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AUGUST 15-21, 2019
T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
Volume 30 - No. 33 • 16 Pages
2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 200 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Foreign researchers in EEZ must ‘turn Filipino postal over command, control’ to Filipinos worker Joseph Ileto DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
remembered 20 years after killing
With race and hate crimes on the rise, Ileto family calls on Asian American inclusion in conversations AUGUST 10, 1999 was a hot day. It was a Tuesday, and Filipino American letter carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS) Joseph Ileto — who originally had the day off — was called into work to cover for a fellow mailman. While on route delivering the mail in Chatsworth, at the nearby North Valley Jewish Community Center in Granada Hills, a white supremacist walked into the center’s lobby and fired 70 shots using a semi-automatic weapon, wounding five people including three children.
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New rule change may affect millions of legal residents seeking citizenship or permanent residency THE Trump administration has focused a lot on actions to curb illegal immigration in the last two years, but new regulation changes released on Monday, August 12 may have a dramatic effect on immigrants seeking legal permanent residency or U.S. citizenship. Set to go into effect in mid-October, the new rule essentially expands who may be considered a “public charge” — a term used since 1996 to describe an individual likely to become “primarily dependent” on the government through public cash assistance or long-term institutionalized care funded by the government. Whether one is a public charge determines whether one can become a legal permanent resident. Through the expanded definition, visa and green card applicants who have accessed benefits like food stamps, housing vouchers,
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by
CHRISTIA MARIE RAMOS Inquirer.net
MANILA — Foreigners wanting to conduct maritime research within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) must “turn over command and
control” to Filipinos, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Wednesday, August 14. This was the latest position of Locsin with regards to allowing foreign marine survey ships within Philippine waters.
“We can’t join their (foreigners) ships as just passengers; foreigners turn over command and control, all data gathering facilities, the entire enchilada to Filipinos,” the foreign affairs chief said on Twitter. On Tuesday, August 13, the coun-
try’s top diplomat said he was informed that under maritime laws, the Philippines could not ban any marine survey ships in the country’s EEZ. Because of this, Locsin backtracked on his earlier remark that he would
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Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ManilaTimes.net photo
Marcos asks SC to admit evidence on poll fraud by JOMAR
CANLAS ManilaTimes.net
THE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, August 13, was asked by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to set his case for immediate hearing and present his evidence on alleged election fraud committed by the camp of Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo in the May 2016 elections. In an extremely urgent motion to set this election protest for preliminary conference dated Aug. 9, 2019,
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DOH EXECS VISIT DENGUE PATIENTS. Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III checks on the condition of one of the dengue patients admitted at the Quezon Medical Center in Lucena City, during his regional rounds to government hospitals. He was accompanied by Assistance Secretary Maria Francia M. Laxamana (center) DOH-Calabarzon Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo (blue jacket), and Dr. Rolando A. Padre of the Quezon Medical Center. Photo courtesy of DOH
Palace defends Duterte’s stand on police officers getting gifts by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
MALACAÑANG on Monday, August 13, defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s stance on police officers accepting gifts given out of gratitude or generosity. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, police officers can accept gifts of “nominal value” for as long as these are not “excessive.” “What is important is hindi yun binigay (that is not given) in anticipation of a favor coming from the recipient or in exchange of
a favor from the recipient which is a police officer,” Panelo told the media. “Dapat ‘di nila tatanggapin kung masyado naman malaki (They should not accept it if the gift is too big),” he added. On Friday, August 9, Duterte told policemen that he does not consider accepting gifts as a form of bribery. “Basta kung bigyan kayo, eh tanggapin ninyo (If they give you a gift, accept it). It is not bribery because — it cannot be bribery because it is allowed by law,” he said. Vice President Leni Robredo
Philstar.com photo
Dengue deaths in PH highest in Asia Robredo keeps options open for 2022 presidency by JOSHUAVERA
CRUZ
ManilaTimes.net
A government personnel scoops up garbage at the Estero de San Miguel in Quiapo, Manila. Local government units have started cleaning canals, creeks and other possible breeding sites of mosquitoes to curb the spread of dengue. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
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THE Philippines has the highest death rate from dengue among countries in Southeast Asia, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, August 13, as it warned that the number of victims of the mosquito-borne disease had grown exponentially in the past few weeks. Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd said dengue cases increased 300 percent in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Cases in the Philippines and Malaysia grew by 100 percent. But the case fatality rate (CFR) or deaths was highest in the Philippines, which reported 720
deaths as of August 8. “The difference is in the CFR. The Philippines continues to have the highest CFR among the five Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries,” Duque said in a news briefing. From Jan. 1 to July 27, 2019, the DoH reported 85,011 dengue cases, double that in the same period last year. But from July 21 to July 27, 12,880 cases were reported with 0.3 fatality rate. Majority of these cases were of the Dengue 3 strain, which according to Duque had lower CFR than the other strains. Based on the latest data of the Health department, 167,607 dengue cases had been reported. Western Visayas or Region 6
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by AJPRESS VICE President Leni Robredo on Tuesday, August 13, said she is keeping her options open regarding the 2022 presidential race. In a Bloomberg article written by Andreo Calozo, Robredo said she was ready for the presidency but would decide later on whether to stand as the opposition Liberal Party’s main candidate in elections three years from now, when Filipinos will vote on Duterte’s successor. “If you ask me now, I have no plans, but I am leaving everything open,” she said.
“I wouldn’t have ran for the vice presidency if I didn’t feel I was ready for the presidency,” Robredo added. A 54-year old lawyer with an economics degree, Robredo first entered politics as a congresswoman in 2013 — a year after her husband, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, died in a plane crash. She won the vice presidency with her anti-poverty platform, promising to help those in the fringes of society. She defeated former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by more than 200,000 votes. In a June interview, Robredo
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From The FronT Page
Marcos asks SC to admit evidence on... PAGE 1 Marcos pleaded before the high court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), to allow him to receive evidence and proof that election fraud was indeed committed. He filed the motion in view of the termination and completion of revision proceedings in the pilot provinces of Camarines Sur,
Iloilo and Negros Oriental. “With the termination of the revision proceedings in the pilot provinces, the corresponding revision reports relative thereto were likewise submitted before this honorable tribunal,� he said. “Consequently, the reception of evidence should now proceed in accordance with the relevant provisions of AM 10-4-29-SC,
otherwise known as the ‘2010 PET Rules.’� Recently, the electoral tribunal ruled to junk an urgent motion filed by Robredo on June 11 to “immediately resolve� all pending cases filed by Marcos regarding his electoral protest in connection with the alleged irregularities during the May 2016 race for vice president. He claimed that her lead widened by more than 15,000 votes after the revision of ballots. Under Marcos’ protest, the first recount covers the three pilot provinces — Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental — covering a total of 5,418 clustered precincts. The tribunal shall now rule whether to proceed with the recount on a total of 132,446 precincts in 39,221 clustered precincts covering 27 provinces and cities identified in the protest. Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa, an appointee of thenPresident Benigno Aquino 3rd, is the ponente of the case who shall recommend to the Supreme Court the actions to be taken regarding Marcos’ protest and Robredo’s counter-protest. In his protest, Marcos assailed election results in 39,221 clustered precincts. The former senator, who lost to Robredo by 263,473 votes, has accused her of “massive electoral fraud. n
Robredo keeps options open...
PAGE 1 said her top priority is addressing the country’s present problems, not the 2022 presidential elections. However, she did not rule out the possibility of running for president, maintaining that the presidency is a matter of destiny. “Everything is possible. But it’s not something that is planned, I think it’s destiny,� Robredo said. “The presidential election is still very far. In a year, many things could happen, much more in three years,� she added. At present, Robredo is facing an electoral protest filed by Marcos as well as a sedition complaint filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. n
Foreign researchers in EEZ...
PAGE 1 “universalize� the restriction on marine survey ships following recurrent sightings of Chinese vessels sailing within Philippine waters without permission from Philippine authorities. But maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal said a “[t]otal ban would not be a good idea and counterproductive.� “The real issue is control and supervision, and ensuring data/info/outcomes are to our benefit,� Batongbacal said. Locsin then replied: “Well now it is clear: we can’t impose a ban but we can refuse to grant authority to marine survey. But my rule is all or nothing; everybody or nobody qualified.� n
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
Inquirer.net photo
Filipino postal worker Joseph Ileto remembered... PAGE 1 The shooter, Buford O. Furrow of Lacey, Washington, then fled the scene. He made his way to where Ileto was a few miles away and approached the mailman to ask him to mail a letter for him. As Ileto agreed, Furrow took out a handgun and fatally shot Ileto nine times in a murder that Furrow later confessed was racially-motivated. (He said he thought Ileto was Latino or Asian.) Furrow later turned himself into the FBI in Las Vegas and is serving two life terms plus 110 years without the possibility of parole. The proceeding’s judge told Furrow, “Your actions were a stark and brutal reminder that bigotry is alive, if not well.� The aftermath of the shooting was a wake up call to many state and federal lawmakers and signaled a national push for gun control. Additionally, the shooting prompted the need to combat anti-Semitism and racism. But what gets left out of the narrative is the one casualty of the shooting. At the time of his death, Ileto was 39 years old. He was the eldest son of Lilian Ileto, and while working for the USPS, he was also studying engineering at Cal Poly Pomona. Continuing the conversation And for the last 20 years, the family has sought to cultivate a legacy for their fallen brother to make sure his untimely death didn’t go in vain. The Ileto family has spent the last two decades ensuring that the murder of their son, kuya and tito never be forgotten, building his legacy into something greater than themselves. They’ve
The Ileto family and Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles host a candle-lit vigil in front of the Joseph Ileto mural on Friday, August 9. Photo by Fiona Diec/Advancing Justice - Los Angeles
attended marches, spoken at schools, met with numerous advocacy groups and lobbied to lawmakers all in the name of common sense gun control and combating racism. And as the amplification of reactionary rhetoric on race and immigration continues to permeate, the family’s mission to push for the Asian American community to stand up against racism and to be a part of the conversation has never been more relevant. “When my brother was killed, the description of him was just a postal worker, not of his heritage and the main reason he was killed was the color of his skin, and I just thought that was an insult to him as a Filipino American and to our family as Asian Americans and to our whole community,� Ismael “Ish� Ileto, Ileto’s younger brother, told the Asian Journal on Friday, August 9. The younger Ileto and other family members were present at a commemorative dinner for
the late postal worker hosted by Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, which has provided the Iletos legal and emotional support since 1999. Shortly after Joseph Ileto’s death, the Ileto family attended an event hosted at the Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills for the signing of five new state gun control bills. In attendance of this highly-publicized event were then-Governor Gray Davis, police chiefs from every county in California and numerous state and city officials. State officials talked about what happened and the bills they’re signing into law and that if these laws had been put in place earlier, it could have made a difference at the North Valley Jewish Center, full stop. Nothing about Ileto, the only casualty in the incident, was mentioned. Not even his name. “We were invited to this event and we had front row seats, and PAGE A5
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Dozens take oath during naturalization ceremony in Fresno, CA FILIPINO AMERICAN U.S. Army (ret.) Command Sgt. Major Raul F. Llorente was this year’s guest speaker of USCIS in Fresno, California. Hundreds of immigrants from all over take the oath during their naturalization ceremony as the final step toward American citizenship. CSM Llorente, whose parents are Filipino immigrants from Nabuam, Camarines Sur, talked about his journey in America and how he endured and enjoyed his 34-year military career of in the U.S. Army. Llorente’s dad is retired from the U.S. Navy and spent 33 years in the military service. An oath of allegiance has been required of every new citizen since 1790, although the exact wording has been modified several times since. Here is the oath taken on Friday by the new citizens: “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United
States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and
that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.” n
Palace defends Duterte’s stand on...
PAGE 1 Philippine National Police chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, meanwhile, assured everyone that police officers would not accept gifts with strings attached. “Sa batas natin ‘yung insignificant ‘yung value gaya po ng mga pagkain na consumable na maliit na bagay. Pero ‘yun pong malalaking bagay lalo na kapag may kapalit na pabor, bawal na bawal po ‘yan (Under the law, policemen could accept those with insignificant value like food and other small things. But significant gifts, especially in exchange of favors, are not allowed),” he said Monday on radio DZMM. “Gifts are a small matter” Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, for his part, admitted that he had accepted gifts before as a PNP official in defense of Duterte’s remarks. “The president is a practical person and I’m practical, too. I admit I received (gifts) before,”
he said during an interview with radio station DZBB. According to him, the issues being raised against Duterte were a “small matter to be paid attention to.” “Gifts are a small matter. It’s happening anywhere, everywhere. It’s in our culture,” Dela Rosa said. The former PNP official recalled that he had been given food and equipment by families he helped while he was serving in Davao City. “What was I to do? Tell them that we’ll not eat (their food) because it’s forbidden? I’d be a hypocrite if I say that I did not accept,” Dela Rosa said. “Those (gifts) were not asked by the police, they’re voluntarily given to help the work of the police, why should we not accept (them)?” he added. However, Dela Rosa warned PNP officials to exercise caution in accepting gifts as they may
have strings attached or may conflict with their duties. Consequences Sen. Francis Pangilinan pointed out that Duterte’s permission for police officers to accept gifts will only make them “more abusive and corrupt.” On Sunday, August 8, he said that if Duterte’s order will be followed, “there will come a time when policemen will not act if there is no grease and the police will only side with the rich who can afford a lot of grease.” Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said on Monday that said that any gift was prohibited “lalo na kapag may kapalit na pabor,” (especially when it’s in exchange for a favor). “Meron po tayong sinusunod na code of ethical standard ng ating public officials and employees yun po ang sinusunod natin, baka po magkamisinterpretation and PAGE 5
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August 15-21, 2019 • LAs VEgAs AsIAN JOuRNAL
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUSt 15-21, 2019
Largest national AAPI workers’ organization elects diverse leadership, sets bold vision for organization 15th Biennial Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA) concludes with commitment to AAPI community and worker rights
Eddie Flores, Pat Kwoh, Carmina Ileto, Lilian Ileto, Advancing Justice-LA founder Stewart Kwoh, Deena Ileto, Agustin Herrera and Ismael Ileto attend a commemoration dinner and vigil on Friday, August 9 for the 20th death anniversary of Joseph Ileto, who was killed by a white supremacist while on his postal route on August 10, 1999. Photo by Fiona Diec/Advancing Justice - Los Angeles
Filipino postal worker Joseph Ileto remembered... PAGE 2 the Jewish American representatives were on the other side of the aisle but they only mentioned what might have happened with the Jewish community center,” Ismael Ileto said. And as the event concluded and people were filing out of the auditorium, Gov. Davis quickly mentioned, “Oh, by the way the Ileto family is here.” And that’s not the first time that’s happened. Ismael Ileto recalled an event at the Museum of Tolerance, a live radio-broadcasted discussion on the Aug. 10 shooting and racially-charged violence. “I wasn’t up there [on the stage], and it was only the Jewish community representatives. They started talking about the shooting again, and nothing about my brother. And they all know that this is connected to Joseph who was killed by the same guy, yet there was no mention [of Joseph],” Ismael Ileto said. He added, “Here we are and getting killed and harmed and yet the mainstream media is not recognizing who we are. It gave us a feeling of we don’t count. That’s what fuels us to speak out.” But as Filipino Americans, as soon as they began speaking out, attending gun control marches and vocalizing the need to end racially-charged violence, the Iletos found themselves in a precarious situation. They soon started receiving hate mail and
death threats from white supremacists, causing the family to move homes. For years, they lamented the erasure of the Filipino American and Asian American community when it comes to issues of race and hate crimes, both of which are typically associated with other communities like blacks, Arabs and Latinos. Pushing for Asian American and Filipino American inclusion on these issues has, to this day, been proven to be difficult, but that hasn’t slowed the family down yet. “But then I was told that my skin wasn’t dark enough to know what racism is, but yet we had a white supremacist in our life telling us to go back home because we took up their schools and took up their jobs and we don’t belong here, so it made us want to speak out more,” Deena Ileto, Ismael’s wife, said. “You know, our families teach us, ‘don’t say anything, don’t speak because we’ll look like troublemakers and they’ll retaliate or do something against us,’ but it made us want to work harder to reach out to the communities and students to build a stronger and safer community for everyone because it’s happening more and more,” she said. The family has bestowed an acronymically-named title for their cause and fight for Joseph Ileto’s legacy: Join Our Struggle, Educate and Prevent Hate, Instill Love, Equality and Tolerance for
Others. Ileto’s 20-year anniversary of his death comes a week after a 21-year-old white nationalist targeting Mexicans shot and killed 22 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. Since Ileto’s tragic murder, there have been countless incidents of gun violence, mass shootings and hate crimes that have propped up, targeting a wide variety of different communities. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, in 2017 a majority of reported hate crimes were motivated by race, ethnicity and ancestry of the targets (58%). And the number of those crimes increased — in 2016, there were 3,489 incidents and in 2017, there were 4,131. Speaking at the dinner, the mother Lilian Ileto shared the lifelong struggle of losing her son and the pain and fear it’s brought to her and the Ileto family. But she also noted the necessity to keeping up the fight against gun violence and hate crimes, and encouraged the Asian American community stand in solidarity with them. “Although our family lost our beloved Joseph to a senseless hate crime, we do not want any other family to suffer a similar loss,” the mother said. “That is why every year, on the anniversary of his death, we speak out to remind the community that we all must work together to overcome prejudice, intolerance and hate.” (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)
New rule change may affect millions of legal...
PAGE 1 or most forms of Medicaid, may be denied a green card or entry into the U.S. Under the “totality of the circumstances” aspect of the new rule, factors like health, family status, assets, resources and financial status, and education are further among the considerations that may deem an individual to be a public charge. Exempt from the change are asylum-seekers and refugees. For supporters, the new rule is a way to modernize the family-based immigration system and save taxpayers billions of dollars. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli said during a White House briefing that the expanded definition would encourage and ensure “self reliance and self sufficiency for those seeking to come to or stay in the United States.” “Our current law, which is generations old, recognizes that some new arrivals to our country need the help of their family and community,” said Cuccinelli. “It requires some of those who seek to live and remain in the United States, to have a sponsor who will be financially responsible for them.” But critics of the expanded definition say that the new rule was made to punish immigrant families and will result in many families having to choose between maintaining immigration status or meeting basic needs like food.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an affiliation of five civil rights organizations, called the policy racist and said it prioritizes wealthy immigrants. “Public benefits are essential to helping families stay healthy and thrive. Weighting the likelihood of future benefit use, along with discriminatory factors such as English proficiency is unjust,” Advancing Justice said in a statement. “The administration has intentionally sought to scare immigrants and their families from using public benefits,” it added. Since the rule change was proposed in October of 2018, over 13% of immigrant adults have reportedly dropped their use of public benefits out of fear of potentially losing their chances at becoming green card status, according to Advancing Justice. Heng Lam Foong, senior policy manager with the Health Access Project at Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, told the Asian Journal last October that about 3.8 million Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants relied on some form of public benefit to make ends meet. Many at the time saw the thenproposed change as a potential public health crisis in that many legal immigrants would similarly find themselves choosing to skip medical appointments in fear that they’d risk endangering their immigration status. “This could affect our most vulnerable residents: the disabled, seniors, and children. Sacrificing care would lead to
worsening medical conditions in which patients could end up in emergency rooms or at health care centers that do not receive federal funds,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis said in a statement on Tuesday. Asked whether the policy unfairly targeted lower-income immigrants, Cuccinelli responded: “We certainly expect people of any income to be able to stand on their own two feet, so if people are not able to be self-sufficient, then this negative factor is going to bear very heavily against them in a decision about whether they’ll be able to become a legal permanent resident.” He then suggested that the “totality of circumstances” test made it so lack of self-sufficiency wasn’t the main deciding factor on whether one would be able to become a legal permanent resident. “A poor person can be prepared to be self-sufficient; many have been, through the history of this country. So let’s not look at that as the be-all and end-all. It’s not the deciding factor, which is why we continue to use the totality of circumstances test,” said Cuccinelli. Legal action is expected, especially by those who see the rule change as discriminatory. Solis said that LA County Counsel is currently analyzing the rule and will be making recommendations to possibly join legal action. “LA County will continue to defend, protect, and fight for its most vulnerable residents,” said Solis. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)
Dengue deaths in PH highest in... PAGE 1 had the most number of cases with 27,765. It was followed by Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) with 19,732, Mimaropa (Mindoro,Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), 4,623 cases; Region 5, 4,006; Region 7, 11,217; Region 8, 9,438; Region 9, 13,579; Region 10, 14,349; and Region 12, 12,506. All these regions, along with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, exceeded the epidemic threshold for dengue. Meanwhile, the National Capital Region and Region 1 exceeded the alert threshold, which
means that dengue cases this year in these areas are higher than the average number of cases listed in the past five years. Although cumulative cases for NCR went down from 10,159 with 57 deaths to 10,103 cases with 43 deaths, Duque said there had been a weekly increase of dengue cases with the approach of the so-called peak months, which are October and November. “You’re looking at 5,000 plus cases a week additional,” Duque told reporters. The government declared a national dengue epidemic on August 6 because of the soaring number of cases.
The Health secretary said early detection was the key to managing dengue and preventing complications. To prevent the spread of dengue, the DoH had urged local government units and communities to pursue the 4S strategy — search and destroy mosquito breeding places; (adopt) selfprotection measures like wearing long sleeves and use of insect repellent; seek early consultation on the first signs and symptoms of the disease; and say yes to fogging if there is an impending outbreak. Duque, however, said another S might be added — sustain hydration. n
LAS VEGAS — The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFLCIO (APALA) concluded its 15th biennial convention in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 11, 2019. As members of the largest national organization for AAPI workers, close to 500 attendees shared their vision, debated, and voted to determine the priorities and course of action APALA will take on to improve the lives of AAPI workers and working families in our communities over the next two years and beyond. Convention delegates elected a diverse group of AAPI workers and labor leaders to lead the organization through 2021. Monica Thammarath from the National Education Association was re-elected APALA National Executive Board as National President. The other officers elected were Kim Geron from the California Faculty Association (CFA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as 1st Vice President, Michael Yee from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3 as 2nd Vice President, Jillian Matundan from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) as Treasurer, and Tracy Lai from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 1789 as Secretary. Jigme Ugen from SEIU is the first Tibetan refugee elected to the board. APALA delegates voted to pass 22 historic resolutions to advocate and support bold progressive policies and programs, such as: • A Green New Deal, which would prioritize high quality health care, affordable and safe housing, economic security, and access to clean water and air for working people • Medicare for All to improve health care access and affordability for all people, regardless of immigration status
• Protecting sexual and reproductive health care as it comes under attack by the administration • Strengthening program and outreach to ensure AAPI communities get counted in the 2020 census • Continued dedication to international solidarity with workers in Asian countries who are fighting labor and human rights violations • Commitment to building power and community with Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders to protect Mauna Kea in opposition to the construction of a telescope that would desecrate sacred cultural lands in Hawaii • Strengthening the leadership pipeline and cultivating young, diverse workers into the labor movement •Ensure all APALA spaces and chapters are safe spaces, free from discrimination and harassment This year’s convention saw the largest number of monolingual workers join in workshops, caucuses, plenaries, and in crafting resolutions signaling the growth of organizing efforts in newer immigrant communities. Attendees voted on a resolution to work towards language justice for APALA members through offering robust interpretation and translations. International guests from Japan, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Hong Kong attended to build international solidarity. Inspired by APALA’s Convention, the Japanese delegation is working with APALA to plan the first APALA delegation to Okinawa and Japan in October. Convention highlights included keynote speeches from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, SEIU Local 1107 Executive Director Grace Vergara, Assemblyman for Nevada’s 6th District William McCurdy II, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Tefere Gebre, Congresswoman Dina Titus for Nevada’s 1st District, AFA-CWA Internation-
al President Sara Nelson, Political Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) and Executive Director of Care in Action Jess Morales Rocketto. APALA also launched the Tam Tran Freedom Fighter award at this year’s Convention, given to an APALA member who is leading efforts to build bridges between the labor movement and other movements for social justice. Tam Tran was a pioneering undocumented activist in the immigrant youth movement. The 2019 Tam Tran Freedom Fighter award was given to Gregory Cendana, President and Co-Founder of Can’t Stop! Won’t Stop! Consulting, APALA DC Chapter member, and former APALA Executive Director. In line with APALA’s tradition of taking action at convention, over 300 convention attendees showed up with the Culinary Workers Union to picket Palms Casino Resort in solidarity with the workers who are fighting to win their first contract but Palms is refusing to negotiate with them. “On the heels of our largest field program yet in Nevada and just six months out from the Nevada caucus, it has been grounding to host our Convention here, where AAPIs are increasingly becoming a powerful force in the electorate, in organized labor, and in the economy,” said Monica Thammarath, APALA National President and NEA appointee. “With the passage of 22 progressive resolutions, we are asserting AAPI workers’ commitment to advancing the labor movement toward a future that is more inclusive of immigrants, women, LGBTQ folks, poor and working class people, and young workers. It is a pivotal moment for us to collectively build a progressive AAPI agenda where all of our communities are reflected and our Convention was a powerful one step toward that.” n
Palace defends Duterte’s stand on... PAGE 3 ating kapulisan (We are following the code of ethical standard for public officials and employees, that is what we are following, our police may misinterpret it),” Albayalde said in a radio interview
on dzMM. He added that the president may be referring to gifts with “insignificant” value, such as food. Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employ-
ees, which prohibits public officials and employees to “solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties.”n
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AUGUST 15-21, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
O PINION Modern slavery IF the government wants evidence of worker abuse, the surveillance video footage provides graphic proof: a Chinese, handcuffed to window grills, managed to loosen the grills from the wall. He slipped out through the opening in what clearly looked like an attempt to escape. But he was still handcuffed to the iron grills. Either he deliberately jumped from the sixth floor, or the weight of the grills sent him plummeting down to the ground. He died hours later in a hospital. Authorities are still investigating who handcuffed Yang Kang to the grills, and the circumstances that brought him to the building in Pamplona, Las Piñas where he was illegally detained. Initial police investigation indicated that the 27-year-old information technology employee wanted to leave his job, but his Chinese employer reportedly demanded that he first pay the money advanced for his recruitment. The Chinese embassy, in a strongly worded statement last week, decried the working environment akin to “modern slavery” under which many of their citizens toil in the Philippines, most of them in the online gaming industry whose principal clients are Chinese. The embassy said some of the workers have also suffered kidnapping, torture and even murder. Government officials have given assurance that
FEATURES
protection will be given to Chinese and other foreigners working in the Philippines. The Chinese reportedly secure tourist visas upon arrival in this country before working for Philippine offshore gaming operations or POGOs. It is not clear if Yang Kang worked for a POGO. Whether he was recruited by a Chinese or Filipino, however, the government must address one point raised by the Chinese embassy in its statement: Chinese laws make it illegal for their citizens to engage in all forms of gambling including online, whether in their country or overseas, and whether as operator, bet caller or player. Under Chinese laws, all Chinese employed in POGO establishments are working illegally. The embassy said Beijing is cracking down not only on gambling, whether at home or offshore, but also on the money laundering that illegal earnings engender. Part of the gambling earnings, the embassy noted, could be laundered through real estate and other assets. While protecting all foreigners from “modern slavery,” the Philippine government also cannot afford to be complicit in activities considered to be criminal in another country. The Chinese embassy statement calls for a review of the Philippine policy on POGOs. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS LISTEN, MR. PRESIDENT. The people of the grieving communities of El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio are speaking up. For the first time just listen to their pleas instead of being obsessed with crowd sizes, ratings, getting more publicity mileage than your political foes, and cheap photo-ops like when you used a baby who just lost both his parents in the mass shooting as a prop while you were grinning while showing off a thumbs up. You inspired the gunman to massacre the victims in El Paso because of your hateful rhetoric demonizing immigrants and scaring people of a “Hispanic invasion” and “infestation”. This is not about the issue of illegal immigration anymore. After all, your own wife Melania came to the United States and worked as an undocumented immigrant. After all, her parents were able to obtain their legal papers through what you call as “chain migration” because they happen to be the first lady’s
Commentary
YEN MAKABENTA THE British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher made a telling comment while recounting her experience in dealing with Chinese leaders during her visit to China. She wrote: “The Chinese never mince words in their own public statements, but they expect everyone else to do so.” I thought of her words as I tried to comprehend the amazingly rude response of Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua to President Duterte’s announcement that he would bring up the the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the Philippine dispute with China over the South China Sea (SCS) when he meets with President Xi Jinping in Beijing later this month. As if to warn our President off the subject, Ambassador Zhao declared: “Beijing’s position on the arbitration has been clear since it was filed before the Hague-based international tribunal. “When the result of the arbitration came out, we also expressed that we will not accept it and we will not recognize it and that position has not changed and it will not be changed,” Zhao told reporters on Friday. Zhao then suggested that China, despite its position on the mat-
Philstar.com photo
Trump could heal wounds and win the trust of the American people after mass shootings — if he would do these things parents and do not qualify under the merit-based policy the Trump administration has been pushing, instead of the familybased petitions. Listen, President Donald J. Trump, to the people who have lost their parents, children, spouse, friends and neighbors to mass shooting not only in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio but all over the country. Listen to the American people living in fear that their communities may be targeted next by a deranged trigger happy shooter who has a lot of hate in his/her heart, especially those who emulate you and follow your suggestions by virtue of the power of the Office of the President of the United States. I have been listening to many grieving people of El Paso, public officials and politicians and these steps are what they hope you would do to heal wounds, regain their trust and help solve the mass shooting epidemic in the United States: 1. OWN UP to your share of culpability in the mass shooting. Your hateful words and demonization of immigrants have been
dividing this nation that is built by immigrants. Your vilification of people of color, with different religions and nations of origin, and asylum seekers running from the violence of their own countries to save their children — they have become vulnerable to the people who listen to you and those who have antiimmigrant sentiments. These shooters do NOT differentiate between documented and undocumented immigrants. They will hurt and kill those who do not look like them, especially true during the rise of violence and hate crimes perpetrated by white nationalists, domestic terrorists and white supremacists. 2. APOLOGIZE to the American people for your words and actions that have betrayed the dignity and honor of the Office of the President and the provisions of the Constitution of the United States of America that prohibit discrimination. Your hateful and divisive rhetoric does NOT unify or inspire people. On the contrary, they bring out the worst from the American people. After issuing a sincere apol-
Questions for Ambassador Zhao ter, has magnanimously agreed to continue working with the Philippines on enhancing friendship and cooperation. “The differences over the South China Sea only constitutes 1 percent of our overall relationship,” the Chinese envoy added. Duterte’s vow With equal attentiveness, Ambassador Zhao would do well to consider the spirit and context in which the arbitral ruling will be raised. Duterte made the announcement in a speech at the mass oath-taking of newly elected officers of the Federation of FilipinoChinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. last Tuesday. ‘’Yung arbitral ruling pag-uusapan natin ‘yan. That’s why I’m going to China.” (We will talk about the ruling. That’s why I’m going to China.) Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo elaborated that the President would raise the arbitral ruling when he discusses a proposed 60-40 sharing with China in a planned joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea. Zhao’s remarks, coming as they did following weeks of Filipinos’ indignation and furious agitation for a stronger response to the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by Chinese vessels, and perceived Chinese bullying, deserve a fitting response. It will not do to diplomatically set them aside and put them in
the back burner. As one journalist who has been monitoring the South China Sea issue for some time now, I want to pose the following few questions to Zhao in response to his remarks: 1: Does China recognize and respect the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Republic of the Philippines, as this is defined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), to which China is also a signatory? 2: Does China claim parts of the Philippine EEZ, in line with its claim over the entire South China Sea? What is the basis for this sweeping territorial claim? 3: Does China also claim sovereign rights to exploit the resources in the Philippine EEZ? If so, on what basis? 4: Why has China never apologized for the sinking of the Filipino fishing boat at the Reed (Recto) Bank,which is inside the Philippine EEZ? 5: Why has China massed its vessels around Pag-asa Island, which is sovereign Philippine territory? Does China also include it in its sweeping claim over the waterway? 6: China has its own exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under Unclos. How does China understand the word “exclusive”? The good ambassador does not mince words in asserting China’s position on the Hague arbitral rulPAGE 7
ogy, CHANGE, Mr. President, and live up to the honor and dignity of the office you are holding. Our Founding Fathers stipulated the “The Want, Will, and Hopes of the People” of America in the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Constitution, meanwhile says, as paraphrased: “The Fifth Amendment has an explicit requirement that the Federal Government not deprive individuals of ‘life, liberty, or property,’ without due process of the law and an implicit guarantee that each person receive equal protection of the laws.” “The Fourteenth Amendment explicitly prohibits states from violating an individual’s rights of due process and equal protection. Equal protection limits the State and Federal governments’ power to discriminate in their employment practices by treating employees, former em-
Commentary LUISA BLUE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION NO matter where you came from and the color of your skin, all parents want what is best for their children. Except those, it seems, in the Trump administration. Because they have once again told immigrant families: we don’t want you, don’t try and live the American dream. They have released a new, inhumane rule that targets people applying to get their green card, or legal permanent. It’s unfortunately just one in a long line of actions the Trump administration has taken to pit working people against each other. What they should be doing is putting families first, helping children develop into healthy adults and making it possible for every single person in this country to obtain healthcare, education and healthy food. NO ONE should be penalized for legally safeguarding their family’s well-being because too many jobs pay poverty wages making working people rely on anti-hunger, anti-poverty, affordable housing and healthcare in order to thrive. But that’s what this public charge rule does. Last year, the Trump administration received over 200,00 public comments on their proposed rule and of that amount, over 20,000 comments
ployees, or job applicants unequally because of membership in a group, like a race, religion or sex. Due process protection requires that employees have a fair procedural process before they are terminated if the termination is related to a “liberty,” like the right to free speech, or a property interest.” (FindUSlaw. com) 3. TELL CONGRESS Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that it is OK to debate and vote on the bipartisan gun control law passed by the House, supported by both Democrats and a few Republicans. This will NOT take away guns from people as the powerful and rich gun lobby group National Rifle Association has been misleading people about using scare tactics. The legislation will just implement a common-sense regulation that will make sure guns will not go to the hands of mentally ill and criminal people, that the purchase, ownership, and continued ownership and use of guns will have to go through a stringent process. Also, assault rifles and high capacity maga-
zines are weapons intended to be used in war zones, not by civilians. Ban these for civilian use. These dangerous and powerful weapons have killed so many people in a few seconds in the mass shootings. We do not need those to fulfill the Second Amendment rights to protect ourselves. It is about time President Trump and the Republicans in Congress serve the interests and well being of the American people they have sworn to serve and protect, and not bow down to the National Rifle Association that has been contributing millions and millions of dollars to their campaigns. Can and will you do this, President Donald Trump, and be a true leader worthy of the honor of the Office of the President of the United States? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Public charge rule – inhumane for families were from the Asian Pacific Islander community, 10% of the public comments submitted, illustrating the importance this rule is to our Asian Pacific Islander communities. If legal challenges are not successful, it will go into effect in October. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has close to 2 million members: hospital workers, public health and community based clinic workers, long term care workers providing care at home for our seniors, mental health and emergency services, help educate our children from babies to college, just to name a few of the jobs and services SEIU members provide every day. We represent the largest number of Asian Pacific Islander union workers, over 110,000. SEIU is a member of the OneNation AAPI coalition and I serve on the OneNation AAPI Commission. Asian Health Services, is one of the leading AAPI community based organization and healthcare agency in the nation that is dedicated to providing quality culturally competent healthcare and other services in Alameda County, California and is a leader of the OneNation AAPI Coalition and the employees of Asian Health Services are SEIU members. Manang Femy is a 79-year-old
immigrant from the Philippines, a proud U.S. citizen and has been a patient at Asian Health Services for 23 years. Her son served in the U.S. Navy for 24 years, deployed multiple times, including 3 tours in Iraq and had to leave his family and miss his children’s college graduations in order to serve and protect our Country. Manang Femy continued to work and pay taxes to this Country and raised her family. Upon hearing about the Public Charge rule, she remembered what it was like as a new immigrant, and Manang Femy worried about the patients at Asian Health Services and other immigrant families who work hard everyday, sometimes working two or more jobs to provide for their families. She took action and organized nearly 100 people to submit comments with their concerns on the new Public Charge rule and it was SEIU members working at Asian Health Services who educated her and other patients about the Public Charge rule and it’s impact on immigrant families. Manang Femy stood up and spoke out for her family and other immigrant families. I am first generation born of parents who immigrated from the Philippines, my father proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII and my mother retired PAGE 7
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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D ateline PhiliPPines Filipino workers appeal ATM fee hike
by AJPress PARTIDo Manggagawa chair Rene Magtubo on Tuesday, August 13, said workers are appealing to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to suspend the impending increase in fees for transactions conducted through banks’ automated teller machines (ATMs). Workers commonly withdraw from ATMs since salaries are now received through them. However, long queues at popular banks force depositors to use the ATMs of other banks. Currently, interbank fees on ATM withdrawals range from P10 to P15. on Monday, August 12, Makati City Rep. Luis N. Campos, Jr. noted that ATM fees could increase by as much as 50 percent. The hike is expected to be implemented by banks following the lifting of a six-year moratorium on fee increases enforced by BSP. “Charging P15 per withdrawal is already burdensome. Doubling the fee would be onerous on workers receiving their wages through payroll ATM accounts,” Magtubo pointed out. He also said that the P15 fee is almost 3% of the daily minimum wage rate in Metro Manila, so if the ATM fee doubled, it
Workers commonly withdraw from ATMs since salaries are now received through them. However, long queues in popular banks force depositors to use ATMs of other banks. Philstar.com photo
would take away 6 to 8% of the minimum wage of workers per withdrawal. “This is highway robbery,” Magtubo said. Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, meanwhile, gave banks a reminder that the cash they put inside the ATMs are actually cash they only borrowed from their depositors. “This is why banks are paying interest on deposits,” he said. Pimentel offered his support to calls led by Makati City Rep. Luis Campos for a House inquiry into the planned ATM fee increases. “offhand, we see no justification for banks to impose ATM charges in excess of the P10 to
P15 that they are currently collecting per single interbank withdrawal transaction, considering that depositors are merely taking money that they lent to the bank,” Pimentel said. “Besides, banks are already extracting way too many superfluous fees from depositors, including the P300 to P500 monthly charge slapped on accounts falling below the P10,000 to P25,000 minimum monthly average daily balance, not to mention the dormancy levies on inactive accounts,” he added. Pimentel also urged the House committee on banks and financial intermediaries to investigate where the ATM charges go. n
Senators to block revival of death penalty by Paolo
romero Philstar.com
MANILA — No way shall Congress be remembered for resurrecting dead laws, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Tuesday, August 13, as he and other senators vowed to block Interior Secretary Eduardo Año’s proposal for the restoration of the anti-subversion law. “First, they want Congress to revive the death penalty. Now, they want us to resurrect the antisubversion law. Is this how we want this Congress to be remembered?” Drilon asked. “We do not want this Congress to be remembered for resurrecting more dead laws instead of formulating sound policies that will address the country’s present problems,” he said. His colleagues – including those from the administration – stressed they are against Año’s proposal but are open to legislating tougher laws against terrorism. Drilon warned that reviving the anti-subversion law would violate basic constitutional rights such as freedom of assembly and association. He vowed to strongly oppose any
attempt to revive the anti-subversion law in the same manner he is contesting the re-imposition of the death penalty. He maintained that Republic Act 1700 or the anti-subversion law was “buried” a long time ago for it was proven that such a policy, aside from being prone to abuse and a tool to harass, undermined some basic constitutional rights. Article 2, Section 4 of the Constitution states: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.” He said the anti-subversion law, implemented decades ago until it was repealed in 1992, outlawed mere affiliation with a suspected subversive group, or attending a meeting or taking part in any activity meant to overthrow the government. Mere membership in any organization is not a crime, Drilon stressed. The anti-subversion law would also violate the equal protection clause of the Bill of Rights, he added, referring to the provision of the Constitution against undue favor or privilege for certain group
or class or hostile discrimination against selected groups. He said there are enough laws that can help authorities address terrorism and provide adequate protection to the state, such as the Human Security Act, which imposes stiffer penalties for several acts of terrorism. “We should not make it as an excuse to always blame the inefficiencies in our laws, proven or otherwise, for our failure to discharge our duty,” he said. Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the committee on national defense and security, is also against restoring the law criminalizing subversion, but is open to legislating stronger anti-terrorism law to address radicalization, including those of students and minors. He said the DILG chief was seeking the revival of the law to address the rising cases of minors being recruited to join leftist groups with some eventually joining the communist New People’s Army (NPA). “If joining organizations like Kabataan party-list or Anakbayan, I don’t see any problem with that. Except, of course, that they are also violating the law for recruiting minors but they have not yet PAGE 8
Public charge rule – inhumane for... PAGE 6 from Bank of America. Both worked very hard to provide for my brothers and me to reach the American dream. I am a former Intensive Care Nurse who worked at San Francisco General Hospital for 9 years and served as president for SEIU Local 400790 for 4 years while working for
San Francisco General. I also worked at Asian Health Services for 3 years as their clinical coordinator and helped establish their patient advisory committee. I am now an Executive Vice President of SEIU leading our Union’s Asian Pacific Islander civic engagement and leadership program. As a former RN access to quality culturally competent
healthcare will always be close to my heart. Together with SEIU members and community allies, like the oneNation AAPI Coalition, we will continue to be advocates for the communities we serve no matter where they came from and the color of their skin. All we want is what is best for our families. Stand up and speak out!
Questions for Ambassador... PAGE 6 ing. Stop mincing words our government should similarly not mince words in asserting national rights over our EEZ, and in rejecting all Chinese intrusions and bullying inside the zone. It’s time we take the gloves off in assessing and responding to China’s behavior in the SCS. We should start talking publicly about the abuses committed by China in the SCS against rival claimants to parts of the waterway. It is good that President Duterte has directly accused China of deliberately delaying the approval of the proposed Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea, by subverting discussions at the Asean summit. It is indeed our national policy to do business with China as a valued and friendly neighbor, in the same way that we do business with other countries, including the United States. But this friendly policy does not include kowtowing to China’s wishes. There was a time in the distant past when China’s relations with its neighbors required obeisance to her wishes. In the present century, our countries are sovereign over their own affairs and in their relationships. Fence-mending exercise In an article last Saturday (August 10), the South China Morning Post reported that China is seeking to repair ties with the Philippines after the angry backlash over the sinking of the Filipino fishing boat. Laura Zhou of the SCMP wrote:
“observers said the visit could be a fence-mending exercise after the incident, in which a Chinese trawler was accused of ramming the other ship before it fled the scene, leaving 22 Filipino fishermen in the sea until a passing Vietnamese boat came to the rescue. “The incident triggered a strong backlash in the Philippines, and opposition politicians demanded a stronger response to China’s increasingly assertive stance after years of increasingly warm ties under Duterte. “The visit to Beijing will be Duterte’s fifth as president and he said he would use it to address all South China Sea issues, including the 2016 ruling that rejected China’s claim to the waters. “The decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016 triggered a serious diplomatic crisis until Duterte, who came to power a month before the ruling was delivered, visited Beijing and said he would ‘set aside’ the ruling.” Kang Lin, director of the Hainan Institute for Regional Development and Governance, as quoted by Zhou, said: “The ruling could be a reasonable political tool for Duterte as he is halfway through his six-year term and is now under intense pressure over tensions with China in the South China Sea.” Ambassador Zhao’s statement in Manila harkens to an old and different view of the issue. It seeks to douse cold water on Duterte’s plan to raise the arbitral ruling during his meeting with Xi. If the object of Zhao’s harsh words was to stop all discussion,
they should intensify even more our President’s resolve to discuss all issues during his visit to China. Significantly, Xu Liping, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Center for Southeast Asian Studies, as again quoted by Zhou, says intense domestic pressure prompted by the ship’s sinking could be an ‘urgent factor’ behind Duterte’s upcoming visit to China, the second since April. Xu said in Zhou’s article: “The two sides will try to avoid any misunderstandings and miscalculations over the South China Sea issues … as Duterte is now facing enormous political pressure. “‘This can hardly be fully resolved by Duterte alone and a joint effort with China is also needed to ensure negative sentiment [against China] does not grow.’ “Beijing has tried to play down the collision between the two vessels, with the Chinese embassy in Manila insisting that the Chinese ship had tried to rescue the fishermen but fled after being ‘suddenly besieged by seven or eight Filipino fishing boats.’ “Xu said Beijing may also want to review its way of handling the crisis, which had ‘a big room for improvement.’ “‘There was no apology nor explanation from the Chinese side and that’s why there has been deep negativity towards China,’ Xu said.” The state and prospects of China-Philippine relations look much better when you set aside the illconsidered words of Ambassador Zhao. I hope my questions will merit a response from him. (ManilaTimes.net)
FINANCIAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR AFP. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno (left), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Inspector General Lt. Gen. Antonio Ramon Lim (middle), and Banco De Oro (BDO) Foundation, Inc. president Mario Deriquito (right), sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) governing the institutional commitments in crafting financial education tools for AFP personnel. The ceremonial signing was held at Dimalupig Hall, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday, August 13. ‘PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Napoles asks Sandiganbayan anew to dismiss plunder case by Gabriel
Pabico Inquirer.net
lalu
MANILA – Convicted pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles has again sought the dismissal of her plunder case before the Sandiganbayan, based on claims that evidence presented was insufficient. According to the 31-page motion submitted to the Fifth Division last July 30, Napoles’ legal counsel Rony Garay said that the absence of a specific public official as the main plunderer is tantamount to the case’s dismissal. “All the evidence of the prosecution, taken together as shown herein-above, still fail to identify the main plunderer, an essential element of the crime of plunder as held in the GMA case,” the motion said. Garay was referring to the dismissed plunder case involving former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which Sandiganbayan cited in denying Napoles’ previous motion which also sought for the case’s dismissal. According to the anti-graft court, the main plunderer should be pointed to when the accused are all public officials like in the Arroyo case, but no main offender is determined when the case involves private citizens — instead, all accused will be called co-conspirators to the crime. “According to the assailed Reso-
Janet Lim Napoles
Inquirer.net photo
lution, the Information in the GMA case involves ten (10) public officers where the main plunderer was not identified unlike in the above-entitled case which involves two (2) public officers and 2 private persons wherein the main plunderers are the 2 public officers, accused Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada and accused Pauline Therese Mary C. Labayen,” Napoles’ camp insisted. “It is possible for the main plunderer to exist alone without any coconspirator as stated in the law on Plunder itself, it is never possible for a co-conspirator for Plunder to exist without a main plunderer,” they added. However, Garay says this ruling from the Sandiganbayan has no legal basis. “But with due deference, that conclusion in the assailed Resolution has no basis in law and prevailing jurisprudence because
the main plunderer can commit the crime of plunder not only in conspiracy with private persons but also in conspiracy with his or her subordinates as well, like in the GMA case,” the petition noted. Napoles is accused of providing kickbacks to former Senator Jinggoy Estrada in exchange for the allocation of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to her bogus non-government organizations. The prosecution alleges that Estrada received 40 to 60 percent of the PDAF, or roughly around P55.79 million. Both accused were allowed by the Sandiganbayan to file their demurrers to evidence, but these were also denied by the anti-graft court based on the prosecution’s supposed ability to establish that Napoles and Estrada connived to implement the scheme. Had the court granted the demurrers, Napoles and Estrada would have been able to seek for the outright dismissal of the cases. Napoles was convicted in a separate P224-million plunder case involving the same scheme, this one supposedly done with Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla. However, the Special First Division acquitted Revilla and instead convicted his aide lawyer Richard Cambe, after the court found no documentary evidence to prove Revilla’s direct participation in the scam. n
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Supreme Court orders gov’t to comment on Rappler petition vs Duterte coverage ban
ANTI-TERRORISM BILL. Senator Panfilo Lacson (2nd from right), chairperson of the Senate Committee of National Defense & Security and Finance, says he would rather push for a stronger anti-terrorism measure that would address the radicalization of students, especially minors during the public hearing on Senate Nos. 6, 21 and 630 or the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Amending R.A No. 9372, at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, August 13. Also in photo are Senators Francis Tolentino, Ronald “Bato� dela Rosa; ATC-Program Management Center Exec. Director Florentino Manalastas Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr.; Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Ano, Information and Communications Secretary Gregorio Honasan, and representatives from government agencies. PNA photos by Avito C. Dalan)
Hontiveros appeals to Senate to pass SOGIE bill amid Cubao discrimination incident
MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros appealed to her colleagues in the Senate to support the passage of the sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) bill after a discrimination incident against a transgender woman in Cubao on Tuesday night, August 13. In a speech delivered at the Senate plenary, Hontiveros narrated the experience of Gretchen Custodio Diez, who was handcuffed and brought to Camp Caringal after being blocked from using the women’s restroom at Farmers Market in Cubao. “Una, babae siya. A transwoman is a woman. Pangalawa, pangaraw-araw na karanasan ng mga LGBTQ at lalong-lalo na ang mga transwomen ang pangha-harass,
pangungutya at pang-aabuso sa CR panlalaki (First, she’s a woman. Second, members of the LGBTQ community especially transwomen suffer from harassment, embarrassment and abuse at the men’s restroom),� Hontiveros said. The senator stressed that there is a grave and urgent need for a SOGIE equality bill. Sen. Imee Marcos and Sen. Bong Go immediately manifested their support for the SOGIE equality bill following Hontiveros’ speech. Go said Rep. Geraldine Roman (Bataan) had approached him months ago to seek help in passing the proposed measure. “We are all equal under the law and it is our duty in this institution to ensure that all Filipinos, regardless of their age, sex, religion,
Senators to block revival of...
PAGE 7 crossed the stage of joining the NPA,� Lacson told reporters. He said only after the courts declare the CPP-NPA as terror organization would anyone recruited to the group be considered terrorist and violator of the Human Security Act. Sen. Christopher Go also expressed opposition to the revival of the law, saying it could jeopardize efforts to forge peace with communist rebels.
He said an anti-subversion law would outlaw many organizations, including some party-list groups, which have links to the CPP-NPA and therefore could help in the peace process. He said he believes the CPP-NPA indeed recruits minors for armed combatants. Go said a stronger anti-terrorism law would be sufficient to address the concerns of security officials on the recruitment by communist rebels.
ethnicity or gender orientation are treated equally and justly,� Go said. Following the incident in Cubao, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte slammed the management of the mall for banning Diez in the women’s restroom. “We assure the members of the LGBT community that Quezon City will always protect their rights and be a home for their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. We do not support any kind of violence and discrimination in ourt city,� Belmonte said in a statement. Quezon City has a Gender Fair Ordinance that penalizes discrimination against members of the LGBT community. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)
Sen. Grace Poe said the revival of the anti-subversion law would violate certain rights guaranteed by the Constitution. An alliance of lawyers also voiced opposition to the revival of the antisubversion law. “The trial balloon idea to revive again the Anti-Subversion law should be seen as part of the worn out mailed fist approach to dissent and divergence of beliefs,� the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said in a statement. n
MANILA — The Supreme Court has ordered the Office of the President and other government agencies to comment on the petition to lift President Rodrigo Duterte’s ban against reporters of online news site Rappler. In a notice of resolution dated August 14, the tribunal directed the Office of the President, Office of the Executive Secretary, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Presidential Security Group and Office of the Solicitor General to file their comments on the petition filed by Rappler and its reporters. Last April, Rappler reporters filed a petition for certiorari before the high court to assail the chief executive’s order to prohibit the news organization and its reporters from covering his public events. The petitioners argued the ban is unconstitutional for violating the right to due process. “Without prior notice or hearing, the president imposed the ban with no clear scope,� they said.
The ban started on Feb. 20, 2018 when a member of the PSG barred reporter Pia Ranada from entering MalacaĂąang complex. On March 1, 2018, Duterte said in a speech that he is banning Rappler reporters. The announcement came a day after former presidential aide Christopher “Bongâ€? Go, now a senator, said the news site delivers “fake newsâ€?—a comment often used for reports seen as critical of the administration. Rappler stressed the petition is not just about the organization but “about every journalist’s mandate to cover without prior restraint or threat of punishment the Office of the President and scrutinize the tremendous power it holds.â€? Interventions The Supreme Court also allowed journalists from various media organizations to intervene in Rappler’s plea to end the president’s directive. In their petition-in-intervention, the 41 journalists said
Duterte’s ban or Rappler reporters would also cover journalists who might publish stories which the president deems to be “fake news.� They asked the SC to hold an oral argument on the case. “Press freedom is a preferred right that stands on a higher level than substantive economic freedom or other liberties. As such, any attempt to restrict it must pass a high standard of constitutional scrutiny,� the journalists said. Among the petitioners include Melinda de Jesus, Vergel Santos and Luis Teodoro of Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, broadcasters Tina MonzonPalma, Solita Monson, Lourd de Veyra and columnists John Nery and Ceres Doyo. The high court also granted the separate petition for intervention filed by media advocates led by artist-activist Bart Guingona, convenor of Media Nation. (Gaea Katreena Cabico with report from Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)
Mon Tulfo faces third libel complaint from Medialdea by Kristine Joy
Philstar.com
Patag
MANILA — Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday, August 13, slapped columnist Ramon Tulfo with another libel complaint. News5 reported that Medialdea went to the Office of the City Prosecutor in Manila to file the complaint, his third libel rap against Tulfo who is also the country’s special envoy for public diplomacy. The complaint assails Tulfo’s columns which appeared on The Manila Times on July 25 and August 1. Tulfo, in the said columns, shared the account of a certain Felicito Mejorado who claimed he has yet to receive reward money from the government for providing a tip on a smuggling operation in Bataan. “In an apparent attempt to discredit my honor, integrity and reputation, [Tulfo] maliciously implied that I am remiss in the performance of my duties, and worse, even categorically alleged that I demanded the amount of P72 million, implying that I am a corrupt public official,� the complaint read.
In this July 2016 photo released by MalacaĂąang photographers, Salvador Medialdea attends a flag-raising ceremony at the Palace. Beside Medialdea is Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. MalacaĂąang photo.
“Clearly, contrary to what respondent Tulfo maliciously wants to impress upon the public, I take my duties as the Executive Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines very seriously and ensure that I am not remiss in the performance of my duties,� Medialdea added. The complaint also named The Manila Times’ executives and editorial heads as respondents in the complaint. The executive secretary asked
P1.4 million pesos from the respondents for moral damages, exemplary damages and attorney’s fees. The executive secretary previosuly filed libel and cyberlibel complaints against Tulfo on August 6 and in June. Journalists’ groups and freedom of expression advocates have long been calling for the decriminalization of libel, saying it is outdated and restricts free speech. n
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VEGAS&STYLE Journal
BB guest-stars in Netflix series ‘Glow’ by Ryan
aRcadio Inquirer.net
BB Gandanghari guest-starred in a recent episode of the Netflix comedy series “Glow”, about women’s professional wrestling. “I am grateful and thankful to be a part of this super successful
BB Gandanghari
show, GLOW!” Gandanghari said in her Instagram post on Monday, August 12. She portrayed the role of Patricia, as seen in her series of photos in said post. Patricia is a fortune teller who shares a scene with Ruth Wilder (played by Alison Brie), a main character
Photo from Instagram/@gandangharibb
in the production. Gandanghari appeared in the eighth episode of the program’s third season entitled “Keep Ridin’”. Guest stars included veteran Hollywood actress Geena Davis (“Thelma and Louise”, “The Fly”, “A League of Their Own”.) “Booking a job is always exciting but booking your favorite show brings the excitement to an entirely different level,” she stated. She also took the time to thank her fans who were surprised at seeing her in the series. She then thanked The Brogan Agency for helping her get the role. Prior to appearing in the said show, Gandanghari had faced challenges in the United States. In January 2018, she admitted to facing discrimination as a transgender woman when applying for jobs. Gandanghari legally became a woman after her petition to change her name and gender was approved by the Superior Court of California back in 2016. Previously, her younger brother Robin Padilla revealed that Gandanghari was trying to make ends meet by being an Uber driver, but gave the assurance that she was doing well. Gandanghari’s latest showbiz project in the Philippines was starring in the 2015 TV series “21⁄2 Daddies” alongside her brothers Robin and Rommel Padilla.
OFW role close to Maymay’s heart—here’s why “I SOMETIMES feel like I’m an OFW (overseas Filipino worker) myself,” declared young star Maymay Entrata, whose family currently stays in Cagayan de Oro while she works here in Manila. The 22-year-old actress said she did not have a hard time relating to her character—a domestic helper in Hong Kong—in Cathy Garcia-Molina’s “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” because she somehow has a similar situation. Maymay’s mom has also been working in Japan for 28 years. “We never really shared a home,” the actress pointed out. “Being Maymay Entrata an OFW is not easy. You’re far Photo from Instagram/@maymay from your family. You’re sacrific-
ing your own happiness so you can provide for your loved ones here in the Philippines. There’s also the feeling of loneliness because you have no one there with you.” Maymay also said she was happy that she was able to sort of “repay” her mom now that she is earning herself. “Nasusuklian ko ang sakripisyo na ’yon,” she said. “I’m so proud of her and all the other OFWs out there.” However, while Maymay hopes to ask her mom to finally come home and just live with her, she said, “I have a half-brother in Japan, so planning is complicated.” (Marinel Cruz/Inquirer.net)
Valfrie Tabian Jr. on pursuing passion in LA city, I met people from different countries around the globe. There’s not much difference compared to the industry we have in Manila, it’s very open and what matters the most is the attitude you bring on set and that comes on top of your talent. Focusing on shooting narrative scripts at first to be able to find the right look or style, Tabian eventually had his most successful project as a Directector of Photography for the short film “Benjamin” written and directed by his friend, Ayush Soni. With determination and perseverance, he got selected to multiple festivals in Los Angeles and in other states. For the said short film, Tabian won an award for Cinematography at the Los Angeles Film Awards. “One of the best feeling or moments I always get is whenever I get to watch a film that I’ve shot as a cinematographer in the big screen. And sharing that moment with the people you worked with is just priceless. Getting this kind of award is a plus,” Tabian told The Manila Times. With the brighter future ahead, Tabian is now working on possibly his first full length film as a cinematographer called “The Cursed.” It will be directed by another good friend of his, Gowtham Namasivayam and will be filmed in Los Angeles in the middle of 2020. He also hopes to do a science fiction story or an action film in the future. When asked what is the most important lesson he had to learn so far in his growing career, Tabian shared, “In my opinion, working in either a film or a commercial always come in group, and that group branches out to different departments with department heads to specific jobs and the goal is to execute the director’s vision. And being a team player is a huge factor to a film’s success, getting the right people for the job and the right attitude. “One thing I always tell myself at least, is always be patient and it will always come if you work hard, and if it’s yours then take the opportunity, if not then there’s Twenty-six-year-old Los Angeles-based Filipino filmmaker Valfrie Tabian Jr. living out his dream always a reason for it,” he ended. in the U.S. Contributed photo (Iza Iglesias/ManilaTimes.net) FOR an individual to find their calling and be fortunate enough to pursue it as a living doesn’t happen too often. If it eventually does, it would mean the person endured a lot of patience and sacrifice to turn his passion into a viable career. Take for example 26-year-old Los Angeles-based Filipino filmmaker Valfrie Tabian Jr. who left his comfort zone to chase after his dream. Admitting that it has not been a walk in the park, the Tuguegarao native decided to move to Manila to pursue what he always wanted to be — a director. To get a headstart, he studied Filmmaking at De La Salle–College of St. Benilde and there, he got to explore the craft he eventually made a career into. “In college, we started making short films and collaborated with other students in different programs. I was having a lot of fun filming with my classmates, and as I progress, one of my instructors gave us a film to watch and write something about it, ‘Cinema Paradiso’ by Italian Filmmaker Guiseppe Tornatore. All I remember writing about it is how simple the cinematography was, yet, it gives justice to the characters and the story. That’s the time when I started to love cinematography and pursue it as a career,” Tabian shared to The Manila Times in an interview. After graduating in 2014, Tabian worked in a commercial
production house as a Creative Associate, where he mainly did editing, before leaving the company to focus on his career as a Director of Photography for a year and a half. Decided to improve his passion even further, Tabian flew to Los Angeles, California campus of the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in mid-2017. “With the support of my family, they helped me pursue that dream. Because as an artist, you’re always seeking ways of how to improve yourself and your craft, and I took advantage of that here in Los Angeles. Through the guidance of my mentors at NYFA, it helped me set a path that break those barriers and with constant practice you progress quicker than you realize,” Tabian added. However, things didn’t happen in a blink of an eye for the young cinematographer. After graduating in NYFA, he had a difficult time getting into production houses because of his immigrant status. “It’s very understandable because of the possible high cost of the sponsoring company. Perhaps it’s true about they say that, ‘Patience is a virtue” because I just kept myself busy by helping out and doing free projects as a cinematographer, although that helped me grow my network here in LA, it got me to where I am right now,” Tabian enthused. “Los Angeles is a very diverse
National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab
Contributed photo
Ryan Cayabyab receives Ramon Magsaysay Award 2019 for ‘defining Filipino music’ by deni
afinidad-BeRnaRdo Philstar.com
NATIONAL Artist and Original Pilipino Music icon Ryan Cayabyab is among the recipients of this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awards, considered as Asia’s Nobel Prize. Cayabyab was chosen for “nurturing the gift and unifying power of music,” the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation said in its website. “In electing Raymundo Pujante Cayabyab to receive the 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes his compositions and performances that have defined and inspired Filipino popular music across generations; his indomitable, undeterred confidence to selflessly seek, mentor and promote young Filipino musical genius for the global stage; and his showing us all that music can indeed instill pride and joy, and unify people across the many barriers that divide them,” the foundation said. Born in Manila as one of four siblings, Ryan’s father was a government employee, his mother an opera singer and music teacher. Though the family’s circumstances were modest, theirs was a home filled with music, particularly since his mother took in music students as boarders. Everyone in the house seemed to be either singing or playing an instrument, and Ryan grew up listening to classical music, opera arias, and traditional native songs. Heeding his mother’s admonitions to shun the musician’s financially unrewarding career, Ryan took up a business management course, but to help pay for his university studies he took on side jobs as pianist or accompanist for musical artists. The parents of one such artist were so impressed with his talent that they gave Ryan a full scholarship to pursue a degree in music instead. From this point on, music would be his life-work. Ryan started to write music in the late 1970s, making his mark when his signature song “Kay
Ganda ng Ating Musika” (“How Beautiful is Our Music”) won the grand prize in the first Metro Manila popular music festival in 1978 and in an international song festival in South Korea in the same year. He went on to win in other competitions and performed widely in the Philippines and abroad. As head and artistic director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts, he acted as conductor, arranger, and composer of its award-winning Philharmonic Orchestra and Master Chorale. Subsequently, he would be involved in training singers and music groups that have won significant national and international recognition. At home in diverse genres and media — choral and orchestral works, musical theater, opera and ballet, television programs, film scores, commercial recordings of popular music — Ryan has influenced the shaping of Philippine music culture. An instance is the role he has played in the OPM movement to promote a culturally distinct, contemporary Filipino popular music. The movement arose in the 1970s with the Metro Manila Popular Music Festival, continuing to this day with Philpop Music Festival. Ryan has played a leading role in these and other festivals, which have been important in inspiring and promoting thousands of singers and songwriters in the country. Ryan is driven by a passion to mentor, educate, and contribute to the flourishing of Filipino musical talent. He has served in the music faculty of the University of the Philippines, runs a music studio with his wife, and has conducted free workshops for thousands of students all across the country. He is a moving force in the Philpop Musicfest Foundation and the Elements Music Camp, major initiatives dedicated to music training, promoting Filipino music abroad, and fostering Filipino cultural identity through music. Honored in 2018 as Philippine National Art-
ist for Music, he was cited for his music that “extols the exuberance of life and human happiness, thus capturing the very essence of our Filipino soul.” Versatile, a consummate professional, and universally liked, Ryan Cayabyab is virtually omnipresent in the Philippine music industry today. For over four decades, his contributions as a composer, arranger, music director, conductor, performer, and educator have been huge. For “pushing OPM to greater heights,” Cayabyab was conferred the title National Artist last year by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. An inspiration and guiding light to many, Ryan said, “The next generation should be better than us for our country to move forward. For this to happen we must teach them everything we know at every possible instance. I like teaching, I like sharing what I know, and I like playing music. When I’m doing all these, I’m very happy.” Apart from Ryan, among those who received this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award were Myanmar journalist Ko Swe Win, Thai human rights advocate Angkhana Neelapaijit, South Korean businessman Jong-ki Kim, Indian journalist Ravish Kumar, East Timor humanitarian Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz, Filipino social entrepreneur Howard Dee, Indian doctor Bharat Vatwani, Vietnamese advocate for differently-abled people Vo Thi Hoang Yen, and Indian education reformist Sonam Wangchuk. The Ramon Magsaysay Award, considered as Asia’s premier prize and highest honor, aims to celebrate greatness of spirit and transformative leadership in Asia. In the past six decades, the award has been bestowed on over three hundred outstanding men, women and organizations whose selfless service has offered their societies, Asia, and the world successful solutions to some of the most intractable problems of human development.
‘To be a better man’: Gerald remains positive amid controversy by Jan
Milo SeveRo Philstar.com
DESPITE the ongoing controversy on his split with actress Bea Alonzo, Kapamilya actor Gerald Anderson shared he remains positive in life, saying his goal is to become a better man. In an interview with the press during the Skechers Performance Run 2019 on Sunday, Gerald said that he has no choice but to have a positive outlook in life. “Sa daming negativity, alangan namang pati ako maging nega rin. The only way to fight negativity is being positive. Thinking positive vibes and doing something positive also. Siyempre ang daming negative energy, but if you channel it the right way, may magagawa kang mabuti. So ayon ‘yung goal ko, to come out a better man and a better person,” Gerald told Philstar.com. He, however, admitted that he is still affected by the latest brouhaha involving his former girlfriend Bea and “Between Maybes” co-star Julia Barretto. “Siyempre but more than me ‘yung mga tao sa paligid ko, ‘yung mga mahal ko sa buhay, ‘yung pamilya ko, ‘yun ang mas masakit eh. Kasi kung ako lang parang okay lang sanay naman na ko. Pero mahirap ‘pag ‘yung pamilya
Gerald Anderson
mo. That’s the power of social media, pwede siyang maging kakampi mo, pwede siyang maging weapon so we have to use it in a right way,” Gerald said. He said he is hopeful that he will learn more from the controversy since he believes
ABS-CBN photo
that challenges are always there for him to become a better person. “Kapag may challenge na dumarating sa buhay mo, laging may natututunan tayo. Ang importante ‘don, we learned something from all of this,” he said.
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA MOST memorable life stories that stand out and become etched in the human collective consciousness are products of oft-repeated re-writes and skilled editing. If you’ve been given the chance to restart a new life after you’ve gone through some life-changing, miraculous experience, such as surviving a horrific accident when everyone else perished, or finding yourself inexplicably healed from a deadly disease, then you’ll know what it feels to be given a reprieve, a fresh slate, a clean paper. This is what the Greeks call a tabula rasa, on which you can begin writing your new story. Or if you use a computer, click on a new blank document and chase the cursor as memories of things past come alive like a rushing stream of consciousness and take shape through the written word. How does one use this new lease on life? Most people lucky enough to be given a second chance, will quickly realize that this new lease can just be an extra few months or years, and in the most blessed scenarios, a decade or two. Each day beyond that critical turning point is a bonus, every single moment, a gift. Sometimes, God mercifully knocks some sense into us through drastic means by throwing us a curve ball to bring us down a few notches. When we are down on our knees, we have no choice but to look above and beyond our own petty, selfish concerns and total self-involvement in order to grasp the concept of our own mortality and to know that we are here on earth for just a little while — essentially for a purpose. Human beings were not created to merely consume resources or take up space. Consider the fearsome dinosaurs. Grazing the earth for millions of years, that is essentially what they did — consumed resources and took up space. Not by intelligence but by sheer size and numbers, they had dominion over all other species for millions of years, until one day, as scientists try to explain their extinction,
Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS HOT car is an oven Recently, a New York man was charged of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for the death of his infant twins he forgot were in his car when he went to his 8-hour shift during a hot summer day. A 10-month old in Virginia is the 21st this year to die inside a hot car. Children or pets should never be left inside a car unattended. Within five minutes, the temperature inside a car with windows shut (or even slightly ajar), could reach 150 degrees F, on a very hot day. Toxic fumes in car Cars parked under the sun could cause the overheated dashboard material to release some toxic chemical fumes. Before getting in the car, open the door and windows for a couple of minutes, with the blower on high. This will fan the toxic fumes out. Dashboards are made of PVC blended with ABS, the acronym for Acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. Their safety, when exposed to high degree temperature, is a big question. Chemical poisons increase the risk for the development of lung disease and cancers. DIY cleansing solution While cleansing solution made of chlorine or other chemical agents are effective for many cleaning jobs at home, they could potentially cause lung, liver, kidney, and thyroid diseases, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. A concoction I have been using for general cleaning at home, garage or garden is a lot safer and very inexpensive; and can be replenished at any time. The is my 5-5-3-1 formula: 500 cc water, 50 cc vinegar, 30 cc alcohol, 10 cc or two tsp dish liquid soap, poured into a small spray bottle. I find this is good for cleaning greasy stovetops also. This solution kills bacteria, fungi, and viruses as well. Vinegar is 5 percent acetic acid. The best thing about this DIY cleansing solution is that it is not toxic, unless you drink it. Brisk walking is in For decades, physicians have been advising people to jog, but now there are evidences that jogging all those years have led to degenerative (wear and tear) injuries to the spine, hip joints, knee joints and ankles, some requiring surgery (like knee or hip replacements, etc.). Brisk walking, the minimal impact form of exercise with the same benefits but lesser complications, is in.
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Rewriting your own story “ A useless life is an early death.” — Goethe a rogue asteroid about 7 miles long, possibly got unhinged off its orbit in the asteroid belt, hit the earth with such impact, setting off a series of volcanic eruptions that covered the atmosphere with ash far above the stratosphere, so that sunlight could not penetrate through the haze for years, killing off the plant life, upsetting and destroying the food chain balance and effectively starving and wiping the dinosaurs off the face of the earth 65 million years ago. Here is earth’s tabula rasa story — starting on a clean slate, a new lease on life. When the reptiles died, mammals, of which we are classified under, began their ascent. Human beings with purpose came to be. Yet each man’s purpose is nebulous and not always obvious. Purpose does not come as clear as the light of day. We have to seek it out. Either by choice or circumstance, some exceptional ones find their purpose early enough and proceed to fulfill it. But the great majority of people on the bell curve don’t have the nose to sense their true north. Most of us of the garden variety meander about our lives trying different things until we finally stumble upon it by trial and error. The annals of history are rife with such stories. St. Paul nourished the beginnings of the early Christian church through his numerous travels. But he didn’t start out that way. He was just as passionate about persecuting Christians before he was tapped from above to a complete conversion, a 360 degree change of heart. Edwin Hubble, the great astronomer who lived in the nineteen twenties and for whom the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is named for his outstanding achievements in expanding our view of the universe, tried different things before finding out what he was meant to do. In college, Hubble played championship basketball and even tried boxing. After fighting in World War I, he studied law,
tried lawyering for a year and obviously didn’t like it. Something must have happened because he went back to college to study astronomy and finally found his footing and his purpose in life. That’s what most of us do. We try different lives, put on different hats, multitask like crazy, until one day, by God’s grace, we find the one true thing that matches heaven’s purpose. Here’s one caveat though: just don’t run out of time. No one wants to leave with unfinished business. If our stations in life allow us the luxury of choice, then more than likely, we will be meandering too and trying different things before coming on board to the ship that will likely bring us to the port of our purpose. We don’t really have to wait for something dramatic, traumatic or tragic to happen to get us on track to finding that purpose. But do go to the right source. Nix the harebrained ideas coming from most of the media about what that purpose might be. When it comes to things that matter, most of the mainstream media has proven itself to be unworthy of trust. They lie like hell’s minions. Media is no longer just for profit. These days, media has morphed into a diabolical tool to push an agenda of evil intent particularly among the young, the naïve and the foolish. Tune out of the external world and go deep within. If you pray hard enough and long enough and live in the silence for a little while, chances are, you’ll find it, whatever IT may be. You can then begin rewriting your own story on a new document page. AND if the stars are in alignment when you were born, perhaps, conclude the last chapter of your life story with that much sought-after ending that says, “ AND ( supply your name here) lived happily ever after……” *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
Life-saving tips Done at tolerable, comfortable, speed, at least 5 times a week; brisk walking confers great health benefits, to ward off (or minimize complications of) metabolic, cardiovascular diseases. Exercise is also anti-Alzheimer’s and anticancer. Yes, regular exercise, amazingly, does all those. Vegetables, fruits, nuts These three food items are not only effective in reducing the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke; but studies have also shown that when eaten daily; vegetables of all colors, fruits, and nuts, also lowers the risk for cancer. Of course, calories from all these should be considered when calculating the daily caloric intake for those with diabetes and or persons trying to lose weight. Unlike carbohydrates (rice, soft drinks, bread, pasta, ice-cream, all sweets, etc., which are inflammatory food items), these are anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants and could be eaten as much as one wants daily (instead of carbs and meats) and still maintain a desired weight. Deadly peanut allergy Airlines used to give its passengers peanuts or snacks. They have stopped this practice because of severe peanuts allergies among children which on occasions have caused severe shortness of breath, anaphylactic shock or even death. When someone eats peanuts, even several rows away, people who are allergic to peanuts could develop a reaction. So airlines have done away with peanuts and give pretzels and cookies (without nuts) instead. Epi Pen or adrenalin ampoules Severe allergic reaction could be fatal. Our friends, a surgeon and a pediatrician, lost their 18-year-old daughter, who was allergic to horses; went to a barn with her friends, immediately had a violent reaction and died on the spot. She did not have any adrenalin injection with her. Two other friends of ours lost their 18-year-old son to severe asthma because he did not have any adrenalin with him. And these are not isolated cases. The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics reported that, “2,458 deaths due to anaphylaxis and additional 593 deaths due to fatal allergic reactions identified over a twelve-year period.” And most of these did not have an injectable drug with them to rapidly counteract the allergic reaction. EpiPen (one-hand self-injected adrenalin) or adrenalin ampoule (given with a tuberculin syringe) are available for individuals with allergies, and rescue inhalers for
those with asthma and COPD for urgent situations to combat severe shortness of breath from bronchial (breathing pipe) constriction-spasm. Having these lifesaver drugs on hand at all times (in a purse or pocket) could stave off a catastrophe. Food allergy can kill It is not well known but food allergies can kill. Many individuals are allergic to seafood, some to all types, others to specific ones — like shrimp or crab or lobster. I know of someone allergic to bagoong (shrimp paste) only, and another to shrimp only. Rarely, to MSG (Mono Sodum Glutamate, “vetsin,” food taste enhancer. I lost a classmate and fellow cardiac surgeon who was attending a conference in Nice, France, where he was to be inducted president of a Filipino association. Tired of eating French foods, he and his wife went to a Chinese restaurant and told the waitress that he was allergic to MSG. After swallowing food a couple of times, he had severe shortness of breath, an anaphylactic reaction, and died on the spot. When ordering, it might be prudent to instruct the food server repeatedly, 3 or 4 times, to make sure he/she understood. If needed, ask for a translator. Re-confirmed: Soft drinks are toxic I have been advising my readers (newspaper column, website, and of my book) for years to stay away from soft drinks of any kind, cola or uncola, regular or diet, flavored or not, zero or 100, especially for children. This is because these drinks are toxic to our body and increase our risk for metabolic syndrome (a cluster of medical conditions, like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fats, abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels) that elevate one’s risk for the development of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. New studies have re-confirmed the toxicity of soft drinks and the diseases they cause in the long run. The question is: why do we have to swallow any poison at all in the first place? *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 15-21, 2019
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2019 Las Vegas Food Festival Torch Run set on September 27 IN conjunction with the Greek Food Festival, we conduct a 26.2 mile Torch Relay Run to raise money for Charity. This year, we are proud to support the Johnny Crisstopher Children’s Charitable Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and provide funds for research, treatment, and – ultimately - a cure. (https://crissangel.com/donations/). Money for this great Charity is raised by this event by having people who want to run a one mile leg of the Run obtain pledges and also by having people directly donate money to support the run. 100% of all monies raised by the Torch Run will go directly to the Charity, and in addition, 100% of all monies received by the Charity go directly to the fight against pediatric cancer.
The run begins with a torch lighting ceremony at 2 pm Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Tivoli Village in Summerlin. The torch will then be carried along the selected route by the various runners who have obtained monetary pledges to help us support the Johnny Crisstopher Children’s Charitable Foundation. There will be a police escort for the entire course of the run followed by two limousines to collect runners after their run. One of the limousines can take runners back to their cars after they run their respective leg of the run should they desire. The torch will arrive at the Festival on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church at approximately 7pm, at which time we will light the festival flame.
Calendar of Events across
Although we open the festival at 3 pm that same day, the lighting of the flame is kind of our official opening of the Festival. We invite all runners who participate in the relay to join together in running the final leg as we bring the torch on to the festival grounds. All participants in the run will receive a t-shirt to commemorate the event. In addition, all participants will be the guests of St. John Church for a complimentary dinner at the Festival, at any time during the Festival. People who wish to donate to the Torch Run, can go to the Festival Website at LVGFF.com. People who wish to run or who desire more information can call the church at 702-221-8245 or Gus Flangas at 702-307-9500.
America
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS AU G U ST 1 5 -1 8
NaFFAA’s National Empowerment Conference in Carson, CA Registration is now open for NaFFAA’s 2019 National Empowerment Conference in Carson, CA on August 15 to 18. The NEC is the premier gathering of community leaders uniting to engage in dialogue about issues affecting over four million Filipinos across the United States, while building a clear and unified vision of community empowerment for 2020 and beyond. Register before April 30 to qualify for discounted Early Bird registration prices for the full conference pass (3-day pass + gala ticket) which are $80 for students; $180 for NaFFAA members; and $200 for regular. For more information on the 2019 National Empowerment Conference, visit naffaa.org/2019nec, or email us at nec@naffaa.org.
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Liliw Association of East Coast USA Celebrates 30th Anniversary The Liliw Association of East Coast USA is calling on their fellow Liliweños to join the organization as it celebrates its 30th Anniversary with a number of events. On August 17, Saturday, a welcome picnic will happen at the Ross Dock Picnic Area of the Palisades Interstate Park in Fort Lee, New Jersey from 12 noon to 7:00 pm. The following day, Sunday, August 18 is the anniversary lunch from 12 noon to 4:30 pm at Waterside Restaurant (7800 River Road in North Bergen, NJ). From August 19 to 30 is an optional East Coast Sightseeing Bus Tour. Send an email to Liliw Association of East Coast USA President Teresita Guina at tessguina3@gmail.com or call her at (201) 913-7800.
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Pinay Empowerment Brunch in Los Angeles Join a delicious and inspiring Sunday brunch on Sunday, August 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) hosts the popular Pinay Empowerment Brunch in Los Angeles! Panels include Jessica Caloza (commissioner of LA Board of Public Works), Rachel Macalisang, sommelier of Kobrand Corp., Michelle Marquez, managing director of Marquez Private Wealth Management of Raymond James, and Charlene Podlipna, vice president at Freeman & Mills. Moderated by Karen Zarsadiaz-Ige, communications manager at LA County Fire Department. Ticketed guests will enjoy a gourmet Filipino-inspired brunch by the chefs at Barkada and experience a live panel of dynamic Filipina American leaders discussing careers, identity, diversity and empowerment. Tickets can be purchased at www.sipaempowermentbrunch.eventbrite.com for $40 (online presale) and $50 for general admission.
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Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School reunion in Las Vegas The Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School (RMCHS) International will hold its fifth biennial reunion and we are calling all graduates or former students to come out and join up at the “2019 RMCHS International Reunion (Several Paths … One Reunion)” on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at Gold Coast Hotel and Casino (4000 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103). For reservations or information, please contact the following: Rommel B. Fajardo (Batch ’78) at (301) 655-4469 or e-mail: rommelbf@gmail.com or Lamberto Glory (Batch ’74) at (210) 542-7575 or e-mail: threeglories@msn.com. You may also visit the RMCHS 2019 International Reunion Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1302890069812234.
SEPTEMBER 7
UPAAGLA Grand Gala in Los Angeles The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. at the LA Grand Hotel (333 S. Figuera St, Los Angeles, CA). With the theme “Taking U.P. To The Future” the event will have Distinguished U.P. Alumni Guests including Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo, Philippine Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz and current University of the Philippines President Danilo L. Concepcion. All U.P. Alumni are invited and encouraged to attend. To RSVP and for Gala details, visit https://upaagla2019gala.eventbrite.com. Early Bird pricing is $85 until July 15, Regular pricing is $100. Sponsor packages are still available to get better pricing plus perks, please inquire by contacting upaagla.sponsor@gmail.com. Special Booking rate at the LA Grand Hotel for Sept 7 is available for $189/night at https://bit.ly/310GWWY. To inquire about UPAAGLA, please send email to upaagla.prez@gmail.com
AAPI Democratic Presidential Forum in Orange County, CA AAPI Progressive Action, in partnership with Asian Americans Rising Action Fund, will host the AAPI Community Action Summit at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Orange County, CA on Saturday, September 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. At the AAPI Community Action Summit, leaders and advocates from across the country will gather to showcase our emerging movement, which is based on the belief that we are stronger when we work together with common purpose to serve our communities. Each session will feature new ideas, new capacities and new leaders who are building a movement that celebrates our diversity and binds us all together as Americans. It will be held at The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa (686 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626). In the evening, there will be the AAPI Summer Soiree at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. Come meet and mingle with top influencers and enjoy a night filled with good food, great company and fantastic entertainment. Registered attendees of the AAPI Community Action Summit may purchase a limited number of discounted tickets at $100 per person as a participating “Community Partner.”
SEPTEMBER 8
Philippines Cultural Day in Pasadena, CA The USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, CA is hosting a Philippines Cultural Day on Sunday, September 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy performances, artmaking activities, a chef conversation, and storytime for kids. Free admission all day! This event will present a collaboration of performing artists from Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, and Rocksteady Rondalla. Other partners include Bone Kettle Restaurant, Barnsdall Arts, and the Philippine Expressions Bookshop. The USC Pacific Asia Museum is located at 46 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, California 91101
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‘Friends…Unplugged,’ a benefit concert in Los Angeles The Philippine Disaster Relief Organization (PeDRO), in partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation International, presents ‘Friends…Unplugged,’ a benefit concert in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 22 at 3 p.m. at the Aratani Theater (244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Artists included Becca Godinez, Morris Albert, Odette Quesada, Ner De Leon and Kevin Click. Additional artists to be announced. Tickets are $65 for lower orchestra, $45 for upper orchestra and $35 for Balcony.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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Meet Jin Macapagal, the ultimate bidaman Ai-Ai says ‘Thank You’ by Kane
errol Choa Philstar.com
JIN Macapagal was hailed as the first Ulimate BidaMan after beating 20 other contestants in “BidaMan, The Big Break,” the search for the new Kapamilya leading man in the popular noontime show It’s Showtime. Jin, who was described as a Rico Yan look-alike by judge Edu Manzano, earned a total score of 8.9 from the panel of judges for his monologue performance in the final round. The 24-year old winner from Cebu said he is dedicating his victory to his mom, who had to fly back to the U.S. two weeks before the grand finals. “Sana andito ang mama ko kasi ginawa ko ito para sa kanya. I hope I make her proud,” said Jin in an interview after the finals held at the Kia Theater. “Every time nahihinaan ako ng loob, tumatawag ako sa kanya. Sinasabi niya sa akin, ‘Kaya mo iyan, believe in yourself. Whatever is the outcome, I know you did your best,’” he added. The days leading to the finals brought were unnerving and agonizing for Jin as he had to wait until Friday to compete for a slot in the finals. “The pressure was intense. I asked myself a lot of times if I could make it and the people close to me would encourage me,” he recalled. “I invested my time in this contest and gave my best.” It was not the first time for Jin to join a TV contest. In 2016, he competed in the singing-reality competition “Pinoy Boyband Superstar,” but did not make it. “When I joined ‘Pinoy Boyband Superstar,’ I was not confident with my singing. With ‘BidaMan,’
Jin struts on stage during the talent round.
EMPLOYMENT
by riCKy
Calderon ManilaTimes.net
Jin Macapagal with his trophy
his ground in a live acting improvisation with actress Jane Oineza. Joining showbiz has been a childhood dream. Somehow, his semblance to the late Rico Yan was a factor as people would often complement him. For now, he is excited to work, “I don’t want to disappoint the people who trusted me. Pagbubutihan ko.” Competing against Jin in the final Spotlight round were Eris Aragoza, who got a score of 8.6, and Jiro Custodio, who obtained a score of 8.3 from the judges. Aside from Edu, the other judges were “It’s Showtime” creator and director Bobet Vidanes, Nadine Lustre, Ian Veneracion, Joshua Garcia, Ruel Bayani, and Angel Locsin. The other BidaMan finalists who made it to the top 6 were Yuki Sakamoto, Dan Delgado, and Madlang People’s Choice winner Ron Macapagal. Six young actresses joined the BidaMan finalists in the Matinee Matibay acting improvisation. Apart from Jane, the other actresses were Yassi Pressman, Denise Laurel, Janella Salvador, Maris Racal, and Elisse Joson. Special awards were given to Wize Estabillo for Bida Smile, Jay Dizon for Bida Bilidad, Johannes Rissler for Bida Brod, and Jervy de los Reyes for Bida Bod. At the end of the contest, “It’s Showtime” aired a teaser plug about its new contest called “Mr. ABS-CBN photos Q and A.”
I was able to show what I can offer as a leading man. So I try to stick to my game plan, which is to be myself,” he said. As the Ulimate BidaMan, Jin won P2 million, a brand new SsangYong Muso pick-up truck, a house and lot from Lumina, and a management and movie contract with ABS-CBN. When asked who among the Kapamilya actresses he would want to work with in the future, Jin said it would be Kathryn Bernardo. “Sobrang galing umarte ni Kathryn. Maganda siya and I know she is a genuine person,” he said, adding that he would not mind being a third wheel in a film with Kathryn and Daniel Padilla. In Saturday’s finals, Jin held
FOR RENT
TRUST Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas to come up with the catchiest titles for her movie, the latest one being “And Ai, Thank You.” Directed by Joven Tan, Ai plays a celebrity in the film with a glam team at her disposal. “I look really good in this movie. Maganda ako palagi rito kasi nga artista ako di’ba?” she said in her trademark funny woman way. She describes her character though as “salbahe,” which basically means bad, but one that will see a transformation in the end. “Her experiences made her tough. She went through a lot that’s why she became somehow bad, pero siyempre may bawi rin sa ending,” Ai asserted. The comedian can naturally relate to the role as a celebrity herself who has gone through her fair share of trials and tribulations. Looking back at her life at this point, however, all she feels
— just like the title of her movie — is gratitude. She is grateful she still has a thriving career and that producers continue to trust her. “I also never forget to thank God for all the blessings He has given me. I wouldn’t be able to achieve success if I didn’t have a strong faith in God,” the devout Catholic added. She jokes that had social media been around during her early years in showbiz, she wouldn’t have lasted three decades in the industry. “Baka nalaos siguro ako agad kung may social media na at that time because of all the controversies I’ve been through.” As some of her fans may know, Ai-Ai is doing several movies this year because she wants to take a break in 2020 to try and have a baby with husband Gerald Sibayan. Joining her in And Ai, “Thank You” are fellow comedians Rufa Mae Quinto, Kakai Bautista, Dennis Padilla and Joey Paras among Ai-Ai delas Alas many others.
GMA photo
Miguel, a celeb for most of his life, accepts ‘need to evolve’ by
oliver Pulumbarit Inquirer.net
NOTHING stays the same in show business, especially if you’ve seen yourself grow alongside your actor, friends and viewers. This is especially true for former child star Miguel Tanfelix, who entered the biz 15 years ago. “Everything changes—people’s preferences, the genres of the shows that producers give you,” Miguel told the Inquirer in Filipino. “You need to evolve because you can’t show the same thing over and over to the audience.” The 20-year-old actor is currently starring in “Sahaya,” a GMA 7 series that he finds rewarding for different reasons. “This is the transition of my career, from teen roles to more mature roles, which I’ll be taking on more in the future. Ahmad, my character, is very serious,” said Miguel of the role, a young Badjao man smitten with the title character Sahaya, played by Bianca Umali. The handsome actor, who also sang the show’s closing theme “Baleleng,” added: “In terms of knowledge in acting, I’m learn-
Miguel Tanfelix
ing a lot from our director, Zig Dulay.” Working with Bianca again is a breeze, said Miguel, who also starred with her in “Banal,” a horror film released last May. According to the actor, he would welcome opportunities to grow out of the “BiGuel” love team, whether it’s a solo starrer or a pairing with
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Photo from Instagram/@migueltanfelix_
others, since there is an industry trend of shuffling onscreen partners for film projects. “I’m happy with the love team because there are things that I achieve through my teamwork with Bianca. But I’m open and willing to do individual projects, kasi it’s also part of growing as an artist.”
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Features
In Netflix’s ‘Happy Jail,’ Fil-Am filmmaker Michele Josue shows Cebu jail is more than viral dancing inmates By Christina M. Oriel AJPress
WHILE the Philippine island of Cebu boasts some of the best beaches in the country, it has also gained international attention for its jail that features dancing as a recreational activity for inmates. Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security prison, made headlines in 2007 after a video of around 1,500 inmates dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” went viral. Twelve years later, that original video has reached 58.5 million views. Visitors have also flocked to the jail to watch the inmates dance live; at one point, monthly performances were open to the public. But beyond the choreography, what actually goes on inside the prison? Filipina American filmmaker Michele Josue had the same question, which led to the creation of “Happy Jail,” a five-part documentary series premiering globally on Netflix on Wednesday, August 14. After finishing the documentary “Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine” — which won the Daytime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Special Class Special” in 2016 as well as 10 Best Documentary and Audience Choice Awards globally — Josue shifted gears to the Cebu jail and spent three years filming there. In that time, the Philippine government ushered in a new administration and CPDRC
“Happy Jail” by Filipina American filmmaker Michele Josue is a five-part docu-series available globally on Netflix. Photos courtesy of Netflix
faced scrutiny when it hired an ex-convict as a management consultant. What was intended to be a documentary on the dancing program evolved into “an in-depth, humanistic document of the complexities of life at CPDRC,” Josue said. In a recent interview with the Asian Journal, the Filipina American filmmaker walks us through the filming process and shares hopes it will bring more nuanced Filipino and Fil-Am stories to a global platform like Netflix. Asian Journal (AJ): What were some influences growing up that led you to become a filmmaker? Michele Josue (MJ): My parents are from the Philippines… a very small town in Negros [Occidental] Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Michele called Sagay City. My mom got a Josue
job at the International Monetary Fund in D.C. so she came over to the states in her 20s and my dad followed. They wanted to start a new life. We were born and [lived in] Maryland. Through my mom’s work, I got the opportunity to study abroad at an international boarding school in Switzerland and it was there where my love of art, story and theater took place…A foundational part of our curriculum at that school was learning about the arts and seeing important works in museums…I started writing my own plays and casting my friends in them and that’s when I discovered I had a lot more fulfillment being behind the scenes. Then I applied to film school at Emerson and it goes on from there. I discovered documentary many, many years PAGE 14
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In Netflix’s “Happy Jail... PAGE 13
REUNION. REUNION. After more than 50 years, the Philippine Women’s University High School class of 1965 gathered in Las Vegas from August 5 to 8. They visited Red Rock Casino buffet, Orleans Casino, Caesar’s Palace, Planet Hollywood and also enjoyed the Filipino food at Max’s Restaurant. These classmates flew from Manila, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Texas and New York. They’re hoping to meet again in October 2020 in Houston. Photos courtesy of 1965 PWU
later. AJ: How did you land on documentaries as your form of storytelling? MJ: It’s really interesting because I went to film school in the ‘90s. There was such a good wave of films back then, especially independently speaking — just really well-written films. [Quentin] Tarantino was coming up and I thought that was going to be my avenue. Through a job I got doing short documentaries for schools and universities, like branded content, I realized for me, I loved connecting to real people, being open and listening to them. I found that real people and real stories were just so much more fascinating and layered than anything I could write. I feel that was something I enjoyed and found satisfying. AJ: After “Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine,” what was next in finding another story and developing ‘Happy Jail’ based on the viral video in 2007? MJ: Both of these stories were happening at the same time, at least for me. I wanted to make “Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine” when I was ready and I had the blessing of Matt’s family. That was around 2007, which was when the viral YouTube video of “Thriller” came out. I found that equally compelling but I wanted to focus on Matt Shepard. When I felt that could truly stand on its own legs, I switched focus to the dancing inmates. It was something that stuck with me even through the whole “Matt Shepard
“Happy Jail” features the famous dancing program at Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in Cebu, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Netflix
is a Friend of Mine” filming period. I saw the video and was so fascinated by it and had so many questions. How was it possible that the inmates were able to dance so joyfully and [be] united together within this jail system? I knew I would go back to that as soon as I was ready. AJ: What the process in terms of planning out how you would film and get access to the Cebu jail as well as to local politicians and public figures? MJ: The first step was having to see [the jail] with my own two eyes. It’s one thing to see it on YouTube, but another to actually be there in person and see if this is really a worthy endeavor. I went to the Philippines with my family in the summer of 2014 and saw [the inmates] dance this beautiful, 45-minute Michael Jackson medley and I got goosebumps. I was looking at different inmates in the crowd and seeing their faces…so happy to be performing, to hear the music and to be moving like that was when I knew that yes, this is something I indeed wanted to do and explore but it was only a few years later when I could devote the amount of time it needed. We took a spec trip to the jail in 2016 and tried to get the lay of the land. It wasn’t like a methodically thought-out process. It was more of we took it very slowly over many years. We started this project as more straightforward on the dancing inmates and that program but because of the timing and what was happening at the jail, it just grew bigger and things kept unfolding. As a whole team, we pivoted and followed the action wherever that led us. That took us to speaking with the local government officials and just doing whatever we could to follow the story. It was more of a long, organic process than something that was plotted out ahead of time. AJ: Was there any pushback or any challenges during the production? MJ: Surprisingly no! That still blows my mind. They were very welcoming and they let us have full access to the jail. We tried to be as low-key as possible and I very strongly believe in building trust and rapport on camera, as well as off-camera. We were there at the right time, or the wrong time, depending on how you look at it. They trusted us so there really wasn’t any pushback. It was just when the jail was changing and the administration was changing when we were starting to feel that from a production standpoint so access was not as open by the end of our show’s narrative. AJ: How did Netflix get involved to have “Happy Jail” as a five-part series versus a full-on documentary? MJ: Our conversations with Netflix happened pretty early on, which was amazing. Our executive producer Joe Amodei has a very good relationship with Netflix so when we started filming, Joe brought this to their attention in the early days and it was something that piqued their interest…Netflix [is] an amazing, powerful platform…[with] some of the boldest stories out there so we thought this would be a perfect home for “Happy Jail.” AJ: The Netflix catalog has the popular series “Orange Is The New Black” and they’ve done documentaries on prisons around the world. Where does “Happy Jail” fit into Netflix’s offerings and what can we learn as viewers about the Philippine jail system and even Filipino culture? MJ: We’re at the forefront of that movement, in my opinion. Netflix is wonderful in that it’s so diverse both within their stories and their cultural offerings. Netflix is around the world and our show will be available in 190 countries…The world is interested in what’s happening on the other side of the globe. There are so many amazing filmmakers and storytellers from the Philippines and we’re starting to get our stories out there and we’re starting to tell it the way we want it to be told. It’s awesome to have a champion in Netflix which understands that and can provide those stories to international audiences. AJ: At the end of the day, what is the call to action after watching “Happy Jail?”
MJ: “Happy Jail” is an extraordinary story and one that we definitely don’t see in the mainstream. The inmates are some of the most vulnerable people in society without a voice. I’m proud of “Happy Jail” providing them that platform. There are people suffering, communities suffering and “Happy Jail” puts a human face to that. But there’s also this inspirational element to it as well that I think is a touchpoint for Filipinos all around the world that they understand we are able to find joy, happiness and hope in the face of incredible challenges and hardships. That is what “Happy Jail” does very well. The world is better served recognizing that. Also representation — just showing people that this is happening and making them aware and connecting to it on a human level so that it may resonate deeply and that they may want to get more educated and see what can be done. Just think about these things in a more empathic way. Ultimately that’s our job as storytellers to provide that opportunity for people to step into other people’s shoes that they may not normally get to relate to at all. AJ: Without giving too much away, are there any particular moments/scenes within the episodes that continue to resonate with you? MJ: Absolutely! It’s really hard to answer that without giving it away for sure. But I’ll say one funny thing, anytime we went to start filming for the day…we’d have maybe a 30-minute drive up to the mountain to the jail and we’d talk as a crew about what we would prepare for and what we were going to film. But we always knew that as soon as we got there, things would change. It reminds me of an episode in “The Simpsons,” how an episode starts one way and then it pivots and becomes about something else. I take that with me, just how the pace is so fast and it kept me on my toes. There are so many moments I can pinpoint to throughout the show where I could say, “Oh yeah, that was totally unexpected,” especially at the end of episode 3 — we did not see that happening. A lot of dances were wonderful and I’ll always take that with me. AJ: “Happy Jail” drops on August 14 and the organization FilAm Arts is holding a community screening in Los Angeles for it the day after. What else can we expect from you and any other projects you’re working on in the future? MJ: I’m not quite sure as we’re kind of taking it day by day. I’m an independent filmmaker through and through and I’ve never worked at this level where something I’ve created is going to be seen or available around the globe simultaneously…It’s very overwhelming so I’m trying to be as open and as grateful to the opportunity as I can. I would love to do more ‘Happy Jails’ as possible. I see there are endless amounts of fascinating stories coming out of the Philippines and especially with the dancing inmates. I do hope to create more stories that amplify the Filipino and Filipino American experience but other than that, I am hoping for the best for the show and I hope it helps other shows like it come to light as well. AJ: What have you learned about yourself as a filmmaker through this and any advice for aspiring storytellers? MJ: I think it’s the same lessons that keep repeating itself to me over and over throughout my career. You always have to be a champion for yourself and not expect someone else to come in and be that superman or superwoman for you. No one is going to be a bigger advocate for yourself and your voice than you. So knowing and leaning into that is always my ultimate lesson. It’s really what you put into the project. I’m passionate, tenacious and hardworking and I think that comes across in my work. I would say to anyone to just know it’s not easy but it’s worth it and you do have to have that passion and drive. In the end, it really, really is worth it and it’s important what we do…for people to see stories like this because otherwise, they won’t know about it. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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