters have become entrepreneurial, selling their votes to the highest bidder. This reminds me of a losing candidate for Congress whom I happened to talk to at the Tacloban airport. This was back in those innocent days when votes were relatively â€œinexpensive.â€? The loser complained that his opponent paid P100 per vote. â€œThat was plain and simple vote buying,â€? he complained. And then he added: â€œI could only afford P50.â€? Assuming that there are still many voters like me who are not in the market for my vote, how does one choose from so many candidates? How did I make my choices? I started with a process of elimination. The candidates whose names were unknown to me were automatically out of contention. That says something about name recognition. No awareness. No vote. Next to be eliminated from my list were those candidates with

very high name recognition but in a negative manner. Thus, suspected plunderers, killers and the illiterate were automatically scratched from my list. One could have said that every politician â€œstealsâ€? or generates â€œunexplained incomeâ€? one way or the other. However, â€œplunderâ€? means bigtime stealing. Those suspected of plain corruption are said to be the lesser evil and, thus, â€œtolerable.â€? Ganyan talaga ang politika. Of course, one can apply the NOTA rule â€“ meaning None of the Above. In the coming election, however, I actually identified several candidates who could do some good in office, if they allow their better nature to prevail. So, I did not resort to NOTA. In fact, I included one reelectionist Senator whom I personally know to be a decent person. And thereâ€™s another candidate whom I do not personally know but whose track record as a former public servant and as an opinion maker has been good. This candidate, unfortunately, has lost in past attempts for a Senate seat â€“ but he has my vote, even if his chances of winning are slim. Another type of candidate that immediately got the virtual ax was the kind who invariably ends up in the Committee on Silence. The certified illiterates who, for some reason, have gotten elected to high office. I knocked off at least one such candidate (who happens to have already served

in the Senate, expectedly, in the Committee on Silence). Next in the process of elimination were the candidates with blood on their hands and those running on the basis of OPM or Other Peopleâ€™s Money, more specifically, the Filipino Peopleâ€™s Money. They were easy to spot because their campaign billboards were blocking off the view on the provincial highways months before the actual campaign season began. They are not to be confused with the candidate whose main credentials depend on OPM (Original Pilipino Music). This latter candidate could run for a spot in American Idol or Tawag ng Tanghalan, but mercifully not the Philippine Senate. I eliminated him from my list. After laboring over the names on the ballot, I finally came up with 11. Needing one more to make it an even 12, I scanned the names I was familiar with who have not yet been accused of plunder nor of killings nor of using OPM, and who have also not been members of the Committee on Silence (although all have been silent where they should have protested the vulgarity and the bloody and unconstitutional ways of the current administration). To make my choice, I played eenie, meenie mini mor and made my 12th choice for Senator. Iâ€™m just hoping that this selection wonâ€™t end up like a toss-coin. Heads they win. Tails I lose. n

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3 Fil-Ams receive 2019 Tony nominations by AJPress THREE Filipino Americans are among the artists and creatives who received nominations for this year’s 73rd annual Tony Awards. Broadway star Eva Noblezada is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role as Eurydice in “Hadestown.” This is Noblezada’s second Tony Award nomination after she was also nominated in 2017 for her lead role as Kim in “Miss Saigon.” “Can’t believe it. Wow. We Eva Noblezada Photo from Instagram/@livevamaria don’t make art for recognition.

We do it because it heals us. And I represent myself, but more so the magical humans I fall in love with every night. Thank you,” Noblezada wrote in a tweet on Tuesday, following the announcement. Filipino American set designer Robert Brill is conominated along with Peter Nigrini for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for their work on “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.” In 2004, Brill received his first Tony nomination for his set design in “Assassins.” It was followed in 2009 for his work in “Guys and Dolls.”

Tyra Banks interviews Catriona Gray, still ‘fangirling’ with lava walk by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

SUPERMODEL Tyra Banks has interviewed Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray for the latest issue of international fashion magazine V. According to the article published online, the two ladies could not hide their excitement as they spoke to each other via video chat. The interview started with Tyra telling Catriona that she is still “recovering” from the Lava Walk of the beauty queen. Tyra then asked Catriona: “What’s you’re secret? I was totally fangirling! Where were you when you saw that I had tweeted at you?” “Oh my gosh, Tyra... I was sitting at dinner with all the girls. We were tired, quietly eating after rehearsal, when I got all these notifications from what you’d tweeted. I turned to my two friends, Sweden and DenTyra Banks mark, and started freaking out, Catriona Gray Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray Photo from Instagram/@tyrabanks PAGE B3

Filipino American costume designer Clint Ramos also received his third Tony nomination for Best Costume Design of a Play for his work on “Torch Song.” Ramos won the prestigious award in 2016 for “Eclipsed,” which featured Academy Award winning actress Lupita Nyong’o. He was once again hailed for costume design on “Once On This Island” in 2019. The awarding ceremony will take place on June 9 at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Actor James Corden will host the 73rd Tony Awards. Robert Brill Photo from broadwayworld.com

Clint Ramos and Lea Salonga worked together on “Once On This Island. Photo from Instagram/@clintramos

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Arnel Pineda dedicates Hollywood The Los Angeles Philippine International Film Festival to biopic to Filipino musicians hold Reel Awards on May 11

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

CARSON, CA — The Los INTERNATIONAL rock star Angeles Philippine InternaArnel Pineda is hoping that the tional Film Festival (LAPIFF) planned Hollywood movie about announced that it will hold his life will push through. the Reel Awards on Saturday, In an interview with the media May 11. The awards will honor during the grand re-opening of Filipino Americans in film and Hard Rock Café Manila in S Maitelevision. son, Arnel said he will dedicate According to Fe P. Koons, THE the biopic to unknown Filipino LAPIFF president the awardees musicians. are film journalists Ruben and “Let’s cross our fingers. I Janet Nepales, Emmy awardee hope it happens because I would Mark AJ Nazal, Marvel Studios like to dedicate this to all the senior visual development artunknown Filipino musicians ist Anthony Francisco, Original who are losing their hopes. They Photo from Instagram/@journeymusicofficial Pilipino Music icon Rico J. Puno thought hindi na sila magsa- Arnel Pineda (posthumous), and musical film succeed. I think if they see this, tives from all around the world… be bringing the audience along composer, film scorer and jazz they would feel na hindi pala This story in particular has been on this incredible story with my artist Winston Raval. masamang mag-hope and then on my mind since I first read partners at Warner Bros who The Reel Awards will be held work hard,” Arnel said. about it years ago. A true fairy have been a leading champion on May 11 at the Holiday Inn Reports last December said tale and triumph of the human of diverse voices in front and Los Angeles Gateway – Torrance that “Crazy Rich Asians” director spirit,” the director explained on behind the camera,” he added. (19800 S. Vermont Ave, TorArnel led the traditional guitar rance, CA 90502). Jon Chu and Warner Brothers why he chose to make an Arnel smashing at the grand opening are working on a film about the Pineda biopic. Ruben V. Nepales is an awardlife of the Filipino singer and “An unlikely hero, an undeni- of the iconic bar, then he per- winning journalist based in Los Journey front man. able talent, the power of music formed with a band to the delight Angeles. He became the first “The success of ‘Crazy Rich and a worldwide stage (literally) of the crowd. and only Filipino to be elected “I consider myself an alumnus as chairman of the board of the Asians’ has blown my mind and has all the ingredients I love set me on a path to champion about movies. Plus I have been of Hard Rock Café. I would like prestigious Hollywood Foreign more unique inspirational sto- a fan of Journey’s music since I this to happen again, if they want Press Association or HFPA, ries that represent new perspec- can remember. I am excited to me back,” Arnel said. which votes on and presents the annual Golden Globe Awards. Among Nepales’s honors are top prizes from the National Entertainment Journalism Awards, a U.S.-wide competition, and the Southern California Journalism Awards, presented by the Los Angeles Press Club. His first book, “My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood,” published by Anvil Publishing, Inc., won in the print journalism by CoDy CepeDa – book category of the Migration Inquirer.net Advocacy and Media Awards in MEGASTAR Sharon Cuneta December 2012. and Cherie Gil may have been Mark AJ Nazal is an Emmy rivals in “Bituing Walang Ningnaward winning visual effects ing,” but as far as this rivalry is artist and filmmaker know for concerned, it’s safe to say that it his work on Gotham. He was does not extend to real life. born in Quezon City, PhilipCuneta, who has been quite pines. Nazal graduated from busy lately, recently reached out the Art Institute of California to Gil via social media in response Los Angeles. He credits the to a throwback photo of the two development of his early short of them that Gil posted back in film Amanda & The Guardian February. In the photo, Cuneta (2011) as a major component to and Gil can be seen hugging each success. In late 2017, he won the other close, a sweet moment kept Emmy for Special Visual effects by talent manager Girlie Rodis. for the Gotham Season 3 finale “Great times. Missing this “Heavydirtysoul.” together with woman @reallysharoncuneta award winning peer Sina San. nasan ka na (where are you)?” Both are with CoSa VFX. His Cherie Gil posted this photo of her with Sharon Cuneta in February on her Instagram account. other projects are on Lucifer PAGE B3 AJ Ads 133 Feb 2019_Layout 1 2/14/19 2:02 PM Page 1 Photo from Instagram/@macherieamour and HBO’s Westworld. Nazal is presently directing the movie “Carmina.” Another talented Filipino American in film is Anthony Francisco. He is a senior visual designer for Marvel Studios who worked on “ Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Ant-Man”, “Doctor Strange”, “Thor: Ragnarok”, BY GRACE O “Avenger: The Infinity War” and My husband drinks fruit and vegetable the latest blockbuster “Avengers: End Game.” juices first thing in the morning, before he Francisco was part of the eats any solid food. He feels this is a good costume design team for “Black and gentle way to get his digestive system Panther” inspired by the Igorot started on a daily basis. The blender or and the Ifugao. He has also juicer does all the chewing for him so that taught character design at Gnohis body can quickly begin absorbing all mon, Concept Design Academy and the Los Angeles Academy of the nutrients from the produce. I insist on Figurative Arts. If you loved Baby using organic fruits and vegetables for his Groot in the film Guardians of the juices and make sure everything is washed Galaxy, Francisco created him. carefully before it’s blended up. Janet Susan R. Nepales is an award-winning film journalist A super-strong blender preserves the fiber and the only Filipina member of from the fruits and vegetables, whereas a the Hollywood Foreign Press Asjuicer separates out most of the fiber from sociation that holds the Golden whatever produce is thrown into it. Of Globe Awards. She graduated

Sharon Cuneta to ‘better half’ Cherie Gil: ‘You have been a big part of my career’

age gracefully

Juicing Is a Perfect Blend for Immune Health

Photo by Eduardo Arroyo

Rico J Puno

Winston Raval Photo by Rick Gavino

Anthony Francisco AJPress photo by Noel Ty

Ruben Nepales

Janet Nepales

cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. Janet was recognized by the Filipina Women’s Network as one of the “100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the U.S.” in 2012. She is a co-author of the first FWN book entitled “DISRUPT: Filipina Women: Proud. Loud. Leading Without A Doubt.” Posthumous awardee Rico J. Puno is a classic icon of the Original Pilipino Music. Rico J. is a singer, composer, actor and television host who began incorporating Tagalog lyrics in his rendition of foreign songs like the song, “The Way We Were.” He hosted noontime variety shows. Puno won the Aliw Award for Most Promising Entertainer in 1976 and won another Aliw Award in 1978. He represented the Philippines at the Tokyo Music Festival with Lupa (Ground) the song that became very popular. He joined pop icons Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuniga and Marco Sison and performed concerts worldwide – “Greatest Hitmakers”. In 1998, Rico Puno ran in Makati City and won a seat in the City Council. He left the City Council in 2007.

Puno died of heart failure on October 30, 2018 at the age of 65. Winston Raval is a professional musician, arranger, composer, film scorer and jazz pianist. He has done 22 film scores. He did film scores for icon film directors Ishmael Bernal and Lino Brocka. Most of his film credits were under the name Vanising Tribe. Some of the scores were for, “Himala”, “Nunal Sa Tubig”, “City After Dark”, “Ikaw ay Akin” and Brocka’s “Jaguar.” Winston won a Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award given by the film critics of Manila. He was also active in theater and wrote the music for a theatrical production of “Warrior” about the manongs. In the early 70s, he was involved in the production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” which starred Boy Camara as Jesus and featured Afterbirth, Wally Gonzalez of the Juan dela Cruz band. The LAPIFF is proud to hold the Reel Awards to recognize the talents of Filipino Americans in film and television. For more info, call Fe at 310.987.8886 or email fe.koons@aol.com or Lousabas.Lss@gmail.com.

Production outfit confirms: ‘Avengers: Endgame’ also partly shot in Philippines

Immunity Boosting Blend Serves 2 Drinks 1 cup yogurt 1 cup strawberries, hulls removed ¾ cup carrot juice (can substitute orange juice) juice from 1 lime 1–2 teaspoons honey (optional)

by Deni roSe M. afiniDaD-BernarDo Philstar.com

Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth, about 30 seconds.

the intestinal tract is a main component of your body’s immune system. Strawberries are very high in vitamin C, a known immunity booster. Limes also have vitamin C and the acid from their juice helps the stomach break down food. Certain flavanoids in limes help detox the body and act as anti-bacterial agents. In some countries limes are used as a natural antibiotic. The carrot juice (or orange juice) provides beta-carotene which also helps boost immunity. If your strawberries aren’t particularly sweet, add a teaspoon or two of honey—another of nature’s antimicrobial wonders.

course, a juicer is easier to use because it requires no peeling or coring or seeding of the ingredients. To make juices in my juicer, I remove seeds, peels, and rinds (from limes or watermelon), and cores (from apples and pears). So a bit of prep work is necessary. But then I press the “whole juice” button and the blender slowly ramps up its speed until everything is liquefied and smooth in under a minute. Juicing and blending is very popular with raw food fans. It’s much easier to consume raw foods when they’re whipped into smoothies or tamed into a juice. Plus, salads can get tiring after a while. I develop juice and smoothie recipes around the FoodTrients philosophy (see more recipes on FoodTrients.com), focusing first on the benefits I want and then choosing those ingredients that will deliver them. I also keep in mind that many vitamins (A, D, E, K, and the carotenoids) need fat in order to be absorbed. My Immunity Booster smoothie has yogurt, which has probiotics that keep the good bacteria in your intestines flourishing. This is important because

Mark AJ Nazal

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks — The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

WARNING: this story contains spoilers. Just like its predecessor “Avengers: Infinity War,” Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame” was also partly shot in the Philippines, an international production company working with Marvel Studios confirms. In its Facebook page, Indochina Productions revealed that it is among the production companies that worked on the movie in the Philippines. “Super proud to have been part of AVENGERS: END GAME and also get credited for our work in The Philippines,” Indochina Productions said. Members of Indochina Productions’ team confirmed in the post’s comments section that the aerial and ground shots of the villain, Thanos, going to what seems to be a Filipino nipa hut or “bahay kubo,” were shot in the Philippines. It is unclear though if the movie’s stars went to the Philippines to shoot the scenes. The post also showed a screenshot of Indochina Productions’ filmography, which includes “Avengers: Endgame” with a budget of $400 million and a global gross sales of $644 million as of April 29; and “Avengers: Infinity

Sceneshot in the Philippines showing the “bahay kubo” where the villain Thanos retired after annihilating half of the universe’s population. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios

War,” with a budget of $321 million and a gross worldwide sales of $2.05 billion. Last year, right after “Avengers: Infinity War” opened in Philippine cinemas, Indochina Productions confirmed on its Facebook account that the final scene showing the villain Thanos, played by Josh Brolin, was shot at the Banaue Rice Terraces. “Avengers: Endgame” recently broke box office records with a haul of $350 million in North America and $1.2 billion worldwide, according to the estimates of industry watcher Exhibitor Relations. “Avengers: Endgame” also

showed dominance in the local box office as it not only posted the Biggest Opening Day record, it also continued its rampage over the next four days, earning a total of Php937,521,966 ($17.7 million) to date, posting the Biggest Thursday, Biggest Friday, and the Biggest Opening Weekend of All Time, setting yet another local box office record. The fourth film in the Avengers franchise and the conclusion to 22 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has already surpassed the $1-billion mark in the global box office, reaching an unprecedented $1.2 billion in just five days.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 4-7, 2019

Andrea Torres and Derek Ramsay famously hit it off by lhar

SaNtiago ManilaTimes.net

IT was during the shoot of GMA Network’s summer station ID when leading lady Andrea Torres and newest Kapuso hunk Derek Ramsay first met and worked together. They were the only stars scheduled for the Subic location since their scene in the traditional summer video is meant to serve as a prelude to their big prime time project. A true gentleman, it was Derek who made the first move and introduced himself to Andrea as soon as she was done with makeup. “That was the first time I met her. My aim was to make us feel comfortable with each other, and right away, as soon as I said hi, she had a very positive aura and we hit it off instantly. Wala siyang kaere-ere and ako naman mahilig magkuwento while she’s very responsive so it was great!” In agreement Andrea added, “What’s beautiful is hindi pilit yung pagiging comfortable agad namin sa isa’t isa. Kahit ako, I didn’t feel na may effort kami to feel relaxed around each other. It all just came naturally. Parang we were both ready not only to have someone new to work with but a new friend too.” With the introductions and the station ID out of the way, Andrea and Derek are relieved they can now focus on their new series, “The Better Woman,” which they both find challenging. “This will be an opportunity to work with new people for me again with Andrea on top of that list. And I know that with the new experience will come learning new techniques and different ways to attack your character so I’m very excited,” shared Derek. Andrea on the other hand feels the pressure of what she describes to be a tough assignment. “This one kasi is parang may special weight for me because I’ve been wanting to work with Derek for a long time since watching his past movies. And then The Better Woman has very intriguing story

Soon to be prime time television’s next hot couple, Torres and Ramsay are both ready to work with someone new and gain a new friend in the process. Photo from Instagram/@andreaetorres

— ang ganda talaga ng materyal — so the challenge is to make both those aspects work.” She admits she gets the jitters every time she gets her scripts for the shoot. “Kinakabahan ako nang sobra! Kasi the story’s like reading a novel that will keep you at the edge of your seat and what will happen next is very hard to predict. Ganun din yung demand sa actors of course, so we have to be on our toes all the time to translate that excitement for the audience.” Like Andrea, Derek is also eager to see his character’s development in the soap. “Napakamessed-up nung mangyayari sa character ko and it’s so hard to believe na puwedeng mangyari sa isang lalaki yun. I don’t want to give too much away so let’s leave it at that muna,” he smiled mysteriously. Besides having to sharpen their acting skills for the heavy drama, prime time’s next big couple is also making sure they’re fit and ready for the many daring

scenes the story requires. “I’ve done many sexy pictorials and soaps and this one is definitely the most daring. I really have to embrace that sexiness because it’s a big part of my character and I have to be confident to do that.” The hunk he is already, Derek thoughtfully declared, “Kailangan kong sabayan si Andrea so I’m also working hard. I mean I was looking at her Instagram and I saw her pictures and her IG stories and I was like, ‘Wow.’ I was eating while she’s looking like that so I had to go and sweat it out!” he added laughing. The cameras have started rolling for The Better Woman, and true enough the pair said they were thrust into steamy scenes off the bat. “We’re in a very interesting location, in a motel, and our first scene has to be one of the most intimate scenes of the show. We both saw it as a good ice-breaker for us because we’ll have to do more of this as the story progresses,” Andrea revealed.

Dr. Evan goes wild over Palawan wildlife by Nathalie

tomada Philstar.com

DR. EVAN Antin has been dubbed Sexiest Beast Charmer and World’s Hottest Animal Doctor. But beyond such labels and screen-friendly looks is a 13-year work history dedicated to animal welfare and wildlife conservation. The 34-year-old, L.A.-based veterinarian and social media star is expanding the platform for his passion and advocacy via television. He goes on culturally-enriching trips and exciting rescue missions for some of the world’s most endangered and exotic creatures, including Palawan’s water monitor lizards and bearcats or binturongs, in his first-ever series Evan Goes Wild, premiering May 13, 8:05 p.m. on Animal Planet. The STAR interviewed Evan last Monday, ahead of the show’s pilot episode, to discuss his visit to the island-province of Palawan, which is also known as the Philippines’ “last biodiversity frontier.” He has been to the country three times, with the latest for Evan Goes Wild. “The first time, I went to beautiful islands. The second time, I went to Northern Luzon to work with some of my bestfriends at the Philippines’ crocodile conservation research. They are the most endangered crocodiles in the world. It was such a unique and awesome opportunity as well,” he said during the video conference call. Below is the rest of the STAR interview. You went to Palawan for Evan Goes Wild. What was the experience like and what wildlife did you encounter there? “That was a very special episode to me. I’ve spent time in Palawan before, a couple of years prior. Being able to go back was very exciting because my favorite wildlife is native to the Philippines, especially Palawan. One of the most special things there is getting to rescue three binturongs. There are some species native only to Palawan — they are a very beautiful little mammal. We got to rescue three of them when they were about to go to the illegal pet trade after their mother was killed. “I also got to take a look at a very big, incredible Asian water monitor (lizard), also another subspecies native only to Palawan. That was super cool! They are big, gorgeous reptiles. The one I looked at had a big infection on his mouth. I was doing physical examination on him right outside the Underground River in Palawan, not far from Puerto Princesa.

Animal expert and veterinarian Dr. Evan Antin with Palawan’s water monitor lizard. Photos from Facebook/Dr. Evan Antin

With a binturong or bearcat.

“I also got to interact with the Batak Tribe. They were a group of people living in remote areas in Palawan for about 50,000 years. They have a very rural and basic lifestyle and (I) got to interact with their domestic animals like dogs, cats and chickens. Yeah, it was an incredible time! I love the Philippines. I love the island. I had a wonderful time.” What message do you want to convey to Filipinos through the show? “First and foremost, Filipinos should be aware that they have some of the most beautiful wildlife in the world. They have a lot of wildlife diversity. With this wildlife, a lot of it is dwindling so, making an effort, even a small one, like using less single-use plastic can make a big difference. “Also, in a lot of places I go to, even in the Philippines, a lot of the locals are afraid of the wildlife. Snakes, for instance, are very

misunderstood. A lot of Filipinos are afraid of all snakes. There are some dangerous snakes there, for sure, but there are a lot of not dangerous snakes as well. You know, being aware that all these animals play a role in the ecosystem where they are native to and that they are all important. If we get rid of all the snakes, the ecosystem and wildlife will fall apart. It will screw up everything — streets will be overpopulated; they screw up plants and other animals. “I think just respecting wildlife and its habitat and making small efforts and changes day-to-day just to do your part. It could be as simple as avoiding the use of single-use plastic and proper waste-management.” Is there any other place you’d like to visit in Southeast Asia or some other wildlife you’d want to encounter? “Yes, absolutely! I’ve been to PAGE B5

A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE THAT INCLUDED RETROGRESSION OF PRIORITY DATES, AGING OUT, AND THE FATHER SUCCUMBING TO CANCER JUST BEFORE VISA ISSUANCE ON THIS SUNDAY’S “CITIZEN PINOY”! In July 2007, Raffy’s mother adjusted status in the U.S., hoping to immediately bring her husband and son, Raffy (left) to the U.S. from the Philippines. However, her priority date retrogressed (moved backwards) and the wait stretched for years. Several setbacks occurred, including further retrogression of the priority dates, Raffy aging out, and Raffy’s father being diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately he passed away in the Philippines without seeing his American dream come true. Raffy’s mother then retained the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel, who took over the case from two previous attorneys, who were not taking active steps to move the case forward. Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to convince the Embassy to reconsider Raffy’s denial, showing he qualified under the Child Status Protection Act, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Tyra Banks interviews Catriona... PAGE B1 like, ‘Oh my gosh, Tyra Banks just tweeted about my walk!’” Catriona told Tyra. Tyra also said that she thought Catriona already won the pageant after the walk, to which Catriona replied: “And I freaked

out when you tweeted me! You writing ‘Pinoy Power’ was a proud moment for me and all Filipinos.” During the interview, Tyra asked Catriona about her scoliosis, but the beauty queen assured it has not really hindered

her at all, except after a long day in heels. Tyra then replied, “Flawsome, which means your flaws are awesome.” The interview also covered Catriona’s beauty secret, success, how she handles haters, and her advocacies.

Sharon Cuneta to ‘better...

PAGE B2 Gil said via Instagram back in February. Cuneta responded to Gil’s post just today, May 1, almost three months after, but her response showed just how much Gil means to her. Cuneta told Gil she recently taped for talkshow “Showbiz Pa More!” where she was shown photos of the two of them from their iconic film. “I said that YOU are my real partner and that I HAVE TO GIVE YOU 50% CREDIT FOR OUR MOVIE,” Cuneta said via Instagram. “THERE COULD NEVER

HAVE BEEN MY DORINA WITHOUT YOUR LAVINIA!” “It’s true though. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for being my ‘better half’ in ALL of our movies together,” she added. Cuneta said Gil has been such a huge part of her career, which is why it is necessary she share every bit of her success with her. “Life has gotten in the way of time we should have been able to spend together over these last several years,” Cuneta said. “But do not ever mistake that

for you not being in my heart, ALWAYS.” Gil, meanwhile, was overjoyed to hear from Cuneta and understood just how busy she is. Even so, she told Cuneta that they must get together soon for a muchneeded catch-up. “I know how busy you are. Life has taken us through different paths and yet I know, and YOU know how much you mean to me,” said Gil. “I do so want to know how you truly are doing! I see great things happening but I still would want to hold and hug you tight!”

B4 MAY 4-7, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS IS fasting healthy? Fasting results in drop in blood sugar during the fast and spike of the glucose level on resumption of food intake. It is best for our blood sugar to be on even keel at most times, instead of fluctuating because other hormones in the body negatively reacts to yoyo changes. Omitting a meal a day or eating half of your usual caloric intake (depending on your target weight) is safer, unless you are a diabetic who is on a daily computed caloric intake. Another strategy is to eat nothing but vegetables and fruits 2-3 times a week (or every other day) and drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. This will also act as a colon/body cleansing regimen, without having to buy those unsafe and expensive pills, drinks, or enemas for colon cleansing. Reducing or eliminating rice, bread, sweets and other carbohydrates from our diet is the healthy way to go. We have enough carbohydrates in many vegetables and fruits. Low-carb (high protein) diet is in. How to find out if you have immunity? People who do not know if they had been vaccinated or if they had the contagious disease in the past and want to find out if they have immunity to that particular disease, especially for travelers and those who know they would be exposed to infectious illnesses, could have their titer tested. The titer measures the antibody for specific disease (like measles, mumps, rubella, etc.). Antibodies, called immunoglobulins are Y-shaped protein molecules produced by our body to help protect us against foreign elements called antigens (like vaccines or past exposure to the disease). Antigens stimulate our immune system to manufacture antibodies, which prevent us from catching the disease. Why B-12 and Folic acid for GERD patients? Patients with Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where the sphincter (a valve) between the esophagus (food pipe) and the stomach has lost its ability to “shut the valve water-tight,” and remains loose or

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

Practical health tips

open, allow gastric acids to go up to the food pipe causing burning mid-abdominal pain and irritation/scarring. While the stomach secretes hydrochloric acid to help in digesting food, the food pipe in unable to tolerate acid. GERD patients are prescribed Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) drugs to control the acid production. With less acid, the absorption of vitamin B-12 ND Folic Acid is reduced, so physicians add B-12 and Folic Acid to the therapy for these patients. How can a non-smoker get COPD? COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), is a very common condition, which afflicts cigarette smokers, those exposed to secondary smoke, and environmental and occupational toxic agents. COPD is an adaptive inflammatory immune reaction to exposure to toxic particles, fumes, gases, especially in cigarettes. All these lead to inflammation, thickening, narrowing, mucus production, and on-and-of spasms of the breathing pipes and ballooning and thinning of the air sacs (emphysema) of the lungs destroying their ability for normal gas exchange (absorbing oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide). But COPD could also be due to constant stomach acids regurgitating (flowing up) into the breathing pipes, seen among those with GERD, especially when lay down. The acid-insult over time causes COPD. How does bed-elevation help GERD patients? Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease is very common. The prevalence of GERD in North America is about 18.1 to 27.8 percent; Europe, 8.8 to 25.9 percent; East Asia, 2.5 to 7.8 percent; Middle East, 8.7 to 33.1 percent; Australia, 11.6 percent; and South America, 23 percent. Besides avoiding spicy foods and medications, one very practical and helpful strategy is elevating the head part of the bed to prevent the acid in the stomach from flowing upward to the esophagus. This could be achieved by using two bed risers (6-8 inches tall) placed under the feet at the head end of the bed, or by using a wedge pillow, or buying a bed with mechanical or motorized head-elevation feature, as in hospital beds. Using multiple pillows does not work as well, since movements during sleep could dislodge the pillows.

Placing books with cardboard on top, under the mattress could also help. Does CPAP use save lives? Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) was first recognized in 1965, one of the greatest advances in the history of Sleep Medicine. OSA is caused by an anatomical blockage of the airway behind the throat which also produces snoring. Not all snorers have OSA. The blockage leads to breath-holding which occurs 50-100 times or more a night, depriving the person with a normal level of oxygen. Their sleep is repeatedly interrupted by sudden awakening, gasping for breath, disturbing bed partners also. The patient feels tired during the day, sleepy, a dangerous vehicle driver and machine operator, has poor concentration, obviously sleep-deprived. Over time, this frequent lack of oxygen during sleep increases the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Some reported unexplained deaths, or heart attack, during sleep could be due to OSA. There are millions of unsuspected and undetected OSA. When the Sleep Study confirms the diagnosis of OSA, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment is the gold standard, the ONLY effective one, together bronchodilator inhalation, where needed. Early diagnosis and treatment with CPAP are a life saver. Medicare and most health insurance plans cover the services of a Pulmonologist, the Sleep Study, and the CPAP machine and its accessories. OSA, a dangerous condition, is nothing to snore about. When should colonoscopy be done? Cancer of the colon is a dreaded killer. It is a recommendation that screening colonoscopy be done at age 50. If this scope does not show any tumor (adenomas or cancer), the next colonoscopy should be in ten years. If low-risk adenomas are present in the colon, the follow-up scope is done in 5 years. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force stated that colonoscopy could be done up to age 75. If findings are normal, it is not recommended to be done after that age. If adenomas are found, the next scope is in 5 years. Eating vegetables and fruits at least 3 times a week and minimizing red read, not eating processed meats at all, quitting cigarettes, abstinence or modera-

The makings of a presidential journey MOONLIGHTING by MYLAH DE

LEON

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign trips were something else. Their outcomes were not foreseeable, and at the outset, no promises are made. The government does not wish to risk inflating expectations. Always, it is just a sober assessment. After all, the president is aware that dealings with foreign trips require reliability, precision and finesse. Hangchow, at the lower of the Yangtze River, is one of the most beautiful cities in China, built along romantic lakes, filled with exquisite gardens, temples and palaces, blessed with mild climate like an early spring. It’s the ancient center of culture, scholarship and poetry. According to the Chinese there were only two places worth seeing — heaven above and Hangchow below. The Great Wall is one of mankind’s most impressive creations. The man who was to shape the destiny of the country until the next couple of years is once more in a foreign voyage to meet with other world leaders. Every presidential foreign trip is a major logistic undertaking. The small advance party is proudly picked. They’re clean cut, effective and disciplined individuals who descend on every presidential stop days before his arrival. All around are the security, affecting an air of toughness, always striking an expedient pose. However, they’re pre-disposed to being gentle and less aggressive, especially to those close to the president, who skimmed the cream of the glorious power. Also, accompanying the president are secretaries, a platoon of communicators, baggage handlers, and his immediate staff that must be able to reach any part of the country instantaneously. The tion in alcohol intake, and doing low impact physical exercise at least 5 days a week, will lower the risk for most diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and cancer.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Philstar.com photo

president cannot travel without many assistants and departmental representatives for whom presence in a presidential trip is a status symbol (most have no authority except presidential confidence), even if they hardly see the president at all. In total, a presidential party is between 100-150 people depending on his discretion. It could be more austere. It gets better. To move his whole entourage smoothly is no small feat. The press itself is a major challenge. You see, they must cover both the president’s arrival and his departure. Journalists must be present at all events, yet should still have the opportunity to write and file their stories. Broadcast and TV journalists simply report their situations live and are done. This slightly baffled official party is the center of this wondrous undertaking. They are given a little book, outlining every event and every movement, together with charts showing where everyone is, to stand during ceremonies, the location of sleeping accommodations even participation in meeting and other vital information. This is when slavish obedience is the only safe course — though it taxes one’s strength and sanity. Some are powerful in position but low in protocol rank. They’re seated below the salt, sometimes spending more time calculating

the distance separating them from the president and the odds on reaching their cars before the presidential limo pulls out. Usually President Duterte has his own “little big” worries. In addition to a folder of speeches are voluminous briefing texts prepared for him containing conceptual talking points for every country. Discussions and issues likely to be raised, as well as biographical materials about the world leaders he would meet. In deference to the presidential predilections, the talking points sought are issues likely opened, including suggested responses, sensitive topics to avoid, and contingency moves in relation to unexpected or unanticipated issues. One of the rewards of President Duterte’s foreign visits, however brief, is in relation to pitiless expanse of history. It is the opportunity it gave to the president to work with leader of other great countries and bridge barriers of ideology in the endless struggle of statesmen to rescue some permanence from the tenuousness of human foresight. Somehow, as everyone listed to the presidential feats enumerated (interrupted only by applause) the future of our country seems to smile. But it is the present that’s filled with danger and pain. ***

*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the

Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888. com, philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 4-7, 2019

Julie Anne’s newest Why you should consider booking a private tour single debuts at No. 1 by Emil

by manilatimEs.nEt

COMING from a year of breakthroughs and heartaches, singersongwriter Julie Anne San Jose returns with a brand new single that signifies a new chapter in her life. Her first album under Universal Records, “Breakthrough” broke boundaries, with her change of sound and approach to music. All of its singles (“Nothing Left,” “Tayong Dalawa,” “Down For Me”) and the album itself reached the top of the iTunes charts during their first day of release, with the song “Your Song (My One and Only)” further reaching nine million streams and counting on Spotify. This year, San Jose keeps the momentum going with the release of her newest composition “Regrets.” The emotional song is a reflection of her experiences from the past year, be it about her career or personal life. True enough, minutes after its release, the new single already reached the top spot on the iTunes Philippines All Genre and Pop Charts, maintaining her streak of No. 1 hit singles, and

Julie Anne San Jose Photo from Instagram/@universalrecordsph

bringing her shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of K-Pop groups BTS and Blackpink at the top of the charts. Also released on the same day was the artist’s emotional music video, featuring a live and intimate performance of the song. All eyes are on Julie Ann San Jose’s next move, and if her previous release are any indication, Regrets is bound to become another hit in the making. The single is now available for download and streaming on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and Amazon, under Universal Records.

Evan goes wild over...

PAGE B3 a few countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia but there are still some parts of these countries I haven’t been. I have never been to Malaysia and there are some really incredible diving there. Also, I want to see orangutans in Malaysia. I want to go to Sumatra. I’ve never been to Laos — I’d love to get there as there are some beautiful fresh water environments. With the diving and different primates and other crocodiles, and more cobras. I’ve caught a couple in Indonesia and the Philippines. These are my favorite kinds of snakes, so I’d like to see more. I mean, the list goes on — I’d like to see a sun bear. I mean, there’s so much to see in other parts of the world. Southeast Asia is absolutely one of the best places in the world for wildlife. For someone like me who lives in the US, a lot of these animals we don’t see here. It’s very special to me.” How did this love affair with the wildlife start? “I have always loved animals and thought they were a great part of my life. I grew up in Kansas which is a state right in the middle of the US and we have a lot of wildlife there. I grew up catching lizards and turtles and insects. “I didn’t realize I wanted to be a vet until I was in college. I started taking biology courses and I just fell in love. I love to learn and I love sciences. I’ve always had a fascination for medicine and surgery. With my love for animals, it just all made sense. “When I was about 18 or 19, I realized this is really where I belong. This is the career for me — the path I wanted to follow. I

switched my major from business to evolutionary and ecological biology and worked towards becoming a vet. I have been a vet for six years now and I couldn’t be happier. I really love what I do.” Besides wildlife, what other things that you “go wild” over? “I’m passionate about fitness. I love exercising and weight-lifting and getting in the gym and whatnot. That makes me feel really good emotionally and physically so that’s something I’ve been doing for over 20 years now. I also love traveling generally, I love seeing the world. I love animals, snowboarding, diving and sometimes, I love being a home buddy. When I have some time at home, I get to just relax and catch up with some work and cleaning.” Doing this show Evan Goes Wild, how has it changed your veterinary career? What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from this experience? “Traveling and working with wildlife is something I have been doing for 13 years. Doing the kind of work I was doing isn’t necessarily a totally different thing for a long time except that now, I have a whole production crew with me and we have a show to put up under the network. But I would say, one of the biggest things that I got from the show was working with the people. I’ve met some of the best conservationists, wildlife rescuers and veterinarians. They are doing really amazing things to help the world’s wildlife, and so getting those connections have been so valuable to me. I mean, the animal world is small world but because of the show, I’ve met more people.”

PErito

GOING on a trip is always a worthy, enriching experience — not only do you get to try new things, but you also get to make lasting memories. Most people research and plan to make the most out of their trips, while others forego mapping out itineraries to ride the wave of spontaneity. There are also some who turn to tour packages because they’re efficient and cost-effective. If you belong to the latter category, here’s an alternative you should start considering: private tours. Admittedly, people tend to hesitate in signing up for a private tour. Rest assured, however, that the advantages a private tour usually offers far outweigh anyone’s reservations. With a private tour, you are provided with an impeccable service characterized by flexibility, reliability and personalized care. Your itinerary will be designed based on your interests, preferences, and budget. Booking a private tour also means you automatically get the best possible arrangements — from lodging to transportation — thanks to experienced tour operators. Not to mention, you have the assurance that you are in good, capable hands all throughout your trip. Going on a private tour can make a world difference while you travel; not only do you learn new knowledge about the place you’re visiting from a knowledgeable

Walwel Cathedral

and passionate team of tour guides, you also get to do it all at your own pace and time. With Air Plus Travel, you can experience all these and more. As hosts, they are dedicated to making your bespoke trip as fun, as illuminating, and as stressfree as possible. Enjoy benefits like being accompanied by the owner or its staff to make the tour more personalized as well as to provide immediate assistance should any problems arise, and going on a tour that is planned, organized, and executed by a team of meticulous professionals with apt resources and expertise. Air Plus Travel’s tour

participants are mostly Filipinos, so you also have the chance to meet and befriend them as you go on your trip. From September 26 to October 6, allow yourself to try this one-of-a-kind traveling as Air Plus Travel tours Central Europe. Gain an overall impression of the most significant historical sights of Vienna, the capital city of Austria and one of the most astonishing cities in the world — a cultural highlight of Europe. Visit the thriving city of Budapest and explore its many sights like the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Castle district of Buda. Traverse Krakow and its

)ROORZ XV RQ

many offerings: the Wawel Cathedral, one of the most important Catholic shrines in Poland; Krakow’s Market Square; and the St. Mary’s Tower. Lastly, enjoy a guided tour of Prague, starting with the castle district Hradcany and continuing on to the Basilica of St. George and the Prague Castle. Established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in one of our pilgrimages to Holy Land and private tours to other places. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863-0624. Or visit www.airplustravel.net.

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COMMUNITY Journal

Pan Asian citizenship event encourages community to naturalize

File photo shows materials to help immigrants prepare for the test to become a U.S. citizen.

LOS ANGELES — In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice-LA) will be hosting a free Pan Asian Citizenship Clinic on May 18th. The clinic will provide attendees free citizenship services, including: eligibility screenings, application assistance, and legal review by qualified immigration attorneys. Services will be offered in seven Asian languages and Spanish. As the 2020 election nears, Advancing Justice-LA has witnessed a surge in naturalization application services, with applicants citing “wanting to be able to vote” as one of the top reasons for starting the naturalization process now. Given the long processing times -- in Los Angeles County, the process for naturalization may take anywhere from 10 to 17 months -- green card holders are encouraged to apply for citizenship as early as possible in order to meet the voter registration deadline for the 2020 Presidential Election. “It is a critical time to apply

for citizenship,” said Angelica Peña, Program Director at Advancing Justice-LA. “With long wait times and upcoming voter registration deadlines, the time to apply is now. Citizenship offers protection for their families and the chance to improve their communities by casting a vote at the polls.” Current green card holders are also encouraged to apply for citizenship now before fee waiver requirements change. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is proposing to eliminate means-tested benefits as an eligibility category for the fee waiver, which allows low-income applicants to naturalize for free. To qualify for citizenship, criteria includes: individuals must be at least 18 years old, are a permanent resident (have a green card), have resided continuously in the U.S. for more than five years, have the ability to speak, read and write basic English, and demonstrate a basic knowledge knowledge of U.S. government and history. In addition, the existing $725 fee may increase as well. Be-

Photo courtesy of Advancing Justice-LA

cause immigrants often cite language and financial barriers to becoming a U.S. citizen, Advancing Justice-LA encourages community members to naturalize now before the naturalization fee increases or the process becomes more complex. “We are encouraging all green card holders to apply now before there are any changes to fee waivers or the fee itself,” said Christine Chen, Citizenship Project Director at Advancing Justice-LA. “Don’t let the cost of applying get in your way of becoming an American citizen. We encourage those who are interested in naturalizing to invest in their future to join us at our Pan Asian Citizenship Clinic.” Advancing Justice-LA’s Pan Asian Citizenship Event will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Anita YMCA (501 South Mountain Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016). Appointments are required - for more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call: English/Other: (888) 349-9695 or Tagalog: (855) 3002552. n

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 4-7, 2019

C MAY 4-7, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA

WHILE nearly all articles relate to change, let’s depart from that norm and discuss a few deductions that won’t change. 1. Student Loan Interest Deduction: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) allows student loan borrowers to deduct up to $2,500 on the interest paid for student loans every year. Student loan interest is interest you pay during the year on a qualified student loan. It includes both required and voluntarily pre-paid interest payments. You claim this deduction as an adjustment to income, so you don’t need to itemize your deductions 2. Electric Cars: Electric car owners who bought vehicles after 2010 may be given tax credit of up to $7,500, depending on the battery capacity. The credit begins to phase out for a manufacturer’s vehicles when at least 200,000 qualifying vehicles have been sold for use in the United States. The situation is quite fluid as the Trump

The Prophetic Voice reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS MICAHEL Masteller, a seminarian who is doing an internship at Resurrection Church in East Los Angeles, wrote a reflection paper on his experience of visiting a parishioner, Maria, who had just arrived home from the hospital after surgery. During this visit, Michael remembered that a few months back he also came to see Maria’s sick husband, Humberto, at the couple’s house. Maria and Humberto received Michael warmly at their humble home. They chatted for a while until Humberto got up to get the prayer he had written out by hand, which he had kept from the last time that Michael had visited. It’s the prayer, Anima Christi, that he loves to recite after receiving communion. Humberto asked Michael if they could say this prayer to-

Community Journal

Four tax deductions that will not be changing

administration wants to stop the federal tax credit while other Republicans want to remove the cap and expand them instead. Tesla and GM have reached their quotas. For Tesla, the credit is reduced from $7,500 to $3,750 for vehicles delivered from January 1 to June 30, 2019 and further reduced to $1,875 for deliveries from July 1 to December 31, 2019. Ford, Nissan, and Toyota have reached half point while BMW has reached a third by the end of 2018. 3. Teacher Deduction: If you’re an eligible educator, you can deduct up to $250 ($500 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators) of unreimbursed trade expenses. Qualified expenses are amounts you paid or incurred for participation in professional development courses, books, supplies, computer equipment, software, other equipment, and supplementary materials that you use in the classroom. For courses in health or physical education, the expenses for supplies must be for athletic supplies. 4. Adoption Assistance: Tax benefits for adoption in-

clude both a tax credit for qualified adoption expenses paid to adopt an eligible child and an exclusion from income for employer-provided adoption assistance. The credit is nonrefundable, which means that it’s limited to your tax liability for the year. However, any credit in excess of your tax liability may be carried forward for up to five years. The maximum credit and the exclusion for employer-provided benefits are both $13,810 per eligible child in 2018. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement)

The beautiful Anima Christi prayer gether during the service. In his reflection paper, Michael narrates the Communion scene and shares some profound thoughts: “We began the Communion Service, and after we passed the part where Humberto and Maria received Holy Communion, we all entered into a moment of silent prayer. After about a minute or two, I gave the signal for Humberto to pray the Anima Christi. As he recited this prayer, we enter into its poetic cadence:”…ayuda me…salva me…oye me…defende me...” When we finished, I invited both of them to pray their own spontaneous prayer out loud if they would like. Humberto began to pray, and as his prayer drifted towards praising and thanking God, his voice began to falter and shake as the deep emotion and earnestness of his prayer welled up from his heart. Maria sitting beside him was silently united with his prayer, encouraging him with her own tears of praise and gratitude. When we finished praying, we enjoyed a couple of minutes of deep and simple union with each

other. We had seen each other’s faith, and we were united in the Lord. As I walked home, I kept pondering what I had experienced and seen. The deep and trusting faith of Humberto and his wife and the sincerity and emotion with which they love God moved me. It is true—the Lord is close to the poor and the broken-hearted; he hears their cry, and he lifts up their drooping spirit.” Michael’s simple but beautiful story of faith shows our longing for peace in times of sickness, doubts, difficulties, and fears, which we can find in prayer and intimacy with our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is in prayer where we experience God’s assurances of love, mercy, healing, and forgiveness. It is in prayer where we can find hope, courage, and wisdom. In the light of last Sunday’s Gospel (John 20: 19-31) and the celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy, the Church invites us to come to sincere prayer and intimacy with our Risen Lord. She asks us to contemplate and medi-

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Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees. Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek the assistance of the court facilitator’s office in preparing the papers to open their own divorce case. However once the divorce case is opened, many self-represented petitioners are not able to finish their divorce case to judgment for various reasons. The most common reasons are the following: Improper Proof of Service of Divorce Petition Self-represented litigants are not familiar with the code of civil procedures on how initial pleadings should be served on the opposing party and the notice requirements. As such the Court is unable to exercise jurisdiction on the other party until proper service on that party is done properly. Failed to prepare and exchanged required financial disclosures California family code requires that both parties exchange complete and accurate financial disclosures. Proof that these financial disclosures have been exchanged needs to be filed in Court. The court will not enter judgment on a divorce case unless the financial disclosure requirements are satisfied. Default Judgment does not conform with the Petition for dissolution If the respondent has been defaulted and the petitioner is mov-

Debt Relief

Atty. lAwrence yAnG CLIENT is 72. He still works his normal job and makes about $3K a month. He also receives social security of $1K. So, his total income right now is $4K. He tells me that he is tired of working. His wife doesn’t want him to work anymore. His wife retired ahead of him at age 65, and now receives her social security of $800. She doesn’t work anymore. I ask him what’s the problem? He says they have the following debts: 1. He owes $30K of credit cards 2. He owes $10K of car repo deficiency 3. His wife owes $12K of credit cards Minimum payment on his credit cards is $1K a month. Minimum payment on wife’s credit cards is $400 a month. Total minimum credit cards payment for the household is $1,400 a month. Net income for the household is $4,400 a month. They don’t own a house.They rent for $1200 a month, just a one-bedroom apartment. Utilities and food is about $700. They have a 2013 Lexus 250 IS that is fully paid. They only have one car. They had a new SUV but that was repossessed last year, thus the $10K repo deficiency. Car insurance is $120 and gasoline and

I filed my own divorce but I can’t finish it ing for a default divorce judgment, the default judgment must conform to the divorce petition. If the two does not conform to each other, the court will often reject the judgment. Child Support requested is not guideline Child support in California is based on guideline. Sometimes the self-represented litigant will try to ignore child support or seek a child support order that is not based on guideline. This will result on the judgment being rejected by the Court. Pension and Retirement plans were not joined Some pension and retirement plans (such as local government retirement plans) need to be joined in the divorce action if there is a community property interest in these plans. Self-represented litigants are not aware of these rules and often ignore this requirement. QDRO was not prepared to divide Pension and Retirement plans Certain pension and retirement plans that are covered by ERISA requires a qualified domestic relations order to be divided (QDRO). Self-represented litigants often ignore this requirement. As a result, the plan is not divided. Unequal division of community property in default divorce cases If there is no settlement agreement, then the court has to divide the community property and debt equally between the parties. Often, self-represented parties will try to propose or prove up an unequal division of community property and debt usually in their favor. Trying to save on legal fees by

handling your own divorce case could turn into a nightmare if your case has issues that needs to be handles a certain way. It is like trying to fix your own plumbing problem if you have no plumbing experience, it could end up costing you more. If you opened up your divorce case but cannot seem to finish it due to some issues, it is best to seek the help of a highly qualified family law attorney. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail “mailto: kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com” kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

Seniors need Chapter 7 relief for $50K various unsecured debt car maintenance is $400. Cable TV and cell phone is $200. They contribute to their church $100. They send $1000 a month for the medical expenses of their adult son who lives abroad. He doesn’t have medical insurance, and has diabetes T 2. His illness has taken a bad turn recently. Although only 45, he now has to have dialysis 3 x a week. And, last month, his foot was amputated due to gangrene from a wound that would not heal. He accidentally cut himself while cleaning his backyard. He stepped on a nail that went through his flip-flop. The nail was rusty and made a nasty wound on the sole of his feet. The wound became infected with MRSA, which is a kind of bacteria that does not respond to antibiotics. The wound and infection became full of pus, then, it became gangrene. Panic time. Doctors suggested that they amputate his foot to save his leg. Is there a choice? What a difficult position to be in. Lose your foot to save your leg. So, with the $1K that they send to their son, their total monthly expense for necessities is $3,800 vs. their net household income of $4,400. Hence, they still have an extra $600 a month, BEFORE they make the minimum payment for their credit cards of $1,400. Well, at this point, their short $800 because they need $1400 for minimum card payments but

they only have $600 left. And who knows, their son may need more than $1K a month for medical expenses with his rapidly deteriorating health. We pray to our God Almighty through his Son, Jesus Christ, we’re never faced with this kind of sad situation. Imagine having your son or daughter having to choose with amputation of the foot to save a leg and being on dialysis. That’s too much to bear. You would probably cry your heart out everyday. I refer you to Psalm 91: Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of Almight, can say to Him ‘You are my defender and my protector. You are my God; In you I trust... When they call to me, I will answer them; When they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them. I will reward them with long life; I will save them. Obviously, something else will now have to be chopped off. The credit cards have to be chopped off to free them of having to pay $1400 a month. Anyway, they have paid this minimum of $1400 for the last 10 years. They have paid a total of $168k for the last 10 years to keep $42K of credit cards current. So why do they still owe the same $42K of credit cards today? Because that’s the way it works. It’s a great deal for mastercard and visa but it SUX to-

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Green card through employment ANG green card ay maaaring makuha ng isang dayuhan sa pamamagitan ng employmentbased (EB) petitions. Kailangan ng sponsorship ng US employer para sa isang permanenteng posisyon sa kumpanya. May tatlong hakbang para sa mga EB petition: (1) ang PERM Labor Certification; (2) ang Immigrant Petition; at (3) ang Green Card Application sa USCIS o ang consular processing ng immigrant visa kung aprubado na ang una at ikalawang hakbang. Unang Hakbang: Ang PERM o Program Electronic Review Management labor certification ay kailangang i-file sa US Department of Labor (DOL) para sa mga EB cases maliban lamang sa mga Schedule A Workers tulad ng mga nurse at physical therapist. Ang layunin ng PERM ay protektahan ang US labor market kaya’t ang local labor market ay sinusuri muna para malaman kung may availability ng mga kwalipikado at handang mga US workers (mga US citizens at green card holders) para sa permanenting posisyon sa kumpanya. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng paghanap ng US workers sa recruitment at advertising na kailangang gawin ng US employer. Ang permanenteng posisyon ay kailangang bayaran ng sweldo na katumbas o higit pa sa prevailing wage ayon sa pagdetermina ng DOL. Sa PERM, isinasaad ng US employer kung ano ang minimum education at work experience requirements para sa perman-

Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAMSon enteng posisyon sa kumpanya. Kung ang minimum requirement ng US employer ay Bachelor’s degree at wala pang 5 taon na work experience, ang kategorya ng trabaho ay EB3. Kung ang minimum requirement naman ay Master’s degree o Bachelor’s degree + 5 taon na work experience, ang kategorya ng trabaho ay EB2. Ang dayuhang empleyado ay kailangang nagtataglay ng mga kwalipiskasyong ito sa petsa ng filing ng PERM sa DOL Pangalawang Hakbang: Kapag ang PERM ay certified na ng DOL, ang US employer ay maaari nang mag-file ng I-140 Immigrant Petition para sa dayuhang empleyado. Para maaprubahan ang I-140 Immigrant Petition, kailangang ipakita ng US employer na ito ay may “ability to pay” ng sweldo para sa permanenteng posisyon mula priority date hanggang madesisyunan ang I-140 Immigrant Petition. Ang pagkakaiba ng proseso ng EB3 at EB2 ay maliwanag pagdating ng immigrant petition. Ayon sa May 2019 Visa Bulletin, ang priority date para sa EB3 sa may country of chargeability na PHILIPPINES ay 1 June 2018. Para

naman sa EB2, ito ay CURRENT. Kailangang current ang priority date upang makapagpatuloy sa pangatlong hakbang. Pangatlong Hakbang: Ang green card application ay maaaring i-file kung ang priority date ay current. Para sa EB2, ang green card application at immigrant petition ay maaaring i-file ng magkasabay sapagkay ang priority date ay CURRENT. Para naman sa EB3, may panahon na paghihintay na 11 buwan upang mag-file ng green card application. Kung ang dayuhang empleyado ay wala sa US, ang consular processing ng immigrant visa ay maaari lamang simulan kapag aprubado na ang immigrant petition at current na ang priority date para sa EB petition. The green card can be obtained through employmentbased (EB) petitions which generally require the sponsorship of a US employer for a permanent position. There are three steps to EB petitions: (1) PERM Labor Certification; (2) Immigrant Petition; and (3) Green Card Application with the USCIS or consular visa processing of the immigrant visa based upon the approval of the first two steps. First step: The PERM or Program Electronic Review Management labor certification must be filed with the US Department of Labor (DOL) for EB cases, except for Schedule A Workers like nurses and physical therapists, which

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 4-7, 2019

What is reasonable accommodation Writ of mandamus relief for unreasonable delay in pending immigration filings of a disability at work? ROSARIO Contreras-Velazquez worked for Family Health in its medical records department when she suffered a work-related repetitive strain injury to her right upper extremity. After surgery, she developed complex regional pain syndrome. She also suffered from a frozen shoulder, as well as inflammation in her right hand, which prevented her from being able to fully extend her fingers. Her doctor imposed various work restrictions, some of which the employer accommodated with temporary light duty work. Velazquez obtained an entry-level appointment technician position in Family Health’s call center. Although the position required repetitive hand use to operate its computer system, Family Health believed Velazquez could perform the duties of the position using a computer mouse with her left hand. After a week and a half in the position, Velazquez’s condition worsened. She asked her supervisor for a roller mouse. A roller mouse was provided but it was defective. Her supervisor said she would try to get a replacement, but Velazquez never received one. Meanwhile, her doctor prepared a report indicating Velazquez complained of pain on both sides, but indicated she could return to modified work with restrictions regarding the use of her upper right extremity and right hand. When Human Resources reviewed Velazquez’s work restrictions, it interpreted the restrictions to apply to both hands. Human Resources informed Velazquez there were no available positions compatible with her work restrictions. Human Resources suggested that the employee go online and review available openings to see if any would be compatible with the work restrictions.

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights ATTY. C. JOE SAYAS, JR. At that point, Human Resources considered the interactive process to be over and recommended that Velazquez be terminated. Velazquez sued the employer for disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, and failure to engage in the interactive process, among other things. California law prohibits discrimination based on disability or medical condition. California law defines disability (whether mental or physical) as any disease, disorder, cosmetic disfigurement, anatomical loss, emotional or mental illness, or specific learning disabilities, which limits a major life activity. Working at a job is considered a major life activity. The employer has a duty to provide reasonable accommodation to employees to enable them to work despite their disability. Depending on the employee’s specific restrictions and the employer’s circumstances, the following are examples of reasonable accommodations: 1. Making facilities accessible to and usable by disabled individuals; 2. Job restructuring; 3. Offering part-time or modified work schedules; 4. Reassigning to a vacant position; 5. Acquiring or modifying equipment or devices; 6. Adjusting or modifying examinations, training materials or policies; 7. Providing qualified readers or interpreters In Velazquez’s case, the employer could have provided a left

hand work station, with a roller mouse, or restricted her job duties, or re-assigned her to a vacant position. Even if the employee can no longer perform her job duties, offering a vacant position may be a reasonable accommodation, even if the position pays less than the disabled employee’s former job. The employer also has the duty to find and offer suitable jobs for the employee. Simply telling the disabled employee to check available job postings in the company is not enough. The employer must in good faith determine whether a disabled employee can be transferred or reassigned to a vacant position. The employer is in a better position to know what jobs are vacant or may become vacant. After 8 days of trial, a jury found that the employer failed to engage in interactive process and failed to accommodate Velazquez’s disability. They returned a verdict in favor of the employee, awarding her $5,915,645 in damages, which included $300,000 in future non-economic damages, $450,000 in past non-economic damages, and $5 million in punitive damages. The punitive damages award was reduced by the court to $1,831,290. This verdict is presently on appeal. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 2910088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com” www.joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas in 2018.] (Advertising Supplement)

tally for clients. If they had wiped these cards out with Chapter 7 ten years ago, they would not only owe $42K today in cards, they would have at least $250K in savings that will give them extra income of say 7%, giving them income of $17,500 a year, or $1,500 a month, which they can use to travel around the world, or just reinvest the income. I forgot to ask if their son has children. If he does, clients may need to help their daughter in law take care of their grand children if their son dies. It would certainly help to have an extra $1,500 a month for the care of their grand children abroad. $1,500 a month abroad in a third world country goes a very long way towards good care of their grand children abroad. Their son will appreciate

this very much since he won’t be able to take care of his children anymore. Here’s the other problem clients are facing. He is about to stop working his regular job that gives him a gross of $3K a month. You don’t have to be an accounting major to figure out what the loss of that income will mean. There will just be no money available to make the minimum payment of $1400 a month to keep the credit cards of $42K current. No way, just, no way. It’s time to get rid of the $42K with a Chapter 7 wipe out. Should have done it ten years ago. Now, clients really must file to get rid of the $42K. It’s like the foot has to be chopped off to save the leg. Such is life. So I refer you to Psalm 91 again because that Psalm was written by Moses who is much

People and Events

Adult Day Dare Food Program public service announcement THE 2nd Century Adult Day Health Care Facility announces the sponsorship of the Adult Day Care Food Program. Meals will be available at no separate charge to persons enrolled at the center. The United States department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities

on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age disability, or political beliefs. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc. ) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and

TDD0. To file a discrimination complaint, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ■

New scam targets EBT cardholders through US mail

THE Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) has issued a warning about the latest scam targeting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders using U.S. mail to fraudulently attain client personal information. According to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), a client reported receiving a letter in the mail instructing them to call (559) 461-9778 to renew their benefits. This is a scam. EBT cardholders should never

provide personal information to unknown third parties. If anyone receives such a letter or suspects that they’ve been a victim of this scam, they should immediately call the phone number on the back of their EBT card, change their PIN and report their EBT card as lost or stolen. Here are a few ways to make sure your identity is not compromised: • Know who you share information with;

• Store and dispose of your personal information securely, especially your Social Security Number; • Ask questions before deciding to share your personal information; • Maintain appropriate security on your electronic devices. If you believe that you have been a victim of a phone or text scam, please call the DPSS Customer Service Call Center at (866) 613-3777. ■

Legal Advice ATTY. DARRICK TAN statutes form the basis of Writ of Mandamus relief. The APA gives the court authority to “compel agency action unlawfully held and unreasonable delayed.” The policy for processing immigration applications is set forth under 8 USC Sec. 1571, which states that “the processing of an immigration benefit application should be completed no later than 180 days after the initial filing of the application.” Further, 5 USC Sec. 555(b) states that “within a reasonable time, each agency shall proceed to conclude a matter presented to it.” A typical case in which Writ of Mandamus relief is a viable option is in a green card application based on marriage. I have had several inquiries in recent months concerning delays in processing of these cases. Typically, the green card applicant along with his or her US Citizen spouse is interviewed by a USCIS officer and at the end of the interview, the green card applicant is advised that additional time is needed by USCIS to make a decision. The timeframe given to make a decision is 180 days; however, more than 180 days pass and no decision is made. The applicant then seeks to get updated status of the

application via an Infopass appointment, and is advised that the case is still under consideration and more time is needed. In such a case, a writ of mandamus can be filed in Federal Court to compel the USCIS to act on the application. Often, a decision is made on the case after the Writ of Mandamus is filed in that the unreasonable delay is brought to the attention of the USCIS. A prompt decision is often made by USCIS after filing to avoid the use of government resources in having to defend the meritorious action. It is important to keep in mind that Writ of Mandamus relief is available to a variety of pending petitions and applications, not just green card applications based on marriage. To determine whether Writ of Mandamus relief is a good option in your pending immigration case, it is recommended that you seek the advice of an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

The beautiful Anima Christi prayer PAGE C2 t

tate on the words and actions of Jesus in the Gospel: “Peace be with you”…he showed them his hands and his side…he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit…”Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side…do not be unbelieving but believe.” So, let’s unlock the doors of fears in our lives and allow the Risen Jesus to come in. Amidst pains and beloved by our God. So it carries challenges in any relationship or a lot of weight and truth in it. work, let’s not allow fear to overIf you need debt relief, please take us but only the peace of Christ. set an appointment to see me. I Let Jesus speak to us with solace will analyze your case person- and consolation. ally. Let our prayer be: “For everyone who asks and “Soul of Christ, sanctify me; keeps on asking receieves; And he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; And to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.” Luke 11:10 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than ﬁve thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement

Seniors need Chapter 7 relief for $50K...

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A COMMON question that is asked by a person who has a pending immigration petition or application is “how much longer until USCIS makes a decision?” The question is understandable, in that an unreasonable delay in the USCIS’ adjudication of a petition or application can have adverse effects, including loss of employment and employment opportunities, possible termination of employment, and difficulties in obtaining student and credit loans. While an immigration filing is pending, the typical response by USCIS upon inquiry is that further time (usually 90 or 180 days) is needed to make a decision. However, often that 90 or 180 days that USCIS needs to make a decision turns into months and sometimes years. What option does a petitioner or applicant have to compel the USCIS to act on his or her case? Pursuant to the Mandamus and Venue Act of 1962, a Writ of Mandamus action can be filed in the US District Courts to compel the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the USCIS, DHS’s bureau, to act on a petition or application for which adjudication has been unreasonably delayed. The statute allows for an “action to compel an officer of the United States to perform his duty.” The legal duty for USCIS to promptly act on a pending petition or application can be found in the Administrative Procedures Act (“APA”), 8 USC Sec. 1571, and 5 USC Sec. 555(b). These

Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from the side of Christ, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me; O good Jesus hear me; within Your wounds hide me; separated from You, let me never be; From the evil one protect me; at the hour of my death, call me; and close to You bid me; that with Your saints, I may be praising You forever and ever. Amen.”* *The Anima Christi is a poetic Communion prayer dating to the 14th century. It is commonly prayed before or after receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. (My student, Michael Masteller, gave me permission to cite his re-

flection and to acknowledge him, but for the sake of privacy I replaced the real names of the parishioners he visited with pseudonyms.) *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

PEOPLE AND EVENTS

C4 MAY 4-7, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Calendar of Events across

merica

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS M AY 4 -1 0

35th annual Los Angeles Asian Paciﬁc Film Festival The 35th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will be presented May 4 - May 10, 2019 at select cinemas in the Los Angeles area. A key highlight of the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities, the Festival is produced by Visual Communications, the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, and enjoys broad support from cinema artists and audiences alike. For more information and the schedule, please visit https://festival.vcmedia.org/2019/.

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).

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Tri-County Gatsby Gala Induction in Claremont, CA Roaring ‘20s is an optional attire for the ‘Gatsby Gala Induction’ of FACC Tri-County (Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino Counties) on May 4, at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, 555 West Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711, 6 to 11 p.m. Guest Speaker and Inducting Officer: Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz; and Sierra Madre Councilmember Rachelle Arizmendi, inspirational speaker. FACC Tri-County, under the stewardship of President Merwynn Montenegro, leads to support and enhance businesses that serve diversified communities. Its mission is to advocate for all businesses, provide opportunities for growth, and increase their competitiveness in the market place. For more information, contact Merwynn 909) 319-3145; 1st VP Carmela Giliberto carmela.giliberto@getbeyond.com, or 2nd VP Gregg Vargas (909) 802-0901.

M AY 1 1

Sagalas at Santacruzan in Los Angeles The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will hold its Archdiocesan SANTACRUZAN on Saturday, May 11 at 2:45 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels (555 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Parishes and civic organizations are invited to join the celebration. Hermana mayores and Hermana menores, sagalas, angels and estrellas will all be in their best attire as they processed towards the altar, honoring our Blessed Virgin Mary. This year’s theme is: “Holy Mary, Handmaid of the Lord, Our Perfect Model In Doing the Will of God.” You are invited to witness one of the most joyful cultural traditions in the Philippines. Come and be with us to celebrate the Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A Reception/ Dinner-Dance will follow after the Eucharistic celebration at Embassy Suites by Hilton/ 800 N. Central Avenue, Glendale, CA 91203. For more information, please call Patty Santiago (818) 362-4864 / E-mail: piesan@hotmail.com or Arnel Bailon (818) 362-4864.

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 tshirts 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) 7898324. 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) 216-3529 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 2019 Global Gathering of Marcelo H. Del Pilar High School (MHPHS) of Malolos, BulacThe 7th Historic Filipinotown Kalayaan Parade and Festival Committee (7KPFC) announced that it will holding the 7th Kalayaan Parade in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 1, 2019 in commemoration of the 121st PH Independence Day on June 12, 1898. This will be the 7th Kalayaan Parade and Festival in Historic Filipinotown, as the first was held in 2013 in cooperation with the PH Consulate General in Los Angeles. This is the only Independence Day parade and Festival in Los Angeles and is held every year in Historic Filipinotown. For more information, please call Freddie at (818) 220-2075 or email at jfavusa8@gmail.com.

Kalayaan Incorporated’s annual Philippine Independence Day gala in LA Kalayaan Incorporated invites the community to its celebration of the 121st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel (5855 W. Century Blvd. Los Angeles, CA). Kalayaan is extremely proud to have Honorable Risa Hontiveros, an incumbent senator who assumed office on June 30, 2016, as the grand gala’s guest of honor and speaker. For tickets to the Gala Night, please contact Annie Cuevas-Lim, Kalayaan President at (213) 447-7078. For more information, contact KI PROs Violet Mislang at vmislang@gmail.com or Lady Hope Robillos at lhopepr@yahoo.com.

J U N E 22

Fiesta ng Calamba in Carson, CA The Association of Calambeños of Southern California invites everyone to the Fiesta ng Calamba, St John the Baptist Feast Day on Saturday, June 22. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Veterans Sports Complex ( 22400 Moneta Ave., Carson, CA 90745 ). For more information, please contact Ed Lim at (949) 285-1403 or connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/groups/Calambenos/ or the website: www.acasca.org.

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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Kalayaan Incorporated to present “Mga Dilag ng Kalayaan” on June 1

KALAYAAN Incorporated (KI) is proud to present the “Ambassadors of Goodwill Dilag ng Kalayaan” in its upcoming celebration of the 121st Commemoration of Philippine Independence on June 1, at the LAX Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles. KI will acknowledge its contributions in promoting the culture of Filipino American women, community service, and supporting KI in its charitable and humanitarian projects. Lourdes Garcia — Ginang Kalayaan 2019 Lourdes has a dual master’s degree in Nursing and Health Care Administration from the University of Phoenix. Lourdes’s expertise is in Intensive Critical Care Nursing. She is also a practicing health care consultant, a business owner, and a nurse practitioner. She is certified by the American College of Disability Medicine and specializes in Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections for pain management and rejuvenation and continues to do her passion for research on stem cells with some group of doctors. In 2012, Lourdes was hailed as a “Filipino Champion” by ABSCBN Gel-Santos Relos show for her unwavering support to Telehealth International, a medical mission providing health care needs for homeless children and orphans in the Philippines and India via teleconsultations through collaboration with doctors here in the U.S. Lourdes represented Mrs. Philippines in the Mrs. Asia USA Cultural Beauty Pageant, was voted Mrs. Congeniality, Mrs. Best in Community Service, and was crowned Mrs. Asia USA California of 2014. Lourdes was also voted by Historic Filipino Town Committee and Board of Directors to become its first representative as Mrs. Filipino Town for 2016. “A beautiful life is a life of service and passion. It is making a difference in the world one person at a time,” says Ginang Kalayaan. Stacey Ree Wuthrich — Binibining Kalayaan 2019 Stacey Ree Wuthrich was born in Los Angeles and is the second daughter of late father, Rocky Anas Wuthrich Sr. and mother, Doris Ann Wuthrich. Stacey’s parents are from the Visayas, the provinces of Iloilo and Capiz. Her patients have taught her to live in simplicity, and to always help others regardless of the circumstances. Stacey graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and works at UCLA Medical Center. As program chair of the Greater Los Angeles-Oncology Nursing Society, Stacey has assisted in preparing and coordinating toy drives and other events with members of the society. She is passionate towards the underserved individuals whether it’s their health or finances and will effortlessly provide their needs with a smile. Since 2011, she has sponsored a child in the Philippines to provide necessities in life. Her community service and volunteerism endeavors were extended to many organizations such as the American Red Cross, providing disaster relief and emergency assistance when local or multi-state natural disasters occur. In 2016, she went on a medical mission to Peru with the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children. This upcoming October, she is scheduled to go on another mission trip to Thailand and Cambodia. Locally, she is involved with the homeless feeding program of the Midnight Mission in Skid Row Downtown Los Angeles. Stacey enjoys singing, hiking, dancing salsa, traveling, and, re-

Samantha Babasa

Lourdes Garcia

Stacey Ree Wuthrich

cently, flower arranging. During her spare time, she volunteers at the Glendale Incarnation Catholic Church as cantor and choir member during its Sunday Mass and as a nurse at retreats and church carnivals. She also assists in its outreach activities. In 2014, Stacey received an award from the Philippine Children’s Charities, Inc. as one of the Outstanding Filipino Americans in the USA. “I am privileged to be Binibining Kalayaan 2019,” Stacey expressed, “because I believe that giving back to the community is not only through charitable work or donations, but also by humanitarian projects and simple actions as well.” Binibining Kalayaan lives by the words of Saint Mother Teresa who said, “Do small things with great love.” Samantha Babasa — Mutya ng Kalayaan 2019 Samantha Babasa was born in Rancho Mirage, Calif., to a strong single mother, Pinky Babasa. Despite growing up without a father, she had many supporting father figures in her life like her grandfather, Redy Babasa, and his late husband, Thomas Thompson. Her mother and grandfather are both from Makati, Metro Manila. During her freshman year at Palm Springs High School, Sam joined PALM Palm Springs Academy for Learning Medicine which opened many opportunities such as community service, sports medicine training, and internships. During her sophomore year, Sam trained for months in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation techniques and is currently CPR certified by The American Red Cross. A junior in high school, she was accepted to be an intern at AVID Physical Therapy in Cathedral City, where she shadows Physical Therapists and learns how to identify patient’s conditions simply through

observation, analyzation, and communication. Aside from her medical training and experience, she travels to Los Angeles to pursue her alternate passions – modeling, acting, and singing. Sam has been acting and singing since she was and began modeling at 14. In fourth grade, she auditioned for her school’s production of Annie: The Musical, not expecting much from it as it would be her first play. Soon after, she was pleasantly surprised to find out that she had been cast as the lead role, Annie. This experience had thrilled her more so than anything and she decided to audition for Hansel and Gretel and had been cast as Hansel. Sam also auditioned for Musical Theatre University in 2016, during her freshman year, where she became an alumnus. Sam successfully auditioned for high-profile modeling agencies like Wilhelmina and Ford Models, and after they chose her, she decided to sign in 2017 with Commercial Talent Agency and TWO Management. In 2017, she had a job promoting a new Instagram filter, and later in the year she was a runway model in Las Vegas during Renee Salud’s Philippine Tapestry Fashion show. Sam was excited to return as a runway model at the Palm Springs Fashion Show Her main goal is to continue to pursue her interests at hand no matter how many hardships she has to brave. With all of the support from family and friends, she knows she can accomplish what she has set out to as long as she remains level-headed and wise. She is filled with pride to be able to represent any and all Filipinos because she grew to fall in love with her culture and will do her best to let it be known and she strives to do as much community service when she’s available. ■

Green card through employment

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are pre-certified. The purpose of the PERM labor certification is to protect the US labor market. This is the reason why the local labor market is first tested for availability of qualified and willing US workers (US citizens and green card holders) through recruitment efforts and advertising. The permanent position must be offered a wage that is at least the prevailing wage as determined by the DOL. At this stage, the employer states the minimum education and work experience requirements for the permanent position. If the minimum requirement of the US employer is Bachelor’s degree and less than 5 years work experience, the position falls under the EB3 category. If the minimum requirement is Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree + 5 years work experience, the position falls under the EB2 category. The foreign worker has to possess the required qualifications during the PERM date of filing with the DOL.

Second step: Once the PERM is certified by the DOL, the US employer may file an I-140 Immigrant Petition for the alien worker. Approval of the immigrant petition requires the employer to demonstrate “ability to pay” proffered wages from the priority date up to the adjudication of the I-140. The difference in processing times for EB3 and EB2 positions is evident during this stage as the immigrant petition may be filed with the green card application if the priority date is current. According to the May 2019 Visa Bulletin, the priority date for EB3 for aliens whose country of chargeability is PHILIPPINES is 1 June 2018. For EB2, priority date is CURRENT. Priority date must be current in order to proceed with the third step. Third step: The green card application may be filed if the priority date is current. This means that for EB2 cases, the green card application can be filed simultaneously with the immigrant petition. For EB3 cases, there is

a waiting period of 11 months. If the alien employee is abroad, the consular processing of the immigrant visa may only commence upon approval of the immigrant petition provided that the priority date is current. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efﬁcient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others. Please visit our ofﬁce: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Call or text us: (213) 381.5710 Email us: attorneys@lindainsamsonlaw. com.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 4-7, 2019

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Employer-sponsored green cards Money supply expands slightly to P11.38 trillion are still available despite H2-B ban by LAWRENCE

AGCAOILI Philstar.com

RECENTLY, the USCIS “delisted” (or banned) Filipinos from applying for the seasonal/temporary H-2B visa. (This visa allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs, such as housekeepers at hotels during the busy summer season.) However, this ban DOES NOT APPLY to Filipinos seeking green cards through the labor certification or PERM process. That avenue for green cards or legalization is still available to Filipinos, as long as it is a legitimate job opportunity and you follow the rules and abide by the law. The USCIS and U.S. Embassy concluded that Filipinos were abusing and/or being abused under the H-2B program: • The Philippines has a high H-2B overstay rate, where nearly 40% of H-2B visa holders from the Philippines overstayed their visa and went TNT. • Nearly 40% of the worldwide visas for family members of victims of trafficking (T-visas) were from Filipinos who came to the U.S. as H-2B visa holders and then claimed they were victims of trafficking. In other words, DHS and DOS are now concerned about the high volume of trafficking victims from the Philippines who were originally issued H-2B visas and then became victims of trafficking. So, it appears it is not safe for Filipinos to apply for H-2B visas, as so many claim they were abused. • “The Philippines’ continued inclusion creates the potential for abuse, fraud, and other harm to the integrity of the H-2A or H2B visa programs.” It also may be that many Filipinos were taking advantage of these programs by entering the U.S. on an H-2B visa but violating the visas by overstaying, and then in an attempt to remain in the U.S., made up stories about being abused or trafficked, so

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ they can remain in America and bring their family from the Philippines to join them. However, even though Filipinos are banned from applying for an H-2B visa (except on a case by case exception), they can still apply for green cards under

sional or skilled workers (approximately 2-3 years.). • The employer must first make a good-faith effort to locate qualified U.S. workers for the job. If there is no qualified U.S. worker ready, willing, and able to perform the job duties, the job can be “certified” for the alien. • Even if a person is out of status, they may still be eligible to get a green card if they were grandfathered under section 245(i) or qualify for a provisional waiver. Therefore, if you believe you are eligible, or know someone (such as a relative in the Philippines) who may be eligible, and there is an employer who willing to sponsor the alien, you should consult with an attorney, who can evaluate the case and assist in processing it. But don’t miss out on a green card through an employer based on the H-2B ban, as it does not apply to labor certification green cards. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-4873465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINE (Advertising Supplement)

“ Filipinos can still be petitioned for green cards through an employer.” labor certification or PERM. In fact, I have had several Filipinos consult with me, who were eligible to be petitioned by an employer, but mistakenly thought they were now banned from doing so. That is not true. Filipinos can still be petitioned for green cards through an employer. The basic requirements are: • A ﬁnancially stable employer in the U.S. with a real job position, where the alien will work once they obtain their green card. It need not be a Fortune 500 company. It can even be a six-bed board and care facility, sole proprietorship, etc. Typically, the net income on the employer’s tax return should equal the alien’s salary in order to demonstrate an employer’s “ability to pay” the wage. • An alien who is qualiﬁed for the particular job position either through education or experience. It need not be a college-level job. In fact, caregivers are also eligible for green cards through employer sponsorship, and right now it takes about the same amount of time as profes-

THE amount of money circulating in the country’s ﬁnancial system grew at its weakest level in more than six years at 4.2 percent in March from 7.1 percent in February. Latest data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the money supply or M3 reached P11.38 trillion as of end-March from P10.92 trillion in end-March last year. The level of liquidity is one of the factors being considered by monetary authorities, aside from domestic demand and inflation, in setting policy rates. Due to tight liquidity amid the strong demand for cash during the tax season as well as long holidays, the BSP has lowered the volume of the term deposit auction facility (TDF) that serves as its main tool for absorbing liquidity.

Latest data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed money supply or M3 reached P11.38 trillion as of end-March from P10.92 trillion in end-March last year. Philstar.com ﬁle photo

The central bank is looking at a double-digit growth in liquidity with the planned resumption of the reduction of the level of deposits banks are required to keep with the BSP amid easing inflation.

The BSP has reduced the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for banks twice last year to 18 percent from 20 percent, releasing around P190 billion in additional PAGE D2

Economic managers welcome upgrade

reforms and sound economic policies, as embodied in the 10point Socioeconomic Agenda of the administration and his strong THE Philippines’ economic political will to get these tough managers have welcomed S&P initiatives done at the soonest.” Global Ratings’ upgrade on its “To his credit, President Duinvestment-grade credit rating terte has transcended all the pofrom “BBB+” to “BBB,” which litical chatter and stayed focused they credited to“bold reforms on pursuing policy initiatives, and sound economic policies.” such as tax reform, trade liberIn a statement from the Invesalization and infrastructure modtor Relations Office of the Bangernization, that are necessary to ko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Dominguez III sustain the growth momentum, Tuesday night, April 30, Finance Finance Secretary Carlos Manilatimes.net photo attract investments and ensure Secretary Carlos Dominguez III was quoted as saying the up- to President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s financial inclusion for all FilipiPAGE D2 grade “is an undeniable tribute unwavering commitment to bold by MAYVELIN

U. CARABALLO Manilatimes.net

Business Quote of the Week “The joy is in the getting there. The beginning years of starting your business, the camaraderie when you’re in the pit together, are the best years of your life. So rather than being so focused on when you get big and powerful, if you can just get the juice out of that... don’t miss it.” — Barbara Corcoran, businesswoman and investor

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Surging economy earns PH BSP: Inflation in April likely below 3% highest credit rating in history Standard and Poor’s cites strong growth

by Daxim Lucas Inquirer.net

THE Philippines earned an upgrade to ‘BBB+’ — its highest credit rating in history — from global debt watcher Standard & Poor’s, which cited the country’s strong growth trajectory, healthy external position and sustainable public finances. Now standing two notches above the coveted investment grade rating, this development will likely translate to lower borrowing costs from the international market for both the government and private corporations. This, in turn, translates to cheaper financing options for the domestic market that could help boost the economy further. “We raised the rating to reflect the Philippines’ strong economic growth trajectory, which we expect to continue to drive constructive development outcomes and underpin broader credit metrics

over the medium term,” S&P said. “The rating is also supported by solid government fiscal accounts, low public indebtedness and the economy’s sound external settings.” Before the upgrade, the Philippines received its first investment grade rating from another international debt watcher, Fitch Ratings, in 2013. “Credit belongs to President Duterte’s strong leadership and his 10-point economic program,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a text message to the Inquirer. Governor Benjamin Diokno of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the upgrade was “well deserved” and showed that the administration’s economic team “is working in the right direction.” “But we know the job is not done,” he said. “We will continue to work unceasingly until we get an A-rating.”

‘Stable’ outlook S&P also gave the country a ‘stable’ outlook which, it said, “reflects our view that the Philippine economy will maintain its strong momentum over the medium term, in combination with contained fiscal deficits and stable public indebtedness.” “We may raise the ratings over the next two years if the government makes significant further achievements in its fiscal reform program, or if the country’s external position improves such that its status as a net external creditor becomes more secure over the long term,” the credit watcher said. “We may also raise the ratings if we find that the institutional settings in the Philippines have improved markedly.” It warned that it “may lower the ratings if the government’s fiscal program leads to much higherthan-expected net general govPAGE D3

stable through 2022 with a shortfall of 2.4 percent of GDP from an average deficit of just 0.3 percent a year from 2014 to 2017. Bangko Sentral Governor Benjamin Diokno said S&P’s favorable rating action was a recognition of the country’s sound economic management, prudent monetary policy and strong financial sector supervision. “Over the years, the BSP has remained committed to its price and financial stability mandates, providing an enabling environment for the economy to flourish. Armed with a new charter that strengthens its ability to carry out its primary mandate of price stability and supervise the banking sector, the BSP will continue to lend support to the economic development goals of the country,” he added. S&P has regarded the central bank’s ability to support sustainable economic growth while attenuating economic or financial shocks to be broadly neutral to its ratings. “This reflects the central bank’s sound record in keeping inflation low and its history of independence,” the debt watcher

said. Upgrade a peso boost Also on Tuesday, an economist from ING Bank Manila said the upgrade was a positive development for the local currency. “The upgrade limits the reliance on interest rate differentials to bolster the PHP (Philippine peso), as foreign flows are seen to continue even with less attractive carry trade opportunities,” ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa said in a comment. It “also shows that ratings agencies view the external position of the Philippines as favorable with its more than adequate level of gross international reserves (GIR) and the proverbial ‘aces up our sleeves’ in OF (overseas Filipinos) remittances and BPO (business process outsourcing) receipts, two sources of FX (foreign exchange) akin to the Philippine dynamic,” he added. The economist, in a recent comment, tagged these structural inflows as the major driver of the country’s credit ratings. He noted that remittance flows remained healthy, having hit PAGE D3

Economic managers welcome... PAGE D1 t nos on his watch,” he added. National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon considered the upgrade as recognition of the country’s sound policies on liability management. “We have kept our debt in check, even as we invest more on infrastructure and social services,” de Leon said. “We are committed to fiscal discipline, and this makes the Philippines a truly creditworthy sovereign in the eyes of the international financial community,” she added. The upgraded rating is two notches above the minimum investment grade rating. It is also the highest the country has secured since 2013, when it was first assigned an investment grade rating by another credit rater, Fitch Ratings. In a statement, S&P said budget deficits would lead to a gradual decline in the government’s net indebtedness, which would fall from an estimated 27.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018 to about 25.9 percent by 2022. It forecasts general government deficits to remain roughly

“Higher domestic oil prices and the slight upward adjustment in electricity rates are seen to provide upside price pressures for the month. However, these pressures may be partly offset by the continued decline in rice prices and by the peso appreciation,” the BSP said. Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban by Lawrence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

INFLATION likely fell below three percent in April, the first time in 16 months due to declining rice prices as well as the continued strengthening of the peso, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). In a statement, the BSP’s Department of Economic Research said inflation in April likely settled between 2.7 and 3.5 percent from a 15-month low of 3.3 percent in March. The last time inflation fell below three percent was at 2.9 percent in December 2017. “Higher domestic oil prices and the slight upward adjustment in electricity rates are seen to provide upside price pressures for the

month. However, these pressures may be partly offset by the continued decline in rice prices and by the peso appreciation,” the BSP said. Moving forward, the central bank said it would continue to closely monitor evolving price trends and undertake necessary measures toward its commitment to price stability. Inflation has eased for five straight months after peaking at 6.7 percent in September and October, allowing the BSP to take a breather from its tightening cycle. Inflation accelerated to 5.2 percent in 2018 from 2.9 percent in 2017 and exceeded the BSP’s two to four percent target range due to elevated oil and food prices as well as the weak peso. The tightening cycle as well as adoption of non-monetary meas-

ures including the enactment of the rice tariffication law helped control elevated inflation. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno earlier tagged the prolonged El Niño weather condition, as well as higher than expected increasing global oil and food prices as possible threat to inflation. Diokno, however, told reporters on Monday the reversal of the tightening cycle and the reduction of the level of deposits banks are required to keep with the central bank are “inevitable.” He said monetary authorities are determining the right timing for the reduction in interest rates as well as the reserve requirement ratio (RRR). “So as things normalize, naturally, we should move toward normalization,” Diokno said. n

Money supply expands slightly... PAGE D1 t funds in the financial system to support the growing economy. The first reduction that took effect last March 2 injected P90 billion in fresh funds into the system, followed by another 100 basis point cut last June 1 that poured around P100 billion in additional liquidity into the economy. Inflation accelerated sharply to 5.2 percent last year from 2.9 percent in 2017 due to higher oil and food prices as well as the weak peso. It peaked at 6.7 percent in September and October but eased to a 15-month low of

3.3 percent in March. This has allowed the BSP to take a breather from its tightening episode by keeping rates unchanged since its last increase in November. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said last Monday, April 29, the reversal of the tightening cycle last year and the reduction of the reserve requirement ratio are “inevitable” and monetary authorities are just determining the right timing. “That’s obvious. As things normalize, naturally, we should move towards normalization,” Diokno said.

The BSP’s Monetary Board lifted rates by 175 basis points in five straight rate-setting meetings between May and November to prevent inflation from spiralling out of control. Likewise, the BSP is resuming the reduction of the RRR as the late BSP governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. committed to bring down the level to single digit by 2023. “To me, that is also clear because we have one of the highest reserve ratio in this part of the world. So its clear that we need to reduce that to be more competitive,” Diokno said. n

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Searca pushes PH as top agritourism site

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 4-7, 2019 D

IHS Markit: PH manufacturing growth further slowed in April by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

The Villa Socorro Farm in Laguna is also known for its banana chips made from raw materials grown in the farm itself. Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas by COnrad

M. CarinO Manilatimes.net

THE country is now among the top agritourism destinations in the world, with foreign visitors to farm tourism sites hitting an alltime high of 732,506 in a single month in 2018. Rose Libongco of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association Inc. said during a Global Farm Tourism Summit co-hosted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) that the Philippines was now among the top agritourism destinations in the world. “Searca has supported farm tourism promotion in the country as the sector creates multiple revenue streams for farmers, improving profitability of small and medium enterprises,” Searca said in a statement. Other top agritourism desti-

nations include Taiwan, Hawaii, Tuscany, Grenada, Mallorca, California and Brazil. The Philippines, according to Libongco, is highly suitable as an agritourism destination because of the following factors: It is an agricultural tropical country rich in natural resources and biodiversity; its farming heritage is reflected in folk songs such as “Bahay Kubo”; and Filipinos have innate hospitality and openness. To market Filipino farm tourism sites more known, Libongco advised farm owners to put up websites. “Online availability is important in this social media era. People will find you first online. Online websites establish your credibility as a business,” she said. Local government units have also started promoting agritourism, recognizing its contribution to job creation. La Union Gov. Francisco Em-

manuel Pacoy Ortega III said during the Searca-organized summit that the province has 23 farm tourism sites including grape farms in Bauang and family farms, including Rocapor’s Farm and Fer-gie Navarro Farm, which is a certified Good Agricultural Practice vegetable farm. Other agritourism sites in La Union include Lomboy Farm and Lotus Farm. In Laguna, the Villa Socorro Farm is an agri-eco village that adopts best green business practices and is a participant to the Global Green Growth Institute. Meanwhile, the Malagos Farm in Davao started with a durian and coffee farm in Tagakpan. This was followed by growing lanzones, pomelo and orchids in Cabantian. It constructed in 1994 a small restaurant and swimming pool and in 1997, it started offering overnight accommodations and resort facilities. n

Surging economy earns PH highest... PAGE D2 t ernment debt levels, or if real GDP growth declines significantly.” Fast-growing economy In deciding to raise the country’s rating to two notches above investment grade, S&P said the country’s economy was “growing at a consistently faster pace than that of its peers” and that this growth rate should continue over the forecast period as long as the current level of investments are maintained.

S&P noted that the Philippine economy was among the fastest growing in the world on a 10year weighted average per capita basis, a reflection of its supportive policy dynamics and improving investment climate. “The country has a relatively diversified economy with an increasingly strong track record of high and stable growth,” the credit watcher said. “We estimate gross domestic product per capita will rise to al-

most $3,400 in 2019. We project GDP per capita growth will average approximately 4.9 percent per year over 2019-2022, based on balanced contributions from private consumption and investment growth.” S&P also cited the country’s unemployment rate, which has been declining for a few years, signaling the economy’s strengthening labor market even as the working-age population continued to grow. n

MANUFACTURING growth in April further fell to its slowest pace in 19 months as export orders declined even as traders already found some relief from port congestion in Manila. The latest Nikkei Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index released Thursday, May 2, showed that the seasonally adjusted PMI dropped to 50.9 last month from 51.5 in March. Since the April PMI score remained above 50, it meant that there was an overall increase in manufacturing activity. However, the April PMI figure was the lowest since September 2017’s 50.8. The April PMI “signalled only a slight improvement to business conditions, one that was softer than seen throughout the first quarter of the year,” IHS Markit, which compiles the PMI survey data, said in a report. IHS Markit blamed the weak increase in production levels last month to a “moderate decline” in overseas demand for Philippinemade goods. Also, new orders grew at the softest pace in nine months or

since July last year, IHS Markit added. According to IHS Markit, “Firms responded by reducing job numbers for the second month running, while also lowering stocks of pre-production goods. Output prices increased only modestly, as fewer manufacturers reported higher input costs. Optimism surrounding future output improved, but remained subdued on average.” “April PMI revealed an even more subdued picture for the Philippines. With first quarter results already reflecting weaker manufacturing growth than at the end of last year, the latest data did little to raise hopes for the second quarter. Output expanded at the weakest rate since September 2017, while new order growth was dampened by a quicker drop in export sales,” IHS Markit economist David Owen said in a statement. Owen nonetheless said “there was some positive news from the survey as firms reported an alleviation of import delays due to the recent port congestion at Manila.” Last month, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) claimed that yard utilization at the Manila Interna-

tional Container Port (MICP) and Port of Manila (POM) had already been “significantly reduced” as the country’s second biggest revenue agency moved to address high utilization. For one, BOC had temporarily prohibited returning empty containers at MICP and POM, as it had blamed high yard utilization to overstaying imports stored within the premises of these two ports, unreturned empty containers, and the truck ban being implemented in Manila. As such, “as of April, the yard utilization level was down to 69 percent from 95 percent in January at POM. Meanwhile, the utilization rate at MICP is at 70 percent from 90 percent at the beginning of the year,” BOC had said. For Owen, easing port congestion “led to the first improvement in supplier delivery times in nine months, although slowing output growth still led manufacturers to reduce stock levels.” “With the national election during May, production growth may be stifled again in the next survey. As such, it is looking like the second quarter may prove to be a challenging one for the manufacturing sector,” according to Owen. n

Economic managers welcome... PAGE D2 t P2.557 billion in February and bringing the year-to-date tally to $5.302 billion, a 2.3-percent increase from $5.182 billion in the comparable 2017 period. Mapa also highlighted the rapid expansion of the BPO industry, which “has delivered yet another ace up the Philippine external sleeve,” given receipts totaling $10.4billion in 2018, 21 percent higher than the yearbefore amount. By virtue of the remittances and BPO receipts boon, the country can expect to always receive as much as $2.58 billion a month, he said. This will build up the country’s GIR, which the Philippines can utilize in times of distress to stabilize excessive demand for the dollar, the ING economist added. Latest central bank data showed that the peso averaged P52.11:$1 as of April 26, appreciating slightly against the US dollar by 0.14 percent from the

P52.41:$1 average in March. Dollar reserves now stand at $83.61 billion as of end-March. Lastly, Mapa stressed the importance of sustaining the country’s economic growth, which has been the key consideration behind the S&P upgrade. “Government officials must look to safeguard this growth momentum going forward,” he said. The Philippine economy recorded a full-year GDP growth rate of 6.2 percent in 2018, lower than government’s revised target of 6.5 to 6.9 percent. This is also lower than the 6.7 percent and 6.9 percent recorded in 2017 and 2016, respectively, largely due to the spikes in inflation rates in 2018. Market lift The Philippine Stock Exchange also welcomed the upgrade, saying it expected share prices and trading volume to be lifted because of it. In a separate statement also on Tuesday night, PSE Presi-

dent Ramon Monzon said the new rating “bodes well for the Philippines, as this move affirms the solid economic fundamentals of the country.” “We expect investor optimism, particularly from institutional funds, to push share prices and trading volumes higher,” he added. According to him, the bourse is also keen on seeing the upgrade’s impact on the country’s economy and fiscal position in the medium to long term. Despite upgrading its credit rating, S&P trimmed on Monday, April 29, its growth forecast for the country from 6.4 percent to 6.3 percent, citing higher interest rates and delayed approval of the 2019 national budget as having dampened growth. The projection was higher than last year’s actual growth of 6.2 percent and falls near the lower end of the government’s downwardly revised 6.0-7.0 percent target. (With Angelica Ballesteros) n

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‘PH gaming earnings will still grow’ by Mayvelin

U. Caraballo Manilatimes.net

THE Philippine gaming industry will sustain its growth momentum despite uncertainty in the regulatory environment, according to Fitch Ratings. In a report released on Monday, April 29, Fitch Ratings said it “expects high single-digit gross gaming revenue (GGR) growth in the Philippines as a result of robust economic expansion.” Increasing international tourist numbers, it added, are likely to boost junkets and ancillary revenue streams at high-end casinos. Fitch noted that Okada Manila, which started its operations in 2016 and is the largest integrated resort (IR) in Entertainment City, is well-positioned to benefit from these positive dynamics. It said initial financial results of the first four casinos — Okada, Resorts World Manila, City of Dreams Manila and Solaire Manila — operating under the licenses granted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) “are encouraging relative to the investments made.”

e. Gonzales Manilatimes.net

THE implementation of new tax laws will pose challenges both for the government and taxpayers, an executive from a top tax advisory and audit service firm said. “The TRAIN, TRABAHO, and the Amnesty bill, provide additional hurdles, concerns and problems for [the] BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) and taxpayers because all of us should learn the tax law provisions and the many emerging regulations and issuances,” said Joel Tan-Torres, a partner at the Reyes Tacandong & Co., during the Winning Tax Disputes forum held on Monday, April 29. “As of last count, the BIR for TRAIN alone, probably has issued over 30 new issuances. All of us should be aware of these,” he added. Implemented last year, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) reduced personal income taxes but imposed higher excise taxes on fuel, vehicles, tobacco, sugar-sweetened beverages and coal. On the other hand, the Tax Amnesty Law provides opportu-

The Preserve Chino delivers a fresh start at six neighborhoods

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Fitch expressed the outlook despite its observation that the Philippine regulatory framework is less established than other countries in the region, such as Macau, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. That said, the credit rater also discounted President Rodrigo Duterte’s public criticism of gambling, which it pointed out “add an element of uncertainty and may lead to regulatory changes.” “Fitch does not expect such potential changes to be materially harmful to the casino sector, as the Philippines benefited from gambling bans in other Southeast Asian countries, with IRs providing new jobs and generat-

ing substantial tourism and tax revenue,” the debt watcher said. It warned, however, that in the long term, competition from Macau and other Asia-Pacific countries would restrain growth, particularly in the VIP segment, which accounts for about 28 percent of the private casinos’ GGR. Pagcor earlier reported that casinos’ GGR reached P187.54 billion or $3.58 billion last year, up by 22.9 percent from a year earlier. Private-sector casino resorts in the Philippines recorded an overall GGR of P151.65 billion in 2018, a 28.3-percent increase from P118.18 billion the year before. n

New tax laws come with hurdles – firm by anna leah

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 4-7, 2019 D

nity for taxpayers to settle their tax obligations which remain outstanding as of Dec. 31. 2017, through an amnesty program that simplifies tax compliance requirements. Meanwhile, the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) bill seeks to cut corporate income tax and rationalize the tax incentives currently enjoyed by locators in economic zones. “Tax consultants, tax payers should now put their thinking cap and plan around. At the same time we have to comply, what’s clear in the law we should strictly follow,” said Tan-Torres. “We should be aware what’s the consequence of non-compliance. Heavy fines, heavy penaties and even imprisonment. Whatever business or financial projections and model that a company has put in place in the past years, there maybe a need to revisit them to see if they are still workable, tax efficient,” he added. Tan-Torres said BIR’s lack of manpower is also a challenge for the agency. “BIR has very limited resources. Personnel wise and maybe budget wise and even information technology wise. BIR

per 2017’s statistics has about a little over 10,000 people. Clearly, there are available BIR positions to fill up but for whatever reason, BIR is not able to fill up these positions,” he said. Despite the lack of manpower, a BIR official vowed to further focus on implementing the law. BIR Cavite Revenue District Officer Emmanuel S. Ferrer Jr. said that for instance, they are now giving more attention to the use of sales suppression device. “This [sales suppression device] is used to reduced sales. Once it is used, ORs that were previously issued will be inexistent. It’s like shaving. The BIR is now aware of this and is now becoming a problem,” he said. “Now we have ways to [counter that]. In fact lately, the BIR has been training its employees on this sales suppression device. We already have programs and means to detect that. Tax evasion is an ever evolving process. Some will always think of ways to avoid taxes but don’t take that risk,” he said. For this year, the BIR’s tax collection goal is set at P2.27 trillion, up by 11.8 percent than the P2.03 trillion goal last year. n

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Contact: Rachel Mullins (562) 499-6707

to stay active in the fitness center or getting a little work done in a quieter spot at the business center, The Parkhouse supports all your goals and ambitions. Game rooms and an intimate movie theater will help you relax and unwind. A wonderful location for any event, the multipurpose room has a welcoming feel and features a connected on-site catering kitchen. Lighted tennis courts, a junior Olympic swimming pool, spa and playgrounds make the outdoors at The Parkhouse just as inviting. In addition, The Parkhouse library is a great place for students from the award-winning Cal Aero Preserve Academy across the street to finish homework and study before walking home. Residents will also have access to the agrarian-themed Gardenhouse Recreation Center, where get-togethers happen organically. Community gardens connect residents back to the land, while indoor-outdoor kitchen and dining spaces take farm-to-table entertaining to new heights. Whether you’d rather go for a swim in the junior Olympic pool or lounge on the deck, afternoons in the sun will leave you feeling refreshed and re-energized. The Gardenhouse Recreation Center is all about relaxation that’s in harmony with nature. With a home at The Preserve at Chino, days always turn towards new adventures. Just moments away, explore The Shoppes at Chino Hills to find hidden treasures in the shops or a new favorite meal in one of the restaurants. Or take a short drive for new experiences

at Chino Spectrum Marketplace, Chino Spectrum Towne Center, Eastvale Gateway, Victoria Gardens, Ontario Mills or the famous Fairplex. This exciting location makes it easy to head up to the local mountains, find your spot on the beaches of Los Angeles and Orange counties or tour all the world-famous Southern California entertainment hotspots. From days spent at theme parks to afternoons at prestigious gardens and museums, you’ll find you’re at the center of it all. Connect with nature and your neighbors in more than 33 scenic acres dedicated to parks, playgrounds, lawns and gardens at The Preserve at Chino. Larger parks are home to team sports, picnics, group events and more, while smaller parks spread throughout the neighborhoods for outdoor play closer to home. All year round, these colorful outdoor spaces become an extension of the backyard and bring the community to life. Please call (877) 417-9623 or visit ThePreserveAtChino.com for more information. The Preserve at Chino is a development by Lewis Community Developers, a member of the Lewis Group of Companies. The Lewis Group of Companies has successfully developed more than 55,000 residences, 10,000 apartments and over 14 million square feet of retail, office and industrial space. Founded in 1955, the company is one of the nation’s largest privately held real estate organi(Advertising Supplement) zations.

D MAY 4-7, 2019 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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