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JUNE 21-27, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 35 • 16 Pages 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • 2500 Plaza S. Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858
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Duterte is pro-Filipino, not pro-China – Lorenzana by MICHAEL
PUNONGBAYAN Philstar.com
DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday, June 19, insisted that President Duterte is pro-Filipino and denied the claim of critics that the Chief Executive is defending China over the recent sinking of a Filipino fishing boat in the West Philippine Sea. “No, that is not correct. The president is pro-Filipino. That is a very wrong impression,” President Rodrigo Duterte
Philstar.com photo
USA
DATELINE How did we get here? New report dives into the immigration patterns of the API community FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Report also showcases the massive diversity within the API immigrant community and how policies affect AAPI immigrants WHEN we talk about immigration, it’s often generalized as a large, national issue that affects wide swaths of people with similar goals and plans. Media coverage on immigration over the last several years has primarily zeroed in on immigrants from the Latinx community, be it conversations about the border wall, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the president’s suggestive comments regarding the violent gang MS-13 and nonviolent Central Americans with honest aims at making it in America. But what mainstream media often neglects to consider is the expansive Asian and Pa-
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EXPLAINING THE TRUTH. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol speaks in a press conference together with the 22 fishermen affected by the Recto Bank incident at the San Jose Municipal Hall in Occidental Mindoro on Wednesday, June 19. The DA chief clarified it was him and not President Rodrigo Duterte who earlier invited Junel Insigne, captain of the F/B GEM-VER 1, to a meeting. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
PAL named ‘World’s Most ‘Keep America Great’: Trump unveils Improved Airline’ in 2019 2020 presidential campaign in Florida MANILA — Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, on Tuesday, June 18, won the World’s Most Improved Airline award for 2019. International air transport rating organization Skytrax named PAL as the carrier that achieved the biggest leap in product and service quality among a survey of over 350 leading airlines worldwide.
Skytrax announced PAL now ranks 30th airline in the world, jumping 19 spots from being top 49 in 2018. In 2013, PAL is only at the 90th spot in the world ranking. PAL also ranked high in the following important categories: • Top 10 World’s Best Business Class Comfort Amenities
by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
ALMOST exactly four years after his infamous speech announcing his bid for the White House, President Donald Trump on Tuesday, June 18 officially launched his 2020 presidential reelection camu PAGE 4 paign in a rally with his supporters in Orlando, Florida. When he walked on stage and officially kicked off his campaign, Trump — who unofficially sloganed his 2020 campaign “Keep America Great” — promised his supby PATRICIA LOURDES VIRAY porters a continuance of his Philstar.com administration’s effort to MANILA — Following the make America great again. “With every ounce of heart sinking of a Filipino boat by a Chinese vessel, the Philip- and might and sweat and soul, pines’ top diplomat called on we’re going to keep making the international community to America great again and then render assistance to persons in we will indeed keep America great,” Trump told his supdistress at sea. Speaking before the meet- porters. “And that is why toing of state parties to the night, I stand before you to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. delivers his remarks at the 29th Meeting of States Parties to the UN Convention on UN Convention on the Law officially launch my campaign of the Sea (UNCLOS) in New for a second term as President the Law of the Sea at the UN headquarters in New York. Photo courtesy of DFA u PAGE 4 of the United States.”
Philippines calls on UN members to assist persons distressed at sea
The overall message of the campaign kickoff offered nothing new and, minus the official announcement, moved along like his usual rallies. Trump reminded supporters of his stringent plans for immigration in the name of national security, saying, “We believe our country should be a sanctuary for law-abiding citizens, not for criminal aliens.” And in true Trump fashion, he peppered in his favorite digs at “fake news,” Hillary Clinton (he promised supporters to find her emails “somewhere deep in the State Department”) and the Democrats, claiming that the party is “driven by hatred, prejudice and rage” and “want to destroy our country as we know it,” positioning himself as a salve for that perceived threat. With the assistance of a lineup of speakers, the showy campaign rally featured speeches from the president’s
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From the Front Page
How did we get here? New report dives into... PAGE 1 cific Islander (API) immigrant community that has grappled with the growing laundry list of problems with the U.S. immigration system. A new report from the national legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) called “Inside the Numbers: How Immigration Shapes Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities” takes a deep dive into the growing API immigrant community and how the U.S. immigration system serves this specific sect of immigrants. There are an estimated 1.7 million API immigrants without papers living in the U.S. currently, yet they’re often overlooked in conversations surrounding domestic and immigration policies, Advancing Justice researchers found. “We have been advocating for policies that help our community, not hurt them,” John C. Yang, president and executive director of Advancing Justice said. “This
report shows that long visa backlogs, constant attacks on the immigrant community and enforcement efforts are having a negative effect in our community, but, still, our community is a resilient one.” The overall consensus of the report is that the current immigration system is inefficient and lacks the wherewithal to effectively serve the ethnically and linguistically diverse API immigrant community. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is still processing family sponsorship visa applications that were submitted as long as 23 years ago --- nearly 1.5 million individuals from Asia are still in the backlogs awaiting their visas. But the report didn’t just point out the struggles faced by the cast API immigrant community. It also showcased the economic powerhouse it is — there are more than 1.1 million Asian American immigrant-owned businesses in the U.S., meaning
that Asian-owned businesses comprise of one-third of all immigrant-owned businesses in the country. Advancing Justice offered solutions to the problems faced by API immigrants, including passing legislation that would alleviate the backlogs in family sponsorships and to urge Congress to repeal the travel ban. However, President Trump has remained adamant about gutting immigration programs like family reunification and asylum claims in favor of a more “merit-based” immigration system that he claims would amp up national security and “contribute more to our social safety net.” “My plan expedites relief for legitimate asylum seekers by screening out the meritless claims,” Trump said in a speech at the White House last month. “If you have a proper claim, you will quickly be admitted. If you don’t, you will promptly be returned home.” (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)
A I M E D. Th e Philippine Marine Corps Marine Silent Drill Platoon performs at the 121st founding anniversary of the Philippine Navy on Monday, June 17, at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Sangley Point, Cavite. ManilaTimes. net photo
Duterte is pro-Filipino, not... PAGE 1 Lorenzana said Wednesday, June 19, amid criticism of Duterte’s supposedly lame response to the incident where a Chinese vessel hit a Filipino fishing boat and abandoned its crew last June 9 near Recto Bank, one of the areas in the disputed sea. “What outrage are they talking about?” he told reporters during the weekly news forum Kapihan sa Manila Bay when pressed on how the current administration is being viewed as too friendly with China. “Anong gusto nila, sabi nga ni presidente (what do they want, as the president said), go to war na immediately, declare war because of this? This is just dalawang (two) fishing boats na nagbanggaan eh (that collided),” Lorenzana said. He stressed that Duterte was initially silent on the boat collision until he issued a statement during the Philippine Navy’s anniversary event last Tuesday evening, June 18 in Sangley Point, Cavite, because he did not have enough information yet about the incident. The fishing boat incident, based on information so far gathered, appears to be an accident, Lorenzana said. Lorenzana said comparing the fishing boat issue to the garbage shipped from Canada is unfair because other people, including himself, were outraged since the garbage was brought to the country in 2013 and had not been returned to Canada for six years already. “Ano tingin nila sa atin basurahan? So kung hindi nagngangawa si (Do they look at us as a garbage dump and if there was no protest from the) president ng ganoon kukunin ba nila yung basura nila (like that will they take back their garbage)? No. But this one, wala pa siyang (he has no) complete
information. That’s why he was very silent muna, until he spoke during the anniversary ng Navy,” he said. When asked about how the government was also accused of being pro-United States, he said, “I am not pro-U.S. or proChina, I am pro Filipino.” But even if the fishing boat incident was an accident, Lorenzana agrees that there should still be an apology from the Chinese fishermen and damages should be paid. “I think that would be appropriate demand to the ship captain, to apologize and make restitution for the damage,” he said, adding that more so if the investigation later proves that the ramming was intentional. Lorenzana stressed that although there was only one in a million chance to hit a ship, it was also dark at the time. “I don’t know why, what happened kung bakit siya nabangga (why there was a collision),” he said, after pointing out earlier that the Filipino fishing boat’s cook, who was the only one awake when the Chinese vessel was approaching, said, “Parang aksidente lang naman sir (seems like an accident).” On claims that he himself has softened his statements, he said his condemnation of the Chinese vessel’s captain stands as the government now awaits the official version of the Chinese that are also conducting a probe. “I did not condemn China, I condemned the captain for abandoning the crew who could have died because of exposure,” he said. Lorenzana shared that based on information gathered so far, Filipinos fishing in the area where the incident took place are familiar with and could distinguish Chinese, Vietnamese and other boats.
And based on the look of the foreign vessel that had a boom where a net is placed, the fishing vessel comes from Hong Kong and “they are presumed fishermen talaga (really), fishermen talaga sila (they are really)” and not militia men as some insinuate. Lorenzana appealed to the public not to inflame emotions and wait for the results of the probe as the Philippines, China and even Vietnam can “work together so that we can get to the bottom of this.” Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo assured the 22 fishermen who figured in the incident that they would get justice. “We will not allow absence of responsibility on the part of the wrongdoers. And in fact, even the Chinese government said so itself that they won’t allow that. In fact, they said, abandonment is an irresponsible behavior,” he added. Panelo also disputed notions that President Duterte, who previously called the sinking of the Filipino boat a “little maritime accident,” is changing the version of the story because he does not want to offend China. “Not offending actually. He was very clear when he said, ‘I will not issue a policy statement on this because the facts are not yet in.’ They (China) have the right to be heard also,” the spokesman said. “Apart from being a lawyer, he (Duterte) is a very responsible leader; he does not want to... make this incident an international crisis,” he added. Panelo also denied that Duterte has prejudged the incident. “That is an initial look at the circumstance given the version of the cook. At the same time, they (China) also have an initial reaction. (With Alexis Romero, Michelle Zoleta)
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Philippines calls on UN members to assist...
PAGE 1 York, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. stressed that every UN member state should observe conventions, particularly in life-and-death situations. “The rescue of persons in distress is a universally recognized obligation of people and governments; and in civil law and, maybe in common law, it is a felony to abandon people in distress, especially when we cause that distress; and more so when it is no bother at all to save them at no riskto oneself,” Karapatan protests the killings of two of its members: Ryan Hubilla and Nelly Bagasala and peasant leader Nonoy Palma. Photo courtesy of Karapatan Locsin said in his speech. Article 98 of the UNCLOS states that the master of a ship flying a flag has the duty to: • render assistance to any the province were subjected person found at sea in danger of activists. by Gaea Katreena CabiCo “UN member states should to “periodic surveillance by of being lost Philstar.com • proceed with all possible not let another session of the elements of the military intelMANILA — The recent spate Human Rights Council go by ligence company.” speed to the rescue of persons of activist killings in the coun- without adopting measures Labor organizer Dennis try should be investigated by that will put serious human Sequena from Partido Mangthe Philippine government and rights violations in the Phil- gagawa was gunned down on the United Nations, New York- ippines under scrutiny,” the June 2. based watchdog Human Rights HRW officer said. HRW noted that very few PAGE 1 Watch said. He added: “It’s clear that of the killings of activists have family and Vice President “The recent killings under- Duterte’s administration will been seriously investigated Mike Pence who keyed into score that attacks on leftist ac- not credibly investigate abuses and hardly any have resulted the sentiment with classic tivists is a serious human rights in the ‘drug war’ and against in convictions. conservative rejoinders of problem in the Philippines that activists on their own.” The government has repeat- “taking America back.” has never gone away,” Carlos Former Bayan Muna Bicol edly denied that death squads “Jobs are back, confidence Conde, Philippine researcher regional coordinator Neptali and extrajudicial killings are is back and thanks to the leadfor HRW, said on Wednesday, Moraga was gunned down not part of state policy. It has ership of President Donald June 19. in Naga City, Camarines Sur also stressed that security Trump, America is back, and He added: “The Philippine while on his way to work Mon- forces follow due process and we’re just getting started,” authorities should fully inves- day morning. A day earlier, respect human rights. Pence said to a raucous sea tigate these killings and bring Nonoy Palma, a member of President Rodrigo Duterte of red “Make America Great those responsible to justice.” the Kilusang Magbubukid ng and other government offi- Again” hats and signs. Conde also said that the Pilipinas-affiliated KASAMA cials have also accused human Though Trump’s re-election United Nations Human Rights Bukidnon, was shot dead out- rights defenders, however, of campaign is not surprising in Council, whose session is set side his house. working with syndicates, ter- any way (only four incumbent on June 24, should ensure On Saturday,June 15, Ryan rorists and criminals. presidents in U.S. history have an international investigation Hubilla and Nelly Bagasala The Commission on Human opted not to run for a second into the “deteriorating human of Karapatan-Sorsogon were Rights earlier said it has de- term), he officially enters the rights situation” in the Philip- killed by unidentified gunmen. ployed a quick response team race with a booming economy pines, the government’s anti- Karapatan said the killing hap- to probe and monitor the re- under his wing but low apnarcotics campaign and killing pened after their members in cent killings of activists. n proval ratings. (A recent Fox News poll put him 10 and 9 percentage points behind Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, rePAGE 1 spectively.) But history shows that eco• Top 10 Best Airline Staff nomic standing and the job in Asia market have massive influ• Top 11 World’s Best Cabences on reelection chances. in Crew Last month, the national • Top 11 World’s Best Airunemployment rate dropped port Services to 3.6% which is the low• Top 11 World’s Best Preest unemployment rate since mium Economy Class 1969, according to the Bureau • Top 14 World’s Best of Labor Statistics. Though Economy Class national issues such as imSkytrax earlier this year migration, health care and certified PAL as a four-star identity politics like race and Global Airline along with 40 other airlines. It was based Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, won the World’s Most Improved Airline gender are often used as an arsenal against the president, on the comprehensive quality award for 2019. audits performed by the car- cabin. line Awards was held at the the RNC highlighted the presrier from Decmber 2018 and Skytrax surveys more than Paris Airshow in the Musée ident’s first term as “a series January 2019. 20 million travelers among de l’Air et de l’ Espace, Paris of promises made and promLast year, Skytrax awarded over 100 nationalities and Le Bourget Airport, France ises kept.” “From delivering a oncePAL the first ever four-star 335 airlines for its passen- on Tuesday. Global Airline rating. It was ger satisfaction survey in the PAL is dubbed as Asia’s first in-a-generation tax cut to cutnamed second most improved world. airline. (Rosette Adel/Philstar. ting regulations, reducing the price of prescription drugs airline and the top 30 cleanest This year’s 2019 World Air- com)
PH gov’t, UN urged to probe killing of activists
in distress, if informed of their need of assistance, in so far as such action may reasonably be expected of him • after a collision, to render assistance to the other ship, its crew and its passengers, and where possible, to inform the other ship of the name of his own ship, its port of registry and the nearest port at which it will call Locsin noted that these are also indicated in the International Maritime Organization Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue. The DFA chief added that there is no sanction under international law for those not enforcing their duty to render assistance, this should be a cause of concern. In his speech, Locsin high-
lighted the June 9 incident, where an anchored Filipino fishing vessel sank after being hit by a Chinese trawler in the West Philippine Sea. He also stressed that the collision occurred within Philippine exclusive economic zone. “The incident, to put it diplomatically, highlights the moral and possibly legal —though one wouldn’t wager on it — imperative of coming to the rescue of persons in distress at sea,” Locsin said. The Philippines was one of the original signatories of the UNCLOS in 1982, the basis of its arbitration at the Haguebased tribunal. In July 2016, the UNCLOSbacked tribunal ruled in favor of Manila, invalidating Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea. n
‘Keep America Great’: Trump unveils 2020...
PAL named ‘World’s Most Improved...
and nominating two Supreme Court Justices, our economy is roaring and President Trump is delivering for all Americans,” a spokesperson for the RNC said. The Democratic counter After Trump’s rally, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) hosted a counterrally in Florida this week that focused on the “outlandish promises” Trump made while running in 2016 regarding health care and immigration that left a lot more to be desired, according to John Santos, AAPI media director for the DNC. When asked how the Democratic Party should move forward as the debate stage of the election approaches, Santos said that focusing on issues and providing solutions to the “pitfalls” of Trump’s first term should be top of mind for the 20-plus Democratic candidates currently in the running. “Our entire campaign should not just be about how are we going to oppose Trump, and it should be about issues at hand, like how are we going to ensure there’s greater access to health care and how are we going to get rid of the inhumane immigration procedures at the border and establish a more effective immigration system in general, and I think that’s what the party needs to focus on,” Santos said. But Santos added that it’s also important that the public be reminded of the “failed promises” and the proposals he made during his first term
that “actually damaged many Americans” like his proposed termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the effort to kill the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the latter of which has lowered the uninsured rate. Before the ACA, 48.6 million Americans were uninsured and after the ACA, that number lowered to about 28 million, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After the 2016 election, the Democratic Party fell into a period of reflection and examining how best to move forward and agree on a cohesive focus, and Santos acknowledged the diversity of views within the Democratic Party, such as the disparate views on the Medicare For All campaign and reinstating the ACA. Despite the perceived party-wide disarray characterized by cable news pundits, Santos believes that the collective goal of unity, inclusion and racial and gender equity of the party at large aligns with the direction of the country and the culture. “It’s fine to have those disagreements, but as long as everyone in the party believes in making sure that everyone has access to affordable health care and as long as we understand that that’s the common goal, I think we are starting from a really strong standpoint,” Santos said, noting that the Democratic Party represents “the future of America.” n
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OPINION
FEATURES
Cubao to Makati in 5 minutes
BY the end of the year, President Duterte has vowed, the drive along EDSA between Makati and Cubao, Quezon City would be cut to just five minutes. If the President delivers on this promise, he deserves a monument along EDSA. People who grapple daily with the crippling traffic jams along the busy thoroughfare have tried numerous schemes to improve vehicular flow. After a brief improvement, however, backsliding occurs. Designated stops and dedicated lanes are ignored. Passengers still board and jump out of vehicles even in the middle of the road. The President is counting on the opening of new overhead roads to make good on his promise. Recent such thoroughfares, however, have failed to ease traffic, possibly because these are toll roads. Ordinary folks are burdened enough with inflation to add to the cost of their daily drive or commute. Unless people are in a rush – to catch a flight, for example – they would rather make allowances for getting stuck in traffic rather than add
5
to the cost of their daily drive. Fuel costs are high enough and there are already too many toll roads all over Metro Manila and neighboring areas, making people wonder where taxes go. The President made the promise apparently in anticipation of the opening of new overhead, bypass or connector roads and expressways to ease traffic jams in Metro Manila. He may have to revise his projection that the improvement may be felt by December, considering that the Christmas season is the worst time for traffic jams. Still, he is expected to prod his officials to make his objective attainable. Edison Nebrija, EDSA traffic zone head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, has a more realistic target of cutting down the drive between Cubao, Quezon City to Chino Roces Avenue in Makati initially to 30 minutes. This is half of the regular travel time between the two points in moderate traffic. Of course if this could be cut down further to five minutes, EDSA can be renamed after whoever is responsible. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Fox News poll: Trump trails Democratic Journey to Phnom Penh, gains under Premier candidates in the 2020 presidential elections Hun Sen and excellent ties with royal family in America? Or are we still blinded by the glaring prism of fanaticism? I would like to look at the glass half full and will not stop believing that the truth will eventually free us and help us make better-informed deciGEL SANTOS-RELOS sions. This is if we remain reAN EPIPHANY is that mo- lentless in putting the spotlight ment in the story where a on the facts rather than a fabcharacter achieves realiza- ricated alternate universe malition, awareness, or a feeling of ciously created by conmen for knowledge, after which events their own political expediency, are seen through the prism of power, fame and self-aggrandizement. this new light in the story. As the truth comes out, such Are we there yet, Filipinos
The Fil-Am Perspective
conmen try even harder to suppress the facts from coming out. This cannot be denied in how the 45th president of the United States manipulated his cohorts in government and his adoring fan base. On January 23, 2016, as a presidential candidate, Donald Trump boldly, proudly and brazenly stated the following during a campaign rally in Iowa: “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” Has he proven himself right through PAGE 10
PeaceMaker FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. WE journeyed to Phnom Penh last week, June 4-8, where we conferred with Prime Minister Hun Sen on a major conference in the Cambodian capital scheduled for November and where we noted significant economic gains for the country.
We were accompanied in our visit by senior officers of the Seoul- and New York-based Universal Peace Federation (UPF), a global network of individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing the cause of peace through cooperation and dialogue. We serve as chairman emeritus of the UPF. Among those in our group were Dr. Chung Sik-yong of South Korea, chairman for Asia of the UPF; Hon. EkNathDhakal of Nepal, former minister for peace and reconstruction and chairman for Asia of the Inter-
national Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), who is married to a Filipina, BlessieGadon from Zamboanga City; Dr. Robert Kittel of the USA, Director for youth education of the UPF; Ursula McLackland of Germany, secretary-general of UPF Asia; and Dr. Julius Malicdem of the Philippines, who hails from my province of Pangasinan, newly designated chairman for Southeast Asia of the UPF. Dr.HakJa Han Moon, active widow of UPF founder Rev. Sun Myung PAGE 10
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 21-27, 2019
Dateline PhiliPPines
‘Let us not build China’s defenses for them’ – Gordon 6,600 killed in PH drug war — PNP by Daphne
Galvez Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Philippine government should “stick to its strongest position” and not “build China’s defenses for them,” Senator Richard Gordon said on Thursday, June 20. “Our strongest position right now in our quest for justice is that everybody agrees that they were abandoned. Let us not build China’s defenses for them,” Gordon said in a statement. The senator pointed out that even the Vietnamese that
rescued the Filipino fishermen corroborated the accounts of the fishermen that they were really abandoned. He said the government should task the Chinese to explain the abandonment. “They have not even explained to us yet and we’re telling them that we’re changing our minds that it was intentional. That’s not the point,” Gordon said. “At the rate this is going, we might end up with the poor Filipino fishermen admitting that they were really trying to commit suicide,” he added. Gordon issued the statement
after Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, in a press conference on Wednesday, “concluded” for the fishermen that the boat’s captain was no longer sure if the incident was intentional or accidental. He also pointed out that what the fishermen need are justice and respect from China, not the government trying to appease them through “gifts.” Gordon noted the gifts only cheapen and exploit the vulnerability of the fishers and simply show utter disrespect for their dignity and condition. n
Cayetano: P200-M dangled in speakership race by Glee Jalea ManilaTimes.net
TAGUIG-Pateros representative-elect Alan Peter Cayetano has claimed that the offer for a vote for speaker had gone up to P200 million as the speakership race heats up at the House of Representatives. “Actually now…may kumausap sa akin, may nagooffer ng P200 million per congressman na project sa party-list (Actually now, someone told me, somebody in the House is offering P200 million per congressman for a project in their party-list),” Cayetano told reporters on Tuesday, June 18 at the sidelines of a forum in Clark, Pampanga which he hosted for other lawmakers on the administration’s Build, Build, Build initiatives. “I am not saying that anyone is guilty…masamang issue itong vote-buying kasi how can we reform the country if we cannot reform ourselves? At kawawa naman yung mga pumirma. The reality is may namimigay ng pera sa Congress. At hindi lang bigay ng pera, may kasamang papel na [pirmahan dapat ito]. That has to be resolved (I am not saying that anyone is guilty, vote-buying is a bad issue because how can we reform the country if we cannot reform ourselves? I pity those who signed. The reality is, somebody is giving money in Congress. And it’s not just giving out money. It comes with a paper that has to be signed by the recipient. That has to be resolved),” he said. Cayetano is one of four contenders for speaker. The others are Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Marinduque Rep.
Lord Allan Velasco, davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales. It was Alvarez who first bared that at least two candidates have offered P500,000 to P1 million for a vote. days later, Gonzales said the offer went up to P7 million. Velasco had denied any involvement in attempts to buy votes, while Romualdez kept mum on the matter. House members including Majority Leader Fredenil Castro and Minority Leader danilo Suarez previously maintained that no one would be swayed to sell their votes because “congressmen are not cheap.” Duterte to choose Meanwhile, senator-elect Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said President Rodrigo duterte would disclose his candidate for speaker on June 28. Go said duterte, during his meeting with lawmakers in Malacañang on Tuesday, asked that he be given until June 28 to decide who to endorse for the House top post. “Humingi po ng konting panahon si Pangulong duterte. Talagang nahihirapan po siya. Lahat naman po ng mga kandidato ay magagaling. Competent naman po sila. Qualified po sila maging Speaker po ng House (The President asked for a little more time. It’s really difficult for him to decide. All candidates are competent. They are allqualified to become the next Speaker of the House),” Go told reporters. Some lawmakers, including those from the 54-member party-list coalition, have said
Taguig-Pateros representative-elect Alan Peter Cayetano ManilaTimes.net photo
that they would vote for whoever duterte endorses. Cayetano, Velasco and Romualdez earlier met with duterte at the sidelines of his official trip to Japan and reportedly asked the President to pick his bet. Last week, Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao also met with duterte to discuss the nominee of the ruling PdP-Laban party. Members of the House of Representatives will elect a new speaker on the morning of July 22, the same day duterte will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address. The 54-strong Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) will choose its official candidate for the speakership on Wednesday. “It is possible that the PCFI will vote on who we will support as speaker of the House depending on how the discussion will go. If ever there will be a vote, the members will agree to vote for a speaker as one bloc,” Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles told The Manila Times. Reports said Romualdez has secured around 153 signatures of congressmen in a manifesto of support. n
by Ritchel
MenDiola AJPress
ACCORdING to the Philippine National Police (PNP), a total of 6,600 suspected drug offenders have been killed in police operations since the start of President Rodrigo duterte’s war against drugs. The police data, which was released Tuesday, June 18, during a command conference of top police officials at Camp Crame, covered the incidents from July 1, 2016 — a day after duterte took his oath as Chief Executive — until May 31, 2019. 240,565 drug personalities were arrested in 153,276 police operations nationwide with 1,283,409 surrendering in the same period. 822 drug personalities, meanwhile, were killed from January to May this year. 38,937 suspects were also arrested in a total of 25,338 anti-drug operations conducted. The report also revealed that 2,865 were subjected to
PNP’s “Oplan Tokhang” while 2,755 surrendered to police. Not yet final PNP spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac clarified that the report is not yet final and have yet to be cross-checked with the figures of the Philippine drug Enforcement Agency (PdEA). He added that the PNP still pegs the “official” drug war death toll at 5,375 as of March 2019. Banac also noted that compared to the arrests made by the police, the death toll is “definitely small.” He said investigations over the death of the suspects during police operations are still being conducted, as well. “It does not mean that just because they died in police operations, we will not investigate it. As much as possible, no one should die in our antidrug operations,” he said. Drug-free barangays The PNP said that as of April, 12,177 of the 42,045 barangays nationwide have achieved drug-free status.
Meanwhile, 20,471 are still drug-affected. It added that 282 barangays are “seriously affected by drugs,” 10,835 are “moderately affected,” and 9,354 are “slightly affected.” Metro Manila remains to be the region most affected by drugs, with 1,515 of the 1,710 barangays affected. This is followed by Central Visayas, with 2,293 of 3,003 barangays affected; Central Luzon, with 2,342 of 3,102 barangays; and Bicol region, with 2,530 of 3,471 barangays. Banac is confident that the remaining barangays will be cleared off of illegal drugs by the end of duterte’s term in 2022. “We can do this for the remaining three years of the president, with the help of all sectors of society,” he said. The meeting was attended by regional police commanders and heads of national support units, and presided over by PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde. n
June 21-27, 2019 • neW YORK AnD neW JeRSeY ASIAn JOuRnAL
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Arroyo firm in quitting politics; vows to help develop home province by Gabriel
Pabico Inquirer.net
lalu
Former President and outgoing House Speaker Gloria macapagal-Arroyo has insisted that she will quit politics after her term, although her consultant stint with the Pampanga provincial government will continue. Arroyo said in an ambush interview on Tuesday, June 18, that as consultant, she will focus on the development of the Pampanga megalopolis Plan. “They asked me to help them from time to time, to be a consultant. So, I’d be happy to do that. Tapos sinabi ko (Then I told them) where I think I can help is to follow through on the implementation of Pampanga megalopolis Plan,” she said. According to Arroyo, a native of Lubao town in the province, the megalopolis plan is the vision of the Pampanga government to attract more establishments, investments, and tourists by creating infrastructure projects such as roads and train systems giving people direct and fast access to airports. This in turn will also help decongest metro manila, she said. “So iyon, meron kaming air-
Outgoing House Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo Inquirer.net photo
port, ginagawa iyong tren papunta duon (So there, we have an airport, they are building the train going there). Actually those are part of the megalopolis Plan. So, yung megalopolis sabi ni (Architect Felino) Palafox, iyong probinsya namin meron siyang aeropolis (So, the Megalopolis according to Palafox, our province will have an aeroplolis), that would be economy built around the airport,” Arroyo explained. “malaking bagay kase ang infrastructure ng airport. meron din kaming aquapolis. Duon sa aming lugar like my town we are very, very big aquaculture aeropolis that will be the economy built around the airport,” she added. Arroyo, in her third term as
Lubao representative, made a comeback to national politics after she was elected House Speaker by majority of lawmakers just before President rodrigo Duterte was set to deliver his third State of the Nation Address on July 23, 2018. She replaced former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who was engaged in a spat with Duterte’s daughter, Hungpong ng Pagbabago chair and Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Before being Speaker and Lubao lawmaker, Arroyo succeeded former President Joseph estrada who was forced to step down after the People Power 2 revolution brought about by the plunder allegations. Arroyo was president from 2001 to 2004. She ran in the 2004 elections, where she secured a full six-year term as president. Arroyo’s administration is being credited for the country’s robust economic standing amid recessions in other parts of the world. However, her administration was also plagued with corruption issues like the NBNZTe deal and the fertilizer fund scam. Her administration also weather several coup attempts launched by dissatisfied military officers. n
Duterte touts ‘another Marcos’as cure for corruption by alexis
romero Philstar.com
Lombard By The Bay is a joint venture development project between Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate and Development Corp. and Omnicor Industrial Estate & Realty Center, Inc.
CAN’T handle corruption? Look for another marcos. President rodrigo Duterte admitted monday, June 17, that he cannot end corruption under the present constitution as he claimed that it would take someone like Ferdinand marcos, from whose family and cronies the government is still trying to recover ill-gotten wealth, to address the problem. Duterte admitted losing his drive to perform his task because of the corruption in the bureaucracy, which he said is dragging the Philippines down. “I have regrets because I thought within the constitutional powers given to me, I can do it. But truth to tell, if this happens everyday and every table in the Philippines is like that, I can’t run after them,” the president said during the 121st anniversary of the Philippine Navy in Cavite. “Kaya ko. Pero sa batas na ito, constitution (I could have done it but with this constitu-
tion), even if you give me 20 years, I cannot do it. maghanap uli kayo ng marcos (Look for another Marcos). or someday, somehow, somewhere that fellow will be elected in the generations to come,” he added. marcos, whose presidency was tainted with allegations of corruption and human rights violations, was ousted during the 1986 People Power revolution. His successor, Corazon Aquino, created the Presidential Commission on Good Government to recover the ill-gotten wealth of his family and his cronies. As of 2017, the PCGG recovered more than P171 billion of the supposed marcos ill-gotten wealth. In 2003, the Supreme Court awarded to the Philippine government at least $658 million Swiss bank deposits that marcos and his wife Imelda supposedly stashed and hid “under layers and layers of foundations and corporate entities.” The high court ruled that the Swiss deposits “should be considered ill-gotten wealth
and forfeited in favor of the state.” Duterte hits party-list system Duterte stressed that the Philippines would not rise if it does not improve economically and politically. He went on to criticize the 1987 Constitution, which was ratified during the administration of Corazon Aquino. “I’m not trying to criticize. It is as good as any, mas mabuti pa kung wala talaga ‘yung kay Cory (It is good as any, it would have been better without Cory),” Duterte said. The Duterte administration has been working on changing the constitution to one for a federal form of government but low public awareness and support for the move has slowed the campaign down. Duterte cited the party-list system, which he said is benefitting millionaires. “And for all of the brightest who crafted that constitution, son of... they did not see the simplest fact that money buys everything including political party,” the president said. PAGE 10
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 21-27, 2019
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June 21-27, 2019 • neW YORK AnD neW JeRSeY ASIAn JOuRnAL
Journey to Phnom Penh, gains under... PAGE 5 Moon, and UPF International President Dr. Thomas Walsh were attending another conference in South Africa. Our group was received by Premier Hun Sen at the sprawling Peace Palace, where he receives foreign dignitaries and where important international events, like the East Asia Summit 2012 attended by then US President Barrack Obama, are held. It is worth mentioning that the 6th General Assembly of ICAPP, the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, in December, 2010, was held in this magnificent edifice. Our UPF group and Prime Minister Hun Senhave decided to hold the UPF Asia Pacific Summit 2019 in Phnom Penh, November 18-20, to be co-hosted by Cambodia. The prime minister even graciously offered the Peace Palace to be the venue of the conference. The scheduled summit in Phnom Penh aims to foster close partnership between government and civil society in addressing the critical challenges besetting the Asian region and the global community, such as peace and security, development, good governance, climate change, and poverty. We also took the opportunity to invite him to the UPF World Summit to be held in Seoul in February, 2020, and to the 20th founding anniversary and 11th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Manila in November 2020. ICAPP, which we founded and launched in Manila in September, 2000, now represents some 350 ruling, opposition, and independent political parties in 52 countries in Asia. After our meeting with the UPF group, Premier Hun Sen, an old friend, ushered us into his private office where we exchanged views with him, oneon-one, on the various issues and developments in Asia and the global community. We found him with profound understanding of global affairs, in the light of his wealth of experience as head of government for almost 34 years and, earlier, as foreign minister for ten years, and having fought and helped defeat the barbarous Khmer Rouge with then much-adored King Norodom Sihanouk and his son Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who was then concurrently a general in the Royal Army. Both Hun Sen and Prince Ranariddh later became unique co-premiers of Cambodia after the defeat of the Khmer Rouge, and later, following his visit to
Manila, Prince Ranariddh became speaker of the House of Representatives which led to the passage of critical economic reconstruction laws and advance of agriculture, following the ravages of war. Prime Minister Hun Sen is credited for bringing about peace, reconciliation, unity, and development in Cambodia, which suffered from decades of armed conflict and from the atrocious Khmer Rouge “killing fields” regime which murdered more than two million Cambodians. He helped liberate Cambodia from the genocidal Khmer Rouge rule led by Pol Pot and played a pivotal role in the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements, which brokered peace in Cambodia. Hun Sen enjoys close working and personal relations with the royal family. We believe the royal families of Cambodia, Japan, and Thailand are and have been exemplars in the global community as with the royal family in the United Kingdom and the others less publicized in Europe. In the course of our Phnom Penh visit, we also met with our young and dynamic friend Suos Yara, a member of the National Assembly (Parliament) and special adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen. He is a lieutenant general in the Cambodian Armed Forces. Suos Yara also serves as spokesman and vice chairman for international Relations of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). He is knowledgeable in world politics and speaks fluent French. He and former South Korean Ambassador to Russia Park Ro-byug, the respected and hardworking secretary general of our International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), of which we are founding chairman and chairman of Standing Committee, worked very hard in establishing and launching in Siem Reap in January this year the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), a subsidiary group under ICAPP. Suos Yara and Ambassador Park journeyed to Paris and successfully secured a working partnership between the ACC and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Suos Yara serves as director general of the ACC Secretariat based in Phnom Penh. We also met with the bright and charming woman leader Khuon Sudary, deputy speaker of the National Assembly and vice chairperson of the ICAPP Standing Committee. She concurrently holds other positions in the subsidiary groups
Dateline PhiliPPines
of ICAPP — chairperson of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC)and vice chairperson of the Asia Europe Political Forum (AEPF). We visited as well our old friends Tan Sri Datuk Chen Lipkeong, a Malaysian-Chinese who is based in Phnom Penh and who is one of the leading business tycoons in Asia, whose businesses include hotels, gaming, and entertainment in Malaysia, Cambodia, and Far Eastern Russia, and oil exploration and development in Canada; and Mrs. Annie Sok, wife of our late dear friend Sok An, deputy prime minister and minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, who also served as vice chairman of the ICAPP Standing Committee and chairman of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee. Annie keeps the memory and legacy of her beloved Sok An alive by maintaining his memorabilia in their lovely home in Phnom Penh and contributes to charity and women movements. We wanted to meet with our old friend Prince Norodom Ranariddh but we were informed that, on his doctors’ advice, he could not accept visitors yet as he is still recuperating from a major vehicular accident a few months ago which killed his wife. When he is fully recovered, we will invite him again to Pangasinan, where as crown prince with Princess Marie, he had impressed the people with his oratory and simple humility. As we said, Prince Ranariddh was prime minister from 1993 to 1997, with Hun Sen as co-prime minister, and subsequently as president of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006. He is the second son of the late great and legendary King Norodom Sihanouk and brother of the current young King, Norodom Sihamoni. A day before we flew back to Manila, we and our able Assistant AldwinRequejo from Albay were invited by Senator Mong Reththy to his 16,500-hectare palm oil and 10,000-hectare mango plantations in Sihanoukville province, a three-hour drive from Phnom Penh and one-hour drive to Sihanoukville, a coastal city and capital of Sihanoukville province. He gifted us with six hybrid mango trees with each tree bearing unique three varieties of mango. We will proudly and gladly plant the trees in our frontyard and backyard in our home in Dagupan City on Lingayen Gulf by the South China Sea. If they flourish, we would like to share these hybrids with other mango growers. n
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Duterte touts ‘another Marcos’ as...
PAGE 8 “And who benefits? The rich...It’s really a disaster,” he added. Rep. Mikee Romero (1-Pacman party-list) is the wealthiest member of the House of Representatives with a declared net worth of P7.858 billion. Also among the richest lawmakers is Rep. Virgilio Lacson (Manila Teachers party-list), who has a declared net worth of P794 million. But Rep. Sarah Elago (Kabataan party-list), the least wealthy with a declared net worth of P85,000, is also from a party-list. NOLCOM chief to be named MWSS administrator At the same event, Duterte offered the post of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System administrator to
Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, chief of the Northern Luzon Command. In the middle of his extemporaneous remarks, Duterte looked for Salamat, who was in the audience. The president then asked the Marine general when he would reture. Salamat told Duterte he would hang up his uniform next month. “If (MWSS Administrator) Dick Morales agrees, I would move Dick out of MWSS. I will place you there...Then I would look for the next general,” Duterte said. Duterte reiterated that the civilian bureaucracy “is not crafted to solve problems immediately.” “If you give them the project, they will debate with you. Then it would take them eter-
nity to do the project until the money is gone,” he said. Rody wants aviation issues Duterte Duterte reiterated the need to ease the congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by transferring flights to the Sangley Airport in Cavite. He said come passengers complained that they stayed for five hours inside the plane. “The riding public are pitiful...the very essence of a common carrier, whether it is a jeep, a bus, an airplane, a ship — what’s common there is for public interest and public governance, and convenience,” the president said. “If you cannot provide convenience and comfort, do we ought not to be there at all?” he added. n
Fox News poll: Trump trails Democratic...
PAGE 5 you? Former First Lady Michelle Obama said in a speech, “Being president doesn’t change who you are, it reveals who you are.” Indeed, we get to know a person‘s true character not only when he has nothing, but perhaps more so when he has all the power at his disposal. From the illusion that Trump the business “mogul” and reality star will be “presidential” and will live up to the oath of upholding and defending the Constitution and the democracy of the nation, more and more Americans are now seeing who the real Donald Trump is during his chaotic first two years in office. Delusional President Trump could not live with the facts that are not favorable to him, even if they come from his own internal polling, so much so that according to a report by the Washington Post, his “campaign is cutting ties with three members of his polling team after grim numbers showing him trailing former Vice President Joe Biden in several battleground states were leaked to the media last week, according to several officials with knowledge of the matter.” The report further stated: “The news follows reports — first by Politico and later by the New York Times — on a 17-state internal poll conducted by Fabrizio. The data, later reported by ABC and NBC, show Trump trailing Biden by double digits in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida and Michigan, where Trump narrowly edged out Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton
in 2016. The poll also found Trump behind Biden in several other states that were key to the president’s win — Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio and Georgia — while holding a narrow edge in strongly Republican Texas.” Trump, as expected, called this “fake news” because it just did not support his own narrative in his alternate universe, even if the survey was commissioned by his own campaign. “Those polls don’t exist. But I just had a meeting with someone who’s a pollster, and I’m winning everywhere, “ Trump claimed. In fact, this is so very Trump: he refuses to listen to reports and studies that are not favorable to him and his own agenda, that his staff has been so daunted to bring them up to him from fear of falling out of grace and favor. Trump and his ardent supporters contend this is all politics to bring down the president, but wait. This news about Trump trailing behind Biden has been corroborated by the poll commissioned by Trump’s favorite Cable news channel - Fox News! According to the results of the Fox News polling, “the president is currently lagging behind as many as five of the Democratic candidates for the 2020 presidential election. The latest poll, conducted between June 9 and June 12, found Democratic frontrunners — former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders — each garnering 49 percent of the vote in a hypothetical head-to-head against the president.”
Newsweek reported that “Biden fared slightly better against Trump, beating the incumbent by ten percentage points, while Sanders had a slightly smaller gap of nine points over the president.” “The remaining three Democrats who could possibly unseat Trump were Senators Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris, and Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Warren, who was the first of the Democratic hopefuls to publicly call for Trump to be impeached holds the slight edge in this trio, beating the president by 43 percent to 41 percent. Harris — who has also since called for Trump’s ouster — and Buttigieg each came out on top against the president, but only by a single percentage point.” Trump’s reaction on Twitter? More lies. “Polls are always bad for me. They were against Crooked Hillary also. Something weird going on at Fox. Our polls show us leading in all 17 Swing States.” This is the real Donald Trump. The presidency cannot change the man. You cannot change the man. But we can change ourselves by being better informed, having more critical thinking and a discerning heart and the quest for the truth so we can make better decisions for our families and our nation come 2020. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos. Relos
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 21-27, 2019
COMMUNITY Journal
Immigration Corner
July 2019 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
First Preference
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line� for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,� but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards� and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.� If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
May 01, 2008
August 22, 2007
(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below March 08, 2019 Current 21 years old) of green card holder (2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
August 01, 2008
January 01, 2008
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
February 01, 1998
August 01, 1997
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
July 01, 1998
January 01, 1998
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Second Preference
Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
Current
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
Current
Current
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
Current
Current
to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and
CAN WE REINSTATE OUR SON’S PETITION FROM 1999 SINCE HE IS NOW SINGLE AGAIN AFTER HIS MARRIAGE WAS ANNULLED IN 2018? THIS QUESTION AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED ON “CITIZEN PINOY: YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT!� More Kapamilya who came to the Citizen PInoy taping in Illinois will get the chance to have their questions answered this Sunday. Find out what is the fastest way to petition children from a previous marriage. What can one do if her visa renewal was denied because she overstayed on her first trip? A woman was petitioned by her first husband, but she has since remarried. She discovers that her first husband passed away in 2010. What are her chances of being a U.S. citizen now that the petitioner has died? Can her second husband petition her? Get answers to these questions and more on a brand-new episode of — “Citizen Pinoy,� this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook. com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @ GurfinkelLaw
Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL
Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories�, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.
Can anything be done if a visa renewal was refused due to overstaying on a previous visit? Get the answer this Sunday on “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot�
THIS Sunday, more answers to questions of Kapamilya who went to the live taping of “Citizen Pinoy� in Skokie, Illinois. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel responds directly and provides relevant information to questions like “What can be done if a visa renewal was denied due to overstaying
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on a previous visit, but it was not true?,� “What happens to the petition if the petitioner died?,� “What is the fastest way to petition children from a previous marriage?,� “Should the mother file for citizenship so she can petition the children?,� “Or can her U.S. citizen husband petition for the children from the wife’s previous mar-
riage?� These and more questions will be answered on an all-new edition of the information-packed, public service program on television — “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot� — on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
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JUNe 21-27, 2019 • NeW YORK AND NeW JeRSeY ASIAN JOURNAL
Community Journal
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2019 People’s Ball Gala Set on Aug 9
NEW JERSEY – If there’s one elegant Filipino-American night to go to this year, it’s the highly anticipated People’s Ball and Fund-raising Gala on August 9, 6 pm onwards at Meadowlands Hilton at 2 Meadowlands Plaza in East Rutherford, NJ. “People’s Ball used to be strictly a ball, a dinner dance, but now it’s also called a fund-raising gala for a good reason--it’s an important networking event for Filipinos and their guests in the northeast,” says Nanding Mendez, CEO and President of Fiesta in America. Now on its 11th year, People’s Ball draws in Filipinos and even non-Filipinos who like to network and connect with the most influential and successful Filipinos in the northeast. Non-Filipinos attend the ball for a chance to meet top Filipino personalities, celebrities and entrepreneurs. The networking part comes naturally, because of the convivial mood the ball sets for the attendees who come and even fly in from different parts of the US and the world, from Canada and the Philippines and even those from the West Coast. People’s Ball continues to grow significantly every year. Last year, around 400 guests dressed up for a night of dancing with special guests from government
Peoples Ball 2019 logo
and entertainment fields. The ball is the annual preFiesta in America event that allows organizers to extend their gratitude to corporate and individual supporters, as well as various tri-state leaders who recognize the importance of strengthening the role of Filipinos and other Asian communities in the tri-state area. Filipino host, actor and model JC de Vera is slated to make an appearance at the ball and perform at the 21st Fiesta in America, the twoday expo and cultural show on Aug 10 and 11 at nearby Meadowlands Expo Center in New Jersey. The night will not be complete without handing
the annual Empowerment Awards which should be in line with the ball’s theme, Hollywood Oscar night, which should encourage guests to attend with their elegant outfits. Attire is strictly formal and that includes the beautiful Filipino formal attire. To be part of this elegant ball on Friday, August 9 at Meadowlands Hilton, 2 Meadowlands Plaza, East Rutherford, NJ, please make a reservation at 212-6826610 or via email at info@ fiestainamerica.com. For more information about People’s Ball and Fiesta in America, visit fiestainamerica.com.
(Advertising Supplement)
Veteran actor Eddie Garcia dies at 90; stars, politicians pay tribute By Tessa
Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net
VETERAN actor Eduardo “Eddie” Garcia died at 4:55 p.m. today, Thursday, June 20, according to a Medical Bulletin released by Makati Medical Center. He was 90. Garcia met an accident on the set of a TV series on June 8 suffering from severe cervical fracture. With minimal brain function since then, his organs were expected to fail one by one and this week, the actor was placed on DNR (Do not ressucitate) status by his family. Garcia is survived by son Henry and his family and partner Lilibeth Romero of 33 years. Garcia, who started his showbiz career 70 years ago, is considered an institution PAGE 13
Eddie Garcia
29th PAFCOM Friendship Parade and Festival all set
A PHILIPPINE Flag Raising was held on June 7th at the Jersey City Chamber Hall to commemorate the declaration of the 121st Philippine Independence Day. The Philippine flag was proudly raised and waved with the American flag to kick off the celebration festivities ofPAFCOM Friendship Parade and Festival 2019 on Sunday June 23 in honor of the Philippine American Friendship Day - a day that pays tribute to the long partnership between the two countries. The annual parade and festival organized by Philippine American Friendship Community Inc. (PAFCOM) will start with a Sunday mass service at Our Lady of Victory at 10:00 am and the Friendship Parade at 11:30 through Westside Avenue starting at Claremont Ave ending at Lincoln Park with festivities and show until 6pm. This annual event is one of New Jersey’s largest free outdoor festivals that draws all in wanting to sample Philippine cuisine, soak up Filipino hospitality, and enjoy entertainment that crosses all ages, cultures and ethnicities. As the only Philippine American Friendship parade in New Jersey, the Friendship Parade is a display of Filipino relationship community pride. Beautifully decorated float of muses, TFC celebrity and the colorful contingents representing many different ethnic communities and groups. Experience the best of Filipino art, dance, music and food at the festival following the parade. The parade will be led by Engr. Romulo M. Luz as the 2019 Grand Marshal and will be followed by this year’s Honorary Grand Marshal US Senator Robert (Bob) Menendez, a firm advocate of
Fil-Am veterans’ equity bill, with certain benefits eventually won and restored under President Barack Obama and had pushed for U.S. aid to the Philippines in the wake of the devastating typhoon Haiyan. “It’s befitting to honor Senator Menendez in this way, as he has stood by and fought for the Filipino community,” said Jersey City Council President Rolando Lavarro, last year’s PAFCOM Grand Marshal. Engr. Romulo Luz and Senator Menendez will be joined by PAFCOM President Rosalinda Rupel, officers and members, as well as the 2019 PAFCOM muses -- Miss PAFCOM Patricia Fernandez, Mrs. PAFCOM Elsa Lambert, Miss Teen PAFCOM Krisma-
rie Taino, Little Miss PAFCOM Jasmine-Nicole Octaviano, Bb. Pilipinas PAFCOM Aileen Aromin, Miss Liberty PAFCOM Kyra Ibok and Miss LGBTQ PAFCOM Isabela Acuna. The TFC hour with The Filipino Channel will have a performance by one of the Philippines movie idols, Sam Milby. This year’s parade PAFCOM partners are: SendFriend, CarePoint Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Quontic Bank, RML Construction Inc., Bayonne Community Bank, RWJ Barnabas Health, Jersey City Medical Center, Liberty Savings Credit Union, Rosalinda Medina-Rupel Family with City of Jersey City and Hudson County of New Jersey. (Advertising Supplement)
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Makisig now a married man in Australia
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 21-27, 2019
Donny: DonKiss ‘breakup’ not yet final
By Katrina Hallare
By Jan Milo Severo
Inquirer.net
Philstar.com
FORMER child star Makisig Morales is now a married man. Morales, who was made famous by the fantaserye “Super Inggo,” tied the knot with this beauty queen girlfriend Nicole Joson in Australia earlier this year, the Philippine Ultimate Showbiz Hub (Push) reported on Tuesday, June 18. Morales and Joson had an intimate sunset ceremony at the south-eastern area of La Perouse in Sydney. The former child actor confirmed that he is now married in an Instagram post, sharing a quote from the Bible about husbands and wives. “I did not look for love, but instead love found me and brought me back to
DONNY Pangilinan was taken aback by his onscreen partner Kisses Delavin’s recent statement declaring that their love team “has long been over.” In his Instagram account, Donny posted on his Instagram story that he believes that their onscreen partnership, fondly called DonKiss, was still under review. “I’ll be honest, it was a surprise. To my understanding, the partnership was still under review because of different expectations, with no final decision yet,” Donny wrote. He, however, asked his supporters to respect Kisses’ statement as he wishes the best for her. “But let’s please respect her statement. I sincerely wish Kisses and her family the best. Let’s not fault-find. Let’s all support each other at this time,” he urged. He thanked all their sup-
Makisig Morales with wife Nicole Joson
Photo from Instagram/@makisig228
him. I am grateful to be your other half my love. I love you,” Morales said of Joson.
The 22-year-old actor and the Fil-Aussie beauty queen got engaged in September 2018.
Veteran actor Eddie Garcia dies...
PAGE 11 in Philippine entertainment as a multi-awarded actor and director. VETERAN actor Eduardo “Eddie” Garcia died at 4:55 p.m. today, Thursday, according to a Medical Bulletin released by Makati Medical Center. He was 90. Garcia met an accident on the set of a TV series on June 8 suffering from severe cervical fracture. With minimal brain function since then, his organs were expected to fail one by one and this week, the actor was placed on DNR (Do not ressucitate) status by his family. Garcia is survived by son Henry and his family and partner Lilibeth Romero of 33 years. Garcia, who started his showbiz career 70 years ago, is considered an institution in Philippine entertainment as a multi-awarded actor and director. Personalities pay tribute to ‘Manoy’ Eddie Garcia Showbiz personalities and politicians took to social media and paid tribute to Garcia. “We lost an icon today,” tweeted actress Bela Padilla. “This is truly heartbreaking. Rest easy, sir. I love all the conversations I was blessed to share with you, and I will remember you fondly forever.”
“You will be missed and forever remembered,” said Jodi Sta. Maria on Twitter. “I pray you find peace and rest in the arms of our Lord. You are in a better place, Sir.” “Thank you for the inspiration of a life & career welllived. 90 years,” tweeted TV personality Gretchen Ho. “One of the legends of Philippine TV & Cinema. Rest in peace, Eddie Garcia.” Actress Jasmine CurtisSmith said that the heavy rains on Thursday afternoon was like the afternoon “crying its heart out”. “The rain is pouring so hard,” she tweeted. “I feel like the afternoon is crying its heart out because of a great loss in the entertainment industry, Tito Eddie Garcia. You are an amazing person and actor. What an honor to have been in your presence just a few weeks back.” “Paalam, Tito Eddie. Salamat. Salamat,” tweeted Juan Miguel Severo, who was the behind the play “Hintayin ng Langit (Heaven is Waiting)”, which was made into a film starring Garcia and Gina Pareño and was recently released to Netflix days before Garcia died. “Tito Eddie, maraming, maraming salamat,” tweeted filmmaker Dan Villegas, who directed Hintayin ng Langit. “It was an honor to
have worked with you, sir. Rest in power, Manoy. We will miss you.” Outgoing Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito was among the first to pay tribute to the late actor. “Sad to hear of the passing of Tito Eddie Garcia,” he said in a tweet. “An institution in the Philippine Film Industry. A fine gentleman. One of the nicest persons in show business I have met.” “RIP Eddie Garcia,” tweeted newly re-elected Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara. “A fine gentleman and great actor.” “Kaisa ng mamamayang Pilipino na nagdadalamhati sa pagpanaw ng dakilang Eddie Garcia,” (We are one with the Filipino people in mourning the passing of the great Eddie Garcia.) tweeted Quezon City 5th District Rep. Alfred Vargas. “Ang mahusay na paggampan ni Eddie Garcia bilang artistang Pilipino ay nakaukit na sa kultura ng ating lipunan na hindi makakalimutan ng mga susunod na henerasyon.” (The work of Eddie Garcia as a Filipino artist is etched in the culture of our society that will not be forgotten by future generations.) Upon his passing at 4:55 p.m. at the Makati Medical Center on Thursday, Garcia became the top trending topic on Twitter worldwide.
Donny Pangilinan and Kisses Delavin Inquirer.net photo
porters for standing with them through the whole journey. “DonKiss, we will forever be grateful for you all, love you guys. God bless, good night,” he said. Recently, Kisses went on a social media hiatus and after that break, she announced that “DonKiss” is
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over. “I apologize for my social media blackout. I believe that my supporters have the right to know that the ‘DonKiss’ partnership has long been over,” she declared. The singer-actress said she respected the feelings of her fans to appeal for her love team with Donny, but she is not in favor of fandom war between DonKiss supporters and fans of her other “former on-screen partner.” “I felt how strongly they want to fight for this ship despite the despites, as it is not because of the ship itself but the family found in one another. I respect their feelings. However, as much as I understand the bleeding hearts of my supporters, I am not in favor of this fandom war of my DonKiss supporters against the other ship of my former on-screen partner to go on any further,” the actress explained.
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people events arts culture entertainment
Not just happy stories: Grace Talusan’s ‘The Body Papers’ explores trauma, undocumented immigration and not staying silent
G
BY
CHRISTINA M. ORIEL / AJPRESS
RACE Talusan recalls being drawn to books at an early age. Some photos from childhood show her reading or writing, which foreshadow a chapter in her life some three decades later.
“I’ve always identified as a writer or wanted to be a writer,” she told the Asian Journal in a recent interview. With “The Body Papers,” released this past April — along with her background as an English professor at Tufts University and incoming Fannie Hurst writer-inresidence at Brandeis University this fall — Talusan embodies that life’s calling as a writer. Structured in 21 essays
based on her memories supplemented by sifting through diary entries, family photos, government and medical records, the book begins with Talusan living in the Philippines as a Fulbright scholar, marking one of the first times as an adult she returns to her country of birth after moving to a Boston suburb in the 1970s. With her experience as a Filipino American in the Philippines, revisiting her fam-
Grace Talusan and father (named Totoy in “The Body Papers”) in Miami in 2018. Photo by Alonso Nichols
Mary and Grace during a snow storm growing up in a suburb outside of Boston.
ily’s ancestral home guides the storytelling of how she and her family came to the United States and the struggles, whether it was trying to ‘fit in’ by forgoing Tagalog and adopting a Bostonian accent or living in immigration status limbo. On the physical ‘body’ side, Talusan dives into trauma that many families may sweep under the rug, from years of sexual abuse by her grandfather to anxiety and depression to voluntarily undergoing a double mastectomy and oophorectomy because of the genetic predisposition to breast cancer. “My parents were so busy back then as new immigrants putting the pieces of their American Dream together: the small business, the house in the suburbs, the two cars. There were five of us children and no servants or supportive family like back home in the Philippines. I didn’t want to be a bother,” Talusan writes of keeping the abuse a secret. However, she later describes coming forward to her parents and years later, recognizes the duty to not only tell “happy stories” when she becomes an aunt. “With my book, I wanted to make a space so people can start having conversations that are very important for them to have,” Talusan said in our interview. Talusan’s memoir-in-essays was the 2017 winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing, which recognizes debut literary work by a first-generation immigrant and awards $10,000 and publication by Restless Books. Of “The Body Papers,”
prize judges Anjali Singh and Ilan Stavans wrote that “it is the considered, artful work of one who has been processing these experiences with the diligence and courage of a true writer. In its message of resilience—and the salvation to be found in books—Talusan’s memoir will serve as an inspiration to thousands of young immigrants who feel the weight of secrecy and silence pressed upon them.” Currently on a tour with an upcoming stop at Philippine Expressions Bookshop in San Pedro, California on June 29, Talusan doesn’t uphold “The Body Papers” as the ultimate representation of what it means to be a FilAm, but rather a conduit to show how every body is multilayered with stories to tell. Asian Journal (AJ): How have reading and writing been a part of your Author Grace Talusan reads at Brookline Booksmith Transnational Series in May 2019. life? Grace Talusan (GT): No matter what happened to me in my life, I would be interested in reading and writing. But I think that with the things that happened to me, writing was a form for me to process those experiences, whether it’s being different with immigration or how I dealt with my niece having cancer or me having to go through the decision to have surgery. All of that I definite- Talusan reads from her debut memoir, “The Body Papers,” at Lit Crawl Boston on ly processed through reading June 6, 2019. Photo by Alonso Nichols and writing. AJ: Who were some of the writers you enjoyed growing up? GT: I didn’t discover any writers of color until probably high school or even college. Most of the writers who had an impact on me were those I found in my local library. I loved books by Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume, and I would go through books and biographies about girls and women. It wasn’t PAGE 15 Photo shows Grace and family apple picking in the ‘70s.
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 21-27, 2019
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Not just happy stories: Grace... PAGE 14 until I found Amy Tan and Maxine Hong Kingston that I finally had writers who really opened up an opportunity…I had thought literature was about white people and I would have to write about them. It was a revelation when I came into contact with other Asian American writers and realized I could depict families in literature that looked like my family. AJ: One aspect of your story is coming to Boston at an early age. GT: It was a big culture shock to go from the city to the suburbs — we lived in Boston then moved to a suburb — because it was pretty homogenous. In the city, there were more immigrants and people of color but the suburbs were largely families who had been in that town for multiple generations. AJ: How did where you grew up shape your identity? GT: It made for great training for a writer because I had to be observant and vigilant and constantly paying attention to what was going on around me by reading people on multiple levels. I’m constantly reading into context and tone of voice, so I would always wonder like ‘what is this context I am finding myself in and how do I fit into it?’ AJ: Were there any instances that you still remember? GT: I remember a teacher asking a question in an attempt to make a point about how we’re all the same, which I think was not a good point to make because we’re not. But he was asking people to raise their hand like, ‘How many of you eat bread every day at dinner?’ Everyone raised their hand but I lied and raised my hand. Then he asked, ‘How many people eat rice every day?’ I half raised my hand and put it back down again. Moments like this made me realize that I was different in big ways from people even though I was trying to mask it all the time. We did eat rice every day but that was considered a really weird thing to do in the place I grew up in. I could act like everyone else around me like take on the Boston accent, play sports and music, and go to birthday parties of classmates. But there were ways that I just couldn’t get around my identity because of the way I looked. I’m not white so there’s so way to
get around that. There were ways I was treated because of that with some bullies at school making racial taunts, but people wanted our town to be a friendly, welcoming place so, for the most part, they were friendly to us and did stand up for me when things like that happened. There were just some people around who weren’t as openminded. AJ: What role did your diaries from growing up play in the writing process? GT: I had diaries and looked at them after I did most of the major writing of the book. There was a period when I was going back and forth with my editor with big revisions so I had this time in between when I did things like look at my box of diaries…starting around maybe younger than 10 years old. I had intermittent writings in my diary and then through high school and college it was much more regular writing. I looked at those to gain confidence that I was correct in dates and names of friends and things that had happened. I also cross-referenced things like report cards, photographs that are dated, letters and notes that people sent me. But that mostly happened after writing as a way to check that I was right on stuff. In terms of writing and making the memoir come to life, I really relied on my memory and what stood out to me and what has stayed with me for decades since they had happened. AJ: Did you have any conversations with family about you sharing these stories? GT: I didn’t think of my writing as a book. I was writing essays and pieces for myself for a period of about 10 years. I had tried to publish them here and there. I was targeting print-only journals, but then there was a time when I had what was a book and I then got a book contract so that was when I started to talk to family members more intentionally and tell them what I wrote about and that it was going to be a book. I didn’t give them pages for approval or anything like that… but everyone said, ‘We trust you.’ That level of trust also made me feel like I needed to be trustworthy and made me try really hard to get things right. Of course, it’s my perspective. Talk to people about something you’ve all experienced and everyone will have a different perspective on their experience. I did try to interview people to follow
up on things and see if that would add anything but not a lot since it’s my story and I wanted that integrity. AJ: What kinds of conversations do you want readers, especially those in the Filipino American community, to have? The immigrant experience is relatable for many, but you also write about deeply personal experiences, whether it’s abuse or cancer in the family, that people tend to not want to talk about. GT: What is the point of silence? I can understand if there’s a reason about safety, but if it’s just you trying to instill false pride in the family, then there’s no use at all for that silence. I feel strongly that we should be having conversations that we need to have in order to keep our families safe, healthy, honest and vibrant. Why would we want to maintain a lie? In the author’s note, I say that very explicitly. I was told incomplete or happy stories and that was a very damaging thing. We should feel safe enough and strong enough that we can tell complete stories and still be able to be proud of who we are and recognize the full complexities of our families. AJ: How does ‘The Body Papers’ fit into the greater Fil-Am narrative? GT: There are not many representations of Filipino Americans in literature and in our culture and I was very aware of that. It took me a long time to come to peace with what I was going through because I knew it would be read as representative in some ways for Filipino Americans, which it should not be because this is just one unique, specific story. It is not representative, but I knew that it could be taken that way. Sometimes there’s pressure because there’s so few of us in publishing that we should tell only certain kinds of stories or those that are happy and make us proud of who we are. I would argue that this story does make me proud of who I am because we all go through difficult things and hardships. AJ: Another layer of your personal journey is going back to the Philippines as an adult through the Fulbright Program. What did you learn during that experience? GT: Because I was the only Filipina in classrooms oftentimes, people would look to me as if I was some sort of expert on all things Filipino.
Grace and Alonso with family in ancestral home 2015.
That gave me a false sense that I was and that I knew a lot about the Philippines when I really didn’t. When I was in graduate school, I took a course N.V.M Gonzalez on Filipino literature and another on Philippine history. Those were the first times I had formal education on anything Filipino. It wasn’t until I got to the Philippines and spent any time there that I realized I knew very little and I’m not an expert at all. I’m learning just as much as any person who’s been schooled in the U.S. I had to learn to know what I didn’t know and learn what I didn’t know. I always thought of myself as Filipino because that’s how people saw me in the United States, but then when I went to the Philippines, I realized that I am not just Filipino, I am…a hyphenated American. AJ: You’ve been doing a book tour across the East Coast this past spring, which has been attended by diverse audiences. What has the reception been like? GT: From everybody, Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, the response has been, ‘Thank you.’ Whether I’m talking about my body, disease, sexual abuse or immigration, those are things people are responding to with their gratitude in that they’re feeling seen in some way or they’re seeing some aspect of their own experiences even if they’re not Filipino. That’s really gratifying for me because I didn’t know who was going to read this book and thought people wouldn’t care. I thought maybe only immigrants would care or other Filipinos and Filipino Americans, but no, the book is actually reaching people who are not any of those identities. When I bring this up to my non-Filipino or immigrant friends, they laugh and say, ‘Why wouldn’t we be interested in this?’ That’s something from my imagination, thinking that people not of our background could find a universal story in it or
something they’re connecting to that’s powerful. It isn’t anything against them personally — it’s because I don’t see movies and literature about our lives so why would I assume that they’d be interested about my life? AJ: You’ll be doing a book talk and signing at Philippine Expressions Bookshop in San Pedro in late June. What can we expect from that event? GT: That’s going to be an incredible event and special because I’ll be in conversation with sociologist Anthony Ocampo, who wrote “The Latinos of Asia: How Filipino Americans Break the Rules of Race.” That’s something special to have both of us at this event, him as a sociologist and storyteller, asking me questions and analyzing my book. I want to encourage our community to tell their own stories in whatever way they want to and what feels comfortable, whether it’s through writing or videos. We need more of our work out in the world for sure. AJ: What’s next for you? GT: I’m doing research, which I could say, about World War II in the Philippines and looking at it as a Filipino American. I will continue to work on essays. Even with just going on this tour and publishing this book, I have already started working on essays about that experience. For now, it’s all about marketing “The Body Papers.” I’ve worked so hard at this with my publishing company and team so I want people to at least know it exists. It’s been such a pleasure and surprise to see how it’s been received. Those two New York Times reviews have been unbelievable — I didn’t even think I’d get one, but the fact that they did it twice was amazing. AJ: Any advice for aspiring writers and storytellers? “The Body Papers” comes at a time when we’ve seen quite a few releases from other Fil-Am authors. GT: I’d say start with something true that you haven’t
seen before. You may dismiss it and think it’s not important. I’ve been reading Malaka Gharib’s “I Was Their American Dream,” which is funny and moving, but also a revelation I’d never seen these details of my life in comic form. I posted an Instagram of a page where the daughter is pulling the white hair out of her mother’s head and people were replying that they would do that too and get paid a few cents. That’s a true moment I’ve never seen before anywhere. That’s so important to represent and write about our lives in those little details because they’re ways to get across the specificity and beauty of our lives, otherwise we’re invisible and erased and have to fit ourselves into what we see on TV and movies, which is recognizable on some level but they’re not specific to us. I’ve also been reading “America is Not the Heart” by Elaine Castillo, whom I haven’t met yet but I hope to go to a reading because I love her work so much. There are two forthcoming memoirs, Jia Tolentino’s “Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion,” which is coming out in August. She’s incredible. Also, my cousin — she’s technically my niece or second cousin I think — Meredith Talusan has a book called “Fairest” in spring 2020. I did an event with Meredith so I’ve heard her read from that book. Gina Apostol, whose latest book is “Insurrecto,” was also in that conversation at Columbia University. I have a big stack of books by Fil-Ams to get to like Cinelle Barnes’ “Monsoon Mansion.” It used to be that I would do this for Asian American writers, especially in the ‘80s when I would buy any new book by an Asian American writer and I’d have a stack of about 10 a year. But the fact that I can have a stack of 10 just for Fil-Ams at this point is really exciting. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
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