May 5-8, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 37 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
‘STRONGMEN ERA’ IS HERE
Duterte lands TIME magazine cover anew for tough leadership by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL AND RITCHEL MENDIOLA AJPress
KNOWN for his tough rhetoric, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been named among the world’s “strongmen” in an upcoming cover of TIME Magazine’s international edition, which will be released on May 14. Alongside Duterte on the magazine’s cover are Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
USA
DATELINE Two Fil-Am educators among 2018 Social Justice Activist of the Year Award finalists FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
TWO Filipino-American high school teachers have been nominated to receive the National Education Association (NEA) 2018 Social Justice Activist of the Year Award, which commends educators who have shown leadership on social and racial justice issues both in and out of their classrooms. Gabriel Tanglao of Bergen County, New Jersey and Erica Viray Santos of San Leandro, California are among the seven educators from around the U.S. nominated for the
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Fil-Am father shot to death by SFO worker Prosecutors said the shooter was in love with the victim’s fiancée, acted out of jealousy A FILIPINO-AMERICAN man was shot and killed last week by a San Francisco International Airport (SFO) employee who was reportedly in love with the victim’s fiancée, who also worked at SFO. Mark Mangaccat, 31, was picking up his fiancée, Thandel Seinn, from her job at SFO on Wednesday, April 25, when Seinn’s coworker, 31-year-old Kevin Prasad — who was allegedly in love with her — followed the
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The cover story written by Ian Bremmer, entitled “The ‘Strongmen Era’ Is Here. Here’s What It Means for You,” examines the rise of populism across the globe — not just “confined to the U.S.” “In every region of the world, changing times have boosted public demand for more muscular, assertive leadership. These tough-talking populists promise to protect ‘us’ from ‘them,’” Bremmer writes. “Depending on who’s talking, ‘them’ can mean the corrupt elite or the grasping poor; foreigners or members of racial, ethnic or religious minorities. Or disloyal politicians, bureaucrats,
bankers or judges. Or lying reporters.” These populists with a more muscular, assertive leadership are hence called “strongmen.” Bremmer noted that the most prominent strongman is Putin who “promised to wave away Western vultures that would pick Russia clean by making trouble in neighboring states like Ukraine.” Strongmen can also be seen across Asia — China’s Xi Jinping, Thailand Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, and Duterte.
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The cover of TIME Magazine’s international edition on May 14 features four of the world’s “strongmen.” Photo from Twitter/@Ian Bremmer
PH favored to host Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Boracay by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
AN organizer of the 2016 Miss Universe in the Philippines shared that the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has approached them again for a possible restaging of the beauty pageant’s 2018 edition in the country. Requesting to be anonymous as he is representing a private company that helped stage Miss Universe 2016 in the country, the organizer confirmed that the MUO asked their company to be ready in helping to restage the pageant, should the Philippine government give it the green light. Tourism Undersecretary Kat De Castro said that there is a good chance the country is hosting the pageant once again. “It’s just me and the Miss Universe Organization trying to iron out a few details,” she said. Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon TulfoTeo said in April that President Rodrigo Duterte talked about restaging the Miss Universe pageant in Boracay — which was closed
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PROMISES WERE MADE. President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he reiterates that he has a sworn duty to protect the Filipinos as he delivers his speech during the 37th Principals Training and Development Program and National Board Conference at SMX Convention Center in Davao City on Friday, May 4. Malacañang photos by Toto Lozano
Palace sees no reason for Cayetano to quit DFA by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
fused to respond to the calls for Cayetano’s resignation, saying that it is entirely up to the secreMALACAÑANG on Thursday, tary to answer concerns about his May 3 said there is no reason for leadership. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Pe“That call is addressed to Secter Cayetano to resign despite the retary Cayetano. He should addiplomatic row between the Phil- dress it. As far as the Palace is ippines and Kuwait. concerned, there is no reason for “Every Cabinet member, un- him to resign,” he said. less they are fired, enjoys the trust The Palace official also exand confidence of the President,” pressed the belief that the row Presidential Spokesman Harry with Kuwait will soon be reRoque Jr. said in a statement. solved. In the press briefi ng, Roque re“I think what we have in KuPhilippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano Inquirer.net photo
wait is something that can be overcome eventually… sooner or later,” he said. On Wednesday, Cayetano said he is willing to step down from his post if President Rodrigo Duterte asks him to. “If the president tells me to go, I will go happily and I will continue to support him. If a majority in the DFA says ‘we cannot follow you’, I have no business being there,” Cayetano told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International
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Patricia Fox: Deportation case lacks merit Early humans lived in the Philippines by EVELYN
MACAIRAN Philstar.com
Sister Patricia Fox shows her counter-affidavit at the Bureau of Immigration on Friday, May 4. Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales
MANILA — Australian nun Patricia Fox on Friday, May 4 asked for the dismissal of the deportation case filed against her for lack of merit. Fox argued her activities in the country were part of her duty to engage in missionary work and not in partisan politics as alleged. The 71-year-old nun, accompanied by her lawyers, went to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) office in Manila and submitted her 26-
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about 700,000 years ago, study finds
Hundreds of thousands of years earlier than previously thought by RAE
ANN VARONA AJPress
UP until now, the earliest evidence pointing to early human activity in the Philippines dated back to 67,000 years ago, when archaeologists found a single foot bone in Callao Cave in the Philippines’ northern Luzon. A new study now suggests that early humans have been
on the archipelago country even earlier — thousands of centuries earlier. Researches revealed in the journal Nature on Wednesday, May 2, that an early human may have had a meal on the island some 700,000 years ago. Archaeologists unearthed dozens of abandoned artifacts next to a butchered rhinoceros carcass in Luzon’s Cagayan Valley province
of Kalinga. The 57 artifacts were made out to be tools, and included 49 knife-life flakes and two possible hammers. Along with the crisscross cut marks on the rhinoceros’ ankles and ribs, researches said the findings showed “clear signs of butchery.” Much to researchers’ delight, 75 percent of the rhinoceros was complete.
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www.TravelTradeConsumer.com Asian Journal’s series of annual events showcasing tourism, trade, and business opportunities in the USA and Philippines.
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From the Front Page
Duterte lands TIME magazine cover... PAGE A1 t Duterte, who was elected in 2016, has been branded as a tough leader known for his uncompromising war against drugs. In the TIME article, he is described as “a former mayor who talked more like a Mob boss than a president,” who was elected based on “his promises
to wipe out the drug trade with his own brand of justice.” The TIME article further says that these strongmen “have won followers by targeting ‘them’... But they have succeeded because they know something about ‘us,’ or the people they’re speaking to. They understand the sense of threat — and they’re
willing to exploit it.” Unlike Germany’s Angela Merkel, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Japan’s scandal-plagued Shinzo Abe, and Britain’s Theresa May — who are all considered unpopular — strongmen are thriving with the public’s unwavering support. “They’re usually the ones exerting that pressure, and their systems allow them to protect their advantages by changing the rules of the political game as needed. And nothing has made it easier for them to do so than advances in technology,” Bremmer wrote. The cover story ends with Bremmer expressing concern over the rising number of strongmen across the globe. “Perhaps the most worrying element of the strongman’s rise is the message it sends,” it reads. “Why emulate the U.S. or European political systems, with all the checks and balances that prevent even the most determined leaders from taking on chronic problems, when one determined leader can offer a credible shortcut to greater security and national pride? As long as that rings true, the greatest threat may be the strongmen yet to come.” Though U.S. President Donald Trump was not included as one of the strongmen, the article acknowledges his “sincere admiration for the likes of Putin, Xi, al-Sisi and Duterte” and that he “knows well what his supporters want to hear.” The idea of Western democracy is less appealing to the
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400 YEARS. he image of the Lady of Mount Carmel is toured at the Manila Bay on Friday, May 4. Devotees are celebrating the 400th year of the arrival of the image in the Philippines. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Palace sees no reason...
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Airport (NAIA). As the secretary of foreign affairs, it has been his duty to implement the independent foreign policy of the country, build bridges with other nations and take care of Filipinos abroad. If he couldn’t fulfill his duties, he has no reason to stay in the post, he said. “But so far, I’ve had meetings with them, they understand. They might not agree with our decisions, but they understand. So the calls are normal, it’s politics but I think kayo na mag-judge whether
this last year we stepped up or we’ve slacked off in taking care of the concerns of our OFWs,” he said. The foreign secretary is responding to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) career diplomats who are supposedly calling for his resignation alongside his appointees for gross incompetence and poor handling of the rescue mission that led to the expulsion of Ambassador Renato Villa and the diplomatic standoff with Kuwait. In a separate statement, the DFA labeled the news articles
claiming that career diplomats, who were not identified, were demanding Cayetano’s resignation because of his handling of the Kuwait situation as “malicious.” It also dismissed claims about the letter calling for Cayetano and his appointees’ resignation being sent to the Malacañang Palace, noting that the Office of the President has not seen such letter. “The alleged clamor by career officials for the Secretary to resign as contained in the supposed letter came from some who do not represent the views of the entire career Foreign Service Corps,” the DFA said. n
PH favored to host Miss Universe...
for rehabilitation last April 26 — to attract tourists back to the popular tourist destination. Teo said the DOT would be “very proud and happy” to showcase the island once it had recovered from the environmental damage it had suffered through the years. The Philippines has been reconsidered after talks with China reportedly failed because of Beijing’s refusal to broadcast Miss Universe live. PH gov’t to release P490-M for
Boracay roads According to the government, they will release more than P400 million for the rehabilitation of the world-famous Boracay, which has been closed down for a major clean up. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday, May 2. He said that the department will shell out P490 million for the repair of the whole Boracay Circumferential Road in Aklan during the half-year closure of the island.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allotted P50 million for the improvement of Boracay Circumferential Road in the 2018 General Appropriations Act, while the additional P490 million is an augmentation to fast-track project completion. The Boracay road rehabilitation project includes a 12-meter widening plan along the 5.2-kilometer road in the villages of ManocManoc, Yapak, and Balabag. The island’s drainage and sewerage system will also be improved. According to Diokno, the
Dept. of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo Malacañang photo
DBM has already released P448 million to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to cover financial assistance for the affected residents and workers in Boracay. n
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FROM THE FRONT PAGE
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 5-8, 2018
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Two Fil-Am educators among...
award presented by the NEA EdJustice program. “Education advocacy and social justice advocacy go hand in hand, as an increasingly diverse kaleidoscope of students and educators must feel welcome in our public schools,” read the NEA announcement. It added, “The 2018 Social Justice Activist of the Year award will be presented to the exceptional efforts that demonstrate the ability to lead, organize and engage educators, parents, and the community to advocate on social justice issues that impact the lives of students, fellow educators, and the communities they serve.” The NEA is the largest professional organization in the U.S., representing over three million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, school administrators, education support professionals, retired educators, and future teachers. Gabriel Tanglao, New Jersey A graduate of New Jersey Public Schools, Tanglao went on to receive an MA in economics education from the University of Delaware, and an MS in teaching and BA in political science from Pace University. Tanglao teaches social studies and specializes in Advanced Placement (AP) economics, financial literacy, world history and global issues. Outside of the classroom, Tanglao acts as an advisor to the National Social Studies Honor Society, Model United Nations, and served as a STEM Mentor. In the union, he serves as local treasurer and chair of the legislative action team. He is also an alumni of New Jersey Education Association (NJEA)
Erica Viray Santos (center)
Union School, and the NJEA Apprentice Program. He also leads NJEA’s first Minority Leadership Training Cadres. “He is committed to the power of public education both inside and outside of the classroom,” read the NEA announcement for the award nominees. “This commitment has led him to empower diverse communities through programming and events that cultivate a culture of civic activism around racial justice in public education.” Erica Viray Santos, California A teacher and program director at The Social Justice Academy of San Leandro High School, Santos has been an educator since 2005 and began teaching at the academy in 2008. She currently teaches U.S. history, government, economics, and social justice courses. With a background in ethnic studies and community organizing, Santos has been vocal about many issues related to Fil-Am and minority culture and experiences, such as the budget cuts to San Francisco State University’s College of Ethnic Studies, and the proposal to rename a Union City high school after Fil-Am labor movement
Gabriel Tanglao Photos courtesy of National Education Association
leaders Philip Vera Cruz and Larry Itliong. She was also very active in campaigning with her students in supporting officials and residents of San Leandro when they declared their city a sanctuary city for immigrants last year. “We have been working on the campaign since November and didn’t expect a unanimous vote at both the school board and the city council meeting,” the Inquirer quoted Santos saying. The NEA said of Santos, “Her commitment to equity and passion for creating an inclusive school climate that empowers students to learn and become social justice activists has led to her becoming a driving force in developing, sustaining and directing a school campus focused on social justice.” Voting for the award is open to educators, public education allies and partners, and ends at midnight of May 25, 2018. Voting can be done on www.educationvotes.new.org/2018sja/. (Rae Ann Varona / AJPress)
masses, Bremmer notes. “Right now, some Americans think the U.S. is more urgently in need of structural political reform than China. That’s a win for the strongmen,” he writes. The article concludes with “the most worrying element” of having these strongmen in power. “Why emulate the U.S. or European political systems, with all the checks and balances that prevent even the most determined leaders from taking on chronic problems, when one de-
termined leader can offer a credible shortcut to greater security and national pride? As long as that rings true, the greatest threat may be the strongmen yet to come.” Duterte, Palace react to cover story On Friday, May 4, Malacañang responded to the TIME Magazine cover as evidence of how Filipinos have appreciated Duterte’s leadership style. “Regardless of slant, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has demonstrated strong and decisive leadership – a quality ap-
PNA photo by Joey Razon
Fil-Am father shot to death...
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couple on their way home in Daly City. Twenty-five-year-old Donovan Rivera drove the car that Prasad was following the couple in. As Mangaccat was backing into their garage, reports said that Prasad exited the car, walked up the driveway and fired five to six shots at Mangaccat. Seinn was not shot. Mangaccat’s mother, who was at the home when the shooting took place, rushed to the garage to find her son with multiple gunshot wounds. “I saw my son with the blood in his mouth, and I saw a hole and I said, what happened?” said the mother. “So I ran upstairs and called 9-1-1 and came back and tried [CPR] to my son.” preciated by Filipinos as eviSeinn said that she never saw denced by the Chief Executive’s the shooter at the time of the killhigh satisfaction, approval, trust ing. and performance ratings,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry U.S., China, and Indonesia. Roque said in a statement. “The president’s brand of Despite the international uproar over some of Duterte’s re- justice strictly adheres to the marks since taking office nearly rule of law where the dismantwo years ago, Roque said, “Fili- tling of the drug apparatus enpinos have learned not to take sures the proper investigation [Duterte] literally with his color- of all drug-related killings,” Roque said. ful language.” Meanwhile, on the same day, The Palace said the Philippines’ war on drugs has been Duterte mentioned the “strongpraised by international lead- man” label during an event for ers and countries, including the school principals in Davao.
Duterte lands TIME magazine cover... PAGE A2 t
TREASURES OF SOCCSKSARGEN. Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo (3rd from right), Department of Tourism (DOT) Region XII Director Maria Rica Bueno (2nd from left) leads the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the opening of Treasures of SOCCSKSARGEN (SOX): A Travel and Trade Expo held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City on Friday, May 4. The exhibit, which runs from May 4-6, is organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 12 and other partner agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture--Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA--BFAR), DA-Agricultural Training Institute, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), DOT-Tourism Promotions Board and with the local government units (LGUs) of Region 12. It will showcase the rich culture of the land, the fresh and processed catch of the seas and harvest of the region.
“I’m waiting and I’m sad and crying. Heartbroken,” Seinn told reporters. “So I’m crying and I’m thinking, ‘What happened?’ He has no enemies. I don’t have enemies either.” After the shooting, Prasad reportedly hurried back to the car and Rivera drove them away from the scene. However, investigators were able to identify and arrest them the next day, officials said. Seinn said that she saw Prasad as a friend who knew that she and Mangaccat had been in a serious relationship for years. According to prosecutors, Prasad had been trying to start a romantic relationship with Seinn and wanted her to leave Mangaccat, but Seinn didn’t take Prasad’s requests seriously and rejected his advances. “He just tell me, ‘Don’t go’ and ‘I want to be with you,’” said Seinn, “He would just say some-
thing like a friendly joke.” Officials have defined the motive as an act of jealousy toward the victim. “The working proposition for the motive is, “If I kill him and get him out of the way, then I could be there to start the relationship with the grieving widow,” San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said, as quoted by ABC7. “That’s pretty bizarre.” The couple had a 3-year-old daughter and were about to move the family to Las Vegas together before Mangaccat’s untimely death. Wagstaffe said that last Wednesday was Seinn’s last shift at SFO. “I didn’t want to lose my husband. He was my soulmate,” Seinn said. Prasad and Rivera were charged with murder and made their first court appearance on Monday, April 30. They didn’t enter pleas and will return to court on May 8. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
“Isa raw ako sa mga strongmen. Hindi naman ako strongman (I am supposedly one of the strongmen. I am not even a strongman). I have never sent anybody to jail for criticizing me,” Duterte said in his remarks. He added that his vow to eradicate the drug problem in the Philippines was a “campaign promise ko ‘yan (of mine).
I won the presidency. I have no machinery but I won by 16 million because I was the only one carrying the message that was appropriate at the time.” The Philippine president previously made the cover of TIME Magazine in May 2016 with a feature entitled “The Punisher.” The following year he made the publication’s 100 Most Influential People list. ■
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Duterte blames Aquino, US for China reclamation of disputed waters by Nestor
Corrales Inquirer.net
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte broke his silence on Friday, May 4, as critics slammed the government’s seeming “inaction” over China’s continued militarization in the South China Sea. The President said China’s aggressive island-building in the West Philippine Sea started even before his administration. “So Aquino filed an arbitration case. We won. He was still there. Bakit hindi niya ginawa kung yan talaga ang gusto ng…’yan silang mga yellow (Why didn’t he do anything if that is what the yellow wanted)?” he said in a speech in Davao City. “Panalo kayo nandiyan pa si WORLD CLASS VOLLEYBALL. A Filipino volleyball player spikes the ball against a Swedish player on Friday, May 4 when the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Beach Volleyball World Tour Manila leg formally kicks off at the Sands SM By The Bay. Sweden (Blue) won over host Philippines (Red) 26-24, 21-23, 15-13. PNA photo by Jess Escaros Jr.
Inadequate oversight allows poor care at California nursing homes to go unchecked, state audit finds by aNNa
GormaN Kaiser Health News
CALIFORNIA health regulators have allowed poor care to proliferate at nursing homes around the state, and the number of incidents that could cause serious injury or death has increased significantly in recent years, according to a stinging state audit released this week. The state auditor singled out the California Department of Public Health for particular criticism, saying it had not performed necessary inspections or issued timely citations for substandard care. The audit also found that the department’s nursing home licensing decisions were inconsistent and lacking in transparency. “Together, these oversight failures increase the risk that nursing facilities may not provide adequate care to some of the State’s most vulnerable residents,” California State Auditor Elaine Howle wrote. Safety and accountability problems at nursing homes across the United States are rampant. Federal inspection reports, for example, show that infection control is routinely ignored. At the same time, the Trump administration has scaled back the use of penalties to punish nursing homes that put residents at risk of injury. In California, confirmed cases of substandard care at nursing homes statewide increased by 31 percent from 2006 to 2015, according to the audit. And incidents of nursing home noncompliance that caused or could have caused serious injuries or fatalities rose by 35 percent in the same period. In a written response, published in the auditor’s report, the public health department rejected the allegation of faulty oversight. “CDPH disagrees
with this conclusion,” wrote Karen Smith, the agency’s director. “In fact, CDPH believes that the increased number of … deficiencies cited demonstrates that CDPH has increased its enforcement activities.” But the audit showed that in the vast majority of cases where investigators found problems that could severely harm patients, the public health department failed to cite or fine the facility involved. “There is an expectation of a level of care and safety,” said state Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg). “When that doesn’t happen, it’s really disconcerting.” Wood said it was “very, very disturbing” that the public health department was not holding nursing homes accountable. The failure to issue citations, as well as delays in issuing them, are particularly worrisome, he said. “They are not doing their job.” The California legislature ordered the audit last year after a request by Wood, who chairs the Assembly Health Committee, and Sen. Mike McGuire (DHealdsburg). In her written response, Smith dismissed the claim that licensing by the department was inconsistent, saying the auditor did not completely understand the process. But she agreed the department should issue citations in a more timely way and said it is working on that. The agency has begun training investigators to write citations properly, and it is creating a standard template for them, she said. The quality of care at nursing homes will be critical as baby boomers age and demand for these services grows, the auditor wrote. The state audit also investigated three large private nurs-
ing home operators whose net incomes have skyrocketed over the past decade — from less than $10 million each in 2006 to between about $35 million and $54 million in 2015. It said the owners of the three companies are swelling their profits by doing business with companies they own or in which they have a financial interest. The three companies, Brius Healthcare Services, Plum Healthcare Group and Longwood Management Corp., paid between $37 million and $66 million to related companies from 2007 to 2015, according to the audit. The report singled out Brius, which has been the subject of media coverage, investigations and wrongful death lawsuits. One report, by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, claimed that the owner, Shlomo Rechnitz, steered millions of dollars to companies he owns to provide goods and services for his nursing homes. The state audit found that Brius had been cited for poor care more often than other nursing home operators in the state. Mark Johnson, a lawyer representing Brius, said the audit’s quality of care assessment was flawed because of errors in the data. The company’s profits rose because the company grew, but profit per bed actually declined, he said. Transactions between related companies “is the industry standard,” Johnson argued. “It leads to increased efficiency.” The practice is becoming more commonplace around the nation. Kaiser Health News found last year that about threequarters of nursing facilities in the country outsource services to companies that they control or in which they have an interest. Nursing homes that do
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Aquino not so many was there. Bakit hindi mo pinuntahan at sinita (You won and Aquino was still there, not so many was there. Why didn’t you go there and accost them)?” he added. But the Philippines only won its diplomatic protest against China in July 12, 2016, a few days after Aquino stepped down from office. Duterte also blamed US for its inaction when China started the reclamation activities in the disputed territory years back. “And the only country who could have stopped them is America,” he said. “Walang ginawa at hinayaan (They did nothing, they just let it slide).” The president said he was assessing the situation in the South
China Sea. “Ako naman, I was assessing. If I go there with the marines first, then the police and the sodiers, the army, it would be a massacre. I would just have allowed the killing of my soldiers and policemen,” he said. He said the Philippines could not match the arms of China if Manila wages war against Beijing. “So ngayon bakit si Duterte would not assert? In the first place, the main reason is that it would result into a massacre,” he said. “Maubos talaga. And Manila and the nearest military airport of China is only 17 minutes away. If you declare war, [maubos] tayo lahat. That is the reality of it all,” he added. n
Early humans lived in the Philippines... PAGE A1 t Also found were the more than 400 skeletal remains attributed to Philippine brown deer, freshwater turtle, monitor lizard, and the now extinct elephant or mammoth-like stegodon — all of which were perhaps tasty to the early humans. But it was the age of the remains that made the discovery especially astounding. Using electron-spin resonance methods, researchers found that the clay-rich bone bed in which the artifacts originated, dated back to between 631,000 and 777,000 years. They say the best estimate goes back to around 709,000 years — long before the known origin of today’s modern Homo sapiens species. “This evidence pushes back the proven period of colonization of the Philippines by hundreds of thousands of years, and furthermore suggests that early overseas dispersal in Island South East Asia by premodern hominins took place several times during the Early and Middle Pleistocene stages,” said the study’s authors. The Pleistocene period is also often referred to as the last Ice Age. “It was surprising to find such an old peopling of the Philippines,” Thomas Ingicco, the study’s lead author and archaeologist with France’s National Museum of Natural History, told the National Geographic which partially funded the research. Burgeoning interest in South Pacific Researchers aren’t yet sure ex-
actly who the early inhabitants were, but the fact that such primitive artifacts have been found in islands along the South Pacific have further brought curiosity as to how early humans were able to cross the open ocean and arrive in the first place. Previous findings in the South Pacific region were in Indonesia when in 2004, Australian and Indonesian researchers discovered bones of the species Homo floresiensis — miniature humans or “hobbits” — in a Flores island cave east of Bali. A National Geographic news report described them as “tiny humans, who had skulls about the size of grapefruits” and “lived with pygmy elephants and Komodo dragons on a remote island in Indonesia 18,000 years ago.” In 2016, stone tools were found on the island of Sulawesi, north of Flores. The tools were dated back about 66,000 years before the arrival of the first anatomically modern humans — at least 118,000 years ago. The 2010 foot bone discovery in the Philippines’ Callao Cave, which was led by a team at the University of the Philippines Diliman, was concluded to have dated 67,000 years ago and had the measurements between that of modern humans and H. floresiensis. Researchers behind the study said that the sole presence on the isolated island of Luzon indicated the ability of humans during the Late Pleistocene to make open ocean crossings.
Patricia Fox: Deportation case... PAGE A1 t
page counter-affidavit to the accusations that she violated the conditions of her stay in the country because she allegedly engaged in partisan political activities. “They are not political activities per se but also religious activities within the evangelization and missionary works of religious persons,” Fox said. The BI last week downgraded her missionary visa, which was due to expire in September, to
tourist visa and ordered her to leave the country within 30 days. She asked that her missionary visa be restored and for the BI to return her passport in exchange for her release from the agency’s custody. Fox is facing a cancellation of visa complaint filed by BI Davao Intelligence Field Unit (DIFU) Intelligence Officer II Melody Penelope Gonzales. Gonzales accused the nun of joining rallies, supporting, contributing or being involved in assembly gatherings against the government, thus making her an “undesirable alien.” Fox said Gonzales conducted “sloppy investigation and intelligence work and made malicious, sweeping and erroneous assumption and conclusion of facts and law in stating that what I did was beyond the limits of my missionary and apostolic works.” Fox also said her rights have been violated such as her right to exercise religious freedom and worship in the country. She cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which the Philippines is a signatory. Fox said Gonzales should not have limited her research on the definition of “missionary” and “apostolic work” from online dictionaries and she should have consulted religious personalities and groups. Fox also mentioned her presence in the country in 1990 was upon the invitation of four Catholic bishops. Fox said she has been engaged in missionary and apostolate works for almost 27 years. She is the coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) where she is known to farmers and indigenous peoples and their organizations, which often invite her to attend fact-finding missions in rural communities. Fox attended the recently concluded international fact-finding and solidarity mission in Mindanao early last month. Fox admitted there were instances when she had to hold placards to “stop the killing” of farmers and tribal leaders or call for the respect of human rights and resumption of peace talks with the communist rebels. “There is nothing wrong with that for those are universal calls directed to everyone, not just the government,” she said. Various groups trooped to the BI to express their support for
In regards to the latest Kalinga study, researchers say it is likely that they had gone over at least one sea barrier to reach Luzon. The most likely points, according to the team, are Borneo through Palawan to the west, or China through Taiwan to the north. While researchers are wary of suggesting that boats were used (the years of crossing are way earlier than any current evidence of people navigating or building boats), the possibility isn’t being completely ruled out. The 2010 discovery, did lead some experts to believe ancient rafts may have been used and lost beneath the sea. Other theories propose that the animals and their butchers may have unintentionally floated to Luzon on aquatic plants or mud masses that were torn off by storms, as mentioned by the National Geographic. Regional tsunamis may have also played a role. As new questions emerge, researchers are promising that their focus in the area is just the beginning. “There’s a lot of focus again in the islands of South East Asia because they are places where you find natural experiments in hominin evolution. That’s what makes Flores unique, and now Luzon is another place we can start looking for fossil evidence,” said study coauthor Gerrit van den Bergh, a sedimentologist at the University of Wollongong. n Fox. The groups led by Fr. Rudy Abao of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and lead convener of Solidarity with the Poor Network appealed to the BI to reconsider its decision to deport Fox and let her continue her apostolate and missionary work in the Philippines. Abao added the government’s deportation order of Fox is not only an attack against her but also a suppression of poor Filipinos whom she has wholeheartedly served. “We demand the Duterte government to keep its hands off Sister Pat and other foreigners who uphold human rights and basic welfare of the Filipino people. Helping the poor and needy has nothing to do with partisan politics. It is a humane universal deed and a basic teaching of Jesus,” Abao said. Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed alarm over the recent attacks against church workers in the country. The CHR condemned the killing of Fr. Mark Ventura, who was gunned down after officiating a mass in Cagayan last Sunday. The CHR called on the government to act expediently in investigating the death of the priest, who is known for his tribal rights advocacy and opposition to mining in the province. The CHR noted that the killing of Ventura came after the BI ordered Fox to leave the country due to alleged “political partisan activity.” Last December, a priest in Nueva Ecija, Fr. Marcelito Paez, was also killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen hours after helping free a political prisoner. The CHR said it hopes that the series of attacks against church workers who are doing humanitarian work for the vulnerable sectors is not another form of harassment against human rights defenders. “Regardless of faith, political affiliations and ideology, we are all human beings. We must appeal to our common humanity at all times and demand that all killings and forms of violence that harm our human rights be stopped,” the CHR said. “We must all work together and demand greater responsibility from the government in ending impunity on all fronts and ensure that justice and the rule of law prevail towards upholding the dignity of all,” it added. (With Rhodina Villanueva, Janvic Mateo) n
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Terror threat in South remains – US envoy by Jefferson
AntipordA ManilaTimes.net
UNITED States Ambassador Sung Kim on Thursday, May 3 called for vigilance and deeper cooperation between the Philippines and the U.S. to address continuing terror threats in Mindanao. Kim said threat from terror groups remain despite the defeat of the Maute Group in Marawi City last year. “Both our experts including those in the military and their Filipino counterparts believe that the threat continues to exists and that we must remain vigilant and we must continue to work together,” Kim said during the Kapihan sa Embahada news forum organized by the embassy.
The U.S. ambassador said cooperation between the Philippines and U.S. through sharing intelligence and information is important. The U.S. supported the Philippines by providing technical support and weapons to troops who battled the Islamic State (IS)-linked Maute group that occupied Marawi City. Kim said the U.S. intends to continue providing help to the Philippine military and law enforcement units to help them foil similar attacks. In April, an official of the U.S. Department of State said IS continues to recruit new members in Southeast Asia, including in the Philippines, to launch acts of terrorism in their hometowns.
Irfan Saeed, director of the Department of State’s Office of Countering Violent Extremism, said the U.S. had destroyed socalled caliphates in Syria and Iraq, effectively stopping IS operations and travel, but that didn’t stop the group from getting new recruits. Saeed explained that terrorists have been looking for safe havens in which to operate unfettered. This was sparked by their recent defeat in Syria and Iraq. But apart from security related assistance, Kim said the humanitarian aid being provided by the U.S. will continue as he announced the allocation of P182 million ($3.5 million) to support the rehabilitation of affected communities in Marawi City.
The U.S. ambassador said the money will be used to build transitional shelters, repair water and sanitation facilities, and provide psychosocial support to affected residents. More than 300,000 people were displaced in the fighting that started in May and ended in October last year. Part of the fund, Kim said, would also be used in the establishment of safe spaces to protect women and children from exploitation and violence and also help to jumpstart local economy through income generating activities. “This brings the total U.S. contributions to the Marawi humanitarian response to nearly P1.4 billion or $26.4 million,” Kim told reporters. n
California Senate approves Inadequate oversight allows... bill protecting sidewalk vendors from arrest PAGE A4 t
THE California state Senate voted 22-10 on Thursday, May 3 to approve the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (Senate Bill 946), which ends criminal penalties for sidewalk vendors statewide and puts them on a path to having a safe and legal business. “California’s sidewalk vendors are working hard to feed their families and build their businesses, but they are trapped in a legal vacuum, unable to seek a valid business permit and exposed to criminal prosecution,” said Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), author of SB 946. “California needs to start treating sidewalk vendors like any small business owner working to make it in our state – not putting more obstacles in their path.” The Safe Sidewalk Vending Act allows local governments to regulate vendors if they first create a permit process. The City of Los Angeles voted recently to abolish criminal penalties for vending and create a permit process that allows vendors to come out of the
shadows. Without the protection of local laws, vendors face harassment and shakedowns by local gangs and businesses. A study in Los Angeles found that 80 percent of vendors are women and seniors. Harassment or arrests of vendors strikes at families and at those on fixed incomes. With Immigration and Customs Enforcement threatening to deport any undocumented immigrant, sidewalk vendors are more vulnerable than ever. Last year ICE agents detained a sidewalk vendor and mother of four in Rancho Cucamonga after she was arrested for selling corn. Sidewalk vendors use pushcarts, pedicarts, or other nonmotorized vehicles on sidewalks and parks. Many have reported confiscation of property by local authorities when they work without a permit, which would be prevented under SB 946. The Safe Sidewalk Vending Act will be heard next in an Assembly committee. n
IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas will put his title on the line against countryman Jonas Sultan. Philstar.com photos
Ancajas ecstatic for historic bout vs Sultan by dino
MArAgAy Philstar.com
INTERNATIONAL BOXING FEDERATION (IBF) super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas is raring to make history with countryman Jonas Sultan when they collide on May 26 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. This will mark the first time two Filipinos will clash for a world title in almost a century, and the 26-year-old Ancajas is elated to play a huge part in it. “I am so glad and very grateful that I was given an opportunity to fight Jonas Sultan,” Ancajas (271-1, with 19 KOs) said in a news release from his promoter, Top Rank Inc. The Magallanes, Cavite-based boxer will put his title on the line against Sultan, the No. 1 ranked contender from Cebu City. The latter earned the title shot when he outpointed former flyweight champion John Riel Casimero in their eliminator last year. The last time two Filipinos fought for a world title was on
May 2, 1925, when boxing great Francisco Guilledo, popularly known as “Pancho Villa,” defended his flyweight crown against Clever Sencio in Manila. Now Ancajas said it’s up to him and Sultan to put on a show to remember. “We are given a chance to display our talents on a world stage, two Filipinos fighting for a world title. This is history, and our names will be linked forever,” he added. Anjacas seeks to o further build on the momentum of his rousing U.S. debut in February when he knocked out Israel Vazquez in his fourth title defense. Prior to that, he has defended his title three times in different parts of the world — against Jose Alfredo Rodriguez in Macau; Teiru Kinoshita in Brisbane, Australia; and Jamie Conlan in Belfast, Ireland. Sultan, for his part, is riding on a five-fight winning streak — winning four bouts by knockout— since a 10-round unanimous decision loss to Go Onaga in 2015. n
‘USELESS’. Members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno tear a copy of Department Order 174 of the Labor department, or the new rules on labor contracting, and denounce an executive order signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 1 that further restricts the practice of repeatedly hiring workers on short-term contracts to avoid making them regular employees. The militant group claimed the orders were useless and merely repeated existing laws. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
it have higher rates of patient injury, Kaiser Health News found. The risk of such arrangements, according to the audit, is that owners will inflate their prices to increase cross-company profits and that it is easier for commonly owned companies to engage in fraud and conceal it. Medi-Cal, the state’s health insurance program for low-income people, is the state’s largest payer of nursing home care. The audit concluded, however, that because of built-in safeguards, it is “extremely unlikely” that Medi-Cal would pay for the profits companies earn from their related-party transactions.
Still, Michael Connors, with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, expressed alarm that nursing home operators are making such big profits by doing business with their own companies. Nursing home chains are using these deals to “siphon off money intended for care in order to pad and hide profits” — and that hurts residents, he said. Legislation pending in the California State Assembly would increase the transparency of dealings among nursing home owners. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n
CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE. In this file photo, Senator Loren Legarda delivers the Philippine Statement at the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC or COP23 in Bonn, Germany last November 2017. Legarda will be back in Bonn from May 5-9, 2018 for the Climate Change Conference 2018 where Governments will start drafting texts, including the ‘operating manual’ for the implementation of the Paris Agreement, to be finalized later this year at COP24 in Katowice, Poland. Senate photo
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Balikatan troops to train vs chemical attacks by Dempsey
reyes ManilaTimes.net
LAUNCH. The Philippine Consulate General in New York (PCG-NY), in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism New York, Philippine Airlines, and Tanduay Asian Rum launched the Filipino Restaurant Week 2018 (FRW 2018), on Thursday, 3 May 2018, at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. Participating chefs and restaurant owners joined the event where guests sampled the dishes that their restaurants will serve during its two-week run. AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya
SF officials urge probe of alleged torture of Filipino activist at airport SAN FRANCISCO — The Board of Supervisors last Tuesday, May 1, unanimously adopted a resolution by Supervisor hillary Ronen calling for an independent investigation into the detention and subsequent expulsion of a human rights activist from the Philippines by Customs and Border Protection personnel. Jerome Aladdin Succor Aba was detained on April 17 as he was on his way to Washington, D.C., to speak on issues facing the Philippines’ Muslim and indigenous populations. Despite having a valid U.S. visa and official invitations from
church institutions and community organizations to speak at multiple events in the U.S., Aba allegedly subjected to interrogation, including being forced to strip naked in front of an industrial fan blowing cold air. CBP personnel repeatedly asked him if he was a “terrorist” or “communist,” of his affiliations with renowned mass leaders in the Philippines, and his opinion of U.S.-Philippine relations while he was held for 28 hours without access to a lawyer, according to a report by KQED. CBP issued a statement denying the allegations.
niques and procedures of the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy PhILIPPINE and American are enhanced yearly and the troops will level up their train- lessons learned in last year’s ing during this year’s Balikatan Balikatan will be applied. “The focus of Balikatan [this exercises by focusing on manmade “disasters” such as chemi- year]is mutual defense, counter terrorism and hADR (humanitarcal attacks, an official said. Lt. Liezl Vidallon, Balikatan ian assistance and disaster re(shoulder-to-shoulder) 2018 sponse),” Vidallon told reporters. Last year’s Balikatan was public affairs director, said troops will also be trained on more focused on responding how to respond to natural ca- to natural disasters such as typhoon, earthquakes, among lamities. The annual exercises will be others. The exercises this year will be held from May 7 to 18, 2018 in “scenario-based,’ meaning that various locations in Luzon. Vidallon said the tactics, tech- the drills will be based on real-
life encounters on terrorism, natural disasters and the like. “We also have simulation training events wherein the planner [of Balikatan], our leadership, will try to command and control different forces for any eventuality,” Vidallon said. The Philippines had invited forces from Australia, Japan and United Kingdom as observers for this year’s Balikatan exercises. The U.S. Pacific Command said the military exercises will be consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) signed by Washington and Manila in 1998. n
US willing to help resolve labor row by Jefferson
antiporDa ManilaTimes.net
ThE United States on Thursday, May 3, expressed its readiness to help resolve the diplomat“These allegations of torture ic row between the Philippines and religious discrimination and Kuwait as third-party mediamade by Mr. Aba are false. CBP tor if asked. exercised discretion, allowing “I think we’ll always be helpful Mr. Aba to voluntarily with- to resolve delicate, difficult situdraw his application for admis- ations between friends and partsion into the United States.” ners,” said U.S. Ambassador to The statement also denied the Manila Sung Kim during the Kadetails of Aba’s accusations of pihan sa Embahada news forum mistreatment. organized by the embassy. A spokesman for the AmeriKim made it clear that no one can Civil Liberties Union has approached the U.S. about (ACLU) said the organization the matter. sent a Freedom of InformaFormer ambassador to Iraq tion Act (FOIA) request to CBP and Palau Apolinario Lozada for all of the agency’s relevant raised the need for the Philipdocuments and evidence concerning Aba’s case. (Inquirer. net)
pines to get the help of a thirdparty mediator in addressing the issue with Kuwait. he said the U.S. could be the best choice. The ambassador however refrained from commenting on the issue. “My sense is that the two countries are working very hard to resolve (the) difficult situation,” he added. “If we can be helpful I’m sure my colleagues in Washington would consider any such requests seriously,” he said. Kim said the U.S. is hopeful that the Philippines and Kuwait will resolve the difficult situation. The envoy said the Philippines has a strong interest in protecting Filipinos overseas. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan
Peter Cayeteno recently cited positive developments on the issue following the Kuwait’s announcement that it is ready to move forward and work with the Philippines in addressing concerns related to overseas Filipino workers. “The positive response we have received from Kuwait now provides us with an excellent opportunity to write a new chapter that should allow us to overcome any and all future challenges between our two countries,” he said when he met Philippine ambassador to Kuwait Rene Villa. Villa was expelled by Kuwait in connection with the rescue by Philippine embassy officials of distressed Filipino workers. n
UN rapporteur urged to look into Google honors Filipino composer Levi Celerio freedom of expression in Philippines
IN his 108th birth anniversary, Google Philippines honored the life and works of the late composer, Levi Celerio on Monday, April 30. Google doodled Celerio making music with a leaf, which earned him a spot in the Guinness World Record as being the only musician to do so. A click on the doodle art opens into Celerio’s profile and works. Celerio was born on April 30, 1910 in Tondo, Manila. he received a scholarship at the Academy of Music in Manila and later joined the Manila Symphont Orchestra. he is also known to have a treasury of over 4,000 songs and has
by Gaea
Katreena Philstar.com
CabiCo
AN arts and media alliance called on a United Nations special rapporteur to fasttrack an investigation into the threats to press freedom and the situation of the freedom of expression under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administraGoogle honors the late FIlipino composer Levi Celerio with a doodle on his 108th birthday. tion. Celerio, known to have composed over 4,000 songs, died on April 2, 2002. He was 91. Let’s Organize for Democtranslated traditional provincial ture and Music by then President racy and Integrity (LODI) on songs, such as the Ilokano “O Fidel V. Ramos, for his contribu- the celebration of World Press Maliwanag na Buwan,” Pampan- tions to Filipino music and cul- Freedom Day Thursday sent a six-page petition to David ga’s “Ako ang may Singsing,” and ture. Celerio died on April 2, 2002 at Kaye, UN special rapporteur the Bisaya “Alibangbang.” In 1997, Celerio was conferred the age of 91. (Arvic John Sy Cua/ on the promotion of the right to freedom of opinion and exthe title National Artist for Litera- ManilaTimes.net) pression. “We appeal for quick action from your end as President Duterte’s government rapidly constricts democratic space, especially that reserved by the constitution. LODI believes that freedom of the press and freedom of expression for all citizens cannot exist without another,” the alliance said. LODI stressed that the Philippine press is facing the “most serious challenges since the downfall of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos” citing attacks against journalists under the Duterte administration. While he created the Presidential Task Force on Media
Security in 2016 to address media killings, the president has repeatedly hurled tirades against reporters and media outlets who have been critical of his policies. “President Duterte holds no monopoly on press freedom violations. But he stands out among Philippine leaders for his vicious displays of hostility toward journalists,” LODI said. According to a recent report by local media watchdogs, there have been 85 cases of attacks against the Philippine press since Duterte assumed office in July 2016. Malacañang has repeatedly maintained that the president’s moves and tirades are “not attacks on press freedom.” LODI then urged Kaye, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, to come to the aid of professional journalists, members of alternative media and human rights workers. “A combination of overt threats against truth-tellers and the lack of transparency in governance represent serious obstacles to groups and individuals that seek redress for attacks on right, as well as those that strive to combat corruption, social and economic injustice and other governance problems,” the al-
liance said. Terror tag, ‘narco-list’ LODI also cited the government petition seeking to tag more than 600 individuals as terrorists. It called the list a “grave danger to freedom of expression.” “It provides basis for attacks by the government military and law enforcement agencies. It also follows the pattern of President Duterte’s drug war, where lists gathered in helter-skelter fashion became the basis for a bloody program,” it said. Under the law, the Anti-Terrorism Council can order the arrest of suspected terrorists even without a warrant. The alliance, moreover, noted that the need for local and international rights defenders to speak out and come up with a comprehensive report on the supposed growing tyranny in the country has become more urgent with the release of the new list linking village officials to the illegal drug trade. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Monday bared the names of village chairmen and councilors included on the so-called “narco-list.” “The new list targets officials of basic governance units. It coincides with the homestretch of campaigns for village elections,” LODI said. n
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Let’s Organize for Democracy and Integrity on the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day on Thursday, May 3 sent a six-page petition to David Kaye, UN special rapporteur on the promotion of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales
US pledges additional P182-M aid for Marawi MANILA — The United States has provided an additional P182 million ($3.5 million) worth of aid to support humanitarian relief in wartorn Marawi City. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim made the announcement Thursday, May 3, bringing Washington’s total contribution to Marawi to nearly P1.4 billion ($26.4 million). The additional financial assistance will be used to build transitional shelters for 58,000 internally displaced persons through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Philippine government and humanitarian organizations.
“This is obviously very important work and we hope to do more in the coming years,” Kim said in a press conference. This demonstrates “the deep ties and unbreakable bond between the United States and the Philippines as friends, partners, and allies.” USAID is also eyeing to work with the national and local government to start projects that would expand protection services for women and children, create income-generating activities for the local economy and repair water and sanitation facilities. “The U.S. government, through USAID, has been a key partner to the Philippine government in the recovery, sta-
bilization, and rehabilitation of Marawi City and its surrounding areas,” the U.S. Embassy said in a media release. Since the conflict in Marawi broke out last year, the US has been actively working to improve conditions in evacuation centers such as providing maternal, newborn and child health supplies and services for affected communities. In March, the U.S. announced assistance worth P100 million for food security in Marawi. In partnership with the World Food Programme, USAID provided 1.8 million kilograms of rice, which would feed an estimated 45,000 people for four months. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)
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Dateline POFWshiliPPines staying put in Kuwait instead of coming home hands of their employers. he told The Star that no immediate employment may be MAnilA, — With over 200,000 provided for the OFWs who may jobs available in five alternative return home. But he said the government markets for Filipina household helpers in Kuwait, the Philippine will provide “skills enhancement government is ready for the re- training” among those with poturn en masse of the workers, ac- tential to prepare them for future cording to the Department of la- employment abroad. “We can have massive trainbor and employment (DOle). But almost a week after President Duterte called on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait to come home, there are still no takers, DOle Undersecretary Joji Aragon said on Friday, May 4. “Up to now, even after the presidential pronouncement or enjoinment for them to voluntarily be repatriated, kung sino man ang gustong umuwi hanggang ngayon po sa Philippine Overseas labor Office namin, wala kaming natatanggap pang mga desirous or interested to come home,” Aragon told the pilot show of The Chiefs on TV5. The chairman of Migrante-Philippines, Arman hernando, told the same TV show that OFWs in Kuwait are worried about the lack of alternative employment if they return to the Philippines. Aragon said the DOle has 206,362 job orders for household workers in alternative job markets as of last December: 154,511 in hong Kong, 30,699 in Singapore, 11,325 in Cyprus, 6,619 in Brunei and 3,308 in Macau. hernando, however, said the OFWs in Kuwait would have to compete for those jobs with other applicants in the Philippines. he said the OFWs are worried about the impact on their jobs of the current diplomatic row between the Philippines and Kuwait. The concern, he said, is spreading even to OFWs in other countries in the Middle east, where governments have been monitoring developments in Kuwait after Philippine officials said an agreement being worked out on the treatment of migrant workers would serve as a model. According to DOle Undersecretary Jacinto Paras, skilled OFWs in Kuwait cannot be expected to come home. Paras said at the most, those who will heed Duterte’s call are the OFWs who face various forms of exploitation and abuses at the by Sheila
CriSoStomo Philstar.com
GETTING READY. Workers inspect ballot boxes left to dry in Quezon City. The ballot boxes, cleaned and painted, will be used for the village and Sangguniang Bayan elections on May 14, 2018. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
‘This is fake news’: Robredo calls out report about dwindling lead by ritChel
mendiola AJPress
PhiliPPine Vice President leni Robredo on Thursday, May 3 discredited a report in which an insider was quoted saying that her lead was lessened by 21,000 votes in the ongoing poll recount by the Presidential electoral Tribunal (PeT). in the Philippine Star’s report, an insider said Robredo’s lead of 263,473 votes over former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos reportedly narrowed down to about 242,000. in the official tally of votes, Robredo got 14,418,817 votes while Marcos got 14,155,344. Furthermore, the insider said investigators allegedly discovered evidence of cheating and vote tampering. More wet ballots were found, and these smelled of chemicals. Some ballots had cigarette burns. election returns (eRs) and voter’s receipts were reported missing, as well as figures that do not conform with official tallies and voter’s receipts mixed with pre-shaded ballots in many of the clustered precincts in Camarines Sur. On her Twitter account, Robredo expressed her thoughts about The Star’s report claiming her lead over Marcos went down by over 21,000 as the process hits its fourth week.
“This is fake news. Propaganda meant to condition the mind of the public. 2 weeks ago, PR stunt was we already lost 5,000 votes. Both are fake. if you really won the elections, why the need for fake news?” the tweet read. in addition to the Philippine Star, the Manila Times, the Manila Standard, and the Manila Bulletin carried the dwindling lead story, citing sources as unnamed individuals within the Supreme Court sitting as the Presidential electoral Tribunal (PeT) despite PeT not officially announcing this. Before the manual vote recount — sought by Marcos who stated that the vice presidential election was marred by fraud — began on April 2, a PeT adhoc committee member said the body will not issue partial results. At the moment, Robredo’s camp is lobbying for the 25-percent threshold rule used in the 2016 elections. The PeT is currently applying the 50-percent threshold, meaning a vote can only be considered as valid if half of the circle is shaded. in her motion for consideration, Robredo cited vote counting at Barangay laganac in Balatan, Camarines Sur where she received 358 votes. When the 50-percent standard was applied, a physical recount showed that she lost 12 votes;
VIce Pres. Leni Robredo Philstar.com photo
Marcos lost none. “At the risk of belaboring the point, the physical count is now running inconsistent with the results based on the election Returns, Statement of Votes by Precinct, Ballot images and Voter’s Verifiable Audit Paper Trail (VVPAT),” the vice president said in a reconsideration pleading after her first attempt at appealing for the 25-percent threshold failed. She added, “This misleads the honorable Tribunal into believing that the VCM (Vote-Counting Machine) failed to accurately read and count the ballots. Thus, leading into a mistaken notion that protestant Marcos successfully proved substantial recovery in this election Protest.” n
ing to make them skilled workers. This means they will no longer work in domestic service and they will become skilled workers instead,” he said. Paras added with this, the employment level of the trained OFWs will increase, thus enabling them to work as care givers and factory workers, among others, in other countries. n
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OPINION
Keeping power in check
FEATURES
THANKS to advances in technology, disseminating information has become much easier. This ease, however, is matched by the ease in curtailing the flow of information and the zeal by which certain government officials muzzle mass media. A society cannot be free without a free press. In the Philippines’ dysfunctional democracy, press freedom has always faced various types of threats, from business and political pressures to outright threats to the personal safety of journalists. The collapse of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 did not put an end to the murder of journalists, with the worst attack being perpetrated by a local warlord clan against 32 media workers in November 2009 in Maguindanao. On the eve of the 25th celebration of World Press Freedom Day, whose theme is “keeping power in check: media, justice and the rule of law,” dyGB FM radio broadcaster Edmund Sestoso died a day after being gunned down in Dumaguete, Negros Occidental. As in the many other fatal attacks on journalists in this country, the gunmen, who were on motorcycles, remain unidentified. The failure to apprehend killers of journalists has placed the Philippines among the five worst countries in terms of impunity in media murders, and one of the most dangerous for members of the press. Apart from murders, Philippine journalists must
contend with expensive litigation when slapped with libel suits, political pressure on the business side of mass media, tapped phones, death threats, and the latest forms of harassment through bullying by trolls. The proliferation of fake news is also posing serious challenges to journalism. President Duterte, like his predecessors, has no love lost for journalists, although he has been more pugnacious in showing his displeasure, with certain media organizations specifically targeted and barred from news coverage. He has been particularly touchy about media criticism of his bloody war against illegal drugs. In the latest World Press Freedom Index released recently by watchdog Reporters Without Borders, the Philippines fell by six notches to 133rd place out of 180 countries, with the President’s attacks on the press among the main factors cited for the slide. RSF noted that with four journalists murdered last year, the Philippines was Asia’s deadliest country for me- ippines but even in Europe and the United States. In dia workers in 2017. Afghanistan, terrorists specifically targeted journalPress freedom is under attack not only in the Phil- ists for a suicide bombing this week, killing nine, with
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
another slain in a separate attack. But the Philippine press faces some of the toughest challenges, with no respite in sight. (Philstar.com)
Living as a garden community in Los Angeles
Rhizomes
PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “We want to live in a world where plants and fungi are understood, valued and conserved. Discover our science and visit our world-leading botanic gardens, Kew Gardens and Wakehurst.” – Kew Gardens’ website “The olives, grapes, and oranges are reminders that Los Angeles is a garden community. The Rosary around the Seal represents the part played by the Mission Padres in the early years of Los Angeles.” – LA’s City Website on LA City Seal “Part of Holland is transformed into a vast sea of flowers from mid March to mid May. It starts with crocus season in March, which is followed by daffodils and hyacinths. Finally the tulips show their gorgeous colors, this is from mid April through the first week of May.” – Tulip Season in Holland’s Website Travel through Echo Park and you will see a much cleaner Echo Park Lake where lotus flowers are in bloom around July. Travel through Los Angeles and any day of the week, you will see farmers’ markets where displays of
produce, fruits and vegetables are trucked in directly by the farmers from their farms into the cities to be sold. But, consider for a moment that the LA City seal contains symbols of olives, grapes and oranges, and we are forever reminded that Los Angeles is a garden community. Yet, have we seen the City of Los Angeles as a garden community? In the City of West Hollywood, their public sidewalks now have urban gardens. Drive down Beverly Blvd and Sta. Monica Blvd and notice plots of concrete have given way to cactuses, flowering aloes and climbing vines. Drive down the City of Pasadena and a row of neatly trimmed palm trees greet you at the city entrance. Beverly Hills takes it a bit further. By May, a row of trucks is busy trimming all their sidewalk trees. Why is that? They take their environmental responsibilities seriously. Since 1996, Beverly Hills has a strategic master plan of taking care of its trees, such that their decaying trees are replaced, debris from pruning are turned into mulch and trees are yearly-trimmed. “The City of Beverly Hills has been a Tree City USA award recipient each year for nearly
three decades”, according to its website, with “an annual arbor day program, the Street Master Plan, a well-managed tree care program” are all key factors on why this city receives this prestigious award each year. But what about LA City – is it a garden community? LA seems to be a city of many initiatives. At one time, the past mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, wanted to plant a million trees in Los Angeles. I got solicited by my neighbor to pick up my share of trees to plant in my backyard. I was not as enthusiastic as my neighbor was. But, when he showed us in practice how rows of magnolia trees can improve our residential street, we paid more attention to improving our lawn. Did that remake LA to become a garden community? Not really, as the residents were not informed of this initiative ahead of its roll-out nor was there a concerted campaign for successfully executing it. In fact, a Los Angeles Times Editorial on April 23, 2013 wrote: “So is the program a success or a failure? As Villaraigosa prepares to leave office, should we be thrilled to have 400,000 trees we otherwise wouldn’t have had, or should we be dis-
appointed that his campaign promise has gone less than half fulfilled? And here’s another question: Should we care? The tree-planting program has been derided as a goofball idea often enough that even on the city’s official Million Trees L.A. website, under “Frequently Asked Questions” is this one: “Why are you doing this when it seems there are more important things for the city to be doing?” Take the current LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, whom we read about has been more involved in the national political scenes, including fundraising for Democrats for the midyear elections 2018. While this may be an important use of his time, particularly since we have a 45th president whose falsehoods have been legendary that Washington Post cataloged his lies at over 3,000 in his year in office, we are in dire need of truthful legislators who will genuinely serve their constituents. While the mayor does his national alliance work to help elect Democrats, are his staffers and those who report to him up to the task of serving LA city residents? Are they even aware that our city is less than a garden community? Do you see LA city with more
gardens and trimmed trees much like West Hollywood and Pasadena? Let us take the examples of New Zealand where gardening has become a favorite past time of its residents. Or even Kew Gardens about half an hour from Central London where they have started a movement which includes anyone who eats. They have embraced everyone across ages, incomes and cultures and there is passion about planting what folks want to eat in their backyards. It has led to what they claim as “vegetable tourism” gaining momentum, where plants and fungi are fully given spaces to thrive and provide for their nutrition. It has started many conversations amongst families and attracted many visitors to come to Kew Gardens but also replicated in other parts of the world, like New Zealand, Japan, Great Britain and parts of the U.S. It spontaneously gets neighbors to talk and resolve their gardening issues. Any chance of vegetable tourism taking root here? Recall the drought measures taken by LA city wherein the city provided city grants for residents to convert their lawns into less water-consuming gardens of cactus? Did you notice how
urban lawns gave way to pebbles, rocks, gravel, aloe plants and cacti? Did it not improve the look the city to be vibrant and reduce the city’s water consumption? Was that initiative sustained? That initiative was dashed once more, perhaps because funding has run out, while portions of the city’s sidewalks are now occupied by huge tents, as if LA city declared its sidewalks open for free camping. But, these are not free public camping sites, but they became such, by default and inadequate leadership. LA City’s municipal leadership in approving housing projects has somehow ceded control of their urban planning to developers, creating a much bigger problem of homelessness, similar to the sidewalks around the San Francisco City Library, where one smells the urine discharged by the sidewalk campers. So we ask, how do the City of Pasadena, City of Beverly Hills, City of West Hollywood manage to retain control of their public sidewalks as urban sites for gardens, without them occupied as homeless housing tents? When Eric Garcetti was LA City’s councilmember, he had
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Has the fight vs Duterte moved to a new phase?
Opinion
FRANCISCO TATAD A DOUBLE-SPREAD paid ad on pages A8 and A9 of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Wednesday (May 2, 2018) said the following: “Granting the Quo Warranto Petition Is Illegal, a Betrayal of Democracy “The Supreme Court trampled on the Philippine Constitution and betrayed its primary duty to the Filipino people when it violated Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno’s right to due process. “The Supreme Court abandoned its chief mandate to ensure an independent judiciary by accepting a bankrupt quo warranto petition and refusing to inhibit five openly biased justices. “The judiciary’s Code of Conduct decrees resistance against attempts to subvert judicial independence. It orders judges to be impartial. The five justices bowed to Congress’ impeachment summons. They attacked the Chief Justice in proceedings that refused her right to question accusers. Doing so, they prejudged the Chief Justice and betrayed the court’s position as a co-equal
branch of government. “We repudiate as illegal a ruling tainted with these shameful acts. “The quo warranto action against CJ Sereno, filed beyond the one- year deadline, is itself illegal and unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has affirmed many times that impeachment is the only mode for removing an impeachable officer. “In accepting this farcical petition, it crushes constitutional checks and balances. It threatens every Filipino citizen’s right to a free, impartial justice system. “The State derives its power from the people. When the key instruments of the State conspire to subvert the Constitution and democracy, the people must rise as the last bastion of our rights and freedoms. “We challenge the Supreme Court: Pull back from the brink. Do not be a party to the death of judicial independence. Heed the Constitution. Obey the code of judicial conduct. Compel the inhibition of the biased 5. Dismiss the illegal quo warranto petition. “If the biased 5 will not inhibit, then we call on them to resign. The people will not accept any decision tainted by gross injustice and justices who cannot act with justice.”
Hundreds of signatures The statement of 306 words was signed by 353 signatories from various sectors, including Catholic bishops and priests, Evangelical bishops and pastors, women religious, lay leaders, incumbent and former public officials, artists, writers, journalists, intellectuals, NGO workers, members of various professional and civic organizations and plain citizens. The statement has been posted on the web for those who may want to sign it online. I have written extensively and repeatedly on this issue in this column, and have argued to the point of tedium, not only on my part but on the reader’s part as well, that since the Chief Justice is an impeachable officer, she may be removed only by death, permanent disability, resignation, or impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust, with the concurrence of no less than two-thirds of all the members of the Senate. This is what the Constitution provides. Period. True, the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to exercise jurisdiction on quo warranto cases, but these can only mean cases against of-
ficials and employees whose removal is provided by law, rather than by the Constitution through impeachment. Since quo warranto cannot be used to remove any official who may be removed only by impeachment, the court cannot hear a quo warranto petition against the chief justice or any impeachable officer. Not because she may be completely innocent of the charges, but simply because the court has no business hearing such a petition. This is the long and short of it. Beyond judicial independence The President tells the justices to get rid of their chief justice, and the justices decide to follow the President’s order instead of the Constitution, regardless of its naked violation of the separation of powers. Five associate justices attack the chief justice in a House impeachment hearing, which denies her the right to question her accusers, and then refuse to recuse themselves in questionable quo warranto proceedings where they have decided to judge her. The law provides that quo warranto should be filed against non-impeachable officials within one year after their appointment; but Ma. Lourdes Sereno was appointed chief justice four years ago, in August 2012.
All these constitute a travesty of justice, which goes far beyond an attack on “the independence of the judiciary,” and a “betrayal of democracy,” which we all recognize. Judicial independence is attacked when a fire-breathing chief executive publicly tells the justices to remove their own chief. But the justices surrender so much more than their “independence” when they cower in cowardice and decide to invest themselves with a power they do not have just to comply with the unlawful presidential diktat. Much more than judicial independence is violated, and much more than democracy is betrayed. It is already grievously wrong when the President orders our hypothetically independent justices, whom he has no right to order, to interpret in his favor a law which otherwise tends against him and his interests. But for the justices to go far beyond this in order to obey the President’s wrongful order is multiple times more execrable and to be condemned. It does not only violate their theoretical “independence” as justices; it does not only betray our failed democracy, which has been betrayed so many times before; it violates their very nature as
men and women sworn to serve the rule of law and reason and the truth, Everyman’s intrinsic knowledge of what is right and what is wrong, what Rawls calls society’s common conception of justice. Darker than the dark knights In the story of England’s martyr Thomas Becket, a deeply troubled King Henry II, who did not want to hear the truth about the Church’s teaching on marriage from the Archbishop, mutters to himself, “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?” and his knights dutifully respond by slaying the holy priest inside his cathedral. But these are the King’s knights, not justices of the highest court. In DU30’s case, all he had to say was Sereno had become his enemy and he wanted her out, and at the Solicitor General’s lead, the justices fell in line with their carving knives. For me the only issue here is the validity of the quo warranto proceedings. Whether Sereno is innocent or guilty of the charges against her, the court has no right or power to try her, only the Senate impeachment court can and should. The authors of the Inquirer statement do not do her much justice when they suggest that the proceedings would be-
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OpiniOn & Features
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 5-8, 2018
A
Has the fight vs Duterte moved to...
PAGE A8 t
come acceptable if the “biased 5” would simply inhibit themselves. The bias of the justices is an important factor in a case where the party accepts the jurisdiction of the court, but this is next only to whether the court has the right, the duty or the power to try the chief justice. Even if it were shown that all the justices are totally unbiased against her—or that they are all biased in her favor—the issue of jurisdiction remains the primary issue. Even assuming there is not an honest bone in her body, the question is: Does the court have the right, the duty or the power to try this impeachable officer? Does DU30 have the authority or the power to remove her? This is the first and last question the people should take into account. Will the people rise? The most significant part of PEACE COVENANT. Candidates for the village and Sangguniang Kabataan polls sign an agreement to ensure peaceful, clean and honest elections on May 14, 2018. The signing was held at the Jose Rizal Elementary School in Pasay City. ManilaTimes.net photo by Andrea Dela Cruz the Inquirer statement says: “The State derives its power from the people. When the key instruments of the State conspire to subvert the Constitution and dePAGE A8 t visitors from across the world studio, how about applying their mocracy, the people must rise as the last bastion of our rights and a vision of transforming Echo will have visited the internation- creative imagination of enlisting those in homeless tents to make al flower exhibition. As such, Park Lake, once a swamp of dying lotuses and a stench that Keukenhof makes a contribution this city livable as a garden comwas unbelievably offensive. To- to tourism in the Netherlands. munity. If smaller cities can have a day, Echo Park Lake is thriving One hundred bulb growers will with fountains, with a walkable supply bulbs to the park and 500 makeover, bigger cities like LA trail that wraps around the lake, growers participate in the flower can also do it and only if its pohealthy plants and lotuses about shows,” as their website informs litical leaders, business leaders and community leaders and the to bloom, and a family and tour- us. If only the LA mayor and its residents all work together and ists destination. It also boasts of recreational paddle boats and a city council re-commit to a col- committed to the renaissance of healthy lunch place, named Bea- lective mission of delivering Los Angeles to become a garcon, where one can sit down and superior level of services to its den community and a vegetable enjoy an avocado toast, while city residents, more than its lo- tourism destination. Drive around the City of Pasaenjoying the view of a well-main- cal mayor serving as surrogate for fundraising in the national dena and you feel renewed seetained lake. I am hoping that current LA elections (though we know is ing all the green bushes and Mayor Eric Garcetti has more of important), we may perhaps re- trimmed trees. We can replicate these visions in him that could alize the potential of this city to that same feeling of serenity in revitalize LA city to live up to its be a destination city as a must- the City of Angels. *** identity as a garden community, see destination for its botanical much like Kuekenhoff, Kew Gar- gardens and the urban gardens Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly dens and even West Hollywood. in many homes as much as its column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 Can we have more conversations Hollywood attractions. Instead of simply using their years. She also contributes to Balikbayan for LA to live up to its city seal with symbols of olives, grapes current posts as stepping stones Magazine. Her training and experiences are in and oranges and remind our- for the next higher public office, science, food technology, law and community selves that our city’s identity is how about if these city leaders volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. sought ways for LA City’s poten- degree from the University of the Philippines, that of a garden community? In Holland, from mid-March to tials to be harnessed such that a law degree from Whittier College School of end of May, there is an increase LA City is more than a drive-by Law in California and a certificate on 21st of tourists eager to see acres and city, more than a city of trash Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy acres of their land in Kuekenhoff and litter on its public sidewalks, School of Government. She has been a planted to tulips, orchids, roses but a vibrant city of angels with participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught a rational, low-cost and afford- by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. and flowering bulbs. “On 22 March 2018, Keuken- able housing strategy, and be- Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, hof will be opening its gates for yond throwing in public funds Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico the 69th time. When it closes to subsidizing Section 8 housing and over 22 national parks in the US, in her eight weeks later, some 1 million for homeless folks at $1,300 per pursuit of love for nature and the arts.
Living as a garden community in...
freedoms.” This is wholly consistent with the Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, which says, “The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.” But “sovereignty,” like “freedom,” is an abstract value, for which our highest men of the law do not seem prepared to sacrifice anything, least of all their right and opportunity to worship in DU30’s political altar. Do the authors of the statement believe our people sufficiently understand what is at stake here, and are prepared to rise and defend what our justices are more than eager to throw away without a fight? According to figures released by the Department of Interior and Local Government as of end-December 2017, 3,967 drug suspects were killed in police anti-drug operations from July 1, 2016 to November 27, 2017, while invariably resisting arrest. Another 16,355 were reportedly killed under unclear circumstances, and their cases are still being investigated by the police. These
killings were normally attributed to “vigilantes,” not a single one of whom has ever been arrested or killed by the police, and whose victims ended up on the sidewalk wearing a cardboard sign, which said “I am a drug pusher, don’t be like me.” By this reckoning, a total of 20,322 had been killed in DU30’s anti-drug war as of Dec. 2017. Do we have at least an equivalent number of 20,322 Filipinos willing to risk their lives in defense of “democracy and freedom”? Assuming DU30’s dictatorial diktat and the justices’ decision to collaborate with him could no longer be stayed, and Sereno is finally removed by an unconstitutional ruling from which there is no appeal, would she be ready and willing to lead a popular uprising against the dictatorship? How many of us would be prepared to declare that the constitutional parliamentary struggle is over, and that our fight against the dictatorship has moved to a new phase? Or would the bravest among us be just sitting by, waiting for “the people to rise?” (ManilaTimes.net)
Dateline PhiliPPines
A10 May 5-8, 2018 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOURNaL
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It’s dangerous being a reporter — int’l press group by JOse
KatigbaK Philstar.com
The recent killing of Filipino broadcast journalist Edmund Sestoso is a stark reminder of the dangers of being a reporter, the group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Thursday, May 3, World Press Freedom Day. The group stressed that all governments should guarantee the safety of journalists, noting the public’s right to be informed by a free and independent media.
It added that it was appalled to learn that Sestoso died of injuries after being shot several times by a motorcycle-riding gunman in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on May 1, the Philippines’ Labor Day. Long regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, the Philippines has fallen six places in RSF’s 2018 World Press Freedom Index and is now ranked 133rd among 180 countries. The International Federation
of Journalists (IFJ) said there can be no press freedom when journalists live and work in fear in the face of serious attacks against them. It added that its proposed International Convention on the Safety and Independence of Journalists and Other Media Professionals offers a way forward. The event would tackle the obligation to protect journalists against attacks on their life, kidnappings, arbitrary arrest, violence and intimidation campaigns. It would also intensify international scrutiny over attacks against journalists, assist national authorities in understanding their international obligations and bring perpetrators to justice. “We cannot celebrate World Press Freedom Day without calling on world governments to take their responsibility to guarantee the safety of our colleagues,” said Philippe Leruth, IFJ president. n
WORLD’S STRONGEST MAN. Brian Shaw throws the 65-pound kettle bell on the second day of the World’s Strongest Man competition held in Pasay City. The American, who had won the contest four times, was one of 40 men who joined the competition. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
Pimentel, Sotto express openness to ‘leadership change’ in Senate SENATOR Panfilo Lacson may have apologized to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III about his statement on the looming leadership change but it did not necessarily mean that it was not going to happen. Sought for comment, Pimentel on Friday acknowledged that the change in the Senate leadership may happen anytime and should not be prevented. He said the leadership must always be attuned to the needs of the times and the needs of the members. “Hence changes can happen anytime and must be allowed to happen too,” Pimentel said in a text message to The Manila Times. Asked if he was offended by Lacson’s statement, Pimentel responded in the negative, adding that he was not the kind of person who would get offended easily. “At any rate I need to always talk to Sen. Sotto,” Pimentel said. Sen. Vicente Sotto III, for his part, said that the apology issued by Lacson was his way of showing that he did not want to preempt whatever he and the Senate president had discussed. “It simply means he did not want to preempt if ever there was any understanding or talks between us,” Sotto said. Pimentel and Sotto both de-
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Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Sen. Vicente Sotto III
nied the existence of an agreement on term-sharing, noting that decision on who should lead in the Senate would depend on their colleagues. Sotto, however, expressed his willingness to accept the leadership chores if his colleagues would entrust it to him. The Manila Times tried to get Lacson’s side on the matter but has not replied. Lacson in a news forum on Thursday, May 3, revealed that
there was an “understanding” between Pimentel and Sotto regarding the change as Pimentel would be preparing for his reelection bid in 2019. The senator, however, admitted that he had no idea when the transition would be implemented but noted that he expected it to be respected by his colleagues. Hours after making the statement, Lacson, in a tweet, apologized to Pimentel and clarified that his statement was based on
Inquirer.net photos
his understanding of the issue. Despite the apology, Lacson did not retract his statement about the leadership change. “An Apology is in order and is therefore offered to SP Pimentel. It was my understanding that [the]leadership change in the Senate between him and Sen. Sotto does exist,” Lacson said in a statement posted on his Twitter account also on Thursday. (Jefferson Antiporda/ManilaTimes.net)
More Filipinos oppose Charter change by Catherine
s. Valente
ManilaTimes.net
MORE Filipinos are not in favor of amending the 1987 Constitution, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey released on Wednesday, May 2. The poll, conducted from March 23 to 28, showed that 64 percent of Filipinos opposed Charter change or “Cha-cha” compared with only 44 percent in 2016, an increase of 20 percentage points. Of those who opposed Chacha, 32 percent were in favor of amending the Constitution sometime in the future while 32 percent said the Constitution should not be amended at all. The poll showed rising opposition to Cha-cha in Metro Manila (59 percent), Balance Luzon or Luzon except Metro Manila (71 percent) and Mindanao (58 percent). There was also increased opposition from Class ABC (61 percent) and Class D (48 percent). Twenty-three percent or about one in four Filipinos, on the other hand, were supportive of amending the Constitution. Public support for Cha-cha, however, declined by 14 percentage points from 37 percent in July 2016. Thirteen percent are ambivalent on the matter. The number of Filipinos who were aware of proposals to amend the Constitution increased to 49 percent from 41 percent in July 2016. Knowledge levels The Pulse Asia survey also showed that 71 percent of Filipinos had little to no knowledge of the proposed federal system of government as of March 2018. Of this figure, 43 percent had little knowledge, while 27 percent had almost no or no knowledge at all about federalism. “Lack or absence of awareness is reported by most Filipinos across geographic areas and socioeconomic classes [62 percent to 79 percent and 64 percent to 75 percent, respectively],” the survey said. Only 29 percent of Filipinos said they have a great deal or sufficient amount of knowledge about the issue. Of this, 7 percent said they have a great deal of knowledge on federalism, while 22 percent have sufficient knowledge on the matter. Despite the big proportion who
knew little to nothing about federalism, 66 percent of Filipinos were against the proposed shift to a federal form of government from the unitary system. Thirty-six percent of Filipinos expressed opposition to a shift in the system of government regardless of the timing of such change, while 30 percent were opposed to it but may be open to a shift to a federal government in the future. Only 27 percent were supportive of the change to a federal system, while 6 percent were ambivalent. The survey, conducted using face-to-face interviews among 1,200 adult respondents nationwide, had a ± 3 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level. President Rodrigo Duterte has long advocated federalism to tackle a yawning wealth gap, empower regional governments and recognize the country’s diverse make-up. But moves toward the shift to federalism have encountered strong opposition from some groups, including framers of the 1987 Constitution, who fear the new system will further empower political dynasties. Some critics believe the move to change the Constitution to facilitate federalism will also provide means for Duterte to hold on to power beyond 2022, when his single, six-year term ends. But the 72-year-old President has said several times that he would step down ahead of the end of his six-year term once the shift happened. Still possible Despite the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey, the Consultative Committee (ConCom), which will review the 1987 Constitution, believes shifting to federalism was still possible. The ConCom on Wednesday expressed confidence that public perception would change once the body presented to the public the proposed revisions. “Surveys are a pulse of a given population on a given issue at any given time. Thus, they change from time to time,” Reynato Puno, former Chief Justice and ConCom chairman, said. He said the ConCom views the survey results “as a guide and a challenge.” “The survey was taken at a time when the Consultative Committee is still formulating the proposed revisions. Once we are
done and the proposed revisions are presented to the public, we are confident that the public perception will change,” he said. “Ultimately, the true pulse of the people will be felt and shown when the plebiscite is held for the people to decide whether or not they want a new Constitution and a new system of government,” Puno added. ConCom spokesman Ding Generoso said: “Let us put the survey question in context: The question gave the respondents four choices: whether they favor amending the Constitution ‘now,’ or ‘not now but in the future,’ or ‘not at any other time’ or ‘don’t know.’” With these choices, Generoso added, those who say they are not in favor of amending the Constitution now but at some time in the future are in reality in favor of amending the Constitution. “To their mind, the future could be next year or it could be in 2019, when the proposed revisions may be ready for submission to them in a plebiscite,” he said. “Thus, in reality, those in favor of amending the Constitution now [23 percent] in favor of doing it in the future [32 percent] constitute a majority of 55 percent. This is consistent with the results of previous surveys since 1999,” Generoso added. On the question of federalism, he said, it is “inaccurate to compare” the results of the July 2016 survey with the results of the March 2018 survey because they asked a different question. Generoso noted that in the July 2016 survey, respondents were asked whether they were in favor of shifting to federalism and the choices were: in favor, undecided and not in favor. The result was 39 percent in favor, 33 percent not in favor and 28 percent undecided, he said. In the March 2018 survey, respondents were asked whether they were in favor of shifting to federalism now (27 percent), not now but in the future (30 percent), not at any time (36 percent) and don’t know (6 percent), Generoso noted. “If we apply the same interpretation, then it can actually be said that those in favor, now and at some time in the future, comprised 57 percent or a majority, [which is]higher than the 39 percent in July 2016,” he said.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 5-8, 2018
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PH ranks 2nd in Asia-Pacific in deaths due to household pollution
REMOVE IMPEACHABLE OFFICIALS. Mother Mary John Manansan (left) together with 56 leaders of the Coalition for Justice (CFJ) formally called on senators to fulfill the Senate’s Constitutional mandate to assert its power to remove impeachable officers, citing Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s impeachment case pending in the Lower House during a press conference at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday, May 2. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
De Lima, Trillanes seek to stop SC case vs Sereno
OPPOSiTiOn Senators leila De lima and Antonio Trillanes iV again urged the Supreme Court on Friday, May 4, not to entertain the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria lourdes Sereno. A day after at least three of their colleagues had rejected the call by the Coalition for Justice (CFJ) for the Senate to intervene in the case, De lima and Trillanes said that “as citizens and taxpayers,” they wanted to “remind the members of the Supreme Court that they are treading on dangerous grounds” in entertaining the petition. The Supreme Court is set to make a ruling on May 11—ahead
of the resumption of Congress sessions on May 15—on the petition of the Office of the Solicitor General to nullify Sereno’s appointment because she failed to submit her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth during the selection process for the Chief Justice. Suspend judgment CFJ, a broad coalition of activists, lawmakers, church and civil society leaders had pressed the Senate to assert its sole authority to remove impeachable officials by asking the high court to suspend judgment on the quo warranto case. But many senators were cool to the idea, noting that the House
of Representatives had deferred plenary deliberations on the impeachment case brought against Sereno. They also said that the Senate could not intervene in the affairs of the judiciary. in a joint statement, De lima and Trillanes said the Supreme Court would betray the integrity of the institution itself by taking action on the quo warranto case. They said the Supreme Court’s planned action would prevent Congress from exercising its powers of impeachment—a “betrayal of the Filipino people who ordained and promulgated the Constitution.” (DJ Yap/Inquirer. net)
POlluTiOn caused by traditional cooking fuel is killing people in the Philippines at higher rates than those in most other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The Philippines has earned the distinction of having the region’s second biggest number of deaths due to indoor air pollution, WHO said in a recent report. Data gathered by the world health agency showed that close to 84 deaths per 100,000 Filipinos were recorded in 2016 due to indoor or household air pollution. This put the Philippines second only to laos, where at least 85 deaths per 100,000 population were recorded. The Philippines also ranked third in the number of deaths at 45.3 per 100,000 due to outdoor air pollution. China recorded 81.5 deaths, and Mongolia, 48.8. “Air pollution is the most lethal environmental health threat in our region, and it affects people in middle-income countries at a much higher rate than those in
high-income countries,” WHO regional director for Western Pacific, Dr. Shin Young-soo, said. Use of kerosene, wood The number of deaths related to indoor air pollution in the Philippines may be due to the use of kerosene and wood in stoves, open fires and lamps. WHO noted that women and children were “most at risk” of household air pollution, as more than 40 percent of the world’s population had no access to clean cooking fuels and technologies in their homes. Outdoor air pollution is mainly caused by the “inefficient energy use in households, industry, the agriculture and transport sectors, and coal-fired power plants.” WHO said air quality could also be influenced by geographical, meteorological and seasonal factors. Dangerously high Air pollution levels in many parts of Asia “remain dangerously high,” the agency said. its new estimates also show that nine out of every 10 people world-
Provisional witness protection for Napoles ends on May 26 by
Kristine Joy Patag Philstar.com
MAnilA — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday, May 3, said that the provisional government protection of alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet lim-napoles is due to expire before the month ends. in a tweet report by The Star, the justice chief was quoted as saying that napoles’ provisional admission to the Witness Protection Program will end on May 26. On March 26, it was made public that napoles has been under the Department of Justice’s WPP since February 27. The businesswoman, believed to be the brains behind the multi-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund scam, sought a transfer from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to a safe house. But the Sandiganbayan junked napoles’ bid due to lack of merit as she is being lawfully detained and denied bail for plunder and other charges arising from her alleged involvement in the misuse
...
The Philippines has the third highest death rate in the region after China and Mongolia due to outdoor air pollution, says WHO. Inquirer.net photo
wide breathe air “containing high levels of pollutants.” Of the 7 million premature deaths due to air pollution, a third, or 2.2 million, were from the Western Pacific region, which includes the Philippines, WHO said. Heart disease, stroke More than half of the 2.2 million deaths related to air pollution were due to heart disease or stroke. Other leading ailments are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and pneumonia. Despite the latest data, WHO said the Western Pacific region had shown some “progress” in the last few years as measures were being taken to reduce air pollution from particulate matter. As a result, deaths went down by 600,000 from 2.8 million in 2012. “Many of the world’s megacities exceed WHO guideline levels for air quality by more than five times, representing a major risk to people’s health,” said Dr. Maria neira, WHO director of public health, environmental and social determinants of health. Good news neira added that the “good news is that we are seeing more and more governments increasing commitments to monitor and reduce air pollution as well as more global action from the health sector and other sectors like transport, housing and energy.” WHO is expected to hold later this year the first Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, which aims to bring together governments and partners in an effort to improve air quality and combat climate change. (Jovic Yee/Inquirer.net)
More Filipinos oppose Charter...
Janet Lim-Napoles
of public funds. The DOJ said that napoles executed an affidavit, and it will evaluate the its content to determine if she will be given full protection by the State. “After that, we will reevaluate whether her admission in the WPP should be extended or terminated,” Guevarra added. Guevarra has earlier said that napoles’ case is one of his priorities upon assuming the leadership of the justice department. napoles’ admission comes months after the DOJ—then led
Philstar.com photo
by former Justice chief Vitaliano Aguirre ii—said that it will reopen the investigation of multi-billiion Priority Development Assistance Program, under the administration of former President Benigno Aquino iii. Sen. leila De lima, who is Aguirre’s predecessor, also initiated a probe into the pork barrel scam. This led to the detention of Sens. Jinngoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile and Bong Revilla Jr. napoles’ inclusion in the WPP was met with heavy criticism, as her credibility as state witness was questioned. n
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Personal interests Opposition lawmakers also on Wednesday said the results of the Pulse Asia survey highlighted public fear that Cha-cha would only serve the personal interests of lawmakers. “The survey results are clear: The vast majority of the people find Charter change unacceptable. While our Constitution must be amended to ban political dynasties and institute reforms in political parties, the people don’t trust the prime movers of this Charter change, especially those in Congress,” Rep. Edgar Erice of Caloocan City said in a
statement. According to Rep. Gary Alejano of Magdalo party-list, “People have doubts on the real intention of the proponents in amending the Constitution. This is compounded by the lack of education on the contents of the proposed federal Constitution because the proponents do not even have a common draft to start with.” Rep. Tomasito Villarin of Akbayan party-list said the survey only proved that Filipinos were not falling for the claim of the Duterte administration that federalism would lead to prosperity. Rep. Rodel Batocabe of Ako Bicol party-list, an ally of Duterte,
said the survey results should make Congress think twice about pursuing Cha-cha especially with only a year left before the next national elections. But for Rep. Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City, hope springs eternal. “[The survey results] just reflect the need to really focus on educating and informing our citizens about what amending the Constitution really means. Congress should pursue it, with the corresponding efforts to educate the people on the necessity of these changes,” Tambunting said in a text message to The Manila Times. n
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Bruno Mars brings house down with PH concert party
DON’T let these baseball and basketball jerseys mislead you because singing superstar Bruno Mars’ sold out concert on Thursday, May 3, at Mall of Asia Arena (MOA) had nothing to do with anything sporty. It was all about swagger, funk, high-energy choreography and outstanding vocals from the world famous half-Puerto Rican-half Filipino artist, who Fil-Am actor Carlin James stars as Jose, a 17- was born and raised in Honolulu, year-old teenager who is preparing to move Hawaii. Filling MOA to the rafters, Jon Jon Augustavo’s “Just a Kid from Seattle” was filmed in Seattle over four days. It is a love away from Seattle following his mother’s Photo by Luis Perez Mars and his smooth and suave letter to the city he grew up in. Photo by Nick Beeba death. Hooligan band brought the house down in one big concert party from opening number “Finesse” to closing the show with crowd fa-
Fil-Am filmmaker debuts short film, ‘Just a Kid from Seattle,’ at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival LAAPFF runs until May 12
by Christina M. Oriel AJPress
IT’S that time of the year again — with May as Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month, Visual Communications is back to present the 34th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival from May 3 to 12. The 10-day festival features films, videos and panels by Asian international and Asian Pacific American artists and filmmakers across select cinemas in the city. This year’s lineup includes a handful of Filipino and FilipinoAmerican filmmakers. One of them is Jon Jon Augustavo, an award-winning Fil-Am director and filmmaker known for music videos and short films, who is debuting “Just a Kid from Seattle” on Wednesday, May 9 to an LA audience. “Just a Kid from Seattle” — produced by Sundance and sponsored by Visit Seattle — chronicles 17-year-old Jose (Fil-Am actor Carlin James) as he copes with his mother’s death and finds a new appreciation for his city. It’s a love letter to the city Augustavo grew up in and is loosely
based on his own upbringing and culture. Augustavo was deliberate in having the roughly 20-minute film characterize another side of the city that isn’t commercialized and full of postcard shots. Rather, viewers follow Jose and his friend Quinon (Ryan J. Lewis) as they maneuver around a multicultural neighborhood. For example, they go inside an Asian market where they get Filipino food and a barber shop, and play basketball with area kids. “The film represents the other part of Seattle that honestly people don’t know exists and the people of color there. In my opinion, people of color don’t exist in Seattle as far as the national consciousness where you see Starbucks, Amazon, ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’ ‘Frasier,’ and ’Greys Anatomy.’ There is a different cultural part of the city that I think is important to see,” Augustavo told the Asian Journal. Last fall, Augustavo put out a casting call for a Fil-Am male to play Jose and received nearly 100 submissions from LA, San Francisco, New York and Seattle. He was introduced to James through
Dante Basco and was struck by their similarities. When James read the role of Jose and eventually auditioned, he remarked that “it wasn’t too much of a stretch of who I am and how I grew up.” “Though I wasn’t too familiar with Seattle, I grew up in a not too nice area of Long Beach, where we’re dealing with the same issues of gentrification and having the heart and spirit of the neighborhood vanishing,” James told the Asian Journal. “The scene with the Asian market, it’s like the ones my parents went to.” Augustavo, who is Filipino from his mother’s side, has in recent years learned more about this part of his identity. He infuses some of those identifiers in the film as well, through items in Jose’s house or the food he eats. “The kid is mixed, like me, so he’s not your fully traditional Filipino kid, but he still has a connection to his culture. I threw in the types of foods that he likes, that we all like,” he said. “Little nuances of his Filipino ethnicity, but it’s split because he’s a very American, urban kid. I was trying PAGE B5
vorite “Just the Way You Are.” One amazing act indeed, not once did Mars fall short of breath or falter in song despite a non-stop set list, each one delivered with incredibly complicated dance moves. In fact, it was the singer who gave his band a break as he segued into a couple of his hit ballads. Following an hour-and-a-half high energy performance, Mars and the Hooligans showed up past midnight at a VIP after party at City of Dreams’ Chaos jam-packed Chaos bar and fired up another party with the crowd up on their feet for their five-minute medley. (Tessa Mauricio-Arriola/ManilaTimes.net)
Singer-songwriter Bruno Mars performs in a soldout concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, May 3, bringing the house down with his amazing act that saw his Filipino fans get into the party from his opening number “Finesse” to his finale and crowd favorite “Just the Way You Are.” Photo courtesy of Mall of Asia Arena
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Robert Lopez, wife Kristen nominated for Best Original Score by Deni Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo
nominated in the same category: Adrian Sutton for “Angels in America,” David Yazbek for “The Band’s Visit,” Jeff richmond and Nell Benjamin for “mean Girls” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.” “Frozen,” the musical adaptation of the animated blockbuster, got three nominations: Best original Score, Best Book and Best musical. robert and Kristen recently picked up their second Academy Award for Best original Song for their composition “remember me” from the Disney-Pixar animation “Coco.” If robert wins in the 2018 Tonys, it will be his fourth award Filipino-American composer Robert Lopez and wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez are among this from the most prestigious awardyear’s nominees for Best Original Score at the 72nd Tony Awards. Inquirer.net file photo giving body for theater productions. HoLLYWooD — Filipino- on may 1. In 2004, he picked up his first American composer robert Lopez The couple were nominated for Tony for Best original Score in and wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez their composition for the musical “Avenue Q.” This was followed by were nominated for Best original version of their blockbuster Dis- Best Book of a musical and Best Score at the 72nd Tony Awards. ney movie, “Frozen.” original Score for “The Book of The nominees were announced They will compete with others mormon” at the 2011 Tonys. Philstar.com
Vice Ganda burned out, depressed like Sarah by JAn
Milo seVeRo Philstar.com
IN spite having blockbuster movies, high-rating shows, and tons of followers and money that come with it, Kapamilya host and actor Vice Ganda revealed he also suffered depression and can relate to Sarah Geronimo’s feelings. In a previous interview with the press published in Boy Abunda’s column for Pilipino Star Ngayon, the “Unkabogable Star” said he was deeply affected by Sarah’s problem. “I actually experienced the same thing recently. I underwent depression,” he shared. “Ba’t ganun, andami kong pera, blockbuster mga pelikula ko, hit ang mga shows ko… ba’t hindi ako masaya?” the “It’s Showtime” host reportedly lamented. Vice also reportedly said that he was so “burned out” that he asked the ABS-CBN management to lessen his shows, to the point that he did not want to do a film fest entry. “Nagpaalam nga ako sa management. Tinanong ko kung puwede bang hindi na ako mag-film fest, puwede bang magbawas ako ng show.” He felt so low that he was having anxiety attacks and was
Vice Ganda and Sarah Geronimo
Photos from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin and @justsarahgph
unable to sleep well, so he had to see a psychiatrist. In his desperation, Vice sought advice from ogie Alcasid and regine Velasquez. The celebrity couple then told him that “The mind is the playground of the devil.” Because of the couple’s advice, Vice was able to recover from depression. “Feeling ko, ang devil, pinaglaruan yung utak ko para malungkot ako at hindi ako makapagpatawa. Para isipin kong pagod na
ako at umayaw na ako, para isipin kong hindi ako blessed at hindi ako masaya, para malungkot ako,” he said. “Ngayong alam ko nang pinagti-tripan ako nitong devil, hindi ko ito papayagan. every day, nakamind set ako – I have to be happy, I embrace my happiness and my blessings, and I have to serve my purpose. Kaya every day sa ‘Showtime,’ nagpapatawa ako dahil iyon ang purpose ko, at ‘yon ang masaya akong ginagawa ko,” he added.
LOMBARD BY THE BAY. Giovanni and Rosemarie de Vera Javier recently signed a letter of intent for the reservation of Penthouse unit at Lombard by the Bay at Montemaria project during the Marketing Partners Orientation and Training. Also in photo are Rene Cinco, President and CEO of Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate and Development Corp and Roger Oriel, Publisher and CEO of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (Advertising Supplement)
Lombard by the Bay: Peace of mind in the heart of Batangas
Former beauty queen, model, singer and actress rosemarie de Vera-Javier believes that when it comes to choosing a property — whether for personal or investment — security would be one of the most important things to look at. That is why it was not hard for her and her husband, Giovanni Javier, to reserve two units at Lombard by the Bay. “The number one concern of all balikbayans and foreign investors is the security [of a place]. At Lombard, the property will be secluded, giving you peace of mind,” de Vera-Javier said. Apart from security, the former mutya ng Pilipinas-Asia 1980 and miss Asia Pacific Quest 1980 was also in awe of how close the property is to nature. “We bought the penthouse and a unit facing Isla Verde,” shared de Vera-Javier. “If we are not mistaken, this is where the sun rises, with no obstructions of the view even in the future. We feel that it has a sense of
harmony to the nature especially if you are an artist (which runs in the family). A very healthy environment — the clean air, and the cool breeze from the bay and ocean. It has a calming effect to your body.” Aimed at providing the most fulfilling experience for its residence and guests, Lombard By The Bay is just a two-hour drive from manila. Situated on a plateau overlooking the beautiful Verde Island Passage which is considered the center of marine biodiversity in the world, it promises to be the perfect destination for retirees and tourists — local or not. It is also in close proximity to the tallest statue of the Virgin mary, mother of All Asia, towering at 317 ft. “We love the building renditions of the condos — it is modern with a touch of european style, all world-class designs,” she explained and continued, “Lombard By The Bay has breathtaking views of two incredible bodies of water — Batangas Bay and the
Pacific ocean, located on high elevation with lush panoramic green mountains. We could not ask for more.” on the business side, de VeraJavier believes Lombard By The Bay is a good investment. “You buy and sell the units then later, if you want to rent out your property, the rate is very good especially during the summer,” she said. “It is a win-win situation for investors because the prices are still low and later the demand will raise it high. And what they always say in the realty world — location, location, location.” Lombard By The Bay is a 2.1hectare condominium project within the 130-hectare development area at montemaria, Batangas City in the Province of Batangas, Philippines. It is a joint venture between Premier Asia Pacific real estate and Development, Inc. and omnicor Industrial estate & realty Center, Inc. and design by Arch Haus Asia. (Advertising Supplement)
Paras brothers, Jackie Forster reunion: 13 years in the making by niñA V. Guno Inquirer.net
AFTer years of begging to see her sons and a messy publicized row, former actress Jackie Forster has finally been reunited with eldest children Andre and Kobe Paras. Andre, 22, and Kobe, 20, are her children with ex-husband Benjie Paras. She was only 15 when they married; the former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) cager is 10 years her senior. She and Benjie separated in 2001. The two have since formed families with new partners: Jackie with a foreigner, and Benjie with former preschool teacher Lyxen Diomampo. Both have children with their respective significant others. In 2013, Jackie made an attempt to reach out to her boys through a YouTube video of their childhood pictures. She claimed that she hadn’t seen them since 2005. Both Andre and Kobe, then into adulthood, said they didn’t care about their biological mother and that they were happy with their stepmom. Jackie has persisted in airing her side and has been fearless in unearthing her marital woes, stating that she was “miserable” with Benjie in 2015 Instagram posts. She said she was reaching out to her sons through public social media posts because other avenues were to no avail. In a 2015 talk-show guesting at “Aquino & Abunda Tonight,” she relented, “I think it’s time to let go… but I will never stop loving them.” But her latest social media updates indicate that she never gave up on seeing her boys to whom she dedicated the hashtag #imis-
Jackie Forster with her children from her second husband, and Kobe Paras. Photos from Instagram/@jackie_forster
sandloveyouAndreandKobe. A picture of the three in manila shows the two towering men with their arms wrapped around their mom’s shoulders. “When you have little pieces of you walking around on earth, all you can do that makes the biggest difference is to pray for them,” Jackie mused. “I told you all — #prayerswork,” she said. She also made a request to the public: “I ask for everyone to please respect their privacy now, we have shared so much of our personal lives with everyone and we want to take this time to heal and bond.” Kobe expressed his sentiments on the comment section with an emphatic “I love you ma,” with a hug and kiss emojis. Family reunion It seems that even before Jackie announced her reunion, Kobe had already seen his mom in California where he was previously based to pursue a basketball career. Jackie posted a picture of Kobe with her three children from her second marriage, stating that it was taken in the middle of February this year.
Jackie with Andre Paras
on his Instagram Stories, Kobe shared the love for his mom and half-siblings. In a candid picture of him and Jackie speaking to each other, he wrote, “I got it from my momma.” He also shared a picture of them both from his childhood, and then one of him and his younger siblings. In a picture of clear blue skies with vast rays of sun shining through, he wrote, “The best things in life are the most unexpected ones.” Though he didn’t say what situation he was pertaining to, it’s certainly applicable to their reunion that had been long in the making.
Kim Chiu mesmerizes Duterte By JAn
Milo seVeRo Philstar.com
KAPAmILYA actress Kim Chiu excitedly shared on her Instagram account her experience hosting a Labor Day event of President rodrigo Duterte in her hometown Cebu on Tuesday, may 1. In her Instagram photo, the “Da one That Ghost Away” actress was seen wearing a white dress with the Philippine president by her side. “What a great experience!!!! just finished hosting an event for labor day here in my home town CeBU and in the presence of the President of the Philippines, Pres. rodrigo Duterte!!! ang galing!! never thought of this moment!!! kulba jud pero lingaw kaayo ug feeling! thanks @akosimangtomas for being a great co-host
bisaya/waray represent!,” she captioned. “may 1,2018 this experience will definitely one for the books!!! daghang salamat!!!!,” she added. While hosting the event, Kim also shared on her Instagram story some videos of Duterte making a speech. She hosted the event with Kapuso actor Tom rodriguez. In his speech, where he announced the executive order banning illegal “endo,” Duterte was briefly distracted after he saw Kim. Duterte asked if it is really Kim he was seeing, then praised Kim’s beauty. “Pero siya man na si Kim Chiu? Ikaw ‘yan ma’am? ‘Di, niingon ko ‘gwapa ka.’ Asa nga ko?” Duterte said.
Kim Chiu with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess
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When Joshua fought the battle of Jericho by
Emil PErito
The famous battle of Jericho is among the most fascinating and vividly described events in the Bible encompassing themes of faith, trust, and kept promises. “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NIV). Those were the words Joshua received from God as he lead the Israelite people to conquer the land of Canaan, following the death of Moses. Upon sneaking into the walled city of Jericho, the Israelite spies found a hideaway in the home of a woman named Rahab who although a prostitute, understood the sovereignty of God and said to the spies: “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:9-11, NIV)
With perfect timing, the spies escaped by rope out a window of Rahab’s home that was built into the wall. Promising to keep their plans a secret, the Israelite spies in return promised to keep her and her family safe during the battle — a promise signified by a scarlet cord tied to her window. Outside the wall, the Israelites were moving towards Canaan. Carrying the Ark of the Covenant at the instruction of God, the Jordan River miraculously made way for them much like the Red Sea parted for Moses. As they reached the wall of Jericho, Joshua was instructed by God to have the Israelites march around the walled city once a day, for six days. The priests continued to carry the Ark while
blowing trumpets. The soldiers remained silent. On the seventh day, they marched around Jericho’s wall seven times and at Joshua’s signal to shout, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The city was then conquered by the Israelites, and Rahab and her family were spared as promised. Jericho and its many ancient ruins, are just one of the many places included in our October 2018 pilgrimage itinerary to the holy Land, Jordan, and Dubai. established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us in our pilgrimage in October 2018. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863 - 0624, or visit us at www.airplustravel.net.
Angel Jones: Fitness regardless of age by ricky lo Philstar.com
FORTY showed how it was to be Body Beautiful at the Century Tuna Superbods 2018 finals night. Superbods winners were Jules Aquino, 25, a print model and runner; and Maureen Montagne, 24, a former Miss Arizona. For the first time, the search included the Superbods Ageless category. Winners were Angel Jones, 39, singer and the mother of rising star Tony Labrusca; and Johann Ludovica, 42, a BPO trainer. The inclusion proves that one can be at his or her fittest regardless of age. Bagging first runner-up awards were Anthony Wahl and Bella Ysmael in the Superbods category, and Mica Fuentes and Jerome Salvado for the Ageless category. The four winners each received P500,000 in cash; an appliance showcase worth P250,000 from Indesit, Mabe, and Philips; an editorial campaign contract from Zalora; a training contract from Star Magic; a one-year unlimited elite membership at Gold’s Gym; a May 2018 Mega Magazine supplement feature; P5,000 worth of Vansydical Sportswear; and a special prize from The Cove Manila where the grand finals was held. A Leo (Aug. 18, 1978), Angel stands 5’3”; weighs 105 lbs.; measures 32-26-34; and wears smallsize shirt and size 6.5 shoes. “I didn’t really have to prepare so much because being healthy, fit, and positive is my way of life,” Angel told Funfare. “It’s what I do daily for years. The changes I had to do involved more rearranging my schedules to give me space to mentally focus on the competition and to workout harder than normal daily.” Asked if she was trying to prove something, anything, when she joined the Superbods Ageless competition, Angel said, “Five years ago, I had just moved back to Manila from Canada and started over, trying to build my career again. I was broke, broken and broken-hearted. No one believed in me and I had to take embarrassingly low-paying gigs to survive. But I had a goal and a dream. I wanted to be a better person and to inspire
Angel Jones (second from left) is the New Century Tuna Superbods Ageless winner, along with Johann Ludovico (leftmost). The Superbods winners were Maureen Montagne (second from right) and Jules Aquino.
my children and others, build my career again and be on a billboard on eDSA, hahaha!!! I don’t know how or why anyone would want me but I knew I was meant to inspire people. And here we are. “I did want my voice to be heard. I wanted to inspire more people on a bigger scale of my advocacy of fitness, beauty, healing and self-love. I knew winning this competition was a perfect way for me to positively push my advocacy and inspire more. My career has been quiet for a while and it was perfect timing for me to be part of something meaningful that really reflected who I am now.” her son Tony cheered Angel right on. he was the proudest man that night when his mom’s name was announced the winner. “Our relationship is great now. he is really growing into such a wonderful man,” added Angel. “We usually talk about life and our dreams. We support each other and spur each other to be healthy, fit, positive, and meaningful and better people. he was so proud of my winning and was glad it was my time to shine after helping him shine.” Angel gave birth to Tony when she was barely out of her teens. (Tony’s dad is actor Boom Labrusca.) “I had Tony early and it was difficult being a teen mom. The judgment and stares were hard at times. But now, seeing how he has grown into a good man and me still being young enough to enjoy life with him has made all of
On son Tony Labrusca: Our relationship is great now. He is really growing into such a wonderful man. We usually talk about life and our dreams. We support each other; we spur each other to be healthy, fit, positive, and meaningful and better people. Philstar.com photos
it worth it. Financially, it’s always hard on single parents and emotionally it can be a challenge. It’s so important as mothers that we have the character we want our children to follow. Now having both my kids with me on the upswing of life has been everything I’ve always dreamed of.” Said Tony, “Fitness and health have been part of my mom’s lifestyle. She fits the look and life of a Century Tuna Superbods winner. I’m so proud of her. She deserves to shine now. It’s her time.” According to Angel, the only advice she gives Tony is to do things if they make him happy and a better person. “every time we get new projects, we always ask each other if it makes us happy. Also, to stay true to yourself. Being meaningful is very important to us.” What sort of diet do you regularly follow? “I try to eat mostly clean and plant-based food. I love lean meat like chicken and fish. I don’t label myself. I just try to eat as unprocessed as possible. A lot of Century Tuna of course.” What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner? “As soon as I wake up, I drink lemon water before I work out. Breakfast is usually boiled eggs; for lunch, salad or vegetables or sandwich like tuna; and for dinner some lean meat and vegetables.” Snacks in-between? “Yes, I eat six times a day. In between, I eat camote, boiled eggs and fruit.” How much water do you take per day? “I forget to drink a lot of water, so I always carry around a bottle with me, filled with ice-cold lemon-cucumber-mint-leaves water for anti bloat, and detox.” Food that you usually crave for? “Vegetables and fruit. I really love vegetables! But I always need a piece of dessert after eating meals. I have a sweet tooth and I need to take just one bite. My weakness is Krispy Kreme donuts and chocolate cake.” What vitamins are you taking? “I don’t take any supplements or vitamins, but sometimes I take multivitamins. I like using a lot of essential oils and generally try to take all my vitamins naturally through seeds, oils, vegetables and fruit.” How much workout do you do? “As much as possible, I work out every day with one rest day. I mix it up so it’s not boring. I do pole dance, circuit toning, yoga, boot camp, and sometimes solo-hit workouts (high-intensity training).” Your body looks perfect. But PAGE B4
FAKE TOURIST VISA RESULTED IN BEING SENT BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES AND LATER JEOPARDIZED HIS IMMIGRANT VISA DUE TO FRAUD - ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY! Johnnatan (second from left) got a tourist visa through a newspaper ad that advertised “NonAppearance” Visas for $2500. He entered the U.S. in 2002 without any problems, but when he returned in 2003, he was held at the airport and sent back to the Philippines, after U.S. Customs and Border Protection accused him of using a fake or counterfeit tourist visa. That meant a possible lifetime ban. Years later, his mother’s petition became current, and he was afraid how his fake visa would affect his and his daughter’s chances of immigrating to the U.S. Watch how a family was able to overcome a fraud charge and be reunited, on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY – this Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.
Love and the single millennial by Pablo
a. tariman Philstar.com
ON a late afternoon encounter, Shaina Magdayao and Matteo Guidicelli are in high spirits and eager to say something about their latest film, “Single Single: Love Is Not enough.” The new movie started as a TV series and owing to its consistently good following, the people behind it decided to make a movie out of it. Writer Lilit Reyes says the movie begins where the TV series ends. “It is a totally new story with more locations and a totally new twist. Otherwise, it is the same story of two millennials coping with young adult pains and the responsibility that go with it. I must say everyone — millennial and non-millennial — can relate with the story.” One way or the other, Matteo says he can relate with his role. “It is about millennials coming to terms with new responsibility and being tested as to how far love can last as the going gets rough. We all go through this one way or the other. For this reason, portraying the part was a breeze. I am a millennial myself and I am in touch with sad reality every millennial must face.” Matteo was initially associated with a racing career where he was
Matteo Guidicelli and Shaina Magdayao. They can pretty much relate to their roles. Philstar.com photo
a three-time winner of the Karter of the Year award. The grandson of the late Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan, Matteo got interested in acting after taking workshops at the New York Academy. he also underwent studies in performing arts in Chicago and came back to the Philippines ready for initial challenge. “having lived in the U.S. for many years, I knew what millennials go through. Unwanted pregnancies almost always lead to abortion clinics because they are not ready for parenthood. What they don’t know is that having a
baby is a blessing, a gift of life and should not be misconstrued as a ‘mistake.’ Millennials sometimes realize this later and sometimes it is too late to start all over. Coping with bills and unwanted pregnancies are too much for them late and soon.” Shaina joined showbiz at an early age and by this time, she is a veteran of coping with millennial blues. “Yes, at some point, you can say love is not enough. The responsibilities involved sometimes weigh you down and PAGE B4
Features
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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS TODAy, more than ever, people are more health conscious, and since food greatly impacts our health, we are also interested to know if the food we eat is healthy, and how much calories are in a portion of food items we choose to eat. It’s just like watching our budget for our financial health, or being aware of, or sensitive to, what we do and what we fail to do for our well-being, physical and spiritual health, and longevity. Calorie is the amount of energy in food/drink we ingest, and also the energy consumed or lost with any bodily activity. The more we eat, the more calories we absorbed into our body, and the more we exercise, the more we burn or lose calories. The balance in the calorie intake and output determines whether we maintain our current weight, lose weight, or gain pounds. The level of physical activity of the person is important. Using the Krause Formula, the standard average calories burned are as follows: Sedentary, just sitting behind the desk, 30 calories; average housewife chores, 40; carpenter, 45. In general, the average calorie requirement per day ranges between 1500 to 2000, but those who are overweight could reduce this to 1000 calories a day, under a physician’s advice. Diabetics have their own calculated calorie-intake. Eating 500 calories more a day (in excess of the total calorie requirement) will make a person gain one pound in a week, and, conversely, eating 500 calories less than the TCR per day will reduce one pound from the person’s body weight in a week. Pushing ourselves away from the dining table less than full is a lifesaver. The average calories burned in 30 minutes of any of these activities are as follows: sleeping, 35; typing on computer, 50; ironing, 63; cooking, 86; light housework, 115; mopping floor, 119; shopping, 102; fishing, 119; climbing hills (no load), 232; walking slowly, 106; walking briskly, 120; running slowly, 280; running fast, 384; jogging, 215; cycling, 123; swimming, 311; ballroom dancing, 98; aerobic dancing, 198; volleyball, 96; football, 253; basketball, 265; golf, 140; tennis, 209; and, badminton, 186. Foreplay in sex for 15 minutes burns about 22.5 calories and actual sexual intercourse for 15 minutes, 67.5 calories (a total of only 90 calories for the entire activity, believe it
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Is the Filipino diet healthy? Fil-Am stunt coordinator on working or not!). Most of the available information today on calories in the different food items pertain to western and European food varieties. In the Abbott Club Red publication, we found interesting data on calorie counts for various Filipino foods, delicacies and drinks. The following vegetables yield about 16 calories per cup or 90 g (cooked): ampalaya fruit, ampalaya leaves, Baguio beans, banana heart, cabbage, cauliflower, chayote fruit or leaves, eggplant, kangkong, malunngay leaves, mushroom, okra, patola, onion bulb, petsay, saluyot, and upo. Half cup of the following also provides 16 calories: coconut shoot (ubod), Mungbean sprout (togue), sitaw, canned green peas, sweet corn, and tomato juice. The fruits listed here give 40 calories: apple (1/2), atis (1 fruit), lakatan, latundan banana and chico, per piece; dalanghita (2); duhat (20 pieces); durian (30 g); grapes (10); guava (2); guyabano (1 slice); langka (40 g); lansones 97); mangosteen (3); melon (1 slice); papaya (1 slice); pineapple (1 slice); rambutan (8); santol (1); sinkamas (1/2, 110g); suha (3 segments); watermelon (1 slice); star apple (1/2), buko water (1 cup); banana-que (1/2); mango chips (2); maruya (1/4); turon (1/2). Thirty grams of the following provide 41 calories: tenderloin, porterhouse, shank, sirloin, shoulder, rump, chicken leg, breast (1/4), meat internal organs (3/4 cups); 1 slice of bangus, lapulapu, dalag, etc; bacon (1 slice) is 45 calories. And so with ½ avocado, a teaspoon of peanut butter, 5 pieces of pili nut, or a teaspoon of peanut or olive oil. Rice and rice products (the infamous carb) contain very high calories, 100 for each of the following: rice (1/2 cup); lugaw (1.5 cup); bibingka, galapong (1 slice); malagkit 91 slice); biko (1 slice); cassava cake (1/2 slice); espasol (2); kalamay, latik (1); kutsinta (1); palitaw, no coconut gratings (4); puto bumbong (2); sapin-sapin (1 slice); tikoy (1 slice); pan de sal (3); lady gingers (5); mammon tostado 93); hopia hapon (1.5); ensaymada 91); bihon, sotanghon, (each, 1 cup); kamote (1/2) ubi (1.3 cups); kastanyas (11 pieces); and, sago 9 1/2 cup). Table sugar, one teaspoon, 20 calories; and so with the following: taho with syrup and sago (1/4 cup); ube, haleya (1 teaspoon); and yema (1). Halo-halo (2.3 cups) has 80 calories and pulvoron (1), 40 calories. Each of the following carbos has 145 calories: buko pie (½ slice); bitso-bitso 1); hopia, baboy (1); hot cakes (1); fruit cake (1 slice); chocolate cake (1 slice);
Spanish bread (1); cinnamon roll (1). One half donut has 190 calories; croissant, 235; muffin, 290; éclair, 212, century egg, 135; embutido, 2.5, 187 calories. As for menu dishes, ½ cup adobong baboy, 302 calories; 1 cup callos, 260; 1 cup dinuguan, 124; ½ cup kare kare, 103; ½ cup kilawin, 113; litsong baboy (50 g) 273; lumpia fresh with sauce, 273; lumpia with peanut sauce, 403; 2/3 cup of menudo, 144; okoy with tagunton, 184; and, putsero, 1 cup, 282. Alcoholic drinks: Pure water, zero; beer, 11 oz, 163 calories; cognac, 75; gin, dry, 107 per jigger; ginebra, one bottle, 832; martini, 143; whisky, 107, wine, red, 73 a glass; white, 85; champagne, 85. All soft drinks are unhealthy, harmful to our body. Processed foods increase the risk for cancer. Daily physical exercise and counting calories are vital to our health and well-being. In general, the way we eat as a nation, our native diet is not healthy as it could be. For those who are health conscious, the Filipino food could be healthy. Eliminating rice in our diet, or cutting it down to half a cup or less, instead of 2 cups of cooked rice, would be a good start. While brown rice is better (lower glycemic index), it is still rice, still carb. Eating fish and a lot of vegetables, which are abundant in the Philippines, some nuts (like walnuts, almonds) and some fruits, and minimizing red meat to maybe once a week, will make the Filipino diet healthier. A good version is the Mediterranean Diet, and homeland has all the ingredients we want for a healthier. The trend among chefs and restauranteurs in major cities in the Philippines is towards healthier menus, controlled calories, low fat, low carb, high fiber…many popularizing fusion recipes. Let’s eat healthy to live longer and enjoy healthy eating. Our children should be taught by our example that health and wellbeing, prevention of illnesses, and longevity are all achievable through living a healthy lifestyle. Visit philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
with Ryan Reynolds in ‘Deadpool 2’
HOLLyWOOD — A FilipinoAmerican martial artist, who also serves as stunt coordinator in “Deadpool 2,” said that the movie is bigger, crazier and more expensive than the first. “All of the set pieces are three times what you saw in the first one. The challenge is to always do something you haven’t done before and keep everything new and dynamic,” said Jonathan Eusebio, who also did stunt coordination for over 63 films, including “Hitman,” “Bourne Ultimatum” and “300.” He also served as Keanu Reeves’ fight choreographer in many films, including “John Wick.” “Deadpool 2” star Ryan Reynolds does not only star in the title role, he also co-wrote and produced it. “Ryan is an incredible comedic talent,” said the movie’s director David Leitch. “And ‘Deadpool’ works as a perfect ground for things he really excels at. He took that character from the
F i l -A m m a r t i a l artist Jonathan Eusebio
comic books and made it his own brand. There’s a synergistic effect with ‘Deadpool’ and Ryan. He really is Deadpool in real life – in terms of the way he
talks and sees the world, sometimes. He’s funny and irreverent but also has a huge heart and compassion, like Deadpool.” (Philstar.com)
Spiral pole dancer is ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’ winner PETITE spiral pole dancer Kristel de Catalina—who was given the golden buzzer by judge Vice Ganda sending her straight to the semifinals— emerged as the grand winner of ABS-CBN’s talent search “Pilipinas Got Talent.” She beat nine other amazing and jaw-dropping acts in the show’s grand finals dubbed as “The Greatest Showdown” held last weekend at the Bren Z Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga. She said that her inspiration were her family especially her son and God, who made her win the competition. “I am overwhelmed. I have mixed emotions and I still can’t believe it. It was my family, who believed in my talent and God, who gave me this skill, which pushed me to win this battle,” the new talent sensation said. Garnering a final score of 99.67 percent from the viewers’ text and online votes and judges’ scores, de Catalina took home P2 million in cash plus a vacation package. She is first solo female act to win the competition since “Pilipinas
Kristel de Catalina bested nine other amazing talents; as show host Toni Gonzaga and judge Vice Ganda look on. ABS-CBN photo
Got Talent” was launched six years ago. She said she’ll save the prize money for his son’s education. “He is still seven years old so the two million will go a long way,” the young dancing mother said. Coming in second were the para duo of Julius and Rhea who garnered 84.6 percent of the combined votes and judges’ scores and Joven Olvido with 79.05 per-
cent at third place. De Catalina wowed the jampacked venue with her breathtaking aerial stunt and emotional spiral pole dancing act. She also topped the public’s votes in the semifinals which earned her a slot at the grand finals. “Pilipinas Got Talent” is hosted by Billy Crawford and Toni Gonzaga. Other judges are Freddie Garcia, Angel Locsin and Robin Padilla. (ManilaTimes.net)
Angel Jones: Fitness regardless... and fitness, I grew to be totally in love with myself and every inch of any part that needs improve- my body.” ment? And the most vulnerable “I used to hate everything part? about my body and face. I grew “My heart. I’ve had some terup insecure. After a lot of hard rible times growing up and in bad work, self-love, determination relationships so I’m very careful. I PAGE B3
learned to love myself and to only have high standards for myself first so I have healthy love to give back to my kids and everyone in my life.” Favorite part of your body? “My smile! Does that qualify? I know my smile is powerful and it can lighten up a room and make someone’s day. But also my abs, I worked hard for them!” Any other beauty secrets? “Happiness and confidence can make anyone gorgeous and shine.” How much sleep do you get per night? “I try to get at least six hours.” Last thing that you do before you go to sleep? “Kiss everyone good night and check social media.” And the first thing that you do as soon as you wake up? “Check my phone then drink my lemon water.” How do you relax, cope with stress? “Working out gives me peace. I usually work out first thing in the morning before my day starts. The endorphins help me deal with stress. I used to be anxious and depressed and I used working out to heal naturally, so now working out is my way to release stress. And laughter! I love laughing. I laugh through life. Laughing is natural medicine for the body and soul.” Favorite hideaway? “I love beaches. Any white sand beach will do. Boracay, Palawan, Siargao and Caramoan are some of my favorites.” Name three guys that you think have nice bodies. “A nice body without a nice character is useless. My son! He really has a great physique and it’s all natural. Hard work and a great heart! Simone Rota from the Azkals. Amazing body but his story and heart is even more amazing. My co-ambassador at the Red Whistle, Jay Gonzaga. He works hard on his mega body. His body is cut! But such a super great funny guy, grabe!” Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire him? “I’m straight forward. I usually smile and tell people straight what I like and dislike. No games.”
“Just a Kid from Seattle” director Jon Jon Augustavo and actor Carlin James.
Photo by Luis Perez
Fil-Am filmmaker debuts short film, ‘Just a Kid... PAGE B4
to balance that.” Of working with Augustavo, James remarked about the filmmaker’s artistic style. “Working with Jon Jon was a learning experience— he’s inspiring, passionate and has an amazing eye,” James said. “He’s big on doing one shot scenes which I haven’t done too much of. Basically the camera follows the action all the way through the scene. Me being a perfectionist would beg him to re-shoot some scenes even though he said they were fine.” The short film was shown during the Sundance Film Festival this past January, where Augustavo received mixed feedback, including from some viewers who were surprised to see how an Asian American male was portrayed. “Carlin’s part as Jose is a different Asian American male than what we we see. It’s not the first time ever but it’s rarely done. If you meet me, you get it. Jose is
very much like me, my brother, and his friends that I grew up. We didn’t grow up seeing that on screen,” Augustavo said. “It’s not just a kid who’s doing math or Spiderman’s sidekick who’s just telling jokes. you want a kid who’s leading. There are people like that but we don’t see that on film or TV. We need to open up that conversation about the types of Asian characters. If people could take that way from my film, that would be great because maybe someone else will write another story like that.” He hopes to develop “Just a Kid from Seattle” into a longer feature film with more social justice issues from a Fil-Am perspective. “In the last couple of years, I’ve become more aware of who I am and be more cognizant of why I’m doing something. If it doesn’t add to a conversation or have some merit artistically, I wonder if I should be doing the project. It’s a privileged thing to think, of course, but I think it’s important as a director, especially as a di-
rector of color,” he said. “Just a Kid from Seattle” will be shown on Wednesday night at Regal LA Live before “It’s a Party,” a feature film by Weldon Wong Powers. There are other Filipino/FilAm-made films not to be missed during the festival. On Friday, May 4, “Call Her Ganda,” a documentary by PJ Raval on the murder of trans Filipina woman Jennifer Laude was shown. On Sunday, May 6, “Prison Food” follows Fil-Am chef Johneric Concordia inside some of Asia’s most notorious prisons to see what food they serve, while Alexandra Cuerdo’s “ULAM: Main Dish” highlights Fil-Am chefs in LA and New york and their contributions to the Filipino food movement. On May 9, Mikhail Red’s “NEOMANILA” narrates a Filipino teenage orphan’s recruitment by a death squad. For more information and complete schedule of films, please visit https://festival.vconline.org/.
Love and the single...
in teleseryes. “Earlier, I played the role of a mother who lost her not even pure love can solve the baby. My latest role is a pregnant difficulties and the complications mother in Asintado. Somehow, I that might arise. At some point in learned to project what I see in your life, you decide it is some- film roles and what I see. Indeed, times better to let go. Life teaches difficult pregnancies sometimes you this and indeed life is a good make things hard for millenniteacher.” als. They are not used to that While she has not experienced and these are scenes taken up motherhood that her character in ‘Single Single’. These stages suddenly jumped into, she has actually help them come of age.” portrayed mother roles at least Matteo can only agree. “MillenPAGE B3
nials have big dreams but not all of them are willing to make a big sacrifice to attain them. Sometimes they live for the moment and not knowing what the future will hold for them. I can relate to this millennial predicament. When you reach adult age, you start dreaming and sometimes not all of them are easily reachable. But in all these millennial yearnings, I only have one goal in mind and that is to become a better version of myself.”
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 5-8, 2018
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Two men and Julie Ann San Jose Liza glad Aiza can take her out on dates again by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
by Lhar
Santiago ManilaTimes.net
Today sees the cast of “My Guitar Princess” busy taping anew for the much-awaited series on GMa Network. Premiering next week, the cast of Julie ann San Jose, Kiko Estrada and Gil Cuerva are all excited to see the pilot air just before the noontime variety show “Eat Bulaga,” with the female lead admitting she is also a bunch of nerves. “I’m sure everyone who has an upcoming show would feel nervous,” Julie thought out loud. “you feel anxious about what people will say about the show and your performance, but then again I’m excited for everyone to see it because I’m proud to say we have a very good show to offer the viewers. Masaya siya na at the same time, may puso.” Julie especially loves the fact that “My Guitar Princess” allows her to do the two things she loves most. “I get to sing and I get to act. Sa story, may conflict agad because sa simula, I really want to be a singer but my parents won’t even let me try [to become one]. Maraming pagtatalo between my parents and me, and then eventually, I get to meet some people na magiging dahilan for me to do what I really want and sing.” Making the plot more exciting are two leading men in Gil and Kiko as Elton and Justin who both fall in love with her. of the two actors, Julie shared, “It’s really an honor to work with Gil and Kiko. Both are very good actors at mababait sila. We get along well on the set. Masarap sila kakwentuhan at kakulitan.” Kiko was quick to return the compliment as he said, “Julie is very professional. She comes to the set prepared. Ang galing nga niya—we talk with one another on the set but when she faces the cameras she really delivers.
JM de Guzman
dESPITE the latest controversy hounding singer-songwriter aiza Seguerra, the past months since quitting her post as chairman of the National youth Commission (NyC) has been blissful. This, according to her married partner and Film development Council Chairman Liza diño, is especially so pocket wise. Liza laughingly told In the Know, “Ngayon nakakakain na uli kami sa magagandang restaurants!” apparently, aiza had no time for extra-curricular activities while she was head of the organization for more than a year. She had to sacrifice time with her family, and was also constrained to earn a salary so much less than what she made in her career. Even though her heart was in public service like Liza, the supportive partner related how she supported aiza in making the tough
Julie Ann San Jose with leading men Kiko Estrada (left) and Gil Cuerva.
Sobrang galing pa niyang ku manta.” “I agree,” Gil chimed in, adding, “Whenever I think I’m performing with somebody like Julie, parang ako yung nahihiya. My role is that of a pop star, kumakanta and I’m not a real singer. although I’m taking voice lessons and workshops right now, I’m still nervous just thinking I’m acting across asia’s Pop Sweetheart.” of course, since word about the new series got out, everyone has been asking Julie who she finds more good- looking between the two. Smiling every time she gets that question, Julie told Showbuzz she always says, “Pareho naman silang guwapo. I think I should just let the fans decide who I end up with in the story because I think that even the writers o
ABS-CBN photo
JM de Guzman thankful for second chance by iza igLeSiaS ManilaTimes.net
JuST when he thought his showbiz career was over, awardwinning actor JM de Guzman is overwhelmed by another opportunity to act anew on television after battling his problem with drug addiction. The once-troubled 29-year-old, who was a hit in the 2014 movie, “That Thing Called Tadhana” with angelica Panganiban, voluntarily went into rehab after going on a downward spiral in 2016. He has been on showbiz hiatus since and feels fortunate to be given a grand welcome by his home studio aBSCBN after everything that has happened to him. de Guzman faced the press for the first time at the media conference of his new series, “Precious Hearts Romances Presents araw Gabi,” co-starring young actress, Barbie Imperial, and wore his heart on his sleeve. “I’m nervous—that’s my initial feeling. But right now, mas nangi ngibabaw po yung overwhelming happiness. I’m just really grateful for all this,” said the actor who is looking both healthy and handsome for his comeback. He was eager to share how he has learned to improve his “coping skills,” which allows him today to better manage his life, with a support group he regularly sees. “May support group po ako na hindi binibitawan. I also have a monthly requirement where I need to attend therapy sessions with my peers inside [rehab], together with our families. Counseling is every day too,” he opened up. “I will graduate in July and pagka-graduate ko, mapapalitan yung group namin as graduate groups,” he added. de Guzman further opened up about the need to be humble and to always ask for help to be able to ensure a successful recovery. “Sa recovery po kasi hindi siya natatapos agad. It’s a lifelong struggle and fight. Pag tumigil ako humingi ng tulong or magpa-support, dun ako pwedeng madapa ulit.” It will be remembered de Guzman spent 17 months in rehab for drug abuse. He was in a relationship with actress Jessy Mendiola for two years before his addiction worsened, forcing the actress to break up with him. The situation also led to the premature cancellation of his soap
“angelito: ang Bagong yugto,” due to his erratic behavior on set. In late 2014, after completing his first rehab program, de Guzman made a showbiz comeback and rekindled his relationship with Mendiola. They only lasted five months, however, with de Guzman clarifying on Instagram the actress was not to blame for the break up, but rather his state of depression, anxiety attacks and bipolar disorder. In an ambush interview, de Guzman further denied that the breakup caused him to slip back to his addiction a second time. “Hindi ko pwedeng sisihin doon kasi lahat naman ng tao nagdadaan sa kahit anong problema. Sinisisi ko lahat sa mga maling choices na ginawa ko to deal with my problems. He confirmed he and Mendiola saw each other in a restaurant recently but were unable to greet each other. He said he is happy she is in a stable relationship with Luis Manzano. “Nagkikita kami ni Luis sa aSaP at lagi kaming nagbabatian. Si Jessy hindi pa po kami ulit nagkita. Wala lang pong opportunity,” he said. Now more positive about his recovery, de Guzman is following his doctors’ recommendation to take one showbiz project at a time. as such, he chose to forego a movie offer from Star Cinema to focus on his TV comeback. “Yung expectations ko noon na makabalik tinanggal ko na eh. Pinayagan lang ako ng rehab to reintegrate and make amends with aBS-CBN,” he revealed. “Kaya wala po akong inexpect na kahit ano at kaya nagulat nga po ako na meron pa po silang plano para sa akin. Sobra ko pong na-appreciate,” he sincerely stated. “Now I really count every second and papahalagahan ko. Sinisigu rado ko po na pagtatrabahuhan ko po at seseryosohin ko unlike before na binitawan ko at inasa ko sa sarili kong diskarte. Ngayon mas nakadikit po ako sa support group namin.” Eager to show he is a better version of himself as a person and an actor, de Guzman promises to give his best in “araw Gabi,” which premiered this week on aBS-CBN’s prime time block. under the direction of Theodore Boborol, the series also stars Barbie Imperial, Rita avila, Vina Morales, ara Mina, Raymond Bagatsing, Jane oiñeza, Phoebe Walker and ysabel ortega among others.
ManilaTimes.net photo
haven’t decided yet.” of course, even as Julie will be torn between two dreamy guys in the series, the “kilig” will just be for the cameras since she has already found someone who makes her heart flutter. Ever the levelheaded girl, she added, “I don’t mix my personal and my professional life. Mag kaiba sila. I don’t want my work to be affected by whatever’s happening in my personal life. That way I can work well and whatever relationship I am in, hindi rin naaapektuhan.”
Liza Diño and Aiza Seguerra
decision of leaving NyC. “I supported kung ano ang gusto niya and will continue to do so kasi iba rin naman ang trust at prinsipyo niya at the time that (s)he was with NyC. I know during the time (s)he was with NyC, ang heart and soul
Facebook Photo
niya and everything was devoted to really championing the advocacy of the youth.” Now, Liza is happy because she loves watching aiza recording again and being home to greet her after a hard day’s work at FdCP.
Is Paulo Avelino a ‘manggogoyo’ like Goyo? by Deni
roSe BernarDo Philstar.com
WHaT do actor Paulo avelino and National Hero Gen. Gregorio “Goyo” del Pilar have in common? Besides having good looks, both are rumored to be “manggogoyo” or “playboys.” Philstar.com asked Paulo if this is true, and during a recent interview for his launch as Berocca endorser, he jested: “No way! Ako nga ‘yung laging iniiwan eh. Ako nga ‘yung pine-play. Hindi, joke lang!”
“I was never a playboy,” he stressed, “I never two-timed or anything. Hindi naman sa dahil ti nataas ko ‘yung bangko ko, I really don’t find the sense in it.” “you know, if you love someone, then be with them. If you’re single, yes, you can date around, but ‘wag naman to the point you date around when you’re with someone.” Paulo admitted that he dated a Filipino-australian model and actress KC Concepcion. He also has a son with fellow “Starstruck” member LJ Reyes.
Paulo Avelino as Gen. Gregorio “Goyo” del Pilar Philstar.com photo
B MAY 5-8, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 5-8, 2018
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JOURNAL
The rebirth of denaturalization
Your Immigration Solution ATTY. MICHAEL BHOTIWIHOK & ATTY. NANCY MILLER UNDER current immigration law, the United States government may not revoke the citizenship of a person born in the United States. However, for individuals who naturalized, there is no guarantee that United States citizenship will last forever. While denaturalization in the United States has been rare in the past few decades, the process has recently experienced a rebirth. Denaturalization is process in which a United States citizen is stripped of his or her citizenship. As a result, the former United States citizen’s immigration status reverts to that of a lawful permanent resident and is subject to removal from the United States. The potential loss of United States citizenship can greatly affect one’s ability to live and work in the United States. It can be equally as problematic for the individual’s family members who received legal immigration status through him or her, because the family members will lose their status too. A person may be subject to revocation of United States citizenship if naturalization (or the underlying green card) is procured illegally or through concealment of material fact or willful misrepresentation. Other grounds for denaturalization can include membership or affiliation of certain organizations (Communist party, totalitarian party, or terrorist organization) or dishonorable discharge from the military within five years of naturalization. There are two primary ways that an individual may be stripped of his or her United States citizenship. The first, criminal denaturalization, occurs through a criminal conviction under 18 U.S.C. Section 1425. A conviction under this section of the law automatically triggers denaturalization. Normally in criminal denaturalization cases, an individual conceals that her or she was convicted of a previous crime
thereby withholding evidence of a material facts that would have resulted in the denial of naturalization. Other similar cases have involved the naturalization applicant withholding the fact of membership in a designated foreign terrorist organization or transnational criminal organization like a gang. With civil denaturalization under INA Section 340, the naturalized United States citizens may be subject to denaturalization proceedings by the United States Attorney’s Office in federal court if one obtains United States citizenship illegally, through the concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation. It is important to note that the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) cannot revoke citizenship administratively, but can recommend denaturalization proceedings to other parties in the Department of Justice for action. Last June 20017 in Maslenjak v. United States, the Supreme Court of the United States limited the United States Government’s power on denaturalization. At issue was whether the government could revoke naturalization based on immaterial false statements made during the naturalization process. In Maslenjak, Divna Maslenjuk gave false information to United States consular officials to gain entry to the United States. The Supreme Court held that false statement made during the naturalization process had to be relevant to gaining citizenship in order to justify revoking it later. The Supreme Court remanded the case back to the United State Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for the jury to be instructed to decide whether the false statement altered the naturalization process such that it influenced the grant of United State citizenship. In 2017 DHS began Operation Janus after it identified over 800 individuals who obtained United States citizenship under aliases after they had been deported or removed from the country. On January 5, 2018, a federal judge in New Jersey granted United States Government’s re-
quest to denaturalize Balijinder Singh, thus marking the first successful denaturalization case since Operation Janus’ start. The federal judge relied on the United States Supreme Court’s enumerated four requirements for denaturalization. The United State Government must show that the naturalized citizen misrepresented or concealed some facts, whether the misrepresentation or concealment was willful, whether the fact was material, and whether the naturalized citizen procured citizenship as a result of the misrepresentation or concealment. In this case, Mr. Singh deliberately willfully mispresented information on his naturalization application. Mr. Singh’s immigration status was revoked and reverted to a lawful permanent resident. He is now subject to removal proceedings at the discretion of DHS. Denaturalization should not be confused with the cancellation of a naturalization certificate. In cancelling the certificate, DHS is asserting that the person never properly completed the procedural requirements for naturalization and, thus, never became a citizen. Therefore, denaturalization is unnecessary and the person can be placed directly into removal proceedings. Denaturalization is extremely serious to the naturalized United States citizen and to any family members who obtained United States citizenship through them. Any naturalized United States citizen who may be subject to denaturalization proceedings must contact an experienced immigration attorney for an extensive analysis of the facts of his or her case. ***
Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com website: www.rreeves.com *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Petra, Aqaba, Jordan
(Tiberias, Ceasarea, Haifa, Meggido,Magdala, Nazareth, Cana, Mt Carmel, Capernaum, Mt. Beatitude, Jericho, Bethany, Mt.Tabor, Mount Zion, Mt. of Olives, Old & New Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Qumran, Masada Dead Sea, Allen by Bridge, Madaba, Mt Nebo Petra, Aqaba Jordan)
OCTOBER 18 to NOVEMBER 1, 2018 SPIRITUAL CHAPLAIN: REV. ANTONIO FLORES Oct. 18, 2018( Thursday) Day 1 – MNL HKG, TEL AVIV, ISRAEL Oct. 25, 2018 (Thursday) Day 8 - Jerusalem Trans-Atlantic flight from LAX to Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv, Mass at the Holy Eucharist Church of St Peter in Gallicantu “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...” (John 1:14) Israel. (Meals served in-flight) We will walk to view the Dome of the Rock from the outside, and visit the Oct. 18, 2018 (Friday) Day 1 – Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv/ Western Wall, ( Wailing Wall ) the only part of the Herodian Temple still Tiberias standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. Then, we will Arrival from Manila still Oct. 18,2018 late in the evening. After we clear drive to Mt. Zion, to visit the Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Immigration and Customs, will be met by our driver for transfer to tiberias . Supper, then survey the Dormition Abbey, and the Church of St. Peter in enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean. We will spend our first night Gallicantu, the site where Peter denied Jesus three times. After the day’s in Tiberias. Dinner and overnight (D). Gai Beach Hotel (Oct. 19, 2018) Holy tour, we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Jerusalem (B, D) Eucharist Notre Dame Vatican Hotel Oct. 20, 2018 (Saturday) Day 3 - Tiberias/ Meggido/ Nazareth/ Cana / Oct. 26, 2018 (Friday) Day 9 - Mount of Olives/Gethsemane/Bethlehem/ Mt Tabor Jerusalem (New City)/Ein Karem We will have short stop in Meggido and the Plains of Armageddon, known in Mass at the Church of Nativity Hebrew as Meggido, a giant fortress and City built by King Solomon. In the New “O mountain of God, receive me, a mother, with my child.” (Protoevangelium Testament book of Revelation, it is referred as the sites of the “final battle”. of James 22:3) From there, we will continue our drive into Nazareth, where we will have Mass We will arrive at the Mount of Olives, to enjoy another view of Jerusalem, in the Church of the Annunciation, the Cave of the Annunciation and visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the Dominus visit Joseph’s Workshop and Then we will move on to Cana of Galilee, where Flevit (“God wept”) sanctuary. Next, we’ll walk the Palm Sunday Road to the Our Lord performed His first miracle: changing water into wine at the wedding Garden of Gethsemane, and visit the Rock of Agony and the Church of feast. We will invite couples to Bless their marriage vows, Continue to Mount all Nations. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Bethlehem, a city whose name is Tabor, site of Jesus Transfiguration Afterward, we will head to Tiberias. Dinner recognized around the world. After celebrating Mass at the Church of Nativity, and overnight in Tiberias. (B/D).Gai Beach Hotel. we will see the Manger; visit the Church of St. Catherine, the Grotto of St. Oct. 21, 2018 (Sunday) Day 4 - Tiberias/Mount Beatitude/ Multiplication / Primacy/ Capernum/Boat Ride “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Early AM departures to Mt. Beatitude Drive up to Mount Beatitudes, visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people. Eucharistic Celebration. Enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Then to the Church Primacy of St Peters. Overnight Magdala ( BB, D)
Jerome and the Shepherds’ Fields. Then we will return to Jerusalem (New City), to view the Temple Model to see how it looked during the time of Jesus. Here, we will gain a better understanding between the old and new cities of Jerusalem. Up next is a trip to Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church, where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat”. We will end our day by returning to our Hotel. (B/D).
Oct. 23, 2018 (Tuesday) DAY 6 - Jordan Valley/Jericho/Bethany/ Jerusalem Mass at the Church of St. Lazarus MAGDALA, Israel – 2009 Discoveries from a new archaeological dig are creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and it’s the home of Mary Magdalene.”She lived here and she met Jesus here and she continued with Him. Yes, it’s that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue dating back to the time of Jesus. According to archaeologists, it’s the first one discovered in the Galilee.
famous mosaic map of the Holy Land. Then we will drive down to Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba (B/D). Movenpick Resort & Residence.
Oct. 27, 2018 (Saturday) Day 10 - Jerusalem/ Dead Sea/ Qumran/ Masada Mass at the Church of all Nations After breakfast, we will celebrate mass at the Church of all Nations and then we will drive to Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the Oct. 22, 2018 (Monday) Day 5 - Magdala Full day retreat , Focus will Include programs based on the historical caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s fortress and the Jew’s last stronghold against the Roman. Return to and Religious value of the Magdala sites Jerusalem for dinner and Overnight (B, D) More info coming up as we get closer to the dates MAGDALA, Israel – 2009 Discoveries from a new archaeological dig are Oct. 28, 2018 (Sunday) Day11 - Jerusalem/Allenby Bridge/Madaba/ creating excitement in the area where Jesus began his ministry. The village is Jordan/Mt. Nebo/ Aqaba called Magdala (Migdal in Hebrew), and it’s the home of Mary Magdalene.”She Mass at Mount Nebo lived here and she met Jesus here and she continued with Him. Yes, it’s On this day, we head to Allenby Bridge and cross into Jordan. We will go to that place The most important discovery in Magdala has been a synagogue the Baptismal Site at Bethany, which Pope John Paul II visited in 2000. dating back to the time of Jesus. According to archaeologists, it’s the first one Then, it’s on to Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Our discovered in the Galilee. next stop will be the Church of St. George in Madaba, which hosts the
Oct. 24, 2018 ( Wednesday) Day 7 - Jerusalem (Old City)/Via Dolorosa/ Mount Zion Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha.” (John 19:17) We will enter the Old City of Jerusalem and will follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) and say the Station of the Cross to the holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Our Lord. After mass, we return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we will enter the Old City, sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda. Then we will visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostratos (where the soldiers played the Game of Kings) and the Arch of the “Ecce Homo”. Dinner/Overnight Notre Dame Vatican hotel
Oct 29, 2018 (Monday) Day 12 - Aqaba/Petra Mass at Stella Maris Church – Aqaba After breakfast, we will journey through the Siq, until we get our first glimpse of the Khazneh (Treasury). Then will we walk down to visit the Temple and view the many caves all around the Theater. At the end of the tour, we will drive back to Aqaba for overnight and dinner (B/D). Movenpick Resort & Residence Oct. 30, 2018 (Tuesday) Day 13 - Aqaba/ Jerusalem We Cross the Jordanian Border to return to Jerusalem. Dinner/Overnight Oct. 31, 2018 (Wednesday) Day 14 - Jerusalem /Yad Vashem Museum/ TLV/ LAX After breakfast, we will visit the Yad Vashem Museum,is Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the dead; honoring Jews who fought against their Nazi oppressors and Gentiles who selflessly aided Jews in need; and researching the phenomenon of the Holocaust in particular and genocide in general, with the aim of avoiding such events in the future. After the Western Wall, Yad Vashem is the second-most-visited Israeli tourist site. Return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation in preparation for our return flight back to the USA after early dinner will be transferred to the airport for flight Oct 31, 2018 8:45 PM departure from TLV End of Our Memorable Pilgrimage to Jesus Home Land!!!
Marian Pilgrimage France, Spain & Portugal September 8 to September 21, 2018 Spiritual Director: rev. John Duy nguyen Still one of the great pilgrimages shrines in the world, visited by thousands of pilgrim’s. Arrive in Lourdes in the late afternoon, orientation to the shrines and spends some time in the sanctuary. Dinner & overnight. Sept. 9, 2018 - (Sunday) Day 2 - Paris (CDG) Arrived Paris CDG, Then after we clear immigration and collect our (BB, D) Luggage,. you will proceed to your hotel and have mass and dinner. Sept. 15, 2018 - (Saturday) Day 8 - Lourdes Overnight in Paris. (D) You will have early morning bath at the healing water of Lourdes. Then return to the hotel for breakfast. There after attend Holy Mass Sept. 10, 2018 - (Monday) Day 3 - Paris Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, also at the Grotto. continue the day with a walking tour of the shrines and known as the City of Light. Full day touring with local guide, including places associated with the life of St. Bernadette. Spend some time visit of the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Basilica of Sacre meditating on the passion of our Lord through more than life size Coeur, The chapel of the Miraculous Medal in Rue de Bac is the site exotic way of the sacrament and prayers. Afternoon will be free time of Marian Apparitions and contain the reliquaries of St. Catherine for private devotion. Dinner/overnight (BB, D) Laboure and St. Louise De Marillac. The shrine of St. Vincent the Paul is within walking distance, a few blocks from Rue De Bac, visit Sept. 16, 2018 - (Sunday) Day 9 - Lourdes / Zaragoza the chapel which houses the relic of St. Vincent the Paul. Overnight After Breakfast, you’ll continue your drive towards Zaragoza, Spain. Visit the shrines of Our Lady of Pillar, the 2nd most popular in Paris (BB/D) pilgrimages sites in Spain. See the Magnificent altar in the Basilica, built on site where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to the apostles Sept. 11, 2018 - (Tuesday) Day 4 - Paris/Lisieux After breakfast, Full day in Lisieux, home of St Therese, who at age St. James, before her assumption into heaven. Dinner/overnight 15, entered the convent and became Carmelite nun, she took the Zaragoza (BB, D) religious name of St Therese of the child Jesus and the Holy face. The spirituality of her little ways was not about extraordinary things, but Sept. 17, 2018 - (Monday) Day 10 - Zaragoza / Salamanca rather about doing simple things of life well and with extraordinary After breakfast you will embark on a trip to Salamanca. You will have love. She believed and taught that “Everything is Grace”, God’s face a short stop and panoramic tour of Avila. Upon arrival in Salamanca, and presence could be experienced in every person and situation of you will visit the Old Cathedral and tour the city. Dinner /overnight our lives, if we just attend with love and expectancy. She died at the Salamanca (BB, D) age of 24 believing that her life was really the beginning for God, promising to spend her heaven doing good on earth, her promised” Sept. 18, 2019 - (Tuesday) Day 11 - Salamanca / Fatima shower of Roses” began and have become a torrent in the church After Breakfast, you will spend the first half of the day touring ever since. Return to Paris, Dinner in a restaurant near the hotel. Salamanca. You will visit the new cathedral with a short stop at Plaza Mayor for lunch. After lunch you will continue to Fatima, the Overnight in Lisieux (BB, D) famous Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. Upon arrival you will have a Sept. 12, 2018 - (Wednesday) Day 5 - Lisieux / Nevers / Paray- short orientation tour of the Sanctuary. Attend the nightly Candlelight procession at the Shrine. Dinner and Overnight Fatima (BB, D) Le-Monial After Breakfast, Continue your drive to the picturesque Loire valley to Nevers, visit the convent of St. Gillard, where St. Bernadette’s Sept. 19, 2018 - (Wednesday) Day 12 - Fatima incorrupt body miraculously preserved since her death in 1879. Breakfast, then Visit the Museum dedicated to the Blessed Virgin At the conclusion of the eighteen apparitions of the Virgin Mary Mary followed by Mass at the Apparitions chapel, Full day Guided in Lourdes, St. Bernadette lived for 12 years as a member of the tours includes the Shrines ground, visit of the tombs of Francisco congregation of the sisters of charity of Nevers. St Gildard convent and Jacinta in the Basilica, In Aljustrel and Valinhos, you see the is her final resting place. After she was blessed with the apparitions two homes of the shepherds, site of Our Lady’s fourth apparitions. of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, St. Bernadette retired in Nevers. She Stop at the Parish church where the seers were baptized, and the received her religious habit in 1866. Continue to Paray-Le-Monial for cemetery where Francisco and Jacinta were once buried. You will do the station of the Cross. We encourage everyone to spend some time Dinner & Overnight (BB, D) in the Blessed Sacrament, which is open every day. Dinner/overnight Fátima. (BB, D) Sept. 13, 2018 - (Thursday) Day 6 - Paray-Le-Monial After Breakfast, you will tour Paray-Le-Monial. Your first stop is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and here you will celebrate Holy Sept. 20, 2018 - (Thursday) Day 13 - Fatima / Lisbon Eucharist. Then you will tour and admire the Romanesque basilica After breakfast ,you will proceed to Lisbon with stops at Santarem and see the Chapel of Apparitions. After the Basilica, you will proceed to visit the church of the Holy Miracle containing the Glorious to the Monastere e la Visitation. Visit the reliquary of Saint Margaret 13th century Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem .Then you will do a Mary of Alocoque at the Chapel of Visitation. Still to see and visit after panoramic city tour of Lisbon, with a visit to the Basilica of St Anthony lunch is the Park of the Chaplain and the Chapel of St. Colombiere. de Padua, St Jeronimo’s Monastery and the famous Belem Tower. Dinner/Overnight Lisbon (BB, D) Dinner & Overnight (BB, D) Sept. 8, 2018 - (Saturday) Day 1 USA/PARIS Transatlantic flight from USA to Paris (CDG )Meals serve on board.
Sept. 14, 2018 - (Friday) Day 7 - Paray-Le-Monial / Lourdes Sept. 21, 2018 - (Friday) - Early AM transfer to Lisbon After breakfast you will continue your pilgrimage to Lourdes. Lourdes, Airport for flight home to USA celebrating 160 Years of apparitions of Blessed Virgin to Bernadette. Full of wonderful memories of Our Pilgrimage
C MAY 5-8, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Community Journal
To people who need to file bankruptcy but are afraid of making a mistake A LOT of people who are in over their heads in debt think of filing bankruptcy as their last resort. But they are afraid that they might be making the wrong decision. After all, filing bankruptcy is not something that you do every day. Well, to address that concern, I’d like to first acknowledge the fact that the decision to file bankruptcy is not something that you should take lightly. Why? Because unless you speak with a knowledgeable and experienced bankruptcy attorney who will take the time to sit down with you and fully evaluate your case, you will never know whether filing bankruptcy will work for or against you. There are several things to be considered carefully: (1) Are there other options besides bankruptcy? (2) What type of bankruptcy will help you achieve your goal? (3) What types of debts do you have? (4) Are there any assets that may be at risk? (5) Are there any foreseeable changes in income in the near future? (6) How
Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BulAon does it impact credit and future financial goals? (7) How does it fit in your long-term financial planning (8) Will the advantages to be gained outweigh any possible disadvantages?. This list is not conclusive but is a good start when discussing the bankruptcy option with an attorney. A lot of people have a negative concept of bankruptcy. It’s mostly because of what they have heard from other people. They think that filing bankruptcy means that they will automatically lose everything that they have. This is ridiculous because the truth is that most people keep 100% and lose nothing when they do things right. So forget what you may have heard about
bankruptcy. Don’t believe it until you have actually spoken with an attorney who can advise you properly on all the legal aspects of your situation. One of the best things you can do for yourself to avoid making a mistake is by arming yourself with the knowledge that you need to make an informed decision. Ask a lot of questions but make sure that you are also willing to change your old way of doing things or otherwise, you will remain stuck where you are. The worst thing that can happen to you if you are in debt is to suffer NEEDLESSLY due to lack of knowledge and information when the very thing that you need to make your life better is right under your nose. Bankruptcy is certainly not for everyone. But after representing more than 5,000 clients in bankruptcy over the last 20 years, I have seen the dramatic improvement it has made in many people’s lives. Many marriages have been saved and thousands
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Tax Tips Victor Sy,
cPA, MBA
IF you have offshore bank accounts, should you report the accounts to the U.S. government? Yes, if the aggregate balances exceed $10,000 at any time during the year. What if you had the accounts before you left for the U.S.? Yes, you should. There are reasons why our government wants to know: combat money laundering, fight terrorism, and avert tax evasion. If you are not guilty of any of these conducts, there is nothing to worry about. Filing the report causes no harm, no foul. But there are penalties if you don’t. Read on and learn about FBAR. What is FBAR: It’s a Foreign Bank & Financial Accounts Report on FinCEN Form 114. Who Must File the FBAR: A United States person must e-file new FinCEN Form 114 if that person has financial interest in u PAGE C4 or signature authority over any financial accounts in a foreign country and the aggregate value of these accounts exceeds
The Prophetic Voice reVerend rodel G. BAlAGtAS “IN truth, God shows no partiality,” St. Paul wrote to speak of one of God’s attributes. It’s true in the sense that God does not favor anyone but sees all of us as his beloved children. It does not matter what status, means, education or background we have in the society. He’d pour his graces of love, mercy, and forgiveness onto anyone who turns to him. Each one of us is his beloved child. It’s difficult to grasp this truth if we base our perceptions on human standards. Indeed, we, human beings, do not see things as God sees or act as God would do. We’re people who tend to focus on prestige, power, image, and wealth and we often treat one another based on these values. There is a story of a new pastor who dressed up as a homeless
The ABCs of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)
$10,000 at any time during the calendar year. Definition of a United States Person: • A citizen or resident of the United States. • A domestic partnership, domestic corporation, domestic trust or estate. Definition of Foreign Financial Accounts: • Bank accounts such as savings accounts, checking accounts, and time deposits. • Securities accounts such as mutual funds, brokerage accounts, and securities derivatives. • Accounts where assets are held in a commingled fund that is a mutual fund. • And are located outside the United States, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands. Examples of Financial Interest: • A U.S. citizen left bank accounts of more than $10,000 in the Philippines. He must file FBAR. • U.S. resident (not U.S. citizen) has bank accounts of more than $10,000 in England. He
must file FBAR. Reporting for Joint Accounts: • If two persons jointly maintain an account, or if several persons each own a partial interest in an account, then each U.S. person has a financial interest in that account and each person must file an FBAR. • A spouse having a joint financial interest in an account with the filing spouse should be included as a joint account owner and does not need to file a separate FBAR. • If the filer’s spouse has separate accounts, that spouse must file a separate FBAR for all of the accounts, including those owned jointly with the spouse. Recordkeeping: The records should contain the following: • Name maintained on each account and number or other designation of the account. • Name and address of the foreign bank. • Name and address of other person with whom the account is maintained. • Type of account and maximum value of each account during the reporting period. Penalties for Failure to Report
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Drinking from the source guy on the day that parishioners came together in the church to welcome him. He sat at the back of the church to observe everyone who attended. No one talked to him. No ushers greeted him. In fact, everyone avoided sitting next to him. They thought that he was another homeless man who is a sore sight in the church vicinity. When the new pastor noticed that everyone in the packed church is patiently and anxiously waiting for the arrival of their new leader, he walked up to the altar, took the microphone and introduced himself eloquently. “Good evening,” he shouted, “I am Msgr. Dan, your new pastor.” The people could not believe that the person they avoided and ignored was the man dressed poorly and was sitting alone at the back of the church. The motive of the new pastor’s strategy was to make his parishioners realize God’s vision of inclusivity and openness, especially to the people at the margins of society and to those who feel
alienated. And that’s what he wanted to share with them from the start as he began his ministry with them. This Sunday’s Second Reading from the Acts of the Apostles illustrates this vision of God. The circumcised believers were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also, for they could hear these people speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?” He then ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. It takes a lot of efforts and conversion for each of us to exercise the same attributes of inclusiveness and openness. It’s easy to say that God commands us to love one another and to remain in his love, but it’s hard to practice it. The Gospel this Sunday gives us a clue to fidelity and strength
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Community Journal
Misclassified independent contractors or 1099 workers may be entitled to back pay WORKERS generally lose when they are classified as independent contractors (ICs) instead of as employees. Companies misclassify real employees as ICs in order to save money. This is good for the employer but not for the employee. Just a few days ago, the California Supreme Court issued a ruling that favors the classification of workers as employees. Dynamex Operations West, Inc. (“Dynamex”) is a nationwide on-demand, same-day pickup and delivery service with a large number of business clients. Dynamex classified its drivers as independent contractors in order to save money. As independent contractors drivers are required to provide their own vehicles and pay for all of their transportation expenses, including fuel, tolls, vehicle maintenance, and vehicle liability insurance, as well as all taxes and workers’ compensation insurance. Dynamex obtains its own customers and sets the rates to be charged to those customers for its delivery services. It also negotiates the amount to be paid to drivers on an individual basis. Drivers are generally free to set their own schedule but must notify Dynamex of the days they intend to work for Dynamex. Drivers are generally expected to wear Dynamex shirts and badges. Drivers must comply with a customer’s requirements regarding delivery times and sequence of
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. c. Joe SAyAS, Jr. stops. Drivers hired by Dynamex are permitted to hire other persons to make deliveries assigned by Dynamex. Drivers are permitted to make deliveries for another delivery company, including the driver’s own personal delivery business. Drivers are ordinarily hired for an indefinite period of time but Dynamex retains the authority to terminate its agreement with any driver without cause, on three days’ notice. Two Dynamex drivers filed a class action lawsuit against Dynamex alleged that Dynamex misclassified drivers as independent contractors. The complaint claimed that drivers are owed overtime pay and reimbursement for business expenses. The issue of what standard applies in determining employee or independent contractor status reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled that a worker is properly considered an independent contractor to whom a wage order does not apply only if the hiring entity establishes: that the worker is free from the control and direction of the hirer in connection with the performance of the work, both under
the contract and in fact; that the worker performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business; and (C) that the worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as the work performed for the hiring entity. The Court called this the ABC standard. Applying this standard, the High Court ruled that the drivers are employees. Thus, the court’s ruling presumes that a worker hired by an entity is an employee and places the burden on the hirer to establish that the worker is an independent contractor. If the hirer fails to show that the worker satisfies each of the three criteria, the worker must be treated as an employee, not an independent contractor. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [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 the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement)
Can a divorcing couple agree to pay for their adult children’s college expenses in their divorce judgment? DIVORCING couples with children sometimes worry about who is going to pay for their children’s college education after the divorce once their children graduates high school. They want a guarantee that their soon to be ex-spouse will share in the college expenses of their children. This is specially the case when the other spouse has moved on with a new family. The old family becomes less of a priority. In California, there is no legal basis for a spouse to request the family court to order the other spouse to pay for their adult children’s college expenses. However, the divorcing couple can agree to pay for their adult children’s college education as part of a marital settlement agreement. Family Code section 3587; In re Marriage of Rosenfeld and Gross, 225 Cal. App. 4th 478 (2014). Pursuant to statute and court cases, college expense payment provision in a stipulated marital settlement agreement, as incorporated into a Court’s judgment, constitutes adult child support such that court had jurisdiction to modify the provision in light of the settlement’s failure to specifically provide that adult child support was not subject to modification. In re Marriage of Rosenfeld and Gross, 225 Cal. App. 4th at 488 (2014). Providing for payment of adult children’s college expenses is recognized more of an “add on” to
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng
I had my seniors’ week last week — two different seniors, both over 80 came to see me for different reasons. The first was 83. He was in good health, just a little stooped. He still works full time and receives social security, while his wife receives a small social security. He and his wife live with their son, so they have no mortgage or rent expenses, which is good. He has a new car and pays a car loan of $400. He wants to keep the car. He has an old car that he used as collateral for a highinterest loan. He does not want to keep the old car because the high-interest loan requires $500 a month at 50 percent annual interest. Yes, that’s pretty high interest for a secured debt. His problem is $35,000 of credit card debt that he has kept current for the last 15 years, paying $1,000 a month. He thought it wasn’t such a great idea keeping them current in the last 15 years because he already forked over $180,000 in the last 15 years to keep them current, and surprise! He still owes the same $35,000 now. He thought he certainly would have been happier now if he had that $180,000 in his pocket. He could take his wife, his sweetheart of 60 years cruising all over the world and pay cash for those cruises. His wife wanted to take a
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS adult child support. Family Code 4062(b)(1). However, the parties may “opt out” or restrict the court’s jurisdiction to modify an adult child support order (including college expenses) but the parties must expressly and specifically state in their marital settlement agreement that any resulting adult child support order will not be subject to modification or termination by the Court because the adult child support order is rooted in the parent’s contractual agreement. Cal. Family Code Section 3587, 3651(a). So if you are concerned about your spouse sharing for the college tuition and expenses of your children after the divorce, you should negotiate a provision in your marital agreement that both of you will share on the college tuition and expenses of your children. In doing so, you should also think about whether you want this provision to be non-modifiable or not. In the absence of a specific provision limiting adult child support as nonmodifiable and non-terminable,
the default is that child support is modifiable. Sometimes, leaving the adult child support provision as modifiable protects the spouses from unforeseen future events such as a disability or retirement which limits the earning capacity of a spouse and ability to comply with the adult child support provision in the MSA. *** 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 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 kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Seniors plan their golden years One gets rid of debt, while other attempts to collect money lent
cruise to the Greek isles and the Mediterranean coast, maybe spend a couple of days in Barcelona, enjoying the artwork of Dali and the whimsical architecture of Gaudi. He wanted to see the office of the Philippine tobacco company, which was in Barcelona when the Spaniards were still lording it over the islands. I asked him what’s your connection with the Philippine tobacco company anyway? He said his grandfather worked for that company his whole life and all he got from it was a gold plated watch and a gold plated cigar; not even a good pension that he could live with. “Why was your grandfather a Spaniard,” I asked? He was an illustrado, he said, with a mustache that made him look like Pancho Villa. I asked him if he could still speak Spanish and he said “Claro que si, senor abogado.” In fact, he told me that he still had many relatives in Barcelona, that’s why he wanted to bring his sweetheart to visit, and he wanted to meet all his Spanish relatives. Well, I told him that if you had gotten rid of your $35,000 of credit card debt 15 years ago with a Chapter 7 petition, then today, you could actually buy a condo on the south coast of Spain, and retire there with your sweetheart for a quarter of the cost of living in LA. Instead of being able to retire there with a fully paid condo overlooking the tranquil
Mediterranean, you now have to get rid of your $35,000 of credit card debt, and live in a tiny room with your son. Think about the opportunity you missed to live on the South coast of Spain now, just because you wanted to keep your $35,000 of credit cards current for 15 years. And even if you prefer to live here in LA, the $180,000 of cash in your pocket, well managed, can give you an extra $700 of income a month, which you can use to indulge what you and your wife want to do now. Otherwise, you wake up every day and just stare at each other, or watch TV the whole day. Not really an exciting way of living your golden years, is it? He chooses to file a Chapter 7 to get rid of $35,000 credit cards even though it’s way too late. Better late than never. The second senior is 80. His wife passed away recently. They have no children but have a lot of relatives who owe him money. He and his wife were generous in lending a helping hand to their relatives when they were younger — $50,000 to a cousin who wanted to buy a UPS store and $40,000 to a brother who wanted to buy a restaurant. You know what I mean. The money lent has stacked up over the years and has not been repaid. He feels insecure now because he has maintenance expenses now, which are escalating. Just the caregiver
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 5-8, 2018
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Automatically acquiring US citizenship
THERE are opportunities in the immigration laws for an individual to automatically become a United States citizen. As U.S. citizenship bestows tremendous benefits, it is important for individuals to know when U.S. citizenship can automatically be derived and what to obtain to properly document a person’s U.S. citizenship. This is especially true for an individual who may be facing deportation proceedings from the U.S., who may not even realize that he/she is already a U.S. citizen and therefore not deportable. The laws governing automatic U.S. citizenship are exceptionally complex since the requirements vary depending on when an individual was born. For individuals born on or after February 28, 1983, automatic acquisition of U.S. citizenship is governed by the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. Under this law, a foreign-born individual automatically becomes a U.S. citizen if all of the following requirements are met before the individual turns 18 years old: 1) at least one parent is a U.S. citizen, by either birth or naturalization; 2) the individual is residing permanently in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent; and (3) the individual is a lawful permanent resident. Additionally, if the child is born out of wedlock and claiming citizenship through the U.S. citizen father, the child must be legitimated or a bona fide father-child relationship must exist prior to the child’s 18th birthday. Accordingly, a child who adjusts status based on a petition by a U.S. citizen parent will often automatically acquire U.S. citizenship immediately upon being
AmericAn DreAm Allison Aquino-silvA, Esq granted permanent residency. For a child who enters the U.S as a permanent resident and fulfills all of the foregoing requirements, the child automatically becomes a U.S. citizen upon entry into the U.S. For individuals born before February 28, 1983, the laws pertaining to the automatic acquisition of U.S. citizenship are significantly more burdensome. There are various laws depending on the individual’s date of birth and whether the U.S. citizen is the individual’s mother or father. For individuals where neither parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of the individual’s birth, automatic citizenship is derived only if both parents become naturalized US citizens prior to the child’s 18th birthday. If the individual’s parents were not married, however, then citizenship can be automatically acquired, but eligibility greatly depends on whether the U.S. citizen parent is the mother or father, as well as any court orders regarding the custody over the child. For individuals with a parent who was a U.S. citizen at the time of the individual’s birth, the ability to automatically acquire U.S. citizenship is also available. While requirements vary depending on the individual’s date of birth, acquiring U.S. citizenship generally requires the U.S.
citizen parent to have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years as a U.S. citizen before the child was born. Individuals who automatically acquire U.S. citizenship should obtain evidence of their U.S. citizenship sooner than later by applying for either a U.S. passport and/or a Certificate of Citizenship. This is especially useful for individuals who wish to be absent from the U.S. for a significant period of time, such as children who wish to complete their studies overseas. It is also extremely important to an individual who may be faced with removal proceedings from the U.S. due to a criminal conviction as the ability to prove U.S. citizenship would stop the individual’s deportation. The acquisition of U.S. citizenship is a treasure sought by so many. The opportunity to automatically acquire citizenship is a tremendous avenue toward maintaining family unity and asserting a voice in the U.S. community. Given the vast complexity of the laws governing automatic acquisition of U.S. citizenship, individuals must ensure that they have proper legal representation to aid them in navigating through the immigration system. *** For further information, please schedule an appointment with an attorney at Aquino & Loew, Certified Immigration Law Specialists; (888) 797-1140 or (626) 799-3089; info@aquinoloew. com. Please also visit Aquino & Loew at www.aquinoloew.com, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, and read about us on Yelp. Aquino & Loew also handles family law and criminal matters. Providing Personalized Service Nationwide & Abroad Since 1996. (Advertising Supplement)
Drinking from the source
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to follow God’s commands. It’s our friendship with Jesus in prayer. As friends, he’s at our side to strengthen us, to enlarge our hearts so that we can welcome others in our lives, forgive, and let go of prejudices, anger, and resentments. Fr. Ron Rolheiser calls this connection as drinking from a source outside ourselves. He says that “unless you drink from a source outside of yourself, your natural proclivities for paranoia, bitterness, and hatred will invariably swallow you.” This outside source is God when we relate to him in prayer.
Jesus modeled this life of prayer to us in his relationship with his Father. He would come away to a deserted place to draw source from his Father. As Fr. Rolheiser explains, it was only by drinking in strength from the Source that Jesus was able “to meet hatred with love, to genuinely forgive others, to endure misunderstanding and opposition without giving in to self-pity and bitterness, and to retain with himself a center of peace and non-violence.” Let’s drink in strength from the source of love for He is love. In this way, we can rid ourselves of arrogance, discrimination, mis-
understanding, bitterness, and anger, and remain in love with one another. Amen. *** 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.
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
C4 MAY 5-8, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Calendar of Events across
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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 3 -1 2
34th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival The 34th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will be presented May 3 - May 12, 2018 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. Since 1983, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival has presented over 4,000 films, videos, and digital mediaworks by Asian international and Asian Pacific American artists, and additionally features seminars and panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards. The Film Festival continues to be the largest festival of its kind in Southern California and is the premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific American and international cinema. To learn about Visual Communications, visit www. vconline.org.
M AY 5
Filipino Women Organizers’ Forum in San Francisco, CA The Filipino American Center of the San Francisco Public Library and the Filipino American Human Rights Alliance of San Francisco present “Filipino Women Pushing Back: Planting Seeds of Hope and Resistance in the Philippines” on Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 3-5pm at the Learning Studio of the San Francisco Public Library (Main Library/5th Floor; next to The Bridge at Main). Featured speakers are Susan Quimpo and Aimee Santos-Lyons. This event is free to the public. Quimpo is co-author and co-editor of “Subversive Lives: A Family Memoir of the Marcos Years” and who watched her family members drawn into the anti-dictatorship movement where they found themselves pursued by the Marcos police and military. Santos-Lyons, meanwhile, is a longtime organizer in various communities and movements, fighting for racial, gender and economic justice. Both women will share the lessons gleaned from the Marcos dictatorship and their efforts in helping develop brave and powerful resisters. The San Francisco Public Library is located at 100 Larkin Street (at Grove); information about the forum or SFPL’s other programs are available by calling (415) 557-4400 or visiting www.sfpl.org. [All programs at the Library are free. This is a Politics and Current Affairs program. There views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.]
M AY 1 2
Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown hosts “Rotary Pride” in LA Rotary Club of Historic Filipinotown cordially invites you to its “Rotary Pride” event on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. With a FUN evening of Dinner, live band entertainment, dancing & door prizes with a surprise presentation. It will be held at Filipino Cultural Center (FCC) — 1740 Temple St., Los Angeles, CA. It is $50 per person ($65 per person after May 3). Proceeds to benefit a rotary project in the community and internationally.
M AY 1 3
TIKIM Filipino Food Fun Run in San Mateo, CA ABS-CBN International The Filipino Channel (TFC) will hold the 1st TIKIM Filipino Food Fun Run at the Coyote Point Recreation Area (1701 Coyote Point Drive) in San Mateo on Sunday, May 13. The run starts at 8am, while the food festival (Duck Pond area/picnic sites 5-8) starts at 10am. The purpose of the event is to celebrate on Mother’s Day everything about family, fitness, fun and Filipino food flavors. The event is open to all ages, gender and races. Every kilometer of the 5K fun run will have Filipino taste stations, with a food festival and entertainment past the finish line. More importantly, participants who register and join the fun run help provide meals for 10 malnourished children in the Philippines via ABS-CBN Foundation International’s Bantay Bata (Child Watch) program. Every month, the program feeds 300 children with one nutritious meal a day during school time. For more information about the TIKIM event and AFI Bantay Bata can be found by visiting https://mytfc.com/tikim and http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/.
M AY 1 8
Case for Kids Fundraiser in Tracy, CA ABS-CBN International The Filipino Channel (TFC) will hold the 1st TIKIM Filipino Food Fun Run at the Coyote Point Recreation Area (1701 Coyote Point Drive) in San Mateo on Sunday, May 13. The run starts at 8am, while the food festival (Duck Pond area/picnic sites 5-8) starts at 10am. The purpose of the event is to celebrate on Mother’s Day everything about family, fitness, fun and Filipino food flavors. The event is open to all ages, gender and races. Every kilometer of the 5K fun run will have Filipino taste stations, with a food festival and entertainment past the finish line. More importantly, participants who register and join the fun run help provide meals for 10 malnourished children in the Philippines via ABS-CBN Foundation International’s Bantay Bata (Child Watch) program. Every month, the program feeds 300 children with one nutritious meal a day during school time. For more information about the TIKIM event and AFI Bantay Bata can be found by visiting https://mytfc.com/tikim and http://www.abscbnfoundation.org/.
The Asian American Group to celebrate first annual Asian Culture Day in Las Vegas On Friday, May 18, the Asian American Group (AAG) will celebrate the first annual Asian Culture Day. The event will be held at the Conference Center of Las Vegas (6590 Bermuda Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119), and will start at 6 p.m. There will be a variety of Asian dishes and cultural performances at the celebration. The primary goal of the Asian Culture Day celebration is to invite and unite the Asian nations of the world, and to educate and share their respective cultures in order to achieve greater understanding and fellowship between nations. The annual Asian Culture Day was established by Senate Bill 175, which proclaims every 18th of May as Asian Culture Day in the state of Nevada. The bill was introduced and authored by State Senator Scott Hammond, and was signed into law by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval last year. The bill gives recognition to the Asians and Asian-Americans who were instrumental in the settlement and early development of the State of Nevada; the culture and traditions shared by Asians and AsianAmericans; and the Asian and Asian-American communities that continue to make important contributions to the cultural, religious, political, and business environment. To purchase tickets visit https://www.asianamericangroup.org/saac-2/.
M AY 22
SIPA hosts Spotlight on EntrePINAY Success in LA SIPA hosts Spotlight on EntrePINAY Success in LA Take a break and join Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) for a coffee + custard mixer on Tuesday, May 22. Learn from Kristine de la Cruz’s business journey from Créme Caramel LA and FrankieLucy Bakeshop, which is a collaboration with Annie Choi of Found Coffee. It will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at FrankieLucy Bakeshop (3116 Sunset Blvd Unit 1/2, Los Angeles, CA 90026). Limited tickets available. Please RSVP on Eventbrite: https://spotlighton-entrepinay-success.eventbrite.com. For more information or any questions, contact: Fidji Victoriano at fvictoriano@esipa.org or (424) 235-5011.
M AY 26
FACCGLA’s bowling tournament Kalayaan Incorporated, Southern California’s foremost celebrant of Philippine Independence will host the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 9, at the Universal Hilton Hotel, Universal City, California. For more information, contact Erlinda Granada-Sabah at (562) 682-9576; or Malou Perez at mperez0813@ aol.com.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
Legal-Ease: An Attorney’s Perspective JUDD MATSUNAGA ESQ FOR most of us, busy driving the kids (or grand-kids) to school, going to work, and trying to pay the bills, the last thing on our minds is our mortality. Perhaps that’s why more than 64% of Americans don’t have a will. It’s also partially because most people don’t like to think about death,” according to 2015 Rocket Lawyer survey. Even the rich and famous die without a Will. For example, the following all died “intestate” (dying without a Will): Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jimi Hendrix, Howard Hughes, Bob Marley, Kurt Cobain, Tupac Shakur, Sonny Bono, Barry White, James Brown, Steve McNair, Nate Dogg, Amy Winehouse, Prince, and Whitney Houston. The one big lesson that can be learned from these intestate celebrity estates is that without a Will, the surviving families are left with a big old mess to clean up in probate court. And in many cases, these messes can take years to be sorted out after tens of thousands of dollars are spent in attorneys’ fees. A Google Consumer Survey (June 2016) revealed that most people do not understand why they need a Will. What most people fail to understand is that writing a Will is really not about you at all. It is about helping your loved ones, i.e., not putting them through the legal and administrative turmoil that comes with dying intestate. Perhaps, like many people, you think “I don’t have any assets, so I don’t need a Will.” You are not writing a Will to come into effect today, your Will is more likely to sit in a drawer for many years. You have absolutely no way of predicting the size of your es-
Do I need a will?
tate when you die, and in fact, you can be worth much more after you have died than you ever were alive. Supposing your death was an accident, and somebody was held responsible. There is a good chance that there would be some level of accidental death compensation and that compensation would go to your estate. Suddenly, the State (not you) determines who gets the millions of dollars from the settlement. This is one of the reasons why you never attempt to list your assets in your Will. You don’t know when your Will is going to come into effect, and you have no idea what assets will be in your estate when you die. But, everybody needs a Will, even if you do not have a penny to your name today. Or, you might have assets and plan to write your Will just before you die. Not a good idea. The obvious downside is that we really don’t know when we are going to die. Or you plan to wait until you are close to death, i.e., very old and/or sick. But by then, you probably won’t have mental capacity to write your Will. Or, you might be putting off writing your Will because you are waiting for some future event to happen before you make a Will, e.g., “I’m expecting a child next year.” The problem with that strategy is that your life will never reach a point of “no change”. Throughout your life you could have changes in marital status, you may have children, and you may have grandchildren. The answer is that you should write your Will today, and update it whenever there is a change of circumstance. To write a valid Will, you must have mental capacity. So waiting until you are very old, or diagnosed with a terminal illness is not the best time. Your Will should be written while you are young and healthy and then updated throughout your life as your circumstances change.
“But Judd, I was told that a simple Will has to probated, is that true?” Yes. Contrary to popular belief, having a Will does not avoid probate. A Last Will and Testament is used in probate court to determine who receives what property, who is appointed as guardian to any minor children, and who will be responsible for carrying out the last will’s requirements. You want to avoid probate!!! Probate is a legal nightmare!!!! The reality of dealing with the courts can be stressful, complicated, and confusing. Dealing with probate can be full of headaches and cost your heirs tens of thousands in probate fees. Probate can take anywhere from approximately eight months to several years to complete. In most cases, a Revocable Living Trust is going to be the best way to avoid probate and to distribute your estate to your loved ones the way you intended. There is really no disadvantage for you to set up a Revocable Living Trust because you appoint yourself the “Trustee” of your Trust, i.e., you remain in complete control of your property. The Living Trust is a legal document, just like a Will, that allows you to give instructions on who receives your estate when you pass away. In other words, a Trust has “Will Power, but avoids the high costs of probate.” Remember, the law allows you to avoid probate – take advantage of it. *** Judd Matsunaga, Esq. is the founding attorney of Elder Law Services of California and practices Medi-Cal Planning, Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration. Judd can be contacted at (310) 348-2995 or judd@elderlawcalifornia.com. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Asian Journal. The information presented does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such. (Advertising Supplement)
Seniors plan their golden... PAGE C3 t
costs $2,000 a month. Well, the problem, of course, is that it’s easy to lend out money, but it’s very difficult to collect. First off, it would be to file lawsuits to collect. So, at least you end up with money judgments that accrue legal interest at 10 percent yearly. In addition, placing judgment liens on real property can enforce these money judgments, wages can be garnished, and bank accounts can be levied. This is a lot better than waiting for his beloved relatives to start paying him back, which knows
when. The truth is, which is better left unsaid, beloved relatives are probably waiting for the client to kick the bucket so they can forget about paying him back. After all, he won’t need cash in heaven, would he? Nope. The third client is a young senior at 58. She is a single mom with a good paying job as a registered nurse. She has two kids in college who need support. Her problem is $50,000 of credit card debt. The choice is making minimum payments of $1,500 a month to Visa and Mastercard or giving the $1,500 to her college
kids to help them pay their rents at out-of-state colleges. It’s a nobrainer. The client decides to discharge her $50,000 of credit card debt with a Chapter 7 petition. *** 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 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.
The ABCs of Foreign Bank and Financial...
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Foreign Accounts: • IRS may assess an inflationadjusted civil penalty not to exceed $12,459 per violation for non-willful violations that are not due to reasonable cause. • For willful violations, the inflation-adjusted penalty may be the greater of $124,588 or 50 percent of the balance in the ac-
count at the time of the violation, for each violation.
***
He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State agencies. He is publishing a book on his University with an MBA. Vic worked with expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire Consulting) and Ernst & Young before about the book or email tax questions at establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement) in Pasadena, California. ***
To people who need to file bankruptcy... PAGE C2 t
of my clients have been able to turn their financial situation around by getting the relief that they need from our legal system. Is it for you? It may or may not be but if it is, there is no reason to be afraid of it. Our laws were made to protect you, not to hurt you. If you have made mistakes in
the past that have caused your current situation, there is no reason to be depressed or discouraged. There is hope for you! Call my office and I will help you figure out the best solution for your situation. For a free CONFIDENTIAL attorney consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866-4777772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia.
*** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 5-8, 2018
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People and Events
UCLA Pilipino Alumni celebrates 27 years with a scholarship champagne brunch benefit
UCLA alumni, friends, colleagues and family members congratulate Aris Tagle, the 2018 UCLA Pilipino Alumni Distinguished Alumnus of Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido, UCLA Student Samahang Pilipino President Natalie Ricasa Bagaporo, Commissioner of the Los Angeles Board of the Year (center holding his son). Public Works Joel Jacinto, Ed Bagapro and Arlie Ricasa
UCLA student Natalie Ricasa Bagaporo, the UCLA Samahang Pilipino President, delivered a moving and prideful speech to the audience regarding the strong presence of the many Pilipino student organizations on campus and her eagerness to graduate and be among UCLA Pilipino Alumni. Elected officials in attendance at the brunch included Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido, Board Trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District
Michael Fong, and Commissioner of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works Joel Jacinto. Also in attendance were CEO and Founder of Practice Aligned Resources, Joy Murao, and the President and Secretary of the FilAm Chamber of San Diego, William Peetoom and Kristine Custodio, ACP. UCLA PAA Benefit Chair Bobby Rimas said of the event “I am really pleased with the way the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Scholarship Champagne Brunch Ben-
efit turned out. We carried on some great traditions and raised thousands of dollars in pledges towards scholarships that can give deserving UCLA students access to a world-class education.” Torrance-based Silog Restaurant catered the scholarship champagne brunch with excellent authentic Pilipino cuisine. Since 1991, PAA has been working towards achieving its mission of creating a community for students, alumni,
UCLA Scholarship Recipient Jorine Raymindo and UCLA Pilipino Alumni Benefit Chair Bobby Rimas
Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido, UCLA Student Samahang Pilipino President Natalie Ricasa Bagaporo, Commissioner of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works Joel Jacinto, Ed Bagapro and Arlie Ricasa
ON the idyllic, bright spring Sunday morning of April 22, 2018, the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association (PAA) presented their Scholarship Champagne Brunch Benefit, “One Family: Isang Pamilia” in honor of UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association’s 27th anniversary at UCLA’s Pavilion Club. With over 110 individuals in attendance with tables covered in vibrant UCLA blue and gold linens topped with yellow roses and tulip centerpieces and balloons, the festive champagne brunch recognized community leaders, scholarship recipients, and provided a welcoming atmosphere for networking enthusiasts among generations of UCLA Pilipino Bruins. Inspiring opening remarks were given by Julie Sina, UCLA Vice Chancellor of Alumni Affairs and Mark Reyes, the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Chair. Bobby Rimas, UCLA Pilipino Alumni Benefit Chair, thanked the crowd for their support and acknowledged past leaders of the association. The joyous event celebrated the following awardees who have demonstrated their philanthropic and altruistic efforts to the Pilipino and UCLA communities: • Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Aris Tagle – Is a longtime community leader and activist who has dedicated much of his life to serving the community both inside and out of UCLA while forging a professional career in digital marketing and analytics, all while working with some of the world’s most prominent brands. His award was presented by his longtime friend for many years, UCLA alumnus and Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido. Mayor Pulido gave a touching speech about their friendship and mutual support through the years since they were both undergraduates at UCLA. • Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year Christiana Cunanan – Founded CheeriCheeri Ice Cream and uses delicious products to translate the storied heritage of her culture by giving context to flavors and ingredients in a unique and fulfilling way. Christy wants to be able to
Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year, Christiana Cunanan
share the flavors and vibe of the Philippines with as many people as possible. Christy also works at Disney Animation Studios and her film credits include Big Hero 6, Moana, Wreck it Ralph 2, and is currently working on Frozen 2. • Royal Morales Community Achievement Awardee – Pilipino Workers Center - Formed in 1997, PWC focuses on providing programs and resources that help meet the immediate needs of Pilipino workers and their families while building their leadership to take collective action for social change. PWC has recently worked with UCLA Asian American Studies Center and UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment in support of the Pilipino community and homecare workers. Scholarship recipients of the UCLA Pilipino Alumni/Lovell Sevilla Scholarship Program that were recognized at the champagne brunch benefit included Joshua Manansala and Jorine Rayundo. Arlie Ricasa, a past UCLA Pilipino Alumni Distinguished Alumna and one of the Benefit Committee Members, did a highly successful live “call” to the crowd to raise scholarship money at the event that raised thousands of dollars in pledges. The UCLA Pilipino Alumni (PAA) Endowment/Lovell Sevilla Scholarship Program is currently at $120,000 and growing.
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and stakeholders to connect personally and professionally, as well as supporting philanthropic initiatives like fundraising scholarships for incoming undergraduate and graduate students. This past year, PAA organized activities including a career workshop for students, a Samahang Pilipino Cultural Night pre-show reception and raised funds for our UCLA Pilipino Alumni Endowment/ Lovell Sevilla Scholarship Program. ■
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& It is now easier for fathers to transmit citizenship to children out of wedlock
Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ U.S. immigration law allows citizen parents to “transmit” or pass on U.S. citizenship to their children born abroad, provided certain requirements are met. One requirement for U.S. citizen fathers to transmit citizenship to their out of wedlock (illegitimate) children is that the child’s father (unless deceased) has agreed in writing to provide financial support for the child until the child’s 18th birthday. In many cases, the government had insisted this statement of support be on a specific form, DS-5507, Affidavit of Parentage, Physical Presence, and Support. A court order or local law requiring the father to pay child support would be insufficient, the father must “agree in writing.” On April 18, 2018, the USCIS updated its Policy Manual to clarify “what may qualify as a father’s written agreement of financial support for purposes of certain acquisition of citizenship cases.” According to USCIS policy: • The phrase “has agreed in writing to provide financial support” means that there “must be documentary evidence that supports a finding that the father accepted the legal obligation to support the child until the age of 18.” The written agreement of financial support may be dated at any time before the child’s 18th birthday.
• If the child is still under 18 at the time of applying for a U.S. passport or Certificate of Citizenship, the father may provide the written agreement of financial support as part of the application for U.S. citizenship or passport. • If the child is already over the age of 18, the child can submit evidence of the father’s agreement to support the child that existed before the child’s 18th birthday. In other words, if the child is already over 18, it’s too late for the father to agree in writing to support the child. • The agreement must be in writing and acknowledged by the father; must indicate the father’s agreement to provide financial support for the child until the child’s 18th birthday; and must be dated before the child’s 18th birthday. • If there is no written agreement to support the child, other documents could be acceptable and satisfy that requirement, such as: – A previously submitted affidavit of support – Military Defense Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) enrollment; – Documentation establishing paternity by a court, if the father initiated the paternity proceedings and the law required the father to provide financial support; or – A petition by the father seeking child custody or visitation, and the local law requires the father to provide financial support. This clarification could enable previously ineligible out of wedlock children to now claim their U.S. citizen birthright. In fact, I remember one case where the U.S. Embassy refused to is-
sue a U.S. passport to an out of wedlock child, even though the father was under court order to pay child support, and had been paying the child support. That is because they insisted that the agreement to support be on a specific form and in a specific format. USCIS clarifies that other types of documentation can satisfy this “agreement in writing to provide financial support.” If your out of wedlock child’s citizenship was denied because of this issue, you may want to consult with an immigration attorney, to see if this change in policy could change the result on your case, by having your child recognized as an “instant U.S. citizen.” *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar 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. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does 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: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES
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ADB urged to contribute more to PH among most prone to cybersecurity attacks Philippines infra, education by Mary
by doris
Grace Padin
Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to invest more in the country’s infrastructure, population program, as well as education and healthcare, saying the Manila-based multilateral lender contributed “relatively little” in those sectors. At an event on the sidelines of the 51st ADB annual meeting, Pernia cited the bank’s contributions to the Philippine economy over the past years. Pernia said the bank has been a key player in the formation of subregional economic cooperation initiatives, improvement of investment climate and productivity, the introduction of policy reforms to strengthen the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals and the provision of conditional cash transfer. He said the ADB has also helped in the reduction of poverty in the country from 25.2 percent in 2012 to 21.6 percent in 2015, and the crafting of the government’s Philippine Development Plan 2017 to 2022 and Long-term Vision or Ambisyon Natin 2040. However, Pernia said the bank did not provide much help in terms of sustaining the country’s family planning programs, narrowing the huge infrastructure gap, bridging the interregional disparity, improving the quality of higher education education and healthcare, and promoting science and technology. “I think the bank has done relatively little as regards important areas, as well: population management—including sustaining the family planning program—a crucial, yet sensitive and contentious issue, at least until very recently, thereby materially delaying the country’s harvest of the demographic dividend,” Pernia said. “Second, progressively narrowing the country’s huge infrastructure gap, including traffic congestion in the National Capital Region. Of course, it is not ADB’s fault. I’m just saying that in terms of its contribution to these issues.” “Three, interregional dis-
duMlao-abadilla Inquirer.net
MOST organizations in the Philippines are still among the most vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks, making it imperative for regulators to work harder to ensure a resilient ecosystem. In a keynote speech during the Maybank cybersecurity forum on Wednesday, May 2 Assistant Secretary Allan Cabanlong of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) said that on a scale of A-to-E with “A” as the highest in terms of cybersecurity maturity, the Philippines was for now mostly in class “D.” “We rely on applying tools and technologies to assist us in reacting faster. So basically we are still reacting,” Cabanlong said. Class D is a notch better than Class E, in turn defined as a situation where actions are peoplebased and doing their best to put out fires. In recent history, the Philippines has seen data breaches like that of the Commission on ElecSocioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia
parity—there’s still so many lagging regions in the country, waiting to be connected to the mainstream economy. Four, quality of higher education and healthcare, and five, promoting science and technology and innovation to prepare for industry characterized by disruptive technologies,” he added. Nevertheless, Pernia said the bank has now recalibrated its approach, and has aligned its thrusts to the Philippine government’s priorities. “For its current partnership with the Philippines—and probably to make up for its past failings—the ADB’s thrusts are to foster inclusive growth and reduce income inequality and regional disparity,” he said. “Specifically, the focus is on strategic areas, such as sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure, good governance and finance, social protection and education, regional economic integration and infrastructure development through the country’s Build Build Build program,” he said. Pernia, who is also the National Economic and Develop-
Philstar.com file photo
ment Authority (NEDA) chief, said this is reflected in the proposed initiatives of the ADB under its Country Operations Business Plan for 2017 to 2022, which particularly gives emphasis on infrastructure development. Under this plan, he said there are 12 major infrastructure projects in the pipeline for potential ADB assistance worth more than $4 billion. These are in the areas of transportation, water utilities and urban infrastructure, and takes up about 65 percent of the ADB’s total lending portfolio to the Philippines, he said. The ADB is one of the country’s largest sources of official development assistance. For the past 10 years, the bank’s lending to the Philippines averaged $767 million per year. Its cumulative assistance to the Philippines has reached nearly $18 billion in the past five decades. For the next three years, the ADB will boost its infrastructure support to the Philippines to help the government with its ambitious infrastructure program.
tions data leak of 2016 while the last mile of the 2016 $81-million Bangladesh Bank cyberheist was carried out in the Philippines using loopholes then in the moneylaundering framework. Cabanlong said banks, for their part, should be proactive or otherwise lose the confidence of their depositors. “What we want to achieve is “a nation-state resilient in times of cyberattacks,” Cabanlong said, referring to Class A maturity. “We need to have a predictive and focused security systems that can isolate threats and, for example, if the attacks are imminent, we can isolate, we can invert, or we can transfer or adapt our virtual system and our current system security.” Class B is defined as having a “dynamic defense,” where the organization is predictive, agile and swift in finding, fixing and targeting response. Class B is when the organization is “loosely integrated with focus on interoperability and standards-based data exchange for situational awareness.” This year, the Philippines is
set to launch a national cybersecurity platform, which will serve as point of contact for cybersecurity initiatives. The four key strategic imperatives are protection of critical infrastructure like utilities, mass transport systems and healthcare institutions; protection of government networks (public and military); protection of businesses and supply chains, and protection of individuals. In the same Maybank forum, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier said: “Cyberattackers are continuously evolving and changing their attack methods to bypass the controls. It’s a perpetual arms race—something like an infinity war so to speak, coming from the latest Avengers movie series.” “The introduction of disruptive technologies into the picture—the likes of social media, internet of things, artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology—places additional dimensions to cyberrisk that we should all be worried about,” she added.
TRAIN halts Philippine auto sales growth, slumps to 2nd worst in Asean in Q1 2018 by richMond
Mercurio Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The new tax reform law took its toll on vehicle sales in the first three months of the year, relegating the Philippines to second worst performer in Southeast Asia during the period. The Philippine automotive industry was the second fastest growing market in ASEAN during the first quarter of 2017. But based on latest data from the ASEAN Automotive Federation, the country posted the second biggest decline in vehicle sales among eight economies in the region monitored from January to March this year. Philippine auto sales slipped 8.5 percent in the first quarter, the second steepest behind Singapore’s 26.4 percent sales plunge. It should be noted, however, that Philippine vehicle sales
figures used by the ASEAN Automotive Federation are only those from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association, which account for 80- to 90-percent of the local market. Myanmar was still the region’s fastest growing automotive market with a 92.6 percent sales increase year-on-year, followed by Thailand which registered growth of 12.6 percent during the quarter, and Indonesia with a 2.9 percent uptick. The slowdown in the country’s vehicle sales during the first three months was mostly attributed to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which included the implementation of higher automobile excise taxes. CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez earlier said the decline in sales in the first quarter was not unexpected, noting that the impact of the change in excise
tax rates under the TRAIN Law was anticipated for this particular period. Aside from sales, vehicle production in the country also nosedived by 37.8 percent in the first quarter to 22,496 units from 36,194 units last year. The Philippines was the only market among six Southeast Asian economies with substantial local vehicle production that recorded a decline during the three-month period. Motor vehicle production in Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand each grew double digits. Overall, vehicle sales in the region improved 1.9 percent year-on-year to 835,215 units, while vehicle production rose 7.3 percent to 1.09 million units. Automotive players in the country are confident the market will adjust and improve in the coming months, after reeling from the impact of the higher excise tax in the early part of 2018.
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Philippines can benefit from possible PH economic growth expected to accelerate US-China trade war — ADB exec by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net
by Czeriza
valenCia Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines can take advantage of a possible trade war between China and the U.S. as it is in a good position to explore wider trade options with China, an official of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said. The country can be competitive in products such as pork, as China recently decided to slap U.S. pork exports with 25 percent tariff in response to higher duties on Chinese steel and aluminum, said Stephen Groff, ADB vice president for operations in East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. “If such trade restrictions are put in place, what the Philippines should think about is: would it provide opportunities for increased trade between China and the Philippines? So for example, if there is a 25 percent tariff put on imports of pork products from the U.S., and the Philippines is a big pork producer, would it provide opportunities? Does that make the Philippines more competitive in the Chinese market for pork exports? So you need to think creatively about what opportunities could emerge,” he said. “We discourage trade restrictions, we discourage trade wars but individual countries should be thinking about what opportunities might arise as a result of those trade restrictions,” he added. Taking advantage of this window of opportunity will also encourage Philippine companies
to invest more in productivity to attain economies of scale and capture export opportunities in China, Groff said. He noted that companies may have been discouraged from modernizing their production lines because they do not see new opportunities. “It may also encourage companies to make more investments in increasing productivity or more mechanization or modernization where they were discouraged from doing before jt because they were not competitive in the global market. Now they may be more competitive both in terms of processing and sanitary and phytosanitary procedures. So all of a sudden if there is an opportunity it may be more worth it to make those investments,” said Groff. ADB said a trade war between the two superpowers will be detrimental to economic progress in the Asian Pacific region which has been thriving on trade liberalization for more than 25 years to become one of the most dynamic regions in the world. “I think that at first, it is important to acknowledge that most of these trade measures discussed by China and the U.S. are not yet in place. And we always hope that through the discussions and negotiations that have happened that ultimately these measure won’t be put in place. The economic success of Asia and the Pacific over the last quarter century has been very much dependent on free trade. The region has benefitted dramatically on free trade so we certainly discourage any movement towards protectionism closing down trade,” Groff said.
A full blown trade war between U.S. and China, he said, is expected to gradually creep into the region where many developing countries are tightly integrated in Chinese value chains. The effect, however, will not be immediate but will have a definite impact on growth across developing Asia. “Now, were all of these measures put in place, we don’t think there will be an immediate negative impact on growth. There may be some impact on growth but it will not necessarily be a dramatic impact. If these measures were kept in place for the medium to long-term, that could certainly depress growth for a certain amount. We did some research a number of years ago. If you see a one percent drop in the growth rate of China, that translates to a 0.3 percent decrease across Developing Asia,” he said. As the Philippines is not as centrally integrated in Chinese value chains, the effect may be less but Groff said the government should still pay close attention to developments. “Since the Philippines is not as centrally integrated in value chains as some of the countries in the region are, that transmission might decrease but there are also some exports from the Philippines to China that are somehow part of a value chain or processing. So the Philippines will not be totally immune to challenges in that regard or the degree. But maybe not as much as the neighboring countries. Again, I am not overly concerned at the moment but we do think we are paying close attention,” he said.
AMRO maintains forecasts for 2018, 2019 but warns of risks Philippine economic growth is expected to pick up this year and the next but a trade war between the United States and China could pose downside risks, a regional surveillance unit created under the Chiang Mai Initiative said. The Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), which on Thursday, May 3 released its “Regional Economic Outlook 2018” in one of the side events of the Asian Development Bank’s annual board of governors meeting in Manila, also warned that the Philippines was already in the late stage of the business cycle – a condition that it claimed warranted monetary policy action. The Singapore-based AMRO was created to support the Chiang Mai Initiative, a multilateral currency swap arrangement formed by the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and trading partners China, Japan and South Korea to prevent a repeat of the Asian Financial Crisis. In the report, AMRO said it was keeping its Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecasts at 6.8 percent and 6.9 percent for 2018 and 2019, with exports and government spending the likely drivers. The estimates represent an improvement from last year’s actual growth of 6.7 percent but are lower than the official 7.0-8.0 percent target. A potential growth risk — not just for the Philippines but also for the rest of the region — could come from a brewing trade row between the US and China, the
AMRO said. “On the simulation of a hypothetical scenario of a very limited trade war between the US and China, both countries could lose 0.2 percentage points of growth within the first year and an additional 0.2 percentage point for the US by the third year,” AMRO Director Junhong Chang said. “The net impact according AMRO estimates is that for advanced economies in the region such as Japan, Korea and Singapore [this]could range from 0.2 to 0.8 percentage point of growth, and among the emerging markets in the region, the impact is quite smaller but still significant, ranging from 0.5 percentage point,” she added. Business cycle concern AMRO chief economist Hoe Ee Khor, meanwhile, pointed out that growth in the Philippines — and also in Japan — was running above potential or had strongly picked up recently and was also exhibiting signs of inflationary pressures or external imbalances. “In the case of the Philippines, it has also been growing strongly and there are signs that inflation has picked up. There are also pressures in the balance of payments as the current account began to widen,” he said. Domestic inf lation surged to 4.3 percent in March from February’s revised 3.8 percent — surpassing the top end of the central bank’s 2.0-4.0 percent target range — based on 2012 prices. The current account deficit, meanwhile, more than doubled last year as merchandise imports outstripped outbound shipments. The 2017 shortfall ballooned to $2.5 billion from $1.2 billion a
Nomura: Remittances may take a hit from Kuwait deployment ban
by ian
niColas Cigaral Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — A permanent ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait may affect remittances in the mediumterm, with dollars flowing out of the economy in the last 12 months, analysts at financial services group Nomura said. In February, President Rodrigo Duterte repeatedly lashed out at Kuwait and barred Filipinos from seeking work in the oil-rich Arab nation after a Filipina worker was found dead inside a freezer in an abandoned home.
Stronger peso in the short term
But as diplomatic tensions rise, Duterte last week said the ban on sending workers to Kuwait remains. He urged Filipino expats to come home. In a report released Thursday, May 3 Nomura said Duterte’s threats could help strengthen the peso in the short term, citing the “significantly less than expected” surge in remittances should workers decide to come home as returning migrant workers typically have little savings left. ‘Limited’ impact on remittances But Nomura said a permanent
ban may hurt remittances in the medium term, although such an impact would be “limited” as Filipino workers in Kuwait may seek employment elsewhere. “Opportunities in the rest of the Middle East should provide some buffer to departures from Kuwait, if they occur,” Nomura said. The World Bank early this week reported that the Philippines is the third largest remittance receiving nation in the world in 2017, helping drive the increase in domestic spending which, in turn, fuel overall economic growth. Remittances likewise help the
country’s current account swing to a surplus, which is a key pillar of support for the local currency and an important indicator of the economy’s health. However, a widening trade gap has brought the nation’s current account position from a surplus to a deficit, which is expected to further swell and weaken the peso. In the first quarter, the amount of dollars that left the economy breached the deficit target set by the central bank for this year. If the outflows persist, it may result in the depletion of the country’s foreign exchange buffer that serves as pro-
tection against external shocks. Remittances from Kuwait totaled $790 million, or 2.8 percent of total, in the past 12 months. Based on a 2017 survey, overseas Filipino workers in Kuwait number around 154,000, or 6.7 percent of the overall 2.3 million workers. “We believe Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ monetary policy stance has yet to become fully supportive of the peso,” Nomura said. “This could change, however, if there is a 25bp rate hike and a clear tightening stance at the 10 May monetary policy meeting,” it added.
year earlier and was equivalent to 0.8 percent of gross domestic product. Khor noted that the rise in inflation was partly due to higher taxes – the impact of which “will come off again” – and added that the wider current account shortfall could also be considered “a good deficit because it will increase the productive capacity of the country”. Still, the AMRO said policymakers should consider recalibrating monetary and fiscal policies so that the economy can avoid a downturn and transit smoothly to an early or mid-cycle phase. “Regional economies that are in late business cycles could consider a tightening monetary policy bias, in view of emerging signs of inflation, subject to their inflation targeting monetary policy framework,” it suggested. BSP says growth sustainable The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), however, downplayed the concern with a senior official saying that above-trend growth was still very consistent with latest estimates of potential output. “It depends on what kind of potential output the AMRO has computed. In our case it is between 6.5 and 7 percent,” central bank Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo commented. He said t he gover nment’s launch of an ambitious infrastructure program would ensure sustainable growth in the long run. “In short, what the Philippines trying to do is very much consistent with AMRO’s prescription to engineer a bypass from late to perhaps middle or early phase instead of a downtime or contractionary cycle,” Gunigundo added. In terms of monetary policy, central bank Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. stressed that monetary authorities would position policy based on their assessment of inflation data. “We keep on looking at the data and the data flow suggests that our concerns may be elevating in terms of inflationary pressures and expectations moving up,” he said. “What we react to is whether it’s spreading and its affecting expectations. And our reading, based on the latest data, it seems to have spread somewhat.” This will be tackled when the BSP’s policymaking Monetary Board meets on May 10, Espenilla said.
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Alex Jacinto of Mitsubishi Puente Hills for all your Mitsubishi needs
From its Lancers, Pajeros, Adventures, and Monteros — Mitsubishi continues to be a top choice make for many Filipinos. Among its most classic models was the Mitsubishi Minica which some Filipinos may remember from the Tagalog tongue twister, “Minimikaniko ni Monico ang makina ng Minica ni Monica.” There was also the Mitsubishi Celeste, made popular by Manila’s notorious Celeste Gang in the 1980s and whose headlines inspired the 1985 movie “Celeste Gang” featuring Bong Revilla Jr. In Southern California, kababayans searching for a new or preowned car can find Alex Jacinto of Mitsubishi Puente Hills who has been helping fellow Filipinos get their hands on Mitsubishis for nine years. Conveniently located in the City of Industry, Mitsubishi Puente Hills has been handing over the keys of its sporty sedans, SUVs, and famous crossovers to the hands of SoCal drivers for nearly 20 years. The Puente Hills dealership also offers a great selection of certified pre-owned models, all of which go through a 123-point inspection to
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assure drivers’ safety. “Filipinos are familiar with the brand,” said Jacinto. “They’re excellent products — they’re very safe with their five star safety rating, they’re dependable, and they’re low maintenance.” One reason he gave as to why Filipinos love Mitsubishis was its timeless and conservative design, saying, “Even though your car is five years old, it still looks as good as the new one.” So what are some Mitsubishi models kababayans and other customers have been eyeing? Jacinto pointed to Mitsubishi’s line of Crossovers, which are great all-around cars given that their size sits just between that of a regular sedan, and an SUV. He added that the Crossovers are great family cars that can accomodate to members of all ages. Its in-between height for example, makes it easy to get in and out which many older family members can appreciate. A mong t he most popu lar crossover models is the recently released 2018 Outlander PHEV, touted as the world’s best-selling plug-in hybrid crossover with EV power.
“Everybody is trying to become green, so they want less emissions,” said Jacinto. “This is one of the best products available.” The Outlander PHEV did incredibly well in Europe and Japan, and now to the anticipation of many in the U.S., it can now be purchased in states starting at $34,595. Having 74 mpge, the 2018 Outlander PHEV is the only plugin hybrid with DC Fast Charging which means at its third charge level, drivers can power it up in 25 minutes or less at any CHAdeMO public charging station. With the adventurous driver in mind, it has advance Super AllWheel Control, can tow up to 1,500 lbs, and has the option of two AC outlets with up to 1500W of power which the company suggests is great for powering up a blender or putting up some party lights while outdoors. “Plus, when you get an EV, you get a tax credit, state rebates, and you get to drive in the HOV lane,” added Jacinto. Mitsubishi’s new 2018 Eclipse Cross which starts at $23,295 is also popular, shared Jacinto. Its sleek design won The Chi-
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cago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design’s Good Design award. One impressive design feature is its dual pane power sliding sunroof that gives both the front and rear seats an unobstructed sky view. Also impressive is its clean transparent head-up display showing speed and other indicators. It also has a Smartphone Link Think Display Audio System and touchpad controller that essentially connects to your smartphone and is an extension for your hand to tap and swipe through playlists and apps. Whether in the market for a new or pre-owned Mitsubishi, or for accessories or service assistance, kababayans of Southern California can be sure the get great help from Jacinto. “I treat them like family,” said Jacinto of his clients, adding that he is often just a text message away. “I’m available for them anytime, 24/7.” (AJPress) Alex Jacinto can be found at Mitsubishi Puente Hills, 17665 Castleton St, City of Industry, CA 91748. He can also be reached at (626) 964 - 5111. (Advertising Supplement)
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