July 21-24, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 59 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
‘Duterte wants 2019 polls to push through’ DATELINE USA by RITCHEL
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
MENDIOLA AJPress
Proposal to split California into three separate states pulled from November ballot
MALACAÑANG said President Rodrigo Duterte will not be involved in efforts to postpone the elections slated for next year. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that Duterte’s position had been to continue with the CALIFORNIA will remain one state for the midterm polls next year and hold the time being after its Supreme Court on Wednes- referendum on the proposed federal day, July 18 shot down an initiative on the November ballot that would have split the state into three separate ones. The state court unanimously decided against Proposition 9 because “significant questions have been raised regarding the proposition’s validity,” ordering California’s Secretary of State Alex Padilla to remove it from the Nov. 6 ballot. “We conclude that the potential harm in permitting the measure to remain on the ballot outweighs the potential harm in delaying the proposition to a future election,” the justices wrote in their ruling. Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper for years has argued that California should be split into three states, and, because of its massive size, would be governed more effectively with “better decision-making and real solutions closer to home.” This year a petition to get his concept on
charter together with the electoral exercise. “I will quote the president, ‘I will not have any hand in that,’” Roque said in a Palace briefing on Thursday, July 19 when he was asked about the matter amid efforts by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to postpone next year’s elections. Alvarez has insisted on suspending the 2019 midterm elections in order
to give the Congress enough time to deliberate on the proposed Constitution. According to him, Congress will not have time to discuss moves to shift to federalism as it will be busy with the budget later this year, and with elections in May, lawmakers will be on campaign mode by the start of 2019. “He believes in democracy, he be-
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
PH to receive $27-M counterterror aid from US
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Sea dispute biggest challenge to PH
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THE assistance will include equipment, training and other support programs aimed at boosting law enforcement capacity. “This support for non-military rule-of-law approaches to addressing terrorist threats will complement our sustained commitment to building the counterterrorism capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the embassy said in a statement. “The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines and will continue to provide whole-of-government support and assistance to Philippine counterterrorism efforts as we work together to address shared threats to the peace and security of both of our countries,” it added. In February, the U.S. designated the Maute group as a terror organization with links to the Middle East-based Islamic State. In June 2016, IS released a video of militants in the Philippines pledging allegiance to the terror group. In the video, militants encouraged other Muslims to the local IS arm then led by Isnilon Hapilon. Hapilon was killed in Marawi in October 2017. The Maute group was responsible for the
lieves in elections, and he wants to hold the referendum together with the elections. That is the position of the president,” Roque added. The Palace spokesperson also denied that Duterte would run in tandem with losing vice presidential candidate and former Senator Bongbong Marcos to be the transition government leader, explaining that if
SIGNATURE POSE. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte flashes his signature pose with Sec. Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President and the guests during the 85th National Convention of the Philippine Public Health Association at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City. Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante
ACCORDING to the Cabinet’s security cluster, the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute is the biggest concern with regards to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The assessment was made as the security cluster unveiled the Duterte government’s National Security Policy during the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) conference on Wednesday, July 18, in Pasay City. “The dispute over the West Philippine Sea remains to be the foremost security challenge to the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it said. It added that the Philippines “needs to address” the disputes over the country’s maritime borders “as they affect a complex range of national security concerns as well as threaten regional peace and stability.” President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has maintained a non-confrontational stance in the West Philippine Sea dispute and has fostered economic ties with China since as-
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Duterte to sign BBL before delivering SONA by ALEXIS
ROMERO Philstar.com
MANILA — President Duterte may sign the Bangsamoro organic law before he delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Malacañang said on Friday, July 20. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque thanked the members of Congress for reconciling their versions of the bill, one of the priority measures of the Duterte administration. The bicameral conference committee approved the proposed Bangsamoro organic law on Wednesday night, a year after the Bangsamoro Transition Council submitted its
draft to the president. “We thank our lawmakers and the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Council because the bicameral conference for the BBL or the Bangsamoro Basic Law is finished. The President can now sign the BBL before his SONA on Monday,” Roque said. He could not say when exactly Duterte would sign the measure into law, but expressed belief that the President may do so on Monday, July 23. “As soon as we receive the consolidated version of the proposed Republic Act, the President can sign,” Roque said. “It’s possible that it will be on Monday...I think that’s
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Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Farinas Sr. (left) hands over to Bangsamoro Transition Committee Chairman and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar (2nd left) the Conference Committee Report after the marathon hearing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday, July 18. Also present in the ceremony are Senators Juan Edgardo Angara; Franklin Drilon; Joel Villanueva and the rest of the bicameral conference committee from the House. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
DILG gives green light to Boracay reopening Oct. 26 BI orders deportation of Australian missionary by AJPRESS
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said rehabilitation continues on the island after President Duterte ordered its closure on April 26 to give way to massive rehabilitation of the “cesspool.” Philstar.com photo by Walter Bollozos
INTERIOR Undersecretary Empimaco Densing III on Wednesday, July 18 said the target reopening of Boracay island on October 26 will proceed. “Oct. 26 is a go based on (Environment) Secretary Roy Cimatu na madalas sa (who is always in) Boracay,” he said in a radio interview. Densing noted the significant improvement in the water’s quality. According to him, the previously brown and foul-smelling water on Bulabog beach was already “bluish” and did not emit any unpleasant smells two weeks ago. He also mentioned how the
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Sister Patricia Anne Fox
Philstar.com photo
AUSTRALIAN missionary Sister Patricia Anne Fox on Thursday, July 19, was ordered by the Board of Commissioners (BOC) of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to be deported and blacklisted, barring her from ever returning to the Philippines. The BOC, composed of Commissioner Jaime Morente, Associate Commissioner J. Tobias Javier and OIC Associate Commissioner Marc Red Marinas, ruled that Fox violated Philippine immigration laws and was found to be an undesirable alien after thorough review and deliberation. “The BOC found that her actions are inimical to the interest of the state. The Bureau has ordered her [Fox’s] deportation to Australia, and the inclusion of her name in the BI’s blacklist, barring her re-entry into the country,” Sandoval stated. The BI, in its resolution, noted that Fox was granted a missionary visa on July 21, 2016 valid until September 5 of this year “with a limitation that she will render her missionary work in Barangay Amihan, Quezon City.” However, the BI said “Fox engaged and interfered in po-
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‘Sea dispute biggest challenge... PAGE A1 t
suming the presidency — which prompted the security cluster to suggest treading with prudence on the issue by “carefully” calibrating all diplomatic approaches in resolving the issue. According to it, diplomatic efforts would also avert costly consequences of any potential armed confrontations in the disputed waters.
“The government is looking to begin the process of diplomatic negotiations with neighboring countries to delimit and define maritime borders and jurisdictions,” the cluster said. “In this connection, the enactment of laws pertaining to national defense, maritime zones, archipelagic sea lanes and all other matters necessary for compliance with the country’s commitments
From the Front Page
and obligations under international law is urgent and imperative,” it added. Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who presented the Duterte government’s national security strategy, said more troops within the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys), Tawi-Tawi and Batanes have been deployed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The military sent troops in the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa (Thitu) Island, Kota (Loaita) Island, Parola (Northeast Cay) Island, Likas (West York) Island, Patag (Flat) Island, Panata (Lankiam Cay) Island, Lawak (Nanshan) Island, Rizal (Commodore) Reef and Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in Kalayaan, while mili- EARTHQUAKE DRILL. Employees of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) participate in the unannounced fourth Metro ManilaTimes.net photo by Andrea De La Cruz tary presence was “enhanced” in Manila shake drill on Thursday, July 19. Mardanas and Panguan islands in Tawi-tawi. According to Esperon, the military and the Department of National Defense (DND) had or- PAGE A1 t provided that he will be the tran- cos to be elected as vice presidered naval surface patrols within Duterte wanted to stay in office, sition leader,” Roque said. dent. Philippine territories, covering all he has to do is to remain in “That cannot happen because This was in response to former more than 180,000 nautical miles power until 2022. Chief Justice Hilario Davide’s if the president wanted to stay in of the country’s maritime domain “If the president wants to stay statement on Wednesday saying power he would not have asked and more than 2,400 flying hours in power, he would not have that Duterte would run as the for that transitory provision. of maritime air patrol — although asked the consultative commit- transition government’s leader The truth is, it’s enough for the he did not divulge which territory tee to put a transitory provision as the draft federal charter did president to have federalism as of the country was covered by that the transition leader should not bar him from doing so. his legacy. He had already done maritime patrols. be elected. It would have been He also said that since the what he wanted to do if we will “Further, the DND began reha- easy to stay in office by simply president and the vice president have a charter change paving bilitation of structures in islands hanging on to the office because should be elected in tandem, the way for federalism,” Roque [of Kalayaan]. The construction of the original transitory provision this could pave the way for Mar- explained. n the beaching ramp and repair of runway in Pag-asa Island are now ongoing,” Esperon said. “The government continues to engage China relative to our PAGE A1 t to join rallies to the detriment of about it,” she said in a phone inconcerns in the West Philippine litical activities from north (Tar- public peace and order. terview with PNA on Thursday. Sea, through high-level visits and lac) to south (South Cotabato) of When asked if she will appeal “Sister Fox was found to meetings, including the bilateral the Philippines. She works out- have violated immigration laws. the order, the 71-year old nun consultation mechanism,” he side of her community.” When foreigners violate our Im- replied: “That was the plan. I’ll added. “Fox violated the limitation migration laws, the law must talk to the lawyers tomorrow, Esperon also said that the Phil- and condition of her mission- be applied and enforced, in the probably.” ippines is ready to work for peace ary visa which allowed her to same manner that Filipinos must One of her legal counsels, lawwith China during the open forum engage in missionary/religious follow immigration laws when yer Maria Sol Taule, said they of the pre-SONA conference. work, not political activities, in they are in another country,” were ‘dismayed’ because they “We are preparing for peace,” the Philippines. Her presence in Sandoval said, explaining that articulated their position in the he said. the country poses a risk to pub- there is no crackdown of foreign counter affidavit and memoranHe said the national security lic interest,” the BI added. dum on the deportation case. missionaries in the country. strategy contains information re“Sister Pat did not engage in “We welcome the presence Foreign missionaries in the garding the government’s secu- country must be directly and of foreign missionaries in the political activities. She is dority efforts. exclusively engaged in religious Philippines, but, as with any ing her missionary work here. “The national strategy aims to work in the Philippines. They alien staying in our country, Again, we will exhaust all remachieve the ends of national se- must not engage in partisan they must respect and follow edies available to us,” Taule curity strategy which is the pro- political activity or in any en- our laws,” she added. said. tection and enhancement of the deavor not consistent with their Fox’s camp in a statement Fox, for her part, told reportwell-being of the Filipino people, religious or missionary vocation, ers that she was disappointed in added, “President Duterte and the protection of the territories, the BI added. the BI have no basis to say that the ruling. of sovereignty, the institutions, as “Well of course, I’m disap- Sr. Pat is an undesirable alien, Allowing Fox to participate in well as the core values of the Fili- rallies, according to BI, would pointed, but that’s the order, unless their definition of undesirpino people,” Esperon said. n open floodgates for other aliens and we’ll look at what we can do ability is helping the poor.” n
Duterte wants 2019 polls to...
BI orders deportation of Australian missionary
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Duterte to sign BBL before delivering...
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the target anyway.” Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days to sign a measure into law or veto it. If he does not act within 30 days, the bill will lapse into law. The House of Representatives and the Senate have to ratify the bill separately before it can be transmitted to the President for his signature. Roque said the ratification would be done when the two chambers meet on Monday morning to open the third regular session of the 17th Congress. He said Duterte may discuss the Bangsamoro organic law during his third SONA. Under the proposed law, a 7525 wealth sharing term in favor of the Bangsamoro region will be implemented to increase the region’s share in government tax revenues. Lawmakers also adopted a provision on automatic allocation of the annual block grant for the region. The grant is equivalent to five percent of the net national internal revenue of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Customs. The national government will allot P5 billion to the Bangsamoro annually for 10 years or P50 billion to rehabilitate areas affected by conflict. The law also allows the Bangsamoro to implement Shari’ah or Islamic law exclusively to cases involving Muslims while adhering to the Constitution. Tribal laws will apply to disputes involving indigenous peoples within the region. Duterte previously said failure to pass the BBL would worsen the conflict in Mindanao and provide terrorist groups opportunity to recruit members. Don’t judge yet Senate President Vicente Sotto III advised critics of the BBL to give the measure at least two years to deliver on its promises before passing judgment on the measure. Sotto said the proposed BBL could be repealed by Congress if the same problems such as secession and hostilities arise during the first two years of implementation of the new organic act of Mindanao. He said the BBL could serve as an experiment for federalism since the law contains elements similar to what is being proposed by the proponents of a federal form of government. In the first two years of the BBL, Sotto said critics should moni-
tor the use of the budget for the Bangsamoro region and how they are running their parliament there then come out with a list of problems. If there is sufficient basis to claim that the law has not delivered on its promises, then he said Congress could be asked to work on the repeal of the BBL. This early, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed apprehensions about the BBL being able to address the basic issue of good governance in Mindanao. While Drilon is optimistic the law will succeed in bringing peace and stability in the region, he said the BBL’s lack of effective measures to address governance issues hounding the soon to be replaced Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for decades, would not be able to address the longstanding problem of poverty. He said the removal of the antidynasty provision, similar to the one found in the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law, could put to naught other measures that Congress has put in place to promote good governance in the Bangsamoro region. Among them are the provisions that promote accountability by maintaining the Commission on Audit as the exclusive auditor and tighten the qualification of Sharia’h court justices. The Bangsamoro government is also given the power to create government corporations but they should comply with the provisions of the GOCC Governance Act. It may also enact its own civil service rules that should be compliant with existing rules. Sen. Sonny Angara is confident that what was approved by Congress during the bicameral conference committee meetings on the BBL will stand the test of constitutionality. Sen. Francis Escudero said the BBL is not a perfect document, and achieving and fighting for peace is a continuing process. Best time With the historic approval of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, congressmen said now is the best time to break the decades-old secessionist movement of Muslims in war-torn Mindanao. “All of us took an oath to support and defend the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. We have to abide by it,” House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, who made sure the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law was “constitutionally compliant,” said.
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
He informed Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that the House contingent to the bicameral conference committee he headed “successfully accomplished the mandate” they were given, and will turn over the bicam report to him on Monday. “Thank you for your trust and confidence,” the Ilocos Norte congressman said. “Finally, I wish to commend and thank the members of our contingent for the six days of at least 13-hour daily work that they contributed.” “At least, things regarding BOL are coming into fruition,” he added. Fariñas said the peace bill would be ratified during the morning session of Congress on July 23 and allow Duterte to sign it into law hours before his third SONA at 4 p.m. of the same day. Reps. Amihilda Sangcopan of party-list Anak Mindanao, Winston Castelo of Quezon City and House Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu welcomed the approval of the measure that would hopefully bring total peace and development in the region. “Moros will have something better than the status quo that is the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” Sangcopan said, since the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will be replacing the former five-province ARMM. BARMM new government setup The Bangsamoro Organic Law would create the BARMM and will be headed by a chief minister and a ceremonial leader called a wali. In its structural government, the BARMM will have a Parliament of 80 members composed of 50 percent party representatives, 40 percent district representatives and 10 percent sectoral representatives. This also includes a provision guaranteeing two reserved seats for “non-Moro indigenous peoples and settler communities.” The region includes current ARMM provinces such as TawiTawi, Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur while waiting for a regional plebiscite. The regional plebiscite will include six municipalities of Lanao del Norte and 39 barangays of North Cotabato for inclusion provided a favorable majority vote. The chartered cities of Cotabato and Isabela are also subject of the plebiscite for inclusion in the proposed region. (With reports from Marvin Sy, Delon Porcalla)
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19TH T’NALAK FESTIVAL. Senator Nancy Binay performs the ceremonial break during a local billiards tournament in Koronadal. Binay was in South Cotabato as the keynote speaker during the 52nd South Cotabato Foundation Anniversary and 19th T’nalak Festival. Senate photo
Proposal to split California into three separate... PAGE A1 t
the ballot garnered enough signatures to put it on California’s ballot for the midterm elections despite economy experts warning that, if passed, the state would face a host of legal and political obstacles, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. Supporters of Cal 3 have said that California leadership has “failed” its residents for not catering to a wide variety of communities. They say a three-way partition would allow its respective communities make legislative decisions on a wide variety of pressing issues that represent their values. Under the measure, each state would about 12.3 million to 13.9 million people. Northern California would comprise of 40 counties,
including the Bay Area and counties north of Sacramento. California would include the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and San Benito. Southern California would include 12 counties: San Diego, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, Mono, Madera, Inyo, Tulare, Fresno, Kings, Kern and Imperial. After Prop 9 was introduced on the ballot, the non-profit environmental group Planning and Conservation League (PCL) filed a lawsuit to block the proposal from receiving a vote. “We opposed the measure because splitting the state up doesn’t solve any of our existing challenges, it just makes them worse,” Howard Penn, executive director of the PCL, told NPR.
“We have worked hard for the past 50 plus years on statewide policies that help make California a healthy place to live. If the state gets split up into three parts, it would be like hitting the reset button and starting over.” Last week, a Draper-funded group called Citizens for Cal 3 issued a statement in response to the PCL’s lawsuit which they called “just another example of how Sacramento politicians, powerful unions and their highpriced lobbyists are trying to hold onto power at the expense of California voters.” However, Draper and his group have a challenge the decision before the court, opening up the possibility that the measure will appear in a future ballot. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
DILG gives green light to Boracay... PAGE A1 t
demolition activities in some structures that violated environment rules like building hotel in prohibited areas are about 65percent complete. He said, “In West Cove, I know in the next Senate hearing on environment, the owner is being subpoenaed to answer why there is a structure in a no-build zone.” “At present, the demolition, which is very sensitive as it is adjacent to the mountain, is already 65 percent. It will worsen the damage if it is continued,” he added. Since its closure, Boracay has remained peaceful with no serious incidents. The Metro Boracay Police Task Force (MBPTF),
with its responsive police interventions and strategies, is the vital player in the security cluster on the implementation of the closure and the massive rehabilitation of island. In cooperation with other government agencies, other stakeholders, and the community, the projected rise of crimes claimed by critics before Boracay’s closure has been controlled. According to the Philippine embassy in London, tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom and Ireland increased from January to May despite the island’s temporary closure. Citing Department of Tourism (DOT)’s report, it is shown that tourist arrivals from the UK and Ireland increased by around nine
percent and 6.4 percent, respectively, from January to May versus the same period last year. Around 90,000 British tourists arrived in the Philippines for the first five months of this year, meanwhile around 8,000 came from Ireland. Within the European region, the UK registered as the country with the highest number of tourist arrivals to the Philippines. Worldwide, it is the eighth largest tourism market after South Korea, China, the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and Taiwan. “We implemented high-impact consumer activations and digital marketing campaigns to draw British travelers to the
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US Army Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion LA wants a greener and smarter performs change of command ceremony future through water management LA County’s Safe Clean Water Program to be voted on in November
by AJPress THe United states Army Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion performed a change of command on Friday, July 13 at Veterans Park in Redondo Beach, California. The command went from Lt. Col Mark Ripley to Lt. Col Patrick M. Flood, with a flag passing ceremony witnessed by soldiers in the recruiting battalion, family members and community partners. “The passing of these colors symbolizes the passing of the duties and responsibilities associated with this very important position,” Michael gregory, the event’s emcee, told the audience. The passing of the Battalion guidon was facilitated by Colonel Leroy R. Barker, commander of the 6th Recruiting Brigade. on the significance of the ceremony, gregory said, “the history, traditions, and accomplishments of the Los Angeles Army Recruiting Battalion are embodied in these colors. With the transfer, the unit’s legacy is passed as a building block for future performance and achievements. secondly, the colors are at the forefront of a formation that signify with the continuity of the transfer of the colors also goes the transfer of responsibility for accomplishment of the
by Rae
Lt. Col Mark Ripley, 6th Recruiting Brigade Colonel Leroy Barker, and incoming Recruiting Battalion Commander Lt. Col Patrick Flood perform the change of command ceremony in Redondo Beach, California on Friday, July 13.
Members of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Los Angeles Photos courtesy of Fernando Sanjurjo / U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion - Los Angeles
mission and the welfare of the soldiers.” Ripley, who served as battalion commander for the past two years, was praised by Barker for his “level-headed leadership” and initiatives increase recruitment in the LA area.
Ripley was commissioned through the Reserve officer Training Corps at san Diego state University in september 1997. He was deployed with the 1st Theater sustainment Command to Kuwait from 2009 to 2010 as the Deputy g1 Fwd. He also served as part of a Reception, staging, onward, & Integration assessment team to Afghanistan during the same period. His military awards and decorations include three Meritorious service Medals, one Joint service Commendation Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Korea service Defense Medal, and the nATo medal. In his remarks, the outgoing commander thanked community partners, soldiers and fellow commanders who helped advance the U.s. Army’s efforts and highlighted achievements during his tenure. The strides Ripley mentioned included highest regular Army enlistment two-year average in LA history (about 1,000 a year) and highest combined regular Army and Army reserve enlistment average in LA history (2,165 per year).
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ann VaRona AJPress
Los AngeLes is missing out on large opportunities to capture much-needed water as a result of its current water system, with over 100 billion gallons of water literally going down the drain each year from uncaptured rain. In fact, about two-thirds of the water in LA County — through a very energy intensive process — is imported from outside sources in northern California and Arizona. That’s alarming as California as a whole continues to be drought prone, having just experienced the worst drought ever in its history between 2011 and 2017. Between 2014 and 2015 alone, the drought ended up costing the state a whopping $5 billion. The drought, along with aging infrastructure, has impacted the environment with about 4,200 tons of trash being found washed up along LA County beaches each year. This doesn’t include the additional toxins like copper, zinc, and pesticides picked up along the way. But LA County is making some efforts to smarten up its water system through plans of updating its aging infrastructure, increasing local water supply, and improving its water quality. on Tuesday, July 17, the Board of supervisors voted to move forward with their safe Clean Water Program which looks to fund programs and projects that capture, clean, and conserve stormwater. This, they hope, will help make LA more self-sufficient with water, improve water quality, and give more greenery to its communities through recreational green spaces and habitats. The program would be funded by a parcel tax of 2.5 cents that is slated to be voted on this november, and would only apply to impermeable areas like sidewalks and concrete roofs. Aging infrastructure Many who drive along southern California’s 210 or 605 freeways will notice vast areas of land with patches of greenery and occasional strands of bike paths. What many might not know is that the wide area of land serves a large purpose in the county of Los Angeles’ efforts to save some water — acting as “spreading grounds” to hold surface water just long enough for it to filter into the soil. Up Highway 39 in the san gabriel Canyon is also Morris Dam,
Adam Walden, Principal Civil Engineer at LACDPW
one of three dams along the canyon, and one of 14 in the Los Angeles County. Also included in the county’s current stormwater infrastructures are a total of 27 spreading grounds, and about 500 miles of open channel — all of which were designed some 100 years ago in response to some flooding. “A lot of people don’t know what we have this out here and it’s amazing,” said edel Vizcarra, the Community and government Relations spokesperson for the LACDPW, as he stood on a platform overlooking Morris Dam. “But it really wasn’t designed to capture as much storm water as possible,” he added. “so what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to get this type of system here, and optimize it.” originally built in the 1930s as a water supply facility for the city of Pasadena, Morris Dam is now used mostly to control floods and push for flow regulation for groundwater recharge. Adam Walden, Principal Civil engineer at LACDPW, said that while outdated, the foundation is already there and some of what comes from the safe Clean Water program would go towards continuing its maintenance and upgrades. Unlike transportation or other utilities, stormwater is a “fiscal orphan” which means there’s no funding that goes directly towards it. of the importance of improving infrastructure, Walden likened the dam’s purpose to a giant savings account saying, “When water is coming in, or the money is coming in, we’re making deposits.” “We’re putting it away, essentially for a dry day. And the more we can replenish the aquifers, the longer we can sustain the dry periods,” said Walden. once the water gets in the aquifers, it can be pumped out later — like taking withdrawals from a savings account. And like in savings accounts, Walden said, “We never want to use up all of our savings.” Currently, the county is able to capture about 200,000 acre-feet of water. To put into perspective, one acre foot is equivalent to the Pasadena Rose Bowl being filled up to about a foot of water. The department believes that with updated infrastructure, the amount of water captured could be tripled. “That’s water we should be keeping here, but it’s making its way out into the ocean because we just don’t have the infrastructure in place to try to capture,” said Vizcarra. Back to green Updating the county’s water system would also put the semiarid LA area on path of being greener which apparently was the case in its early history. In the 1850s, a large part of what is today’s West LA, for example, contained wetlands, wet meadows, and grassy prairies. The name of Beverly Hills’ famous Rodeo Drive actually derives from its former name Rodeo de las Aguas, which translates to Round-up of the Waters. Thirty minutes from Morris Dam is Peck Water Conservation Park which in 1975, was converted by the LA County Parks and
Edel Vizcarra, Community and Government Relations spokesperson for LACDPW AJPress photos by Rae Ann Varona
Recreation from a gravel pit into a park area and large spreading basin where many now go to for picnics, walks, and even some cycling. Around the park, the droughtresistant landscape symbolizes its role in water conservation with plants like Willows, Laurel sumac, sugar Bush, and California Buckwheat among others. Then there is the rather large lake body nearby which despite having signs warning people not get close due to impairments, does provide some water conservation benefits. Like much of LA County’s water infrastructure, it provides some flood control as well as some habitat for local wildlife like birds and butterflies. “We identified this location as a potential site for increasing the groundwater recharge, providing water quality benefits, and also enhancing habitat and increasing community investments in the area,” said Aracely Lasso, also a civil engineer with the department. she said this is the kind of project the safe Clean Water Program can potentially fund. “We are not only cleaning the park, we are creating habitat, we are creating wetlands for additional habitat around the park and potentially, we are also cleaning up the water that is in the lake itself,” said Lasso. “And also of course, this enhances the park, and enhances opportunities for the community to come in and enjoy even a larger park area.” Though in its preliminary stages of development, other projects with similar goals have been in the works such as in the sun Valley area of the san Fernando Valley. The sun Valley WatershedRory M. shaw Wetlands Park Project sits on a 46-acre, formerly engineered, inert landfill, that will soon turn into a multipurpose wetlands park. The proposed wetlands park will feature a soccer field, open space play area, picnic area, tennis and basketball courts, and even an amphitheater. And then there’s the already working athletic field of Bassett High school in La Puente which currently sits atop a stormwater capturing system installed just a few months ago by the non-profit organization Amigos de los Rios. “We have to do what we can. everything that we can to try and capture as much of the little rain that we do get as possible,” said Vizcarra. “And that’s the safe Clean Water Program.” n
Morris Dam
PH to receive $27-M counterterror...
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Marawi siege in May 2017, the september 2016 Davao market bombing that killed 15 people, and the attempted bomb attack in november 2016 outside the U.s. embassy in Manila. Meanwhile, the special Action Force and other elite units of the Philippine national Police (PnP) may now join the Us-Philippines Balikatan war games. PnP chief Director general oscar Albayalde said his proposal to include elite police units in the Balikatan had been approved “in principle” by U.s. Ambassador sung Kim. Albayalde said he made the request to Kim last May. He added he had already told Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff general Car-
lito galvez about sAF’s participation in future Balikatan exercises. “I have already coordinated with the chief of staff of the AFP at pumayag din naman sila na mainvolve din yung mga (and he gave his approval of the involvement of) mobile forces beside the sAF,” he said. He did not say how many police commandos would actually take part in the next drill. A total of 508 police officers, including 99 women, have started their six-month commando course at the sAF training facility in santa Rosa. of the total, 43 are junior officers with the rank of inspector. It was Albayalde who ordered new police recruits and new officers from the Philippine national
Police Academy to undergo sAF commando training. The drills cover internal security operations, water-borne rescue, police intervention and combat skills, among others. At the end of the program, the police officers have to undergo a test mission in areas where there are rebel groups. “This training will prepare you to face any challenge that will come your way,” he said in remarks at the opening of a sAF commando course in sta. Rosa, Laguna yesterday. sAF commander Director noli Taliño said the participants will form part of five battalions ordered organized by President Duterte to fight insurgency and terrorism. (Pia Lee Brago with Emmanuel Tupas/Philstar.com)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 21-24, 2018 A
‘Like a ghost town’: erratic nursing home From crib to court: Trump administration staffing revealed through new records summons immigrant infants by Christina Jewett
by Jordan rau Kaiser Health News
MOST nursing homes had fewer nurses and caretaking staff than they had reported to the government, according to new federal data bolstering the long-held suspicions of many families that staffing levels were often inadequate. The records for the first time reveal frequent and significant fluctuations in day-to-day staffing, with particularly large shortfalls on weekends. On the worst-staffed days at an average facility, the new data show, on-duty personnel cared for nearly twice as many residents as they did when the staffing roster was fullest. “California has some nursing homes that have higher staffing, but we have so many homes that … have dangerously low staffing,” said Charlene Harrington, a professor emeritus at the University of California-San Francisco who researches the issue. “The enforcement in California has been really poor.” The data, analyzed by Kaiser Health News, come from daily payroll records Medicare only recently began gathering and publishing from more than 14,000 nursing homes, as required by the Affordable Care Act of 2010. Medicare previously had been rating each facility’s staffing levels based on the homes’ own unverified reports, making it possible to game the system. The payroll records provide the strongest evidence that, over the past decade, the government’s five-star rating system for nursing homes often exaggerated staffing levels and rarely identified the periods of thin staffing that were common. Medicare is now relying on the new data to evaluate staffing, but the revamped star ratings still mask the erratic levels of people working from day to day. At the Beechtree Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing in Ithaca, N.Y., Jay Vandemark, 47, who had a stroke last year, said he often roams the halls looking for an aide not already swamped with work when he needs help putting on his shirt. Especially on weekends, he said, “it’s almost like a ghost town.” Nearly 1.4 million people are cared for in skilled nursing facilities in the United States. When nursing homes are short-staffed, nurses and aides scramble to deliver meals, ferry bedbound residents to the bathroom and answer calls for pain medication. Essential medical tasks such as reposition-
and shefali luthra Kaiser Health News
The Trump administration has summoned at least 70 children under 1 year old to immigration court for their own deportation proceedings since Oct. 1, according to new Justice Department data provided exclusively to Kaiser Health News. These children, who may be staying with a sponsor or in a foster care arrangement, need frequent touching and bonding with a parent and naps every few hours, and some are of breastfeeding Payroll records at Beechtree show that on its best-staffed days, it had one aide for every age, medical experts say. They’re unable to speak and still learning eight residents, but the ratio was 1-to-18 at the lowest staffing level. Photo by Jordan Rau/Kaiser Health News when it’s day versus night. “For babies, the basics are reing a patient to avert bedsores can ings for nursing homes that had be overlooked when workers are gone seven or more days without ally important. It’s the holding, the proper feeding, proper nurturing,” overburdened, sometimes leading a registered nurse. to avoidable hospitalizations. Beechtree’s payroll records said Shadi Houshyar, who directs “Volatility means there are gaps showed similar staffing levels to early childhood and child welfare in care,” said David Stevenson, those it had reported before. David initiatives at advocacy group Faman associate professor of health Camerota, chief operating officer ilies USA. The number of infants under policy at Vanderbilt University of Upstate Services Group, the forSchool of Medicine in Nashville, profit chain that owns Beechtree, age 1 involved has been rising Tenn. “It’s not like the day-to-day said in a statement that the facil- — up threefold from 24 infants life of nursing home residents and ity has enough nurses and aides to in the fiscal year that ended last their needs vary substantially on properly care for its 120 residents. Sept. 30, and 46 infants the year a weekend and a weekday. They But, he said, like other nursing before. The Justice Department data need to get dressed, to bathe and homes, Beechtree is in “a constant to eat every single day.” battle” to recruit and retain em- show that a total of 1,500 “unacDr. David Gifford, a senior vice ployees even as it has increased companied” children, from newborns to age 3, have been called president at the American Health pay to be more competitive. Care Association, a nursing home Camerota wrote that weekend in to immigration court since Oct. trade group, disagreed, saying staffing is a special challenge as 1, 2015. Roughly three-fourths of the there are legitimate reasons staff- employees are guaranteed every children involved are represented ing varies. On weekends, for in- other weekend off. “This impacts stance, there are fewer activities our ability to have as many staff as by a lawyer and they have to make for residents and more family we would really like to have,” he their case that they should stay in u PAGE A6 the United States. members around, he said. “While staffing is important, what really matters is what the overall outcomes are,” he said. While Medicare does not set a minimum resident-to-staff ratio, it does require the presence of a registered nurse for eight hours a day and a licensed nurse at all times. The payroll records show that even facilities that Medicare rated positively for staffing levels on its Nursing Home Compare website, including Beechtree, were short nurses and aides on some days. On its best-staffed days, Beechtree had one aide for every eight residents, while on its lowest-staffed days the ratio was 1-to-18. Nursing levels also varied. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees nursing home inspections, said in a statement that it “is concerned and taking steps to address fluctuations in staffing levels” that have emerged from the new data. This month, it said it would lower rat-
PAUNAWA NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Ang Independiyenteng Komite sa Pagpapayo at Pagbabantay ng mga Mamamayan (Independent Advisory and Oversight Committee, ICAOC) ay magsasagawa ng isang pampublikong pagdinig sa Agosto 20, 2018 sa 10:00 a.m. sa Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Boardroom na matatagpuan sa One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles. Ang ICAOC ay itinalaga sa ilalim ng Batas ng 1998 sa Reporma at Pananagutan ng Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), inaprobahan ng mga botante noong Nobyembre 1998. Ang pagdinig ay ginaganap bilang pagsunod sa pederal na mga iniaatas na pampublikong pagdinig na nakabalangkas sa Seksyon 9 (e) (3) (H) ng Batas ng 1982 sa Tulong sa Pang-ibabaw na Transportasyon, gaya ng sinusugan, at mga patnubay sa pampublikong pagdinig na pinagtibay ng Lupon ng mga Direktor ng LACMTA noong 1993, gaya ng sinusugan. Ang layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay upang tumanggap ng mga komento ng publiko tungkol sa resulta ng independiyenteng pagsusuri na isinagawa tungkol sa pananagutan ng LACMTA sa mga kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta at mga paggasta sa ilalim ng mga ordinansang Proposisyon A at Proposisyon mula Hulyo 1, 2016- hanggang Hunyo 30, 2017. KASAYSAYAN Ang Proposisyon A at Proposisyon C ay mga ordinansang inaprobahan ng mga botante na nagtatadhana ng kalahating porsiyentong buwis sa pagbebenta sa County ng Los Angeles, ang mga nalikom sa mga ito ay gagamitin sa mga layuning pantransportasyon gaya ng tinukoy sa dalawang ordinansa. Inaprobahan ng mga botante ng Los Angeles County ang Batas ng 1998 sa Reporma at Pananagutan (ang batas) ng Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) noong Nobyembre 1998. Ang layunin ng Batas ay magkaloob ng pananagutan sa paggasta ng mga kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta ng Proposisyon C sa pamamagitan ng taunang independiyenteng mga pagsusuri ng mga paggasta sa transportasyon ng buwis sa pagbebenta, ng paglikha ng isang Independiyenteng Komite sa Pagpapayo at Pagbabantay ng Mamamayan, at mga pampublikong pagdinig sa mga ulat ng independiyenteng pagsusuri. Ang Batas ay nag-aatas ng isang taunang independiyenteng pagsusuri ng mga Kita at Paggasta ng sa mga Buwis sa Pagbebenta ng mga Proposisyon A at C. Ang Independiyenteng Komite sa Pagpapayo at Pagbabantay ng Mamamayan alinsunod sa Batas ay nagkakaloob nitong buod ng independiyenteng pagsusuri para sa taon ng pananalapi na natapos noong Hunyo 30, 2017. ULAT NG INDEPENDIYENTENG TAGASURI Ang Ulat ng Independiyenteng Tagasuri ay nagkakaloob ng mga iskedyul ng mga kita at paggasta para sa mga Proposisyon A at C para sa taon ng pananalapi na natapos noong Hunyo 30, 2017, na nagpapakita ng mga halaga ng mga kita ng buwis sa pagbebenta na kaugnay na transportasyon na natanggap at ginasta ng LACMTA. Ang mga iskedyul na ito ng mga Proposisyon A at ay inihanda ng LACMTA at sinuri ng independiyenteng kompanya ng pagtutuos na BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA). Ang BCA ay nagsagawa ng pagsusuri ng mga iskedyul ng pananalapi ng Proposisyon A at C alinsunod sa pangkaraniwang tinatanggap na mga pamantayan sa pagsusuri sa Estados Unidos ng Amerika. Batay sa mga resulta ng pagsusuri, ang Ulat ng Independiyenteng Tagasuri ay nagkakaloob ng: • opinyon ng independiyenteng tagasuri kung ang mga iskedyul ng pananalapi ng Proposisyon A at C ay naglalahad nang makatwiran, sa lahat ng bagay, ng mga kita at paggasta ng mga kita ng buwis sa pagbebenta ng Proposisyon A at C; • mga paliwanag sa mga iskedyul ng mga kita at paggasta. • ulat ng independiyenteng tagasuri sa pagsunod at panloob na kontrol sa pag-uulat ng pananalapi ng mga Proposisyon A at C; Opinyon ng Tagasuri tungkol sa Presentason ng Iskedyul Ang Ulat ng Independiyenteng Tagasuri ay nagkakaloob ng opinyon na para sa taon ng pananalapi na natapos noong Hunyo 30, 2017, ang mga iskedyul ng mga kita at paggasta ng LACMTA para sa mga Proposisyon A at C ay makatarungang naglahad, sa lahat ng mahalagang bagay, ng mga kita at paggasta ng kita sa buwis sa buwis ng mga Proposisyon A at C. Mga Iskedyul ng LACMTA sa mga Kita at Paggasta ng mga Proposisyon A at C (Mga halagang ipinahayag sa mga libo) Proposisyon A Proposisyon C Kabuuan
Mga Kita $ 789,980 846,427
Mga Paggasta $ 305,986 793,039
$1,636,407
$ 1,099,025
Mga paliwanag sa mga iskedyul ng mga kita at paggasta. Ang mga paliwanag ay nagkakaloob ng mga impormasyon tungkol sa LACMTA, mga Proposisyon A at C, at mga patakaran sa pagtutuos ng LACMTA. Ulat ng Tagasuri tungkol sa Pagsunod sa mga Tadhaha ng mga Proposisyon A at C Ang ulat tungkol sa pagsunod ay nagsasaad na ang independiyenteng pagsusuri ay kasama ang mga pagsubok sa mga pagsunod sa mga partikular na tadhana ng mga batas at regulasyon, na ang hindi pagsunod sa mga ito ay maaaring may tuwiran at mahalagang epekto sa pagpapasiya ng mga halaga ng kita paggasta sa loob ng mga Iskedyul. Ang mga resulta ng pagsubok ay walang isiniwalat na hindi pagsunod na iniaatas na iulat sa ilalim ng Mga Pamantayan sa Pagsusuri ng Pamahalaan. Ulat ng Tagasuri Tungkol sa mga Panloob na Kontrol sa Pag-uulat ng Pananalapi Ang ulat tungkol sa mga panloob na kontrol sa pag-uulat ng pananalapi ay nagsasaad na bilang bahagi ng pagsusuri, isinaalang-alang ang panloob na kontrol ng LACMTA sa paguulat ng pananalapi upang mapagpasiyahan ang mga pamamaraan sa pagsusuri na angkop sa mga pangyayari para sa layuning ipahayag ang kanilang opinyon sa mga pahayag ng pananalapi. Itinala ng BCA na hindi sila nakatukoy ng mga kakulangan sa panloob na kontrol sa pag-uulat ng pananalapi na itinuturing nilang mahahalagang kahinaan. Ang mga nakasualt na komento sa bagay na ito ay tatanggapin hanggang Agosto 20, 2018. Lahat ng komento ay dapat ipadala sa Board Administration, LACMTA, One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-3-39, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952. Ang mga kopya ng Ulat ng Independiyenteng Tagasuri tungkol sa Iskedyul ng mga Kita at Paggasta para sa Kita sa Buwis sa Kita ng Proposisyon A at Kita sa Pagbebenta ang Proposisyon C ay makukuha mula sa Records Management Center sa LACMTA Plaza Level sa (213) 922-2342. CNS-3154117#
Officials who review such deportation cases say most children under 1 cross the border with a parent and their deportation cases proceed together. But some of the infants were deemed “unaccompanied” only after law enforcement separated them from their parents during the Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance” immigration policy. The children were sent to facilities across the U.S. under the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services. “This is to some extent a … crisis of the creation of the government,” said Robert Carey, who previously headed the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which takes custody of unaccompanied minors. “It’s a tragic and ironic turn of events.” Younger children are also con-
sidered unaccompanied if they enter the U.S. with an older family member who is not yet 18. The data do not clarify which children arrived that way or which were separated from their parents. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for further data about where the children are housed. They could be in a foster care home, at a group home, with a relative or sponsor or reunited with a parent. HHS, which operates the refugee resettlement office, did not provide comment by publication time. In previous statements, the government has argued that separation — and its consequences — are unfortunate but unavoidable under the law. “There is a surefire way to avoid separation from your chil-
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Dateline USa
A july 21-24, 2018 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN jOuRNAl
US Army Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion... PAGE A4 t “Thank you for the privilege of letting me serve as battalion commander. It was truly an honor. I approached every day with this model mind of mission first and people always,” Ripley concluded. Flood also addressed the crowd, sharing that 20 years ago, he was living in LA as an actor
and a member of the Army Reserve. When his younger brother had passed away, he said, “From that moment, I wanted to find a way to serve others to a greater extent and found that in the regular Army.” Flood, who recalled some of his experiences while being deployed in Afghanistan, shared that the new position will help
Lt. Col Ripley passes the guidon to Col Barker the 6th Brigade Commander Photos courtesy of Fernando Sanjurjo / U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion - Los Angeles
“the youth of LA realize their potential.” “I pledge to give back as much as I’ve given,” he said. The LA recruiting battalion — nicknamed the “Rough Riders” and headquartered in Encino — oversees five areas or “companies”: San Gabriel, Long Beach, San Fernando Valley, coastal cities, and Los Angeles. n
Lt. Col Patrick Flood receives the flag colors from Colonel Leroy Barker.
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DILG gives green light to Boracay...
PAGE A3 t Philippines especially for the winter holidays, and to expand our overall market reach in UK,” Philippine Tourism Attaché for Northern and Southern Europe Gerardo Panga said.
According to him, the keys in igniting interest in the Philippines as a travel destination in Southeast Asia are strong partnerships with major British tour operators and airlines, as well as the Philippines’ vast network of
media partners and travel influencers. These two factors account for the sustained increase in British tourist arrivals to the Philippines in the past few years, Panga said. n
‘Like a ghost town’: erratic nursing home... PAGE A5 t
wrote. Patients can come to harm when left unattended. In August 2017, an 81-year-old woman was left alone in the bathroom at Redwood Springs Healthcare Center in Visalia, Calif., where she fell, hit her head and later died, according to a report by the state Department of Public Health. Last week, the department announced it would fine the nursing home $100,000, its maximum penalty. “Everyone on our team works hard every day to make sure we provide the highest quality of care and comply with regulations. … Every day, we’re trying to improve,” said Seth Braithwaite, administrator at Redwood Springs. Braithwaite declined to comment on the incident, citing patient and employee privacy, as well as ongoing litigation. A state audit released in May faulted the Department of Public Health for failures in oversight of the state’s nursing homes. Even though incidents of nursing home noncompliance that caused or could have caused serious injuries or fatalities rose by 35 percent from 2006 to 2015, the number of citations and fines the department issued decreased over that time, the audit found. In a written response, published in the auditor’s report, the public health department rejected the allegation of faulty oversight. The department did not provide answers to questions from California Healthline this week. New rating method is still flawed In April, the government started using daily payroll reports to calculate average staffing ratings, replacing the old method, which relied on homes to report staffing for the two weeks before an inspection. The homes sometimes anticipated when an inspection would happen and could staff up before it. The new records show that on at least one day during the last three months of 2017 — the most recent period for which data were available — a quarter of facilities reported no registered nurses at work. Medicare discouraged comparison of staffing under the two methods and said no one should expect them to “exactly match.” The agency said the methods measure different time periods and have different criteria for how to record hours that nurses worked. The nursing home industry also objected, with Gifford saying it was like comparing Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures. But several prominent researchers said the contrast was not only fair but also warranted, since Medicare is using the new data for the same purpose as the old: to rate nursing homes on its website. “It’s a worthwhile comparison,” said David Grabowski, a professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School. Of the more than 14,000 nursing
homes submitting payroll records, 7 in 10 had lower staffing using the new method, with a 12 percent average decrease, the data show. And as numerous studies have found, homes with lower staffing tended to have more health code violations — another crucial measure of quality. Even with more reliable data, Medicare’s five-star rating system still has shortcomings. Medicare still assigns stars by comparing a home to other facilities, essentially grading on a curve. As a result, many homes have kept their rating even though their payroll records showed lower staffing than before. Also, Medicare did not rate more than 1,000 facilities, either because of data anomalies or because they were too new to have a staffing history. There is no consensus on optimal staffing levels. Medicare has rebuffed requests to set specific minimums, declaring in 2016 that it preferred that facilities “make thoughtful, informed staffing plans” based on the needs of residents. A new California law that took effect July 1 increases the minimum staffing standards at nursing homes from 3.2 hours per resident per day to 3.5. But critics say the measure doesn’t go far enough. Mike Connors, with the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, estimated that at least half of the state’s facilities are planning to apply for waivers to skirt the new requirements, which he predicted the state would simply “rubber-stamp.” Matt Robinson, legislative affairs director of the California Association of Health Facilities, which represents the state’s nursing homes, countered that “the workforce does not exist right now in California. We’ve had a shortage for many, many years and we’ll have one for a while.” If nursing homes can’t hire enough workers to meet the new requirements, he added, “facilities are then forced to shut down some beds.” Nationally since 2014, health inspectors have cited 1 in 8 nursing homes for having too few nurses, federal records show. With nurse assistants earning an average of $13.23 an hour in 2017, nursing homes compete for workers not only with better-paying employers like hospitals, but also with retailers. Understaffing leads predictably to higher turnover. “They get burned out and they quit,” said Adam Chandler, whose mother lived at Beechtree until her death earlier this year. “It’s been constant turmoil, and it never ends.” Medicare’s payroll records for the nursing homes showed that there were, on average, 11 percent fewer nurses providing direct care on weekends and 8 percent fewer aides. Staffing levels fluctuated substantially during the week as well, when an aide at a typical
home might have to care for as few as nine residents or as many as 14. A family council forms Beechtree actually gets its best Medicare rating in the category of staffing, with four stars. (Its inspection citations and the frequency of declines in residents’ health dragged its overall star rating down to two of five.) To Stan Hugo, a retired math teacher whose wife, Donna, 80, lives at Beechtree, staffing levels have long seemed inadequate. In 2017, he and a handful of other residents and family members became so dissatisfied that they formed a council to scrutinize the home’s operation. Medicare requires nursing home administrators to listen to such councils’ grievances and recommendations. Sandy Ferreira, who makes health care decisions for Effie Hamilton, a blind resident, said Hamilton broke her arm falling out of bed and has been hospitalized for dehydration and septic shock. “Almost every problem we’ve had on the floor is one that could have been alleviated with enough and well-trained staff,” Ferreira said. Beechtree declined to discuss individual residents but said it had investigated these complaints and did not find inadequate staffing on those days. Camerota also said that Medicare does not count assistants it hires to handle the simplest duties like making beds. In recent months, Camerota said, Beechtree “has made major strides in listening to and addressing concerns related to staffing at the facility.” Hugo agreed that Beechtree has increased daytime staffing during the week under the prodding of his council. On nights and weekends, he said, it still remained too low. His wife has Alzheimer’s, uses a wheelchair and no longer talks. She enjoys music, and Hugo placed earphones on her head so she could listen to her favorite singers as he spoon-fed her lunch in the dining room on a recent Sunday. As he does each day he visits, he counted each nursing assistant he saw tending residents, took a photograph of the official staffing log in the lobby and compared it to what he had observed. While he fed his wife, he noted two aides for the 40 residents on the floor — half what Medicare says is average at Beechtree. “Weekends are terrible,” he said. While he’s regularly there overseeing his wife’s care, he wondered: “What about all these other residents? They don’t have people who come in.” Alex Leeds Matthews of California Healthline contributed to this report. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n
From crib to court: Trump administration...
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dren. Present yourself legally … or stay back at your home country, and go through the process others do,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said on a media call earlier this month. “None of us want children separated from their parents. I want no children in our care and custody.” The number of unaccompanied children called in to court since Oct. 1, 2015, swells to 2,900 if kids up to 5 are included. The total will rise between now and Sept. 30, when the fiscal year ends, noted Susan Long, a statistician at Syracuse University and director of TRAC, a repository of immigration and federal court data. There’s also an ongoing backlog in entering the data. In June, a district judge in San Diego ordered the government to reunify families within a month, specifically directing them to unite children younger than 5 with parents by July 10. HHS reunited about half of those children by July 12 — 57 out of 103. Others, the government said, could not be placed with a parent, citing in some cases “serious criminal history” or parents currently being in jail. In 12 cases, those children’s parents had already been deported. In another, the government had failed to figure out where the child’s parent was located, and in another, the parent had a “communicable disease,” HHS said. The Department of Homeland Security, which issues the court orders, also did not respond to a request for comment. In the removal cases, children have no right to an appointed lawyer, but rather to a list of legal aid attorneys that the child’s current
caregiver can contact. And young children rarely know the details of why they fled their home country, especially without a parent present, noted Eileen Blessinger, a Virginia-based immigration lawyer who has been aiding parents. “Think about it as a parent. You’re not going to tell your child they might be killed, right?” she said. “A lot of the kids don’t know.” Immigration court, which is an administrative unit of the Department of Justice, is different from typical courts. It handles “respondents” who may be too young to speak, but has no social workers or legal remedies focused on the best interest of a child, said Lenni Benson, a New York Law School professor and founder of the Safe Passage Project, which provides legal services to migrant youth. “An immigration judge has no discretion,” Benson said. “There’s no ‘I’m hearing the mom wants the kid, I’m going to decide what’s best,’” she said. Instead, “it’s ‘the government has charged you with being removable from the U.S. Do you have evidence to show you have a right to be here?’” Benson recounted being in immigration court in 2014 when a judge asked for a crying baby to be removed from the courtroom. She said she paused to inform the judge that the baby was the next respondent on the docket — and asked that the child’s grandmother stand in. The stakes for the babies, and any migrant fleeing violence, are high, said Paul Wickham Schmidt, a former immigration judge who retired in 2016 after 13 years on
the bench in Arlington, Va. “Final orders of deportation have consequences,” he said. “For something that has a very serious result, this system has been described as death penalty cases in traffic court.” Ashley Tabaddor, president of the National Association of Immigration Judges and a judge specializing in juvenile cases in Los Angeles, acknowledged that the administration narrowed a directive on how much judges can assist juveniles in court. Still, she said, judges do their best to ensure that young children get a fair hearing. Justice Department data show that asylum denials are at a nearly 10-year high at 42 percent, and the Associated Press reported that the administration has raised the bar for making a successful case. At the same time, children can be strapped for resources, Blessinger said. She described one client whose 7-year-old daughter received legal support from a New Yorkbased charity. Even in that case, she said, the organization acted simply as a “friend of the court” — rather than a full-fledged attorney — requesting delays in proceedings until the child and mother could be reunited. That finally happened Tuesday night, she said. “It’s the saddest experience. These people are not going to be recovering anytime soon,” she said. “The parents are crying even after they’re reunited.” This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 21-24, 2018
Dateline PhiliPPines T O U R I S M A S S I S TA N T SECRETARY ALABADO’S OAT H TA K I N G. To u r i s m Sec retar y Be rnad ette Romulo-Puyat swears in newly-minted Assistant Secretary Roberto Alabado of the Tourism Development Planning. Alabado started his government career as a faculty member of the University of the PhilippinesMindanao teaching Urban and Regional Planning. He was part of the local government of Davao City as the City Planning and Development Coordinator under then Mayor Sara Duterte (20102013), before joining the Department of Tourism (DOT) as Regional Director for Region XI from 2015 to 2018, and briefly as Director for Medical Travel and Wellness Tourism- Office of Product and Market Development. Photo courtesy of DOT
DOJ restores Kerwin drug case by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE drug charges led by the Philippine National Police (PNP) against self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa have been restored by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ reversed its earlier controversial resolution dismissing the complaint of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and approved the indictment of Espinosa, convicted drug lord Peter Co, Lovely Impal and Ruel Malindangan for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, citing a conspiracy to engage in the illegal drug trade. The case was filed on Friday, July 20 before the Makati City regional trial court. However, the DOJ has yet to resolve the drug charges filed by the CIDG against Cebuano businessman Peter Lim after his plea for a separate preliminary investigation was granted by the panel. The DOJ found probable cause in the charges of violation of Section 26 (B) in relation to Section 5 or Article II of RA 9165 against all four respondents in a resolution released on Friday, July 20, after preliminary re-investigation conducted by a panel chaired by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera.
The investigating panel based its findings on Marcelo Adorco’s testimony, a state witness who confessed participation in the illegal drug trade, and tagged Espinosa, Co, Impal and Malindangan as his cohorts. Contrary to the defense of Espinosa, who is already facing other drug cases before the Manila RTC, the confiscation or presence of the illegal drugs was not necessary to establish the criminal liability of respondents, the DOJ stressed. It also explained that under RA 9165, conspiracy to commit illegal drug trade is an offense distinct from drug trading per se. The three other respondents in the case — namely Max Miro, Nestor “Jun” Pepito and Rowen Reyes Secretaria — were cleared by the DOJ due to their recent deaths. The charges of sale, administration, dispensation, trading, delivery and transport of illegal drugs against the respondents were dismissed by the DOJ late last year. The previous panel composed of Assistant State Prosecutors Michael John Humarang and Aristotle Reyes dismissed the charges and blamed the PNP-CIDG for its weak evidence and “inconsistencies” Adorco’s testimony. The dismissal of the charges against Lim and Espinosa trig-
Kerwin Espinosa
Philstar.com photo
gered an outrage that also angered President Rodrigo Duterte. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace “is very pleased that the wheels of justice are turning to hold them accountable.” PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde also praised the DOJ panel for taking another look at the evidence submitted by the CIDG against Espinosa. “I am glad the DOJ found merit in the case filed by the CIDG,” Albayalde said. He maintained that the PNP has “damning” evidence against Espinosa linking him to the drug trade. The DOJ reopened the case and
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Online petition urges Duterte, Supreme Court to reopen ‘Chiong sisters’ case by Rosette
adel
showed Larrañaga’s side of the story were also resurfaced by netizens. MANILA — A netizen recently The documentary detailed launched an online petition call- the story of Larrañaga from the ing for the review and reopening day of his arrest to relocation in of the case of the Chiong sisters, allegedly kidnapped, raped and one of them murdered in 1997. Last July 11, a netizen with username “Case Review” started an online petition on Change.org, urging President Rodrigo Duterte and the Supreme Court to review or reopen the controversial case. “There are 3 sides to every story and in this case: The Chiong sisters, The Chiong Seven and the TRUTH. Let the witnesses be heard! Review/Reopen the case!” the petition’s description read. The petition is initially calling for 25,000 signatures. As of posting, supporters of the petition reached over 57,000 and the target signatures increased to 75,000. Over the weekend, the Chiong sisters’ case made a buzz on social media after Viva released the trailer of its newest film “Jacqueline Comes Home” which prompted calls to boycott the movie. The latest film is based on the true-to-life tragic story of the Chiong sisters, Marijoy and Jacqueline, who were allegedly kidnapped, raped and in Marijoy’s case, killed in Cebu City. Only Marijoy’s body was allegedly recovered by the authorities. The sisters’ case also marked the 21st year last July 16. Seven men dubbed as the “Chiong Seven” were imprisoned for the case. Most of them were from prominent families in Cebu City. The accused are: Francisco Juan “Paco” Larañaga, Jozman Aznar, Rowen Wesley Adlawan, Alberto Allan “Pahak” Cano, Ariel Balansag, James Andrew “MM” Uy and James Anthony Uy. The alleged mastermind of the crime was Spanish-Filipino Larrañaga, who happens to be the great-grandson of Sergio Osmeña Sr. Calls for boycott of Viva’s film emerged as several netizens claimed there was a mistrial in the case of the Chiong Seven as another documentary titled “Give Up Tomorrow” produced in 2011 Philstar.com
Spain. Larrañaga’s camp claimed he was in Quezon City on July 16, 1997, the day the Chiong Sisters were allegedly kidnapped. He got
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A8 JULY 21-24, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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O PINION One step forward
FEATURES
THE provision banning political dynasties was deleted, raising the prospect of a similar move in the ongoing effort to rewrite the Constitution and drag the nation kicking and screaming toward federalism. Still, the approval by the bicameral conference committee the other night of the law creating a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is an encouraging step forward in efforts to bring enduring peace in a region long plagued by armed conflict. The Organic Law for the new region, which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM, will still have to hurdle legal challenges and presented to the people for approval. In the meantime, however, the two chambers of Congress can ratify the consolidated version and present the measure to President Duterte for his signature, which is expected before he delivers his third State of the Nation Address this Monday. Concerns have been raised that the removal of the dynasty ban from the Organic Law as well as certain provisions to promote transparency and accountability would set back good governance
in the new autonomous region. Bad governance has been blamed for the failure of the ARMM to lift the Muslim areas from poverty. Will the new autonomous region be any different? The enactment of the Organic Law will pave the way for the forging of a formal peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Even the peace process, however, is hounded by misgivings as new groups have cropped up, using violence to pursue their causes. These include the MILF breakaway faction the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters as well as the Maute group, loosely linked to the terrorist Islamic State, which laid siege to Marawi for five months last year. The road to the Organic Law, however, has been a tortuous one, and its looming enactment is cause for celebration. This is clearly a step forward in bringing peace and development in Muslim Mindanao. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Only a third of Americans approve of the way Trump handled the Helsinki summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump has been touting about how successful his summit with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland was this week, saying on Twitter: ”So many people at the higher ends of intelligence loved my press conference performance in Helsinki.” Trump must be referring to a third of Americans (32 percent) — mostly his consistent ever-loyal fan base — who, according to the latest CBS News poll approve the way Trump handled the summit. Bad news for Trump: It is not only the news media, whom he loves to call “fake news” and “real enemy of the people of America,” who disagree with his self-congratulatory remark. In fact, according to the same poll conducted by CBS News re-
veals a majority of Americans (55 percent) disapprove of the way the summit was handled by Trump. Even more ominous newsflash for the president — these critics are not just Democrats. The poll results show those who disapprove of his performance include 83 percent of Democrats and 53 percent of independents. Some Republicans also gave him a thumbs down — 21 percent, but a big majority of them (68 percent) approve of how Trump dealt with the meeting. The CBS News broke down those who gave Trump a thumbs up in how he handled the summit along party lines: Overall, only 32 percent approve of the president’s handling of the summit — with 8 percent of Democrats and 29 percent of independents agreeing with his fan base. These findings come in the aftermath of the fact that the president of the United States, standing side by side with Putin on the world stage during the summit news conference, preferred to believe the Russian dictator over the
U.S. intelligence agencies who have presented to him a detailed 65-page report of how Russia assaulted American democracy by interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to damage Hillary Clinton’s campaign and help Trump win. More alarming was the finding that Putin’s Russia continues to attack our democracy every day by cyber warfare and website hackings to interfere in the coming November 2018 midterm elections. Trump knew these FACTS, but chose to declare he believed Putin instead of our intelligence community, saying “I have great confidence in my intelligence people but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today. “ When criticized about his statements, Trump attempted to clean up his mess with an alibi. The transcript of the press conference stated: “I have great confidence in my intelligence people. But, I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and
powerful in his denial today. He just said it’s not Russia. I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be.” When he returned to the U.S., Trump said in a news conference that he “misspoke” and had to clarify what he said, claiming, “In a key sentence in my remarks, I said ‘would’ instead of ‘wouldn’t.’ The sentence should have been, ‘I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be Russia.’ You can put that in.” He added, “I think that probably clarifies it.” Clarify, he did not. After saying he believes, supports and has faith in the U.S. intelligence agencies, Trump continued on to say the meddling could also have been done by “others” — an attempt to water down Russia’s culpability, and is an assertion that is not part of the detailed report of the agencies. The news conference revealed more concerning statement made by Trump that revealed just how many concessions he was willing to make while singing high praises to the dictator who has been
assaulting the democracy of the United States. Then back in the U.S., the Washington Post reported how at the start of a Cabinet meeting at the White House, a reporter asked Trump, “Is Russia still targeting the U.S., Mr. President?” “Thank you very much. No,” Trump responded, shaking his head. “No? You don’t believe that to be the case?” the reporter said. “No,” Trump repeated. He went on to say that no president has been tougher on Russia than he has. “I think President Putin knows that better than anybody, certainly a lot better than the media,” Trump told reporters. AND if you think this summit was a nightmare, the Trump administration announced Putin will be coming to the White House for a second summit with Trump, much to the surprise of the president’s own Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, who just found out about it on national television live, when the breaking news was read during
the interview on MSNBC. Coats, who is supposed to be in the loop about everything, was left out in the dark, just as he and the whole country are still wondering, what really was discussed and agreed upon when Trump met privately for a couple of hours behind closed doors, with only his and Putin’s interpreters present. The CBS News poll report further reveals that looking ahead, a majority of Americans overall (61 percent) express at least some concern about Russia interfering in the 2018 elections, though Republicans express far lower levels of concern, while most Democrats are very concerned. IF YOU ARE NOT CONCERNED, the democracy of this “land of the free and home of the brave” is in big trouble.. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Part II: Philippine Chamber Singers-LA’ s Heart-Cramping Original Pilipino Music overflows with love for country, family, friends and musical heritage
Rhizomes
PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. Part II of II Series
“It is only with the heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery “The Filipino kundiman [part of OPM] is the voice of yearning love in song, plaintive in its lyrical heartbeat and yet transcendent through melodic expressiveness. The kundiman came to the fore as an art song at the end of the 19th century and early part of the twentieth, when Filipino composers such as Francisco Santiago and Nicanor Abelardo formalized the music structure and sought poetry for their lyrics, blending verse and music in equal parts. While the sentiment of the kundiman tends toward the melancholic, the commitment of the heart to passion is celebrated in every piece. The singer of the kundiman expresses the pain and beauty of love felt by every listener, for the kundiman is not merely entertainment but an embodiment of collective emotion. Endowed with such power, the kundiman naturally came to serve as a vehicle for veiled patriotism in times of colonial oppression, in which the love for a woman actually symbolized the love of country and desire for freedom. The contemporary love songs of the Philippines are as much related to the kundiman as to Western popular music, reveling in the universal theme of love but saturated with the heartfelt
sentiment epitomized by the finest kundiman.” –Christi Anne Castro, Filipino American Library Program, October 2002. I READ the first quote to the founding members of the Philippine Chamber Singers-LA (PCSLA). “Art opens up the heart,” as the saying goes, so did Dale Francisco’s sparkling eyes as he recalled that he was asked to sing a harana (a courtship love song) by a suitor friend for Jennifer. In singing with his friend, Dale fell in love and eventually asked permission from the suitor to pursue Jennifer. He courted her, he proposed, she said yes, they got married and are now blessed with two children. He took a sabbatical to help raise them and now that they are older, he rejoined PCS-LA “because I missed singing with them.” Dale (unrelated to Gelo Francisco) is the only singer amongst his siblings. He discovered his passion at a very young age of 3, but he was not encouraged to pursue it. In college, he pursued his love for music by forming a University of Santo Tomas choral group and when he immigrated to the U.S., he co-founded PCSLA. His mentors included Lourdes Osuna, an instrumentalist for the church’s choir. He became part of the choral group at mass and would join Fr. Arnold Zamora in his concerts. He was invited to be part of the Far East Bank’s
Chorale group by Doris Estallo, a much sought-after teacher of chorale groups, who became Dale’s mentor. Dale credits living in God’s grace, as he seems to be smooth sailing with doors opening in his life, it was true for his wife, his marriage, and his chorale groups. He is now a U.S. citizen. What these musicians sacrificed to be green card holders and citizens in America Ana Burog is one of PCS-LA’s founding members, who takes care of the group’s logistics, liaisons with the community, and is their costumes’ coordinator as well. Ana is a natural performer onstage, as Lily, her generous mother, exposed her to the various facets of the arts: piano, organ, jazz, ballet and cooking class. “I was not trained to watch television,“ she said, “I grew up listening to the kundiman’s guitar music played by Salicio, my dad with his friends. In third grade, I auditioned for the glee club and was not accepted. But, I kept seeing beyond, that this was like playing a game, and I can be a star someday. So I applied in fourth grade, pasok ako (I got in). In high school, I was the only one singing of my three siblings.” Then, Ana’s mother, Lily, got sick. Ana had to apply for a probationary permit, so she could go back to Manila, take care of Lily and within two weeks, Lily died. That decision bears no regrets for Ana, a daughter who chose love
for her mom, chose to serve her till her dying moments, even if it meant taking a risk and prolonging her waiting period for her green card. After nine years, she has a green card. Equally generous in spirit to Ana were her music mentors, noting “Raymond Romen was my choral mentor who exposed me to all these facets: how to prepare for a concert, how to join a competition, how to sing in harmony and while in Maryknoll (now Miriam College), I sang in a joint concert with the Ateneo Glee Club.” Her other mentor was Boy Delarmente, a De La Salle University choral conductor. Gelo Francisco had a similar challenge when his father died. Gelo was still waiting on his green card. Each renewal of his working visa would cost $2,500. “If I went home, I would be overstaying and that would not be favorable in getting my green card, ultimately, a citizenship. Even if I were to go home, what about my children, kawawa naman ang asawa ko. (Pity my wife?) So I had to consider my options – do I want to remember my father, while he was alive or as a corpse? Instead of going home, I ended up giving my siblings the cost of my airfare but, iyak ako ng iyak. (I kept crying and crying). But, if I stay, where do I get the monies?” Gelo ended up taking more part-time jobs to support his pregnant wife, Marivic, including a scary-for-him graveyard shift
Founding members of Philippine Chamber Singers-LA (PCS-LA) from left to right, Marivic Belo Francisco, Gelo Francisco, Dino Padallan, Ana Burog, Dale Francisco, Anna Hurn. Photo courtesy of Ana Burog
of duplicating CDs, at an office whose window overlooks a cemetery. “I had to keep playing sacred songs and I had to make a deal with the souls in the cemetery that I would pray for them,” he recalls. He is now a U.S. citizen and credits Atty. Kelly O’Reilly for being kind and compassionate
over a decade-long journey to naturalization. As soon as he got a chance to travel to the Philippines, he went to visit his father’s grave. Emman Miranda helped organize a men’s choral group when he got to Los Angeles. “Hindi ko alam na iiwan ko ang buhay ko sa Pilipinas (I did not re-
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OpiniOn & Features
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 21-24, 2018
Current members of PCS-LA include: Sopranos Marivic Francisco, Charmaine Normandia, Kit Buhion, Annie Jeanette Dwight and Ana Hurn; Altos Ana Burog, Lisa Ulanday, Apple Nazareno, Jennifer Morelos, Judith Guerrero and Kim Bautista; Tenors Louie Ulanday, Noel Anzures, Hero Emolaga, Aris Canlapan, Oscar Pantaleon Jr.*, and Gerry Francisco*; and Bass Dino Padallan, Dale Francisco, Medard Obida, Dennis Quiambao, and Novem Cabios. (*indicates guest singers) Photo courtesy of Ana Burog
Part II: Philippine Chamber Singers-LA’ s... PAGE A8 t
alize I would leave my life in the Philippines),” he said. As each working visa permit arrived, he kept renewing each year. Imagine what he had to do with only $300 in his possession, with only a part-time job, what would he do now with an upcoming concert with this men’s choral group? He was faced with the same dilemma as Gelo and Ana: “Do I go home or do I stay and keep going for permit renewal?” Given his determination and his faith in God, he stayed until he got a visa for his extraordinary talent, and now is a U.S. citizen. I inquired as to the requirements to become PCS-LA members, not that I would ever qualify, a long-cherished dream of mine is to sing, if only I was blessed as these PCS-LA members. So, here goes, my dear AJ readers: you may be able to sing, willing to learn the Tagalog language through songs, but most important of all, you must have a commitment to attend rehearsals, able to get along with members with a demonstrated enthusiasm for your culture or in the beginning, an interest to learn Filipino culture. The founding members cited the enviable examples of the Ulanday couple (Lisa and Louie), both of whom are Filipino-Ameri-
cans, were born here and do not speak Tagalog. But, given their love for music, previously into comedy and bowling, they went with gusto for PCS-LA, as much as they’re singing at Sunday mass for Blessed Sacrament Church. That, plus raising a toddler son. They used to dance Pasigin, a song they learned in their gatherings, but until PCS-LA, they did not know they should be dancing like fishes. To sum it all up, what traits would you develop, I asked PCSLA, aside from commitment and showing up for rehearsals? Fearlessness – it does not matter if we are a Filipino and Filipino-American choir, it is by our actions that we will command respect from anyone, as that is our past experience as UP Madrigals singing even to Germans “Dahil sa Iyo” and moving them to tears and to folks around the world. Versatility and daring ambition – “Kaya natin iyan, kung ginagawa ng iba, kaya din natin (If others can, so can we).” It is a belief in our collective capacities. It comes from past experiences of some members who had performed in the palaces in Europe, but also the only choir allowed to sing in person for St. John Paul II in Rome. Breaking barriers – We have no predecessors. We are pioneering our own culture as a choral
group. We can break all barriers. Yet, we do our best to protect the reputation of our group, PCS-LA, alive for 14 years now. You are your own boss as a singer – you come equipped, you study the notes, you can stand alone, if needed and whenever needed. The only time you can contribute to the group is when you can say, “I can do this on my own!” That is the expected standard from each member, a “can-do” level of heightened musicality! Perhaps more than their masterful musicality, we are witnesses to their sacrifices to give dignity to their God-given talents and to give honor to their heartwarming heritage, as if royaltybearers of the Filipino-American culture. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.
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A10 july 21-24, 2018 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN jOuRNAl
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Robredo ready for Duterte insults at SONA by audrEy
Morallo Philstar.com
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo said that she would still attend President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 23, despite advice not to for fear that the chief executive would “insult” her during the occasion. Robredo said that it was her obligation as the country’s second highest official to attend the annual address even at risk of
being openly lambasted by the president. “Yes, I will attend even if some would like me not to. Some fear that I might get insulted, humiliated,” the vice president said in an interview with reporters in Naga City on Friday, July 20. The vice president said that she was used to being insulted and stressed that it would not lessen her worth as a person. “If I would be insulted, I think it’s not my fault, right? A lot
Vice President Leni Robredo Philstar.com photo
would be said about the person who insulted, but for me I am ready to face whatever,” Robredo stressed. Duterte and Robredo belong to opposing political factions in the Philippines due to a feature of the current 1987 Constitution which allows the president and the vice president to come from different parties. The relations between the two leaders have deteriorated in recent days following Robredo’s announcement that she was already ready to lead the policial opposition. Duterte, meanwhile, slammed Robredo and said that she was “incompetent” to lead the nation. In a rare counterpunch, the vice president told the president to focus on the economy, which he described to be in “doldrums,” instead of insulting her and God. Robredo said that she would be interested to listen to the president’s plan to combat inflation and ease the economic burden of poor Filipinos. She added that although she supported the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs, it need not be bloody and violent. The vice president also stressed that whatever anti-drugs campaign plan the government had should be based on data and the reality on the ground to avoid raising false hopes among the people. Duterte famously vowed to step down in three to six months if he failed to eradicate corruption and illegal drugs in the country. Several months into his presidency, Duterte admitted that doing so would be impossible even during the whole length of his presidency. He also did not step down. n
ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the groundbreaking ceremony of the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday, July 17. Assisting the President are Secretary Bong Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua. Malacañang photo by Alfred Frias
Philippines free to enter into arms purchase with Russia, Roque says by audrEy
Morallo Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippines is a sovereign state and can enter into contracts as it pleases, the Palace said on Thursday, amid concerns that its planned purchase of Russian military hardware could strain relations with its long-time ally the U.S. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing that the government would study the planned purchase of grenade launchers from a blacklisted Russian firm. Roque, who used to teach law at the University of the Philippines, said that the U.S. could not enforce its legislation on a sovereign country and on a transaction occurring on a foreign soil. “I don’t know how U.S. law would be applicable to a transaction that will be done outside of the United States,” he told reporters.
The U.S., however, could hit the Philippines with financial sanctions which could hurt the economy and local companies. In an exclusive report, Reuters quoted an anonymous Philippine general familiar with the deal who said that the country agreed to buy 750 RPG-7B rocket-propelled grenade launchers worth P400 million from Russia’s stateowned Rosoboronexport. The general said the transfer had yet to be completed. U.S. sanctions, designed to punish Russia for its annexation of the Ukrainian territory Crimea, its support for Syria’s government and its meddling in the previous American elections, were imposed last year against any country who would trade with Russia’s defense companies. Roque said that the Philippines had absolute immunity on its actions related to its exercise of national defense although he
said that the deal would undergo a review. “We have immunity, and we are free to enter into contracts as we please, and we are not bound by any domestic law especially if the transaction will not occur on U.S. soil,” he said. The Reuters report said that the U.S. State Department declined to comment on possible sanctions. Under President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines has tried to forge closer ties with nontraditional partners such as China and Russia, a move that could complicate its relationship with the U.S., a treaty ally. China and Russia donated military hardware in the past such as rifles and trucks. The Philippines has also encountered problems in acquiring military hardware from some Western nations over concerns about how they would be used. n
Lookout bulletin issued vs Aquino, Garin over Dengvaxia by Edu
Punay Philstar.com
MANILA — Former president Benigno Aquino III may not leave the country amid a string of criminal charges he is facing over the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra revealed that the lookout bulletin order (LBO) issued against Aquino, former health secretary Janette Garin and former budget secretary Florencio Abad Jr. stays as the DOJ has yet to resolve the charges of multiple homicide and physical injuries through negligence under the Revised Penal Code, malversation of public funds and violations of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) filed against them by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. last February. The DOJ is keeping the LBO, which was issued by former justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II in December last year when a key witness surfaced to spill the beans on the P3.5-billion dengue immunization program, also after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed charges of technical malversation of public funds against Aquino, Garin and Abad before the Office of the Ombudsman earlier this week. “The LBO issued on them is not yet lifted,” Guevarra told reporters. The DOJ chief explained that since Aquino and the other respondents are covered by the LBO, they would have to “first seek permission (from his office) before they could leave the country” upon issuance of an allow departure order (ADO) to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). The LBO was issued “considering the gravity of the possible offense which may have been committed” and the “strong probability that they may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes of the government by leaving the country.” Guevarra, however, explained that the DOJ will reassess the LBO against Aquino after the resolution of charges against him. “We will study carefully if there is a need to lift the LBO once the charges against them before the DOJ are resolved,” he said. The DOJ chief further revealed that they would look into the effect of the Supreme Court (SC) decision that voided the authority of the agency from issuing a watchlist order (WLO) against
Former Pres. Benigno Aquino III and former Health Secretary Janette Garin Philstar.com photo
respondents in pending criminal cases to prevent them from leaving the country. The LBO was formulated by former justice secretary and detained incumbent Sen. Leila de Lima in lieu of the WLO, which was subject of the temporary restraining order of the SC in 2011 through a petition filed by then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The DOJ, under the new administration, continued to enforce the LBO on respondents in criminal complaints as well as high-profile subjects of factfinding investigations. Just like a WLO, an LBO requires the subject to ask permission from the justice secretary through an ADO to be able to leave the country. The SC ruling that voided De Lima’s Circular No. 41 for violation of the right to travel under Article III, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution has reportedly become final and executory in a ruling by the justices last Tuesday. “The DOJ has yet to evaluate whether an LBO, which serves only to monitor a respondent’s foreign travel, is covered by the SC ruling nullifying HDOs, WLOs, etc. which actually restricted a respondent’s foreign travel,” Guevarra explained. Aquino to DOJ: What due process? Meanwhile, Aquino hit the DOJ’s claim that his right to due process was not violated in the NBI’s filing of charges against him in relation to the Dengvaxia controversy even without making him answer the complaint. Aquino questioned Guevarra’s statement that he would be given due process before the ombudsman anyway, just like in the DOJ where he was given ample opportunity to contest the charges against him. “The NBI performs fact-finding function only,” Guevarra
said. “I will be given due process somewhere down the line?” Aquino lamented. The former president said the DOJ should live up to its name by making sure people are accorded due process and justice, noting he could not understand why the department would rely on the ombudsman to give him due process instead of the NBI, which is its attached agency. Aquino also questioned how the NBI was able to decide on the matter without considering health, budgetary and disbursement factors since it did not ask him and his concerned former officials to submit any document. He said getting all the sides of those concerned should help the agency weigh the pieces of evidence and file a complaint. Aquino stressed that even due process has Biblical origins as explained to him by lawyer and Sen. Francis Escudero in the past. “At the end of the day, (they should be able to say) we gave you all the due process (you deserved),” Aquino said. The former president said he was summoned by the NBI last May 25 and sent his lawyers, but they were not given any complaint and the chance to answer. On Wednesday, he disclosed that he was informed by the DOJ that the NBI could not possibly use its “findings” on Dengvaxiarelated complaints because there are none yet as the investigation is still ongoing. Aquino personally went to the department on Tuesday to subscribe to his rejoinder-affidavit on earlier Dengvaxia-related complaints against him filed before the DOJ and asked about the NBI case. “Anybody will be made to think, do they already have findings even before we were sub-
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Martires, Sandoval, Ramirez on Bong Go asks supporters to take down billboards egging his Senate run JBC shortlist for next Ombudsman by FrinsTon
Inquirer.net
Lim
DAVAO CITY–Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Thursday, July 19, maintained he was not running for senator in next year’s polls even as he called on his supporters to take down billboards that urge him to run. Go instead suggested that the money being used to put up the billboards be used instead to buy housing materials for the homeless. During the mass oath-taking of over 2,000 village officials as members of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party in Pantukan town, Compostela Valley, Go said he would remain a trusted aide to President Rodrigo Duterte. “I’m not interested of running. There are many jealous persons in politics,” Go told the crowd at the Compostela Valley provincial gymnasium. While he thanked his supporters for the huge billboards, Go said he was more interested in remaining as “your janitor” than becoming a legislator. The presidential aide also
slammed lawyer Edwin Lacierda and other critics for accusing him of being an “epal,” a slang Tagalog word for an attention-seeker, for supposedly installing the controversial billboards. Go said he never dreamt of becoming a politician, much less becoming an “epal.” “People in Davao know that I never put my name in any government project in line with my principal’s abhorrence of being an epal. It’s you, Lacierda and your ilk during the previous administration, who had been known to trumpet projects,” Go said. “It’s you who were known to be shameless and not just attention-seekers,” the presidential aide added. During the program, Go also campaigned for the administration’s bets like reelectionist Sen. JV Ejercito and Ilocos Sur Gov. Imee Marcos who joined him and presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte at the event. Mayor Duterte is one of the founders of the HNP. In her speech, Mayor Duterte hinted that Go may still be a possible senatorial bet under
the newly-minted HNP. Her statement drew cheers from the crowd. “He said he was not running?” asked the HNP founder. “The filing of certificate of candidacy is still far off and we do not yet know what will happen tomorrow. But once they file their candidacy, we will ask that you help them in the same way that you’d helped President Duterte in the (2016 elections),” Mayor Duterte said. Joining Mayor Duterte at the event were her fellow HNP founders—Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy, Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario, Davao Oriental Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang and Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista. The event also saw Ejercito formally affirming his decision to join HNP as “a show of gratitude” to Mayor Duterte for endorsing him. Ejercito said he had informed Mr. Duterte, the national head of the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), of his plan to join HNP, of which the latter gave his go-ahead. n
Lookout bulletin issued vs Aquino, Garin...
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poenaed?” he said. As he awaits the findings of foreign experts tapped by the administration to look into the matter, Aquino insisted that people were being misled about the Dengvaxia vaccine. Of the more than 800,000 children vaccinated with Dengvaxia,
0.2 percent may get infected with severe dengue even after inoculation, according to Aquino. He also pointed out that 90 percent of those vaccinated were presumed to have been exposed to dengue, putting those at risk to minimum levels. Aquino, however, said there were those choosing to scare
the people – making them avoid immunization programs rather than highlight the findings presented to them: that there would be 65.6-percent reduction in symptomatic dengue with the vaccine, 80.8-percent reduction in hospitalization and 93.2-percent reduction in severe dengue. n
DOJ restores Kerwin... PAGE A7 t
conducted a reinvestigation upon resigned secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II’s order. Additional pieces of evidence were submitted by the CIDG, through the assistance of the Office of the Solicitor General — a new affidavit of Adorco further explaining the alleged meeting between Lim and Espinosa in Thailand in 2015 among them. Records from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to support Adorco’s claim were also submitted by
the police. The transcripts of the 2016 Senate hearings on the investigation of the killing of Espinosa’s father, Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., where he confessed his role in the illegal drug trade, as well as the 2002 House of Representatives committee on dangerous drugs, report over the inquiry on the drug activities of Lim and his brother Wellington were presented by the CIDG to the panel of prosecutors. Lastly, a “blue book” of a cer-
tain Bebeth Rebecca Diano that allegedly listed those on Espinosa’s payroll was submitted. Lim vehemently denied the drug charges, calling them “baseless and nonsensical.” He said he never participated in any illegal drug trade activities in the Central Visayas as alleged by the PNP nor met Adorco or Espinosa and other respondents tagged in the illegal drug trade. Lim also denied that he is the alias ‘Jaguar’ on the government’s narco list. n
by TeTch
Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net
THE Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has already come up with a shortlist of nominees to replace outgoing Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. Among those in the shortlist were Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires, retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval, and private practitioner Atty. Felito Ramirez, according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an ex-officio member of the JBC. Of the seven members of the JBC, Martires got six votes; Sandoval got five while Ramirez got four, he added. Martires, a graduate of San Beda, was the first appointee of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Supreme Court. Prior his stint at the SC, Martires was an Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan. He also served as a Regional Trial Court Judge in Agoo, La Union. Sandoval, on the other hand, is an expert in criminal law. He
Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires and retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval Inquirer.net photos
was likewise a professor, author and a Bar reviewer. Currently, Sandoval is a special prosecutor. Meanwhile, Ramirez, also a graduate of San Beda, is a fraternity brother of the President. The shortlist will be submitted to Mr. Duterte, who has 90 days to select the next Ombudsman. Carpio-Morales’ term is
set to end on July 26. Under Article VIII Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution, JBC screens individuals aspiring to be part of the judiciary, including the heads of the office of the Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman, Special Prosecutor, and the offices of the Chairperson and Regular Members of the Legal Education Board. n
Online petition urges Duterte, Supreme Court... PAGE A7 t more than 40 witnesses to back him up but these witnesses were not heard by the court. All accused men except James Anthony, who was then a minor, were initially given 80 years in prison. However, in 2004, they were imposed death penalty which was later on lifted by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after the appeal of the Spanish government. To this day, Larrañaga is still in
prison. In 2015, he was reported to have been allowed to work as a part-time chef in Spain, although he would return to his Spanish jail cell by night. Netizens also raised concerns that the kidnap of the Chiong sisters was related to a supposed drug dealer case since their father, Dionisio Chiong, was supposed to testify against a “powerful druglord.” Dionisio, according to reports, previously worked for a trucking company.
Seven men dubbed as the “Chiong Seven” were imprisoned for the alleged rape and kidnap of the Chiong sisters. Screenshot from documentary “Give Up Tomorrow.”
Due to the alleged mistrial and unfair conviction of the suspects, several netizens called to revisit the case of the seven. Some even launched a page calling to free Larrañaga, whom they claim as “innocent.” “There has been an obstruction of justice due to the fact that witnesses and evidences weren’t accepted during the trial. The accused were sentenced because they weren’t able to present a concrete evidence beyond reasonable doubt. However, the judge after the trial said that there was no evidence that the dead body was Marijoy Chiong’s which is already a beyond reasonable doubt. There was a mistrial and a reopen of the case is a must!,” netizen Jamie Uy commented in the petition. “There was no strong and sufficient evidence and DNA that tied and linked them to the crime scene that would implicate the 7 accused,” netizen Maria Jonabell Russel commented. Larrañaga’s family is hopeful that the president will grant clemency as only a pardon can give freedom to their son. n
A12 july 21-24, 2018 • lA WEEKEND ASIAN jOuRNAl
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SHOWBIZ&STYLE
Journal Piolo Pascual: Daniel Padilla originally part of $1-M ‘Marawi’ movie by Jan
Milo seVero Philstar.com
Q and A with BuyBust cast after the screening
AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya
‘BuyBust’ makes its sold out world premiere in New York at Asian Film Festival by MoMar
G. Visaya
AJPress
“BUYBUST,” director Erik Matti’s latest film had its successful sold out world premiere in New York on Sunday, July 15 as the closing film of the 17th New York Asian Film Festival. The film was sold out as of Saturday morning and by 6:00 pm on Sunday, a line has formed outside the SVA Theater in Chelsea for standby tickets. The crowd grew to almost a hundred moments before the 8:30 pm screening started. In separate interviews with director Matti and the film’s lead star Anne Curtis, both shared how they felt screening the film before a New York audience, two full weeks before the film opens in the Philippines. “I’m excited and nervous at the same time to hear what people have to say. This is my first ever world premiere,” Curtis said. Matti expressed his trepidation as well. He and Curtis have a reason to be nervous. It has been quite awhile since the Philippines saw an all out action flick. Gone are the days when action kings such as Fernando Poe, Jr., Ramon Revilla, Lito Lapid, Phillip Salvador, Robin Padilla, among others, made films that
lorded it over the box office. Which is why coming up with an action movie – with a female lead star, no less - during this time is a big and calculated risk for producers. It is a big gamble, indeed, and it was tough to sell the idea. “We eventually found a partner, Viva, which became our co producer, and in 2016, the new government happened,” Matti said. “It started out as another popcorn film, a buybust operation gone wrong. It is still a popcorn entertainment movie but we didn’t want to do a film that doesn’t put into consideration what’s happening in the country. ” The idea for the film started when he was still doing his film “On The Job.” They were shooting then in a slum area in Caloocan when a drunk guy started to make a mess in the set. “I thought then, if all hell breaks loose here, how do we get out? That’s where the germ came from,” Matti shared. The idea became the major plot point of “BuyBust” and the story revolved around how a team of police operatives got caught in a war inside an enclosed slum neighborhood called Gracia ni Maria, where there is only one way in and one way out. Empowered woman
“BuyBust” shows Anne Curtis like you’ve never seen her before. She did not do any films with her mother studio Viva Films for the past two years because she did not like the scripts that were falling into her lap. She felt that she has done numerous drama films where she played either the wife or the other woman, or romantic comedies or even fantaseryes on television. Then one day, the prospect of an action movie was broached. Direk Erik pitched the project to her, over the phone, and right there and then she said yes. “I really wanted to do an action film. It is something that I have never done before. I felt that it would really challenge me,” she shared. “Direk Erik explained what the film is about and the story and I was sold.” Anne then went on to train for four hours a day for four to six months. She did everything from proper gun handling to parkour and trained with Scout Rangers and Special Forces. For martial arts, she did PTK or Pekiti Tirsia Kali, a style specific to Filipino martial arts that focused on combat and it is the preferred combative training program by elite military and PAGE B2
Kapamilya actor and “Marawi” movie producer Piolo Pascual really wanted “Teen King” Daniel Padilla to be a part of the movie based on the Marawi siege, but the latter’s schedule would not allow him to be in the movie. In a recent Sun Life event held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Piolo said he felt bad that Daniel could not make it in the movie. “I feel bad because we really want DJ (Daniel Padilla) but he’s shooting a movie that will come out in August as well,” Piolo, star of the ABS-CBN TV series “Since I Found You,” said. Piolo, however, said that the movie’s cast remains intact. He, nonetheless, refused to name the other cast members as there are still no final cast members, though he confirmed veteran actor Robin Padilla, who coproduces the movie, will be in the film. “Si Kuya Binoe is also in the movie as one of the leads and of
Piolo Pascual
Daniel Padilla
Philstar.com photo
course Joyce Bernal is overseeing the project,” Piolo shared. The movie, said Piolo, has more or less a $1 million budget and they are talking with different agencies and sponsors to support them because all proceeds of the movie will go to Tindig Marawi, a movement Robin co-founded to help government rebuild the war-torn city. “We will be doing post production abroad. It’s a war movie. It’s not cheap to do that kind of movie. We are meeting with different departments of different
government agencies to support us and different sponsors as well because it’s an advocacy. Nobody is gonna earn from this, all proceeds will go to Tindig Marawi for the rehabilitation of the displaced people and community,” he said. The hunk actor also said they are doing the shooting on Ground Zero, but he refused to say when to assure the safety of the film’s crew. “Just for our safety because there still an on-going war in the south,” he stressed.
Kris Aquino makes peace with brother Noynoy by
Jan Milo seVero Philstar.com
“Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino opened up about her misunderstanding with her brother, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. In a lengthy Instagram post reposted on Twitter, Kris shared photos of her oldest son Josh lying on the hospital bed with the former president standing beside him. PAGE B2
Former President Benigno Aquino III and his sister, media personality Kris Aquino Philstar.com photo
ENTERTAINMENT
B2 JULY 21-24, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
No mean jokes for Bayani by BOY
ABUNDA Philstar.com
COMEDY is not just about getting laughs, but it also changes what we think or, maybe, even what we do. This is true when you talk to Bayani Agbayani or when you just simply watch him on screen. He has a delightful humor and an optimistic approach to life. His witty remarks are not plain punchlines but also reflect intelligence. During one of the episodes of “I Can See Your Voice,” for example, Luis Manzano admired how Bayani could quickly turn a serious situation into “a put your trouble away” mode and adding wisdom to whatever topic they discuss without veering away from fun. That’s why, Bayani must have been born to make people laugh. He became a household name in the late ‘90s to early 2000s for his natural comedic flair. And after a brief hiatus from showbiz, Bayani is back funnier than ever. He is now regularly seen on Cinemo’s “Funny Ka Pare Ko” and in the ABS-CBN weekend show “I Can See Your Voice.” “My becoming part of ‘I Can See Your Voice’ was just an accident,” he said with a straight face. “Kean (Cipriano) was absent and so I temporarily took his place until they decided for me to stay.” If you haven’t heard yet about his “Aswang ang Nanay Ko” joke
which gone viral with two million views, try watching it on YouTube to experience the kind of humor only Bayani can deliver. No wonder, he again won this year’s KBP Golden Dove Best Actor for Comedy award. Bayani said that he prays to God before coming to the show. “Sa lahat ng guestings, sobrang nagdadasal ako sa Diyos ng, ‘Bigyan Mo ako ng magandang joke.’ Kaya lahat ng binibitiwan ko na joke ay galing sa Kanya, biyaya ng Diyos.” He also prays not to allow his every joke to turn out offensive to other people. The comedian also makes sure not to make anyone a subject of mockery whenever he drops a joke. Bayani has a lot of funny stories about his childhood years with his dear mother whom he adores. He is the youngest and the only thorn among six children. “Me and my mom are always together having fun because we always laugh at each other’s joke. Nagbibiruan kami kaya masaya kami lagi pag magkasama.” Now that he is a dad to wonderful daughters — Thalia, Rosalinda, Mary Mar and Sabrina, Bayani feels blessed for being able to raise them well. He always reminds his daughters to be respectful to everyone. Aside from “I Can See Your Voice” and “Funny Ka Pare Ko,” Bayani is also part of the midmorning series “Sana Dalawa Ang Puso” topbilled by Jodi
MILO SEVERO Philstar.com
Bayani Agbayani has a delightful humor and an optimistic approach to life. Philstar.com photo
Santamaria, Robin Padilla and Richard Yap. By his own words, Bayani revealed that Richard is among the few who seldom laughs. “For three days, I never saw him laugh and I asked him if something’s bothering him and he told me nobody’s perfect.” Asked how would he rate himself as a husband to Lenlen, Bayani confidently gave a perfect score of 10. One could easily sense how loving he is to his wife after telling that their love for each other gets stronger as days go by. “We laugh and do things together. But it is not true that I am scared of her but the truth is, I love her so much.”
by SEPH
ASONG Philstar.com
sic? Fuller has not shared any thoughts since LAST year, famed film and TV the group’s deproducer/ artist manager Simon but, but during Fuller created a group he calls the a press confer“dream team” as it will present ence held last various multi-talented performing July 17 at Marartists from different countries; co Polo Ortigas showcasing the best talents from for Now Unitaround the world. ed’s three-day Simon Fuller, the man behind concert in Maglobal superstar and pop icon nila, the group girl group Spice Girls, had many had something Filipino Bailey May is part of Now United, reportedly the world’s first hit projects in the past includ- to say: “Now ever global pop group composed of 14 different singers and dancers ing reality TV shows “American United is all from 14 different countries. Photo from Instagram/@nowunited Idol” and “So You Think You Can about love.” Dance.”But one could only think Consisting of 14 singing and spective nations, including Philipone reason why he formed Now dancing artists hailing from 14 dif- pines’ very own Bailey May—Now United—perhaps to promote unity ferent1countries—whose United has already released its first members Broadthink - AJ Ad_June2018_114_Layout 6/20/18 4:36 PM Page 1 among many nations through mu- already had a career in their rePAGE B5
age gracefully
‘Tis the Season for Tantalizing Tomatoes Mama’s Chicken Sautè Serves 4 2 Tbs. olive oil 2 Tbs. minced garlic ½ cup diced onion 2 cups diced tomatoes 12 oz. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch strips ¼ cup soy sauce 2 bay leaves Pinch of ground pepper 2 hard-boiled eggs
1. Heat the olive oil in an enamel-coated cast-iron casserole or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, and tomatoes and sauté for about 5 minutes. 2. Add the chicken, soy sauce, bay leaves, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10-15 minutes. 3. Add the eggs and simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes.
The anti-cancer properties of lycopene are increased by consuming foods with healthy fats such as nuts, olive oil and avocados. Lycopene also has been shown to contribute to heart health by reducing oxidative damage and has also been associated with reducing blood pressure. Tomatoes have an extremely low glycemic index, so eating them is good for helping to regulate blood sugar levels. A one cup serving of raw tomatoes contains almost 33 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C, biotin, vitamin K (15 percent), potassium, manganese and vitamin A. While summer is the time to enjoy all manner of salads and uncooked dishes featuring tomatoes, my mother made this Chicken Sauté dish with tomatoes for our family dinners whenever we wanted comfort food.
© 2018 by FoodTrients.com
When I was in Italy recently, the tomatoes were so incredibly fresh and sweet, that I looked forward to finding tomatoes like that at home in Los Angeles. Now that it’s summer, it’s the perfect time to look for tomatoes at local farmers markets to see what’s organic, fresh and in season. I am always drawn to the variety of tomatoes that are available in the summer. The flavor is nothing like those pale, sad things you see in the supermarket in February. During the summer I’m inspired to use tomatoes in just about everything from appetizers and salads to satisfying main courses. Tomatoes are very good sources of lycopene, which is an effective antioxidant. There is evidence that lycopene in tomatoes helps protect against prostate and other types of cancer including lung, stomach, colorectal and esophageal.
Barbie Imperial shows photos of alleged abuse by JAN
Now United: We want to be as famous as Spice Girls
BY GRACE O
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks — The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com
FANS of Kapamilya actress Barbie Imperial are pointing their fingers at Barbie’s rumored former boyfriend, actor Paul Salas, as the alleged culprit behind her bruises as seen on her Instagram photos. The now-deleted post captioned, “No to physical abuse. NEVER AGAIN,” showed Barbie with bruises on her chest, arm and collarbone. The post has been screenshot by netizens before it was deleted. On her Twitter account, the “Araw Gabi” star also posted:
Photo from Instagram/@paulandres.salas
“Girls, just because mahal nyo ang isang tao pero sinasaktan kayo physically, hindi pwedeng patuloy yan. Hindi tama manakit ng babae physically.” She also posted two photos on her Instagram account with her mom and her friends, which include actress Julia Barretto. She called them her “Protectors.” “I am strong because a strong woman raised me. You’re all I need mama. I love you. Thank
you,” Barbie captioned the photo with her mom. The photo shows Barbie still having bruises on her arm, resembling the close-ups of her cuts and bruises in a post she allegedly deleted. Paul’s camp has remained silent on the issue, but his father, Universal Motion Dancer member Jim Salas, posted a photo on Instagram that says: “Don’t play the victim to circumstances you created.” The photo has been captioned: “GOD KNOWS.”
Barbie Imperial’s alleged deleted post showing her bruises, as screenshot and posted by netizen @elzbthncl on Twitter.
Kris Aquino makes peace... PAGE B1 In the note accompanying the photo, Kris admitted she and Noy have a “complicated relationship.” “I chose to live my life openlykaya nga maraming pwedeng humusga, pero na bless kasi marami rin ang nagmamahal... with true HUMILITY i will share our story & hope that some of you will learn from our journey,” she began her post. “My brother & i have had a complicated relationship, siguro po kasi only son & middle child sya, bunso ako. Siguro rin kasi aminadong opposites talaga kami- tahimik sya, pribado, iniisip mabuti ang bawat galaw. Alam nyo na kung ano ako. Dahil #satruelang, 3 months po kaming hindi okay. Kasalanan ko po yun...” she added. Kris said her two sons Josh
and Bimby were caught in the middle of her rift with Noy, which is why they chose not to see their uncle and side with their mom. But now that Josh is in the hospital, she had to humble herself and text Noy for him to visit Josh. “Naipit yung 2 boys ko- alam nilang di okay kaya pinili na wag dumalaw at wag iwan si mama... Ang pinaka nag suffer si kuya josh. Sa bawat pag ospital- si tito Noy was always there. Kinapalan ko po ang mukha ko today- nag text ako. Umamin na alam kong na hurt ko sya pero nakiusap- KAILANGAN sya ni kuya josh. My son needed himthe ONLY constant male figure in his life.” Kris also said that just like any other Filipino family, theirs is the same, willing to set aside any misunderstanding for the sake of family.
“From afar, i took this picture. Sharing w/ you because ito kami- PAMILYA na kagaya nyong lahat. Kayang isantabi lahat ng tampuhan dahil hindi mag iiwanan- gagawin ang lahat sa oras ng pangangailangan- dahil may isang “special” na batang inosente na kukuha ng lakas sa pagmamahal ng tito Noy at mama nya.” Although Noy is not active on social media, Kris also posted what she said to his brother in the hospital. “THANK YOU for LOVING JOSH ENOUGH to be here when he really needed you. This is for all of you to get to know the real man, the true NOY AQUINO who is so deserving of RESPECT & ADMIRATION, galing po sa hindi perpekto pero totoong bunsong kapatid, na si kris aquino. ???? (thank you Mom, from heaven i know you made this possible.)”
New York Asian Film... PAGE B1 law enforcement units around the world. There is a three minute scene in the film that took three days to make, five if we include the rehearsals. It took them 57 takes to come up with the scene that made the final cut. On the actual shooting day itself, Anne was covered in blood, it was raining and they were on a slippery roof. “I ended up vomiting out of tiredness. I was so tired, it was crazy,” she revealed. “It was hard to get that one shot. On the first day, I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be.” When Anne said yes to the film, she knew what she was getting in to. More than the rigid training, she knew she had to give everything, including sleep. “The whole film was hard to shoot. May rain effect, we were shooting after Showtime every day, I’d be on set at 5:00 am and once madilim na, we’d start shooting hanggang sa may araw na. Then, Showtime uli. That was the hardest part doing BuyBust because it was a graveyard shift shoot,” she shared. Thankfully, there were no major accidents while shooting. There were some minor mishaps though. “I have mga peklat, ganyan,” she said, showing us some of the battle scars she acquired during the shoot and fondly calls them her memorabilia. And did we mention that while shooting the film she was also amidst her preparations for her wedding? Anne tied the knot with Erwan Heussaff, her boyfriend of six years, last November 11, 2017 in Queenstown, New Zealand. “I was praying na sana hindi ako magasgasan sa face, na sana hindi ako ma injure. Buti na lang my dress had long sleeves so it was covering the ouchies that I had here,” she shared laughing. The couple got engaged in 2016, after Anne did the New York Marathon. She recalled that it became a running joke that she’d already be Mrs. Heussaff and they’d still be shooting BuyBust. Which is exactly what happened. But when she saw a rough cut, she cried. All the sacrifices she made were worth it. “I felt like I couldn’t breath while I was watching it,” she said. “I’m very happy, I think it’s about time. Kaya namin, no? It just takes that one director, one writer and one studio to invest on it.” NYAFF’s 17th “We try to find every year the best films we could find. From the
Anne Curtis with NYAFF executive director Samuel Jamier (right) and deputy director Stephen Cremin. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya
Philippines, year after year we find stronger films and the energy from these films is incredible,” said Stephen Jamier, executive director of New York Asian Film Festival. Six films from the Philippines were shown at the NYAFF, including “BuyBust,” “Neomanila” directed by Mikhail Red, “On the Job” also directed by Matti, “Respeto” directed by Treb Monteras II, “Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story)” directed by Irene Villamor, and “We Will Not Die Tonight” by Richard Somes. “It is one thing that these six films have in common is the craftsmanship, the story telling and all the elements you find in great cinema is there, particularly in genre cinema,” Jamier added. “What we found is that action films from the Philippines are truly incredible and you see some cinematic feats in them.” Typically when it comes to Asian film festivals, one would expect to close with a Korean or Japanese film. “It is unusual to close with a Southeast Asian film in general but considering the quality of the film “BuyBust,” it deserves a prominent spot in the festival or any festival for that matter so it seemed natural for us to do that,” Jamier added. Anne Curtis Day Last Sunday was Anne Curtis Day at the NYAFF since aside from “BuyBust,” her other film “Sid & Aya (Not A Love Story)” was screened as well. Giddy and excited about that news, Curtis told us, “I did not expect this to be happening so hindi ako nakakadama ng pagod. I am enjoying it and I am thrilled to be here. I am so happy for both my directors and everyone who is part of both films.” Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story) is the highest grossing local film
in the Philippines for 2018 so far. The film earned P132 million in its first two weeks of screening. Up next for her is Aurora, an entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival this December. “It’s such an honor and I am very happy for the Filipino movie industry that we have more entries in festivals around the world. Nakaka proud,” she said. Asked about what roles she wants to tackle next, the actress paused. “I’d love to something like a psycho thriller, very ‘Girl, Interrupted’. I think that would be fun. I already did my ‘Reality Bites’ movie which is Sid & Aya and now, action sa ‘BuyBust,’” she said. She is praying that Filipino fans watch “BuyBust” in droves when it opens in the Philippines on August 1 and across North America on August 10. “I am hoping that the Filipino audiences realize that girls can also be badasses when it comes to action films,” she said. “I hope they enjoy the film and the ride with us. It is not a light ride, it will definitely leave you with a heavy feeling but I am just proud of the two years we spent in making this film and I think it showed.” Would she say that this has been the hardest thing that she has done in her entire career so far? Anne responded with an unequivocal yes. Which we gently followed up with ‘More than singing?’ in reference to her other career as an aspiring singer and concert performer. “Yes! Effortless yun eh,” she said, breaking into a loud guffaw. In the end, the “BuyBust” experience gave Anne Curtis a big lesson, one that she hopes she can use again in the future: “Go all out or go home!”
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 21-24, 2018 B3
Let Super Vacation take you on a five-day trip through Oregon & beyond
THERE is more to exploring the United States’ West Coast than just California. Take Oregon for example — home to scenic byways, captivating vistas, and even incredibly blue waters. From California’s world renowned Wine Country, to Oregon’s most treasured Crater Lake National Park, Super Vacation has you covered this summer with its five day trip through some of the West Coast’s most famous outdoor destinations. Here are just some of the highlights featured in Super Vacation’s 5 day Oregon—Crater Lake Deluxe Tour: Sequoia National Park Located in central California, Sequoia National Park is rightly nicknamed as the World of the Giants. While there, visit the General Grant (named after 18th U.S. President, Ulysses S. Grant), the second largest tree by volume after the General Sherman Tree also found in Sequoia. The General Grant’s long history of inspiration has further dubbed it the Nation’s Christmas Tree. Napa Valley Also known as the world famous Wine Country, Napa Valley has long been a California getaway destination. See an endless view of grape vines before enjoying some picks from local winery favorites. Redwood National Forest Entering Redwood National Forest brings you into the “Avenue of the Giants”, a worldfamous scenic drive that runs through acres of spectacular redwoods. Crater Lake National Park The only national park in Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is a prized destination of the state as evident by its image on the license plates of many Or-
egon residents. Around 400,000 people visit yearly to see it’s blue waters — among the bluest in the world. Reaching 1,949 feet deep, Crater Lake is also the deepest in the nation and was formed from the collapse of volcano Mount Mazama some 7,700 years ago. Mount Shasta Get a view of the enormous White Mountain Peak which stands 2,000 feet over Mr. Fuji, before exploring the fascinating Lake Shasta Caverns. Formed roughly 200 million years ago by flowing water, the entire cave is made of limestone with its wide variety of formations, stalagmites, soda straws, and flowstone. Also pay a visit to the world’s largest
sundial at the translucent glass decked Sundial Bridge! Roaring Camp Railroads What better way to get a final view of the West Coast’s redwood groves than by old fashion sightseeing train. Take a morning ride on the Roaring Camp Railroads in Santa Cruz through redwood groves, all the way to the top of Bear Mountain. Established in 1981, Super Vacation specializes in travel packages throughout the U.S. and Canada. To book, or get more information on their tours and rates, call them at (626) 571 - 2988, or visit them online at www.americanasia.com. (Advertising Supplement)
BEAUTY QUEEN’S CASE DENIED BECAUSE OF FRAUD, ON A ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Karen married U.S. citizen Paul in 2007. It was a match made in heaven, until their beautiful life was put under extreme hardship when Karen’s adjustment of status was denied, after she was found guilty of immigration fraud. They submitted a fraud waiver, and even that was denied. The couple was devastated and all plans for their family and businesses were shattered. Everything seemed hopeless until leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel took over Karen’s case and fought to convince USCIS Karen never committed any fraud. Watch how the “Beauty Queen” and her family regained their charmed life and Karen’s name was cleared, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising supplement)
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2018 | 9:00PM
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Ang mga tiket ay mabibili sa Pechanga Box Office 888-810-8871 o sa www.pechanga.com. 877-711-2WIN PECHANGA.COM Madaling matatagpuan sa I-15 sa Temecula Valley Southern California wine County 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592 Ang Tagapamahala ang may kapangyarihan sa lahat. Kinakailangang 21 anyos o pataas upang mag sugal. Problem Gambling Help Line 1-800-GAMBLER.
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B juLy 21-24, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN jOuRNAL
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Quit smoking today: Have a fresh start and a fresh taste in this summer A healthy recipe: Rainbow Vegetables & Tofu Lettuce Wrap
SAn dieGO – When the weather is getting hotter, we want to have something refreshing and lettuce wraps are the perfect summer food. Colorful vegetables contain various
phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are healthy for your body. Using less sauce and seasoning will bring out the natural flavor of the ingredients which also
Scarlet Snow Belo: A day in the life of a celebrity toddler By Monet
give a very refreshing taste of the lettuce wraps. however, smoking can really affect the sensitivity of taste buds, so smokers may not be able to fully enjoy the original flavors of food. The good news is smokers’ sense of smell and taste begin to return to normal within just a few days of quitting. “it may take multiple times for a smoker to successfully quit smoking” said dr. Shu-hong Zhu, Professor of Family Medicine and Public health at the University of California, San diego, “As a friend or family member of a smoker, we can offer our support and call ASQ Chinese Quitline at 1-800-838-8917 to obtain free quit smoking information and give it to smokers.” Asian Smokers’ Quitline (ASQ) is a free nationwide telephone assistance for smokers and for those who want to help others to quit. eligible smokers can receive a free twoweek supply of nicotine patches. Besides providing service in CAnTOneSe And MAndArin, ASQ also offers other service lines to help smokers who speak KOreAn And VieTnAMeSe to quit smoking. Mei, a smoking advisor of ASQ would like to share her lettuce wrap recipe that serves 10 people and requires less than an hour prep time: ingredients For Peanut Sauce • 1 head of iceberg or butter lettuce (leaves separated) • 1 pound firm tofu (drained) • 5 cups cooked rice Vermicelli or Korean sweet potato noodle or Buckwheat noodle (soba) • 1 large red bell pepper, julienned • 2 carrots, julienned • 1 english cucumbers, julienned • 1 cup red cabbage, julienned • 1 small bunch mint or cilantro, chopped (optional) • Oil for pan-fry • 4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter • Juice of two limes (about 4 tablespoons) • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
Lu
Children are so much fun to be around. They make you feel young at heart. i love watching videos of funny babies and smart kids, and speaking of which, i can’t get enough of this little girl whose ‘skin is white as snow,’ hence, her parents named her Scarlet Snow – and she has become an online celebrity with over 2 million followers on instagram. Scarlet Snow Belo is Vicki Belo-Kho’s third child, and her first and only child with hayden Kho. Scarlet was conceived via iVF, and was introduced to the public in 2016. i’ve known Vicki and hayden for a long time and i’ve witnessed the storms they’ve surpassed as a couple and before they were married — which is also why i find their online videos really enchanting. i love seeing how supportive and hands-on Vicky and hayden are with their celebrity toddler. Scarlet sure knows a lot of stuff, from Chinese language to gymnastics! She actually has a full schedule which starts with play school in the morning. By 5 p.m., she is done with her lessons, about the same time that her parents come home from work. At some point in the evening, Scarlet will have story time with her dad, who is, according to Vicki, “the best storyteller in the world.” in an interview with rappler, Vicki talked about Scarlet’s daily routine. “We have so many lessons for her, so she starts with Chinese, Mandarin, she has swimming, she has gymnastics, she has reading class, she has piano, she has voice. She enjoys it,” Vicki said. Scarlet turned 3 years old last March. The adorable toddler celebrated with a rainbow-and-dinosaur-themed bash. The birthday girl wore a dolce and Gabbana dress that matched her mother’s. Speaking of outfits, i read about how Scarlet would actually request her own #OoTd costumes (so adorable!) “Actually, it’s partly her, it’s
partly hayden. She says, ‘Mommy, i wanna be a mermaid. Mommy, i wanna be a crayon.’ So, that’s why as much as possible, we find it (the costume),” Belo told Philstar. com. in the same interview, Scarlet’s mom said that Scarlet daughter also gets her share of spanking when necessary. “We discipline her and don’t spoil her as much as we can,” Belo said, adding “now, we still discipline her like a normal girl. She got spanked. But now, not anymore. She does not cry anymore. She’s more behaved now. She’s a big girl now!” i also learned that their little darling gets paid as a Belo endorser. in an interview for the launch of Watsons’ Beauty Transformation campaign, hayden told Philstar.com that as a Belo endorser, Scarlet receives a minimum fee, which they put into the child’s trust fund. “Ay, oo naman! Of course, the daddy will never agree (for her to work for free),” he said. “From the beginning, we really made the products for Scarlet talaga. We used to buy her all natural baby products from abroad. When we’re looking for an endorser, our first choice turned us down kasi wala kaming budget masyado so sabi ko, ‘Si Scarlet na lang! (We don’t have a big budget so i said ‘Scarlet instead’),” Belo said.
Health@Heart
Toxic agents in our home
PAGE B5
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS MOST cancers, in general, are caused by the body’s repeated exposure to harmful chemicals in our environment. These include tobacco, alcohol, and all dangerous ingredients in common household cleansing agents, like laundry, kitchen, walls, windows, floor, and toilet detergents. Added to these are the variety of chemicals, solutions or sprays we have in the garage, for cleaning cars and the floor underneath them. Our home is a major source of exposure to these toxic agents. And the pollution of our rivers and lakes and oceans from industrial toxic wastes, and air pollution from these same companies and from our car exhaust system, destroy the protective ozone layer above us and are major sources of carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). To boot, many of us regularly ingest with gusto two major cancer-producing substances: tobacco and alcohol, two culpritagents that account for most of the diseases, disabilities and deaths in the world today. The diseases include cancer, lung illnesses, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack and stroke. Many forms of cancer are literally “self-inflicted” and preventable. Damage to our DNA Whether we realize it or not, our bad habits and our closets and shelves at home are the two of the most substantial sources of cancer-causing chemicals that we come in contact with, or inhale the fumes of, daily, which adversely impact our body, health, and longevity. The other carcinogens are from the environmental poisons forced upon us by irresponsible industrial corporations and pollutant-emitting vehicles. All these toxic agents damage our dnA, which leads to many forms of illnesses of various severity. Major culprits Statistics show that most of the illnesses that affect, maim, and kill human beings today are brought on by any/or a combination of these two substances: alcohol and tobacco (including secondhand smoke). These diseases include lung ailments (bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer), cardiovascular diseases (high blood pressure, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, rhythm problems and sudden death), metabolic diseases, like diabetes mellitus, and, many forms of cancer. The other factors are likewise due to similar bad choices on our part: eating processed foods, or, a high-cholesterol, high-
fat, high-carbohydrate, high salt, low-fiber diet; and, dangerously living a sedentary life (as a couch potato, doing only finger exercises with the TV remote, and munching on all the junk foods around), simply getting fat. This scenario reminds us of the strategy to get the most weight on cattle and hogs, before an early slaughter: keeping them in a tight “cage” where they practically cannot move, and feeding them frequently to maximize their weight and fat. And it works. Much like our couches at home. The Philippines “is a country of diabetics,” a lecturer once said, accounting diabesity (diabetesobesity) to our staple food, rice. if we stayed away from rice, bread, and minimize our deserts, there will be less diabetics amongst us, he continued. While it is hard to imagine how an Asian, especially a Filipino, could stay away from rice, it is surprising to find out that many Filipinos, including the more-health-conscious younger ones, have been able to abstain from eating rice. They opt for protein and vegetables, fruits, and nuts. not eating rice at all also helps in weight and waistline control. And one toxic agent frequently found in our home are soft drinks. All kinds of pop beverages are unhealthy, increasing the risk for the development of metabolic syndrome, both in adult and in children. Guide our children The best is to start among pre-school children, and guide them about healthy lifestyle that early on. This is to protect the integrity of their dnA, and should start early as possible. Once damaged, the dnA are scarred and pathology ensues, showing up as diseases as they grow older. When i suggested in my book, “let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children,” that healthy lifestyle should start in the womb and dieting must begin in the crib to be proactive and preemptive in disease prevention at the cellular level, the goal is to protect their dnA. This is the way to maximize good health and longevity and prevent them from having the so-called “natural and expected diseases of old age” like arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. These major ailments are not natural and expected. They are largely preventable. We, humans, were not born doomed to have those illnesses. Majority of our diseases are self-induced, self-inflicted. Teaching and guiding our children from age one is vital to their future. Healthy lifestyle living a healthy lifestyle will
And since Scarlet is already an internet star, i wonder if her parents are open to her getting into show business — and this is her mom’s response: “She’s got a lot of offers, but we don’t think it’s the right time for her. We’d rather have her stay in private.” “We’re inspired because many people say she’s good vibes,” said Belo. “Many people say that when they’re having a bad day, which also happens to me, i just watch her videos and i laugh na lang, so i get what they mean.” i totally agree! This charming little girl has been winning so many hearts, including mine. The good thing about it is that she is clearly having a good time entertaining us (her followers) while her parents bond with her in the process. That’s a win-win! To Vicki and hayden, you are doing a great job as parents. i am proud of what you’ve become and i hope to see Scarlet soon! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
prevent or eliminate most of these diseases and provide us a healthier, happier, and more productive life. And this singular wonderful benefit in itself is worth all the sacrifices and hard work one needs to invest to achieve it. Components of lifestyle are our philosophy, attitude, behavior, habits, diet, exercise, and psychological and mental state. On the household front, we agree that these chemical agents make it a lot easier for us to do our chores at home, but the potential side-effects and complications from their use – possible diseases, disabilities and early deaths — are too high a price to pay. And for these dozen or more chemical agents we use at home daily, perhaps we can minimize the danger of toxicity by limiting their use and by being extra cautious not to inhale their fumes or allow them to touch our skin. Homemade cleansers in view of the toxic nature of all cleaning chemicals we use at home, whether with immediate or delayed effects not obvious until years down the line, the old-fashioned non-chemical scrubbing and cleaning methods used by our great grandparents and theirs for centuries are becoming more and more popular today. Water, the universal solvent, is the main vital ingredient in cleansing. To a gallon of water, add one ounce (30 cc) of vinegar and a teaspoon (5 cc) of liquid soap, creating your own overall spray cleansing agent at home. An ounce (30 cc) of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (h2O2) in one gallon of water is also a safe cleansing agent at home. The peroxide breaks down to h2O (water) and extra oxygen. Both are not only effective cleansing agents but safer, and lesser expensive. An ounce (30cc) of regular 70 percent alcohol to a gallon of water is also safer than any those chlorinated agents, lysol, etc. These toxic agents also harm our environment (air, soil, water). This will certainly appear to be one retrogressive step, but, ultimately, i am sure, it will be evident that this is a great leap forward that will actually spell progress and safety. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 21-24, 2018 B
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McDonald’s and Uber Eats partner to give away ‘90s-inspired clothing, accessories for McDelivery customers In celebration of Global McDelivery Day, customers received merchandise by ordering McDelivery via Uber Eats
MCDONAlD’S, one of the largest sources of food delivery across the globe, partnered this week with Uber Eats to give away ‘90’s-inspired clothing items and accessories to McDelivery customers around the world. Items offered around the world included a fresh denim jacket with patches, Big Mac hip pack and World Famous Fries bandana. McDonald’s Global McDelivery Day occurred in 24 markets, with the majority on Thursday, July 19, including the United States. Italy, Japan and Taiwan, will activate at a later date. In the U.S., fans were able to get their hands on a free surprise item from the Throwback Collection while supplies lasted with a $5 minimum McDelivery* order from a participating restauran. “We have made significant progress expanding delivery to more customers around the globe, making it even easier to enjoy those delicious feel good moments McDonald’s provides,” said McDonald’s Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development, lucy Brady. “Our second Global McDelivery Day celebrates our commitment to continue bringing people together by delivering food, fun
and memorable experiences.” After decades of delivery success in Asia and the Middle East, McDonald’s began offering delivery in the U.S. in partnership with Uber Eats in 2017. A pilot that started in 200 restaurants has since grown to more than 5,000 restaurants in the U.S. There are more than 12,000 restaurants that offer McDelivery globally. In addition to countries where McDonald’s utilizes end-to-end owned delivery service models, this global celebration is in partnership with Uber Eats, McDonald’s largest global McDelivery partner. Fans across the globe will also see McDelivery turn routine moments into unforgettable memories with fun celebrations like: In Belgium, people will be able to stop by a special mobile kiosk in the middle of two large cities, for a chance to get free McDelivery; In Costa Rica and Panama, professional football players will be conducting surprise and delight deliveries to unsuspecting fans; In the U.S., Ronald McDonald House
and WildaBeast, a Hollywood A-list choreographer. With all these, it is single, “Summer in the City,” with no surprise if the group will soon take over the world of pop music. a music video. In an interview with Philstar. Based on the group’s official Instagram page and website, com, the group explained how each member seems to have gone their musical aesthetic differ from through many serious challenges other artists or groups: “Our core to get to where they are now: sev- is pop music, but we try to include eral auditions with panel judges other types of genres and perhaps and even going through a boot in the future, it would be wonderful camp where every single aspiring to infuse our music with each of artist had the opportunity for a fair our country’s music style such as fight, and even until the day the 14 K-pop’s upbeat sound, Choro from members were chosen, the train- Brazil, and Psychedelic rock from the UK, and more.” ing never stopped. The members also expressed The group is now working with some serious powerhouse names that they aspire to be as famous in the industry, including “Just as Spice Girls, now that Fuller has Dance” producer RedOne. They their back. “We definitely want to will also be dancing their way to be as famous and iconic as Spice the top alongside Kyle Hanagami Girls, but we also want the world to
by Emil
PErito
AS told in the Bible in Genesis 22:1-14, Abraham was asked by God to bring his son Isaac to the land of Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice on its mountain. Just as Abraham was about to carry out the sacrifice of his son, God stopped him and gave him a ram to be sacrificed instead. Nearly 1,000 years later, Solomon was instructed by God to build the First Temple — also known as Solomon’s Temple — at the same location. His father, David, had recognized it as a place for worship as it was there that his altar offerings and prayers lead to the plague being withdrawn from Israel. The temple thrived until it was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians. The Second Temple was built and completed in 516 BC at the helm of Zerubbabel, then expanded in 12 BC by Herod the Great. In 70 AD, the temple was again destroyed by the Romans, just as Jesus foretold in Mark
Charities in Ohio and Michigan will receive special deliveries throughout McDelivery Day. “We’re thrilled to be celebrating the continued growth of Uber Eats’ partnership with McDonald’s on Global McDelivery Day. Through Uber Eats, we’re able to deliver McDonald’s customers a delicious and convenient dining experience,” said liz Meyerdirk, Global Head of Business Development for Uber Eats. For more information about McDelivery and the special deliveries on Global McDelivery Day, go to McDeliveryatMcDonalds. com or follow along with the day’s surprises on Twitter with the PAGE B4 #McDelivery hashtag. For information on cities and restaurants • 3 cloves garlic, minced that the McDelivery Collection will • Chile garlic sauce, or red be available from, go to McDelivpepper flakes (Optional) eryatMcDonalds.com. • Water, as needed, to thin out (Advertising Supplement) sauce, about 4 tablespoons Directions • Wrap tofu in paper towels, press for 30 minutes between 2 cutting boards topped with a know us as Now United. We want heavy pan. Afterward, dry tofu to follow their footsteps but at the well with a paper towel, and cut same time, we want to showcase into strips about the size of a our originality,” said Joalin from finger. Finland. • Meanwhile, make Peanut At the press con, former Ka- Sauce and set aside. pamilya star Bailey was not spared • Heat oil in a skillet over mefrom being asked about former dium heat. Pan-fry Tofu strips in love team partner Ylona Garcia, single layer until golden brown, who also competed at the boot about 3 minutes each side. Recamp for Now United. move from pan and set aside. When asked if Bailey and Ylona • To serve, you can pre-asare still communicating, this is semble the lettuce wraps or let what he had to say: “We’re still your guests assemble their own friends and we will always be at the table. Start with the lettuce friends. She will always have a leaf, add a heaping tablespoon special place in my heart but we of rice noodle, a strip or two of are at a phase in our life and pro- tofu, veggies, along with mint fessional career where we have to or cilantro. Finally drizzle with choose a path. Mine happens to be peanut sauce. Bon Appetite! with Now United; this is where I’m This is a vegetarian dish with focused at the moment.” a variety of vegetables which are
Now United: We want to be... PAGE B2
Finding significance in the revered Temple Mount
13:1-2. Today, the Temple Mount area is considered the to be the holiest site for Jewish believers who call it Har HaMoriah (Mount Moriah) or Har Habayit (Temple Mount), the third holiest site for Muslims who call it Haram el Sharif (the Sacred Noble Sanctuary), and is a revered site for Christians who often include it in their definition of Mount Zion. Currently held under the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, an Islamic religious trust established in 1187, entry into the Dome of the
Rock building is prohibited for non-Muslim visitors. But with about 100 different structures within the Temple Mount area — including arches, prayer spots, and fountains — many Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike deem it worthy of a visit. Established in 1995, Air Plus Travel specializes in religious travel. Join us on our pilgrimage in October 2018. For more information, contact Air Plus Travel at (562) 863 - 0624, or visit us at www.airplustravel.net.
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Quit Smoking Today: Have a fresh... low calorie and rich in vitamin, helping smokers to fight off the urge to smoke and stay healthy! Asian Smokers’ Quitline (ASQ): ASQ is operated by the Asian Smokers’ Quitline (ASQ). ASQ provides FREE evidence-based smoking cessation services in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese to Asian communities in the U.S. Studies have shown that smokers who enroll in ASQ services double their chances of quitting successfully. We encourage all CHINESE/ KOREAN/VIETNAMESE speaking smokers to call ASQ if they want free help quitting smoking. Friends and family of smokers may also enroll to learn how to help smokers quit. Cessation advisors who speak CHINESE/ KOREAN/VIETNAMESE are ready to offer useful information. Smokers can receive a free twoweek supply of nicotine patches while supplies last. We encourage health care providers and community leaders to refer CHINESE/KOREAN/ VIETNAMESE speaking smokers by visiting our website and
selecting “Web Referral”. ASQ will provide cessation advice and free patches at no cost to your patients. Visit www.asq-shop.org to order free promotional materials and fact sheets about smoking. Shipping is free. Over 10,000 Asian language speakers from all 50 states have enrolled in ASQ services since 2012. ASQ is funded by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ASQ is open Monday through Friday, 7am to 9pm Pacific Time (10am – Midnight Eastern Time). To enroll, call or register online today! • Mandarin & Cantonese 1-800-838-8917 www.asq-chinese.org • Korean - 1-800-556-5564 www.asq-korean.org • Vietnamese 1-800-778-8440 www.asq-viet.org To learn more about ASQ in English, visit: www.asiansmokersquitline.org.
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New USCIS policy: Denial = immigration court and possible deportation WHEN the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) eliminated the words “nation of immigrants� from its mission statement earlier this year, many advocates worried that the Trump administration was transforming the agency from a benefits provider into another enforcement tool. Last week, the agency confirmed those suspicions, releasing new guidance that will dramatically increase the number of people that will be ordered to appear in immigration court for possible deportation. USCIS is the component of the Department of Homeland Security that is responsible for making decisions on petitions from family members and employers, applications for green cards and citizenship, asylum applications, and many others. While the USCIS has the authority to issue a Notice to Appear (NTA) (the document that starts the process in immigration court of deporting an alien from the United States), they have traditionally only used its authority to issue NTAs very sparingly, instead deferring virtually all decisions related to prosecution of immigration violations to Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Until now, USCIS would only decide whether or not to grant or deny the application, focusing attention on eligibility for benefits and allowing ICE to decide if the person should be forced out of the country. USCIS’ new guidance directs its officers to issue a NTA in virtually every case where USCIS denies a benefit application and the applicant is removable from the U.S. Most significantly, the guidance directs USCIS to issue a NTA to any person who is “not lawfully present in the United States� at the time that an application is denied. The guidance also directs USCIS to issue a NTA regardless of status when the application is denied and the applicant has a criminal record; any record of fraud or misrepresentation (including entering
Your Immigration Solution Eric r. WElsh the U.S. with false documents); and many others. The guidance makes clear that the reason for the denial is not relevant: so long as the person applying is removable when the application is denied, USCIS is directed to issue the NTA. This guidance will result in almost every denied application being referred to immigration
“The guidance will result in almost every denied application being referred to immigration court.� court. There are exceptions for USCIS officers based on prosecutorial discretion that will be decided on a case-by-case basis, but this will require a “high level of concurrence� with various field office heads and a Prosecutorial Review Panel. Except for extreme circumstances, any person who applies for a benefit with USCIS and receives a denial should expect to go to immigration court. It is important to remember that the guidance instructs USCIS to issue an NTA only if an application is denied. If an application is approved, the applicant will receive the benefit (green card, citizenship, etc.), and will never need to go to court. People will not be referred to immigration court simply because they are removable or because they are out of status. Despite the new policy, people should not be discouraged from applying for an immigration benefit. They should not forego the opportunity to obtain a benefit for which they are eligible sim-
ply out of fear of deportation. Burying your head in the sand is not the answer. Rather, people should still pursue their immigration dreams. However, they should proceed with care. The new policy will require greater attention to detail and special care with all potential eligibility issues. The new policy does not mean “do not apply,� it simply means “apply correctly.� So, how do you make sure you are applying correctly? Because of the stakes now at play in a denial, potential applicants should seek guidance and assistance from an experienced immigration attorney. Effective representation can be critical to securing an approval. Almost all immigration benefits are discretionary, meaning that even when the forms are filled out the right way and the proper fees are paid, USCIS can still deny the application if it deems the applicant unfit for the benefit, or if it decides that not all of the evidence was presently properly or on time. Many applications require a showing of hardship or other equities that will require the applicant to submit extensive evidence and declarations, as well as legal briefs regarding eligibility. Some applications are more complicated and difficult than others, but all should be handled with special care by people who know what they are doing.
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MORE THAN 5,000 CASES
*** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com website: www.rreeves.com *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
/Â…iĂŠ ˆÂ?ÂˆÂŤÂˆÂ˜ÂœĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžÂ˝Ăƒ "°Ê£Ê /ĂŠ, ĂŠ 8* ,/t
Pilgrimage to Some of ITALY’s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5(9 -2(/ %8*$6 ĹĄ 1RYHPEHU WR 1RYHPEHU 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; 86$ 520( 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH Upon our arrival in Rome, our Tour Escort will welcome us to Italy. Rome is the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all over the world. After a short panoramic orientation of this Eternal City to us Roman Catholics, we will have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 3DSDO $XGLHQFH 5RPH This morning before we continue with our tour, we will have a Papal Audience. Then after, we will visit the famous Coliseum and see the Forum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi Fountain, before heading to our Hotel. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D)
'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH %DVLOLFDV We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, and even ancient Greek and Roman artists. the largest church in Roman Catholicism, St. Peter’s Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary Major, Followed by visit of the Basilica. We continue to visit the rest of the major Basilicas within the walls of Rome, and St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Wall. We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same steps that Christ ascended to receive Pilate’s unjust condemnation. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY )UL Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR 2018 is the 100th Anniversary of the stigmatization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year. San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July, 1916 until his death on 23 September, 1968. Enjoy the drive going to San Giovanni, after we check in our Hotel. vWe visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated with him, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace that contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditating, see his room, his confessional box and the cruciďŹ x that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Celebrate Holy Eucharist (Hotel Gran Paradiso) DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN San Giovanni Rotondo (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6DW Ĺ&#x; 6$1 *,29$11, 52721'2 This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body. Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesome Basilica. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (Hotel Gran Paradiso)
'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6XQ Ĺ&#x; 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR /DQFLDQR /RUHWR MASS AND BREAKFAST. We arrive at Lanciano, famous for the Miracle of the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The miracle took place during the 8th century when a Basiline monk doubted the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. He found himself holding the host that had changed into Real Flesh and the Wine on the altar had changed into Real Blood. We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to see the famous sacred home of the most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Since 1294 the holy home has been located inside the Basilica of Loreto. Celebrate Holy Eucharist in Lanciano. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi. 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; /RUHWR $VVLVL Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis of Assisi. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica lies the tomb of one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Eucharist at the Crypt of St. Francis See the Basilica of St Clare, with her incorrupt body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its CruciďŹ x from which Jesus spoke to Francis about his mission in 1206: “Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â€? We visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1240. The small Church of the Porziuncola is inside the Basilica itself. Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble Church on August 1st and 2nd every year, with Confession, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; $VVLVL 6LHQD )ORUHQFH We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of the Renaissance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the city’s history while admiring it’s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s great medieval squares. Continue to Florence. (BB,D) We start with a guided walking tour of Florence, this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist. Rest of the day free (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; )ORUHQFH 5RPH Leave Florence around 2PM Arrived Rome almost dinner time (BB.D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 86$ End of our wonderful Pilgrimage
Please call QTS Tour and Travel NOW at 1 (714) 288-0800 or (714) 761-6280 1095 N Main St. Suite O, Orange, CA 92867
C JULY 21-24, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon BANKRUPTCY sure sounds like a scary word. And most people see it as an admission of financial failure. By declaring bankruptcy, they figure they are hitting rock bottom. But is that really true? If you take a look around at all the people who have experienced bankruptcy, you will discover something rather remarkable: Bankruptcy is actually an opportunity to recover—to repair your financial wounds and move forward by starting a new chapter in your life. It isn’t the admission of failure: Bankruptcy is the declaration that you will not be trapped by anxiety and financial stress. In fact, many, many people— from the entry-level clerical worker to the millionaire CEO— have filed bankruptcy. You will see that: Bankruptcy is just one stepping stone in a much, much longer life journey, By shifting your thinking, you can use bankruptcy as a catalyst, and all of life’s gifts began with a so-called crisis. Most importantly, you will learn that your bankruptcy can be something that empowers you. It can be an opportunity to turn your life around, just like Henry John Heinz. Allow me to
Community Journal
Bankruptcy: How you can turn failure to success
share his story. The great advice-columnist Ann Landers once said, “Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and repeat to yourself, the most comforting words of all; this, too, shall pass.” This, too, shall pass. Surely, Henry John Heinz must have muttered a similar sentiment to himself when he had to file for bankruptcy in 1875. As background: Henry John Heinz was one of eight children born to immigrant parents. At the age of six, Heinz helped his mother in the garden. By the time he was nine, Heinz was making his own horseradish sauce. And by the time he was twelve, he was using a horse and cart to make deliveries. His was a built-from-scratch story of hard work from an early age. When Heinz was just 25 years old, he and a friend started a company that sold horseradish, pickles, sauerkraut, and vinegar. Then something went wrong. Heinz was obligated to pay for a crop, and the crop yielded much, much more harvest than anyone anticipated. The debt from this “bumper crop” overwhelmed the condiment company, and it was forced into bankruptcy in 1875. This is the way life works: Sometimes, we are forced into bankruptcy not because we mismanaged money, but because life isn’t always fair or kind. Sometimes, the unexpected happens: A bumper crop yields too much
harvest, a medical emergency leaves us financially strapped, or we lose our jobs due to a downturn in the economy. Remember: This, too, shall pass. This is a bump in the road, but it is not the end of the road. Just as life has its inevitable obstacles, it also has its fair share of blessings. When you are feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to remind yourself of this. Everything is temporary. After filing bankruptcy, Heinz immediately began a new company with his brother and a cousin, and together, they introduced a new condiment, tomato ketchup. Eventually, Heinz would buy out his brother and cousin and re-organize under the name, The H.J. Heinz Company, which in 2013 was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital for $28 billion. How’s that for an amazing success story? If you ever want to talk to someone about your situation, call my office at Toll-Free 1-866477-7772 and schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
The treasure of persistent faith A PRIEST flew thousands of miles to spend a month with the community of Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. He was in a stage of discernment for God’s further purpose in his priestly life. On the first morning that he met Mother Teresa, the pious nun asked him, “What do you want me to pray for? “ The priest answered, “Pray that I have clarity.” She said no. That was that. When the priest asked why, she announced that clarity was the last thing he was clinging to and had to let go of. The priest remarked, “But Mother, you had always seemed to have the clarity I longed for. Mother Teresa laughed: “I have never had clarity; what I’ve always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust.” Mother Teresa, now a canon-
The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BAlAGtAs ized saint, is right. Many times what we really need is the grace to trust because there are a lot of things that we are unsure of in this life, and that we can never see clearly. We need faith because as St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Hebrews: “Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) Indeed, faith is the “inexhaust-
ible treasure” we need to carry in our journeys of life. Many of us possess a lot of treasures such as money, properties, knowledge and skills. These are good, but they do not last. What God offers us is the infinite treasure of faith and life in his Son, Jesus. In the Gospel, we hear the parable of a widow who persisted in petitioning the judge to change his mind so that he will act and render a just decision. She kept calling out to him day and night. The judge finally listened to her plea. But what is inspiring about this parable is not just the perseverance of the widow but also her tremendous faith. For us Christians, faith comes from the grace of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. This is
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Tax Tips victoR sy, cPA, mBA
THE classic “hobby loss” situation involves a professional or businessperson who starts Zumba classes, dog-breeding business or a farm. If the IRS determines that the Zumba, dogbreeding, or farm project is more for enjoyment rather than making money, it could be classified as a hobby. Losses from hobbies are not deductible. A sole proprietor who files Schedule C losses for three years or more could encourage an auditor to request proof that you are actually in business to make money. Here are 10 items that IRS looks for: • Whether you run your new venture in a businesslike manner. • Your expertise in the area.
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRsuA Reyes THERE is never the perfect time to think about who you would like to inherit from your estate in case you pass away or at least who among your closest friends (BFFs) and family members are even deserving of inheriting from your estate. In doing so, you should also think about which vehicle you plan to use in implementing your estate plan. One of the best vehicle in implementing your estate plan is a revocable living trust. Five major benefits of establishing a revocable living trust are: Your estate can avoid the time, cost, and hassle of going through the probate court process. If you pass away without a will (intestate) in California, one of your close family would have to file a petition in probate court to probate your estate. Your estate will be divided and distributed according to the California probate code rules of intestate succession. Even if you have a will when you pass away, your family would still need to file a petition in probate court if your estate is worth over $150,000
How does the IRS look into your hobby losses? • The expertise of your advisers. • The time and effort you spend in the enterprise. • Whether there’s an expectation that the assets used in the activity will rise in value. • Your success in carrying on other similar (or dissimilar) activities. • Your history of income or loss in the activity. • The amount of occasional profits (if any) that are earned. • Your financial status. • Whether the activity involves elements of personal pleasure or recreation. Tip - consider filing Form 5213 – Election to postpone determination if hobby is engaged for profit: Form 5213 basically tells the IRS not to audit you for the first five years of your business. This form is used to establish a safe harbor as you transition hobby
into a money-making business endeavor. But once that five-year window closes, you draw attention to results of your operations – have you finally made money? *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Five benefits of establishing a revocable living trust and go through the probate process. This can become a circus if certain beneficiaries contest the validity of the Will or the distribution of the estate. Your estate will pay for attorney’s fees, probate referee fees, appraisers and other experts, CPA fees, etc. If people contest the case, your estate would end up paying legal fees to defend the estate in litigation. The entire process can take anywhere from 9 months to years depending on the contentiousness of the probate case. With a revocable living trust, your trustee or successor trustee if you were the initial trustee, would administer the trust and distribute the estate according to the trust document without having to open a probate court case. If the trust is funded with all your assets, it is possible to administer and distribute the trust assets without any Court involvement at all. This process is a lot faster than going through probate. Your estate is not public record. When you file a probate case, the public has access to your probate case file. The public will know the assets of the estate including the values of those assets. If the Will is admitted into
probate, the terms of the Will is open to public scrutiny. Establishing a revocable living trust makes your estate affairs private. Strangers do not have access to the terms of your living trust. Only certain beneficiaries and possible heirs can request a copy of the revocable living trust after you pass away. You can dictate who will inherit from your estate. If you pass away without a Will, your estate will be divided and distributed in Probate Court following the rules of intestate succession in the California probate code. Certain relatives will be entitled to a share of your estate even if you feel they are not deserving. By establishing a revocable living trust, you can designate who you want to inherit from your estate. You can designate what and how much each one will received from your estate after you pass away. The assets distributed to each beneficiaries does not have to be equal. The people you designate as beneficiaries of your living trust does not even have to be close family members. You can designate anyone as a beneficiary, with certain exceptions, of your estate.
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Community Journal
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 21-24, 2018
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Protecting employees from retaliation Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases when they report misconduct Legal Q: AS a newly hired employee, I have seen discriminatory practices against women and older persons in the company. I reported these to upper management and I was told something would be done. After following up on my report, I was told I was fired for “not being a team player.” What are my rights? A: You are to be commended for speaking up on behalf of your co-workers. An employee who asserts his or her rights under the law, or who challenges an employer’s illegal conduct may, however, face demotion or termination. In this case, the employer’s conduct constituted unlawful retaliation. In a retaliation claim, an employee must prove that she/he engaged in protected activity. Engaging in “protected activity” means that the employee must complain or oppose a practice which is forbidden by law (e.g. sex, race, or age discrimination). The complaint may be internal and made to managers or officers in the company. Or the complaint could be external and made to government agencies. Additionally, courts have held that “protected activity” includes complaints or opposition to conduct the employee “reasonably” and in “good faith” believes to be unlawful, even if the conduct is not actually prohibited under the law. When engaging in a protected activity, such as requesting wage payments due or complaining about safety issues, employees should document their complaints or claims. Some employees may think that anonymity protects them. However, the opposite is true.
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. c. Joe SAyAS, Jr. Presenting complaints in writing, even by email, if expressed in a professional manner, will make it harder for the employer to ignore. More importantly, it creates a record of communications that at a future time will be reviewed to determine the true reasons why any action was taken against the employee. It is true that employers generally have the power to terminate employees at will. However, employers must not be motivated by a discriminatory or retaliatory reason for doing so. In this instance, the termination becomes unlawful, and may subject the employer to liability for damages. Employees who prove they were retaliated and wrongfully terminated may recover loss of earnings, emotional distress, and in certain cases, attorneys’ fees and costs, and punitive damages. Consider this case reported by the Daily Journal: Debra Loveless was hired by Kaiser Permanente to be the manager for its Equal Employment and Opportunity Investigations Unit in Southern California. Her unit investigated claims of discrimination and harassment at Kaiser. As manager, Loveless insisted that her investigators conduct more thorough investigations regarding these complaints. Loveless also challenged her superior when he asked an older employee about her age and when she planned to retire.
Loveless lobbied for a gender and race equity raise for an investigator who was being paid approximately $10,000 less than her male Caucasian counterpart. On another matter, she objected to the proposed misclassification of an administrative assistant employee. Loveless was later suspended and eventually fired while she was out on medical leave. The employer justified her termination as due to poor performance and inability to lead her team. However during her tenure, she received three performance reviews ranging from excellent to exceptional and was never disciplined for anything. Loveless sued her employer for wrongful termination based on retaliation and claimed economic losses and emotional distress from the employer’s conduct. The case went to trial, and the jury found in Loveless’ favor, awarding her a total of $366,813 for both economic and non-economic damages. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement)
Client seeks Chapter 13 relief for massive default on mortgage THE client is 55 and single. He appears to have no problems to worry about. He is self-employed and makes about $5,000 monthly teaching people a special skill. He has no dependents. He owns a house that has no equity. The house is worth $400,000 but he owes $420,000 for it. He has not paid the mortgage for at least three years and has massive arrears on his mortgage of $88,000. He has applied several times for loan modification. Unfortunately, all attempts to modify were denied by the bank. I would surmise that his income is not easily verifiable. He filed another loan modification package three months ago (looks like he won’t take no for an answer) and the bank has yet to respond. Despite his pending loan modification request, the bank proceeded with a notice of default to start the foreclosure process. As you probably know, the bank is not supposed to proceed with foreclosure if there is a loan modification pending. However, the reality is that most banks don’t follow this law. Why should they? All you have to do is keep on resubmitting a loan modification package after each denial. As a result, the bank will never be able to foreclose on the house and you get to stay in your house without paying the mortgage forever. They’re not that dumb. So, with a week before the foreclosure sale date, he comes to see me because he says he wants to stop the foreclosure. Well, the only sure way to stop the foreclosure is with a Chapter 13. Foreclosure stops upon the filing of the Chapter 13 petition. The default amount gets frozen and the client is given 60 months to pay the default in equal monthly installments without interest. However, the current mortgage payment must be resumed a month after the case is filed. I said, “Are you sure? Because your default is $88,000 and this means that your monthly plan payment to cure the default will be at least $1,466, and you have to resume your regular mortgage
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng
payment.” This means that in addition to your regular mortgage payment, you have to produce another $1,466 to save your house from foreclosure. Considering that the house has no equity isn’t it more productive to just abandon the house and rent somewhere since the client is still single with no dependents? I mean, he lives by himself, so he can actually go buy a mobile home and live in it for less than $600 a month, plus
$500 to the monthly mortgage payment because of higher interest. When it rains it pours. On the other hand, the client has no credit card debt, but he does pay for two new cars, the total is about $900. Why not just abandon the house and live in the brand new van? That’s something to think about. The van has all the amenities of a house except a toilet and a kitchen. He doesn’t cook anyway. Maybe he can just buy one of those tiny houses? You can buy one for $20,000. It has everything that a normal sized house has, except it’s smaller, like 200 sq. ft. We just came back from the first hearing. The client paid the plan payment plus the first mortgage payment. He could be hoarding a lot of cash since he hasn’t paid the house for two years. Senior seeks Chapter 7 relief for $19K credit cards The next client is 80. Finally, someone older than me. Would you believe, my oldest client for Chapter 7 was 92 years old? He did his first Chapter 7 case when he was 60. He had four wives and outlived all of them. He just retired last month. His social security benefit is $1,000. His wife’s social security is $400. They migrated here just ten years ago. He had to work for 10 years to qualify for social security. His rent is $900. He owes credit cards of $19,000, requiring minimum monthly payments of $700, which is 70 percent of his social security. Obviously, it’s high time to get rid of the $19,000 with a Chapter 7 petition. The client agrees and decides to file for Chapter 7 immediately. That’s the right decision of course.
“The client is headstrong and really wants to keep his house, I guess for sentimental reasons.” rent of the space. That’s even less than the estimated plan payment. Or, he can just rent a room and pay $300 a month. There’s more than one way to skin a cat. The client is headstrong and really wants to keep his house, I guess for sentimental reasons. He still believes that his pending loan modification might turn out ok. So he is willing to pay through his nose to save his house. Maybe it’s a matter of pride? Whatever the reason is, and I’m no psychiatrist, he is willing to suffer a pyrrhic victory to save his house. A pyrrhic victory is one where the victor suffers a devastating loss to achieve victory. Of course, if the loan modification comes through, then the mortgage will become current again as the $88,000 default will just be added to the principal. There’s another problem that has just reared its ugly head. He has an adjustable rate mortgage that will reset next month by adding
*** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
The treasure of persistent...
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reason that St. Paul wrote in Second Letter to Timothy (3:144:2): “Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the Sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.” St. Paul also reminds us to be “persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” This implies perseverance and a strong faith in God despite our struggles, difficulties, and confusions.
Psalm 121 expresses this treasure of persistent faith: “The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade; he is beside you at your right hand. The sun shall not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will guard you from all evil; he will guard your life. The Lord will guard your coming and your going, both now and forever.” May we take the advice of St. Teresa of Calcutta to pray for trust in God all the days of our life! Have a relaxing and worry-free
summer!
*** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
UNDER Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions (2011) 52 C.4th 541, the California Supreme Court ruled that persons who are injured and who are pursuing a personal injury claim cannot recover the full amount of medical bills incurred if an insurer paid a smaller, negotiated amount to the medical provider. The Court’s ruling further limited an injured person’s right to recover for past medical expenses. In light of the Howell decision, it is even more important for a person who suffered injury to develop his/her claim for other economic damages. The term “economic damages” means “objectively verifiable monetary losses including medical expenses, loss of earnings, burial costs, loss of use of property, costs of repair or replacement, costs of obtaining substitute domestic services, loss of employment and loss of business or employment opportunities.” Civil Code Section 1431.2(b)(1). A person’s claim for economic damages apart from medical expenses are often overlooked and not pursued by inexperienced counsel. Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings. To recover for
Advice
Atty. DArrick tAn past lost earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she has lost to date. To recover damages for future earnings, a person must prove the amount of income or earnings that he/she will be reasonably certain to lose in the future as a result of the injury. CACI No. 3903C. How are past lost earnings proven? Medical records, which show the doctor authorizing a release from work or giving instructions to restrict work activities, can support the time taken off from work due to the injury. For those self-employed, medical providers typically do not provide a release from work; however, medical records should record work restrictions placed by the medical provider. After showing that the time off was justified, the next step is to value the lost earnings. A letter from a person’s employer that outlines the amount of time that one has lost as a result of his/her injury, the loss of benefits, and the rate of pay during the time of loss is evidence of the value
of one’s loss of earnings claim. Other supporting documents include pay stubs, time cards, and tax returns. The monetary value of sick leave and vacation time that are used due to the injury are also recoverable. For those self-employed, earnings history as reflected by tax returns and profit and loss statements can help prove the value of lost earnings. Similar supporting documentation must be presented for future lost earnings. If you were suffered injury in an auto accident or someone’s premises, please contact our office to discuss your case. To maximize monetary recovery, it is important to have the assistance of an experienced attorney in presenting your personal injury claim. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Five benefits of establishing a revocable... PAGE C2 t
You can structure your estate to minimize estate taxes. If your estate is valued above the estate tax exemption, establishing a trust can allow you to divide up your estate into smaller sub trusts to minimize the overall estate tax effect on your estate. It allows you to set up a vehicle for certain charitable giving which carries tax advantage and asset protection. You can choose who will administer your estate after your death. When you establish a revocable trust, you can appoint someone else as trustee or you can appoint a successor trustee if you are the initial trustee. The trustee will be administering (managing) the trust after you pass away without a need to open a probate court case. This
allows for continuity in operating the trust and the efficient and cost effective distribution of estate assets. If you are concerned about whether you can trust any family members as your trustee, you can appoint an institution as a professional trustee to carry out the terms of the declaration of trust. These type of trustee services are often offered by banks, financial institutions, wealth management firms, and business management firms for a reasonable fee. This minimizes conflicts within the family and prevents negligence and wrong doing by inexperienced family members. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not
intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
C4 JULY 21-24, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Calendar of Events across
America
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Solo exhibit of Fil-Am Artist Lynda A. N. Reyes in Burbank The Betsy Lueke Creative Arts Center, the municipal gallery of Burbank, is proud to present the Solo Exhibit of artist Lynda A. N. Reyes from July 6 to the 26,2018. The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, July 6 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The gallery is located at 1100 West Clarke Avenue, Burbank, California 91506. The exhibit will highlight her watercolor and oil paintings that have been featured in museum exhibits in California, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Montana and in national juried shows in Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Sta. Monica, Glendale, Brea in Orange County and in international shows in Kentucky, Canada, Maryland, Wisconsin, Colorado and New York. Paintings that have given her recognition, as well as new works will all in one big venue. For more information about the artist, visit www.lyndaanreyes.com or contact her at lyndaanreyes@gmail.com. For information about the gallery, call 818-238-5397 or visit www. burbankca.gov/cac. The gallery hours are Mondays through Thursdays 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and closed on Sundays.
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Bboy~Bgirl Summit in Los Angeles The longest running community based Hip-Hop event in the U.S., located in Los Angeles is almost upon us on July 20-22! This is an annual free weekend event for teens, kids, families and Hip-Hop enthusiasts and practitioners to come partake in, learn, be inspired, and come away with knowledge of the arts of Hip-Hop dance, music, and art surrounded by artists, activists and community minded people. All events are free and all ages, no registration necessary. For the complete schedule and info, please visit www.bboysummit.com. The Bboy~Bgirl Summit is a for community benefit event produced by No Easy Props a 501(c)(3) cultural arts charity organization. Please consider donating to further the cause at www.noeasyprops.org.
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UPAAGLA Boodle Feast Fiesta in North Hills, CA University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) welcomes alumni of the University of the Philippines and their friends and family to meet, mix, mingle at this fun afternoon at 4 p.m. at 15255 Knapp St, North Hills, CA. Register on eventbrite.com or call President-Elect Ethel Rubio (818) 640-2946 or (800) 611-5705. Connect with UPAAGLA on Facebook or visit www.upaagla.org.
25th anniversary of the Filipino Ministry of the Diocese of San University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) welcomes alumni of the University of the Philippines and their friends and family to meet, mix, mingle at this fun afternoon at 4 p.m. at 15255 Knapp St, North Hills, CA. Register on eventbrite.com or call President-Elect Ethel Rubio (818) 640-2946 or (800) 611-5705. Connect with UPAAGLA on Facebook or visit www.upaagla.org.
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Valentine in July concert in Los Angeles This two-and-a-half hour concert on Sunday, July 22 will feature two of the music industry’s best Singer-Songwriters then and today, David Pomeranz and Rey Valera. Their timeless and classic love songs became the movie/tele-serye themesongs in the Philippines. The event will be held at the Aratani Theater (244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available via www.thesgprod.com or by calling (424)232-6781.
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People and Events PMASC invites medical graduates from PH to sign up for medical review for licensure in the US THE Philippine Medical Association of Southern California (PMASC), established in 1971, is a non-profit professional organization for physicians in Southern California which sponsors programs affecting Filipino physicians in the Southland, provides assistance to physicians waiting for residency training, and organizes review sessions for United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) for Philippine Medical Graduates. Its mission
is “Unity with diversity, service to the community, and advocacy towards equality.” With more than 300 members and a mailing list over 1,700 names, PMASC is one of the most important establishments for many Filipino doctors in the medical communities in the Southern California area. For more information, please contact Dr. Arella at (661) 794-3322 via text messaging, or visit www. pmasc.org.
Bacolod city officials to visit California to promote tourism and investment BACOLOD city officials are slated to arrive in California this upcoming week to promote the famous MassKara Festival and the city’s trade, tourism and investment program and to attend the revival of the Bacolod and Long Beach Sister City relationship. The delegations from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental will be headed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran with the City Administrator of Bacolod City, Atty. John N. Orola, Jr., who at one time was a tourism attaché of the Department of Tourism in Los Angeles and Director of Tourism for North America, Canada and Latin America. The Bacolod delegation includes Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito, Councilor Em L. Ang, Councilor Bartolome N. Orola, Councilor Dindo C. Ramos, Councilor, Renecito S. Novero, Councilor Cindy T. Rojas, City Tourism – Ms. Ma. Elma A. Gerasmo, City Trade and Livelihood Officer – Ms. Brenda Burdeos and Trade Products Specialist – Ms. Blyth Balbin. The delegation will pay courtesy calls on the Philippine Consul General in San Francisco, Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. and Tourism Attaché of Department of Tourism – San Francisco, Purificacion S. Molintas on July 20, and Consul General in Los Angeles Adelio Angelito Cruz and DOT Tourism Attaché in Los Angeles, Richmond Jimenez on July 26 at 6:00 p.m. The Bacolod delegation, who
arrived in San Francisco in July 19, will go to Long Beach and also call on the mayor of Long Beach on July 26, and the President of Long Beach – Bacolod Sister City Association, Mr. Peter Ramirez and Adviser Mr. Jose Gamboa who hails from Silay City, Negros Occidental and is now a resident of Long Beach, California. They will attend the revival of the long-dormant Long Beach – Bacolod City Sister City relationship which was orga-
nized by then Tourism Attaché Atty. John N. Orola, Jr. and Mr. Al Denila of the Bacolod Society in America in 1991. There will be trade and tourism fairs and forum on July 27 and a MassKara Festival on July 28 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Negrenses and Bacolodnons now residing in California and most especially the residents of Long Beach are invited to this momentous event in Long Beach California.
Exhibit of Filipino indigenous textiles is extended
HanHan & Gingee at LA’s Grand Performances Canadian artist HanHan, who raps in Tagalog and Cebuano, joins Angeleno artist Gingee who plays the Kulintang (traditional Filipino gongs). Together they will take you through an exploration of the eclectic sounds of Pinay hip-hop as it relates to the Filipino community. The Pinay experience inspires these cross-cultural artists to incorporate traditional sounds and lyrics with English verses. For more information, please visit: http://www.grandperformances. org/hanhan-gingee.
J U LY 27
Social entrepreneurship workshop in Los Angeles Come for “A STORY OF HOPE,” a FREE workshop on social entrepreneurship and social tourism on Friday, July 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., featuring Mr. Thomas Graham, British author of “The Genius of the Poor.” Hosted by the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC), the event encourages Fil-Ams to reconnect with their heritage through a new way of travel-driven experience, with the possibility of seeking new business in the Philippines. Space is limited, register online at www.cofacc.org. Venue is the New York Life General Office Building (6300 Wilshire Blvd Ste 2200, Los Angeles, CA 90048).
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LA Builder Lions Club to hold installation of new officers The Los Angeles Builder Lions Club will hold their 28th Installation on new officers on Saturday, July 28 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Oxford Palace Hotel (745 S. Oxford Ave, Los Angeles, CA). Music will be provided by Lion Willie Manacsa. Please RSVP to any of the following officers: Lion President Ken Marchand (818)749-1076; Lion Tita James (818)203-2325 or PZC Lion Yoli Ramo at (213)305-1332.
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SIPA presents Filipino Summer Program (Session 2) in LA Join SIPA’s Filipino Summer Program that showcases LA youth the beauty of Filipino culture and history. Every single day students will learn and gain a better understanding of different aspects of the Filipino culture and community, such as Filipino food, Pilipinx cultural dances, Filipino Martial Arts, etc. The last day of the program will be a SIPA Summer Party where the families can come join SIPA as we celebrate the end of the program with food, music, and fun! Some of our special guests include dancer Megan Batoon, UCLA’s Samahang Pilipino Cultural Night, and Los Angeles Doce Pares Eskrima! Youth ages 6-15 are eligible for the program. Those over the age of 16 can volunteer. Participants do not need to be Filipino. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are served for all students! Session 2 is from August 2-11 (excluding Sundays). Registration ends on Thursday, July 26 at 11:59 p.m. Drop-off of children begins at 8 a.m., and pick-up ends by 6 p.m. at SIPA Office (3200 W Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026). The application and more information can be found at bit.ly/sipasummer18.
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Travel, Trade and Consumer event in Carson, CA The Travel, Trade and Consumer Exhibition will encompass the bustling SouthBay Pavilion (20700 S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746), and is free to the public. Presented by the Department of Tourism & the Department of Trade and Industry, the public can participate in promotions and raffles offered by the exhibitors in booths that will line the main mall. Aside from chances to win plane tickets and other exciting prizes, the Mainstage will host a variety of entertainment and interviews by TV personalities. Outdoor food booths shall be serving Philippine delicacies. A B2B area is also available for business presentations. For exhibitor inquiries, please visit www.traveltradeconsumer.com and contact info@asianjournlainc.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
The opening event of “Strands: Part l - Filipino Indigenous Textiles” at Pinta*Dos Art Gallery in San Pedro, California on May 26, 2018.
DUE to popular demand, Linda Nietes, founder and CEO of Pinta*Dos Art Gallery, has announced the extension of the exhibit, “Strands: Part l - Filipino Indigenous Textiles,” to Wednesday, July 25. The exhibit opened on May 26 and is accessible to the public on Monday, July 23 until July 25 from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Please call (310) 514-9139 or email: info@pintadosgallery. com if you want to view the exhibit. An earlier time could be arranged. The gallery is located at an art deco building called The Arcade, 479 West Sixth Street Street, San Pedro, California 90731. The exhibit features selections from the collection of Linda Nietes and Robert J. Little, Jr. It encompasses works from the ancestral weaving traditions of various indigenous cultural communities spanning the Philippine Archipelago. The exhibit is just a small selection from the over 150-piece collection of various cultural artifacts which have been collected over forty years. While traveling over the Philippines in the late 60s and early
70s, Linda has met some members of the various cultural communities of the country, and have enjoyed the experience of seeing them at work on their art and culture. But modern times have encroached fast into their traditions. Some were slowly losing the meaning of who they were, and their beautiful culture was fading away. At this point, she decided that one of the ways of preserving their culture was to collect some of the artifacts for posterity and hopefully, someday, share them with people who may be interested in doing research or in knowing what their lives were. The result is this small exhibit which has been offered to the Filipino-American community of Los Angeles to enjoy. To quote Linda, “My husband and I are merely caretakers, so to speak, of the cultural artifacts in our collection, preserving them for the generation that follows.” This exhibit is curated by Maryrose Cobarrubias Mendoza and Joseph Santarromana. Both artists will also curate the next exhibit called “Strands, Part ll
Exhibit: Contemporary Filipino and Filipino American Artists Encounter Textile” from August 18-October 28, 2018. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, August 18 from 4-7 p.m. RSVP requested by email at info@pintadosgallery.com Part II will feature works by Filipino-American contemporary artists Cirilo Domine and Christine Morla, and Manila’s Aze Ong, all of whom have been conceptually, spiritually, or formally inspired to use textiles as a starting point of inquiry. Eleanor Academia and her husband Cass Magda and members of the kulintang musicians and martial artists performed at the Kulintang Concert and Filipino martial arts demo. Kulintang is an ancient gong and drum ensemble music from the Southern Philippines. Eleanor Academia is a Durfee Master Musician with the World Kulintang Institute. Cass Magda owns Magda Institute of Martial Arts, in Reseda where he teaches Kali-Silat and other forms of Filipino martial arts. He is a world-renowned master teacher and martial artist.
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C. Joe Sayas, Jr. honored with Filipino Migrant Center’s Justice Award Took 5th place in World’s Top 10 Airlines and 1st place in World’s Best Airport Services EVA certified as a SKYTRAX 5-Star Airline for third year in a row
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – EVA Air is upholding its high standards for safety and service and continuing its winning ways to take the top spot in “World’s Best Airport Services” of SKYTRAX’s annual World Airline Award categories. In addition, SKYTRAX recognized EVA’s ongoing commitment to quality service as one of only eleven 5-Star Airlines worldwide and ranked it among the World’s Top 10 Airlines of 2018. SKYTRAX revealed its 2018 World Airline Awards in London on Tuesday, 17 July, 2018. Travelers can learn more about EVA’s award-winning services and book tickets at www. evaair.com. Service quality improvement has always been firmly embedded as EVA’s priority. From airport check-in to inflight service, EVA strives for perfection in every detail. As advancing technologies have created new pathways for innovation and continual improvements in the passenger experience, EVA has introduced new comforts and conveniences. For example, EVA’s official website and APP for mobile devices enable passengers to save time at the airport by selecting seats and checking in ahead of time. EVA regularly works with wellknown brands to create new service items and inflight products such as Natural Benefits cold-pressed mango mixed juice, France’s PAUL pound cake and SEASON Cuisine Pâtissiartism Neige cake. Especially for Royal Laurel Class business passengers, EVA has introduced “California Blue” RIMOWA and Georg Jensen leather amenity kits for long-haul flights to and from Taipei, Taiwan. EVA collaborated with London-
Based “APUJAN” to design new pajamas and make its flights even more comfortable. It also has improved and updated service items in Premium Economy Class, starting with new food and beverage menus designed by JL Design. “We are thrilled to be awarded 5-Star Airline certification for the third consecutive year,” said EVA President Clay Sun. “I’m especially grateful to the EVA staff and thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for always doing their very best to serve every passenger. It is a great honor to be recognized by travelers from around the globe. We will never lose sight of our goal for EVA to be the very best. We aim to make every journey with us a delightful, relaxing experience for every passenger.” SKYTRAX identified the world’s best airlines through analyses of an extensive global passenger satisfaction survey that featured 335 airlines in the final results. Between August 2017 and May 2018, 20.36 million travelers, representing more than 100 nationalities, responded in English, Spanish and Chinese on 49 survey topics, including airport and onboard environments. The global ratings organization describes the survey as “independent, impartial and global” and its awards program is not-for-profit. The annual World Airline Awards are among the most respected in the airline industry. After being recognized in past survey results for outstanding services and products in multiple areas, EVA is proud to bring home 2018 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards in the categories listed on the chart below:
Award
EVA is frequently honored, awarded and recognized by organizations worldwide. AirlineRatings ranked EVA among “World’s Top 20 Safest Airlines.” TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, honored EVA Air with five distinctions, “5th place in Top-10 World’s Best Airline Award,” “Top-10 Major Airlines in Asia,” “Best Business Class in Asia,” “Best Premium Economy Class in Asia” and “Travelers’ Choice Economy Class in Asia.” EVA Air is a Star Alliance member and among only 10 SKYTRAXrated 5-Star airlines worldwide. Readers voted it one of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best “Top 10 International Airlines” and TripAdvisor awarded it top spots in five categories in its annual Travelers’ Choice Awards for Airlines. The carrier was established in 1989 as Taiwan’s first privately owned international airline. It is part of the respected Evergreen Group and a sister company to global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. It flies a fleet of more than 70 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to over 60 international destinations throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America where gateways are Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. Travelers can learn more about EVA and d schedule, book and buy tickets at www.evaair.com. (Advertising Supplement)
LOS ANGELES –FilipinoAmerican trial attorney, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., is the recipient of the Filipino Migrant Center of Long Beach’s Justice Award in the organization’s 8th Anniversary Dinner held on Saturday, June 30 at the St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, California. The Filipino Migrant Center of Long Beach is an organization of Filipinos in Southern California who work and invest in the empowerment and leadership of vulnerable Filipino families, youth, immigrant women, lowwage workers and human trafficking survivors. Atty. Sayas was honored for his work on behalf of a Filipino family whose mentally ill son was shot to death by Long Beach Police in an excessive use of force situation. The family was represented by Atty. Sayas and his team. Due to their work, the city of Long Beach agreed to pay $2 million to settle the lawsuit filed by the family. Atty. Sayas also represented a Filipina domestic employee who worked long hours taking care of two children and doing household duties such as laundry, cleaning the house, and cooking for the whole family. With Atty. Sayas’ help, she won her wage claims against her former employers after a court trial held in Los Angeles Superior Court. Atty. Sayas, obtained a court judgment in the amount of $827,506, rep-
resenting wages, legal interest, penalties, and attorneys’ fees. The judgment appears to be one of the highest verdicts to a domestic worker on a pure wage claim. In his nearly 30 years of legal practice, Atty. Sayas has obtained multi-million dollar recoveries in various cases including catastrophic personal injuries, insurance claims, unpaid wages and meal breaks, and unfair business practices. His law firm is Class Counsel to thousands of employees, including nurses, therapists, couriers, drivers, caregivers, cashiers, and parking attendants. He represented a class of Long Beach port drivers who were misclassified as independent contractors seeking reimbursements for business expenses, and he was able to obtain a cash fund of $11,040.000.00 in the case, an amount representing the highest class action recovery in the history of port trucking litigation
2018 Ranking
World’s Top 10 Airlines
No. 5
World’s Best Airport Services
No. 1
Best Airline Staff in Asia
No. 2
World’s Cleanest Aircraft Cabins
No. 2
Best Airlines in Asia
No. 3
World’s Best Airline Cabin Crew
No. 5
World’s Best Business class Airlines
No. 10
Best Business Class Comfort Amenities
No. 3
World’s Best Premium Economy class No. 7 Airlines Best Premium Economy Class Airline No. 8 Catering World’s Best Economy class Airlines
No. 8
Best Economy Class Airline Seats
No. 8
Best Economy Class Airline Catering
No. 7
EVA Air has been recognized as SKYTRAX 5-Star Airline for three consecutive years. The award was presented by SKYTRAX CEO Edward Plaisted (third from right), and EVA President Clay Sun (third from left) attended the ceremony to receive the honor.
)ROORZ XV RQ SKYTRAX held “2018 World Airline Awards” in London. EVA Air took home the 5th place in “World’s Top 10 Best Airline” and 1st place in “World’s Best Airport Service” categories. EVA President Clay Sun(third from left) with EVA Airport Division Executive Vice President Clark Yeh (third from right) accepted the awards.
SKYTRAX announced the winners of 2018 World Airline Awards in London on Tuesday, 17 July, 2018. EVA Air takes the top spot in “World’s Best Airport Services”
Atty. Sayas often cites to his Filipino heritage as the secret of his success in representing immigrant employees. “Legal expertise is important,” Atty. Sayas emphasizes. “However, in California, where people come from different cultures, immigrants seeking justice in courts are under-represented. That’s why it is important that an attorney understands the client’s cultural background to articulate their true human losses.” Atty. Sayas notes that the successful resolution of a case may depend on effective communication between attorney and client. In the case of an immigrant client, the attorney’s knowledge of the client’s language and culture is a crucial advantage. And he is more than happy to use this advantage to benefit and serve his kababayans. Atty. Sayas is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of the Philippine American Bar Association’s Community Champion Award. To learn more about The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr., visit www.joesayaslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
C JULY 21-24, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM
&
August 2018 priority dates
Immigration Corner
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:
ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
February 15, 2008
August 1, 2006
December 1, 2017
July 22, 2016
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
December 15, 2007
February 15, 2007
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
August 1, 1995
May 1, 1995
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
December 1, 1995
April 22, 1995
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
Current
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
July 1, 2017
June 1, 2017
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
July 1, 2017
June 1, 2017
State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client
relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @ GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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ADB: PH annual inflation to hit Shake Shack opening soon in Philippines 6-year high of 4.3% in 2018 by iris
gonZaLes Philstar.com
by ben
o. De Vera Inquirer.net
The Asian Development Bank sees local consumer prices staying elevated for the rest of the year such that it projected inflation to average of at least six-year high of 4.3 percent in 2018 and breach the government’s target range. In its Asian Development Outlook Supplement July 2018 report released Thursday, the Manilabased multilateral lender raised its 2018 inflation outlook for the Philippines from 4 percent in the earlier Asian Development Outlook 2018 report last April. To compare, inflation averaged 2.9 percent last year, 1.3 percent in 2016, 0.7 percent in 2015, 3.6 percent in 2014, and 2.6 percent in 2013, based on 2012 prices. “Inflation in the Philippines reached 5.2 percent in June, driven largely by price hikes for fuel and related items and by sporadic shortages of key food items. This outcome combines with expectedly high global oil prices, peso depreciation, and strong domestic demand to prompt this supplement to revise the inflation forecast for 2018,” the ADB explained. Last month’s headline inflation hit a fresh over five-year high, such that the first-half rate stood
Photo byJam Sta Rosa / Inquirer.net
at 4.3 percent, already breaching the full-year target range of 2-4 percent. “Higher excise taxes on fuel and some commodities as part of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, which took effect in January 2018, are contributing factors,” the ADB said, referring to the TRAIN Law. Signed by President Duterte last December, the TRAIN Law or Republic Act No. 10963 since Jan. 1 this year jacked up or imposed new excise taxes on cigarettes, sugary drinks, oil products and vehicles, among other goods, to compensate for the restructured personal income tax regime that raised the tax-exempt cap to an annual salary of P250,000. Due to higher-than-expected inflation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ policymaking Monetary Board already hiked the policy rate to 3.5 percent or by 25 basis points each in May and June. For next year, the ADB kept its
inflation forecast of 3.9 percent as “the impact of tax reform on inflation is expected to be transitory and normalize in 2019.” “Also arguing for maintaining the inflation forecast for 2019 are upward adjustments to monetary policy rates anticipated in line with tightening monetary policy globally,” the ADB added. The BSP is seen again hiking interest rates at its next policy meeting in August. Early this month, economic managers conceded that inflation would exceed the upper end of the government target for 2018, such that they adopted the BSP’s forecast of 44.5 percent for the entire year. While keeping the 2-4 percent inflation target for the period 2018-2020, the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) jacked up their projected rate of increase in prices of basic goods for this year from the earlier forecast of 2-4 percent during their previous meeting in April. For the period 2019-2022, the yearly inflation forecasts were maintained at 2-4 percent. Economic managers nonetheless expect the rate of increase in prices of basic goods to taper off in the second half, as global oil prices, as well as local rice prices were expected to stabilize towards yearend. n
MANILA, Philippines — The Tantoco family’s SSI Group Inc. is shaking up Manila by bringing the world famous Shake Shack, the group behind New York’s iconic burger, hot dog, and frozen custard. This will be Shake Shack’s first foray into Southeast Asia. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the SSI Group said it has entered into a development and license agreement with Shake Shack Inc. to open Shake Shack restaurants in the Philippines in 2019. SSI president Anton Huang said the group is optimistic Filipinos will embrace the unique Shake Shack experience. “We are proud to partner with Shake Shack to bring the complete gastronomic experience, coupled with its fun and lively environment to the Philippines,” Huang said. Shake Shack is known for its 100 percent all natural Angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches and flat top Vienna beef dogs, fresh spun frozen custard, crinkle cut fries as well as craft beer and wine. “Manila is an incredible city; its heart beats with a distinct warmth and hospitality. We are excited to begin this search for our first site in Metro Manila and look forward to becoming part of this community,” said Michael
U.S. burger chain Shake Shack is planning to make its way to Manila in spring 2019, the company announced this week. AJPress file photo by Christina M. Oriel
Kark, vice president of Global Licensing at Shake Shack. Kark said Shake Shack is proud to partner with the SSI Group, known for its retail expertise and culture of hospitality, to bring Shake Shack to the Philippines. Shake Shack first opened in 2004 in New York’s Madison Square Park and has since expanded to more than 170 locations in 21 US states and the district of Columbia and more than 60 international locations including London, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Moscow, Seoul and more. It ranked seventh in Time Magazine’s “17 Most Influential
Burgers of All Time.” The SSI Group, chaired by Zenaida Tantoco, has a wide brand portfolio that can be classified into five categories, namely luxury and bridge; casual; fast fashion; footwear, accessories and luggage; and others, which include home furnishing and accessories, interior design items, food, and personal care. SSI represented 114 brands as of Dec. 31, 2016, consisting of Hermes, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Zara, Bershka, Stradivarius, Old Navy, Lacoste, GAP, TWG, SaladStop, Samsonite, Payless ShoeSource, Muji and Pottery Barn. n
After its regular review of the Philippine economy, Fitch maintained the country’s credit outlook at ‘stable.’ Apart from Fitch, the Philippines enjoys investment grade credit ratings from major debt watchers like Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investor Service —a level first achieved during the Aquino administration, and further improved late last year under the Duterte administration. “This is another recognition of the bold economic policy of the Duterte administration to fix the flawed tax system for the first time in over 20 years, and at the same time provide a steady revenue stream for its “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure de-
velopment initiative as well as for social programs that would accelerate poverty reduction and grow the middle class,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said. Fitch also cited Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ flexible exchange rate policy in helping keep the country’s foreign exchange reserves adequate. “The BSP’s firm commitment to price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable growth of the economy has allowed the Philippines to remain resilient amid external headwinds and to remain as one of the fastest growing economies in the region,” BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla PAGE D3
Court of Appeals upholds PAL policy Fitch affirms PH investment grade on flight attendants’ retirement age Credit ratings firm cites risk of overheating economy by Dona
Z. PaZZibugan Inquirer.net
INVOKING “biological differences,” the Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld the policy of Philippine Airlines (PAL) of having different compulsory retirement ages for its male and female flight attendants. In a decision dated May 31 but released to the media only recently, the court’s 7th Division rejected the claim of discrimination by the PAL flight attendants union, which cited how male members are retired at age 60, while their female counterparts are retired earlier at age 55. The appellate court overruled the Makati Regional Trial Court, which nullified in 2015 the retire-
ment age provision in the 2000 to 2005 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between PAL and the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP). ‘Biological differences’ Although the Makati court agreed with FASAP’s female members that the two sets of retirement age was discriminatory in terms of gender and equal work opportunities, the appellate court said “biological differences” between males and females could affect their work performance. Core of the job “Passenger safety goes to the core of the job of a cabin attendant,” the Court of Appeals said in its 20-page decision.
“Airlines need cabin attendants who have the … strength to open emergency doors, the agility to attend to passengers in cramped working conditions, and the stamina to withstand grueling flight schedules,” it added. The court also noted PAL’s decades-long practice of setting different retirement ages for its flight attendants, and said that FASAP had “voluntarily” agreed to the policy when it signed the CBA with management. Their earlier retirement should not make female flight attendants feel disadvantaged, the court said, adding that “(this) can potentially improve their physical and mental health, that in turn can help them live a longer and happier life.” n
by Daxim
L. Lucas
Inquirer.net
INTERNATIONAL credit watcher Fitch Ratings on Wednesday, July 18 affirmed the Philippines’ credit worthiness at two notches above the minimum investment grade, saying the country continued to enjoy a favorable economic outlook and low government debt levels. At the same time, the firm said the country’s net external creditor position and policies geared toward maintaining macrostability were being held back by “lower income per capita and weaker governance and business environment indicators” compared with its peers.
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PH flag carrier PAL included in world’s top 50 airlines
SMC confirms reported plan to build 10 new breweries
by gabrIel
by Ian
PabIco Inquirer.net
lalu
FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been named one of the Top 50 Airlines in the World by independent flight review firm Skytrax, which released a new ranking based on a recent airline passenger survey. “I am overwhelmed with pride and joy. This latest win shows how far we have come in working to transform our airline, and this victory is especially sweet because it reflects the votes of our beloved customers,” PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime J. Bautista said in a statement on Thursday, July 19. Aside from being ranked 49th out of 335 airlines, PAL was also recognized as the second-most improved air transport service provider in the world after leaping by 38 notches from its 83rd rank in 2016, and by 18 levels from its 67th rank in 2017. “We also placed Top 30 in the World’s Best Cabin Cleanliness category. This recognition inspires us to focus even more on delighting our customers, PAL Chief Customer Experience Officer Jessica Abaya said. “It also gives us greater confidence to reach our long term vision of becoming the 5-Star, full-service national carrier of the Philippines,” she added.
File photo by Inquirer.net
The recognition for PAL comes after it received a 4-Star Global Airline rating and the delivery of a new Airbus A350-900, considered by many as the most advanced aircraft today. “The 4-Star award, Top 49 ranking and the 2nd Most Improved Airline vote challenge us to keep up the progress, and our hi-tech new A350s and A321neos mark our determination to hit full 5-Star status by the end of 2020,” Bautista said. Skytrax said that the results were obtained from reviews of 20 million passengers from 100 different nationalities. “We are honored to be recognized by millions of passengers, and we renew our commitment to
keep on serving them better from the caring Heart of the Filipino,” Bautista said. According to Bautista, PAL will also improve facets of its service, such as the expansion of routes, innovation and fleet modernization. “The future is bright for Philippine Airlines. As the Philippines’ first and only 4-Star Airline, we will continue to provide more innovations and product refinements,” he said. “Indeed, we will take in 27 new aircraft starting with our recently arrived new A350s and A321 NEOs, so that we can fly more customers more comfortably and conveniently to their dream destinations,” he added. n
Fitch affirms PH investment... PAGE D2 Jr. said. At the same time, however, the credit watcher noted that the country’s strong macroeconomic performance—while still considered a positive—was in danger of overheating. Real gross domestic product expanded by 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2018 from 6.7 percent in 2017, supported by strong growth in investment and private consumption. Growth in investment was driven by a pickup in the public infrastructure program. “We expect domestic demand to maintain strong growth of 6.8 percent in both 2019 and 2020, which would maintain the Philippines’ place among the fastestgrowing economies in the AsiaPacific region,” Fitch said. The Philippines’ estimated five-
year average real GDP growth of 6.5 percent at end-2018 will remain far above the current ‘BBB’ median of 3.1 percent, it explained. Real gross domestic product expanded by 6.8 percent in the first quarter of 2018 from 6.7 percent in 2017, supported by strong growth in investment and private consumption. Growth in investment was driven by a pickup in the public infrastructure program. “We expect domestic demand to maintain strong growth of 6.8 percent in both 2019 and 2020, which would maintain the Philippines’ place among the fastestgrowing economies in the AsiaPacific region,” Fitch said. The Philippines’ estimated fiveyear average real GDP growth of 6.5 percent at end-2018 will remain far above the current
‘BBB’ median of 3.1 percent, it explained. “However, the agency believes the economy faces some overheating risks, evident from a recent rise in inflation, rapid credit growth and a widening trade deficit, although steps taken by the BSP to tighten monetary policy may contain these risks,” Fitch noted. The credit watcher noted that the current inflation regime remained elevated “due in large part to higher commodity prices and a recent increase in excise taxes associated with the tax reform package passed at the end of last year.” “The one-off impact of the tax hikes is likely to dissipate in 2019, and therefore we expect average inflation to fall to around 3.8 percent in 2019,” it said. n
nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Corp. on Thursday, July 19 confirmed reports it is planning to shell out about $1 billion to build 10 additional breweries. Reuters reported on Wednesday, July 18 that the company behind San Miguel Pale Pilsen and Red Horse is eyeing to establish more breweries, eight of which will be in the Philippines while the others will be opened in the U.S. and Vietnam. In a disclosure to the stock exchange, SMC said the report was “accurate,” adding that each new plant will have an expected annual capacity of one or two million hectoliters. “This is not for the volume growth. This is more to be able to produce locally, regionally for fresh beer, for better quality of beer because it is locally available and also lower logistics costs,” San Miguel President Ramon Ang told Reuters.
Photo - Reuters reported on July 18 that the maker of San Miguel Pale Pilsen and Red Horse is eyeing to establish more breweries, eight of which in the Philippines while the others will be opened in the U.S. and Vietnam. Inquirer.net file photo
SMC was founded in 1890 as a single brewery in the Philippines. The company has since then transformed itself from a beverage, food and packaging business into a diversified con-
glomerate with interests in fuel and oil, energy, infrastructure and banking industries. As of 1:30 p.m., shares in SMC were flat at P136.90 apiece on Thursday. n
Toyota: All-new Vios to help drive 2018 sales by anna
leah e. gonzalez Manilatimes.net
highest selling passenger car. Vios has a very wide market reach from new car users to high-end STA. ROSA, Laguna: Toyota Mo- car users,” he added. tors Philippines (TMP) on ThursIn 2016, the Vios was registered day, July 19 rolled out its all-new as Toyota’s participating model Vios, its entry to the government’s under the CARS program, whose Comprehensive Automotive Resur- goal is to attract investments in gence Strategy or CARS program. the manufacturing of motor vehiThe all-new Vios was officially cles and parts by providing timelaunched on Friday, July 20 and bound and performance-based is expected to help drive sales, fiscal support. which were affected by the higher Total fiscal support for the duauto excise taxes following imple- ration of the CARS Program is a mentation of the tax reform law. maximum P27 billion, with each “We have noticed lower (mar- enrolled model qualified to a fiscal ket) levels compared to last year. support of up to P9 billion. We experienced that in the first However, participants must half of the year. comply with certain conditions, While we are expecting to pick including committing to a miniup in the second half of the year, mum output of 200,000 units over we think the market won’t be the six-year program period and able to reach the same level as local production of body shell and last year. It will be slightly lower,” large plastic parts. Jose Maria Atienza, TMP’s first TMP President Satoru Suzuki vice president for vehicle sales admitted this was a “very big chaloperations marketing division, lenge” to the company, adding that told reporters in a press confer- the peso’s depreciation also forced ence at the company’s head office TMP to shoulder an additional P1 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. billion in production cost yearly. “We expect the Vios to be one “The damage initially [of the of the drivers in terms of sales. weak peso]is to our profit level In the previous years, it was the because our imports are increas-
ing significantly. For the Vios, we import some parts so it is affected. As long as the peso will continue to be weak, we will study a price increase to minimize damage,” said Suzuki. But Suzuki is confident they will be able to achieve the 200,000 units required under the program. To achieve the target, Toyota is targeting to manufacture 3,500 units per month starting next month. “It took us 10 years to achieve that cumulative production level with the previous variants so this is indeed a very big challenge. With the support and commitment of our suppliers, we are confident that we will achieve this target and comply with CARS’ twin overall goals: higher production volume and greater localization,” said Suzuki. The company and its local suppliers have so far invested a total of P5.53 billion for the said initiative. “Creating more locally-sourced value is at the core of TMP’s CARS project. Much of this model is proudly made in the Philippines, a total of 352 individual parts, 22 percent higher than in the previous Vios,” Suzuki said. n
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Valuable insights on international trade opportunities by Ferdinand
ONE of the purposes of the upcoming “Multi-City Travel,Trade & Consumer Roadshow” on Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5, at the Southbay Pavilion in Carson, CA — spearheaded by the Asian Journal — is to educate the general public not only about the many amazing products that the Philippines has to offer, but also provide the many facets of international trade whether you are currently or thinking about importing into the U.S. or exporting products from the U.S. to the many countries around the world. The Asian Journal and PLANET63 have gathered experts that are connected to the field of international trade. They will provide insightful information that will help entrepreneurs, importers and exporters become more knowledgeable about the exciting world of international trade and possibly creating a business within this industry. The goals for the speaker sessions are to:
Conducting the right research to compete in the U.S. market by Sarita Jackson Sarita D. Jackson, Ph.D. is the founder, president and CEO of the Global Research Institute of International Trade (GRIIT). GRIIT is a think-tank/consulting firm focused on providing research to do the following: 1) help businesses compete in the international market and 2) guide
EMPLOYMENT
B. Soriano • Help the audience understand international trade as a whole but more specifically focused on the opportunities that are available in the Philippines. • Understand how to interact with different countries by understanding the culture and how they do business • Understand the the process in how to source, ship and sell Philippine products into the U.S. market. Also provide valuable information in how to export products from the U.S. into the Philippines • Discover different ways to finance a U.S. manufacturer in exporting products to the Philippines • Provide insight in how to successfully market to the U.S. market with creative marketing, labeling and packaging Meet the speakers for August 4 and 5 — as they will be making their presentations at the B2B section of the trade show. The sessions will begin on Saturday, August 4 at 12:30 p.m.
U.S. trade policy. Dr. Jackson collaborates with federal, state, and local government agencies to offer training in international market research for small businesses. Additionally, she works with universities to provide customized market research for local businesses and connect these businesses with partnering firms and resources in overseas markets. She is the author of It’s
Not Just the Economy, Stupid! Trade Competitiveness in the 21s t Century . In addition to running her own firm, Dr. Jackson teaches courses in the areas of international trade and corporate global strategy at UCLA Extension and California State University, San Bernardino. The areas covered include:
Developing a focused competitive export plan; identifying the companies from the Philippines that export the top products to the United States; knowing the key U.S. buyers of specific products from the Philippines; and understanding the benefits and risks of a possible future U.S.Philippines trade agreement.
How the SBA export loan program can enhance companies to gain access to short term or long term loan to finance their exporting businesses by Pellson Lau Pellson Lau is currently an SBA (Small Business Administration) regional manager, export solutions group, Office Of International Trade. He has
held numerous high ranking positions for banks such as EastWest Bank, Pacific Alliance Bank, United Commercial Bank and Premier Business Bank. His experiences is highly focused on Credit & Underwriting various business loan products. He attended the University of Southern California-Marshall School of Business.
Securing your transactions in the global village—our world by Eddy Sumar Eddy A. Sumar, MBA, CCE, CICE, and CEW, is the Founder of
FOR RENT
ER$ Consulting Services in Rancho Cucamonga, California; he is an International Trade Financing Consultant; a Consultant for the Center for International Trade
Development (CITD); a member of the Guidepoint Global Advisors, and an Associate of Quote 2 Cash (Q2C). Mr. Sumar has a Bachelor degree in Business Administration (B.B.A.) from Bethlehem University, Bethlehem, West Bank where he enjoyed a Fulbright scholarship and graduated as Valedictorian. He also obtained his MBA with distinction from Leicester University, Leicester, UK. Mr. Sumar has 30+ years of experience in the credit and collection field. As International Trade Financing Manager with Rain Bird International, Inc., Mr. Sumar championed the explora-
tion and institution of worldwide trade financing programs and ran the international trade financing efforts in the Americas and the Asia Pacific Regions. He is the recipient of the CMA 2006 Credit Executive of the Year Award, the CCR Credit Excellence Awards 2011 in International Credit Management, and CMA Instructor of the Year Award 2012. The areas covered include: The pattern and framework for success in international trade; the tools used; the role of compliance & due diligence; the payment pyramid; the key resources that; and much more.
Effectively branding & packaging your products by Olivia Enriquez and Joel Enriquez Olivia and Joel Enriquez are the principals for Luna Design International, who specialize in package design and brand identity, print and digital design. Their extensive experiences are in building and growing brands using the package design media, working and partnering with notable Consumer Packaged Goods companies and progressive startups. They have over 25 years spanning work for companies based in 22 countries, multiple design awards, and stellar accounts. Olivia, together, with husband Joel formed Luna Design, first in the Philippines, to grow it to become one of the pioneer agencies to focus its efforts on the rapidly growing export manufacturing sectors.
Through effective design stewardship, 11 companies were able to achieve prestigious Golden Shell Award status, for companies who achieve $10 Million in export sales. Notable among their projects were the design of the National Museum Exhibition Graphics, the Benigno Aquino Museum, the Centennial Andres Bonifacio Exhibition and many international exhibitions in Frankfurt, Dubai, and Manila, the Ayala Malls’ Brandbook and the North Park Total Branding Campaign. Now, based in Las Vegas, their designs occupy the retail shelves of Whole Foods, Target, Sam’s Club, Seafood City, and online, through Amazon sellers and other online specialty stores. Needless to say, they can definitely help Philippine manufacturers expand their market in the United States. n
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