Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 18 - No. 25 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Duterte wants China to guarantee Filipinos’ DATELINE USA Trump’s decision to end rights and safety in West Philippine Sea FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
DACA to be reviewed by Supreme Court
THE U.S. Supreme Court announced on Friday, June 28 that it would be reviewing an appeal in the next term on whether the Trump administration’s ongoing plan to end protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is lawful. With legal arguments set to take place near the end of 2019, the highest court’s decision may likely be made by mid-2020 — peak campaigning time for presidential candidates including President Donald Trump who is eyeing re-election. Since Trump’s election in 2016, DACA has found itself at the center of political negotiations revolving around immigration and funding for a wall along the southern U.S.-Mexico border. Trump announced in 2017 that his admin-
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJ Press
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is seeking assurance from China that it will guarantee the rights and safety of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea following the June 9 sinking of a Filipino boat in Recto Bank, MalacaĂąang said Tuesday, July 2. According to presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, Duterte made this statement during the 39th Cabinet meeting in MalacaĂąang on Monday night, July 1.
THE Supreme Court on Thursday, June 27 rejected the Trump administration’s citizenship question from being included in the 2020 Census questionnaire. In his majority opinion released after the 5-4 ruling, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. wrote that the administration’s justification and intentions for the citizenship questions “seem to have been contrived.� The decennial count of all persons living in the United States (slated for April, 1, 2020) determines the appropriation of representatives each state gets in the House as well as the al-
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Duterte recently drew flak for his rather soft stance on the Recto Bank incident, where the lives of 22 fishermen were put at risk after a Chinese vessel hit them and left them adrift until a Vietnamese vessel rescued them. He has downplayed the collision as just a “little maritime accident,â€? and told the Filipino fishermen: “Well, I’m sorry. That’s how it is.â€? Duterte was also slammed after agreeing with China’s proposition of a joint investigation into the incident. He suggested involving an independent body should the two countries’ findings fail to match but China rejected it. â–
National ID system target: 105-M Filipinos covered by 2022 by NEIL
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Supreme Court rejects citizenship question on 2020 Census
“The president wanted China’s assurance that the rights and safety of our fisherfolks are guaranteed,� the spokesperson said. Panelo also said that Duterte wants the incident to be discussed during his bilateral meeting with China. “PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) told the Cabinet that the incident be discussed during the bilateral meetings with China,� he said. Since 2017, Manila and Beijing have been engaging in a Bilateral Consultative Mechanism (BCM) where they discuss specific issues and development in the West Philippine Sea.
ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net
MANILA – The government is targeting to have 105 million Filipinos enrolled in the national ID system once it is fully implemented in 2022, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) chief Ernesto M. Pernia said on Monday, July 1. Speaking at the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, Pernia said the government is currently in the process of procuring the technologies needed for the implementation of the national ID system or Philippine Identification System (PhilSys). The national ID system would serve as a single identification which would benefit Filipinos, including those living overseas and resident aliens who are at least five years old.
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COURAGE. Filipino tribal leaders walk towards the gate of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on Monday, July 1. They engaged representatives of the OfďŹ ce of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the challenges their communities are facing due to attacks by the CPP-NPA-NDFP. They are calling on the UN to help end the communist armed conict in the Philippines. MalacaĂąang photo by Mac Villarino
Canada takes garbage back from We are winning the war against illegal drugs — PNP Philippines, ending long dispute illegal drugs, the improvement of our peace and order situation, not only in Metro Manila but also PHILIPPINES National Police in the whole country),â€? he said (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albay- during a press briefing. Duterte’s war against drugs alde said the Philippines is winning the war against illegal drugs has continuously drawn critias President Rodrigo Duterte cisms both from local and international groups after at least marked his third year in office. According to Albayalde, the 6,000 people ended up dead durimprovement in the peace and ing official police operations. order situation across the country is a manifestation of the drug war’s success. “This is a clear manifestation that we are winning the war against illegal drugs, dahil isa ito sa resulta sa kampanya natin sa illegal na droga, yung pag-imIn this ďŹ le photo, protesters tell Canada to take back tons of garbage illegally shipped to a port in Manila from Canada two years ago. Inquirer.net photo by NiĂąo Jesus Orbeta prove natin sa ating peace and order situation dito, hindi lang sa Philippines. electronics, and household waste, Metro Manila pero buong bansa The shipment actually con- including kitchen trash and dia- yan (Because this is one of the tained a mixture of paper, plastics, u PAGE A3 results of our campaign against !.$2%7 " 3(). by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJ Press
VANCOUVER — Tonnes of Canadian garbage left in the Philippines for years arrived back home on Saturday, July 29, putting an end to a festering diplomatic row that highlighted how Asian nations have grown tired of being the world’s trash dump. A cargo vessel loaded with about 69 containers of rubbish docked in a port on the outskirts of Vancouver, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. The trash will be incinerated at a waste-to-energy facility, local officials said. The conflict dates back to 2013 and 2014, when a Canadian company shipped containers mislabeled as recyclable plastics to the
Palace: Filing impeachment complaint no basis for arrest
polices on Chinese fishing in Philippine waters if they try to impeach Philstar.com him. He made the remark after forCRITICS of President Rodrigo mer Foreign Affairs Secretary AlDuterte cannot be arrested for fil- bert del Rosario said Duterte may ing an impeachment complaint be impeached for failing to perover his handling of the West Phil- form his constitutional mandate to ippine Sea row, Malacaùang said defend the Philippines’ territory. Tuesday, July 2. Although the Recto Bank (Reed President Rodrigo Duterte previ- Bank) is beyond the 12-nautical ously threatened to jail critics of his u PAGE A3 by ALEXIS
ROMERO
Albayalde, for his part, countered the criticisms and pointed out that the 50 policemen have been killed in action while 144 suffered injuries. “Fifty police officers killed is perhaps the painful proof that our detractors need for them to accept the fact that slain drug suspects indeed put up violent
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JULY 5-11, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page Supreme Court rejects citizenship question... PAGE A1 location of federal funds to each state — the larger the population, the more representatives and funding each state gets. (These funds are typically diverted to public uses such as Medicaid, housing assistance and public education among other programs.) It also determines how electoral districts are drawn. The last time the census asked about residents’ citizenship was in the 1950 census survey which asked, “If foreign born — Is he naturalized?” (In 1960, there was a question about birthplace, but didn’t ask about naturalization.) Then in March 2018, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross sent out a memo with plans to reinstate the citizenship question on the 2020 count. According to Ross, the request came from the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) which “sought out improved data” about the voting-age population who were citizens with the purpose of better enforcing the Voting Rights Act (VRA). In short, Ross reasoned that the DOJ required more accurate citizenship data and that existing resources — the regularly distributed American Community Survey (ACS) and the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — were inadequate. But Roberts wrote in his majority opinion that the documented presented in the case showed that the Commerce Department — despite claiming it was acting on a “routine data request” from the DOJ — went out of its way to “elicit” a request from the DOJ “or
any other willing agency.” “We are presented, in other words, with an explanation for agency action that is incongruent with what the record reveals about the agency’s priorities and decision-making process,” Roberts wrote. “Several points, considered together, reveal a significant mismatch between the decision [Ross] made and the rationale he provided.” Per the majority ruling, Census Bureau officials have “resisted occasional proposals” to continue asking about citizenship on the questionnaire in fear that including a citizenship question will alter the true count of states with high concentrations of undocumented residents who may fear that divulging their citizenship status could open up the door for deportation. Since Ross’ memo in 2018, lawmakers and Asian and Pacific Islander (API) advocacy organizations have decried the proposed reinstatement of the citizenship question on grounds that it serves to alter the true count of regions that have higher concentrations of undocumented immigrants like Los Angeles. Asian American Action Fund Board Member Caroline Fan said in a statement, “The inclusion of the census citizenship question is a deliberate effort to erase AAPI communities and communities of color, and to disenfranchise us. The highest and only goal of the Census is a complete and accurate count. This question instills fear and decreases participation by our families, particularly considering that many families are of mixed immigration status, and that 1 in 7
AAPIs is undocumented.” LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas praised the court’s decision in ensuring that the 2020 census moves toward a more accurate count. “In Los Angeles County, we face a special challenge. We’re home to one of the most diverse populations in the world. The world is Los Angeles County and Los Angeles County is the world,” Ridley-Thomas wrote in a statement. “This means we have our work cut out for us to reach historically hard-to-count population groups, such as people of color, low-income residents, immigrants, and people without higher education. Young children and young families are particularly at risk.” But the Supreme Court’s decision doesn’t kill the citizenship question altogether. Following the ruling, President Donald Trump announced that he is seeking legal advice to delay the census count to give the administration more time to better organize its reasoning for why it thinks the citizenship question is necessary. “Seems totally ridiculous that our government, and indeed Country, cannot ask a basic question of Citizenship in a very expensive, detailed and important Census, in this case for 2020,” Trump tweeted on Thursday. “I have asked the lawyers if they can delay the Census, no matter how long, until the United States Supreme Court is given additional information from which it can make a final and decisive decision on this very critical matter.”(Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress) n
PAGE A1 istration would be winding down DACA, claiming its adoption to have been unlawful and that courts did not have the power to review its decision. Then acting Attorney General Jeff Sessions cited to a 2015 federal appeals court ruling in New Orleans that blocked a related Obama-era program called DAPA, Several Cabinet members discuss government programs including the National ID system during the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) or Deferred Action for Parents of Economic and Infrastructure Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Monday, July 1. Americans. Inquirer.net photo by Noy Morcoso The Trump administration also mentation of the ID system. We are said it acted to end DACA as a blood type, and address. PAGE A1 The ID would also indicate if the now in the stage of procuring the result of lawsuit threats coming The ID would contain information such as biometrics (thumbprint, iris holder is a Filipino or a resident different technologies that are need- from states including Texas. ed such as the automated biometric Protests and lawsuits from imand face scanning), full name, gen- alien. “We are fast-tracking the imple- information system,” Pernia said. n migrant advocates and civil rights der, date of birth, place of birth, groups quickly ensued, with several lower courts arguing that the Trump administration had no clear reason for ending the pro //", 9Ê /Ê 7 gram, or any clear argument that DACA was illegal. In California, a federal judge issued the first of three nationwide injunctions in 2018 that required the Trump administration to continue accepting renewal applications from DACA recipients whose statuses were about to expire.
According to federal data, renewals were made for more than 373,000 DACA recipients. Federal courts in New York, Virginia, and Washington D.C., similarly made moves to block the administration from immediately ending the program. The 2012 Obama-era program has protected nearly 700,000 people brought into this country as young children — commonly referred to as “DREAMers” — through providing them with work permits and protection from deportation. According to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, nearly 5,000 applications approved since 2012 were from undocumented Filipinos. One of the cases up for Supreme Court review was brought forth by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, together with attorneys general from Maine, Maryland, and Minnesota. “So far, both lower courts in our legal fight to protect DACA have agreed with us that the Trump Administration’s attempt to end it was unlawful,” Becerra said in a
statement on Friday. He added, “In California and across our nation, [DREAMers] enrich our communities as scholars, entrepreneurs, first responders, and much more.” The Supreme Court’s announcement comes after it just earlier this month, refused to expedite hearings of the cases coming from four federal appeals courts. The Justice Department on Friday praised the decision. “We are pleased the Supreme Court agreed that this issue needs resolution. We look forward to presenting our case before the Court,” said Alexei Woltornist, spokesperson for the Justice Department. In the meantime, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an affiliation of five civil rights organizations, encourages DACA beneficiaries to continue renewing their applications. The federal government is currently under court order to accept and process renewal applications, but it is not accepting new applications. (Rae Ann Varona/ AJPress) n
SPEAKING TOUR. Indigenous peoples (IP) leaders check their presentation during a conference before a Filipino community group in Queens, New York City on Saturday, June 29. The IP leaders are in the United States for a series of speaking engagements about the atrocities of the CPP-NPA-NDFP. PNA Photo by Mac Villarino
National ID system target: 105-M Filipinos...
Trump’s decision to end DACA to be reviewed...
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PAGE A1 resistance to evade the law. Or do they want more dead lawmen to convince them some more?” he said. From July 2016 to the present, a total of 240,565 drug suspects have been arrested in over 150,000 anti-drug operations. PNP not falling short Albayalde also clarified that the police are not falling short of arrest targets following the release of Commission on Audit (COA)’s report that the PNP missed its 2018 goals. He said the COA was not referring to the arrest of all wanted persons which include ordinary suspects — just the top 10 most wanted persons arrested in 2018.
plain to COA because it appears that we are falling short of targets for the arrest of wanted persons). We did not fall short on the arrest of wanted persons,” Albayalde said. Based on COA’s report, the PNP only managed to arrest 19.37 percent of the most wanted persons, despite its target of 51.57 percent. Albayalde pointed out that the PNP did not hit its target number of arrests on most wanted persons, it hit triple of its target PNP Chief General Oscar Albayalde on arrest of ordinary wanted perPhoto courtesy by Philstar sons. “I think kailangan sabihin sa The number of arrests of perCOA ‘yan para maintindihan nila. sons with a bounty on their heads Kase ang lumalabas, we are fall- increased from 35 in 2017 to 48 ing short on the arrest of wanted last year, according to the PNP persons (I think we should ex- chief. n
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Palace: Filing impeachment complaint... PAGE A1 mile limit for territorial waters, it is within the Philippines’ 200-nm exclusive economic zone. The Philippine National Police on Monday, July 1, vowed to comply with Duterte’s directive to have people filing impeachment complaints against him arrested if they are found to have violated the law. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, however, admitted that one cannot be arrested for filing of an impeachment case. “No, it’s not. It’s not. Because it’s every citizen’s right,” Panelo said when asked whether the filing of an impeachment complaint is a violation of the law.
“Mere filing is not (a violation), that’s not what the president meant,” he added. Panelo claimed Duterte’s remark about arresting critics was a “righteous indignation.” “That was only an expression of displeasure, disappointment. It is a righteous indignation. He could not understand why critics and detractors cannot appreciate what he’s doing,” the presidential spokesman said. “He cannot visualize why he’s doing this and he is doing this because he is following the directive of the constitution to serve and protect the people. We want to avoid any armed struggles between two countries because
that will endanger the security of the nation,” he added. ‘PNP know their law’ Panelo said there is no need to remind the PNP not to take Duterte’s words literally. “They know their law,” he said. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier Tuesday said that filing an impeachment complaint is not a crime. “So, there are only a few situations where warrantless arrests are allowed or permitted under our rules. So, in situations where an unlawful act is not being committed in the first place, so there will be no legal basis for arrest,” he said. n
dead sea creatures found with kilos of refuse in their stomachs. For years, China had received the bulk of scrap plastic from around the world, but closed its doors to foreign refuse last year in an effort to clean up its environment. Huge quantities of waste plastic have since been redirected to Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia and — to a lesser degree — the Philippines. In November 2016, Canada amended its regulations on waste disposal to prevent incidents like the one with the Philippines. Canadian exporters now need a permit to export hazardous waste and can only obtain it if the other country consents to the import, Jenn Gearey, a spokeswoman for the Canadian environment ministry, said via email. Even so, challenges remain. In May, Malaysian officials criticized Canada after a shipping container filled with contaminated
plastic bags from major Canadian grocery chains was shipped to Kuala Lumpur by a private company. Canada produces more waste per capita than other countries with comparable levels of economic development, ranging from the United States to Japan, according to a study by the Conference Board of Canada. The majority of it ends up in landfills. Environmental advocates argue that developed countries should stop exporting their trash and figure out how to handle it domestically. “The way forward is to drastically reduce the amount of waste we generate, especially plastic waste,” said Vito Buonsante, plastics program manager at Environmental Defense in Toronto. (Inquirer.net with reports from AFP) n
Canada takes garbage back from Philippines...
PAGE A1 pers, even though Philippine law prohibits imports of mixed plastics and household trash. Some of the waste was disposed of in the Philippines, but much of it stewed in local ports for years. The issue polluted bilateral relations for years, but tensions came to a head in April when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to “declare war” against Canada unless it reclaimed the garbage. Canada missed a May 15 deadline to repatriate the rubbish, but then made arrangements soon thereafter to move it back to Canadian soil. Canada’s Environment Minister Catherine McKenna told reporters on Thursday, June 27: “We committed with the Philippines and we’re working closely with them.” Global concern over plastic pollution has been spurred by shocking images of waste-clogged rivers in Southeast Asia and accounts of
1 in 5 Filipinos gets news from Facebook — SWS
The First Quarter 2019 Social Weather Survey of SWS conducted on March 18-31 found that 21 percent of adult Filipinos or an estimated 13.9 million individuals use Facebook daily for reading the news. Philstar.com file photo by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com
ONE in five adult Filipinos uses Facebook daily to read news, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. The First Quarter 2019 Social Weather Survey of SWS conducted on March 18-31 found that 21 percent of adult Filipinos or an estimated 13.9 million individuals use Facebook daily for reading the news. A majority 60 percent or 40.4 million adults still consume news daily through television, while only 15 percent or 9.7 million individuals do so through radio. Even fewer adults, only two percent or one million individuals read newspapers daily. “Thus, Facebook as a daily news
source is more common than radio and newspapers combined, and is second only to television,” SWS said. As of March, SWS said 99 percent of adults who use the internet or an estimated 30.3 million individuals have a Facebook account. This is equivalent to 45 percent of the total adult population or around 30.5 million individuals. YouTube is the second most popular social media site among adult Filipino internet users. Thirty-eight percent of adult internet users or an estimated 11.7 million individuals said they own a YouTube account. This is followed by Instagram with 15 percent or around 4.7 million individuals, Twitter with eight percent or around 2.7 million individuals, and PAGE A4
Lawsuit alleges Utah hotel exploited Filipino interns by ritcheL
MendioLa AJPress
A LAWSUIT was filed on Tuesday, June 25, accusing the luxury Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah of using interns from the Philippines to do menial jobs for long hours with minimal pay. Represented by Asian Americans Advancing Justice and other organizations, the four plaintiffs — namely, Jann Descanzo, Veronica Bondoc, Glen Segundino and Marianne Ponio — filed the lawsuit that says the Grand America Hotel misused a type of visa similar to an internship program intended for training and cultural immersion and instead treated them like normal workers to avoid travel costs and other fees. The four interns were brought in on a J-1 Visa, a program intended to provide opportunities for foreign visitors to experience U.S. society and culture. The lawsuit also said that each participant at the Grand America paid more than $3,000 each to become interns as well as their own travel costs. “Defendants did not provide [the participant] the internship experience he was promised. Rather, Defendants employed [them] at the Grand America Hotel as nothing more than a low-wage worker Defendants needed to operate the hotel,” the lawsuit stated. The J-1 Visa has a set guideline that says state participants “must not be used as substitutes for or-
dinary employment or work purposes; nor may they be used under any circumstances to displace American workers.” The lawsuit, however, claimed that the Filipino interns were forced to work up to 60 hours a week and do less desirable jobs than other employees. It also alleged that the supervisors called them “slow” and “lazy,” as well as threatened with deportation when they complained about the hotel not following the internship plan. “The hotel threatened plaintiffs with deportation if they did not do the work they were ordered to perform,” the lawsuit stated. The Filipino interns were reportedly promised the opportunity to visit go to a Dickens Christmas festival, a winter solstice festival, the zoo, and a dance festival as cultural experiences, but none of those things happened. Attorneys are seeking to make it a class-action lawsuit, believing that around 100 workers endured the same treatment. They also referred to a 2011 Homeland Security investigation into the Grand America Hotel that found the hotel employing 133 workers without proper documentation to work in the United States. “Stymied in their attempts to use undocumented labor, defendants turned to non-immigrant visa programs, including the J-1 visa internship program, to import cheap foreign labor to operate the hotel,” the lawsuit said. n
ASSESSMENT. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman Emeritus Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr. gives an assessment of the accomplishments of the present administration during the weekly Tapatan sa Aristocrat forum in Malate Manila on Monday, July 1. Also in photo (from left) are forum moderator Melo Acuna; San Carlos, Negros Occidental Bishop Gerardo A. Alminaza, DD; NCRPO director, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar; Dr. Jose Ramon Albert, Senior Research Fellow of PIDS; and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
US Navy combat ship in Davao for visit by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com
THE U.S. Navy’s combat ship USS Montgomery arrived in Davao City on Saturday, June 29, for a port visit to the Philippines during its first deployment. “It is an honor to visit one of the longest-standing U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region,” said the Montgomery’s commanding officer Edward Rosso. He said the port visit will allow the U.S. “to demonstrate our commitment to maritime security in the region, while strengthening relationships with our friends, partners and allies.” During the port visit, the ship will host local military and civic
leaders. “My crew and I are very much looking forward to visiting Davao City,” Rosso said. Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander of the Logistics Group Western Pacific, stressed the importance of the U.S.-Philippine partnership. “Our navies, just like our nations, have a long history of cooperation and partnership based on mutual trust, respect and decades of friendship,” Tynch said. “Every port visit and exercise we complete together continues to strengthen maritime security and regional stability,” he said. The Montgomery is the fourth ship to be named after the capital of Alabama.
It is classified as an Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) – a fast, agile and mission-focused navy vessel designed to operate in near-shore environments for surface warfare, mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare. With its high speed and shallow draft, LCS provides presence and access to places where larger ships cannot go. The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict. n
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JULY 5-11, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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LGBTQ acceptance in decline among US millennials — GLAAD by Cody
Cepeda Inquirer.net
GREEN RIVER. Personnel of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission remove thick moss and water lilies that have turned the Pasig River into a green body of water. ManilaTimes.net photo by John Orven Verdote
1 in 5 Filipinos gets news from Facebook... PAGE A3 Viber with seven percent or an estimated 2.1 million individuals. The survey also found that having a Facebook account is more common among urban dwellers (56 percent) than rural dwellers (38 percent).
By major geographic areas, the proportion of adults with Facebook account is highest in Metro Manila at 64 percent, followed by other Luzon areas at 48 percent, Mindanao at 39 percent and the Visayas at 33 percent. Half of adult Facebook mem-
bers who are college (49 percent) and high school graduates (49 percent) read the news daily using the social media site. SWS said this is higher compared with 37 percent among elementary graduates and 36 percent among non-elementary graduates. “Reading the news through Facebook is positively related to educational attainment,” SWS said. The survey also asked whether adult Filipinos use social media for political and social activities. Respondents were allowed to choose more than one activity from a set of pre-listed activities in the questionnaire. Of the estimated 30.4 million adults who have at least one social media account (among Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Viber), 31 percent or an estimated 9.4 million individuals use social media to “like or promote material related to political or social issues that others have posted.” Fourteen percent or about 4.3 million individuals use it to “follow any elected officials, candidates for office, or other political figures.” Six percent or about 1.8 million individuals use it to “post own thoughts or comments on political or social issues.”n
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A NEW survey released by GLAAD, a media monitoring organization dedicated to LGTBQ (Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Bisexual, Queer) advocacy, showed that young adults in the United States are less accepting of members of the community. The Accelerating Acceptance Index, a national survey among U.S. adults, was conducted by The Harris Poll on GLAAD’s behalf and involved 1,970 U.S. adults aged 18 or older, 1,754 of whom classified as non-LGBTQ. The latest index showed there has been a shift in millennial acceptance toward the LGTBQ community, from allies to detached supporters. The index defined allies as non-LGBTQ supporters who were either “very” or “somewhat” comfortable in all LGBTQ-related interaction scenarios given. Meanwhile, detached supporters were defined as non-LGBTQ respondents whose comfort level varied across situations. The scenarios ranged from having LGBTQ members at one’s place of worship and seeing a same-sex couple holding hands to learning a family member is LGBTQ, among others. Allies among non-LGBTQ 18 to 34 year olds were down to 45% in 2018, compared to 53% in 2017 and 63% in 2016. This was seen in both female and male respondents: female allies dropped to 52% from 64% in 2017, whereas male allies went down to 35% from 40% in 2017. There is also a decline in overall
Inquirer.net photo
comfort when it comes to personal situations, which were divided into 4: learning a family member is LGBTQ, when one’s child is placed in a class with an LGBTQ teacher, when one learns that their doctor is LGBTQ and when one learns their child had a lesson on LGBTQ history in school. Thirty-six percent of non-LGBTQ young Americans were uncomfortable when it came to learning a family member is LGBTQ. About 33% said they were uncomfortable when their child is placed in a class with an LGBTQ teacher, whereas 34% said they were uncomfortable when they learned their doctor is LGBTQ. Lastly, 39% of the respondents said they were uncomfortable when it came to learning their child had a lesson on LGBTQ history. The percentages for discomfort across the four aspects increased when compared to the results in 2017 and 2016, respec-
tively. Despite the decline in acceptance, the report showed that support for equal rights is stable, with majority of non-LGBTQ Americans (80%) strongly/somewhat agreeing to the statement, “I support equal rights for the LGBT community.” GLAAD CEO and president Sarah Ellis said in the report that full acceptance of the LGBTQ community does not come from judicial decisions alone, but involves a culture that respects LGBTQ people. “Closing the gap to full acceptance of LGBTQ people will not come from legislation on judicial decisions alone, but from creating a culture where LGBTQ people are embraced and respected,” Ellis said. “This year’s results demonstrate an urgent need for GLAAD to reach younger Americans with stories and campaigns that build acceptance.” n
Filipinos named 3rd sexiest in the world by Charmie Joy
pagulong Philstar.com
Filipinos were rated third among the “sexiest” nationalities in the world, after Ukranians and Danes, according to the latest survey conducted by a travel website. The Big 7 Travel surveyed a sample of 1.5 million social media users to vote for the world’s most beautiful people, and Filipinos were included in the list of 50 Sexiest Nationalities in the World. The website also cited the “most famous Filipinos in the world – professional boxer Manny Pacquiao along with Bruno Mars and the many Miss World participants – as probably the top scorers” in the ranking. “Survey respondents were given no further specifications of the term ‘sexy’, so interpretation of the word was up to them,” Big 7 Travel said in a post. Rounding up the top 10 are
The Big 7 Travel surveyed a sample of 1.5 million social media users to vote for the world’s most beautiful people, and Filipinos were included in the list of 50 Sexiest Nationalities in the World. Philstar.com file photo
Brazilian, Australian, South African, Italian, Armenian, English and Canadian, respectively. French got 12th place, American at 45th and Irish snagged the last spot at 50th. Other Asian nationalities who
were in the list are: Japanese (19th), Malaysian (25th), Indian (28th) , and Chinese (31st). The same website has ranked the Filipinos having one of the sexiest accents in Asia and the world last May. n
After decades of improvement, SoCal smog reduction slows down Smog regulators say that the state needs $14 billion to address the problem
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medenilla AJPress
THERE are fewer things more constant in Los Angeles than the ongoing smog problem. Although the national war on smog has led to an overall reduction in gas emissions (due to the bipartisan 1970 Clean Air Act), the air quality in Los Angeles has slipped over the last decade, according to a new study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study — which culled data from satellite measurements — found that smog formed from nitrogen oxides decreased only 1.7 percent annually from 2011 to 2015 and is increasing in some regions of the U.S.; and, by comparison, it fell 7 percent from 2005 and 2009. “Today, it feels like the future of our kids and our country is at stake,” former Obama Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Gina McCarthy told the AP. “We do not have the cleanest air and we have not crossed the finish line when it comes to pollution.” In Southern California, re-
searchers found a 10 percent increase in premature deaths attributed to ozone pollution between 2010 and 2017. According to the EPA and reported in the LA Times, LA’s current smog level is above the federally-measured health standard of 70 parts per billion. But the quality of air depends on the area you live. In LA proper’s west side and downtown LA, pollution has eased significantly with two and four bad air days, respectively. But in the neighboring San Fernando Valley, there were 49 bad air days. But bad air days disproportionately affect the California inland, especially communities in the San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Last year, the City of Riverside had the worst air quality in the nation with the most bad air days at 173 days, according to data released by the EPA last year. “We’re not seeing the same improvements as people living near the coast,” Anthony Victoria of the Riverside County-based Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice told
the Times. “When you’re in San Bernardino you look toward the mountains and it’s not clear. You have layers of smog you can see in the sky. You have people with asthma struggling to breathe, and it’s a devastating thing.” The decrease in improvement on overall air quality in California comes at a time when the state is at odds with the Trump administration, which earlier this month moved forward with plans to weaken vehicle pollution standards, regulations that the state relies on to reduce vehicle emissions. Every year that passes, Southern California smog regulators say they are further away from the $14 billion needed to pay for more fuel-efficient vehicles and other ways to reduce pollution to meet federal health standards, the Times reported. If by the end of the year, California fails to provide a smog-reduction plan, the EPA could begin to implement a series of sanctions including more restrictions on industries that contribute to the rising pollution and a decrease in federal highway funds. n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Robredo hopes for better ties with Duterte by Glee Jalea ManilaTimes.com
VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo remains hopeful about having a “better working relationship” with President Rodrigo Duterte on their final three years in office, despite her belief that she was always seen by the president as an “enemy.” “Ang ating parang hino-hope, iyong sanang mangyayari, iyong magandang working relationship between sa Pangulo at saka sa Pangalawang Pangulo. Kasi iyon naman ang nararapat sana…kasi ang tingin na sa atin kalaban mula sa umpisa (We are hoping that a better working relationship between the President and the Vice President can finally happen. Because that’s how it should really be like… because it seems like we were already seen as an enemy right from the start),” Robredo said in her weekly radio show on Sunday. She recalled how there were already signs of hostility shown against her when she and the President held separate inauguration rites in 2016. Duterte took his oath in Malacañang, while Robredo had a simple ceremony at the Quezon City Reception House. “Mula sa umpisa, ang signals
nandoon na… ayaw ng Pangulo makihalo sa inauguration. In fact, mayroon na noong preparation for a joint inauguration kasi iyon naman ang tradisyon, pero sinabihan kami na ayaw makihalo ng Pangulo sa atin (Even from the start, there already were signals that the President did not want to have a joint inauguration. In fact, a joint inauguration was prepared as it was according to tradition, but we were told that the President did not want to join us),” she said. Robredo also hoped that she and the President could finally work together with a shared advocacy when she was appointed chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, but on December 2016, she was given the directive to “desist from attending all Cabinet meetings” over their “irreconcilable differences.” With the order, Robredo said, Duterte seemed to show that he did not trust her and that it would be hard for them to work together. “Wala siguro ang tiwala sa atin, ‘di ba naakusahan tayo na sumali tayo sa isang rally sa EDSA na hindi naman totoo. Pero base sa maling accusation, hindi na tayo pinapa-attend ng Cabinet meeting (Maybe the trust was not re-
ally placed on us because we were accused of joining a rally in EDSA, even if it was not true. But based on a false accusation, we were ordered not to attend a Cabinet meeting since then),” she added. Still, the Vice President cited her accomplishments in the first half of her term, particularly the anti-poverty efforts of her flagship project, the Angat Buhay Program, in coordination with private parties to help those in the “laylayan ng lipunan (fringes of society).” The Office of the Vice President (OVP) already utilized P350 million for over 300,000 families and beneficiaries from 176 partner cities and municipalities as of December 2018. The OVP also received the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit for fiscal year 2018. Last week, Robredo cleared speculations that she would run for president in 2022, maintaining that she would leave such ambition to “destiny,” so as not to taint her advocacies and commitment to doing public service for the poor. The 2022 race for President is being projected to narrow down between women candidates, with Robredo and Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio as perceived frontrunners. n
Arroyo: Another woman speaker soon by Glee Jalea ManilaTimes.com
AMID a heated speakership race among male contenders for the 18th Congress, former speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo believes that there are very high chances for a woman to also run for the top House post in the near future. Even as she braced for her retirement as a public official, Arroyo kept mum on her personal choice for speaker, saying she did not want to “preempt” members of the next Congress. Those who are vying for the speakership in the 18th Congress are Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate. Velasco was named the bet of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan. “I don’t want to preempt the next Congress. To begin with, I will not be there. I’m just very confident that what they are going to do will be good for the country. Each speaker has his own style,” Arroyo said during a small gathering with members of the House media. “A woman can become speaker as a matter of course. I wouldn’t be surprised because the Philippines is traditionally very progressive when it comes to women’s rights,” she told The Manila Times. Arroyo, the first woman House speaker, cited the 2018 report of the World Economic Forum that showed Manila ranking 8th in Global Gender Gap report, with the WEF attributing it to “full parity” on political and economic leadership.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ended her political career with a mass at her home in La Vista, Quezon City. Contributed photo
Since 2006 under Arroyo’s presidency, the Philippines had been consistently part of the WEF list, running against at least 144 countries. Arroyo recalled that “one of her many memorable moments” in public office was ranking fourth among Forbes Magazine’s Most Powerful Women in 2005 “because it projected a Filipino woman to the world.” “One of the memorable things I would bring with me is I got to work with a lot of young congressmen. And it makes me confident about the future of our country because they will lead the nation when the time comes,” she said. “These people, who are young will [aim] for the highest leadership later on. They are here… They will do the country well. Wisdom is very important, but you also need energy. But as I said, these young people have the ingredients [even] as they gain more experience,” Arroyo added. Arroyo stepped down as speak-
er with a thanksgiving Mass with her family, staff and former Cabinet secretaries in her home at La Vista in Quezon City. She ended her 11-month term by fulfilling the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. The list includes his priority measures — the Universal Health Care Act, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, and the liberalization of the importation, exportation and trading of rice — which the president ticked off in his State of the Nation Address. Under her leadership, the House approved a total of 909 measures, 250 of which became national laws. Arroyo is set to work as consultant to her home province of Pampanga to help in implementing its “megalopolis” project. The project aims to make the province the “gateway to Asia” through the development of cluster cities employing agriculture, ecology, air transportation, marine life and technologies. n
Carreon and Sobejana both graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1987. Sobejana served as top military commander in Sulu before he got to the helm of 6th ID last year. Sulu bombing He said there is a possibility that Friday’s deadly bombing by the Abu Sayyaf of the command post of the 1st Army Brigade in Indanan, Sulu was timed to coincide with his assumption as Westmincom commander. Eight people, three of them soldiers, were killed in the blast that also injured 22 others. The two bomb couriers who perpetrated the attack were also
killed in the blast. “We are not sure yet if it was indeed a suicide bombing, or if the two bombers were killed in the explosion accidentally,” Sobejana said. Sobejana said investigators under Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos, director of the Regional Police Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and military intelligence units in Sulu are jointly investigating on the incident. “I believe it was perpetrated to create the impression that they are still a force to reckon with. In terror attacks you don’t need many fighting men,” Sobejana said. n
Duterte wants Abu Sayyaf crushed by yearend, Westmincom says
Philstar.com file photo by John
Unson Philstar.com
MAGUINDANAO — Malacañang wants the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu crushed before December 31 this year, the new commander of the Western Mindanao Command said on Monday, July 1. “That is what President Duterte wants,” Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said during Monday’s assumption of Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon as new commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division. Carreon replaced Sobejana, who has been designated to lead the Western Mindanao Command.
A
Honasan assumes post as DICT chief by alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA — Former Senator Gregorio Honasan on Monday, July 1 assumed his new post as the new Information and Communications Technology secretary, officials said. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Honasan took his oath of office before President Rodrigo Duterte just before a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang. The president introduced him to the Cabinet before presiding over the meeting of the official family. Honasan assumed office more than a year after Duterte signed his appointment papers. He was appointed to the post on May 20, 2018. Qualified to lead DICT? Critics have claimed that Honasan, a former soldier, is not qualified to lead the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). They noted that Section 11 of the DICT Act of 2015 states that no person shall be appointed secretary, undersecretary, or as-
Former Senator Gregorio Honasan
sistant secretary of the agency unless they have at least seven years of competence and expertise in any of the following: information and communications technology, information technology service management, information security management, cybersecurity, data privacy, e-commerce or human development in the information communication technology sector. Senate President Vicente Sotto III has insisted that Honasan is qualified for the post because he
Philstar.com file photo
has background in intelligence communication. A member of Philippine Military Academy class ’81, Honasan joined a series of uprisings against the administration of Corazon Aquino, whom he helped install during the 1986 EDSA Revolution. He was granted amnesty by President Fidel Ramos in 1992. Honasan was elected senator in 1995 and was re-elected in 2001, 2007 and in 2013. He ran for vice president in 2016 but lost. n
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JULY 5-11, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
‘A lesser evil’
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FEATURES
COMPARED to the drug scourge, illegal gambling is the lesser evil, according to President Duterte. Still, jueteng, masiao and certain other numbers games remain illegal, and there are laws against them that must be enforced. So it’s good to hear Philippine National Police officials saying that they intend to enforce those laws, especially if the violation is brazen. Previous PNP officials have issued similar statements even as they acknowledged that some jueteng lords have contributed to limited police resources in the past. Instead of looking the other way in the face of blatant violation of the law, President Duterte can prod his congressional allies to consider proposals to legalize and regulate jueteng. The illegal status of the game engenders corruption, which the president says he wants eradicated along with the drug menace. Like drug trafficking, jueteng has also corrupted the political system and undermined elections. True, illegal gambling has generated employment especially in the countryside. But so does drug trafficking, and it’s still no excuse to tolerate the illegal activity. Providing jobs and livelihood opportunities to lo-
cal communities allowed the drug cartels to thrive in Colombia and Mexico. Kidnapping for ransom is a major cottage industry in Sulu and parts of Basilan, no doubt providing lucrative profits and livelihoods to those involved in it. Yet this is no excuse to tolerate the criminal act. In a country where the government operates casinos, lotteries and its own version of jueteng, the national policy on all forms of gambling needs clarity. The proposal to legalize jueteng has been tossed around by policy makers for a long time. Until jueteng is placed under state regulation, however, it will remain an illegal activity, no matter what the president of the republic may say. Illegal gambling may be a lesser evil, but it will still be evil — a corrupting influence that gives its operators a prohibited edge when they launder their dirty money through politics. And the PNP has a mandate to enforce the law, regardless of the degree of evil. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
3 more challenging years — for Duterte and PH
Commentary
DINDO MANHIT THE phenomenal rise of the Davao strongman as the most powerful leader in the Philippines has disrupted the Philippine political and economic landscape in the past three years. A majority of Filipinos did express optimism in the last presidential election that President Duterte would be a disruptive leader who would initiate drastic yet effective solutions to achieve “real change.” While the president’s unorthodox style of leadership and management of state affairs created an environment of political uncertainty and unpredictability, the political will to undertake bold reforms given
Philstar.com photo
his high popularity ratings offered a good opportunity to institute radical changes in national policies. We have become familiar with his brutal approach toward human rights and the rule of law, his populist brand of politics, the “militarization” of government, preoccupation with federalism, expansionist fiscal management (“Dutertenomics”), and what many think is a defeatist approach in handling the West Philippine Sea issue. Three years on, the lack of wide-ranging institutional reforms shows that the promise of radical change was farfetched, especially on the issue of corruption in the bureaucracy. Further, the president’s inability to end the perennial drug problem in three to six months, as he had promised, is
a serious stain on his record. To date, the drug scourge seems to have only worsened, as the president and the police have admitted several times. The calls by international human rights advocates for an independent investigation into the killings spawned by the “war on drugs” have been summarily rejected by the government. Still, despite the many controversies it has had to battle in the past three years, the Duterte administration’s net satisfaction ratings in the last survey ranged from “good” to “excellent.” Its latest satisfactory rating of 81 percent, however, should not lull Malacañang into thinking that good perception is enough; ultimately, the president’s leadership and legacy will be primarily gauged through the actual impact of his governance on the
lives of majority of Filipinos. Under Duterte’s watch, the following landmark bills have been signed into law: free college tuition, free irrigation, free internet access in public places, tougher sanctions for hospitals demanding deposits, universal health care, expanded maternity leave, more accessible and affordable mental health services, and the institutionalization of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program. In line with the president’s populist stance, the Senate and House of Representatives worked to pass laws that aimed to alleviate the conditions of the poor and widen access to basic education, health and social services. Despite these landmark laws, there are still unfulfilled promises that need to be reevaluated. The coconut farmers, for
instance, anchored their hopes on Duterte’s campaign promise to return the more than P75-billion coconut levy fund to them. Initially, the President said he would do that within his first 100 days. Unfortunately, it took the Senate and the House of Representatives almost three years to pass the measure—and then the President vetoed the measure this year. Meanwhile, the increase in the compensation of teachers and nonteaching personnel still hangs in the balance due to budgetary constraints and the possible distortion of the salary standardization policy of government. The major pivot of the Philippines to China and the government’s “soft stance” on the West Philippine Sea issue have been widely criticized. Instead
of fighting for the Philippines’ sovereign rights, which the Hague ruling had upheld, the President decided to set aside this landmark decision. The passive and “defeatist” policy on the West Philippine Sea was crafted to get more loans and grants from China—a trade-off that, three years on, still has to show worthwhile results. In the next three years, the biggest challenge for the Duterte administration is reducing poverty especially in the rural areas, alongside raising agricultural productivity, the anemic progress of which has been a drag on economic performance. It also needs to control inflation, undertake more institutional reforms, dismantle existing monopolies and increase labor productivity. A full plate right into its closing days. (Inquirer.net)
Impossible for Carpio and del Rosario not to know that they are deceiving the country Commentary
RIGOBERTO TIGLAO THE claim that President Duterte should be impeached for not restricting our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from foreigners is so absurd that it is astonishing that media has given it mileage at all, with even otherwise sober commentators believing that rubbish. What is disgusting is that the two men mainly responsible for spreading this nonsense—Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio and Aquino 3rd’s foreign secretary Albert del Rosario—cannot not know that they are misleading the public, as I will show in the course of this piece. Why are they doing so? Because of an ideological hatred for China, and an added factor for del Rosario, to cover up for his role in our losing Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal) in 2012 to China. The Yellows are cheering them and repeating their yarn of course because they think they can pull down Duterte’s popularity by stoking the embers of anti-Chinese racism among Filipinos. At the outset, we have to emphasize first that Duterte was
referring not to our EEZ in its entirety but only to Recto Bank (Reed Bank) within which he said we cannot ban Chinese fishermen. His comment was in the wake of protests over the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel – whether it was a deliberate case of ramming or an accidental collision hasn’t been established. Recto Bank is indeed within our 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and whose natural resources therefore we have the sovereign rights to exploit. (Let’s leave out of this discussion the other fact that Recto Bank is also within the area we claim as territory, the Kalayaan Island Group, but which China, Taiwan, and Vietnam also claim.) Fire-eating What the Yellow demagogues, and the two fire-eating anti-China haters do not mention because it would immediately shatter their propaganda tack, and what many commentators astonishingly are so ignorant about, is the following. Our EEZ that includes Recto Bank is partly in an area which three other countries (and Taiwan) have declared as their sovereign territories, decades before 2009 when we drew precise geological coordinates for the zone through the socalled Baselines Law. We call this area the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which Marcos named as such when
he declared it part of Philippine territory in 1978. For China it is their Nánsh Qúndo, part of Hainan province; and for Vietnam, Qun o Trng Sa, part of its Khánh Hòa province. Our EEZ also overlaps a similar zone and the territorial sea of three other countries — Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia — and Taiwan. China occupies two features that is within both our EEZ and KIG, including the most wellknown Mischief Reef. It has five more outside our EEZ but within the KIG. Vietnam occupies five within both our EEZ and KIG, and an additional 9 within our KIG but outside our EEZ. Malaysia occupies four, three of which are in the KIG. (See accompanying map.) Mind-spinning these may be, the point is this: We cannot and have in fact not been able to ban from this area in our EEZ—the KIG— citizens from countries which also claim it as their sovereign territory. How difficult is it to understand that? Say, you have title to a property adjacent to your residence, and you shoo away people who are planting kamote there to make use of it. But then somebody else comes and claims it as his property, shows you his title, and says those people are his relatives he gave permission to plant. Do you quarrel with him, even hire goons to throw out those people? Metaphor’s limits This metaphor has its lim-
its though since in the case of the Spratlys, China, Vietnam, and Taiwan claim it is their sovereign territory. And unlike property disputes among individuals within one country and therefore bound by that nation’s laws, there is no super-state, i.e., no court to determine which “title” is genuine or fake. It is impossible for Carpio to not know all this. He had declared in 2011: “Under traditional international law typology, States acquire territory through occupation, accretion, cession and prescription, not by executing multilateral treaties (such as UNCLOS that issues guidelines for defining an EEZ.” He wrote that ponencia in an August 2011 decision upholding the constitutionality of the 2009 baselines law that in effect defined our EEZ. Or was it just his staff who wrote it, that he didn’t bother to read? In fact, what Duterte is saying is exactly what Carpio proposed right after the arbitral panel’s ruling in 2018: “The ruling says that Scarborough Shoal (which is within our EEZ) is a traditional fishing ground of Filipino and Chinese fishermen. So, both can fish there,” he said. “The Philippine government should talk to China and establish protocols so we can fish in peace,” he said. Why is he saying now that Duterte is violating the Constitution for allowing Chinese
fishermen to fish in an area in our EEZ which China claims is their territory? Constitution Yes, the Constitution mandates the President to protect our EEZ. But it is absurd, or downright stupid, to claim that a Philippine president is violating the Constitution when he cannot stop foreigners’ activities in, or kick foreigners out of our zone, when they also claim it as also theirs. Carpio exhorts us not to call the Spratlys a “disputed area.” But the entire world calls it that. Even the world’s superpower, the U.S., has not recognized our claim to the Spratlys, with its Navy manual on territories in the world saying: The U.S. does not take a position on territorial disputes in the Spratly Islands. In 2011, Aquino authorized an energy firm of the Indonesian-owned First Pacific Co. (the source of wealth of his foreign secretary del Rosario) to explore for oil and gas in an area in Recto Bank. In March, two Chinese maritime surveillance vessels forced out of the area the survey ship MV Veritas Voyager that the company had contracted to find out where to drill appraisal wells. The vessels claimed the area was Chinese territory and the Voyager did not have permission from its government for its activities there. Did anyone claim that Aqui-
no violated the Constitution for not sending our Navy to escort the ship so it can undertake its surveys? Then the next year, because of del Rosario’s gullibility in believing what a US assistant state secretary—several ranks below his stature—told him, we lost Bajo de Masinloc, which is of course within our EEZ. Why didn’t they or anyone claim that Aquino should be impeached for not kicking out the Chinese from a shoal within our EEZ? Other than the fact of course that the Yellow Cult was in complete control of media then, there was no way for Aquino to grab back Bajo de Masinloc except by force, which the UN Declaration categorically bans. In these two cases, del Rosario himself was witness to how a president could not restrict China from a part of our EEZ it claims it owns. Why is he now alleging that Duterte is violating the Constitution by allowing Chinese to fish in Recto Bank? Or does he want Duterte to do what Aquino stupidly did in 2012, which was to send a warship to arrest Chinese fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc? Well we all know how that ended up. We our lost territory that at least we could say we controlled since Spanish times. (ManilaTimes.net)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 5-11, 2019
Presidential spokesman Panelo rates Duterte ‘9 out of 10’
drug menace. Panelo also cited measures to thwart the communist rebellion and terrorism, the signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, improved revenue collections, social services like free tuition in state universities and colleges, free irrigation to farmers, free internet access in public places, institutionalization of feeding programs for public school students, and universal health care, higher pensions for senior citizens and higher pay for civilian and uniformed personnel of the government. The presidential spokesman also mentioned Duterte’s independent foreign policy, which he said removed the Philippines “subservience” to the west and led to the improvement of the Philippines’ ties with Russia and China. While officials hail the Philippines’ improved relations with China, critics claim Duterte is not doing enough to assert Manila’s
clams in the resource-rich South China Sea. Critics have also accused Duterte of abandoning the Philippines’ claims in exchange for Chinese assistance. Duterte has repeatedly claimed he would not give up even an inch of the Philippines’ territory but stressed that he won’t go to war over the maritime row. Panelo said more has to be done to promote the welfare of Filipinos. He called for the passage of amendments to the Foreign Investments Act, the Retail Trade Act and the Public Service Act, and the implementation of the ambitious infrastructure program ‘Build, Build, Build.’ He also expressed hope that the next Congress would support Duterte’s legislative agenda and pass bills that would benefit the public. The presidential spokesman also claimed that Duterte has been fulfilling his campaign promises that enabled him to win by landslide in 2016. He said the president has been firing officials to “destroy the culture of corruption in the country.” Members of the opposition, however, doubt the seriousness of the president’s anti-corruption campaign, noting that some of the officials he dismissed had been given new posts. The president, however, has repeatedly said he is bent on addressing corruption in the bureaucracy, a campaign that he said would not spare anyone, not even his allies. n
Health] but the family corporation is again involved in PhilHealth and DoH itself),” Lacson said. “May hinihintay pa akong last document. May hawak akong mga dokumento. Karamihan ng document na dumarating sa amin, galing din sa loob eh (I’m just waiting for the last document. I have documents already. Most of these documents we receive come from insiders),” he added. The senator said he would share this new information with President Rodrigo Duterte once he gets all the documents. “Sa ngayon substantial. Pero mas maganda ang makarating hanggang logical conclusion (It’s substantial. But it would be better if it reaches logical conclusion),” he said. Pressed whether his wouldbe exposé could be used to file
charges against Duque, Lacson said, “Maliwanag na plunder. Isang dokumento na lang hinihintay ko (It’s definitely plunder. I’m just waiting for one document).” Lacson said PhilHealth and DoH employees were helping him gather the documents to expose the irregularities in their respective agencies. “Kasi sa tinagal-tagal ng panahon nakikita nila ang namumuno sa PhilHealth pinaglalaruan ang pera (Because they saw that through the years the PhilHealth management misused the money),” he said. “Ang kwenta nila for the last five years lang, P154 billion ang nalustay. ‘Yan ang kwento nila [sa akin] (By their estimate, for the past five years, about P154 billion was misappropriated. That’s what they told me),” Lacson added. n
by alexis
romero Philstar.com
MANILA — Despite criticisms against the administration’s key policies, including its stance on the South China Sea row and its bloody “war” on illegal drugs, Malacañang believes President Duterte deserves a nearly perfect grade in his first three years in office. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo claimed no president has matched Duterte’s gains during the first half of his term. “In the scale of ten, it should be nine,” Panelo said in a radio interview Sunday, June 30, when asked how he would assess the president’s performance. “Didn’t you see the list of his accomplishments? No other president was able to do that, by their admission,” he added. ‘Best is yet to come’ In a statement over the weekend, Panelo described Duterte’s accomplishments as “countless and incomparable” and claimed that the “best is yet to come.” Among the gains he cited were the lower crime rate, the surrender of “more than a million” drug personalities and the intensified fight against illegal drugs, a campaign that Duterte’s critics claim is encouraging extrajudicial killings. Duterte has denied the allegation and maintained that the crackdown, which has left more than 6,000 suspects dead, is needed to save the next generation from the
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo Philstar.com file photo
Lacson to drop ‘bomb’ vs Duque
by Bernadette
e. tamayo
ManilTimes.net
SEN. Panfilo Lacson on Sunday, June 30, claimed to have discovered another anomaly in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) that might involve Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, which he believes would lead to the filing of a plunder case against the latter. Asked if he had another exposé against Duque, Lacson said, “Meron na naman, mas malaki pa (Yes, there is, and it’s even bigger).” “Mas grabe pa ‘di lang ito lease ng building niya kundi may family corporation involved na meron na naman kinalaman tungkol sa PhilHealth o tungkol sa DoH (Department of Health) mismo (This is more serious. It is not only about the lease of his building [by Phil-
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FOR THE LOVE OF ART. Marcelo Quezon depicts Memorale Manila 1945 monument in his pastel painting for The Manila Times’ ‘Intramuros on Canvas: On the Spot Painting Event.’ An exhibit of artwork began on Monday, July 1 at The Manila Times’ building. ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili
6 New “Below Market Rate” Ownership Homes at 719 Larkin One-bedroom homes priced from $327,745 – $332,218 without parking. ƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ĮƌƐƚͲƟŵĞ ŚŽŵĞďƵLJĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĐĂŶŶŽƚ ĞdžĐĞĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ůĞǀĞůƐ͗ 100% of Area Median Income 2019 One person - $86,200; 2 persons - $98,500; 3 persons - $110,850; 4 persons - $123,150 etc. ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞĚ ďLJ ϱWD ŽŶ DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ ƵŐƵƐƚ ϭϮ͕ ϮϬϭϵ͘ ƉƉůLJ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ,>/ ͕ ƚŚĞ ^& ,ŽƵƐŝŶŐ WŽƌƚĂů Ăƚ ŚƩƉƐ͗ͬͬŚŽƵƐŝŶŐ͘ƐĨŐŽǀ͘ŽƌŐ Žƌ ŵĂŝů ŝŶ Ă ƉĂƉĞƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƐĞůĨͲĂĚĚƌĞƐƐĞĚ ƐƚĂŵƉĞĚ ĞŶǀĞůŽƉĞ ƚŽ DZ ϳϭϵ >ĂƌŬŝŶ͕ W͘K͘ Ždž ϰϮϬϴϰϳ͕ ^ĂŶ &ƌĂŶĐŝƐĐŽ͕ ϵϰϭϰϮ͘ WŽƐƚŵĂƌŬƐ ǁŝůů ŶŽƚ ďĞ ĐŽŶƐŝĚĞƌĞĚ͘ WĂƉĞƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ĚŽǁŶůŽĂĚĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ŚƩƉƐ͗ͬͬŚŽƵƐŝŶŐ͘ƐĨŐŽǀ͘ŽƌŐ Žƌ ƉŝĐŬĞĚ ƵƉ ĨƌŽŵ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ϱ ĂƉƉƌŽǀĞĚ ŚŽƵƐŝŶŐ ĐŽƵŶƐĞůŝŶŐ ĂŐĞŶĐŝĞƐ ůŝƐƚĞĚ Ăƚ ŚƩƉƐ͗ͬͬƐĨŵŽŚĐĚ͘ŽƌŐͬŚŽŵĞďƵLJĞƌͲ counseling-agencies. &Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ Žƌ ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ǁŝƚŚ LJŽƵƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ HomeownershipSF at (415) 202-5464 or info@homeownershipsf.org. hŶŝƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞ ^ĂŶ &ƌĂŶĐŝƐĐŽ DĂLJŽƌ͛Ɛ KĸĐĞ ŽĨ ,ŽƵƐŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ĂƌĞ ƐƵďũĞĐƚ ƚŽ ŵŽŶŝƚŽƌŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌ ƌĞƐƚƌŝĐƟŽŶƐ͘ sŝƐŝƚ ǁǁǁ͘ƐĨŵŽŚĐĚ͘ ŽƌŐ ĨŽƌ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͘
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JULY 5-11, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 5, 2019
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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 5, 2019
Malaka Gharib’s graphic novel “I Was Their American Dream” explores identity as a Filipina-Egyptian a very foundational way for me to express myself. There wasn’t balance the cultures we identify a question in my mind that I “WHEN I was growing up, with. wanted to emulate this diary feel, my mom would always say: ‘You In a conversation with the DIY-style in expressing myself in have to be better than us.’ She Asian Journal, Gharib talks about the book. never explained what she meant the creation of “I Was Their AJ: How did this idea beby that. But I understood. I had American Dream” and why it’s come a book deal? to somehow rise above my partime to own our identity and MG: My publisher is Clarkson ents’ life in America. But how?” culture. Potter, which is an imprint of Filipina-Egyptian writer and Asian Journal (AJ): At what Penguin. I was making stuff and artist Malaka Gharib explores this point did you want to tell your posting it on Instagram. I think idea of a ‘better life’ in the early story as a Filipina-Egyptian I had less than 30 cartoons on pages of her graphic memoir, growing up in America? there when a friend of mine at “I Was Their American Dream,” Malaka Gharib (MG): I never NPR said, ‘Hey, my friend is an which was released earlier this really thought much about race agent and you should pitch this spring. issues that deeply until 2016 and as a book.’ I didn’t take it seriThrough comics that ilseeing all the anti-immigrant ously because I couldn’t imagine lustrate anecdotes — from her rhetoric in the news. The very it turning into a book. She was Filipina mother and Egyptian very encouraging about it and father’s immigration stories to her one-dimensional conversations said, ‘Here’s your idea: cartoons upbringing in Cerritos, California that I was seeing in the media about immigrants — that we about being a first generation and struggles to find a sense of were coming here and taking Filipino-Egyptian-American.’ I belonging — Gharib goes bethink everybody in 2016 underyond the stereotypical caricatures people jobs, that we were terstood that there was this need for of what Filipinos or Egyptians are rorists — did not really match with what I grew up with in nuanced immigrant stories and thought to look and act like and Cerritos, California. I grew up in that was something easy to sell shows that there’s more to the a town that was an Asian bubble to publishers during that time. immigrant experience than what and had a lot of diversity and AJ: The book is a quick read the media portrays. people from every social class. I but is rich with intricate detail Gharib, who is the deputy also had my parents’ own story, — whether it’s your mom using editor and digital strategist of which didn’t match the news a cookie tin for a sewing kit or NPR’s Goats and Soda by day, either. Thinking about my dad, your dad eating KFC on the was compelled to explore race for example, he’s Muslim. I was a couch. What was the storyand identity following the 2016 election after seeing the “anti-im- little too young for the post-9/11 boarding process like and how discourse about Muslims, but for did you decide on what details migrant” rhetoric in the news. to include on certain pages? The result: a novel inspired by some reason, 2016 seemed to MG: For me, I wanted to use a ‘90s comic book charting Ghar- be the moment because I was an adult by then and I thought the least amount of information ib’s perspective in a mixed-race about my dad who liked garden- to convey the maximum story. household through red, white ing and loved the movie ‘Forrest That’s what I really love about the and blue colored-drawings, with Gump.’ He’s totally harmless. I comics format in that it’s very resome pages inviting the reader wanted to correct the narrative strictive. It’s like poetry: What are to be interactive as well. that I was seeing and provide the base images, words and diaThe pages take readers my own nuanced perspective for logue you need to tell the most through trying to fit in at high readers and also my generation. impactful story? I had Easter eggs school and college, summers AJ: How did you decide throughout the entire book too... in Egypt where her dad moved a graphic novel would be the if you knew, you knew. Everybody back to after the divorce, the was like, ‘I totally eat with one defiance of being a writer instead best platform for doing so? MG: As for why the graphic foot up and the other foot down of a traditional job, and teaching novel format, a big part of my on the chair too.’ I’m so glad that her husband about her multiculartwork is the zine and comic people caught that because I tural identity. book culture…I would buy zines put this little Easter egg in there. Yet, with the specific details at Skylight Books in LA and then Like people who understood the of Gharib’s personal story, a unitry to create my own zines and sewing kit cookie tin reference versality emerges that especially comics at home and get them — those are the little things I put first generation kids in American in there for us. can relate to, whether it’s emulat- printed at the copy machine at my uncle’s medical office in As for storyboarding, what ing what we see while watching Historic Filipinotown. That was was it that I wanted to say on a popular TV shows or having to whole? I wanted to explore my relationship to race during high school and I would then unpack that into further detail. What did I aspire to look like? Why did I think that way? Why did I think that looking that way was the right way to look? When I unpacked those questions, I tried to use anecdotes to bring those answers to life. I wanted to look like that because I didn’t fit in. Instead of saying that, I tried to think of stories. I thought about [my sister] Min Min and how she took those pictures in high school with all those Filipina girls next to her...I never got to do anything like that because I didn’t have a group of Filipina girlfriends because I didn’t pass as one. AJ: How reliant were you on past diaries and drawings? MG: I relied on them pretty heavily. I kept a very serious journal in high school and college and even in my prepubescent years. I have them all at home and looked back at those in case there were any stories that were missing, but I also fact-checked my own history by calling elementary, high school and college friends. AJ: What conversations did you have with your family and friends? I know you spoke to your mom and dad about telling this family history. Pages from Gharib’s “I Was Their American Dream” explore questions of identity and belonging as a first-generation growing up in a multicultural, mixed household. MG: I tried to use a journalist Reprinted from “I Was Their American Dream” (copyright 2019 by Malaka Gharib), published by framework, which is you should Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC never let your subject be surprised when they read the final story. You should be giving them clues along the way as to what the story is about, if it’s going be combative or supportive. In the question, they should be able to infer the tone and content of the story. I asked my parents questions like, ‘Why did you and dad get a divorce?’ ‘Dad, why did you get so upset when I told you Darren was going to be my husband? Do you feel okay with people knowing that?’ I tried to be very fair to them and give clues to my family members about what the story was going to be about. AJ: Were there any memoGharib inside her childhood room in Lakewood, California. Photo by Andrew Castro by
Christina M. Oriel/ AJPress
ries or instances growing up that you wanted to include but didn’t end up because of page constraints? MG: Absolutely, that’s a great question and haven’t gotten that one before. I wanted to explore the conflict in religion. I think that when you’re growing up in a really devout household, religion is so important and you take it as seriously as your parents. When you’re young, you don’t question religion then and you believe the stories they tell you. You believe that two angels are on your shoulders watching your every move and you believe in heaven and hell and are guided by that righteousness. I wanted to talk about more deeply when I lost my faith in Catholicism, which was around the time I got confirmed. We went on this retreat in Big Bear and it was weird and cultish and I felt really uncomfortable. They made us kneel around in a circle and they said they would bring Jesus out at any second but they made us pray for an hour and when they finally brought Jesus out, he was a candle. I was so mad. It confirmed to me that I was better off as a Muslim anyways in the end. I wanted to include that story in the book because I think that religious pressure is such a big part of the immigrant experience too. I had limited space and also, I had a great editor named Kat Chow, who is one of the founding members of NPR’s Code Switch podcast. I hired her to help guide me in the process of helping me explore my race and identity issues. She basically said, ‘You can’t fit everything in. You just have to unpack a few things.’ I let that one go but that was something I really wanted to go into. AJ: The pages where you compare praying in a Filipino Catholic household versus the Egyptian Muslim household and the contradictions were interesting. Do you still feel that pressure of being on top of the customs and language when you’re with your sides of the family? MG: Oh yeah! My dad and a lot of my Arab family are on Instagram and there are a lot of things I just don’t post. I don’t post photos of me smoking hookah or me eating during the month of Ramadan...out of respect of my family members. I don’t post overly provocative clothing because it’s very conservative in the Middle East and I don’t want my family to get the wrong idea about me. AJ: Growing up what were some of your favorite books or authors who inspired you to be a writer and journalist? MG: This is a very cliché thing but Tatay [maternal grandfather], when I was growing up in the 8th grade, he gave me a copy of ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ and it was a very mature, introspective, moody, coming-of-age story...I probably read it six times through the duration of high school but I really loved the poignant sensitivity and care of Holden Caulfield. I wanted to emulate that in my writing style too. Comics and zines too, but I didn’t get into reading longer form or mainstream ones until after college. I read a lot of indie ones but I don’t even remember the titles of them. I was also really moved by the American Girl books. I like wholesome things in general, which is why the book, you could argue, can be perceived as wholesome and appropriate for young adults. I liked the historical stories about the girls, learning about their lives and cultures, and how they shaped them and their view of the world. I always wished they would have a book for a Filipino Egyptian so I tried to think about writing one. AJ: You spend your time at NPR writing about poverty and global development. But you’ve written pieces about your Filipino culture, whether through food or your husband wearing a Barong to your grandfather’s birthday. What was it like pitching those stories to your editor
An artist and writer, Gharib knew a graphic novel would be a fitting medium to tell her story.
Gharib sifting through old drawings and zines she made during her adolescent years.
Childhood photos of Gharib
at NPR and having that platform to talk about your identity on a mainstream scale? MG: I am very lucky to be at a place where I can have such a huge platform...I did a piece about the Filipino lunch club we had and one about mental health and I did one recently about Thanksgiving...and an interesting perspective for the mainstream to see that other cultures just don’t eat turkey and mashed potatoes. I feel this obligation to write about stories I’m passionate about. I’m always thinking about the people I grew up with in Southern California, what they might be interested in reading because I am them and I am interested in reading that stuff too. AJ: You have some anecdotes around the question of ‘what are you?’ In the book, you write ‘I used to love this question because it gave me the opportunity to talk about my ethnicity. But not everyone felt that way.’ How have you come into your identity over the years? MG: There’s no better time than now to proclaim from the rooftops your ethnicity. If this how you identify yourself and you are proud of it, then why should we hide that? There is something so beautiful about representing your culture...For a little bit, I didn’t want to tell people who I am but now, I want you to know exactly who I am and I want to celebrate my ethnicity. AJ: Through this journey, what does it mean for you to be Filipina? MG: My whole life, we were taught that being Filipino was a bad thing. In high school, I went to school with a lot of other Asians but I quickly understood that Filipinos were at the bottom of whatever hierarchy of the Asians with the Japanese at the top. When I would go to Egypt, my dad would tell me not to tell others that I was Filipino because, in the Middle East, Filipinos are the help. I had thought it wasn’t an honorable thing to be Filipino, but now, I get so excited when I see another Filipino out in the world. It’s a time to celebrate each other and it has lifted my heart in so many ways. AJ: What do you want readers to take away from “I Was Their American Dream”?
Photos by Andrew Castro
MG: First of all, I hope people can relate to this book who aren’t Filipino or Egyptian. What I’ve been amazed by is that so many people have found it relatable. It’s not just Filipinos who are reaching out and saying thank you for writing this book. It’s been people from so many countless cultures. I’ve seen the book become a force to bring people together like I saw a post of a group of young people having a kamayan dinner and said they were inspired by the book to have the dinner and talk about being Filipino. Someone told me, ‘This book makes me want to call my grandma and celebrate everything that we are.’ I want people to be proud of who they are. No matter who you are, take pride in it. There’s nothing to be ashamed of and you don’t have to try to be something that you’re not. AJ: In this book and even in your other writings and posts on social media, you share a lot of yourself. What’s something people may not know about you? MG: I actually don’t find the things I share too personal. I feel like the stories are so universal that they’re impossible to be truly personal. I hope that makes people more vulnerable. In this world where everything’s so fake and posed, you’re constantly being promoted at by ads and everything is so algorithmically chosen for you so I want there to be some vulnerability, kindness, personal connection and intimacy. I hope the things I make bring people together or a person closer to how they’re feeling. AJ: For you, what does the American Dream mean? MG: I never knew that I needed to have an American Dream. I only thought that American Dreams were for outsiders. But I grew up feeling like an outsider too in this country and I realized that I also needed to have a dream, which was weird. But it wasn’t like my parents’ dream of a white picket fence or buying all my titos some polo shirts from the outlet. Mine was to feel a sense of belonging in my own country — the country that my parents told me I belonged in, yet it hadn’t felt that way. This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 5, 2019
Immigration Corner
How come the consul said my child ‘aged out?’
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
STILL MORE IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED THIS SUNDAY IN PART 4 OF “CITIZEN PINOY” IN CHICAGO! How can doctors, nurses, or caregivers in the Philippines immigrate to the U.S.? Can a previous petition be reopened\revived if the applicant did not appear for the interview? Can a person be refused a visa because they are depressed? Get the answers to these 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)
Angel, Neil get engaged Charo Santos, Maymay Entrata, Philstar.com Alex Gonzaga, Paulo Avelino, WEDDING bells will be Julia Barretto, ringing soon as Kapamilya Billy Crawford, Iza actress Angel Locsin is now officially engaged to boyfriend Calzado and Arci Munoz, to name Neil Arce. a few, sent their In his Instagram account, greetings for the Neil posted a photo where he is holding the engagement ring couple. “Sooooo while Angel was in the backsoooo happy for ground. “Excuse me miss… I have a you mars,” Anne commented. question…” the film producer “Congrats Ate captioned the post. Alex! Pero ako In her Instagram account, muna,” Enchong Angel posted photos of her playfully comwith Neil showing her hand with the engagement ring on it. mented, referring “Surprise of my life,” Angel to their blockbuster movie wrote. “Four Sisters And Angel Locsin with Neil Arce Photo from Instagram/@therealangellocsin In another post, Angel A Wedding.” was seen looking at Neil while “Ninang pa her followers for tips for their showing the engagement ring. wedding preparation as she “I said YES,” she captioned rin ba ko?” Kris commented, to which Angel replied: “Yes posted a video on her Instathe post. please ate!!! Please be our gram story. “We’re engaged! Wahhhninang!” “So ito na nga. Gusto ko hhh!” Angel wrote on another In another post, Angel lang magpasalamat sa lahat ng post. “Thank you for allowing me to be with you, take care of thanked all well wishers for be- mga bumati sa amin ni Neil. Wala pa kaming ibang detalyou and most of all love you for ing part of their journey. “Still on a high from everyye pero gusto ko lang unahin the rest of my life,” Neil wrote one’s reaction and well wishes. na kung paano ba isuot ang on his Instagram account. hehehe! Thank you sooo much engagement ring, maghanap Celebrities such as Kris for being part of our journey ng venue at wedding planner Aquino, Anne Curtis, Angelica & adding so much joy to our so kung mayroon kayong mga Panganiban, Liza Soberano, engagement. Love you guys!” tips jan, maghahagilap ako Kathryn Bernardo, Enchong Angel said. kung paano ba ito. Salamat,” Dee, Maja Salvador, Bea Meanwhile, Angel asked she said. Alonzo, Jennylyn Mercado,
by Jan Milo Severo
provide relief for children who aged out. But it is very complex and can be confusing in terms of DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: determining eligibility. My sister petitioned me back For immediate relatives, in 1997, when my child was still eligibility is determined as of a baby. Recently, the priority the date the petition was filed. If date became current. We paid the petition was filed before the all the fees and submitted all the child’s 21st birthday, the child forms on behalf of my family, could benefit from the CSPA, including my child, who is now provided they don’t get married. over 21. For other petitions, the At the interview, the consul child’s CSPA eligibility is deterapproved my husband’s and my mined based on when the priorvisas but said my child cannot ity date becomes current (or visa be included because he “aged becomes available), even if they out.” If he was only a baby were under 21 when the petition when the petition was filed, was filed. how could he have aged out? In your case, your sister petiIs there hope under the Child tioned you. It was not a case of Status Protection Act (CSPA)? a U.S. citizen parent petitioning Very truly yours, his or her child as an immediate CD relative. Therefore, the child’s Dear CD: age on the date the petition was Except for petitions by U.S. filed is not determinative for citizens of their minor children CSPA eligibility. Instead, how (called “immediate relatives”), old was the child when the priora child’s age and eligibility for ity date finally became current, benefits under CSPA are calcuand then you must perform a lated and determined based on mathematical computation, to the date the priority date finally determine if their CSPA age is becomes current, and not their still under 21. age on the date the petition was If a person has questions or filed. This includes all other fam- issues about their child’s CSPA ily-based petitions and employeligibility, or if they have been ment-based petitions. turned down by the Embassy The Child Status Protecbecause the child aged out, they tion Act (CSPA) can sometimes may want to consult with an
attorney, who can evaluate their case and determine if the child is truly CSPA eligible. In that case, the attorney could either assist in processing the child’s case or seek reconsideration from the Embassy of the visa refusal. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Can a person be refused a visa because of depression? Get the answer this Sunday on “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot”
MORE immigration questions will be answered from the fourth batch of Kapamilya who attended the “Citizen Pinoy“ live show in Skokie, Illinois. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel provides timely replies and
relevant information to questions like --- What can doctors, nurses, or caregivers in the Philippines do to legally come to the U.S.? Can a previous petition be reopened if the applicant did not appear for their interview? These questions and more
will be answered on an all-new episode of the informationpacked, public service program — “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot —Sunday, at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/ Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
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celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 5, 2019
celebrity world
Nadine Lustre and Aga Muhlach teaming up for a new project
By Ferdie Villar PEOPLE are excited about the news that Kapamilya actress Nadine Lustre is teaming up with matinee idol Aga Muhlach for a new project under Viva. However, it is not clear if the two will be doing a TV show or a movie. In a recent Instagram post by Viva Artists Agency, Nadine and Aga were seen in a photo with the agency’s big bosses. “Meeting for a new project!,” said the caption. Many were happy to hear that the 25-year-old actress is branching out to do more projects minus love team partner and boyfriend, James Reid. Nadine also recently made movies with other actors, including Carlo Aquino in “Ulan,” and with Sam Concepcion for the upcoming film, “Indak.” Aga, on his part, has also been active again. Although
now 49 years old, the actor has been paired with younger actresses in the past. The most recent one was with Bea Alonzo in the movie “First Love.” He has also been paired with Angel Locsin in “In The Name of Love,” Anne Curtis in “When Love Begins,” and Kristine Hermosa in “All My Life.” *** Actress Jessy Mendiola took to Instagram to profess her love for boyfriend, TV host and actor Luis Manzano, as the couple recently celebrated their third year as a couple. In a post last Tuesday, June 25, Jessy reminisced how fast time flew by. “Time flies so fast. It seems like only yesterday when we were talking at your birthday party till 3am. “I wasn’t listening to whatever you were saying. I was
just staring at your face thinking ‘why not?’ he seems like a nice man.’ “Fast forward to today and we are celebrating our 3rd year together.” The actress also posted this heartfelt message: “I know in my heart you are the one for me.” Jessy thanked the Lord as Kapamilya actress Nadine Lustre is teaming up with actor Aga Muhlach for a well, because for her, Luis was new project under Viva. the answer to her prayers. “I thank God everyday for giving me a good man. A man who will fight for me, take care of me and see me through the tough times. God knew I needed someone like you in my life.” Jessy and Luis made their relationship public in 2016, shortly after the actor broke up with actress Angel Locsin. Angel recently announced her engagement with boyfriend Neil Arce.
TV host and actor Luis Manzano and girlfriend, actress Jessy Mendiola, recently celebrated their third year as a couple.
EMPLOYMENT
Matinee idol Aga Muhlach will soon be working with Kapamilya actress Nadine Lustre for a new project with Viva.
Actress Jessy Mendiola took to social media to profess her love for boyfriend, TV host and actor Luis Manzano, as they recently celebrated their third year as a couple.
Beautiful actress Andrea Torres is the lead actress in the newest teleserye on GMA Pinoy TV, “The Better Woman,” which premiered last Monday, July 1.
Hunky actor and model Derek Ramsay is the lead actor of the newest teleserye on GMA Pinoy TV, “The Better Woman.”
Eunice Bejar-Lee, president and administrator of New Haven In-Home Care Inc., recently arrived from the Philippines where she distributed clothes and candies to the poor children in her hometown of Calamba, Laguna. She also visited her mother, Ester Bejar, who resides there.
EMPLOYMENT
PSYCHIC
FOR SALE
SERVICES
Why David could be GMA 7’s ‘Next Big Heartthrob’ by Rito P. Asilo Inquirer.net
THIS article is one year in the making, but not because we didn’t like chatting with actormodel David Licauco. In fact, we found the GMA 7 hunk, who just happens to be Jaime Licauco’s grandson, a fascinating subject worth every writer’s precious time. This week, David begins his bid for big-screen stardom via the rom-com “Because I Love You.” In an industry inhabited by celebrities who hide behind “manufactured” images, David’s pull-no-punches candor is as refreshing as seeing him work the runway with a friendly David Licauco Photo from Instagram/@davidlicauco smile—even when he’s made
to wear nothing but revealing underwear in fashion shows. Presentation is key, the actor stressed: “It’s how you carry yourself that matters. I don’t want to look malaswa in a pair of briefs, because you can look slutty even when you have a denim jacket on.” This week, David ascends to solo leading-man status by way of Joel Lamangan’s breezy rom-com “Because I Love You,” which opened in theaters nationwide last Wednesday, June 26. In the movie, the actor, who just turned 24 last June 15, plays Rael Tansingco, a business mogul’s heir who falls in love with his best friend Tres’ (Martin del Rosario) new romantic prospect, firefighter Summer (Shaira Diaz).
Philstar.com
IT’S been a year since Ryza Cenon became a Kapamilya with her remarkable performance as Aubrey in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” serving as her debut acting project in ABS-CBN. She is now seen weeknights in “The General’s Daughter” as Jessie, one of the contravidas in the life of Angel Locsin’s Rhian. Her sweet demeanor works to her advantage. Ryza can become your ideal woman in one acting project and your most hated character in another. But between the two, many are convinced Ryza is perfect for villain roles. She broke into her sweetest smile in appreciation of the positive observation before telling yours truly how enjoyable it is for her to portray such roles than the meek and mild personality of a bida. “Never did I dream about becoming a bida or contravida. What I wanted is to be a good actress. Perhaps, I am best at being bad because I enjoy doing that kind of character; nalalaro mo ‘yung
Ryza Cenon
character di kagaya ng bida na plain lang ‘yung character na kailangan lang maaawa ‘yung tao sa ‘yo.” Ryza’s career began when she joined a talent search on GMA 7. That was 15 years ago. Fast forward to the present. Ryza is happy and proud of her achievements yet she stressed
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 5, 2019
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA
TRAVEL is a pure metaphor for our life’s journey. There are two choices in the way we can travel. We can travel light or we can load up on stuff and literally become a beast of burden. The reality for most of us is that we heft and carry far too much physical and emotional baggage over time. I am focusing on the physical baggage aspect only. The emotional baggage aspect is yet for another day. Our journey becomes tedious and cumbersome. All we want when we are too heavily laden with stuff while on the road, at sea or in flight, is to get to our destination fast so we can rest our weary bones and aching muscles and put our feet up. The fun is gone because tedium and fatigue have taken over. It shouldn’t be so because there is truth in what they say about any journey. Half the fun should be getting there. Very few of us are born wise old souls who already know what is important and what is frivolous at the get-go from a very young age. For most of us ordinary beings who have to learn from scratch, our learning curves can be steep. It takes a long while for us to know the difference between a NEED and a WANT. We all know the drill. Needs are the things required for basic human existence: Photo from Instagram/@iamryzacenon food, shelter and clothing. Wants are those that our ego that not much has changed when it comes to her lifestyle. “I or an infomercial tells us we still am the same person who is should acquire to feel better, look better and improve so simple. Kumbaga, lahat naour status in society such as tutunan ko (pero) never akong the latest car model, the new nagmadali sa career ko. I don’t have any insecurities in my body smartphone, large screen TV sets or luxury items or anything na kung may umangat man kaysa sa akin, ‘Okay, congrats,’” else that advertisers tell us we ought to have to make our Continued on Page SF6 lives better or feel important.
Ryza reveals more about herself by Boy ABundA
community
The Bucket List Travel Light 15th of a Series
“He who must travel happily must travel light.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery The distinction should be easy enough if our mental faculties are grounded in common sense and just basic understanding of what is important and what isn’t. Those of us who have wise parents may try to tell us so until they are blue in the face but for the most part, unless and until we go through life experiences that shape our understanding and appreciation of what truly matters in life, it is guaranteed that we will bungle our way through just learning to distinguish between a basic need and a frivolous want. A need is probably owning one quality watch to help us manage our time. A want is having 12 different watches to match what we wear. We will acquire mountains of stuff through our lifetimes. It’s not our fault we live in a consumer society where acquiring stuff is the default behavior. Consider the success of companies that rent out public storage spaces. If you are one of those who rent such spaces in addition to your home’s bulging garage and storage spaces for long periods of time, it may be time to assess the quality of your life’s journey and begin divesting promptly, either gradually or drastically and choosing to travel light. The stuff we acquire is just that. Stuff and nothing more…… When we own something, that something owns us. We are responsible for its care and maintenance to keep it functioning and useful. When that something has outgrown
its usefulness or has become passé, we are responsible for its disposition. When we acquire something new, we probably need to dispose of 3 other items, just to keep us in balance. One day, if we let ourselves listen and learn from that small, quiet and wise voice within us, we will discover that important things are not stuff. They are largely intangible things — like health of mind, body and spirit, faith, hope and love, joy, sacrifice, a sense of wonder and humor to cushion us from the rough shocks of life. So next time we find ourselves meandering about armed to the teeth with credit cards in those huge shopping malls, outlets or flea markets, try to go on browsing mode only. Hold off on splurging next month’s paycheck. This is likewise true for those who go online shopping, indulging themselves in retail therapy in the comfort of their own homes in their pajamas. Look at the merchandise and appreciate the craftsmanship and give yourself time to decide if owning it will answer a need or just satisfy an impulsive want. Window shop, if you must. It would be like going to a museum where you can look, appreciate beauty and quality while having a great time and leaving as light and unencumbered as you came in, without a shopping cart full of stuff. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
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people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 5, 2019
Alfred: Actor-politico grateful for third term in congress by RICKY CALDERON ManilaTimes.net
ACTOR-politician Alfred Vargas will take his oath as congressman of the 5th District of Quezon City on June 30 and is grateful for the opportunity to fulfill his third and final term as lawmaker. Despite the crowded race for his post last elections, Alfred bagged a convincing win, garnering the highest number of votes among multiple opposition. He is very thankful for this new mandate from his constituents and credits his good track record in earning their trust all over again. “Nothing beats a good performance. If the people see that you are doing your job well, they will return the favor by voting you back into office,� said the actor. Alfred went through a grueling campaign period and is currently taking time to rest before plunging back to work come July 1. He is also making up for time he lost with his wife and kids in the run up to elections. Meanwhile, in this same interview, Alfred expressed
Alfred Vargas
sadness over the death of veteran actor Eddie Garcia. He revealed they became very close after working on a project together. He remembers Manoy Eddie as very professional and helpful in giving him valuable advice regarding acting, professionalism and loving one’s work. “I truly admire and respect him. I can only wish to last as long as he did in the industry. For Alfred, what happened to Manoy Eddie was an accident and hopes it will never happen again whether to a star or a member of the production. “We should take the necessary precautions always,� he said. “We should always be
Immigration updates: F2A category current for July, DACA, USCIS Manila Field Office
The CTV Files
ATTY. LILLI BACULI COLLINS, ESQ
F2A CATEGORY (FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES) CURRENT FOR JULY 2019. The Department of State posted the Visa Bulletin for July 2019, showing the Final Action Date chart for family-sponsored preference cases (Chart A) for family-based F2A preference category is CURRENT for all countries for the month of July 2019. The F2A category include the spouses and children of lawful permanent residents. FamilySponsored
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed
CHINA - mainland born
INDIA
MEXICO
PHILIPPINES
F2A
C
C
C
C
C
This means that those with on the terms of the prior court approved I-130 Petitions under rulings. this category are now able to The Supreme Court will be visa process (apply for their issuing a decision following oral arguments, likely sometime in Inquirer.net photo immigrant visas at a U.S. Embassy) if they are outside of the the beginning of 2020. careful in the work area and United States. For those who Individuals who were previensure its safety, not only for are in the United States, this ously granted DACA may rethe stars but for the producmeans that individuals under quest renewal of their deferred tion people as well.� this category will be able to file action and their employment According to Alfred, he’s for their Adjustment of Status authorization with the approhad offers from both ABSapplications. priate fee or approved fee exCBN and GMA Network to We encourage people to emption request at the USCIS do teleseryes but has begged seek competent legal advice designated filing location, and off from them to concentrate from an experienced immigrain accordance with instructions in Congress and spend his tion attorney or immigration in the Form I-821D and form free time with family. His law firm, what it means when I-765 applications. fans should see him soon in a the Visa Bulletin is “Current� USCIS is not accepting couple of movie projects, one and what their immigration requests from individuals who of which has Iza Calzado in options are under current imhave never been granted the cast and directed by Mac migration laws. deferred action under DACA. Alejandre from the script of Deferred Action (DACA) Moreover, USCIS will not acRicky Lee. renewals. According to the cept or approve applications “I normally do just one American Immigration Lawyers for Advance Parole request movie a year but if a good Association (AILA), the Sufrom DACA recipients. script comes along, we might preme Court consolidated and USCIS Field Office in reconsider our decision,� said granted certiorari in several Manila. In June 2019, USCIS Alfred. cases last week, challenging announced that the field office the Trump Administration’s rein Manila, Philippines will perscission of the DACA program. manently close on July 5, 2019. AILA further reports that there The office began redirecting are no new changes to the Forms I-130 Petitions on May pag hindi, nawawala ka hangDACA program at this time, 14, 2019. According to the gang sa hindi mo na kilala yung and is still being implemented USCIS announcement, the U.S. sarili mo,� she explained without going into details about the end of her two-year love affair with Cholo Barretto. alendar of Events Never mind if they are together in The General’s Daughter. “I have moved on so it’s not difficult for me to work with him. Besides, I don’t take my personal (issues) at work. Are we friends? I can’t tell but I’m not closing any doors at ayoko din magsalita ng tapos pero sa ngayon I’m not yet ready to make friends (with him).�
Ryza reveals more about herself
From Page SF5 she said during her guesting on Tonight with Boy Abunda (TWBA). Even when she is praised for her acting performance, Ryza remains humble. According to her, she puts a lot of effort in studying her character, especially now that she is acting alongside finest actors, among them is Angel Locsin. “The fight scenes with Ate Angel, I must be prepared all the time,� she pointed out. Apart from acting, Ryza is also into painting and archery.
She, too, is good at saving her hard-earned money through “the jar technique.� She has two jars where she keeps P50 bills in one jar and P20 bills in another one. After filling them up, the total amount goes straight to the bank. In fact, she just recently deposited around P60,000 to P70,000 “without me realizing that I’ve saved that amount in those jars.� But when it comes to love, Ryza has realized that one should not invest all her emotions in the relationship. “Kailangan magtira ka sa sarili mo kasi
C
across
Embassy in Manila will assume responsibility for certain limited services previously provided by USCIS to individuals residing in the Philippines. Consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before filing. We urge individuals to pause and take the time to consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney before submitting any application with USCIS, and to make clear what options they have or are able to avail of under current immigration laws. *** Atty. Lilli Baculi Collins is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law ďŹ rm with ofďŹ ces in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 4958088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys. com; www.chuatinsayvega.com. (Advertising Supplement)
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J U LY 6
Philippine Cultural Night at St. Paul in Chino Hills, CA The Filipino Catholics of Saint Paul the Apostles invite you to their Philippine Cultural Night on July 6 at the St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (14085 Peyton Dr., Chino Hills, CA 91709). The program will begin at 6 p.m. Children volunteers will be performing popular folk dances. Watch Fr. Joseph Pilotin, MS, Parochial Vicar of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, dance the Tinikling as in previous cultural nights. Savor Filipino dishes while watching cultural performances. For more information, contact The Filipino Catholics president Tessie Lightholder (909) 576-4152; Email: tessielightholder@gmail.com; or vice president Edzel Fuertez (909) 519-4958; Email:edzelf@hotmail.com. We invite you to also visit the church’s website: sptacc.org.
J U LY 2 0
The Ibaan Association USA-Canada gala dinner in LA The Ibaan Association USA-Canada will hold its 32nd Annual Gala Dinner & Dance July 20, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City - Ballroom A at 555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City, California 91608. For reservations call Monica Benitez at (323) 697-3731 / email: monica_benitez03@yahoo.com or Irene May Villafranca at (323) 423-2299 /email: imay02@yahoo.com. Tickets are $85 for Adults and $40 for Children (3 to 10 years old). Please make checks payable to: Ibaan Association USA-Canada and mail to: Merly Pagunsan at 5025 Heintz St. Baldwin Park, CA 91706. For sponsorship information on our 2019 Souvenir Program please contact President Noli Reyes at homesbynoli@gmail. com or call (818) 458-7888. Please RSVP by April 12, 2019.
J U LY 2 1
FACRC’s Pentecost Celebration in Granada Hills, CA The Filipino American Charismatic Renewal Community (FACRC) will have its pentecost celebration on Sunday, July 21 at St. John Baptiste De La Salle Church in Granada Hills, CA. With the theme “Holy Spirit, Set Our Hearts On Fire,� there will be a mass with Auxiliary Bishop Alex Aclan beginning at 1:30 p.m., followed by a speech by keynote speaker Fr. Ramon Valera and healing led by Bro. Robert Canton. The program will last until 7 p.m. Registration is $10 per person. St. John Baptiste De La Salle Church is located at 10738 Hayvenhurst Avenue, Granada Hills, CA 91344. For more information, please contact Ging Mangaliman at (213) 453- 2595 or May Mallari at (323) 401-0886.
J U LY 24 -28
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40th annual Philippine Nurses Association of America National Convention in Atlanta, GA The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) will have its 40th annual national convention from July 24 to 28 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, GA, hosted by the PNA-GA chapter. More information and details TBA. To learn about the PNA-GA, please visit: https://pnaga.wildapricot.org/.
AU G U ST 1 - 9
University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International Convention & Alaskan Cruise The University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International, Inc. (UPNAAI) will have its 40th convention on a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. The theme will be “In the New Millennium - UPNAAI at 40: Evolving and Emerging Nursing Roles.� On Aug. 1. it will be UPNAAI Volunteers Service Day in Seattle, then 2-9 will be a cruise from Seattle, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes, Victoria, and back to Seattle. Convention Fee $100 for Alumni in addition to cruise pricing. No convention charge for friends and family members. Contact Hours will be provided for the educational conference. For more information/to register and view cruise rates, please visit https://www.upnaai.com/.
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
CHP offers cool tips for safe summer trips SACRAMENTO, CA – Summer road trips are a well-loved tradition for many. To make sure a trip is enjoyable, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds everyone that prevention and planning for summer driving may take time up front, but can spare drivers from dealing with the consequences of a breakdown or worse. “Get your vehicle ready, plan your route, and above all, drive safely,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “When you are the driver, your only responsibility is to keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and concentrate on the task of driving.” Summer driving can be more dangerous than other seasons for several reasons. Vacationing drivers, unfamiliar with an area, may also drive erratically or unpredictably. More teenagers,
who are inexperienced drivers, are also more likely to be on the road. The CHP recommends: • Make sure vehicle maintenance is up-to-date. Summer temperatures can put serious stress on engines. Tires, air conditioning, belts and hoses, fluid levels, interior and exterior lights, and wiper blades must all be in good condition. • Program any global positioning systems, whether in your phone or in your car, in advance. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has a mobile app for traffic information, or visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov for highway conditions. Prepare for device malfunctions or loss of connection by knowing your route before you leave and packing maps. • Buckle up! Be sure every-
one in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt. Check that young passengers are using the correct child safety seat for their height and weight. • Never leave pets, children, or the elderly alone in a car for any length of time. California laws address how to handle situations in which children or animals are left in vehicles. However, the best approach if you see an unattended child or animal is to call 9-1-1. • Expect road construction and plan for delays. Remember to “be work zone alert” and move over or slow down when passing any stationary vehicle displaying emergency or warning lights, including emergency vehicles, Caltrans vehicles, and tow trucks. The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
Put the brakes on phony online car sales by Colleen Tressler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
YOU can buy practically anything online, including used cars. But before you shell out any hard-earned cash, here’s a warning about scammers trying to sell cars they don’t have or own. Here’s how the scam works: Criminals post ads on online auction and sales websites, like eBay Motors, for inexpensive used cars (that they don’t really own). They offer to chat online, share photos, and answer questions. They may even tell you the sale will go through a well-known retailer’s buyer protection program. Recently, sellers have been sending fake invoices that appear to come from eBay Motors and demanding payment in eBay gift cards. If you call the number on the invoice, the scammer pretends to work for eBay Motors. Trusting buyers have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past year alone. So how can you tell if an online car sale is fake?
• You find bad reviews online. Check out the seller by searching online for the person’s name, phone number and email address, plus words like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.” • Sellers try to rush the sale. Resist the pressure. Scammers use high-pressure sales tactics to get you to buy without thinking things through. • They can’t or won’t meet in person or let you inspect the car. Scammers might have an excuse, like a job transfer, military deployment, or divorce, for why you can’t see them or the car. But experts agree that you should have an independent mechanic inspect a used car before you buy it. • They want you to pay with gift cards or by wire transfer. If anyone tells you to pay that way, it’s a scam. Every time. • The sellers demand more money after the sale for “shipping” or “transportation” costs. • The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) doesn’t match the VIN for the car you’re interested in. A vehicle history report can help you spot such discrepan-
L-R Ron Gin, Ester Aure, Jayne Hulbert, Steve Wright, Juliet Quiambao, Lucy Chadwick, Rudy Asercion, Marilyn De Castro, Sue Rokaw, Melissa Migallos, Joseph Sparks, Melanie Holthaus, John Ngau and Manny Tuazon
L-R Sue Rokaw, Jayne Hulbert, Marjan Philhour, Rudy Asercion, Marilyn De Castro and Cristina Laskowski
Mayor Breed proclaims June 28 as Sunset Rotary Club Day in San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Rotary Club of San Francisco Sunset celebrated its Charter Inauguration and Officers Induction on Friday, June 28, 2019. Charter ceremonies at the historic Cliff House in San Francisco began with outgoing Rotary District5150 Governor Jayne Hulbert presenting the Rotary International (RI) Charter to Marilyn De Castro and Rudy Asercion. The officer’s induction for the year 2019-2010 was administered by Attorney Sue Rokaw, the incoming RI D5150 Governor. Inducted into office are Marilyn De Castro, Charter President, Rudy Asercion, President-elect, Juliet Quiambao, Club Secretary, Lucy Chadwick, Club Treasurer, Melissa Migallos, Director, Joseph Sparks, Director, John Ngau, Director, Melanie Holthaus, Director and
Manny Tuazon, Sergeant-atArms. Charter members certificate were presented to 20 Filipino American businessmen and community leaders from the San Francisco Bay Area. The new Rotary Club is headquartered in the Sunset District of San Francisco. Marjan Philhour, Senior Advisor to San Francisco Mayor London Breed presented a special certificate from Mayor London Breed proclaiming June 28, 2019 as Rotary Club of San Francisco Sunset day in San Francisco. Rotary International is a 114-year-old international organization based at Evanston, Chicago, Illinois which primary purpose is to serve humanity through fellowship and camaraderie, youth mentorship, professional and vocational development and community service.
cies. For more tips, check out ftc. gov/usedcars and Online Auction Buyers. Want to avoid the latest rip-offs? Sign up for free consumer alerts from the FTC at ftc.gov/subscribe. If you spot a scam, report it at ftc.gov/complaint.
people & events
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 5, 2019
Angelina Mead King on how Facebook outed her as a transgender to friends, contacts BUSINESSWOMAN and car enthusiast Angelina Mead King told TV host Boy Abunda it was Facebook that outed her as a transgender woman. King started to do hormones at the end of 2015 after her father died, she said on “Tonight with Boy Abunda”, as posted on ABS-CBN’s YouTube page, June 28. She was not planning to come out to her friends and family, and said it was social networking site Facebook that decided to out her. “Midyear of 2016, Facebook decides to out me. Hindi ako nagpa-out, Facebook mismo,” said King. (I didn’t out myself, it was Facebook [who did it].) “Hindi ko nga alam paano nangyari kasi dati I used to keep two phones. Different numbers, different emails, hindi sila mag-ka-friends, walang connection. And then nag-notification na nagpadala sa lahat ng friends ko, ‘Your friend Ian King is on Instagram as Angie Mead,’ tapos dun na nagkalat.” (I do not know how it happened because before, I used to keep two phones. Different numbers, different emails,
Angelina Mead King
there was no connection. And then a notification was sent to all my friends saying, ‘Your friend Ian King is on Instagram as Angie Mead,’ and that’s when it spread.) That same day, King’s friends and cousins took screenshots of the notification and sent it to her, asking what
Photo from Instagram/@angiemeadking
was going on. She recalled not knowing what to do and turning to her wife Joey for help. “I didn’t know also what to do, so kausap ko yung wife ko around lunchtime,” she said. “Sabi ko, ‘Ano, buksan ko na yung account?’ kasi andaming nag-fo-follow. Wala na tuloy tuloy na.” (Inquirer.net)
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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - July 5, 2019