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AUGUST 22-28, 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. 34 • 16 Pages
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USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Duterte vows to assert ruling Hague on disputed sea even if it angers Xi Jinping by
CHRISTIA MARIE RAMOS Inquirer.net
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker and immigrant advocate Jose Antonio Vargas gives his a speech as school officials listen at the dedication ceremony for the newly-opened Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School on Thursday, August 15. AJPress photo by Joseph Peralta
MANILA — Nobody can stop President Rodrigo Duterte from asserting the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague even it angers Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This was Duterte’s vow Wednesday, August 21, speaking before participants and guests of a solar power project inauguration in Romblon and days ahead of his scheduled fifth trip to China on August 28. “The first thing I will bring up before [Xi Jinping] there is the arbitral ruling,”
he said, insisting that nobody could control what he would say. “If I’m not allowed as a president of a sovereign nation to talk whatever I want to talk about, then let us not rather talk altogether. No. Do not control my mouth because that is a gift from God,” he added.
The president recalled how Xi told him not to raise the landmark PCA decision, which invalidated China’s nine-dash line or expansive claims in the South China Sea. “There has got to be something. You cannot just talk air and they said let’s not
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Duterte: Emulate Ninoy Silicon Valley elementary Aquino’s ‘remarkable life’ school named after Filipino Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, immigration activist
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.— After seeing two schools close down in the city over the past 19 years, an elementary school named after a Filipino Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and immigration activist was officially opened in a dedication ceremony on Thursday, August 15 attended by district officials, faculty and community members. The newly-built Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School — which will initially offer kindergarten to 4th grade due to district rezoning — is
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Mayweather denies Pacquiao rematch rumors
RETIRED boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. denied any comeback fight that would lead to his potential rematch with reigning World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in the Middle East. In reaction to the social media video appeared in Arabnews.com last Sunday, the undefeated Mayweather (50-0 record with 27 knockouts) said the video was recorded a long time ago. “The video that you all been seeing is false because I’ve been went to Saudi Arabia. I went there a long time ago,” Mayweather told Ben Thompson of Fighthype.com. Mayweather stated also to Fighthype.com that his visit to Saudi Arabia was in January — nearly nine months ago. “I talked to them about me fighting there, just different fights, but they wanted me to spe-
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by CATHERINE
VALENTE ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, August 21, called on Filipinos to reflect on the sacrifice of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., as he expressed hope that life of the former senator will move government workers “to serve with honor, integrity and purpose.” The nation on Wednesday observed the Ninoy Aquino Day, which marks the assassination of the former senator at the tarmac of the former Manila International Airport on Aug. 21, 1983. In his message on the 36th Ninoy Aquino Day,
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Filipino American Sonny Vinuya (center), president of the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce, shares small business highlights under the Trump administration during a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, August 20 alongside former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt (right) and other business owners in the city. Tuesday’s event is part of a nationwide business tour organized by the Republican National Committee. AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal
Dengue task force: No to revival of Dengvaxia Las Vegas AAPI business owners by SHIELA
CRISOSTOMO Philstar.com
share strides under Trump admin
MANILA — The National Dengue Task Force will not recommend the restoration of the certificate of by CHRISTINA M. ORIEL AND KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress product registration (CPR) for Dengvaxia, citing evidence that showed the vaccine is not effective in preventing dengue infection. DESPITE reports of an impending recession go- jobs that have been created since 2017. “In Calabarzon, there are patients who were vac- ing into 2020, several Asian American and Pacific The Silver State is reportedly experiencing the cinated but still developed dengue. So what’s the use Islanders in Las Vegas argue that their businesses fastest job growth rate in the United States for the u PAGE 2 have been strong since President Donald Trump 10th straight month. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate is took office. Members of the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of 4.1%, nearly cut in half since Trump first took ofCommerce, together with former Nevada Attorney fice when the rate was around 8%. “A lot of businesses found it difficult to take risks General Adam Laxalt, led a roundtable discussion on Tuesday, August 20 to share how the current or to take on another employee because you didn’t administration’s policies have been beneficial for know if some regulation was going to strangle your business,” Laxalt added. “The president has them. “We are here to discuss the great economic suc- cut more regulations on business than any other cesses of Nevada and our great country and we president, and we’re all very grateful for that.” Filipino American Sonny Vinuya, president of want to hear real life stories from businesses across the valley about how President Trump’s economic the chamber, cited that at least 21,000 businesses policies have allowed you all to grow and expand in the state are AAPI-owned. About 300 alone are and be successful businesses,” Laxalt told cham- stretched across Las Vegas’ Chinatown. Eduardo Janairo (right), head of the National Dengue Task Force, and DOH ber members at the meeting, touting 117,000 new u PAGE 5 Epidemiology Bureau director Ferchito Avelino Philstar.com photo
Robredo camp asks: Why is OSG focusing on sedition case? by NEIL
ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net
MANILA — Why this particular case? Barry Gutierrez, the spokesperson of Vice President Leni Robredo, asked this question as he hit the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) again on Wednesday, August 21, for its involvement in the sedition case filed against the country’ secondhighest government official. Gutierrez, who is a lawyer, the OSG, despite the thousands of cases filed by the government, opted to get involved in the sedition case filed against Robredo and several others over the release of the controversial Bikoy narcolist videos linking President Rodrigo Duterte’s relatives and allies to the illegal drug trade.
“Why are you meddling in this particular case? There are thousands of criminal cases that the government files every year against so many other people,” Gutierrez, speaking partly in Filipino, told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of the Political Persecution in a Time of Democracy Forum in Quezon City. “May of those cases involve plunder — big cases involving government funds, involving government power, etc. Why this particular case?” he added. Gutierrez made these remarks after the OSG sought the permission of the Department of Justice to be allowed to represent police in the preliminary investigation of the sedition case. The particular unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) involved in this case is the Crimi-
Vice President Leni Robredo posing for a photo with a portrait of her late husband Jesse Robredo. Photo from the Office of the Vice President
nal Investigation and Detection the respondents of the case have Group – National Capital Region already filed a motion with the Field Unit. DOJ seeking to disqualify the On the other hand, some of u PAGE 2
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Dengue task force: No to revival... PAGE 1 of bringing back Dengvaxia?” said Eduardo Janairo, task force chairman and Department of Health (DOH) regional director for Calabarzon. The task force was created last month by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to harmonize the monitoring and granting of medical assistance
to all vaccinated individuals in the Calabarzon, Central Luzon, National Capital and Western Visayas regions for five to 10 years. DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Ferchito Avelino also said he would not recommend a revival of the mass immunization using Dengvaxia, although he said individuals could avail
From The FronT Page
themselves of the vaccine if they wanted. Janairo pointed out to “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s OneNews channel last Monday that about 833,000 individuals, mostly students in public elementary schools, were given the vaccine. The Calabarzon region registered a total of 172,000 vaccinees, 26 of whom have developed dengue in the past week alone. Another data from DOHCalabarzon showed that a total of 98 Dengvaxia vaccinees have acquired dengue since January this year. For Janairo, the 26 cases already disprove the claim that Dengvaxia can prevent future dengue infection as he stressed that seven out of that number even received the complete cycle of three doses of the vaccine. Aside from this argument, he cited another factor to be considered in deciding whether or not Dengvaxia should be allowed again—the indication that it should not be given to those who have not had previous dengue infection. “There is no way to identify the persons who have had infections in the past and that’s the reason we cannot give that vaccine again,” Janairo said, adding that the parents of vaccinees, in previous meetings, have expressed strong objection to the return of Dengvaxia in the Philippine market. Last February, the Food and Drug Administration had permanently canceled the CPR of Dengvaxia after its manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, failed to submit post-marketing surveillance on the products. However, Sanofi Pasteur appealed late last month. Eliminate breeding sites Avelino said one of the best strategies to combat dengue is to eliminate all possible breeding sites of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. He added that it is not enough to remove water from a container, for instance, because mosquito eggs are “viable” or can survive for up to one year. “The eggs have glue-like sticker so, if you remove the water, you also have to scrape (the inside of a container). PAGE A5
Duterte vows to assert Hague...
PAGE 1 talk [about it], I said ‘no’,” he said. He reiterated that the Philippines would “not go to war” against China, but that he would insist that the PCA ruling be discussed during his trip to China later this month “But I will tell them, ‘You’ve always been saying we do not have to go to war, we do not have to go to trouble, and let us resolve this controversy peacefully’,” he said. “If I told you that before my term ends I will have to talk to the Chinese about it. So I will ask them. ‘As what you said, and what we agreed upon, we talk to resolve this problem peacefully. Now tell me, how do we start to resolve the problem peacefully?’,” he added. Duterte earlier said Xi warned him of trouble during their first bilateral meeting in October 2016 if the Philippines would press its claim in the South China Sea. “So whether you like it or not, it will make you happy or not, angry or otherwise, I’m sorry. But we have to talk about the arbitral ruling,” he said, apparently addressing his remark to Beijing. He also said he wanted the proposed joint oil exploration between Manila and Beijing in the disputed sea to progress. “Then what we get, if there is a start in the exploration and ex-
NEW ENVOY. President Rodrigo Duterte prepares to receive the credentials of Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Philippines Alain Gaschen during a ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, August 20. Malacanañang photo by Rey Baniquet
traction of whatever there is in the bowels of the earth, the proposal of 60-40 in our favor, would be a good start. I hope that it would graduate into something like towards how do we solve the arbitral ruling peacefully,” he said. “You know, if you study the sentence very very carefully, if we cannot go to war because we cannot simply afford it; we cannot afford violence, trouble because it is not the norm of the day just to kill people just for this disagreement, then let us talk about what is
there, you have to share with us,” he added. He said he would not allow that China benefits from the resources in the disputed sea at the expense of the Philippines. “Any other adventures or expeditions in the marine oceans in our exclusive economic zones will have a direct bearing in that arbitral ruling. Hindi ako papayag na TY ‘yan (I will not allow a ‘Thank You’). Hindi naman ako makipagaway (But I won’t pick a fight),” he said. n
Robredo camp asks: Why is OSG... PAGE 1 OSG from involvement in the case. Potential conflict of interest Gutierrez argued that, from a legal standpoint, the OSG could not get involved in the case. According to him, the Revised Administrative Code mandates the OSG to represent the government at the appellate level — not preliminary investigation level — in criminal cases. “I have never encountered an OSG official at the preliminary investigation level throughout my entire experience as a criminal lawyer,” Gutierrez said. “That’s one thing that they have to explain. Why is this case different? Why are you exerting time and effort that could be put in service to the public in representing a private complainant in this particular case?”
Gutierrez said that a conflict of interest might arise if the OSG were to be allowed to represent a private complainant. In this case, the complainant is Peter Joemel Advincula, who initially introduced himself as the hooded man in the Bikoy videos but later recanted his claims and said that the videos were released as a part of a plot to oust the President. “In this particular case, I just want to clarify, they are representing a private complainant,” Gutierrez said. He noted that it was Advincula who signed a sworn statement — not the PNP. “It was simply the affidavit of Peter Joemel Advincula,” Gutierrez said. He explained how a conflict could arise by giving the following scenario.
If the case should be rejected at the preliminary investigation because the prosecution could prove that it has no merit, Advincula could take the case to the Court of Appeals. At that level, it would fall on the OSG to represent the prosecution — that is, the DOJ. “So how could they do that if at the preliminary investigation level it was Advincula whom they were representing?” Gutierrez said. The DOJ panel has yet to release a decision on the motion to disqualify OSG from the case. “You have to give the panel time to go over the arguments and make the ruling,” Gutierrez said. “Although for me, going over those who filed the motion, I think the panel will, hopefully, rule in favor of the motion to disqualify the OSG.” n
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A crowded school auditorium was on hand to listen to Vargas during the dedication ceremony of the Mountain View elementary school named after him. AJPress photos by Joseph Peralta
Silicon Valley elementary school named after... PAGE 1
named after Jose Antonio Vargas, who has roots in Mountain View. Vargas was thrust to national prominence when he revealed in 2011 that he was an undocumented immigrant, having been brought to the United States in 1993 at the age of 12 to live with his grandparents. He has narrated his story in a 2013 film called “Documented” and in a memoir, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen,” published in 2018. The undocumented Filipino journalist was among the list of individuals suggested as plausible choices for the school name. The others were former U.S. President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, former Mountain View School Board member Gail Urban Moore, Bay Area philanthropist Ruth Clouse Chance and U.S. Navy Admiral Grace Hopper. According to current school district Board of Trustees President Tamara Wilson, who was then Mountain View Whisman trustee, the Obamas and Vargas were neck-to-neck during the count, followed by Moore, and it all came down to a board vote. “I believe it was four yes and one abstention on voting for Mr. Vargas as the name of the school,” Wilson told the Asian Journal. For his part, Mountain View Whisman School District Superintendent Dr. Ayinde Rudolph related to the Asian Journal that the School Board of Trustees went into further deliberations as members wanted to also honor the other top choices. “So they named the preschools after Barack & Michelle Obama, and dedicated the new boardroom to the former board member, which is now known as the Gail
The dedication plaque for the Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School in the Mountain View Whisman School District.
Urban Moore Leadership Center,” he said. In his speech before a jampacked auditorium on Thursday, Vargas confessed to nerves as he was preparing the night before the dedication ceremony. “I have been traveling nonstop all across the country. I’ve given a thousand speeches in eight years probably. I even speak to people who don’t like me, who don’t agree with me,” he said, to audience laughter. “You think that someone who gives that many speeches will be fine with this…This has been very nerve-wracking to write this speech, and I think I’ve been so nervous because I have never given a speech in front of an elementary school.” But he received advice from a new friend, who has been a teacher for a long time, and who told him that “they [the students] are safe with you if you are honest with them.” After stating “So, I’m going to be honest,” Vargas described himself as a storyteller and told the audience how he and his friends founded Define American. “And since I am a storyteller,
Define American was founded on the power of stories and the fact that all of us, regardless of where we came from and what we look like and what we sound like, all of us have a story. We tell stories to bring people together…regardless of what makes us different, we also have many things in common,” Vargas said. It was then when he told his story of being brought to America as a 12-year-old to live in Mountain View, about a mile away from this new school. Despite not speaking English all that well, Vargas managed to become friends with a student who initially remarked to him that he was weird on his first day of school. “School wasn’t just a place where I made friends. School was a place where I was mentored and encouraged…where I was protected and mentored by teachers who didn’t just care about my grades but they actually cared about who I was and where I came from. They cared about my story,” Vargas stated, after which he introduced Jill Denny, his choir teacher, who was in the audience. PAGE 5
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Las Vegas AAPI business owners share strides under... Duterte: Emulate Ninoy Aquino’s... PAGE 1
PAGE 1 tegrity and purpose as well as and ensure that all Filipinos will Duterte hailed Aquino’s “impor- inspire our youth to be of service enjoy the blessings of freedom, tant role in restoring our demo- to their country and fellowmen,” democracy and the rule of law,” he added. cratic institutions more than he added. Halfway into his six-year term, Aquino, father of former presithree decades ago.” “His sacrifice altered the Duterte acknowledged that much dent Benigno Aquino III, was the course of our nation’s history has to be done to solve the ills top political opponent of then and still continues to ignite the that beset the Philippines, the president Ferdinand Marcos. He was a political prisoner spirit of heroism among our peo- same problem that plagued the country during Aquino’s time. during the Marcos regime, but ple,” Duterte said. “Despite our gains in these was allowed to seek treatment in The President said that this “auspicious occasion” should past three years, there is still a the U.S. in 1980 after he suffered “remind us of what we had lost lot that needs to be done if we a heart attack. Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce (LVACC) director and former McDonald’s franchise so that we may remain commit- are to completely eradicate the Millions of Filipinos were outowner Bill Wong, Julie Walburn, LVACC President Sonny Vinuya, former Nevada Attorney General ted to our solemn duty to safe- poverty, corruption and injustice raged at the assassination. AquiAdam Laxalt, restaurant owner Jan-Ie Low, Evolve President Gina Chen, Dr. Sonny Ho, and ACC guard the freedoms that we now that had plagued our nation even no’s wife Corazon led the demoBoard member Christine Rockwell. AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal enjoy.” during Ninoy’s time,” the Presi- cratic opposition after that, and dent said. eventually rose to power after a “I also hope that Ninoy’s renomic record. on Tuesday, August 20 that he “Let his example guide us as military-backed civilian uprising “President Trump and Repub- markable life as a public servant was “thinking about” a payroll tax reduction or indexing capital licans’ efforts to cut taxes and will move my fellow government we strive to uplift and protect the toppled the strongman on Feb. gains to inflation — but that it has get rid of burdensome regula- workers to serve with honor, in- most vulnerable in our society 25, 1986. n nothing to do with a possible re- tions have been of great benefit to Asian-Pacific American owned cession. Trump then walked back his businesses and their employcomments on Wednesday telling ees. APA unemployment has hit PAGE 2 He stressed the importance of Rosanna Buccahan said the reporters on the White House record lows and wages across Otherwise, the eggs will re- monitoring patient’s tempera- Chinese workers were treated lawn that he is “not looking at a the board have increased for 10 main there and if you put water ture for five days through blood at the Pampanga Medical Spetax cut now. We don’t need it. We straight months,” Marina Tse, again, the eggs will live again,” testing using NS1 to validate if cialist, a hospital in Lubao, Republican National Committee have a strong economy.” it is dengue or not. Pampanga. he claimed. The group also heard from (RNC) director of APA media afIn Bataan province, Mariveles Her office has ordered the Avelino urged the public to owners of a chiropractic practice, fairs, told the Asian Journal in an be watchful if their children are town Mayor Jocelyn Castañeda intervention investigation proa real estate agency, a dry clean- email. manifesting dengue symptoms urged local officials to imple- cedures, environment saniSome of the coming events on ing business, and a McDonald’s so that appropriate manage- ment measures to prevent a tation, three-cycle fogging the tour will highlight women, franchisee, among others. ment can be applied immediate- dengue outbreak following a operations, and other health“The one thing I have seen Hispanic, African American busily. Just like other viral types of report that 120 of 500 Chinese related operations at the lodgthat goes across the lines since ness owners. infection, dengue is character- workers at the GN Power coal- ing sites of the plant’s Chinese With the AAPI population conTrump has taken over is the word ized by severe joint and muscle fired power plant were hospital- and Filipino workers. hope,”Julie Walburn, a member sidered the fastest-growing group ized last May and July. Earlier, provincial board pains, nausea and vomiting. of the chamber, said, adding “It in the state and a crucial swing She told The Star that the member Godofredo Galicia Jr., “But what will make you susdrives people and they don’t un- vote as proven in recent elecpect that you are having dengue town government is doing its who chairs the committee on derstand without that, it’s hard to tions, both parties are continuing is when you feel well on the sec- best to eradicate the mosquitos health, reported the situation keep going. So now, we have to to campaign for their votes ahead ond day ... If you have the sud- in 18 barangays after more than in Bataan is not alarming but keep that momentum going and of 2020. AAPIs comprise about den spike of fever and then be- 400 residents, including the Mariveles is something “that keep the Trump rules in effect 10 percent of the state’s electorprovincial government come well on the second or third Chinese construction workers, the and get rid of the regulations that ate. got sick. should raise concern” about. n day, think otherwise,” he said. In recent months, most of the were stopping people from workcurrent Democratic presidential ing.” Also co-hosted by the Nevada candidates, such as former Vice Republican Party and President President Joe Biden and Senators Donald Trump’s re-election cam- Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren PAGE 1 match coming from Mayweather. He beat Timothy Bradley last paign, Tuesday’s discussion was and Cory Booker, have held meet- cifically say Manny Pacquiao. And “100 percent the Senator (Pac- April 9, 2016 by unanimous decipart of an “open for business” and-greet events and roundtables actually, we didn’t just talk about quiao) is completely unaware of sion in Las Vegas, then defeated tour across 17 battleground with AAPI business owners and boxing; we talked about different anything,” Gibbons, also the right- Jessie Vargas also by unanimous states to promote Trump’s eco- community members. n events; us bringing different events hand man of senator Pacquiao, decision last November 5, 2016 in out there,” added Mayweather. told The Manila Times in a phone Las Vegas. Mayweather concluded in his interview also on Monday. He only lost to Australian Jeff interview that he won’t be coming “At 400 million U.S. dollars, Horn by unanimous decision last out of retirement and there would the senator will be shadow box- July 2, 2017 in Brisbane, AustraPAGE 3 be no any rematch with Pacquiao ing in his parking lot,” added the lia. Vargas revealed to Denny that (62-7-2 win-loss-draw record with international matchmaker if ever He scored seventh round techhe was an undocumented immi38 knockouts). Mayweather would have a sudden nical knockout victory against Lugrant, which was the reason why Mayweather beat Pacquiao via change of heart. “But as of now, cas Matthysse last July 15, 2018 he could not go and join the choir unanimous decision last May 2, we are really unaware of any- for his comeback win in Malayas they prepared for a trip to Ja2015 in Las Vegas. That fight was thing.” sia. pan. Denny changed the plan and one of the richest boxing bouts, After beating Andre Berto last After that, Pacquiao beat Adrien instead moved the trip to Hawaii, paying Mayweather a purse of September 12, 2015 by unani- Broner last January 19 in Las Vetelling Vargas that “we don’t leave $180 million while Pacquiao earn- mous decision, Mayweather re- gas before winning recently over anyone behind.” ing $120 million. tired while Pacquiao continuously Keith Thurman last July 20 via split School, Vargas revealed, was For the part of Manny Pacquiao fights. decision capturing the World Boxhis safe place where he always camp, MP Promotion President Pacquiao won five of his last six ing Association super welterweight felt he belonged: a venue where Sean Gibbons said that they were fights after Mayweather’s retire- world title also in Las Vegas. (Josef he enjoyed math and science, “unaware” of any news about re- ment. T. Ramos/ManilaTimes.net) learned about geography and music, and where he learned how to read and write, the latter of which “makes me the most free and the District Superintendent Dr. Ayinde Rudolph (holding the dedication plaque), School Board most myself.” of Trustees president Tamara Wilson and trustees Jose Gutierrez Jr., Devon Conley, Laura “But here’s the truth. The truth Blakely, and Ellen Wheeler, Principal Vernorris Taylor, and school staff and faculty pose with is, this school is named for some- Jose Antonio Vargas at the dedication ceremony for the newly-opened Jose Antonio Vargas one who some people think should Elementary School in the Mountain View Whisman School District. not be here. The truth is, there was a time in our country in the early 1930s where, in the city Stockton, about two hours from here and where my cousin lives actually, C<>8C @DD@>I8K@FE `j X 9@> @JJL< k_\j\ [Xpj% D8EP `e fli Zfddle`kp E<<; there were signs outside restaupfli j\im`Z\j% K_\i\ Xi\ k_fljXe[j n_f dXp nXek kf \og\[`k\ k_\`i i\j`[\eZp fi rants, hotels…that actually read, glijl\ ]lcc Z`k`q\ej_`g Ylk [feËk befn _fn kf Y\^`e Xe[ n_\i\ kf ^f% ‘Positively no Filipinos allowed,’” Vargas narrated. However, he remarked that he “would not be the human being I am without my community.” “So when people ask me how I 8J@8E AFLIE8CËJ GIF=<JJ@FE8C J<IM@:<J ;@I<:KFIP# n`cc efn Y\ define American, I define Ameriilee`e^ n\\bcp# \m\ip K_lij[Xp f] CXj M\^Xj <[`k`fe% can as community – the community of people who see you and make you feel home,” he said, while adding how blessed he is to Jose Antonio Vargas stakes hands with a young boy after the dedication ceremony. 8AËj GJ; ZXe _\cg PFL i\XZ_ flk kf k_\d X]]fi[XYcp Xe[ \]]\Zk`m\cp% have the family he was born into, AJPress photos by Joseph Peralta and fortunate to have a family of know this is what’s actually occurfriends and mentors whom he has pens next.” For her part, Aida Rivera, who is ring.’ Then he told me when he met since he came to the U.S. “This school, our school, rep- one of Vargas’s aunts, exclaimed, got the message that [he thought] resents the power of community “No words can really describe I was joking. So, then I responded – how to treat people with respect, how proud we are as a family, as a back, ‘No, it’s not a joke.’ Then he how to show gratitude…how to community. It is unusual to name checked the board minutes and 8jb XYflk fli GIFDFK@FE8C @EKIF;L:KFIP G8:B8>< GI@:@E> n_`Z_ ilej live your life with love, how to live a school after an individual who he could hear the board presipfli X[ n\\bcp ]fi dXo`dld \ogfjli\ Xk kilcp X]]fi[XYc\ iXk\j% a loving life of continuous educa- is still alive; normally it is when dent — she wasn’t president then tion, that we can never stop learn- they have passed away that they — announce that she would like to ing, and we can never stop learn- are given this recognition. This name the school after him. From ing about and from each other,” is a great honor given to a fellow there, I asked him, ‘Are you okay Fli gi`ek \[`k`fej ile `e kXe[\d n`k_ 8AËj Gi`ek <[`k`fe Fec`e\% Filipino who is humble and who with that? I know that this would he continued. Fec`e\1 _kkg1&&`jjll%Zfd&Xj`XeaflieXc[`^`kXc\[`k`fe For Vargas, the ultimate magic continues to fight for the rights of draw attention to you.’ He said, ‘It’s perfectly fine,’” the superinin life is finding a way of connect- undocumented persons.” School Board of Trustees Presi- tendent related. ing to another person, and he feels This was confirmed by Vargas. confident that school officials and dent Wilson said the choice of Var“I actually told him, ‘I’m not students together will write the gas shows that “no matter what your background is, if you come dead yet.’ This usually happens new story of the school. He ended his speech by saying, here and you work hard in school, when they’ve died,” Vargas told “I’m so proud to say, ‘Welcome to you will be able to succeed. And the Asian Journal, while adding Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary he is one of our most successful, that he did not pay any attention to it because he felt sure someone School!’ and please have a magi- renowned graduates.” The school’s principal, Vernor- was going to say that the school cal new year.” ris Taylor, told the Asian Journal board should not do it. Proud community, Fil-Ams “But to me, it’s incredible that Meanwhile, Filipino Americans that naming the school after Varpresent at the dedication ceremo- gas was a great idea to honor an it happened,” he stated. “It’s been ny expressed their pride in having individual who has been a part of such a humbling experience, and I hope I don’t do anything to screw the community. a school named after Vargas. “He is a local hero who has had it up.” Sarah Reginaldo, who is presiVargas cautioned people against dent of the school’s Parent Teach- challenges that he’s overcome. ers Association (PTA), said she He is someone who took a risk putting him on a pedestal. “That’s the thing, I don’t really feels happy that“we are being in a real way by coming out as represented in the area because an undocumented immigrant in want to be looked up to,” he rea lot of Filipinos live in Mountain an atmosphere that’s not neces- vealed. “I am a human being, I’m sarily friendly to undocumented imperfect, I’m totally flawed like View.” Reginaldo said that if she gets immigrants. He showed what we all are. And I think I’m just tryasked who Vargas is and why this true bravery is, risking his own ing to do the best that I can. Hopeparticular school is named after personal livelihood especially fully, everybody can do what they him, she will explain it this way, when he did not have to,” Taylor can do in whatever community they’re in.” including to her son who will be explained. “To me, the biggest message is, Initially thought as a ‘joke’ attending this school: “When we Over multiple interviews with Filipino Americans have to particichoose names for our monuments and hospitals, we choose people officials at the event, Rudolph re- pate and engage in America. We who have done great things for vealed to the Asian Journal that actually have to participate, we this nation and for the world. And when he contacted Vargas on have to be civically-involved… so I Jose is trying to do a lot of good Twitter about naming the school wish my own family would do more things with immigration reform after him, the latter thought it was of that as well, and hopefully more Filipinos would do that,” Vargas – there are a lot of people whose a joke. “I said, ‘Hey, I wanna let you said. (Joseph Peralta/AJPress) lives will be affected by what hap“Small business confidence is up as more people are opening businesses and a lot of that has to do with the policies that we have now,” Vinuya asserted, giving the House GOP tax plan as a reason behind business expansion. Jan-Ie Low, managing partner of SATAY Thai Bistro & Bar, shared how she and her brother dipped into their 401(k)s to keep the restaurant afloat since starting in 2005. Money had been so tight that they couldn’t afford to hire maintenance workers and relied on makeshift repairs done by Low’s brother. “Under the Trump administration, we’ve been so blessed,” Low said. “For the first time this year, we are able to give bonuses to my staff...When we do well, we like to share the wealth.” She said with the profits, she is putting them toward renovating the restaurant and hiring more employees. However, she said, “my only challenge is hiring staff because everyone is working.” Presidents historically have been reelected if the economy thrives under their tenure, and the economy under the Trump administration has experienced significant growth, especially in the areas of job creation and business sustainability. According to economic forecasters, the signs for an eventual economic recession are glaring. On Wednesday, August 14, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 800 points, making it the worst day in 2019. The U.S. is on the brink of a trade war with China after Trump accused Beijing, who delayed talks until after the 2020 election, of preferring to negotiate with a Democratic president. There have been a number of mixed messages coming from the White House, from Trump saying
Dengue task force: No to revival...
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AUGUST 22-28, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
Subversion as a crime
FEATURES
OVER three decades have passed, but memories remain indelible of how the Marcos dictatorship used anti-subversion laws to crack down on political dissent. This is the biggest problem faced by proponents of the revival of laws against subversion. Led by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, a former military chief and Army commander, the proponents stress that any revival of the law would target mainly those waging an armed struggle nationwide to overthrow the government and the democratic way of life, specifically the New People’s Army. Because the NPA is taking instructions from the Communist Party of the Philippines, the proponents want the CPP outlawed again, as it was under the original anti-subversion law or Republic Act 1700, passed in 1957. And if the mother unit is outlawed, according to the proponents, so should its political arm the National Democratic Front as well as communist front organizations that represent various sectors. The left-leaning front organizations, currently in the political mainstream, are actively indoctrinating and recruiting youths, according to the proponents of the anti-subversion law who want to put a stop to such activities. Along with the revival of the law, the proponents want police presence in state-run universities. Youths like to explore new ideas, and the spirit
of exploration is particularly strong during the university years. If they tend to succumb to “indoctrination” and embrace certain ideas, it’s unlikely that police presence on campus will prevent them from doing so. Considering the rebellious streak in the typical college student, any state security clampdown will likely even have the opposite effect, driving the youths closer to what authorities will consider as subversive. Policy makers must consider this as they deliberate on proposals to deploy police personnel in university campuses. Because of recent developments, there are also valid concerns that a new anti-subversion law may be used against political opponents of the administration. Already, members of the opposition as well as clergy and the legal profession have been slapped with sedition charges, based mainly on the say-so of a man whose story changes dramatically depending, it seems, on his circumstances. Martial law in Mindanao has been nothing like the martial law of the dictatorship. Proponents are insisting that this will also be the case in the revival of the anti-subversion law. They will have to contend with constitutional guarantees against laws that impinge on civil liberties. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THE United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has defined “public charge” as an individual who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense. This has been a policy of the U.S. government: to make sure the foreign national who is filing for immigration benefits will not be “pabigat” to America. The USCIS further stated that since the 1800s, Congress has put into statute that individuals are inadmissible to the United States if they are unable to care for themselves without becoming public charges. Since 1996, federal laws have stated that foreign nationals generally must be self-sufficient. On August 14 of this year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule which provides guidance on how to determine if someone applying for admission or adjustment of status is likely at any time to become a public charge. I interviewed Filipina immigration lawyer Atty. Lou Tancinco about this “Final Rule” to help us better understand this new ruling of the Trump administration. Q: Atty. Lou, how does this “final rule” published by the DHS determine if someone applying for admission or adjustment of status is likely to become a public charge at
Will you be a ‘pabigat’ to America and be denied a green card? An attorney explains the Trump Administration’s expanded ‘public charge’ ruling any time in the future? What is the difference between this new ruling and what have been followed by the USCIS for so many decades? A: Prior to this new rule, an applicant for green card may submit an Affidavit of Support accomplished by the Petitioner or a co-sponsor to indicate that the applicant will not be a public charge. This was sufficient under the prior rules. Now with the new public charge rules, an affidavit of support is just one of the factors taken into account. Instead, a totality of circumstances will be examined and the USCIS may now look into other factors such as employability, age, health and prior receipt of public benefits by the applicant as indicative that the applicants are more likely to become a public charge and be denied the green card application. Another difference, is the expansion of the meaning of public charge. This rule redefines the term ‘‘public charge’’ to mean an alien who receives one or more designated public benefits for more than 12 months in the aggregate within any 36-month period (such that, for instance, receipt of two benefits in one month counts as two months). This rule defines the term ‘‘public benefit’’ to include cash benefits for income maintenance, SNAP, most forms of Medicaid, Section 8 Housing Assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance, and certain other forms of subsidized housing. Q: What kind of applicants will be directly affected by this new ruling published by the DHS?
VOTING can be as quick as a pen stroke or as easy as a tap of a computer screen, yet the simple act is often taken for granted in America. It became a right I lost when I was convicted on felony charges and found myself in state prison several years ago. After serving a three-year sentence, I was released one day before the 2016 Presidential Elections but was
A: Those who will be directly affected are the applicants for immigrant and non-immigrant visas or those seeking to apply for green cards or immigrant visas through adjustment of status or through consular processing. Also important to note, are green card holders who are seeking admission or have been out of the country for at least 180 days and reentering the U.S. They will be examined also if they are considered public charge. Q: Any kinds of applicants exempted from this new ruling? A: The published regulation excludes from the public benefits definition: public benefits received by individuals who are serving in active duty or in the Ready Reserve component of the U.S. armed forces, and their spouses and children; public benefits received by certain international adoptees and children acquiring U.S. citizenship; Medicaid for aliens under 21 and pregnant women; Medicaid for schoolbased services (including services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act); and Medicaid benefits for emergency medical services. Q: The USCIS website says “Any alien who, in the opinion of the consular officer at the time of application for a visa, or in the opinion of the Attorney General AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for admission or adjustment of status, is likely at any time to become a public charge is inadmissible[…] In determining whether an alien is excludable under this paragraph, the consular officer or the Attorney General shall at a minimum consider the
alien’s-(I) age; (II) health; (III) family status; (IV) assets, resources, and financial status; and (V) education and skills .” Let’s break this down. What if the applicant has been working in the United States with a working visa, and had been approved for a green card, had a work authorization and had been paying all required taxes taken from his or her paycheck. And then an emergency happened — whether it be losing a job, or a medical emergency, which made the applicant access publicly funded benefits just at the time he could already apply for adjustment of status. Would this cause him to be inadmissible and his application be denied? A. Yes, if an applicant uses public benefits as long as the application is pending, then he or she may be considered inadmissible and application may be denied. However, Medicaid benefits for medical emergency services are exempt from the definition of public benefits. But if this applicant continues to avail of the publicly funded medical services as defined in the regulation, s/he would likely be considered a public charge and this fact is a ground to deny the application for adjustment of status. Q: I want to focus now on the clause that says “, the consular officer or the Attorney General shall at a minimum consider the alien’s-(I) age; (II) health; (III) family status; (IV) assets, resources, and financial status; and (V) education and skills . .”. How are these measured? Or are these solely dependent on the impression or subjective determination of the consular
officer or Attorney General? A: While admittedly the consular officers or USCIS examiners have wide discretion in determining public charge, there are also parameters on what weigh heavily in examining the applicants. For example on age, applicants under 18 not accompanied or following to join a parent or guardian and or applicants advanced age is a negative factor. On the health factor, applicant’s chronic health conditions with high medical costs or that may prevent the applicant from maintaining employment are viewed as negative factors. Q: What repercussions would this expanded public charge rule have on immigrants including the Filipino American community? A: This new public charge rule was designed to create fear and confusion among our immigrant communities. It is targeted against legal immigrants who are forced to avoid much needed medical help at the expense of their health just to keep their families together. In short, this policy places at risk the health and safety of families throughout the nation and that includes our Filipino immigrant community. Q: Critics of the new ruling contend that the publiccharge provision has long been a weapon of racism and classism in the United States, and has been used and abused by anti-immigrant administrations throughout US history. They also argue that the mostly white Foreign Service — which is only 5.4 percent African American and 5.6 percent Hispanic — is being tasked with making such value judgments on a mostly brown and black
immigrant population. Immigrant rights advocates say this Trump Administration ruling should not just be rolled back, but that the public charge rule should totally be abolished. But would you agree that there are indeed some immigrants who abuse the system and just totally rely on the government for their needs? How should this be addressed? A: The current rules are fine as they are and there is no need to change them. I do not want to see current public charge rule abolished but also I do not wish it be changed either. There is no need for this new public charge rule. Expanding the rules to prevent deserving immigrants from entering the United States to be with their family is simply cruel and unjust. Q: Would this Final Ruling be in effect immediately? Is there anything the people can do to voice out their opposition to or support for this expanded public charge ruling? A. The rule takes effect on October 15, 2019. There is a 60-day rule from publication before it takes effect. Those who are opposed to the public charge rules must contact their respective legislators to voice their opposition. Or they can also contact and support organizations that have filed lawsuits to abolish these new rules. *** 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
Voting rights restoration is a step towards reintegration for the formerly incarcerated
Commentary
KEVIN WONG
Philstar.com photo
not allowed to vote. It was that day I realized how invaluable my right to suffrage was before I had forfeited it through conviction. I did my time and paid my debt to society but was still paying a price. According to The Sentencing Project, a non-profit dedicated to promoting fair and effective policies for the U.S. criminal justice system, 6.1 million Americans can not vote because of a felony conviction and up until this summer, nearly
77,000 Nevadans were affected. Discriminatory practices such as felony disenfranchisement policies can leave ex-felons with a sense of second-classness, as it did for me. Though these policies aren’t the only hurdles ex-convicts face in the pursuit of reintegration, I used my experience with my inability to vote to testify on behalf of Assembly Bill 431 (AB431) during the 80th Nevada Legislature. Thanks to Speaker Jason Frierson who
sponsored and led AB431, as well as Governor Sisolak who signed off on it, tens of thousands of formerly incarcerated Nevadans now have their voting rights restored; a victory for all Nevadans. Rights restoration not only strengthens our democracy as a state but provides a pathway towards a sense of inclusion, serving to ease the transition of former convicts as they process their reintegration into society from penal institutions.
Fast forward to today and I am more than an ex-felon. I’m now a campus organizer and thirdyear political science student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, intending to apply for law school. Though my frustrations stemming from being disqualified in the 2016 General Election still stick with me, I have since organized voter registration events, served as a representative here in Nevada for the Campaign Legal Center based in Washington D.C and
have canvassed outside of the Las Vegas Regional Justice Center, petitioning for voting rights in Nevada. This may not be our final step in criminal justice reform, but AB431 (or use restoration) is undoubtedly a massive milestone for voting rights advocates everywhere. *** Kevin J. Wong is a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and an Outreach Coordinator for the Asian Community Development Council. He can be reached at kevinw@acdcnv.org
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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Dateline PhiliPPines
COA agrees to special audit of PhilHealth by Paolo
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA — The Commission on Audit has agreed on the need to conduct a special audit of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth)’s funds as COA reported difficulties in securing pertinent information and documents from the agency, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said. Drilon met with COA chairman Michael Aguinaldo, who backed senators’ calls for a special audit of PhilHealth funds and disbursements. The audit body also recommended an accurate review of the actuarial life of the funds. “I am glad that COA finds merit in our proposal for a special audit of PhilHealth considering the gravity of the situation and the consequences if we fail to address the matter with urgency,” Drilon said. “What we have discovered so far
could just be the tip of the iceberg,” he added. Drilon urged Aguinaldo to sit down with PhilHealth president Ricardo Morales to discuss the conduct of a special audit to determine the true state of financial health of the agency tasked to provide healthcare to all Filipinos. PhilHealth officials should come up with mechanisms on how to facilitate the audit and eliminate hindrances that prevent internal auditors from performing their tasks, the senator said. Without the cooperation of PhilHealth, Drilon said COA auditors would face limited access to pertinent documents and information. He urged PhilHealth to cooperate with COA to prevent corruption, irregularities, overpayment and non-payment of claims from happening again. Drilon said there would be consequences once PhilHealth fails to pay hospitals, particularly public
hospitals relying on the agency to reimburse them for their services to the poor. “There will be a chain reaction. The regional hospitals, especially public hospitals, cater to the poor through their maintenance and operating budget. If PhilHealth does not reimburse them, the problem will become worse because they will not be able to serve the poor,” he said. Drilon said Aguinaldo also agreed that there is a need for an accurate study of the actuarial life of PhilHealth, given that the agency has been in an operating loss for the past five years to the tune of P26 billion. On top of it, the agency has outstanding P48 billion in unpaid claims, the senator said. The Private Hospitals Associa- A DROP OF PROTECTION. Children are vaccinated against polio during the launch by the Department of Health of its synchronized polio vaccination ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili tion of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) campaign in Manila. said the controversies hounding PhilHealth might affect delivery of health services to the patients. n
Locsin orders diplomatic protest vs 4 SC magistrates vie for chief justice post Chinese ships spotted in Sibutu Strait by JomaR Canlas
retired Supreme Court justice Jose Portugal Perez and retired Court of Appeals justice Sesinando VilFOUR Supreme Court (SC) lon, while associate justices will vie for the Jose Reyes applied for the posipost of chief justice — Diosdado tion before the Judicial and Bar Peralta, Estela Perlas Bernabe, Council. Andres Reyes and Jose Reyes. Associate Justices Antonio Peralta and Bernabe are the Carpio, Mario Victor Leonen and two most senior justices in the Alfredo Benjamin Cagiuoa dehigh court and were automatically clined their nominations for the nominated for the top post. post to be vacated by Chief Justice Andres Reyes was endorsed by Lucas Bersamin in October.
Carpio said he would also retire eight days after the retirement of Bersamin on October 18. The JBC had ordered a public interview of all the nominees and applicants for the position of chief justice. Bernabe, Leonen and Caguioa were appointees of then-President Benigno Aquino III. Carpio and Peralta were appointed by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. n
subversive and criminal act to be affiliated with a group and take part in activities meant to overthrow the government with the open or covert assistance and support of a foreign power. During President Corazon Aquino’s term, she issued Executive Order 167, series of 1987 repealing PDs 1835 and 1975 and reviving RA 1700. However, in 1992, then President Fidel Ramos signed RA 7636 repealing RA 1700. Under this, subversion is no longer a criminal offense but sedition remained a crime. The DILG stressed that reviving the law would help crush the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which has been in a longstanding on-and-off peace process with the Philippine government. “If we revive the Anti-Subversion law, we will be able to dismantle the urban mass movement in the cities that fuels the armed struggle in the mountains. We will be able to stifle their socalled ‘legal front organizations’
that provide sustenance to the underground mass organizations. It will be the beginning of an inevitable end,” DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año had said on Thursday, August 15. Malaya also said the DILG wants to prioritize coordinating with Congress in outlawing CPP membership — a move that they expect would choke funding and mass support for the guerrillas, as stated by Rappler. He cited Mindanao currently under Duterte-style martial law as the case study to look at when analyzing the revival of the antisubversion law. “We have seen how martial law is implemented in Mindanao under this administration. There is no closure of Congress. There is no arrest of political opposition,” Malaya said. He added that prosecution is not their priority, but ending Asia’s longest-running communist insurgency is. “[The] government must be given the tools to end this,” Malaya said. n
ManilaTmes.net
DILG: Duterte is different from Marcos by RitChel
mendiola
AJPress
THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday, August 19, defended its proposal to restore the law against subversion. According to DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya, the Duterte administration is different from the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, who used the law to prosecute thousands of critics. “This is not the authoritarian martial law which is of the Marcos period where when someone is arrested and not heard of, and then suddenly he’s dead. This is a different context,” said Malaya during a Rappler Talk interview. The Anti-Subversion Act or Republic Act No. 1700 was passed in June 1957 during the tenure of former President Carlos Garcia. It was expanded through Presidential Decree (PD) 885 in 1976 and PD 1835 in 1981 during the martial law period, making it a
Gay, trans, cisgender: Senators lectured on LGBT MOST people know the terms lesbians, gays and bisexuals, but what about cisgender, trans woman and trans man? A Senate hearing on the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (Sogie) Equality Bill turned into a lecture on different gender identities and expressions on Tuesday. Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros, who heads the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, gave an overview of different gender identities, sexual orientation, and expressions and how to respond to practical issues, such as the use of public spaces. “Hindi lahat ng LGBT, automatic na baklang lalake at babae ang kanyang identity at expression. Malawak at mayaman ang gender identity at expression ng mga tao. Ito ang nais ipaunawa at protektahan ng Sogie Equality Bill (Not all of the LGBT automatically refers to gay men or gay women. Their identities and expressions are wide and rich. This is what the Sogie Equality Bill wants to convey and protect),” Hontiveros said. Hontiveros presented some of the gender identities and sexual orientation, such as cisgender or straight, referring to people whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth; gay man which means a male who develops physical, romantic or emotional attraction to the same
gender; lesbian, a woman who is attracted to another woman; bisexual, a person who is attracted to both genders; and trans woman or trans man, a person whose sex assigned at birth does not match her or his gender identity. Hontiveros also responded to questions on how the LGBT community will access public spaces, such as public toilets. “People can access public spaces based on their gender identities and expressions. For example, a trans woman dresses, acts, identifies and expresses herself as a woman, because she is actually a woman. She therefore will use the women’s restroom. Those who cannot identify with our current gendered spaces can use genderneutral/sensitive comfort rooms,” she explained. But the senator said a strategic way to address the issue of gender and public spaces was to redesign society’s concept of public spaces. “With the Sogie Equality Bill, we hope to transition from our current binary system of gender norms in which spaces are gendered. We must design our public spaces outside of the traditional gendered boxes and capably respond to the people’s different gender identities and expressions and eliminate the physical and social features of public spaces that promote gender-based discrimination and inequality,” Hon-
tiveros said. “It is important for the public to educate ourselves of the different colors of human sexuality, identities and expressions. It is one of the best ways we can fully grasp the beauty of life’s rainbow,” she added. The push for the Sogie bill came following the case of Gretchen Diez, a trans woman, who was barred from using the women’s comfort room of a mall in Quezon City. Diez met with President Rodrigo Duterte Duterte in Malacañang on Monday night, August 19. Palace Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President expressed support to the measure. “He’s all for it, and he’s also inclined d’un sa (to push for the establishment of a) third restroom for them. Meron silang sarili (They have their own restrooms),” he told reporters. Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said Duterte vowed to work with Congress to ensure the passage of the Sogie bill and other laws that seek to protect the rights and welfare of the LGBT community. “The LGBT advocates expressed their gratitude after the meeting and are looking forward to the passage of a law that will protect them from discrimination before the President’s term ends,” the senator said in a statement. (ManilaTimes.net)
No African swine flu outbreak in PH — DA
MANILA — There is no outbreak of African swine fever in the country despite the spike in sudden deaths of hogs in some areas, the Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday, August 20. At a press conference, Agriculture spokesman Noel Reyes — who evaded most questions from the media — said the private sector assured the DA that no pork meat from “infected” areas slipped past authorities. “So the current supply of meat is from other hygienic areas,” Reyes said in a mix of English
and Filipino. “That’s why we are limiting the movements. There will be an outbreak if we fail to contain it.” Agriculture Secretary William Dar neither confirmed nor denied reports that the ASF virus has reached the Philippines, saying further laboratory tests are needed. The government has since begun culling hogs in locations that the DA declined to disclose in a bid to safeguard the nation’s P260-billion pork industry. While the disease is usually
fatal in pigs but not harmful to humans, the ASF can cause major economic loss to swine industries. The Philippines currently has a surplus in pork supply. China and Vietnam, two of the countries worst hit by the virus, have already culled millions of pigs infected by the disease. The Philippines had declared a temporary ban on the importation and distribution of pork meat products from countries suspected to be affected by the deadly virus. (Ian Nicolas Cigaral /Philstar.com)
by RitChel
mendiola AJPress
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Monday, August 19, ordered the filing of a diplomatic protest against China over the passage of its warships in Philippine waters. In a tweet, Locsin directed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Asia and Pacific Affairs to file the protest after it was reported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that Chinese warships were spotted passing through waters off southern Mindanao without informing local authorities. This is the fourth diplomatic protest filed by the country against China this year. “Fire diplomatic protest over Chinese warship; drop the diplomatic crap; say it is ours period; they’re trespassing,” he said. “If we did it already, fire another. We won’t run out. And don’t wait for formal intel. This is the Secretary of National Defense no less. Fire at will,” Locsin added. There have been 13 reports from the AFP about Chinese warships passing through Philippine waters with neither permission nor prior notice to the govern-
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
Inquirer.net photo
ment since June 2019. Among these instances include the two warships spotted along Sibutu Strait in July and another three in August. The Sibutu Strait in Tawi-Tawi is an internationally recognized sea lane where foreign ships have the right of innocent passage. According to Lt. Gen Cirilito Sobejana, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief, the Chinese vessels that passed through were not hostile; however, they were not innocently passing due to the curved path they took. Defense Secretary Delfin
Lorenzana earlier said that the Department of National Defense is “getting irritated” over the series of Chinese incursions in Philippine waters. “I hope the matter will be taken up in order to put an end to all these, because our people are asking why they (Chinese warships) are there,” he said. Lorenzana also noted that Beijing appeared to be “taunting” Manila by having their warships deployed in Philippine territorial waters without their Automatic Identification Systems turned on and prior notice to Philippine authorities. n
August 22-28, 2019 • LAs VEgAs AsIAN JOuRNAL
Dateline PhiliPPines
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House approves bill on higher beer, liquor taxes by Jess
Diaz Philstar.com
MANILA — The House of Representatives, voting 184-2 with one abstention, on Tuesday, August 20, approved on third and final reading a bill increasing excise taxes on beer, gin, wines and other intoxicating drinks. The House, under the leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, passed it just one month since the convening of the 18th Congress last July 22. It is the first measure the larger chamber approved. Cayetano said his chamber has to prioritize tax measures to support the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for next year. The alcohol tax increase measure will now be transmitted to the Senate, which failed to pass it in the last Congress. The committee on ways and means chaired by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda endorsed the bill. Under the proposed law, for distilled spirits, starting 2020, there will be a 22 percent ad valorem tax on the net retail price (excluding excise and value-added taxes), plus a specific tax of P30 per proof liter. In addition to the 22 percent ad valorem tax, a specific tax per proof liter of P40 will be imposed, which will go up to P40 in 2021 and P45 in 2022, and then by seven percent annually starting
in 2023. The ad valorem tax will remain at 22 percent. For sparkling wines, the bill proposes an ad valorem tax of 15 percent of the net retail price per liter, plus a specific tax of P656 per liter. The specific tax will increase by seven percent in 2021 onwards. For still and carbonated wines, the levy will be P60 per liter in 2020, to be increased by seven percent starting 2021. The tax on beer and other fermented liquors, and mixed drinks with 10-percent alcohol content will be P32 per liter starting 2020, P34 in 2021 and P36 in 2022, rising by seven percent starting in 2023. The proposed law also increases taxes on e-cigarette products. For instance, the tax on heated tobacco products will be P45 per pack of 20 units, going up to P50 in 2021, P55 in 2022, and P60 in 2023. For vapor products with nicotine salt, the levy will be P30 tax per milliliter in 2020, rising to P35 in 2021, P40 in 2022 and P45 in 2023. For conventional “freebase” or “classic” nicotine products, the tax will be P4.50 per milliliter in P2020, P5 in 2021, P5.50 in 2022 and P6 in 2023. It will increase by five percent every year starting 2024. The bulk of additional revenues from the proposed law would
go to the universal health care program, which aims to provide PhilHealth insurance coverage to all Filipinos. The House-approved rates are lower than what the Department of Finance (DOF) had proposed. For instance, in the case of beer, the DOF wanted a P40-per liter (about three bottles), P8 more than the House-approved P32. DOF Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua told reporters last Thursday that they were not happy with the House version of the alcohol tax increase bill. He said the DOF version would bring in P33 billion in additional revenues, nearly half of incremental collection from the House measure. “We are not satisfied with the House version, but it’s a starting point. We hope to convince senators to go for higher rates for the universal health care program,” Chua said. He said had congressmen adopted the DOF version, the expected additional revenues from alcohol levies would be P33 billion a year. Responding to questions, Chua said the P30-billion funding gap for expanded health care would mean that the program would cover fewer Filipinos or health services would be scaled down. Either way, he said it is the targeted beneficiaries who will suffer, he said. n
BJMP launches professional security and control seminar
THE Philippine Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has successfully launched its first in-house professional Security and Control seminar held at the BJMP Regional Training Center in Barangay Turbina, Calamba, Laguna. Through meticulous planning initiated by Gen. Efren A. Nemeno, DPA, TLPE, Jail Superintendent and Regional Director of the Jail Bureau, he and his staff, including Atty. Reynaldo A. Paguirigan Jr., Jail Chief Inspector and Jail Warden himself, invited F. Fred Argosino, a retired senior law enforcement officer from California, and Adjunct Professor in criminal justice from West Wood Colleges (now Platt Colleges), as the resource speaker. It was an eight hour session COMMISSION on Elections already 34 years old, way beyond end with the cancellation of his structured to discuss issues in jail (COMELEC) Commissioner Ro- the 25 to 30 age limit set by Repub- nomination as representative of the management and control as well as wena Guanzon on Tuesday, August lic Act 7941, or the “Party-list Act,” Duterte Youth party-list. The Comelec Legal Division, ac20, dared former National Youth for nominees of the youth sector. Cardema alleged that Guan- cording to her, was looking into the Commission (NYC) chairman Ronaldo Cardema to file an impeach- zon, through an intermediary, possible filing of criminal charges had asked for P2 million and two against him for allegedly commitment complaint against her. by ian nicolas cigaral “Go ahead, make my day!” government positions in exchange ting material misrepresentation on Philstar.com Guanzon said on her Twitter ac- for a favorable ruling on his nomi- his eligibility and qualification as MANILA — China on Tuesday, nominee of a youth party. count, adding that she was fully nation. “If the Law department ap- August 20, said the Philippines But the commissioner denied prepared for the battle. In the same tweet, she up- Cardema’s allegations, saying proves the filing of charges, then should ban all online gambling as loaded Cardema’s certificate of she was wealthier than his ac- we will submit it to the commission it intensifies its crackdown on acceptance of nomination from cuser, who, she pointed out, had en banc for approval. In fact, party- offshore gambling and prevent the Duterte Youth party-list, which no authority or power to appoint list groups should take a stand on its citizens from being lured into this issue because Mr. Cardema an industry blamed for higher states that the latter is 34 years somebody in the government. Cardema threatened to file has attempted to circumvent the crimes and social problems in the old, thus not qualified to represent an impeachment case against law,” Guanzon told reporters in an mainland. the youth. “We hope the Philippines will earlier news briefing. Guanzon, a member of the Guanzon. Cardema may still appeal his go further and ban all online Guanzon said she was not filing Comelec First Division, was very vocal about Cardema’s alleged a case against Cardema because case before the Comelec en banc, gambling. We hope it will further misrepresentation as a youth rep- that would be a ground for her and thereafter at the Supreme strengthen law enforcement with inhibition in the latter’s appeal Court if the en banc will sustain the China and jointly tackle criminal resentative. activities including online gamComelec First Division’s ruling. Earlier, the Comelec First Divi- before the Comelec. The Duterte Youth is among the bling and cyber fraud,” Chinese “This Cardema is a liar and sion ruled that Cardema is not eli51 party-list groups that landed a Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng gible for nomination to represent name-dropper,” she tweeted. Guanzon said Cardema’s prob- seat at the House of Representa- Shuang told a press conference. Duterte Youth in the House of “This will help create an enRepresentatives because he was lem with the Comelec did not tives. (ManilaTimes.net)
Impeach me, election official dares Cardema
officers’ safety, to mention a few. At the conclusion of the seminar, the BJMP officers consisting of all the jail wardens within the CALABARZON region were awarded certificates of completion for their participation. When asked when he started this idea of holding this type of seminar or workshop, and invite a resource speaker, Gen. Nemeno never hesitated in saying that “it has always been my desire to ensure that the officers working with me or under my supervision, are afforded quality training and education. And what better way to do that than to invite law enforcement professionals and experienced resource speakers, or people I know, who by their law enforcement background, can properly train our officers. I thanked Prof.
Fred Argosino for his positive response by traveling from California to share with us his time and his law enforcement expertise, pro bono.” Argosino was accompanied to the BJMP facility by Atty. Jun Paredes, an immigration attorney and a fellow brother in masonry. Upon his return to California, Argosino on the other hand said, “I did not mind the travel and the time spent, it was all worth it. Being with them (BJMP officers and wardens) gave me a new sense of admiration. I was used to training PNP officers and criminology students in the Philippines, but the collective and enthusiastic desire for knowledge by these officers is commendable. They ought to be recognized also for the good job they are currently doing in protecting the public and the community.” n
China says Philippines should ‘ban all online gambling’ abling environment for the development of bilateral relations and peace and stability in the region,” Geng added. Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, or POGOs, employ more than 100,000 workers — most of whom are from China accommodating Chinese punters overseas. The influx of Chinese nationals has been pushing up property prices in the capital, with POGOs now seen overtaking call centers in terms of office demand by yearend. But while POGOs and China’s gambling fever could help the economy, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said some Chinese investors and workers in the POGO industry could be spies, noting that some online casinos are close to
key military installations. Earlier this month, the Chinese Embassy in Manila urged the Philippine government to protect the rights of Chinese nationals working in POGOS, saying many of its citizens were illegally recruited and were exposed to “modern slavery.” The Chinese Embassy said gambling fuels crimes such as cross-border money laundering through underground banking, adding that millions of dirty money from China illegally flows into the Philippines. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said it would stop issuing licenses to offshore gaming firms seeking entry, until such time that regulators address all issues plaguing the industry. n
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUSt 22-28, 2019
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August 22-28, 2019 • LAs VEgAs AsIAN JOuRNAL
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VEGAS&STYLE Journal
Catriona assures everybody she’s OK by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
IT’S her fifth time back in the Philippines since starting her reign but Miss Universe Catriona Gray is still as energized as ever with her advocacies. Last Friday morning, we caught up with the beauty queen after she watched a 45-minute life-changing cleft palate surgery of a young patient of Smile Train Philippines at the Philippine Band of Mercy in Quezon City. “It’s my first time ever to see it live but you know what? It was so informative because when I advocate for a certain cause I want to have that firsthand experience. Without that, how can I even pull people to the cause if I hadn’t seen the good it can do myself.” Another advocacy that is very close to Catriona’s heart is the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) Equality Bill, also known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB). She is fervently praying it will be passed and signed into law especially after last week’s Farmers Market bathroom fiasco. Queen Cat couldn’t help but voice out her concern for transwoman Gretchen Diez who was refused her basic right to use the female restroom. “It’s a conversation that we really need to be having. There is not a one-all solution to this problem, especially when it comes to the rest room situation, but my whole point in that issue was that victim shaming is not right. No one should be subjected to that type of treatment, to that type of shame, to that type of discrimination, and that will only come from being able to educate each other on how to properly treat people first off with respect.” Catriona never holds back on any issue whether social or political so long as she sees that it can educate people, which she adds is one of her most important goals
Filipino American rapper Allan Pineda Lindo, popularly known as apl.de.ap (right, seated), signs a pledge of support for the Philippines’ hosting the 30th SEA Games during a ceremony held at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, August 20. Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) chairman and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano (left, seated) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino (standing) witnessed the signing as apl.de.ap announced that he and his popular group, Black Eyed Peas, will perform during opening and closing ceremonies of the biennial meet. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
Black Eyed Peas coming to PH for SEA Games closing ceremony
Due to her controversial post where she shared she was at a low point in her life, Catriona Gray noted that she is not a perfect Barbie that does not go through life’s trials. Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray
venues but no deals have been made due to pageant restriction issues in each one. When we asked Catriona about the possibility of passing on her crown to the next Miss Universe in the Philippines, she replied, “I would love it. I think we would have a celebration like no other but of course nothing is confirmed yet.” Fans, however, are of the opinion that it will be more difficult to bag a back-to-back win with our candidate Gazini Ganados if the pageant were to be held in Manila. Finally, Catriona also put an end to speculations about her controversial post a few weeks back when she said she felt she was at a low point in her life. Without pinpointing any issue in particular, she nonetheless assured her followers that it’s alright to feel that way sometimes even for her who rarely posts about personal emotions online. “I know everyone got worried but it’s also because I don’t usually share those types of things on social media. Honestly, I just wanted to prove that no matter where you are in life, no matter what success you achieve, there will always be moments of doubt and challenges that you need to overcome. No one becomes perfect and there is no stage in life Miss Universe Catriona Gray gamely grants a selfie request from a lady soldier after she where you won’t have any worwas feted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City ries. I wanted to share that with on Saturday, August 17. Gray received Command Plague which bears the Chief of Staff’s people because this is me. I am appreciation and recognition of her work and achievements and for representing the best of not a perfect Barbie that does not the Filipino to the world. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon go through life’s trials.” for the remainder of her reign in Miss Universe and beyond. Incidentally, Cat also launched 500 copies of a limited edition book series published in partnership with FrontRow officials and RS Francisco. All proceeds for this project will go to Young Focus Philippines. Besides Catriona, Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart is also in the country right now for meetings. She had an ocular at Philippine Arena in Bulacan as a possible venue for Miss Universe 2019. Initially, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Korea were lined up as candidate
Martha Stewart tours Manila with Isko, Berna by iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net
AMERICA’S famed lifestyle expert, award-winning television host, entrepreneur and bestselling author Martha Stewart toured Manila with Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat on Monday, August 19. Manila City’s Public Information Office posted photos of the 78-year-old American celebrity having lunch with Moreno and Puyat at the National Museum of Natural History. Seasoned restaurateur and 2016 Asia’s Best Female Chef Margarita Forés designed the special menu, serving
them a variety of the Philippines’ freshest catch, as well as lechon, laing, bibingka, suman, binakol na manok, inihaw na apahap sa dahon and bistek Tagalog. Fueled for sightseeing, Martha and her group visited the city’s famous landmarks, including Intramuros, the Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church. Stewart is in the country for the latest ANC Leadership Series to be held on August 20 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Kane Choa, head of ABS-CBN’s Corporate Communications Division, which also handles publicity for the conglomerate’s cable news channel ANC, said Stewart “will share her story of success
and business philosophy with the country’s business executives, entrepreneurs and students in a forum moderated by ANC anchor Karen Davila.” Before becoming the “how-to guru” on all things home and living, Stewart developed her early business training as a stockbroker. She ventured into a successful catering business and went on to publish best-selling books. She later published the magazine Martha Stewart Living, which became the basis for her hit TV series of the same name. Her leadership talk for ANC on Tuesday is titled “A Conversation with Entrepreneur and Lifestyle Legend Martha Stewart.”
AMERICAN hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas will be coming to the Philippines to perform at the closing ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. “Yes, they will be here,” rapper Allan Pineda, more popularly known as Aple.de.Ap, said in response to a question from the media. He said, “We’ve done a lot of sporting events but, you know, this is one of the most important for me because, you know, proud to be Pinoy (Filipino) and it’s in my hometown and I can’t wait to deliver.” At the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the rapper signed a pledge of support to the Philippine hosting of the games this year. Apl.de.Ap will be performing Apl.de.ap with fellow Black Eyed Peas members Will.i.am and Taboo during the opening ceremony Photo from Instagram/@apldeap at the Philippine Arena on NoHe said in part that “I’m from wanted to be part of this historivember 30 and at the closing ceremony at the New Clark City Angeles City, Pampanga and I cal moment.” (Reina Tolentino/ wouldn’t miss it for the world. I ManilaTimes.net) on December 11.
by Bot
Ramsey in her blood
glorioso Philstar.com
ANOTHER welcome addition to the Star POP family is Ana Ramsey who recently released her single “Tahan” that speaks of the struggles of a conflicted heart. Star POP is a sub-label under ABS-CBN’s music arm Star Music. Ana is the granddaughter of Elizabeth Ramsey and niece of Jaya. She admitted to feeling the pressure of carrying her surname, knowing the kind of legacy her lola left in the local tinseltown. Same with her aunt Jaya who remains a popular name in the music scene. “There’s a bit of pressure due to the memories left behind by my lola as a comedienne and performer. But I’d like to follow in their footsteps on how they influenced people and inspired them through music,” said Ana, adding that she got to talk to Jaya during the MOR Awards. The latter also expressed happiness over Ana’s budding music career and congratulated her on her new single. When Ana began performing during her debut single launch, the atmosphere felt like you were transported to a hotel venue listening to a lounge singer. Her vocal tone perfectly fits the soul genre. “I believe soul music is for me kasi mas nailalabas ko ‘yung emotion and the quality of my voice is somewhat deep kaya ‘yun talaga ang para sa akin. Actually, there were three songs initially presented to me but when I heard Tahan, I got goosebumps. I was able to remember the chorus right away and I truly found it
Ana Ramsey recently released her debut single titled “Tahan” under Star POP. Philstar.com photo
beautiful,” shared Ana who didn’t forget to thank Tahan’s composer John Aldrin. Star Music exec Rox Santos added that Ana is able to clearly send the message of the song and her emotional tone can be truly felt even though the latter admitted that she has no boyfriend since birth. Ana started singing at 10 years old and although she doesn’t have any formal training in music, Ana has learned proper vocal techniques and styles by watching live performances on YouTube. Her favorites are Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé Knowles and Yolanda Adams. In case she looks familiar to you, it’s because Ana had already appeared on TV as one of the contestants in Star Power: Sharon’s Search for The Next Female Pop Superstar where Angeline Quinto was named the grand champion. The 24-year-old DJ also won the gold medal at the 2014 EuroPop
Festival in Germany. “Whenever I see audition announcements on TV, I would really go and try my luck. Nagse-search talaga ako ng mga contests and auditions. Ako din ang kasama ni lola sa mga concerts n’ya. There’s no shortcut for me. I just believe that everything will happen with God’s help. I’m so thankful and grateful to the Lord that this is happening to me now.” Now that she has realized her dream, Ana cannot be thankful enough to the people who supported her. She is also grateful to her manager Von Arroyo, Star POP, MOR people and to her family. Asked who among the OPM singers she wishes to have a duet with, Ana mentioned her aunt Jaya and “with Sarah Geronimo and KZ Tandingan because they are so good. I would really like for their energy to rub on me and also to have the kind of vibe they have when performing onstage.”
Katrina happy being single KATRINA Halili hasn’t been in a serious romantic relationship in seven years, but she doesn’t mind. In fact, she said she’s starting to appreciate life being single. “I realized that I’m happy even if I’m solo. I’m also enjoying work. Maybe it’s because I’m becoming more mature and I know myself better,” the actress told reporters at a recent press conference. While she’s open to dating, Katrina said she has yet to meet someone she could see herself spending time with on a long term basis. “At this point in my life, I’m looking for something serious,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat together with TV personality and lifestyle host Martha Stewart tour around Manila, visiting she said. “However, I’m honestly famous landmarks including Intramuros, Fort Santiago, and San Agustin Church. Photo courtesy of DOT not used to dating. I prefer starting
out as friends with someone; I think that’s a good foundation to have.” Katrina’s last boyfriend was R&B singer Kris Lawrence, with whom she has a 7-year-old daughter named Katrence. Perhaps there’s a chance of them getting back together? “Wala na. We’re just friends. There are people you’re better off just as friends,” she said. “Huwag nang ipilit.” And the ex-couple does have a healthy coparenting relationship. “I have never deprived him of seeing his daughter. If he’s free or if I have work, sometimes I call him up, so they could spend time together,” she said. (Allan Policar- Katrina Halili pio/Inquirer.net) Photo from Instagram/@katrina_halili
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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Part 1 of 2) IN 2010, a young boy who climbed Mount Everest gained a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. He was on TV for his 15 minutes of celebrity status. I had to flip the channel. Abby Sunderland, a California teenager who set out in January 2010 to circumnavigate the world solo and who eventually sent out distress signals that had three countries scrambling to launch rescue missions in the dangerous South Indian Ocean. She’s alive and well apparently. Ian Kiernan, an Australian record holder for the same feat says, “I don’t know what she’s doing in the Southern Ocean as a 16-year-old in the middle of winter. It’s foolhardy.” Abby’s brother had achieved the feat a few years ago. And it was enough to make the younger sibling decide, hey me too. Back in April 1996, a 7-year old named Jessica, died together with her father and flight instructor, their plane crashing after take-off in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Jessica was trying to become the youngest person to fly an airplane across the US. And who can ever forget the insane inanity of the “balloon boy’s” parents? Such stunts have been met with criticism, some loud and harsh and some with just a mute shaking of the head. I, for one, am deeply suspicious about the values that generate this kind of vainglorious dreams that badly skews our perceptions of what matters in life. As others are finding out, celebrity can be a curse. When will this insanity of glory hounds end, both these young ones and
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS THE U.S. FDA has recently approved a painkiller that is 10 times more potent than fentanyl and 1000 times more powerful than morphine, a faster killer when abused, a potentially attractive new drug for narco-lords and gangs. The name is Dsuvia, which is projected to be great for medical use in medical facilities, but a disaster when illegally traded on the now narcotic-flooded stealth market. More than 130 people die a day (yes, every single day) in the USA from drug overdose. Approved for hospital use only, Dsuvia would kill even faster and greater when it gets out, which will surely happen. Wonder-fruit guava, versatile Guava, a green tropical fruit, now available all over the world, is not only refreshingly tasty but amazingly a source of many healthy ingredients. Among the benefits one gets from quava are: an aid to the management of high blood pressure, diabetes type 2, thyroid deficiency, overweight problem, diarrhea, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), for brain health, constipation, eye health, cough and colds, deficiency of Vitamins, A, B3, B6, and C, iron and potassium. It is a good antioxidant and detoxifier that helps in skin care and in lowering the risk for cancer. A deadly summer or winter path Driving on the lonely road in Death Valley, Eastern California, in the northern Mojave Dessert, has killed countless people during boiling summer and freezing winter. It is one of the hottest places on earth, temperature reaching a record high of 134 degrees F (56.7 Celcius) on July 10, 1913. Winter here is also deadly. Death Valley was a warning name coined by pioneers lost here during the winter of 1849-2850. AS father and son were found dead under their pick-up track that broke down on a very hot summer day on a practically abandoned Death Valley road some years ago. What would happen if the sun disappeared? The sun is 333,000 times the mass of Earth, and the heat it churns out has the same amount of energy as 100 billion (with a “B”) hydrogen bombs per second! The sun heats our planet with just the right temperature to sustain life. When the sun disappears, the solar (sun) system that controls and locks allplanets into elliptical orbits (including earth which is orbiting the sun at the speed of 67,000 miles per hour) would lose its natural gravitational force and “release” all the planets out of their orbit, flying
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Hail to the ordinary PNB Remittance Centers rocks it at TTC expo “ There are definitely some enemies in my life I definitely would wish celebrity on...” — Gary Coleman Star of the sitcom, ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ who suffered a reversal of fortune and died at 42 their parents? Does the lure of making it on the books, celebrity, money and endorsements and feeling superior overtake common sense? Do parents feel the need to bask in the reflected glory of their children’s achievements? Surely there has got to be more to life than satisfying one’s ego. Surely, there are more worthwhile things in the world such self-absorption can be redirected to. In the interest of providing a view that may knock some sense to some of us with pie-in-the sky longings for recognition and celebrity, here’s an article that attempts to provoke thought. This addresses the same tendency that in Greek mythology, had Icarus’ wax wings melting in the heat of the sun as he flew higher, the same thing that doomed the fallen angels and the same thing that may have driven Adam and Eve from Eden. Here it is – an attempt to show appreciation for what simply is. The world we live in is conditioned to emulate extremes. We delight in the most beautiful, the tallest, the largest, the richest, the brightest, the fastest and anything else you can think of, as well as pay attention to extremes at the opposite end of the spectrum: the ugliest, the shortest, the smallest, the poorest, the darkest, the slowest. You get the idea. We’re conditioned to pay no
mind to the ordinary, the middle ground, the average runof-the-mill, the shades of gray, the humdrum of everyday life or the predictably dull and boring. The heroes and heroines made immortal in books and movies were extraordinary characters. We do not particularly care for bland characters who live lives of quiet desperation. We want to live vicariously through the lives of characters who are defiantly shaking their fists at the gods and beating all odds. We are tempted to look at movie stars, fat cats and other luminaries who dare defy conventions basking in the public limelight pursued by TMZ cameras as people worthy of awe and respect. And if you let it, a tiny tinge of envy gnaws at our souls when you see their images commanding megabucks. They appear as titans walking among ants. Granted a select few of them deserve the attention we give them but most can be reduced to fodder for the gristmill of entertainment. The truth is, those who deserve our awe and respect are the ones who orbit our daily life. (Continued next week …) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
New dangerous painkiller approved Health@Heart
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 22-28, 2019
Einstein wrote “the force from gravity is not instantaneous, as it travels the same speed as light, so light from the sun would still be upon the earth momentarily. Therefore, if the sun disappeared, we would remain blissfully unaware for eight minutes that inevitable doom was upon us.” Life on earth would then cease, except f or organisms which do not need light to survive.” off uncontrollably into the space, and cause chaos in the solar system, as Einstein had brilliantly shown in his Theory of Relativity in 1915. The entire earth would then be a big frozen ball of ice if the sun were not here. Einstein wrote “the force from gravity is not instantaneous, as it travels the same speed as light, so light from the sun would still be upon the earth momentarily. Therefore, if the sun disappeared, we would remain blissfully unaware for eight minutes that inevitable doom was upon us.” Life on earth would then cease, except for organisms which do not need light to survive. Identity theft, techno-crimes In the past, before we had these amazing and mind-boggling advances in science and wireless technology, thieves had to pick you pocket, or steal your purse or briefcase to have access to your credit card, driver’s license, etc., or break your car windows to steal anything they want inside your vehicle. In today’s techno-world, all the criminal has to do is to come close to you with his special wireless data-copying gadget, and viola!, he’s got your credit card/ license numbers within seconds. There is also an electronic sonar copier that records the special code signal of your carkey-remote, and when you leave you vehicle to do you errand, the thief is able to open your car without breaking your window. To prevent this digital theft, make a pouch for your credit card, license, etc., using a aluminum tinfoil from your kitchen (termed Faraday Cage, electromagnetic enclosure) to act as RFID (Radio frequency identification) blocker. RFID wallets are available, even in electronic stores, super markets or bookstores. For years, my wife, Farida, and I, have avoided (100%) using our car remote opener; we have been using the old-fashioned manual door closing method when we leave our cars. Computer hacking While there is no 100% way to totally prevent computer hacking (the reason giant world companies, banks, stores, etc., have been hacked for ransom here and abroad), there bare a couple of things we, as individuals, can do to to greatly reduce this malicious hacking and computer fraud and scams, which could lead to emptying your bank accounts, or stealing your identity data, which are nightmares. These hackers, cyber-criminals, are merciless and persistent. Here are some tips in fighting back:
Update your operating system and software frequently; download up-to-date security programs, anti-virus, anti-malwares, firewall. Create a long and difficult password to access you computer nor your email, etc… but remember not to forget it, or you will be in trouble; destroy all personal data and info, and files, on your hard drive before selling or giving your computer away. If you know how, RESET your computer to erase all data; your router-modem internet and TV must have username and strong password; your cell phone must also have a very secure password to open it; use different password for each device; before using Cloud for storage, investigate and do due diligence to make sure it is legitimate and secure protection, otherwise, stay off Cloud. Also, use Bit Defender or Total AV, Kaspersky, McAfee, or Norton Security Set and subscribe to NordVPN or LifeLock for computer security. But the most important and effective tools you have are your personal wisdom, carefulness, an analytical mind, a tiny bit of paranoia in this day and age, and humility to ask for help from our tech-saavy family members and friends on computer subjects too complicated for you. If any website or email writer is asking for personal data or your credit card, license number of insurance info, never give them any, unless they are Amazon or Best Buy, or other well-known established businesses, whose official website you are ordering online from. Today, it is no longer watching your back for dangers; it is now watching your front! In spite of this technical maze, let us happily use our computers, tablets, smart phones and gadgets productively, and talk to these wonderful courteous female robots with artificial intelligence and lovely voices, Microsoft’s Cortana, Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Samsung’s Bixby, or our un-named Google Assistant, and enjoy life to the fullest, regardless of these cyber-criminals. *** 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@
Smart preparation and enthusiasm are the keys to success. They certainly were in the case of PNBRCI’s booth participation in the EXPO. Seen left to right in front of the stage during the Saturday event are: Carl Esguerra- Corporate Staff; Evangeline Nery- Corporate Staff; Wilmyn Armas- Carson Branch Manager; Nelson Javier, PNBRCI President & CEO; Emilene Javier, Corporate staff; Barbara Lanier, Operations Officer and Kevin Banas, IT staff member. Annie Nepomuceno, EXPO Coordinator and Emcee is seen onstage.
For the Sunday draw, the winner of the 32 inches flat screen TV was Jovy Johnson from Hawthorne, California. With her in the photo is Chito Esguerra, Internal Audit Assistant, representing PNBRCI.
Ramon Padernal, PNBRCI Artesia Branch Manager, Nilfa Ortiz, West Covina Branch Teller and Chito Esguerra, Internal Audit Assistant, ( not in the photo) were on hand to staff and man the balloon-festooned, very popular PNBRCI booth at he EXPO.
Bags, pens, toasters and various other promotional give-aways galore were given away by enthusiastic PNBRCI staffers who enjoyed their stint at the EXPO. Participants took turns to spin the tambiolo to see which prize they won. The highlight of the 2-day event includes 2 units of 32 inches flat screen TV for which many lined up and stayed for the draw. For the Saturday draw, the winner of the 32 inches TV was Quintin Villaruel of Torrance, California. Nelson V. Javier, PNBRCI President & CEO was on hand to award him the coveted prize for the day.
on the West Coast, New York/ New Jersey in the East Coast as well as Las Vegas in Nevada. It also publishes the quarterly Balikbayan Magazine featuring the beauty of the Philippines and the people who make it so. Balikbayan is distributed internationally to cater to expatriates around the world. Unlike most remittance companies that entirely depend on a website and an impersonal online presence and operations subject to the omnipresent and virulent real dangers of hacking and virus attacks on the internet, PNBRCI’s cutting edge remains its personal, face-to-face interaction that has earned the trust of thousands of community members over the years. As Nelson Javier, President and CEO of PNBRCI has emphasized, TRUST is the one thing, among many others, that the company has kept as a val-
ued and time-honored corporate culture. PNBRCI makes good on every transaction thus delivering a highly satisfactory, consistent performance and the loyalty of many who are wary of disclosing personal and financial information over the internet for their regular money transfers. Its strategic locations cater to thousands of Filipinos in America that have come to depend on this company thus earning an enviable sterling reputation built painstakingly over time. Like other companies in the industry, PNBRCI also offers the convenience of online transactions but its physical locations which are staffed by kababayans, many of whom have been with the company for years, including its President & CEO Nelson Javier, provide a tangible recourse should any glitch in money transfers come up. This feature is most reassuring for many remitters.
PNBRCI pulled out all the stops to be a vibrant part of this event — and with great results! Long-time customers and new, prospective ones were able to meet the faces behind the company that many have come to know and trust. Plus, they had a lot of fun winning prizes. The Travel, Trade and Consumer (TTC) community event is annually sponsored by the Asian Journal Group of Companies and was held at the SouthBay Pavilion in Carson, California last August 3 & 4, 2019. Asian Journal, together with many community leaders, serves as a vital source and conduit for businesses to succeed and thrive ever more strongly in today’s booming American business environment. AJ has been serving the community for nearly 3 decades since 1991 publishing 5 weekly editions with digital copies online in 4 states, California
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Senior Technology Literacy Program in Los Angeles Search to Involve Pilipino Americans and the Filipino Googler Network present Senior Technology Literacy Program on Friday, August 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. The first session will be an introduction to mobile devices — learn the basics of navigating a mobile device (smartphone, table) and connecting to the internet. Seating is limited. To register, please contact John Swing at (213) 519-8033 or email john@sipacares.org. SIPA is located at 3200 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026.
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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
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August 22-28, 2019 • LAs VEgAs AsIAN JOuRNAL
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Gina Lopez’s legacy: Social-impact environmentalist for Pasig River’s revival Rhizomes
Prosy AbArquezDelAcruz, J.D. [EDITOR’S Note: A full version of this article was previously published in Balikbayan Magazine’s October-November 2011 issue] “Water is a great teacher that shows us how to move through the world with grace, ease, determination, and humility. When a river breaks at a waterfall, it gains energy and moves on, as we encounter our own waterfalls, we may fall hard but we always keep moving on. Water is brave and does not waste time clinging to its past, but flows onward without looking back.” —Anonymous Dreamers know no bounds and see only possibilities. They are grounded in God’s infinite grace and envision no limitations to their dreams. They keep on no matter what, and step by step, they see that what they committed to do, defines them, and inspires the organizations they lead. First, there is Tony Meloto, who imagines the poor can be middle class in the Philippines, who keeps on, despite the odds and conflicts he faced. Today, Gawad Kalinga gets worldwide donations and has built homes for 2,000 communities. Second, there is Loida Nicolas Lewis who imagines a school, so Sorsogonian children can be educated in moral values, technology and entrepreneurship, then jobs or businesses as productive citizens in a global economy. The Lewis College now has close to a thousand enrolled students from K to college. Third, there is Dado Banatao who imagines strategic philanthropy as a significant bridge amongst Filipino Americans and Filipinos, funding science and technology researches, while producing high-value goods that anchor a sustainable economy in the Philippines. Today, his partnership with Philippine Development Foundation (formerly Ayala Foundation) and the Philippine government has created a research consortium, involving seven universities, aggregating their scientific capacities. Fourth, there is Vicky Wallace who imagines a bed and breakfast in Panglao, Bohol, using local crops and local labor. She is much ahead of her times when she conceived it
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a decade ago, when organic cooking and baking was not in vogue yet in Bohol. Now, her visionary thinking for Bohol Bee Farms gives jobs to hundreds of Boholanos, while she raises her own bees, farms her own produce and makes new dips using malunggay, with food technologists as new uses for fruits and vegetables. Joining this circle of spiritually–grounded visionaries is Regina “Gina” Lopez who imagines the Philippines as the eco-tourism capital of the planet. “We are not Singapore or Hong Kong, we are 7,000 amazingly beautiful and spectacular islands. Many of us do not even know the beauty that exists in our country because these islands are not comfortably accessible, to discover the magnificence of Sibuyan Island in Romblon and to even [get] more saddened to find that a people living amidst such magnificence could be so poor, “ she said. “Envision it like Hawaii,” I told her. “Yes, yes,” she replied! Gina’s transformational cleaning up of the Pasig River, a river long dead, like a landfill in one section, filled with mattresses, plastic bags, diapers, tires, bottles, and a dead carcass stench, has opened up collective imaginations and collective energies that kaya pala natin ito. Used to making a big splash, as part of a mediaconglomerate family, she was raised to look at the problem in a strategic way. Watching her dad, Eugenio Lopez, by example, she learned from him the importance of integrity and vision. Gina was asked to take over the Pasig River cleanup by former First Lady Ming Ramos. But, before taking it on, she sought partnership with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR). DENR agreed, so she accepted. Later, she was officially appointed by President Benigno S. Aquino to chair the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, under the DENR, along with Metro Manila Development Authority, Office of Executive Secretary of the President of the Philippines, Department of Tourism, Department of Public Works and Highways, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Department of Interior Local Governments, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, Department of National Defense, Department of Transportation and Communications, GMA Network, ABS-CBN Foundation/Bantay Kalikasan and Unilever. The commission’s goal
was to have a viable river of Class C quality, fit for fishing, boating and manufacturing water supply for food processing. Mind you, this is a 15-year effort of cleanup and revival. Many unsuccessful attempts have been made in the Pasig River, including the relocation of top polluting industries, like chemicals and petroleum, which have since relocated. But, the unprocessed domestic wastes, to which only 7% of the households in Metro Manila are connected to sewage treatment, make the problem quite insurmountable. But not Gina! Estero de Paco became the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission’s demonstrative project. It was the largest estero, the dirtiest and presented the most challenge. What once was a slum-dwelling estero, it is now bordered by agapanthus and rubber plants, complete with what Gina calls “island reactor, with coco coir to filter the water, and man-made waterfalls.” Next to it is a newly built Paco Market, with stabilized rents. She is currently seeking donors to help former vendors the first rights to go back to the stalls, at $1,500 a stall. It is now a state of the art facility, with better managed and cleaner stalls, and no longer with an added stench from the nearby Pasig River. I asked her what gives her a unique perspective in seeing the Filipino potential of healing Mother Nature and their capacity for change. While she grew up a child of privilege to the Lopez family (who owns prime real estate, utilities and biggest media network in the Philippines) and received a high school education at Assumption College, then college at Newton College of Sacred Heart in Massachusetts, she dropped out to become a yoga missionary for Ananda Marga, dedicated to the self-realization and service to humanity. Her commitment of 20 years led her to India, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria. She credits this part of her life as opening up her sights that poverty can be removed in the Philippines, “especially in the places which are beautiful, in these places, agriculture and eco-tourism is the way to go.” Her political will to see transformational change amongst the poor came about when she learned survival skills as a missionary in Africa. She found herself without a safety net of being part of a media conglomerate nor the connections of a well-placed family. She
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learned that “when there is a will there is a way.” “That as long as one had faith in one’s convictions, one can build dreams. I ended up with land, a house, a children’s home, a school. To survive, I would go to businesses and tell them what I was doing and invariably I would get support. I learned how the poor live. I lived in the slums of Africa where one had to stand in line for hours for water, taking a bath and washing with a bucket, where there are no toilets. I had to sleep on the floor. It was hard but I developed an affinity with the poor…I know what it is like,” she continued. Indeed she knows. She applied the first principle in doing projects for the impoverished, malnourished children. When she came back to the Philippines, she took on these projects that made a splash, not with fame and glamour, but with social impact. Bantay Bata is child welfare program of the ABS-CBN Foundation, with eight regional offices that provide rescue and relief for abused and sick children, while giving them quality home care and therapy, until they are reunited with their families or referred to appropriate childcare agencies. For her work in designing an all-around safety net for the abused Filipino child, she was recognized as one of the AAA awardees of the Asian Institute of Management. She was a UNESCO Kalinga Awardee for popularizing science through her innovative media work on math, sciences, national heroes, seeking help from the Department of Education to show these modules in the classrooms. In classrooms where they were shown, dramatic improvements were achieved in math and reading scores. Her social-impact environmentalism appears to follow three principles in Van Jones’ Green Collar Economy’s book: first, equal protection for all, where the pain is minimized for the impacted group and their gain maximized; second, equal opportunity for those in pursuit of equity, where all are included; and third, reverence for all creation. She states her principles as: “commitment to integrity, compassion to care for each other, to work together, reverence for the environment and healthy lifestyle.” She shared her work in Estero de Paco, next to Paco Market, to a group of Filipino Americans gathered in Goldilocks in Cerritos,
The once polluted Estero de Paco in Manila, near the Paco Market
The Estero de Paco, a tributary of the Pasig River, after the cleanup efforts led by Lopez. Photos courtesy of ABS-CBN Foundation
California one evening in 2011. We were all riveted to her presentation that most folks did not leave until close to midnight. Housing for the informal settlers who lived on the banks of the waterways or esteros was first secured. They were relocated to a development called Bayan ni Juan, where concrete row houses were built, with a school and clinic in Calauan, Laguna. She is the first to say that she cannot do it alone, but together with a team of students, military, community volunteers, “where the cleanups were always a source of joy and kinship,” nothing seems impossible. Gina is the first to admit that more investors are needed to set up businesses which will employ local folks, much like the visionary Vicky Wallace, who did it in Bohol for her province-mates, and much like Loida Lewis who is educating her fellow province-mates in Sorsogon. Gina had prevented more respiratory diseases and a new imagination has sprung from these new Calauan residents. Now, the second principle of equal opportunities for all has to be satisfied. At the Paco Market, most of these retail vendors are provided opportunities to inhabit the new market stalls.
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“Nothing can stand in the way of a people united for a noble cause,” Gina said: “I have a deep resonance with the environment. My spiritual practice is feeling the divine, entering stillness, then feeling the Higher Worlds. When one does this, one develops a very keen affinity with nature. Divine Energy is in Nature.” As to the third principle of reverence for all, Gina succeeded in eradicating poverty in Puerto Princesa, where she helped the community residents in building trails, a waterless toilet, a visitor’s center, and other visitorfriendly improvements. With this community-based tourism, the community benefited. She has eliminated poverty in this area in just a period of two years with very minimal investment in five communities living amidst these gorgeous surroundings. “It has even reached the stage where the profit is big enough to roll over to another community,” she added. Like water, moving with grace, ease, determination and humility, Gina has indeed been a social impact environmentalist, a peacebuilder, healer and nurturer of Mother Nature by cleaning dead rivers and installing communitybased eco-tourism!
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUSt 22-28, 2019
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Celebrating the beautiful and memorable life of Gina Lopez By MoMar G. Visaya AJPress
TO say that Gina Lopez led a colorful life would be a severe understatement. The former environment and natural resources secretary passed away on Monday, August 19, due to multiple organ failure after a brave battle with brain cancer. She was 65. The second of seven children of Eugenio Lopez, Jr. and Conchita La’O, Regina Paz — fondly known as Gina — was born with the proverbial silver spoon and grew up in an environment where she was pampered and sheltered. At the age of 18, she moved to the United States to study. It was while at the Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Boston where she learned more about spirituality, meditation and Ananda Marga, which radically changed the course of her life. “Eventually I left home. Not because things were not good, but because I had this urge to do something. Looking back at it now, I still marvel at how I did all that I did. Leaving home, renouncing everything, having two to three sets of clothes, and taking a vow of celibacy—at 18! It’s almost like a segment of my life was cut dead,” Lopez wrote in a revealing essay published by Rogue Magazine in March 2016. For the next 20 years, she served as a full-fledged yoga missionary in Portugal, India and Africa, among the poor and underserved, far from the rich enclave of her growing up
years in Forbes Park. It was while doing these where she learned the values that would come in handy in her future life as an advocate for the environment and children’s rights, among others. It was while serving in Africa when she met her now ex-husband, Sona with whom she has two sons, Roberto and Benjamin. She lived for six years in Kenya and two of those years were in a slum area. This was where she learned to value water. She revealed that they had to stand in line for hours for a bucket of water and she had a pail, for bathing herself and for washing her clothes. “When one doesn’t have much, one treasures every little bit. I lived as the poor lived, so I learned how not to be wasteful—a trait I carry to this day where I use every bit of everything. I learned how to value empty containers, because they can be of use eventually,” she wrote further. Returning to Manila Lopez eventually decided to return to the Philippines with her husband. Missionary work forbade them from having relationships with the opposite sex. On the day of her return, she found out that she was pregnant and that’s when she knew the door of going back to Africa and the missionary life had closed. Armed now with the knowledge and values she learned in the two decades she dedicated to missionary life, Lopez decided to focus on
Lopez, secretary for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from 2016 to 2017, spoke at a Greenpeace-led candlelight vigil in front of the department’s central office in May 2017 following the Commission on Appointment’s rejection of her appointment to head the agency.
operations and not the money they make.” During her short-lived stint as environment chief, Lopez ordered the shutdown of 23 mines and suspension of five others. She canceled 75 contracts for mining projects located in watersheds, as well. She was the secretary for 10 months until the Commission on Appointments voted 16-8 through secret balloting to end her tenure. She went on to host an environmental show on ABS-CBN called “G Diaries,” which focused on environmental conservation, area development and innovations. She also became the first Filipino to be awarded the prestigious Seacology Prize in Berkeley, California back in October 2017 for her “exceptional achievement in preserving island environments and culture”. Advocate In a statement, ABS-CBN said: “Gina was the pillar of strength that pushed ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) to achieve what seemed to be impossible. Her caring heart and selfless kind of love inspired people within and beyond the organization to help and serve others.” “[She] was a champion for the environment, child protection, and the disadvantaged. She exemplified a life of service to humanity with a deep desire to improve people’s lives, rallied for social justice, and sought to bring hope and change to poor communities,” Lopez was in the Bay Area in January 2019 to present the i.L.O.V.E. (Investments in Loving Organizations for Village Economies) organization it added. Through her advocacies, Lopez to Filipino Americans, which aims to lift communities out of poverty through the creation of environmentally-conscious businesses at the grassroots level. She also launched the Quest for Love, which pairs eight loving organizations with their respective mentors to work together launched numerous projects such to support a community. AJPress photo by Joseph Peralta as Bantay Bata 163, Bantay Kauplifting the lives of the poor in her own country, the Philippines. She found her heart and place in the ABS-CBN Foundation, the public service arm of ABS-CBN. She spearheaded and instituted projects that focused on communities in crisis, educational media (TV and radio), Bantay Bata, Bantay Kalikasan, among others. In June 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed her as the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “Integrity, public service and common good are the key deciding factors for any decision that will be taken,” Lopez had said upon her appointment. “Any industry must bear in mind that the common good is paramount in their
Gina Lopez devoted her life to various environmental and social causes.
likasan, Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig, Sagip Kapamilya, and the reforestation of the La Mesa Watershed. She also served as the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission chairperson. These are the projects that have left indelible marks in the lives of millions of Filipinos and this is the legacy that Lopez, the woman in a hurry, left. Lopez inspired a lot of people as a champion for the environment, child protection, and the disadvantaged. She exemplified a life of service to humanity with a deep desire to improve people’s
lives, rallied for social justice and sought to bring hope and change to poor communities. In a 2011 interview with the Asian Journal’s Balikbayan Magazine, Lopez said: “Nothing can stand in the way of a people united for a noble cause.” “I have a deep resonance with the environment. My spiritual practice is feeling the divine, entering stillness, then feeling the Higher Worlds. When one does this, one develops a very keen affinity with nature. Divine Energy is in Nature,” she continued. PAGE 14
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August 22-28, 2019 • LAs VEgAs AsIAN JOuRNAL
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7 Filipino fashion brands display diverse materials, outstanding craftmanship at trade show in Las Vegas A group of seven Filipino brands, under the group Fashionphilippines, showcased the diversity of materials and outstanding craftsmanship during the project Womens trade show in Las Vegas this past weekend, August 12 to 14. The project Womens participation of Fashionphilippines was organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the philippine Trade and Investment Center (pTIC) in Los Angeles and San Francisco in California, uSA.
Sea Princess necklace by Agsam Fern (left) and tote bag made from ‘banig’ by Lara Samar (right)
project Womens is one of the 12 trade shows included in the Men’s Apparel guild in California (MAgIC) trade fair, considered to be the most comprehensive fashion marketplace in the united States. project Womens features the best emerging and established brands that are noteworthy and cause-oriented. “What is different with Fashionphilippines’ participation in project Womens is that the brands joining the show carry so many stories and a lot of potential with them,” said CITEM Executive Director pauline Suaco-Juan. “We have eight brands and they all use a diverse range of materials in their pieces. They employ weavers, carvers and artisans and these people show exceptional craftsmanship in their products.” Sourcing from nature Two brands that joined project Womens this year make notable use of what nature gives their hometowns in abundance. Agsam Fern makes use of the wild fern plant agsam, which grows abundantly in its home base of Surigao del Sur, to create accessories that are intricate in design and detail. Lara, an initiative of the provincial government of Samar, makes use of tikog grass that grows abundantly in the province to turn the humble banig into high-end fashion pieces that are sturdy and long-lasting. Making something new out of discarded items
Colorful patterns from Lalapatos (left) and cool mosaics from Virtucio (right)
Lalapatos by Maco Custodio and Virtucio use foil packs and plastic—two items that would normally be thrown away after just one use—in their shoes and handbags, respectively. Lalapatos uses foil packs from preconsumed items that are turned into strips and woven together by hand before combining them with leather panels. Virtucio, on the other hand, collects single-use plastic bags that are cut, pressed and then melted to achieve a colorful, mosaic-like effect on its products. Giving meaning to their Unusual shapes but exquisite details from Vesti (left) and Calli (right) hands’ work Many the brands’ designers and owners work with communities of weavers, artisans and craftsmen to execute their designs
Rich details from Beatriz bags and Ken Samudio necklace
and craft delightful pieces. Vesti works with indigenous tribes from Mindanao, taking inspiration from their weaving heritage and combines their weaves with modern silhouettes to make one-of-a-kind bags that can be used during any occasion. Calli’s bags feature textures and shapes that are carved masterfully by local carvers and artisans from wood, paired with other accents such as hand-woven rattan. Attention to detail From simple to elaborate, the philippine brands at the project Womens showed precise attention to detail in its products. Beatriz and Ken Samudio make accessories that illustrate their artisans’ capacity for executing intricate designs using a variety of
materials such as cotton threads, natural fibers and upcycled beads from glass and plastic. PH seeks P2.53M revenue in its first participation The philippine participation aimed to achieve p2.53 million in revenue and u.S.$790,000 in export sales at project Womens this year along with 240 buyer inquiries. With 51,000 buyers from 122 countries visiting the MAgIC trade show in August 2018, CITEM was optimistic that Fashionphilippines would capture a market on the strength of its products’ appeal and quality. Buyers come from all over the united States and other countries such as the united Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Mexico and Colombia.
Celebrating the beautiful...
PAGE 13 Her program Bantay Bata 163 became the first rescue hotline for children in Asia. It also bagged the united Nations grand Awardee for Excellence in 1997, besting 187 countries all over the world. Among the Foundation’s major programs was Educational Television (ETV) and under it were shows that tackled the subject matters in public schools like science (Sine’skwela), mathematics (Math Tinik), history (Bayani), values educations (Hirayamanawari) and Epol/Apple (English). Through her initiatives, more than 10,000 public elementary schools nationwide received ETV sets for their school libraries. She also founded Bantay Kalikasan, a program that advocates for the protection of the environment. Among its most notable achievements include the successful reforestation of the La Mesa Watershed and the eventual rehabilitation of 17 estuaries or esteros of the pasig river. Because of this, then-president Benigno S. Aquino III appointed her in 2010 as the chairperson of the pasig river rehabilitation Commission. Lopez recently established Investments in Loving organizations for Village Economies (iLoVE) Foundation, as well, which seeks to lift communities out of poverty through the creation of environmentally conscious businesses at the grassroots level. Testimonials Friends, family and netizens took to social media with tributes to Lopez and the life she lived. In an Instagram post, former ABS-CBN big boss Charo Santos Concio mourned the death of her friend. “This is how I will remember my dear friend, gina... always so passionate When she is on to something, she will definitely do it with all her heart, mind and soul, whatever it takes. When she would tell me her vision... the next thing I know, she’s already in the field doing something about it. No wasted time... no wasted opportunities... for the love of the people, the country and the environment. gina, may your selfless heart inspire many more!!! Thank you for
the unconditional love rest now, my friend! #MaramingSalamatginaLopez,” Santos-Concio wrote in the caption. “gina’s spirit, passion and energy were boundless. There was criticism that she was combustible, all over the place. But that’s because she wanted to do so much,” said actor Audie gemora, who worked on several educational TV programs that ABS-CBN Foundation produced. ging reyes, head of ABS-CBN’s Integrated News and Current Affairs, couldn’t agree more. “Now we realize why she was always in a hurry to finish something; she was a woman possessed every time she took up a cause. Nothing was impossible, everything was doable,” reyes posted on her Facebook wall. Purpose “At an age when people are just figuring out what they want to do in life, she already knew her purpose. She left a comfortable life to devote her time and energy to help uplift other people’s lives,” ABS-CBN’s chairman Mark Lopez said. “When she returned to join ABS-CBN, she instilled in her people the same drive to help. For her, nothing cannot be done, no effort is too small, anybody can — and should — do their part in making the world a better place,” he added. Mark is a cousin of the former environment secretary. According to the ABS-CBN Foundation, Lopez’s family has requested that donations be made to the foundation in lieu of flowers and Mass cards. A public memorial service will be held at the La Mesa Ecopark — which rehabilitated through Bantay Kalikasan — on August 22 and 23. Though Lopez has departed, her legacy and love for social justice issues, the environment, and her home country of the philippines live on. “If we in this country dream and hope the common good and commitment to integrity, I have no doubt in my heart and in my mind that our country will see the light of day,” she said in Metro Society interview.
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