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AU GUS T 23-29, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 44 • 16 Pages 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • 2500 Plaza S. Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858
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US slams ‘bullying’ in South China Sea DATELINE USA by CHRISTINA
MENDEZ
Philstar.com
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
WASHINGTON — The White House on Tuesday, August 20, accused China of “bullying tactics” in the increasingly tense waters of the South China Sea and said it would resist Beijing on the dispute. “China’s recent escalation of efforts to intimidate others out of developing resources in the South China Sea is disturbing,” President
Donald Trump’s national security advisor John Bolton tweeted. “The United States stands firmly with those who oppose coercive behavior and bullying tactics which threaten regional peace and security.” China has been accused of deploying warships, arming island outposts and ramming fishing vessels in the resource-rich sea, also contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Washington has repeatedly criticized China’s attempts to exert growing dominance in the disputed waters, but Bolton’s latest broadside comes as the two economic superpowers face off in a damaging trade war. In Manila, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles said that while President Duterte may have been displeased by reports of Chinese incursion into Philippines waters, his administration has not
given up on peaceful means to resolve any conflict with Beijing. “I think it has something to do with Ship Identification System… when they pass through our sea lanes and turn them off. We are able to (only) monitor the commercial vessels,” Nograles said when asked about the President’s unusual reproach on China. “It came to the attention of the president, they are switching it off
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Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker and immigrant advocate Jose Antonio Vargas gives his speech as school officials listen at the dedication ceremony for the newlyopened Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School on Thursday, August 15. AJPress photo by Joseph Peralta
Duterte tells public servants: Serve with Silicon Valley elementary honor, integrity like Ninoy school named after Filipino Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, immigration activist by ALEXIS
ROMERO Philstar.com
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.
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, August 21, expressed hope that the life of the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr. would inspire government workers to serve with honor and to help fight the problems that beset the nation. In his message for the Ninoy Aquino Day, Duterte said Aquino’s sacrifice “altered the course of our nation’s history and still continues to ignite the spirit of heroism among our people.” “May this auspicious occasion remind us of what we had lost so that we may remain committed to our solemn duty to safeguard the freedom that we now enjoy,” Duterte said.
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SOLAR-DIESEL POWER PLANT. President Rodrigo Duterte inaugurated on Wednesday, August 21 the P550-million Tumingad Solar Power Project, the country’s first and largest hybrid solar-diesel microgrid with battery facility. Speaking before the attendees of the inauguration rites, President Duterte said the commercial operation of the 7.5-MWp hybrid solar-diesel power plant will pave the way to a greener tomorrow for Romblon and the rest of the country. It is a milestone, he said, not only for the people of the province but also for the environment. Malacañang photos by Richard Madelo
Ex-mayor Antonio Sanchez eligible for release Lacson pushes treaty to help Filipino convicts abroad by
RITCHEL MENDIOLA AJPress
Murder and rape convict Antonio Sanchez in his prison cell where the image of the Virgin Mary, to whom he says he is devoted, is prominently displayed in this February 1999 photo. Inquirer.net photo
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, August 20, said convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez may walk free out of prison as he becomes one of the 11,000 inmates eligible for release under a new law. According to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Sanchez would benefit from the recent ruling issued by the Supreme Court (SC) that orders the retro-
active application of the number of days credited to prisoners for their good-conduct time allowance (GCTA). “He (Sanchez) is not the only one involved here but also thousands under detention, persons deprived of liberty. So many prisoners’ good-conduct time allowances would be subjected to recomputation. Maybe one after the other they would be released,” he said. The Republic Act (RA) 10592 amended provisions of the Revised Penal Code and allowed
the credit of preventive imprisonment and revision of GCTA of persons deprived of liberty. Under the law, 20 days will be deducted for each month for good behavior during the first two years of imprisonment, while 23 days for each month will be deducted during the third to fifth year. From sixth to 10th year, 25 days will be deducted for each month of good behavior; and 30 days for each month from the 11th year to succeeding years.
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‘Transfer of Sentenced Persons’ to give convicts option to serve time in their home country by AJPRESS
SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Monday, August 19, called for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to pursue more Transfer of Sentenced Persons agreements with other countries, pointing out the efforts of the government to help Filipino drug convicts
abroad while it is “killing people” in the Philippines. “How do you reconcile [the fact that] here in our country we’re killing people and then we’re saving drug convicts detained in another country. I’m just curious,” Lacson asked Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. during the
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From the Front Page Lacson pushes treaty to help Filipino convicts... PAGE 1 hearing of the Senate foreign affairs relations committee. “Going back to the repatriation of Filipino convicts, maybe you should pursue more Transfer of Sentenced Persons treaties, just like what we have with Spain. I’m just wondering if they would agree to be transferred to Muntinlupa [that is, the New Bilibid Prison] from where they are being detained abroad,” he added. According to the Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, individuals tried and convicted in a foreign country would have the option to serve their time remaining their sentence in their home country. Lacson’s statement came following the data released by the DFA during the meeting that showed that most Filipinos overseas were detained due to drug charges. Normally, the DFA offers financial and legal aid to Filipinos abroad through the assistance to nationals (ATN) or the legal assistance fund (LAF). DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said P1 billion is
allotted for the ATN while the LAF has a P200 million budget. She added that the DFA has spent P483 million, or 48%, of its ATN fund and P81 million, 41%, of its LAF from January to July 2019. Arriola also noted that overseas Filipinos on death row due to conviction in drug cases had been provided with lawyers “since the inception of the case.” In response to Lacson’s question, Locsin said: “Frankly, I used to wonder about that. That’s why I continue to support the abolition of death penalty because I cannot see how, now that we abolished it, if we restore it, how can we appeal if we feel that there is a possibility of miscarriage of justice in a foreign country.” “How can we appeal for mercy or a commutation of sentence? That’s a completely unresolved issue as far as I’m concerned,” he added. Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, for his part, said it does not mean that Filipinos who violated another country’s laws should not be punished.
“We are not saying that they [Filipino convicts abroad] should not be punished, but since they are our nationals, we take care of them, we monitor how they are treated, we look at their condition. So is that a way to rationalize?” said the chair of the Senate foreign relations committee. “Cause we will never ask a foreign country, do not punish our countryman who is involved in drugs because we also will jail him here if he violates our loss. But when you incarcerate him and you punish him, we should be allowed to take a look and pay a visit to our countryman and look at his condition or situation,” he added. Lacson noted that a possible justification for the DFA effort to assist convicts overseas is that the government will treat them as Filipinos first and convicts second. “If our intention is to really take care of our own nationals, it would be better if they were here. So maybe in coordination with hose foreign countries, we can pursue that path,” he said. n
BIENNIAL CONFERENCE. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. (left) delivers his message during the opening ceremony of the 7th Biennial Conference of the Asian Society of International Law, held at the Monet Ballroom of the Novotel Hotel Manila, Araneta Center in Quezon City on Thursday, August 22. The conference is considered the biggest international law event in the region as participants come from all over the world, including members of international tribunals, international law experts, government officials, lawyers and scholars attend the event. PNA photo by Gil Calinga
US slams ‘bullying’ in South China...
PAGE 1 when they pass through. I believe that was the context on why there was that announcement,” Nograles said. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said on Tuesday that — as ordered by the Chief Executive –—foreign ships face “unfriendly” treatment if they continue to enter Philippine territorial waters without proper clearances. The Philippine Coast Guard said it is ready to enforce the President’s order. “We are ready to implement orders. We will follow orders and deploy our vessels. We will also collaborate and seek guidance with National Security Council (NSC),” PCG spokesman Captain Armand Balilo told The Star. “We have been monitoring through the National Coast Watch. Regarding issues like this, PCG cannot act without the guidance of the NSC and the DND (Department of National Defense). We are just waiting for the orders. We depend on our monitoring system and the National Coast Watch for all ships passing our territory,” Balilo said. Speaking at a media forum, Nograles said the President has ordered a thorough monitoring of all ships — commercial and military — through Philippines waters. “That will be the challenge, because the President made that pronouncement, it will be up to our security forces,” he said. “At least we will have a system and mechanism. Documentation also is key here… serious documentation of what we believe as transgressions of our territory,” he added. Nograles maintained the government would abide by protocols in dealing with tres-
passing foreign vessels. Filing of a diplomatic protest can be one of these mechanisms, he added. “We have protocols (to follow), if it’s violation of our internal laws it can be enforced by the police or the Coast Guard. If it’s violation of the law of the seas, or the Fisheries Code, then we rely on the Coast Guard. Anything above that, it will be dealt with by the Navy, especially national security concerns,” he said. He emphasized the administration is prepared to explore all peaceful options in dealing with disputes with friends in the region. “We want to explore all possible options, the DFA should also push for all these possible options,” he said. DFA stands for Department of Foreign Affairs. “There are many opportunities for us to defuse the tensions right now, because these can just be a matter of misunderstanding. And misunderstandings can be best threshed out if there is healthy talks between good neighbors,” he pointed out. Senators, meanwhile, voiced support for President Duterte’s directive to require foreign vessels passing through the country’s waters to seek permission from the government. “Way to go! The President deserves everybody’s support in regard to this guidance,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, said. He said Duterte’s directive “is unequivocal and clear for all the concerned agencies of government to do what is necessary to deal with any situation relative to the issue.” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the
Philippines, as a sovereign nation, should be treated with respect. “I believe in the golden rule of treating others as how you want to be treated so these nations who want their borders and rules respected should do the same for us,” Zubiri told reporters. He, however, emphasized that steps should be taken— including modernizing the military and Coast Guard—to ensure the government can monitor foreign vessels straying into the country’s waters. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, chairman of the committee on foreign relations; and Sen. Christopher Go in separate interviews on Tuesday said the Senate may look into the reported Chinese intrusions. Pimentel said he has set a briefing with officials of the DFA, headed by Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. “We will have also specifics, like what date, what time, what vessel, as well as, how the DFA understands the international law involving the passage through territorial waters, international straits (of such vessels),” he said. The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest over the intrusion of the vessels and Locsin said the government will not hesitate to file more if warranted. He said foreign military vessels passing through the country’s waters must give advance notice, as “no sovereign country would want to be surprised by the presence of a military vessel within its territory.” Go said an investigation is in order because “what is ours is ours.” (Paolo Romero, Robertzon Ramirez, Delon Porcalla, Roel Pareño, Jaime Laude/Philstar.com and Reuters)
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Ex-mayor Antonio Sanchez eligible for release Silicon Valley elementary school named after Filipino...
PAGE 1 Additionally, 15 days will be deducted for each month of study, teaching or mentoring time rendered by the prisoner. Sanchez, a former mayor of Calauan, Laguna, was sentenced in 1995 to seven counts of reclusion perpetua (or 40 years imprisonment) for the rape-slay of Eileen Sarmenta and murder of Allan Gomez, students from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Sanchez, upon conviction, was brought to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa in 1995. He has served 26 years in prison from the time of his arrest to present. However, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) spokesperson Sonny del Rosario said the former mayor has already served 49 years — beyond the maximum penalty of 40 years — based on the computation of his GCTA, as reported by The Manila Bulletin. Several senators on Thursday, August 22, condemned the possible release of Sanchez, saying that the convicted rapist and murderer does not deserve to be released from jail. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who was Justice secretary at the time that the crime happened, expressed his shock over the news, urging the justice department to withhold Sanchez’s release pending a review of his qualifications. He also said he plans on filing a resolution for Senate hearings into how the Board of Pardons and Parole computes the GCTA, pointing out that Sanchez was caught twice concealing illegal drugs inside the prison. “From the records it would appear that he has not changed
at all, engaging in shabu distribution, 10 years after he was convicted in 1995. In 2006, he was charged with illegal possession of drugs...In 2010, he was caught again with P1.5 million worth of shabu concealed in a statue of the Virgin Mary,” Drilon told ANC. “In 1995, we prosecuted him successfully and sentenced him to 7 life sentences. Is that just ignored when the Bureau of Corrections allowed him this good time allowance?” he further said. Minority Sen. Risa Hontiveros echoed his sentiments, noting that Sanchez is not qualified to have his jail term reduced as his supposed good conduct while in prison remains to be questionable. “Sanchez has shown no signs of remorse and displayed no effort at improving himself in behavior or character inside the penitentiary,” she said in a statement. “Freeing an unrepentant criminal who refuses to take responsibility for his brutal crimes and has even committed new and serious crimes while serving time is not restorative justice,” Hontiveros added. Senate President Vicente Sotto III also said Sanchez should not be released from jail, explaining that the former mayor has yet to indemnify the victims’ families. Rights group Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, meanwhile said: “This case was considered as one of the triumphs of the Philippine judicial system at that time, yet, it seems that convicted criminals can still pull a few strings to surreptitiously orchestrate their escape, shamelessly disguised as ‘award’ for their alleged good
conduct.” “If released, Sanchez’s case will be another glaring example of how dysfunctional and unfair our current judicial system is. We cannot allow this to happen,” she added. Family of rape-slay victim Sarmenta called for concrete proof of Sanchez’ good behavior from the authorities. “We need to see, give us a copy of the computation, of proof that he is really well-behaved,” said Clara, Sarmenta’s mother, in a phone interview with Rappler on Thursday. “How could he have good behavior when he didn’t follow all the rules; he had an airconditioning unit, he had a cellphone, and to top it all off, he had shabu hidden in a statue of Mama Mary,” she pointed out. Clara expressed heartbreak over the news of Sanchez’s possible release. “To tell you the truth, I wasn’t able to sleep last night. Everything came back to me. the pain, the struggle, bringing back our lives together. Bumalik ulit lahat ‘yun (Everything came back). I’m really sorry that I’m crying,” she said. Her daughter would have turned 48 on September 16. On June 21, 1993, Sarmenta, along with her boyfriend Gomez, were kidnapped by Sanchez’s six henchmen. Sarmenta was presented as “a gift” to Sanchez by then-Calauan police deputy chief George Medialdea. Gomez was beaten outside the rest house of Sanchez, while Sarmenta was raped by Sanchez inside. After the former mayor was done, he tossed Sarmenta to to his men who proceeded to gang rape her. She and Gomez were subsequently killed by Sanchezs men. n
Duterte tells public servants: Serve with honor... PAGE 1 “I also hope that Ninoy’s remarkable life as a public servant will move my fellow government workers to serve with honor, integrity, and purpose as well as inspire our youth to be of service to their country and fellowmen,” he added. Duterte, a vocal admirer of the late dictator and Aquino’s political rival Ferdinand Marcos, said the late senator played an important role in restoring Philippine democracy more than three decades ago. He admitted that more work has to be done to solve the ills that are already present during Aquino’s time. “Despite our gains in these past three years, there is still a lot that needs to be done if we are to completely eradicate poverty, corruption, and
injustice that had plagued our nation even during Ninoy’s time,” the president said. “Let his example guide us as we strive to uplift and protect the most vulnerable in our society and ensure that all Filipinos will enjoy the blessings of freedom, democracy and rule of law,” he added. Aquino, a staunch critic of Marcos, was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983, shortly after his plane landed at the then Manila International Airport. His death led to a series of events that culminated in the historic 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted Marcos, catapulted Aquino’s wife Corazon into the presidency and restored democratic institutions. Critics have accused Duterte of downplaying the impor-
tance of the People Power uprising because his presidential bid was supported by the Marcoses. The president has also been accused of trying to revise history and deodorizing the image of Marcos, whose reign was tainted with allegations of cronyism and human rights violations. Despite protests from human rights advocates, Duterte had allowed the giving of a hero’s burial to Marcos and had praised the late president in some of his speeches. Despite his perceived alliance with the Marcoses, Duterte recently approved the sale of Marcos jewelry worth more than P700 million and has ordered agencies to ensure that the proceeds of the sale would benefit Filipinos. n
PAGE 1 The newly-built Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School — which will initially offer kindergarten to 4th grade due to district rezoning — is 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 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
District Superintendent Dr. Ayinde Rudolph (holding the dedication plaque), School Board of Trustees president Tamara Wilson and trustees Jose Gutierrez Jr., Devon Conley, Laura Blakely, and Ellen Wheeler, Principal Vernorris Taylor, and school staff and faculty pose with Jose Antonio Vargas at the dedication ceremony for the newly-opened Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School in the Mountain View Whisman School District.
Jose Antonio Vargas stakes hands with a young boy after the dedication ceremony. AJPress photos by Joseph Peralta
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 men-
tored 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. Vargas revealed to Denny that he was an undocumented immigrant, which was the reason why he could not go and join the choir as they prepared for a trip to Japan. Denny changed the plan and instead moved the trip to Hawaii, telling Vargas that “we don’t leave anyone behind.” School, Vargas revealed, was his safe place where he always felt he belonged: a venue where he enjoyed math and science, 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 most myself.” “But here’s the truth. The truth is, this school is named for someone who some people think should 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, there were signs outside resPAGE 10
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OPINION
Subversion as a crime
5
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 explo-
ration 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
Philstar.com photo
Will you be a ‘pabigat’ to America and be denied a green card? An attorney explains the Trump Administration’s expanded ‘public charge’ ruling
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 govern-
ment 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 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 36PAGE 10
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 23-29, 2019
Dateline PhiliPPines
DOH swats down Sanofi appeal to lift Dengvaxia ban Sandiganbayan grants withdrawal of graft, MANILA — The Department of Health denied the appeal of pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur to lift the ban on Dengvaxia—the controversial vaccine the company said would protect against dengue. DOH upheld the decision of the Food and Drug Administration to permanently revoke Dengvaxia’s certificate of product registration due to Sanofi Pasteur’s “continued failure” to submit post-approval requirements. The revocation was not because of the inefficacy of the vaccine. FDA permanently revoked the CPR of Dengvaxia in February 2019. According to the Health agency, the drug maker submitted the first and second versions of the Risk Management Plans—one of the postmarketing commitments critical to public safety. Sanofi Pasteur, however, failed to submit the third version and was late in submitting the fourth version. “The decision concerns
Sanofi’s complete disregard of FDA regulations, which were precisely put in place by law to ensure safety,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III. He added: “The Department of Health is committed to strong and strict implementation of our health laws and regulations. We know how critical this is to our efforts to rebuild public trust and confidence in our public health programs and in vaccines that have long proven effective.” DOH, however, said Sanofi Pasteur may re-apply for new CPRs as long as the pharmaceutical firm complies with relevant laws, rules and regulations. The DOH decision comes amid the calls for Dengvaxia to be made available even only in private clinics as the cases of dengue continue to soar across the country. From January 1 to August 3, there have been 188,562 reported cases of dengue—more than double the 93,149 cases recorded during the same period last year.
There have been 807 deaths due to the mosquito-borne disease—higher than the same period in 2018. DOH declared a national dengue epidemic early in August. While it respectfully disagrees with the violations that led to the denial of the appeal, Sanofi Pasteur said in a statement that it is “grateful to the DOH for recognizing that the ‘safety of Dengvaxia is not on trial’ and for emphasizing ‘the dire need to have [a dengue vaccine] introduced or—in the case of Dengvaxia—reintroduced in the market.’” It also expressed gratitude to the Health department for stressing the decision is without prejudice to the re-application for CPRs for Dengvaxia. “With this, we will thoroughly study all possible remedies available to us under Philippine laws and regulations while keeping in mind the best interest of the Filipinos,” Sanofi said. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/ Philstar.com)
Sandiganbayan grants withdrawal of graft, usurpation cases vs Aquino over Mamasapano MANILA — The Sandiganbayan has granted the motion of the Office of the Ombudsman to withdraw the graft and usurpation of authority cases filed against former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for his role in the bloody Mamasapano incident four years ago. The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division on Thursday granted the motion to withdraw information filed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires late June, The Star reported. Martires moved to withdraw the cases, saying he found no sufficient ground and evidence to charge Aquino for graft and usurpation of official functions “being then the president of the Republic of the Philippines during the time material to these cases.” He asked the Sandiganbayan to allow the withdrawal of cases against Aquino “without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges against the accused after the conduct of preliminary investigation.” The Sandiganbayan granted the ombudsman’s motion to withdraw following the Supreme Court’s lifting of the temporary restraining order on the trial over the 2015 Mamasapano clash this month. The lifting of the halt order
Former President Benigno Aquino III Philstar.com photo
may also pave the way for the filing of a different charge against Aquino. Martires had stressed the ombudsman’s withdrawal is without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges once his office is finished conducting another investigation into the clash. The case stemmed from the January 25, 2015 operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that resulted in the deaths of over 60 people, including 44 members of the Special Action Force. In November 2017, the Office of the Ombudsman—then led by former graft buster Conchita
Carpio-Morales—filed graft and usurpation of authority charges against the former chief executive. Graft carries a maximum penalty of 15 years of imprisonment while penalty for usurpation of authority is up to six months of imprisonment which is convertible to just a fine. In January 2018, the Office of the Solicitor General asked the SC to order the Office of the Ombudsman to file 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide charges against Aquino and the two former police officials. Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a 45-page manifestation intervening in the case filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption against the Office of the Ombudsman, Aquino, former Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima and former SAF director Getulio Napeñas. The ombudsman earlier dismissed the reckless imprudence complaint the VACC filed against Aquino. The ombudsman instead charged the former president for “acting, as such, in conspiracy,” with Purisima, then suspended as Philippine National Police chief, in Oplan Exodus. (Gaea Katreena Cabico with reports from Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)
Yasay arrested for Banco Filipino scam by Aric John
Sy cuA ManilaTimes.net
FORMER Foreign secretary Perfecto “Jun” Yasay was arrested on Thursday, August 22, by Manila police. Yasay posted a mug shot photo of himself on his Facebook page and said theManila Regional Trial Court Branch 10 (RTC-10) ordered his arrest for criminal charges that were filed against him and officials of the now-defunct Banco Filipino between 2003 and 2006. He said, however, that he only joined the bank three years after the incident. “To all my friends, allow me to inform you that I am now being arrested from my house by police officers of Manila on the basis of a warrant of arrest issued by the RTC of Manila Branch 10 for criminal charges that were alleged committed by officials of Banco Filipino from 2003 to 2006, clearly appearing on the face of the Information filed by the prosecutor, when in truth and in fact I joined the Bank only in 2009,” Yasay wrote. The former foreign affairs secretary said that he would not post bail. He later shared a
Former Foreign Affairs Chief Perfecto “Jun” Yasay Jr. at the Manila Police District Headquarters in Manila on Thursday, August 22. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
photo of his mugshot, taken by his wife and a “selfie” inside his cell, which he called his “bedroom”. “I am not posting bail until I am brought before the judge where I will question this abuse of process and travesty of justice,” he wrote. “Please include me in your prayers for my deliverance.” Yasay was the chief of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during the ad-
ministration of then president Fidel Ramos. He ran for vice president in 2010. Incumbent partylist Rep. Eddie Villanueva of the Citizens’ Battlecry Against Corruption (CIBAC) was his running mate. On June 30, 2016, Yasay served as the first Foreign Affairs secretary under the Duterte administration but his appointment was rejected by the Commission on Appointments in 2017. n
Senate adopts resolution honoring Gina Lopez by MAilA
Ager Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Senate has adopted a resolution honoring former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez for her tireless work on the preservation and conservation of the environment and for upholding children’s rights. Lopez, 65, succumbed to brain cancer on Monday, August 19. At the Senate floor on Tuesday, August 20, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III mentioned about Senate Resolution No. 100, “expressing the profound sympathy and sincere condolences” of the Senate on Lopez’s passing. The resolution was initiated by Senator Lito Lapid. “Out of curiosity, there’s a resolution filed honoring former Secretary Gina Lopez,” Sotto said. Addressing Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, the Senate leader then asked: “May I ask the Minority Leader if he remembers my vote on the confirmation of Secretary Lopez?” “Do you remember, the Minority Leader? I showed it to you. You showed yours to me.”
Former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez succumed to brain cancer on Monday, August 19. Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon
Drilon took the floor, and responded to Sotto: “Both of us voted in the affirmative, Mr. President.” In May 2017, the Commission on Appointments rejected Lopez’s appointment as Environment Secretary. The decision was reached in a closed-door meeting of members of the CA’s committee on environment and natural resources and was later adopted
in the plenary. Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri moved that all senators be made co-sponsors and authors of the resolution. After the approval of the resolution, Sotto directed the Senate Secretary to send a copy of the measure to the Lopez family. In the resolution, Lapid called Lopez a “true warrior and advocate for the protection and preservation of our environment.” “We want to honor and commemorate Ms. Lopez for her great service, achievements and contributions for the Filipino people as an environmental advocate, philanthropist and Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” he said. Also taken into consideration was Senator Manny Pacquiao’s Senate Resolution No. 105 where he praised Lopez for her “remarkable contributions in environmental protection and upholding children’s rights.” “Lopez has the qualities of a loving woman with a caring heart and who exhibits a selfless kind of love which inspires people from all walks of life,” Pacquiao said in his resolution. n
august 23-29, 2019 • NEW YORK aND NEW JERsEY asIaN JOuRNaL
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 23-29, 2019
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august 23-29, 2019 • NEW YORK aND NEW JERsEY asIaN JOuRNaL
Dateline PhiliPPines
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Will you be a ‘pabigat’ to America and be denied a...
YOUTH SUMMIT. More than 13,000 students and youth leaders gathered at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday, August 17, for the annual Global Youth Summit (GYS) organized by Global Peace Foundation and SM Cares. The youth summit is the country’s largest gathering of future leaders, who discussed with industry experts concrete actions on global issues that mattered to them. GYS supports the United Nations Youth Strategy for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. PNA photo
Silicon Valley elementary school named after Filipino... PAGE 4 taurants, hotels…that actually read, ‘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 define American, I define American as community – the community of people who see you and make you feel home,” he said, while adding how blessed he is to have the family he was born into, and fortunate to have a family of friends and mentors whom he has met since he came to the U.S. “This school, our school, represents the power of community – how to treat people with respect, how to show gratitude…how to live your life with love, how to live a loving life of continuous education, that we can never stop learning, and we can never stop learning about and from each other,” he continued. For Vargas, the ultimate magic in life is finding a way of connecting to another person, and he feels confident that school officials and students together will write the new story of the school. He ended his speech by saying, “I’m so proud to say, ‘Welcome to Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School!’ and please have a magical new year.” Proud community, Fil-Ams Meanwhile, Filipino Americans present at the dedication ceremony expressed their pride in having a school named after Vargas. Sarah Reginaldo, who is president of the school’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA), said she feels happy that“we are being represented in the area because a lot of Filipinos live in Mountain View.” Reginaldo said that if she gets asked who Vargas is and why this particular school is named after him, she will explain it this way, including to
her son who will be attending this school: “When we choose names for our monuments and hospitals, we choose people who have done great things for this nation and for the world. And Jose is trying to do a lot of good things with immigration reform – there are a lot of people whose lives will be affected by what happens next.” For her part, Aida Rivera, who is one of Vargas’s aunts, exclaimed, “No words can really describe how proud we are as a family, as a community. It is unusual to name a school after an individual who is still alive; normally it is when they have passed away that they are given this recognition. This is a great honor given to a fellow Filipino who is humble and who continues to fight for the rights of undocumented persons.” School Board of Trustees President Wilson said the choice of Vargas shows that “no matter what your background is, if you come here and you work hard in school, you will be able to succeed. And he is one of our most successful, renowned graduates.” The school’s principal, Vernorris Taylor, told the Asian Journal that naming the school after Vargas was a great idea to honor an individual who has been a part of the community. “He is a local hero who has had challenges that he’s overcome. He is someone who took a risk in a real way by coming out as an undocumented immigrant in an atmosphere that’s not necessarily friendly to undocumented immigrants. He showed what true bravery is, risking his own personal livelihood especially when he did not have to,” Taylor explained. Initially thought as a ‘joke’ Over multiple interviews with officials at the event, Rudolph revealed to the Asian Journal that when he contacted Vargas on Twitter about naming
the school after him, the latter thought it was a joke. “I said, ‘Hey, I wanna let you know this is what’s actually occurring.’ Then he told me when he got the message that [he thought] I was joking. So, then I responded back, ‘No, it’s not a joke.’ Then he checked the board minutes and he could hear the board president — she wasn’t president then — announce that she would like to name the school after him. From there, I asked him, ‘Are you okay with that? I know that this would draw attention to you.’ He said, ‘It’s perfectly fine,’” the superintendent related. This was confirmed by Vargas. “I actually told him, ‘I’m not dead yet.’ This usually happens when they’ve died,” Vargas told the Asian Journal, while adding that he did not pay any attention to it because he felt sure someone was going to say that the school board should not do it. “But to me, it’s incredible that it happened,” he stated. “It’s been such a humbling experience, and I hope I don’t do anything to screw it up.” Vargas cautioned people against putting him on a pedestal. “That’s the thing, I don’t really want to be looked up to,” he revealed. “I am a human being, I’m imperfect, I’m totally flawed like we all are. And I think I’m just trying to do the best that I can. Hopefully, everybody can do what they can do in whatever community they’re in.” “To me, the biggest message is, Filipino Americans have to participate and engage in America. We actually have to participate, we have to be civically-involved… so I wish my own family would do more of that as well, and hopefully more Filipinos would do that,” Vargas said. (Joseph Peralta/ AJPress)
PAGE 5 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? 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 re-entering 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 school-based 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 medi-
cal 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 public-charge 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
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 23-29, 2019
COMMUNITY Journal
PNB Remittance Centers Rocks It at the EXPO
STILL MORE IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED THIS SUNDAY IN PART 4 OF “CITIZEN PINOY” IN CHICAGO! How can doctors, nurses, or caregivers in the Philippines immigrate to the U.S.? Can a previous petition be reopened\revived if the applicant did not appear for the interview? Can a person be refused a visa because they are depressed? Get the answers to these and more on an encore episode of — “Citizen Pinoy,”, this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
September 2019 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY: First Preference
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card.
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
December 01, 2008
June 01, 2008
(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below July 01, 2019 21 years old) of green card holders
Current
(2B) Unmarried sons February 01, and daughters (21 years old or older) 2009 of green card holders
August 01, 2008
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens
August 01, 1998
February 01, 1998
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens
January 01, 1999
July 01, 1998
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Second Preference
Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
January 01, 2018
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
Current
July 01, 2016
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
Current
July 01, 2016
*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute
a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook. com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @ GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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 PAGE 13
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August 23-29, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERsEY AsIAN JOuRNAL
‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’: Not just another OFW movie By Monet
Lu
THE trailer of the movie “Hello, Love, Goodbye” says it all. Or so I thought. I’ve seen countless local and foreign films “dressed” as a love story but they are actually “travel movies” sans the documentary — the kind where the plot focuses on the location whilst putting a bit of the cliché love story to avoid being stereotyped as “just another movie with a great location.” On the other hand, there are filmmakers in likes of Cathy Garcia-Molina who know how to combine a great location and great story without overshadowing one or the other by injecting a concept so familiar and captivating especially to Filipinos: the untold story of Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). And after watching the film, I am happy to say that the movie “Hello, Love, Goodbye” is indeed an “OFW movie,” and so much more. The story revolves around Joy (played by Kathryn Bernardo), who is the quintessential OFW, working hard in Hong Kong to provide for her family in the Philippines, with aspirations of migrating to Canada. Ethan, played by Alden Richards, is the less driven bartender who, while waiting for his residency to push through, meets Joy. They develop a friendship – thanks to the persistent and slightly stalky moves of Ethan. They then slowly find themselves falling in love. I came to the theaters expecting heavy drama-filled scenes centering on the personal sufferings of a domestic helper; followed by the typical opening up of stories by “kababayans” who (also) perceive Hong Kong as a “pass-thru” place wherein you stay awhile and expect to leave when you have to. The film opens up with that exact sentiment as Joy’s voiceover talks of transience and how Hong Kong is a place that is not meant for long-term dedication as it is just a stop-over. The scenes were of bustling life on the streets of Hong Kong, in their work-
places and family homes; where Joy and her friends commiserate about their trials, but also gossiping and laughing. My expectation was met in that the movie truly brought out complex social structures and personal sufferings that describe the life of an overseas domestic helper. But it had more depth than I gave it credit for. The movie offers a compelling, detailed, compassionate look at the littleknown lives, and hopes, of domestic workers. As expected, Director Garcia-Molina knows exactly how to depict such testimony while honestly exposing the inequity that domestic helpers experience. She seamlessly peppered the film with scenes and exchanges that tug at your heartstrings. So be warned. Make sure you bring more tissues. And just let your tears well up coz they will. The lead actors—Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards— were exceptional in delivering their characters that you’d forget that this is their first time to team up and step away from their respective loveteams. I still miss “Kathniel” but I have to admit, “Kathden” shows undeniable chemistry, all things considered. Both were able to communicate conflicting emotions without saying anything. As Inquirer writer Armando Chavez review’s says, “Applause as well to the musical editor for the musical thread through each of the non-speaking sequences between Alden and Kathryn. The close-ups are pure art as executed by the actors and captured by the director.” Ricky Lo in his Philippine Star column also wrote: “…I can give 10 more reasons why I like the movie: The chemistry between Kathryn and Alden who are so convincing as young lovers on
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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA
distant shores, with eyes speaking volumes even after they exchange kilometric dialogue — you know, to paraphrase a line from the popular song, they say it best when they say nothing at all… [also] The soundtrack that helps dramatize the characters’ dilemma, with the songs that heighten the immediacy of the lovers’ ‘stolen’ times together the oft-tackled plight of OFWs in the former Crown Colony related with unblinking clarity in the 2000 Rory Quintos movie Anak in which Vilma Santos plays an OFW in Hong Kong, enduring loneliness and homesickness for the sake of her family back home who depends on her for their survival (Joy and Ethan in the same situation).” Yet despite their charm, the typical cliché romancein-a-travel-movie still seeps thru. Their backstories seem predictable as most lead characters in an OFW movie are. Nothing is surprisingly different in how their love story was told and I honestly think that the trailer already gave it away. But that is what makes the movie a must-see. You see the trailer and expect it to be a certain way then Boom! It turns out a lot better than you expect. So much better is the news that the movie has reportedly earned 500 million in the Philippines, and sold out in theaters abroad. That is quite a feat considering both Alden and Kathryn came from two of the most sensational loveteams that have the most loyal and
(ConClusion. Continued from last week’s issue…) We facebook and twitter all day long electronically creating, maintaining or killing off disposable internet relationships, that can defy space and time constraints, that can either bloom and thrive or take shallow roots and die in an instant. It doesn’t really matter. The next thing is just a click away. It remains to be seen what will come out of this relatively new phenomenon that is rewriting how this generation and the succeeding ones will find their mates that are right for them. There is no precedent, no formulas, no template, no books to copy from. The young ones may have to muddle through, make mistakes and come up with a new set of rules to write brand new stories to fire up and light their imaginations while holding steadfast in the belief written in “Desiderata” that despite “…all aridity, love, is as perennial as the grass …” Something happened in the middle of the last century to cause some kind of imbalance. Women became liberated from their traditional role after WWII. They joined the work force and learned to be independent. The roles of genders, and those inbetween, are no longer as clear-cut as they once were. With post-war prosperity and abundance, came opportunity for women who decided from a wide range of choices that included college, career, family and the chance to be financially independent. This is not to say that the past was better, only that it was different and maybe, just a tad easier to figure out. The present times pose dilemmas that leave us scratching our heads. The rules of engagement between men and women need to be rewritten. Romantic comedies often glorify the attraction of opdevoted fans of their generation. I guess there’s no stopping a wonderfully executed story even if it means stepping out of their comfort zones. To the cast and crew of “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” congratulations and I hope you turn more OFW movies
Romantic comedies and that thing called love (Conclusion of 2 Parts)
“Despite all aridity, LOVE, is as perennial as the grass …” — From Desiderata posites. But it must be made clear in the interest of equal time, that the attraction of opposites is only one half of a truism. There’s a serious caveat emptor for all young men and women out there looking for a lifetime mate and seeking guidance from a higher power on how to best proceed. Here it is. Although opposites do indeed attract, it is the likes that stay together. The possibility of longer, happier lives exists in such a union. In an increasingly unstable, disintegrating world such as ours, such unions of like minds, bodies and spirits make a whole lot of difference. However, NEVER discount the power of chemistry. It is a real force wired into each one that draws one to the other. Deal with it. But in the end, it is the little things that you may have to look for to muddle through the choices and get past appearances. If you are a young woman, see how he treats his mother, his sisters and all the women in his family. If he shows kindness and is respectful of them, chances are, he will be kind to you and respect you as well. The same is true of young men. Look at how your intended treats her dad and all the men in the family. Look for kindness and generosity of spirit above all, old-fashioned traits that wear well. There are clear indicators and there are red flags. Watch for them. Do not let love or the stirrings of lust blind you totally. If faith and religion, commitment and fidelity are both important to you, the likelihood is there that these core beliefs will be a bond that will hold you
in tough times. It may seem funny to you but the parents of your intended are more than likely a preview of how your fiancé or fiancée will turn out to be 2 or 3 decades from now. The past, as Shakespeare once said, is prologue. Take heed. There will be exceptions of course, but the mango does not fall far from the tree. You can prevent heartache by a balanced mix of heart and mind when choosing the love of your life. Sometimes, the heart is recalcitrant and makes a choice for you but know that a humble, grateful heart who asks for guidance particularly in the all too important decision of choosing a lifetime mate, in sincere, constant prayer that assaults heaven will not be spurned. If this is important to you and it should be, get down on your knees and beg for this grace. Time heals all wounds. But do take heart. Time also wounds all heels. Since God gave us free will, we are able to write parts of our own stories. If we were all writers, we have in front of us, a tabula rasa, a blank page, a cursor at the ready, steadily flashing, patiently waiting for your stories to spill, the remanufactured, recycled or better yet, the brand new, original stories of romantic comedies that beg to be written. The world, I am sure, would like to hear about yours. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc. com.
into brilliant masterpieces such as this. ***
who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www. monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste
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PNB Remittance Centers... Ion denies being in a relationship with Vice Ganda By Krissy AguilAr Inquirer.net
“IT’S Showtime” host Ion Perez denied rumors that he is in a relationship with comedian and actor Vice Ganda. “Hindi,” Perez said when asked if he and Vice Ganda are officially together, as seen in a video uploaded by ABS-CBN on Wednesday, August 21. “Sobrang malapit lang kami sa isa’t isa kaya siguro ‘yung mga tao nag-iisip sila, ganun ‘yung nagiging reaksyon nila,” Perez explained. Perez’s statement came a few months after he admitted Vice Ganda as “special” to him. The model-turned-host, however, did not deny the closeness he and Vice Ganda have, saying the comedian is no stranger to him anymore. “Sobrang malapit lang kami sa isa’t isa. Sobrang close kami. Close na close kami ni Vice. Parang hindi
EMPLOYMENT
VIce Ganda and Ion Perez
na rin siya iba sa akin,” Perez said. The two have been a subject of constant teasing by “It’s Showtime” hosts, fuelling online rumors about
Photo from Instagram/@viceiion
their supposed romance. However, they have also been spotted outside the noontime variety show; one instance was when their mothers met.
FOR RENT
PAGE 11 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 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, faceto-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 valued 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
SERVICES
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. (Advertising Supplement)
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AUGUST 23-29, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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people events arts culture entertainment
Felix Starro, a New Filipino American Musical set to Premiere Off Broadway BY
MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPRESS
Felix Starro, based on a powerful short story by acclaimed Filipino American writer Lysley Tenorio, stars The King and I and Miss Saigon alum Alan Ariano playing the title role. Directed by Ralph B. Peña, this Filipino musical also features Caitlin Cisco, Francisca Muñoz, Ryan James Ortega, Diane Phelan, Nacho Tambunting, and Obie and Lortel award-winner Ching ValdesAran. “This is a blessing for me, to be able to do this.” Ariano said. “We don’t see a lot of representation, we don’t see Filipinos on stage all the time so to actually find out that there’s a new, original musical written for Filipinos, about Filipinos, by Filipinos, that’s great news.” Making his Ma-Yi debut with Felix Starro, Ariano gets to play a Filipino role for the first time ever. A Broadway and Off Broadway veteran with a career spanning three decades, he has played a multitude of roles and has various musicals tucked under his belt. He was most recently seen playing the role
Sam Carmichael in the East West Players production of Mamma Mia! In Felix Starro, Ariano takes on the title role of the protagonist Felix, a famous faith healer in the Philippines, whose clients once included celebrities and big politicians. After falling on hard times, Felix decides to go to San Francisco for one last healing mission with ailing Filipinos in the Bay Area. Nacho Tambunting plays Junior, Felix Starro’s nineteen-year-old, orphan grandson, who goes along as his assistant. Unbeknownst to Felix, Junior has plans of his own. Felix Starro is a universal story that touches on the issues of faith, family, love, loss, betrayal, and what it means to be an undocumented immigrant in America. That makes the characters and the story relatable. “Felix Starro’s story is relatable because it deals with relationships, faith in not only your religion, but faith in each other. Trust is a big subject in this show, and faith, those are all universal
subjects,” Ariano added. Tambunting is excited that he gets to play the role of a Filipino for the first time. In the few years that he has been in the United States, he has played other ethnicities before, including his recurring role as Francis in the NBC show Rise. Born and raised in Manila, Tambunting began his career with Repertory Philippines in 2006 – appearing in productions like: The Sound of Music, Seussical, Peter Pan, Camp Rock, The Producers and Jack and the Beanstalk to name a few. He moved to New York in 2014 to attend NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and later graduated with a BFA in Drama. He described his role as “very challenging” especially since his character has a lot of stage time, which means he does not have many opportunities to go off stage to use the bathroom or drink water so he has to plot his time accordingly. “It is exciting to get into the role as the show progresses and we can now see how we move from one scene
to the next. I am excited for everyone to see it,” Tambunting shared. “I am fortunate and grateful that this opportunity,” He had heard about the casting call for the show and then last May, he was invited to audition. He got a call back in June and a few days later, he was cast. It has been a year since he had a job so he was fervently looking forward to getting the role. “I had just finished Rise, which was cancelled, the same time I graduated from NYU and I was going through a lot of auditions and it was really tough,” he shared. “It’s hard to be an actor, you don’t sort of realize it till you’re actually in it: the reality of what it means to go from audition to audition and get the job.” Early Years The story of Felix Starro, the musical, actually began five years ago when the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco commissioned Fabian Obispo to write a musical based on a short story that its artistic director read. Carey Perloff, then the artistic director of ACT, loved the book Monstress, Lysley Tenorio’s debut short story collection, particularly the story about this Filipino faith healer. She approached Obispo and asked him if he could write a musical about
Ching Valdes Aran
Jorge Ortoll
Ralph Pena
Fabian Obispo
F
inally, for the first-time ever, a musical created and directed by Filipino Americans will be presented off-Broadway. Ma-Yi Theater Company is pleased to open its 30th anniversary season with the world premiere of Felix Starro, a new musical by Jessica Hagedorn and Fabian Obispo.
Felix Starro cast with Fabian Obispo at the media preview for the Filipino American musical
Alan Ariano and Nacho Tambunting star in Felix Starro, a Filipino American musical about a Filipino faith healer. AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya
it. He in turn asked Jessica Hagedorn if she’d be interested in doing the book. So they started writing it and a year later, held a workshop in San Francisco. “Somehow, that didn’t pan out,” Obispo said. “And then, Ma Yi picked it up.” And now we’re here. From just six songs, the
musical has evolved into having 18. Apart from being internationally renowned for his iconic choral arrangements of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Obispo has been a longtime composer and sound designer of Ma-Yi
Alan Ariano
Jessica Hagedorn
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Judy Ann grateful to Coco Martin for ‘Ang Probinsyano’ stint By Cody
Cepeda Inquirer.net
JUDY Ann Santos, who recently capped off her stint on “Ang Probinsyano,” is nothing but grateful to lead star and director Coco Martin. Santos entered the show as “Jane” in July, as revealed by production company Dreamscape. On Aug. 20, she bid her character goodbye, and took to Instagram to thank the crew and cast as she shared photos from their taping. “Thank you so much for the very warm welcome from the first till my last taping day,” Santos said. “Naramdaman ko kung gaano nyo kamahal ang programang bumuo sa pamilya ninyo. Salamat sa opportunity na mapabilang sa pamilya ninyo…” Santos dedicated a separate
Judy Ann Santos Photo from Instagram/@officialjuday
post to Martin on the same day and also shared a series of photos of the two of them as Cardo Dalisay and Jane. “ S a l a m a t @ mr.cocomartin for the chance and trust you have given me,” she said. “Your passion and
love for your craft is undeniable.” In their short time together, Santos said she saw just how important work and family are to Martin. “Kahit tawa ka ng tawa sa mga eksena natin, nakita ko kung gaano ka importante sayo ang trabaho mo at pamilya mo,” she said. “Sana nabigyang buhay ko ang papel na binigay mo sa akin…” Santos is also not closing her doors on working again with Martin, saying she looks forward to their next project together. “Till our next project… Sana by then na experience mo ng makapagpahinga at enjoyin ang mga naipundar mo,” she said. “Bilang ate ng 4 na linggo sayo, masaya ko at proud ako sayo. Maraming salamat Cardo Dalisay.”
Paolo on trans woman issue: ‘Magpakatao tayong lahat’ By Krissy
aguilar Inquirer.net
“MAGPAKATAO tayong lahat.” This was actor and television host Paolo Ballesteros’ answer when sought for his comment on letting a transgender woman use a female restroom. “Kailangan lang siguro magpakatao tayong lahat. Hindi naman masama ‘yung pagbigyan mo siya. Hindi naman nakakababa ng pagkatao ‘yun, di ba?” Ballesteros said Tuesday during the press conference of his upcoming film “The Panti Sisters.” “Eh kung gusto niya dito umihi, pipigilan mo ba ‘yun? Hindi naman siya nakapatay. Bakit mo siya ipoposas? Masama bang umihi?” he continued. “I think it boils down to the person, ’yung kung ano ‘yung iniisip mo. Kailangan may firm grasp ka ng kung ano ‘yung tama at mali,” Ballesteros said. “Kung umihi sa CR ng babae, e ano naman, di ba? Kung ikaw sa sarili mo, hindi ka naman niya tinapakan noong umiihi siya doon o hindi ka naman niya inihian sa mukha,” he pointed out. Recently, a trans woman
Bea Alonzo
Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo
Bea breaks online silence, posts about feeling ‘loved’ By Krissy
aguilar
Inquirer.net
ACTRESS Bea Alonzo has broken her silence on social media with a positive message on feeling “loved,” a month after her cryptic post hinting at betrayal. On Tuesday, Alonzo shared a throwback photo of herself with her mother. “In the midst of my home renovation, I was going through old photos to choose what to put on our family wall when I saw this picture,” Alonzo said.
“I think I was one year old when this picture was taken. My mom carrying me and I had the biggest smile as I was enjoying my chocolate given to me by my Lola. Simple lang ang buhay,” she continued. “I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth but I was raised knowing that I am loved. Knowing this warms my heart. I hope you could see how big my smile is right now while reminiscing my childhood.” Alonzo also added the hashtag “#OneDayAtATime,” the same phrase she wrote
in her Instagram profile description after her breakup with actor Gerald Anderson. Alonzo’s post about feeling loved also marked her first social media posting since actress Julia Barretto accused her of “bullying,” which she has yet to directly address. Anderson, meanwhile, denied a third party was the reason behind their separation Barretto echoed Anderson’s statement saying “their issues are entirely their own.”
Felix Starro, a new Filipino...
Paolo Ballestero
named Gretchen Diez was barred by janitress Chayra Ganal from entering a ladies’ room in Farmers Plaza at the Araneta Center in Quezon City. Diez was arrested after she documented the incident via Facebook Live, but she was later on released after the janitress apologized and backed out
Photo from Instagram/@pochoy_29
from filing unjust vexation charges. Despite an apology from the mall management, Diez’s camp is still looking at filing charges for violating Quezon City’s Gender Fair Ordinance, which prohibits any form of discrimination against any person on the basis of sexual preference.
PAGE 14 Theater Company, having previously worked on The Chinese Lady, Teenage Dick, House/Rules, and The Romance of Magno Rubio, just to name a few. “The range of music, Fabian wrote a lot, we have elements of the indigenous, it is spiritual. It has elements of pop music because it is all around them, and elements of the church because the healers take from religion,” Jessica Hagedorn said. Felix Starro marks the long overdue return to the New York stage of novelist and playwright Hagedorn whose critically-acclaimed Dogeaters (The Public Theater, 2001) was called “imaginative and fluidly impressionistic” by the New York Times. “I had the blessing of a very generous writer in Lysley Tenorio who agreed to my offer to adapt his story. His story is not set in 1985 but I set it in 1985 because in a way it makes sense. That was the height of the phenomenon of faith healers, it was also the end of the Mar-
cos regime so that’s the political landscape the grandfather is fleeing from, and of course you get the 80s music as well,” Hagedorn added. Through the years, the script grew, and they saw what worked and what didn’t. “It is about faith, family, beliefs; there were people drawn to those faith healers who were not Filipino like Shirley Maclaine and Andy Kaufman,” Hagedorn explained. “People used to travel to the Philippines because they thought it was their last chance, because why not.” Milestone Since its founding in 1989, Ma-Yi Theater Company was originally a Filipino American theater company and it eventually expanded its focus to the wider Asian American theater. It has distinguished itself as one of the country’s leading incubators of new work shaping the national discourse about what it means to be Asian American today. Building on the recent success of the Lortel Award-winner KPOP and Mike Lew’s
Teenage Dick, they are looking forward to sharing a distinct Filipino story. “This story needs to be told because it is about representation, so that the younger generation can see that they are represented,” Ariano said. “That if they are actors, that there are roles for them to play and if they are writers, that they get inspired to write more stories about their roots.” The creative team includes Obie award-winner Marsha Ginsberg (scenic design), Brandon Bieber (choreographer), Becky Bodurtha (costume design), Oliver Wason (lighting design), Julian Evans (sound design), Paulo K. Tiról (orchestrations), Ian Miller (musical director), Cristina Sison (production stage manager) and Jorge Z. Ortoll (executive producer). Performances of Felix Starro will take place August 23–September 15 at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street in Manhattan). Tickets, priced at $52–$102, can be purchased by visiting mayitheatre.org or by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200.
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August 23-29, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERsEY AsIAN JOuRNAL
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