September 12-14, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 72 • 3 Sections - 22 Pages
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
California to run on 100% clean electricity by 2045
Gov. Brown signs new bill that aims to combat damaging effects of climate change
GOVERNOR Jerry Brown signed two measures on Monday, Sept. 10 aiming to convert California to 100 percent renewable energy and “carbon neutrality” by 2045, securing the state’s reputation as a national and global leader in clean energy and environmental innovation. SB 100 seeks to meet the state’s clean energy goals and ensuring carbon emissions are low by expanding green electricity sources like wind and solar. Brown also signed an executive order pushing the state to decrease the state’s net output of greenhouse gasses — of which the largest source is cars and trucks — to zero by 2045. “There’s no understating the importance of this measure,” Brown said before signing the two bills. “SB 100 is sending a message to California and to the world that we’re going to meet the Paris [climate] agreement, and we’re going to continue to transition our economy to zero-carbon emissions and to
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Filipino family charged with numerous violations at adult and child care facilities Most of victims were Filipino, said Attorney General Becerra THE Filipino owners of six Bay Area adult and child day care facilities were charged last week for numerous violations including human trafficking, wage theft, possession of illegal weapons, and rape. A total of 59 charges were filed Friday, September 7, against four members of the Gamos family — Joshua, 42; Noel, 40; Gerlen, 38; and Carlina Gamos, 67 — who while operating their four adult care facilities and two child care facilities in the Bay Area, employed and exploited mostly Filipino immigrants. At a news conference Friday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said that it was the workers who “helped bring this case to light.” “It is the workers who are the greatest victims of Rainbow Bright and its operations. Most of the workers are Filipino immigrants,” he added.
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US National Security Adviser: ICC is ‘already dead to us’ by RAE
International Criminal Court says it will continue work ‘undeterred’
ANN VARONA
AJPress
THE International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday, September 11 said
that it will continue to do its work “undeterred,” after the United States criticized the court’s legitimacy. “The ICC, as a court of law, will
continue to do its work undeterred, in accordance with those principles and the overarching idea of the rule of law,” the Hague-based court said in a
statement. The statement came a day after U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton
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Duterte discusses national issues during a ‘tête-à-tête’ with Panelo by AJPRESS
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, September 11, addressed the country with varied matters of national importance during a “tête-àtête” with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo in Malacañang. Initially, the president called for a press conference at 3 p.m. without disclosing the scope of his speech. However, an hour before the said media affair, Presidential Communications Group Undersecretary Feducia Mia Reyes-Lucas said Duterte’s press conference would no longer push through. Palace officials told the media that the president will instead answer questions solely from his legal counsel. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. cleared out the official activities that were to transpire that afternoon, as reported by Inquirer. “Lilinawin ko lang po, matutuloy po ‘yung pinaplanong têtê-a-têtê ni Presidente at ni Presidential Legal Counsel Panelo. Ang format po pala ay it will
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‘TÊTE-À-TÊTE’ WITH THE PRESIDENT. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo sits down with President Rodrigo Duterte in a televised interview in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, September 11. The president discussed previous issues with Panelo including the rice crisis, amnesty and the supposed destabilization plot, among others. PNA photos
‘PH with most activists killed outside Americas’ by ARTEMIO
DUMLAO Philstar.com
THE Philippines was tagged by Irelandbased human rights group Front Line Defenders (FLD) with having the highest number of killings of activists along with Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. In its 2017 report titled “Stop the Killings” released this week, the FLD said the six countries accounted for more than 80 percent of killings of human rights defenders. The report said at least 60 activists were killed in the Philippines last year. Extrajudicial killings remain the top threat facing human rights defenders in the country, according to the report. The FLD, which probes attacks on activists in six countries, documented more than
1,000 killings since 2014. The group said at least 474 human rights activists were slain during the Arroyo presidency from 2001 to 2010 and 139 during the term of former president Benigno Aquino III from 2010 to 2016. The FLD also reported that 300 rights activists were killed in 27 countries in 2017. The fatalities were defenders of the environment and indigenous people’s rights, especially in remote areas with little access to protection, documentation, reporting and justice. Only 12 percent of murders were resolved with the arrest of the suspects, according to the FLD. “In these countries where death tolls in- Senator Antonio Trillanes IV creased, corruption and collusion between states and businesses have resulted in a political system designed to keep the elites
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Xiamen penalty now almost P72 million, says MIAA chief by MAILA
AGER Inquirer.net
In this August 17 photo, Xiamen Air flight MF8667 gets stuck beside the main runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), prompting airport authorities to close down the airstrip and call off or divert a number of international flights. Inquirer.net photo
THE penalty that Chinese Xiamen Airlines will have to pay to the Philippines for the August 16 accident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has now reached to almost P72 million. Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eddie Monreal disclosed this during the resumption of the hearing of the Senate committee on public services on Monday, September 10. From an initial estimate of P33 million, Monreal said Xiamen’s penalty has more than doubled based on latest computation.
“The penalty reached almost P72 million. We’ve already discussed the additional P42 million plus,” he told the committee, responding to the queries of the committee chair, Senator Grace Poe. Montreal said they already talked with the finance officer of the airline last Friday and they got an assurance that Xiamen would pay for the initial cost. The chairman of Xiamen, he said, would also go to the Philippines this week to discuss the matter further. Thousands of passengers were affected when a Xiamen aircraft veered off the runway of Naia last August 16. ■
Philstar.com photo
Makati court defers DOJ motion amid Trillanes arrest by AJPRESS
THE Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 on Monday, September 10 has scheduled a hearing later this week, declining the omnibus motion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue an arrest warrant against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV without litigation. The hearing has been slated for Friday, September 14, at 9 a.m. “The court is not persuaded with the argument of the prosecution that its omnibus motion should not be set for hearing and should be acted by this court exparte,” the order stated. Presiding Judge Elmo Alameda signed the order that explained that the issuance of an arrest warrant and travel ban without
any hearing would compromise the right of the accused to due process. Clerk of Court Diosfa Valencia clarified that the RTC must respect the petition of the accused opposition senator before the high court, as reported by The Philippine Star. “The court has to observe judicial courtesy because there is a pending motion filed by Sen. Trillanes before the Supreme Court,” Valencia explained. She also noted that they will await the decision of the SC on whether to pursue any court proceedings. “If the Supreme Court ruled that there would be no proceedings at all before lower courts, then we will abide,” Valencia
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From the Front Page
Duterte discusses national issues on... PAGE A1 be a close-in event with PTV-4 and RTVM, but I believe that PCOO had previously asked for the questions of the media. So your questions will be asked for you by Presidential Legal Counsel Panelo (I would just like to clarify, the têtê-a-têtê of the president and Presidential Legal Counsel Panelo will still continue. The format will be a
close-in event with PTV-4 and RVTM),” Roque said. Duterte explained the government’s plans on a hodgepodge of issues, including the situation in Mindanao, inflation, the war on drugs, EDSA traffic, telecommunication players and the revocation of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty. The leader said that there is a significant decline in the crime
rate ever since the southern region was put under a martial law rule. “It has lessened the criminality at large. The only way to confirm that is to conduct a survey. Maybe they can conduct an interview,” Duterte said. Amid the complaints of price surges in the country, as reflected from the recent inflation rate data released by the Philippine Statistics Agency (PSA), Duterte assured the public that the economic managers are on top of it and that instances like this can be deemed as normal. “Shortages [are] always there. The economic life is not always a bed of roses,” Duterte said. The tough-talking leader did not spare the uniformed personnel when Panelo asked him regarding the war on drugs that his administration has adamantly focused on. He warned all the police officials that they might meet their doom if they continue with the drug trade. “Meron ditong mga pulis na nasa droga talaga. Kapag andiyan ka sa droga ikaw ang mauuna (There are police here involved in drugs, if you are involved in drugs, you are first to die),” Duterte warned. Duterte assured the public that he will fulfill the promises he made during his campaign. “I am trying to govern the way I promised. Sinabi ko sa inyo na I will fight corruption. Wala akong pinatawad dito (I told you I will fight corruption. I never forgave anybody about this),” Duterte said. He denied any accusations that he is involved with corruption. He even noted that his salary would go straight to the Land Bank of the Philippines and that he would not receive any extra. “Sinabi ko sa inyo na di ako makialam sa transaksyon sa gobyerno. It begins and ends with the cabinet member. Wala akong extra perks. Nagtatrabaho lang po ako (I told you that I will never interfere with the government transactions. I don’t have extra perks. I am just doing my job),” Duterte noted. He added, “Nagpatay ako nang maraming kriminal, alangan naman pulis ko o sundalo ko ang mamatay (I ordered to kill many criminals, it’s better than having my police and soldiers killed).” n
DE LIMA HANDSIGN. Despite tight security accorded by her police escorts, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima stretches her arm upward to flash her D5 handsign in protest of the continued political persecution she is subjected to by the present government as she arrives at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, September 10, at the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice to attend the resumption of the public hearing on the trumped-up drug trading charge lodged before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 206. Senate photo
‘PH with most activists killed outside... PAGE A1
on top and the disenfranchised silent,” said Jim Loughran, head of the FLD’s Human Rights Defend-
ers project. “For decades, the governments of Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and the Philip-
pines have been using the same excuses to justify their inactions – terrorism, organized crime and drug gangs,” he added. n
Makati court defers DOJ motion amid... PAGE A1 noted. The same court held the trial on the rebellion case filed against the Magdalo mutineer in relation to the siege at The Peninsula Hotel in Makati City in 2007. Trillanes responded the same day and said that President Rodrigo Duterte plans on tricking him. He promised that he would not fall into the trap that Duterte has in store. “Probably, they’re trying to trick me into that trap but I won’t fall for that,” Trillanes told reporters. The staunch critic claimed that Duterte has “deniability” even though the president promised to wait for the court’s decision regarding the revocation of the amnesty granted by Aquino. Trillanes alleged that the leader frequently lies to the public when cornered regarding matters of national importance.
The senator also dismissed allegations that he was planning to oust the president and that he is recruiting rebels in the military. He also said that his sources in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have a standing warrant of arrest for him. The senator has not left his office for a week now since the proclamation came out. IBP and church stands by Trillanes The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) led by National President Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo said that Proclamation 572 is unconstitutional. “Arresting and incarcerating Senator Trillanes for offenses dismissed by amnesty runs roughshod over the constitutional guarantee against double jeopardy that no person shall be held to answer twice for the same criminal offense,” the IBP board of governors said.
The institution with 50,000 members explained that the cases filed against the senator were no longer valid due to the amnesty grant. “It is also a matter of public record that the criminal cases for which Senator Trillanes stood trial have been dismissed with finality by our courts precisely on the basis of amnesty,” the IBP explained. The IBP also urged the courts “to resist collateral attacks against its judgments and creeping incursions on its independence,” “An independent and impartial judiciary remains the most powerful bastion that protects our cherished constitutional rights against excesses of political power,” it added. Caloocan Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. also encouraged the Catholic congregation PAGE A4
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Filipino family charged with numerous violations... PAGE A1 Of the charges, 26 were for grand theft of wages and labor, totalling to around $8.5 million, according to Becerra. eight of the charges were for human trafficking and violence, and three were for rape. Noel and Joshua Gamos were also accused of offering female employees gifts in exchange for sex acts. According to the complaint, the alleged abuse happened between 2008 and 2017. The charges are a result of a yearlong investigation by the attorney general’s Office Tax Recovery and Criminal enforcement (TRaCe) Task Force, and involving the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office; the U.S. Department of Labor; the California Department of Industrial Relations; the California Department of Social Services; and law enforcement departments in Pacifica, South San Francisco, and Daly City. “While the employees were
providing by all accounts loving care, they were doing so under egregious circumstances,” said Becerra. The complaint said that employees at the Rainbow Bright facilities were promised a room to sleep in and food while working as live-in caregivers. They were also told that they would receive a monthly salary between $1,000 and $1,200 for eight hour work days, five days a week. Instead, the employees were forced to work nearly 24 hours a day while employed at the defendant’s Rainbow Bright Daycare facilities, according to the complaint. employees were also forced to sleep on floors and garages, and were locked outside in the rain when the owners were not home. They were also threatened to be turned over to U.S. immigration officials, and had their passports confiscated by the Rainbow Bright executives. “No worker in the United States
should live in fear or be subjected to violence, abuse or exploitation at the hands of their employer,” said Becerra. “The charges against the Gamos family members are despicable. We must not turn a blind eye to abusive labor practices. Report it, and we will investigate and prosecute.” Fourteen illegal assault weapons were also seized by agents serving the arrest warrants. Three of the assault weapons were “ghost gun” rifles, meaning they did not have serial numbers, according to a statement released by Becerra’s office. Ghost guns allow for bypassing registration regulations and background checks. “What’s most painful as we discuss this is is this is happen ing in neighborhoods,” said Becerra. “This could be happening in your backyard, in your neighborhood, with people you The older and smaller Donnie believe are living a regular life and being cared for.” (Rae Ann ‘Ahas’ Nietes used his boxing craftiness to break down AsVarona/AJPress) ton Palicte who was on survival mode in the last round during their World Boxing Organization (WBO) championship fight fort to prevent the catastrophic on Saturday, September 8, at horror of climate change,” The Forum in Inglewood, CaliBrown added. “First they deny fornia on ‘Superfly 3’ televised it, then they doubted it, then they on hBO. revile others who are trying to do however the scores of the something. Others being all the judges told a different story as countries of the world. Robert hoyle had it 116 to 112 earlier this year, the former for Palicte while Daniel Sandoadministrator of the environ- val had it 118 to 110 for Nietes. mental Protection Agency (ePA) The third judge Max de Luca Scott Pruitt furthered the Trump saw it 114-114 draw to end up administration’s reversal of with neither Filipino boxer get Obama-era environmental mea- to hold the WBO world super sures by imposing federal lim- flyweight crown. Philboxing its to states’ goals over carbon had it 117 to 111 for Nietes. emission limits. hBO unofficial judge harold On the national front, climate Lederman also had it 117 to 111 change has been a largely parti- for Nietes. san topic with Democrats pushPalicte (24-2-1, 20KOs) used ing to implement measures to his longer reach and power lessen the human impact on the punches to try to impose his environment with Republicans will on the smaller Nietes (41-1hesitant to take action. 5, 23KOs) but the wily veteran Despite the Republican Par- used subtle moves to continuty’s heated history with climate ously land clean shots against change, and whether or not it be- Palicte. lieves it is scientifically-proven, Compubox numbers had Nimoderate Republicans this year etes ahead on the punch stats. have been slowly rethinking the Nietes landed 194 of 523 total party’s stance on the issue. punches (37 percent) while In July, Republican Rep. Carlos Palicte connected on 124 of 830 Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman Curbelo of Florida introduced a total punches (15 percent). and Andre Ward saw Nietes carbon tax measure for compaThe WBO broadcast panel of clearly won the fight commentnies and use those funds toward an infrastructure program. The measure was condemned by house Republicans who called the tax “detrimental” to the economy. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
Photos by Jhay Otamias
Nietes vs Palicte fight ends in questionable split draw
California to run on 100% clean electricity...
PAGE A1 have the resiliency and the sustainability that science tells us we must achieve.” environmentalist groups and Democratic lawmakers applauded Brown’s approval of bills for establishing a climate change plan that revolutionizes the state’s impact on the environment for generations to come. “California has taken a bold step to address climate change and preserve our planet for future generations,” Fil-Am Assemblymember and Chair of the California Asian Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus Rob Bonta said in a statement. “All 12 [API] Legislative Caucus members are proud to support this critical bill because it’s the right thing to do for ourselves and for our children and our children’s children.” According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the emission of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, traps heat closer to earth. So as carbon levels increase, so does the planet’s overall temperature. But as human innovation accelerated at the start of the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s, humans have been increasing the amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at an exponential rate. Carbon dioxide represents nearly 84 percent of
all greenhouse gases emitted through human activity via burning fossil fuels for electricity and transportation. NASA reported that the levels of carbon dioxide surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) in 2013; before the Industrial Revolution, the levels were at 270 ppm and by the 1960s, 313 ppm. NASA warns that if lawmakers don’t implement measures to drop the carbon levels to 350 ppm, and humans exhaust the planet’s natural resources, the effects of climate change will persist. Brown signed the measures days before hosting The Global Climate Action Summit, a meeting of 5,000 world leaders on climate change including government officials, business leaders and environmentalists in San Francisco. The highly anticipated summit and the approval of SB 100 come at the heels of President Donald Trump’s controversial decision last year to withdraw the United States’ involvement from the 2015 Paris climate accord, an agreement among nations to take action to prevent the globe’s temperature from increasing more than 2 degrees Celsius over levels before the Industrial Revolution. “The Republican Party under Trump, and even before, is committed to deny and fight any ef-
ing that “it was really a bad decision” against Nietes. (Dong Secuya/Philboxing.com)
US National Security Adviser: ICC is...
PAGE A1 on Monday, September 10, took aim at the hague-based court by denouncing its authority, and threatening sanctions on it if it were to proceed with investigations of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Bolton’s speech came ahead of an expected announcement by an ICC judge regarding a request to open up investigations of alleged war crimes, such as torture and illegal imprisonment, committed by the CIA and U.S. forces in Afghanistan since May 2003. The court received an alarming 1.17 million allegations of war crimes from Afghans earlier this year from three-months worth of collected material. Bolton at a speech to a conservative group on Monday said that the ICC “unacceptably threatens American sovereignty and the U.S. national security interests.” he added, “The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court.” “We will not cooperate with the ICC,” said Bolton, adding that “for all intents and purposes, the ICC is already dead to us.” he also said that the Palestine Liberation Organization office in Washington was ordered to close, a move being seen as the Trump administration’s latest step in pressuring Palestinian leaders to comply with a Middle east peace plan. The ICC responded to Bolt’s remarks by saying that the court was “an independent and impartial judicial institution” that was created to “ensure accountability for crimes that shock the conscience of humanity.”
“The court’s jurisdiction is subject to the primary jurisdiction of states themselves to investigate and prosecute allegations of those crimes and bring justice to the affected communities,” the statement said. “It is only when the states concerned fail to do so at all or genuinely that the ICC will exercise jurisdiction.” “The ICC, as a court of law, will continue to do its work undeterred, in accordance with those principles and the overarching idea of the rule of law,” the court vowed. France on Tuesday backed the ICC in saying that the court should be able to operate without hindrance. “France, with its european partners, supports the International Criminal Court, both in its budgetary contribution and in its cooperation with it,” Agnes von der Muhll, the foreign ministry spokeswoman, said in a statement. “The court must be able to act and exercise its prerogatives without hindrance, independently and impartially, within the legal framework defined by the Rome Statute,” the statement said. ‘Court of last resort’ established in 2002, the ICC is described as a court of last resort intended to take on cases from nations unable or unwilling to carry out investigations and prosecute perpetrators. With 123 state parties recognizing its jurisdiction, it has before been at the end of criticism with the latest coming from countries like Myanmar and the Philippines, both of which are undergoing criticism for human
rights violations. On Friday, September 7, Myanmar’s government said that it “resolutely rejects” an ICC ruling that claimed jurisdiction over alleged deportations of Rohingya Muslims to Bangladesh in a crisis described by the United Nations as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Myanmar President Win Myint described the ICC ruling as “the result of faulty procedure.” The ruling, he said, was of “dubious legal merit.” Late last month, the Philippine government downplayed the potential impact of a new complaint filed with the ICC that called for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s indictment over alleged extrajudicial killings carried out since taking office. Philippine presidential spokesperson harry Roque described the new complaint as being “doomed” because the Philippines earlier this year announced its withdrawal from the ICC. having joined the court in 2011 and thus becoming a signatory to the Rome Statute, the Philippines gave court prosecutors jurisdiction over alleged crimes done during its membership. ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced in February that she would open up preliminary examinations into the government’s “war on drugs” campaign. In March, Duterte unilaterally withdrew from the Philippines from the tribunal, a move he said was “effective immediately.” Yet, the treaty states that withdrawals become effective a year after a country gives notice to the United Nations secretarygeneral. n
Makati court defers DOJ motion amid... PAGE A2 to pray and stand for the truth amid the abuses in the Duterte administration. “Neutrality is wickedness. To be Christian is to stand for and speak the truth,” Iñiguez said.
Iñiguez backed Trillanes and criticized Duterte’s “attempt to strike a final death blow to dissent, democracy and to our nation’s moral fiber.” “Before us today is our Red Sea, made by the blood of the in-
nocents and Lady Liberty. If we are made in the image and likeness of God, then we must inspire courage among each other, and with faith hold out our staff and part this sea of wickedness,” he said. n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Administration destabilizing itself – LP senators House panel junks impeach raps vs Chief Justice de Castro, other SC justices for lack of substance
by Paolo
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA — The Duterte administration is the one destabilizing itself by its failure to stem the rising prices of basic commodities and ensure a stable supply of rice while flouting the rule of law, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said on Monday, September 10. “The opposition does not have to do anything. On its own, either by its incompetence or corruption, the government is doing a good job of destabilizing itself,” he declared. Pangilinan, Liberal Party president, described Duterte’s accusation of the opposition causing destabilization as “downright false” and “ridiculous,” adding that his party is committed to adhering to constitutional processes in pushing for its advocacies and does not believe that ousting the country’s leaders would address urgent problems. “We already ousted presidents twice. If that was the solution to our problems, we should be a first world country by now,” he pointed out. The lawmaker stressed that all Malacañang has to do to address the current inflation woes is to listen to its own allies who, like the opposition, are calling for the resignation of officials of the Department of Agriculture and the National Food Authority for causing the rice crisis. He added that instead of throwing baseless accusations at LP
by Gaea
Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Francis Pangilinan
and the opposition, the government should listen to the cry of the people and focus on rising prices of goods and lack of jobs that would sufficiently provide for the average Filipino family. Vice President Leni Robredo also debunked Duterte’s accusation that the LP, which she chairs, is part of an alleged plot to oust him. “We have no connection with the Communist Party of the Philippines, we don’t have any kind of conversation with them. We know the role of the CPP in our society—they exist independently of any political party. We have different beliefs,” Robredo said. Duterte’s accusations came after LP officials, including Robredo, expressed their support for Trillanes, whose amnesty was nullified by the President through Proclamation 572 signed on Aug. 31. Robredo maintained the revo-
Philstar.com photo
cation of Trillanes’ amnesty “is clearly an attempt to silence the opposition.” “For me, whoever is the victim of abuse of power, we are one with him,” said Robredo who visited Trillanes last Thursday, September 6, at the Senate, where he has been staying after the proclamation was issued. The president in a speech in Davao on Saturday said a supposed oust Duterte movement “will go into a high gear” next month. Robredo lamented that the LP had been the usual whipping boy of the administration to deflect the blame for its “incompetencies.” “It’s like blaming U.S. President Donald Trump for the weakening economy. The Liberal Party is always the one to blame for all the shortcomings of this administration. I think this is not right,” she said. n
Russia offers joint project for AK rifles factory in PH by miChael
PunonGbayan, Pia lee-bRaGo Philstar.com
MANILA — As bilateral ties become warmer, Russia believes it is time for the Philippines to “diversify” defense and other forms of cooperation with other countries, without damaging its traditional alliances. As part of a blossoming “partnership,” Russia is proposing, among others, a joint project with the Philippines for the production of assault rifles, including Kalashnikovs, in this country. “Last year… we proposed organizing a joint production facility here, to jointly produce
Russian assault rifles,” Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev told “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News channel. Khovaev, however, said there has been no response so far from the Philippine government. He stressed that Russia’s proffered hand of partnership has no “hidden agenda” or political strings attached. “Russia has experience of supplying arms and military weapons to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, so it’s time to be open-minded. It’s time to diversify. Diversify cooperation with no damage to your traditionally close relationship with the some other allies,” Khovaev said, The Kalashnikov range of as-
sault rifles includes the AK-47 – Avtomat Kalasknikov or Kalashnikov’s Automatic Rifle, arguably the most widely used of its kind in the world. Developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, the AK-47 was first used by Soviet forces in 1949. Kalashnikov also produces shotguns, rifles, pistols and ammunition. Asked about the status of his proposal, Khovaev replied, “I hope it’s still under consideration.” The proposal is likely to be blocked by the United States, with which the Philippines has a defense alliance. Last month, during a visit to PAGE A7
KatReena Philstar.com
CabiCo
MANILA — The House of Representatives justice committee on Tuesday, September 11, shot down the consolidated impeachment complaints filed against Chief Justice Teresita de Castro and six other Supreme Court justices. This, after the panel chaired by Rep. Doy Leachon (Oriental Mindoro) found that the impeachment complaints against the seven high court justices who voted to oust Maria Lourdes Sereno via quo warranto were insufficient in substance. A total of 23 lawmakers in the justice committee voted that the consolidated complaints against the seven justices lack substance. Only Ramon Rocamora (Siquijor) voted that the complaint was sufficient in substance.
Last week, the committee voted that the complaints were sufficient in form. Opposition lawmakers Reps. Edcel Lagman (Albay), Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) and Teddy Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao) accused De Castro, Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr. and Alexander Gesmundo of committing culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. “As justices of the high court, they are fully aware that impeachment is the only mode provided in the Constitution to oust impeachable officials like the chief justice,” Lagman said. Rep. Jess Manalo (ANGKLA party-list) said that lawmakers are “not in the position to judge and impeach people for deciding what they considered
is right.” Reps. Henry Oaminal (Misamis Occidental) and Ron Salo (Kabayan party-list) said the justices only performed their constitutional duty. Rep. Rodante Marcoleta (SAGIP party-list), for his part, criticized the complainants for their supposed “opinionated, selective recital of facts.” In his rebuttal, Lagman stressed that they are not asking the Supreme Court to reverse its decision to remove Sereno via quo warranto. He, however, insisted that the May 11 ruling was “malicious, capricious and conspiratorial.” He also urged the members of the justice panel to “reclaim the power of the House of Representatives, which has been arrogated by the Supreme Court” when they ruled to oust Sereno through quo warranto. n
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OPINION
Everything but the TRAIN
FEATURES
WITH inflation hitting a nine-year high, the peso falling to a record low and share prices tumbling, which factors are being blamed by the administration? Malacañang points to strong demand — an explanation that also psyches the people to even higher prices ahead with the start of the Christmas season. Meanwhile, President Duterte, returning to the country from visits to Israel and Jordan, blamed the tariffs imposed by his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump amid a trade war with China. Washington has been silent on the statement of President Duterte. But his own finance chief had earlier said the Philippines was “sort of insulated” from the impact of the U.S.-China trade war. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. also attributed the inflation surge to “food supply shocks” as the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that food and nonalcoholic beverages accounted for the largest component of the inflation rate hike. Economic managers have blamed everything except the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, which slapped a hefty excise tax on fuel, raising transport and electricity costs. The fuel tax under TRAIN was compounded by rising
world crude prices and the weakening peso. Instead of considering suggestions from lawmakers and even other economists from outside the government to suspend at least certain provisions of the TRAIN law, however, the government is pushing Congress to pass the second phase of tax reforms or TRAIN 2, now with the new acronym TRABAHO or jobs, for Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities. The government has been warned about possible business shutdowns and consequent job losses due to TRABAHO, but so far, the administration is standing firm not just on TRAIN 2 but also on not touching a single provision of the first phase of TRAIN. Filipino consumers are being run over by the inflation train. This is more destabilizing than any political maneuvering, real or imagined, against the government. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Admiral John McCain and the unprecedented PH Dollar Remittance Program PeaceMaker FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. (Part 1 of 3)
WE were out of town on speaking engagements and attending meetings in the Middle East, South Asia, and last week in Seoul when the bemedalled and popular U.S. Senator John McCain, although unable to make it twice to the U.S. presidency, passed away from cancer, and was the object of unprecedented week-long ceremonies in Washington, D.C. fit for a genuine national hero. His plane was shot down over Hanoi at the height of the Vietnam War and languished in prison for some five years, refusing to be freed, on account of his being the son of U.S. military commander while other American prisoners would remain in Hanoi. Once we briefly met him with a handshake in the U.S. Senate with other U.S. Senators and we promised to call on him next time and purposely to lobby for Filipino Veterans Claims pending legislation in the U.S. Congress and to inform him of our close friendship with his late father, Admiral John
McCain, Commander of the U.S Pacific Fleet, with headquarters in Honolulu, and his mother, now the 105-year-old Roberta. His father played an important role in the historic dollar remittance and official conversion program which we designed, initiated and pushed up to completion, and which killed the dollar black market and dramatically helped enlarge the Philippine foreign exchange reserves to what it is today at roughly 80 billion U.S. dollars, along with more dollars earned by Philippine exports. (After his retirement, Admiral McCain briefly joined the Board of our public company, Landoil and its subsidiary Philippine-Singapore Ports Corporation). We were a 31-year-old minister and economic counselor in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) during the Vietnam War. In Saigon, we, the small team of diplomats and staff, were receiving from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs our monthly salaries in dollardenominated checks, which invariably were exchanged at the black market for local Vietnamese currency to pay for our monthly housing rental and costs of living in Vietnam. It was well known throughout Asia and in most capitals worldwide, that the black markets in foreign exchange were
rampant. At home at the time, the official peso-dollar exchange rate was at two pesos to one dollar but the black market was almost double and continued to deteriorate, and was everywhere, from the Escolta, then Manila’s main shopping area, to Subic Naval Base in Zambales, Clark Air Base in Pampanga, Sangley Point Naval Station in Cavite, Baguio which housed the U.S.managed Camp John Hay, and Camp Wallace, in coastal San Fernando, La Union, also under U.S. operation. At the time, if our memory serves us right, the total Philippine foreign exchange (dollar) reserves was hovering in the vicinity of $400-million, less than a billion, a miniscule, compared to our approximate foreign exchange reserves today of some $80-billion, including our intake from largely overseas labor remittances of some $25-billion to $30-billion a year. From our diplomatic post in Saigon, we boldly proposed to the home government in 1966-67 that to throttle and eventually wipe out the black market in foreign exchange in the Philippines and elsewhere, and to dramatically and rapidly enlarge Philippine dollar reserves, that all U.S. military expenditures in the Philippines be officially exchanged
at the Philippine Central bank at the official rate, to cover all U.S. expenditures in operating Clark, Subic, Sangley Point, Camp John Hay, Wallace Field, the peso requirements of the U.S. Embassy in Manila and other U.S. consulates and offices in the country. Appealing to the Americans to support our plan, we turned Saigon into our operating center from where we flew to U.S. military bases across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in between trips to Manila. For a number of these journeys, from Wake Island to Guam to Okinawa, we were permitted occasional rides in U.S. transport planes by Admiral John S. McCain Jr., father of the late Senator John McCain, and son of Admiral John Sidney McCain Sr., who commanded the Fast Carrier Task Force during the critical amphibious operations in the Pacific Theater in 1944-45 that led to the U.S. victory over Japan. We developed a close bond with the Admiral McCain Jr., then commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Command based in Hawaii that had operational control of U.S. military bases in the Philippines. Once, while we were in Hawaii, we had a revealing conversation with the Admiral at the U.S. Navy headquarters at Pearl Harbor. The Admiral ex-
pressed the deep anguish he had felt every day as he made combat decisions while his son was being held as a prisoner of war in the Hanoi Hilton. We remembered the senior McCain worrying that his command decisions could cause harm to his son. He told us how difficult it was to separate his duties as a commander and his feelings as a father. The Admiral was worried that every attack on the enemy that he approved would cause his son to be mistreated or even executed in retaliation. In hindsight, his concerns were justified. The Admiral’s son, the late Senator John McCain, suffered torture in North Vietnam. He was captured after his plane was shot down on October 26, 1967, and not released until March 14, 1973, when he was flown to Clark Air Base in the Philippines for medical care. This paternal purgatory lasted for five years. Admiral McCain became Pacific Commander in July 1968 and stayed in the post until 1972. From Guam and Wake Island to Hawaii and Okinawa, we, as chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dollar Remittances, flew across the Pacific to drum up support for the dollar remittance proposal, and occasionally Admiral McCain would let us fly on U.S. military
aircraft for these trips. Sometimes we would go island-hopping to the Filipino communities in the U.S. bases with our team, co-chairman Labor Undersecretary Raoul Inocentes, Central Bank Foreign Exchange Director Alfredo Antiporda, and Philippine National Bank (PNB) officials Isidro Villanos and Pastor Alvarado, who were under PNB President Roberto Benedicto. Without the generous and essential support from the Admiral at this key stage of development of the dollar-remittance program, the eventual success it enjoyed would not have occurred. To this day, the Philippines owes a debt of gratitude to Admiral McCain, as do we. Thus did the dollar-remittance program go into motion with little fanfare, and with the splendid results the like of which we had not anticipated. A new social phenomenon had arrived as well. The overseas job market was beginning its rapid expansion by then, led by some of the brightest, most skilled, and ablest Filipinos, who left to work abroad with lucrative work contracts. This was a wholly new phenomenon – the mass export of skilled labor, the nation’s greatest resource – and its benefits were enormous. (To be continued next week)
Yellows like lunatics now shrieking: ‘The end is near’
Commentary
RIGOBERTO TIGLAO IN their wishful but deluded thinking that the inflation spike and the Trillanes brouhaha will be bringing down President Duterte soon, the Yellows can’t even pick a slogan that won’t hint at their lunacy. Melito Salazar, a Board of Investments vice chairman during the Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos administrations, very surprisingly titled his column “The end is near.” There he claimed that the Duterte administration was now in “economic and political chaos” that marks the end of any regime. Vicente Romano 3rd, President Noynoy Aquino’s fivemonth tourism undersecretary who nearly got the country to plagiarize the Poland tourism slogan (and even logo), echoed Salazar’s take: “You know the end is near when… the economy is in a free fall. Prices of commodities are hitting the roof, beyond the reach of the
poor. And nobody seems in charge on how to contain the problem.” That “the-end-is-near” line of course is an old, old line used in so many caricatures of religious nuts wearing sack cloth shouting (with placards even): “Repent, the end is near.” So, it is befitting that these Yellows should be using this cliché. Either he is a closet Yellow cultist, or a political opportunist with a lousy sense of timing (or just dull-witted analyst), but Senator Ralph Recto in the opening prayer of the Senate session the other day — for chrissake, in a prayer! — also portrayed the country as already in economic collapse, saying that “food is scarce, their prices high” and that “inflation is robbing our people of the full value of their wages.” Inflation is indeed high at 6.4 percent year on year in August. That means prices went up 6.4 percent from August 2017 to August 2018, not as some Yellows are stupidly claiming, that prices went up from July 2018 to August 2018. That means
your P100 in August last year can buy only P94 worth of goods in August 2018. There were unique factors that pushed up the rate in August. Mainly three: the uptick in global oil prices which — in our very market-oriented oil industry — had to be reflected in higher prices for fuel (and therefore transport); the fact that June to August is the lean season in agricultural production, with harvests, especially for rice, still to come in two months’ time; and production and distribution disruptions due to typhoons. The National Food Authority in its programming apparently didn’t take into account the Duterte administration’s clampdown on rice smuggling, which was rampant during the past administration, which explains the low inflation rates at that time. Take it from a business and economic journalist these past many years. The 6.4 percent August inflation is a spike, and will go away. More importantly, the country has been through worse bouts of inflation in the
past 40 years, and our institutions, mainly the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, whose main job precisely involves this, have learned to contain inflation, quickly and easily. In 2008, the worst global recession after the 1929 Great Depression hit the planet, translating into a 12.4 percent inflation rate in September that year. By the end of the year though, this was contained — to the credit of President Gloria Arroyo’s P330-billion Economic Resiliency Plan —so that the whole-year rate was at 8.3 percent, with the momentum price deflation continuing into the next three years. There were similar such spikes in 2001, 1994, 1998, and 1971 — the latter even a perfect storm of sorts as there was both an economic crisis (triggered by OPEC’s oil embargo) and a political crisis (Plaza Miranda bombing, a violent national election, mass unrest. Would you believe, the inflation rate in 1971 was 21 percent and in 1974, 41 percent, yet Marcos continued to consolidate his one-man rule
throughout that decade? The worst surge of inflation was in 1984 when it hit 63 percent in September that year. This was another politico-economic storm. The worldwide debt crisis broke out in 1981, we defaulted on our loans in 1983 that imports nearly ground to a halt, and then there was political volatility after Ninoy Aquino’s assassination in 1983. Guess what, the Marcos government still managed to bring the rate down to 12 percent in September 1985 and 6 percent at the end of 1985. Amid the January snap elections, the daily anti-Marcos demonstrations, rumors of a coup, the inflation rate was just 4 percent in January 1986, right before the February 1986 revolt. (Which belies the notion that an economic crisis triggered EDSA.) Guys, we’re not Venezuela, which is situated in a continent that for some reason has been so prone to hyper-inflation since before World War 2. The 1983 and 2008 global debt crises have so strengthened our
financial and monetary system that this very easily responds to moves to contain inflation. It’s a characteristic mark of the Yellows to have very limited phraseology (or erudition) that they use only tired clichés as this recent “The end is near,” “Never Again” (the Jewish cry against the Holocaust), and of course “Daang Matuwid“(“Straight Path,” a reference to Islam). In her exertions to claim that the military will go to the aid of Trillanes, a Rappler writer who’s in a time warp in the 1980s, thinking that she is still covering Gringo Honasan and his dashing comrades in the Cory regime (and not the megalomaniacTrillanes) titled her piece, “Don’t mess with the military.” She’s forgotten that that cliché had evolved into a comedic line, after the boxoffice comedy movie, “Don’t Mess with the Zohar,” where Adam Sandler played the hilarious anti-hero. So appropriate to use that line. Trillanes is more hilarious now than Sandler. (ManilaTimes.net)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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DATELINE PHILIPPINES
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2018
A7
ASEAN police alarmed by PH war on drugs by CECILLE
SUERTE Philstar.com
FELIPE
MANILA — Some members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations Police (ASEANAPOL) expressed apprehension that international drug cartels displaced by the massive crackdown in the Philippines might relocate to neighboring countries to continue operations. Director General Oscar Albayalde, Philippine National Police chief, said there was wide recognition by ASEANAPOL members of the anti-drug campaign being waged by the PNP since President Duterte assumed office in 2016. Albayalde, who led the PNP WHERE TO START? Dragon boat paddlers and members of green groups row through a sea of water lilies as they conduct a clean-up drive delegation to the three-day in Manila Bay. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina 38th ASEANAPOL Conference hosted by the Royal Brunei Police Force in Bandar Seri Begawan, noted that the apprehensions were raised during the “I will resolve it by late Oc- sion on the third telco player. PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte “Give me your position papers. conference. on Tuesday, September 11, said tober or early November. By He reported that there had the Philippines would have its Christmas, alam na ng mga tao I’ll read it, give me about 30 minthird major telecommunications kung sino na ang (the people utes then I’ll come back and tell been no industrial-scale manuplayer in December, as he vowed will know the) third player,” he them. I will decide. ‘Yun na at facturing of amphetamine-based ibigay na ‘yung linya (That’s it illegal drugs in the Philippines to select the offer of the bidder added. Last month, the Department and the line will be given),” he recently and attributed this to with the “best track record.” the hardline stance of the PhilipDuterte made the statement as of Information and Communica- said. Duterte earlier called for the he expressed frustration over the tions Technology (DICT) said it delays in the government’s selec- aims to finish the selection pro- entry of a new telco player in a bid to improve the service being tion of the country’s third major cess before the end of the year. This was after missing its provided by current players. telecommunications player. PLDT and Globe Telecom con“Late, early November, pag initial target of making an anwala pa (if there’s no decision nouncement before Duterte’s tinue to dominate the industry yet), I’ll take over. Ilagay ko iyan State of the Nation Address in after San Miguel Corp sold its sa Office of the President. And July as the terms of reference for telecommunications assets to I will invite all the business- the selection process has yet to the two firms in May 2016. The third player must secure a men and I will decide in front be finalized. Duterte, who said he would congressional franchise and be of them kung sino (who it will be),” Duterte said during a tele- place the selection process un- able to spend at least P500 billion vised interview with Chief Pres- der the Office of the President if over five years, said Eliseo Rio, idential Legal Counsel Salvador he was forced to take, elaborated DICT officer-in-charge. (Cathon how he would make the deci- erine Valente/ManilaTimes.net) Panelo.
PH to have 3rd telco in December – Duterte
Pacquiao to sue Top Rank SENATOR Manny Pacquiao is set to file a complaint against Top Rank Promotions and several others for non-payment of his broadcast rights in his recent bout against Lucas Mat-
thysse of Argentina. The senator’s plan to sue Top Rank was disclosed to reporters by his media relations officer Aquiles Zonio Monday night, September 10.
Pacquiao took on Matthysse on July 15, 2018 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur. He won via a TKO on the seventh round. (Josef Ramos/ManilaTimes.net)
Russia offers joint project for AK rifles... PAGE A5
Manila, Randall Schriver, U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, cautioned Manila against buying military hardware from U.S. rival Russia. Schriver issued the statement as Philippine defense officials were reportedly
considering the acquisition of a submarine from Russia. President Duterte slammed Schriver’s statement, saying, “Is that the way you treat an ally?… You want us to stay with you for all time? Who are you to warn us?” Reacting to Schriver’s warn-
ing, Khovaev emphasized that the U.S. and other traditional allies of the Philippines should not interfere in the bilateral cooperation between Manila and Moscow and the choices made by the two countries, including defense cooperation and acquisition of arms and weapons. ■
pine government against illegal drugs. The PNP’s ASEANAPOL counterparts, he added, are all committed to continuing cooperation on regional and domestic security issues that were high on the agenda of the conference. Also discussed during the conference were crimes involving intellectual property rights infringement; fraudulent travel documents; cybercrime; commercial crimes like money laundering, bank offenses and credit card fraud; maritime and crossborder crime; wildlife crime; trafficking in persons; arms smuggling; illicit drug trafficking and terrorism. The group also tackled the continuing cooperation for the ASEAN police forensic science network, mutual assistance on criminal matters and the database system. Although ASEANAPOL members were concerned about illegal drugs, Albayalde said terrorism remains a major concern among ASEAN countries. “Terrorism remains on top of the security concerns of national police forces in the ASEAN and
we share with them the same energy and will to respond forcefully to this global problem,” Albayalde added. The PNP delegation also presented the Philippines’ country paper on terrorism, wherein the PNP recognized the significant contribution of international initiatives and cooperation in addressing terrorism. Against the backdrop of the five-month siege of Marawi City in 2017, Albayalde said the PNP recognized the close coordination between the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia through the police attachés that helped in the identification, accounting and neutralization of foreign terrorist fighters who took part in the siege and are still staying in southern Philippines. “Since the start of 2018, no cross-border incident has taken place as a result of existing mechanisms of cooperation between Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia in relation to safeguarding our maritime tri-boundary through joint and coordinated patrols in the Sulu, North Sulawesi and Celebes Seas,” the police chief added. ■
A September 12-14, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOUrNAL
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BUSINESS& COMMUNITY
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2018
B
Journal
Foreign investments jump 42% in first half of 2018 File photo by Philstar.com by lawrenCe
agCaoili Philstar.com
than half of the full-year FDI inflow target of $9.2 billion set by the BSP. “The continued inflows of FDI FOREIGN direct investments (FDI) continued to flow into the indicate investor confidence in country on the back of strong the Philippine economy on the macroconomic fundamentals back of strong macroeconomic and growth prospects, rising by fundamentals and growth prosmore than 42 percent to $5.75 pects,� the central bank said. “Our solid macroeconomic billion in the first half from $4.04 billion a year ago, according to fundamentals and growth prosthe Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas pects are attested to by continued favorable investor sentiment. (BSP). The inflows from January to Foreign direct investments conJune already accounted for more tinue to grow. Sovereign credit
ratings remain favorable,� BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said earlier. In particular, Espenilla said the FDI-to-gross domestic product ratio improved to 3.2 percent in 2017 from 1.6 percent in 2005. “Notwithstanding global and domestic challenges, the Philippine economy has cemented its resilience and has built buffers over the years,� he added. Net equity capital investments amounted to $1.58 billion in the
u PAGE B4
Tax Amnesty Bill passes House committee by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net
A KEY committee of the House of Representatives has approved the proposed Tax Amnesty Bill whose objective is to help mitigate the skyrocketing prices of basic goods. “My panel has approved the tax amnesty measure to generate additional revenues,� lone Quirino Rep. Dakila Cua, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said in reference to House Bill 3832 principally authored by House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez.
Cua said they endorsed for plenary approval the Suarez bill, which aims to enhance revenue administration and tax collection by granting amnesty for all unpaid internal revenue taxes imposed by the government. “Instead of speeding up the passage of the second package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, we must prioritize the passage of the Tax Amnesty Bill,� Suarez, a representative of Quezon province, said earlier. “Delayed and reduced collection is a much better alternative to no collection at all,� he said. Suarez has been calling on
his House colleagues to pass the Tax Amnesty Bill to mitigate the impact of soaring prices. “The bill would surely boost the financial capability of the government. With this, we should not give priority on the passage of TRAIN 2 because if the economy is not good due to inflation, a new tax amnesty measure is definitely not bad for the people,� he said. House Deputy Speaker Rep. Raneo Abu aid the estate tax amnesty which is part of the general tax amnesty bill, “will be a big help in declogging and updating
u PAGE B2
Pilgrimage to Some of ITALY’s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5(9 -2(/ %8*$6 ĹĄ 1RYHPEHU WR 1RYHPEHU 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; 86$ 520( 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH Upon our arrival in Rome, our Tour Escort will welcome us to Italy. Rome is the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all over the world. After a short panoramic orientation of this Eternal City to us Roman Catholics, we will have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 3DSDO $XGLHQFH 5RPH This morning before we continue with our tour, we will have a Papal Audience. Then after, we will visit the famous Coliseum and see the Forum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi Fountain, before heading to our Hotel. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D)
'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH %DVLOLFDV We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, and even ancient Greek and Roman artists. the largest church in Roman Catholicism, St. Peter’s Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary Major, Followed by visit of the Basilica. We continue to visit the rest of the major Basilicas within the walls of Rome, and St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Wall. We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same steps that Christ ascended to receive Pilate’s unjust condemnation. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY )UL Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR 2018 is the 100th Anniversary of the stigmatization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year. San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July, 1916 until his death on 23 September, 1968. Enjoy the drive going to San Giovanni, after we check in our Hotel. vWe visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated with him, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace that contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditating, see his room, his confessional box and the cruciďŹ x that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Celebrate Holy Eucharist (Hotel Gran Paradiso) DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN San Giovanni Rotondo (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6DW Ĺ&#x; 6$1 *,29$11, 52721'2 This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body. Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesome Basilica. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (Hotel Gran Paradiso)
'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6XQ Ĺ&#x; 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR /DQFLDQR /RUHWR MASS AND BREAKFAST. We arrive at Lanciano, famous for the Miracle of the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The miracle took place during the 8th century when a Basiline monk doubted the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. He found himself holding the host that had changed into Real Flesh and the Wine on the altar had changed into Real Blood. We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to see the famous sacred home of the most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Since 1294 the holy home has been located inside the Basilica of Loreto. Celebrate Holy Eucharist in Lanciano. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi. 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; /RUHWR $VVLVL Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis of Assisi. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica lies the tomb of one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Eucharist at the Crypt of St. Francis See the Basilica of St Clare, with her incorrupt body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its CruciďŹ x from which Jesus spoke to Francis about his mission in 1206: “Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â€? We visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1240. The small Church of the Porziuncola is inside the Basilica itself. Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble Church on August 1st and 2nd every year, with Confession, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; $VVLVL 6LHQD )ORUHQFH We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of the Renaissance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the city’s history while admiring it’s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s great medieval squares. Continue to Florence. (BB,D) We start with a guided walking tour of Florence, this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist. Rest of the day free (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; )ORUHQFH 5RPH Leave Florence around 2PM Arrived Rome almost dinner time (BB.D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 86$ End of our wonderful Pilgrimage
Please call QTS Tour and Travel NOW at 1 (714) 288-0800 or (714) 761-6280 1095 N Main St. Suite O, Orange, CA 92867
B SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
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Fewer households with savings Tax Amnesty Bill passes House... in Q3 nationwide – BSP survey PAGE B1 t
by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo Manilatimes.net
THE number of Filipino households with savings dropped in the third quarter of 2018, data from a nationwide Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) poll showed. According to the latest Consumer Expectations Survey (CES), 32.5 percent of the 5,408 respondents said they had money set aside, down from 37.4 percent in the previous quarter. “The drop in the number of household savers was observed across income groups in NCR (National Capital Region) and AONCR (areas outside the NCR),” the Bangko Sentral said last week. Nevertheless, the number of respondents who said they had bank accounts rose to 66.2 percent from 61 percent a quarter ago. However, 46.5 percent still keep their savings at home while the rest put their money in cooperatives, paluwagan (rotating savings and credit association),
other credit/loan associations and in investments such as insurance. Respondents said their savings were intended for emergencies, health and hospitalization, education, retirement, purchase of real estate, and business capital and investment. The percentage of those who reported that they could set aside money for savings also declined to 37.3 percent from 43.3 percent in the previous quarter. The proportion of Filipinos willing to save 10 percent or more of their monthly income was steady at 31.6 percent. Families with savings from remittances received from relatives abroad also decreased in the third quarter. Of the 449 included in the survey, the percentage of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) households that used remittances for savings was lower at 32.7 percent from 33.9 percent in the second quarter. The survey showed that 94.4 percent of the OFW households
used the remittances received to purchase food and other needs. The proportion of households that allotted part of their remittances for medical expenses (47.4 percent), debt payments (24.6 percent), purchase of house (11.8 percent), purchase of car/motor vehicle (9.4 percent) increased, the Bangko Sentral added. Meanwhile, the percentage of OFW households that allocated some of the remittances received for education (63 percent), purchase of appliances/consumer durables (19.2 percent), investment (4.2 percent) and other miscellaneous expenses (3.5 percent) decreased. “By geographical area, a bigger percentage of OFW households in AONCR used their remittances for purchase of food and other household needs, and education compared to their counterparts NCR,” the central bank said. The latest CES was conducted from July 1 to 14, 2018 with a sample size of 5,580 households nationwide. n
Delinquent tax debt could mean revocation of your passport IN February 2018, the IRS started certification of individuals with delinquent tax debt to the State Department. How will the IRS certification impact you? • Upon receipt of certification. The State Department will either deny application or revoke current passport or both. • You are overseas. Limited validity passport for direct return to the US maybe issued by the State Department if you are overseas. • Serious delinquent tax debt. IRS tax debt of more than $51,000 inclusive of penalties plus interest for which all administrative remedies under IRC § 6320 has been exhausted, and federal tax lien and levy notices have already been issued. Liabilities limited under Title 26 of the United States Code. • Tax debt not considered serious. A tax debt is not considered serious if there is: a) installment agreement; b) offer in compromise; c) timely collection due process hearing related to
What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA the levy; d) innocent spouse relief under IRC § 6015 has been requested and collection is suspended; e) under settlement agreement with Justice Department. • 90-day hold of application. You will be given 90-days to resolve and enter into payment options with IRS to resolve certification issues by the State Department and will hold your application prior to denial of passport application. • Be aware of Notice CP 508C. You will receive notice CP 508C upon certification of IRS to the State Department of serious tax debt, by mail. • Certification reversal CP 508R. The State Department will
be notified within 30-days by the IRS to reverse previous certification of serious tax debt once assessed tax debt is no longer serious in 3. above, no longer enforceable, and or due to erroneous certification. • Certified debt no longer seriously delinquent. The certified debt previously delinquent is no longer delinquent when: 1) there is timely request for collection due process; 2) has been suspended due request of innocent spouse relief under IRS § 6015; 3) the IRS accepts the installment agreement or offer an in compromise. • IRC § 7345 failed or error in certification and notification. You cannot sue the State Department for erroneous notification. You may file a suit in the U.S. Tax Court and have the court determine if the certification is erroneous and order the IRS to notify the State Department of the erroneous certification. The court does not have authority to release a lien, levy, or award for
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of real property records/titles.” “This will promote the interest of heirs in developing inherited real properties. This will also boost the financial position of local government units,” said Abu, a congressman from Batangas. Suarez insisted the government should give the tax-saddled Filipinos a break. He said that the implementation of tax amnesty under Republic Act 9480 that covered 2005 and “prior years” during the presidency of now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo actually netted P5.9 billion in “added revenue.” “It accounted for two percent of the total income taxes collected. It also increased the
In an interview, Deputy Treasurer Sharon Almanza said the government has already issued $2.2 billion in offshore commercial securities out of the $4.2 billion set in the 2018 borrowing program. File photo by Philstar.com
number of registered taxpayers by 20,629 as reported by the Bureau of Internal Revenue,” Suarez said. As it is now, HB 3832 – An Act Granting Tax Amnesty on All Unpaid Internal Revenue Tax
Liabilities – proposes to cover a 10-year “taxable period” from Jan. 2006 to June 2016, or half of Arroyo’s nine-year presidency and the entire six-year term of ex-president Aquino. “It will provide a clean slate for delinquent taxpayers and will encourage taxpayers especially low-income and middle-income earners, professionals and even overseas Filipino workers to avail of this program and register with the BIR,” Suarez said. “In effect, this will improve taxpayers’ compliance to national tax policies, increase revenue collection and reduce corruption,” he said. “Let’s give another chance to Filipino taxpayers who are still willing to settle their tax obligations.” n
The bucket list
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond
Face the fear of public speaking
Monette AdevA MAglAyA WHAT is your greatest fear? Some say that for most men, the greatest of fears are the fear of death, fear of failure and fear of public speaking. I know of someone who is deathly afraid of dogs, completely convinced that dogs are out to bite her. Telling her that her fear is baseless only drives her into raging fits. There is another I know who cannot abide the polka dot print design on anything she sees. There are a number of people who are afraid of riding boats and planes and just the thought of being in either one makes them nauseous. Weird huh? But who is to say that their fear is not valid as yours. There are perhaps as many kinds of fears as there are people on earth but the one that many people admit to is the fear of speaking before crowds. Psychology can dig up all the reasons for such fears deeply entrenched in the human psyche. But whatever the reason is, there is a time during one’s life that confronting that fear that paralyzes you from fully functioning and realizing your full potential on earth needs to be addressed. It is time for a face-off. If you are so inclined to add
(13th of a series) this to your bucket list, try mus- speak of. In short, read up and tering enough courage to face never stop learning. Otherwise, one would simply this one fear that you think is be winging it with disjointed worth conquering. People admit that having them thoughts and flawed delivery. It speak in front of a crowd is like sounds cheesy but there may be facing a firing squad. They would some truth to the advice — fake rather melt away than speak up. it until you make it. In the beExperts say that there are baby ginning, that is probably how it steps that can be taken to con- works until repetitive practice over time builds that precious quer this. The one thing that character- confidence and the chutzpah to izes people who speak in public speak unrehearsed and extempoat a drop of a hat is confidence— raneously in public. Sometimes, lots of it— that it practically ooz- the words come out so smoothly that you know without a doubt there is a higher spirit that flows in a particular speaker. Perhaps, the same is true of any other fear that you es out of their pores. It is doubt- decide to have a face--off with. ful they started out with that level The greatest battle is with yourof confidence right off the bat. self when you finally decide you Most professional public speak- have had it living with the fear ers probably had to start being that threatens to eat you up and afraid themselves until they had finally doing something about a winning judo match with that it. One day, you might even surprise yourself on how far you gnawing fear in their gut. Mastery comes with taking have gone with that ounce of baby steps, learning consistently courage you mustered early on from those that went before and in order to gain mastery of a parwere great, engaging speakers. ticular kind of fear. Choose a role model and emu*** late what works. First off, one must dive deep into the sea of Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP available information and cull of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send out nuggets of wisdom on wide comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ ranging areas to know what to asianjournalinc.com
”...Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.” — Mark Twain
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Debt Relief
ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG THE client is 50 and got divorced 10 years ago. Her exhusband decided that working was not good for him so he just disappeared. They had one daughter that client has taken cared of since the divorce. The daughter is about to graduate from college and will be working soon. The daughter, also a single mom, has a daughter who is two years old. The mother and daughter are helping each other out, like the former taking care of her daughter and granddaughter with her monthly income, which nets her $5,000 a month. Their rent is $1,200 a month. The daughter has college expenses of about $1,000 a month up to June of 2017. There are also babysitting expenses of $500 a month for granddaughter. The daughter also has about $20,000 of her own credit cards, which she pays for herself from her part time job. In other words, the client pays for all expenses of her household, which consists of her daughter and granddaughter. At the end of the month, the client has to produce $1,800 to make minimum payments on $60K of credit cards. It’s pretty difficult to budget a payment of $1,800 for credit cards, when daughter’s college expenses are $1,000 a month plus $500 of babysitting expenses. The decision to wipe out $60,000 of credit cards is easily made, thus saving the household $1,800 a month immediately. The daughter expects to work as a certified nursing assistant and maybe gross $3,000 a month. She will take over payments for the babysitter and will pay half of the rent as soon as she starts working. The mom’s credit score will become perfect again at 750 in about five years, increasing yearly from the date of Chapter 7 filing. She will get new credit cards within six months of discharge. I suggest that she takes those cards but pay them in full at the end of the month just so she can build up her credit score faster without carrying new debt. The client has an old 2000 Corolla. I suggest that she trades that in before we file the case for
BUSINESS NEWS
a newer car, perhaps a 2016 model so she doesn’t have to worry about car repairs for the next few years. One credit card company has filed a lawsuit to collect $8,000. Let’s face it, how long can you fork over $1,800 a month to keep credit cards current when you have a daughter and granddaughter to take care of? $1,800 is more than client’s rent of $1,200. So I am happy that client qualifies for a Chapter 7 wipe out of her $60,000 of credit cards. Her family really needs relief from those debts! Business owner seeks to discharge $40K credit cards The second client is 55. She owns an e-commerce business that sells through Amazon. I was surprised that the rent she pays to Amazon to stock and ship her merchandise is “expensive” to say the least. The client used her credit cards to stock up on merchandise that is resold through Amazon. She sells nearly half a million dollars a year but turning a profit appears to be a problem because the small margin that she makes goes to pay Amazon for rent on the Amazon website. With the rent that she pays to be included on the Amazon website, the client has not made any profit for the last two years. She has been losing $1,600 a month. She covers the loss with credit cards. So she now owes $40,000, which paid for the loss in 2015 and 2016. She got married two years ago. Her spouse owned their residence before they got married. So, even if the residence has a large equity, it mostly belongs exclusively to the non-filing spouse. There is no problem exempting the house even if the equity is large. The client decides to file Chapter 7 to get rid of the $40,000 credit cards. Maybe her business could start turning a profit if her supplier lowers their pricing. This is what she will work on at the same time that she seeks Chapter 7 relief. She gets to keep the business even if she files for Chapter 7 relief. Young debtor seeks to discharge $50K credit cards The third client is only 38 years old and married. The couple has a 4-year-old son. He plans to file Chapter 7 to discharge
$50,000 of credit cards which he is having a hard time paying. He makes $2,000 a month gross as a certified nursing assistant. He wants to get rid of all his credit card debt. The wife, who does not need to file Chapter 7, has a bunch of student loans with a current balance of $75,000 and $10,000 of her own cards. The husband and wife have a de facto split on household expenses and debts. He pays for his own debts. She pays her own debts. He pays a portion of the utilities. She pays the entire rent of $1,800. He pays for one car. She pays for two cars. The wife grosses $10,000 a month as a medical professional. So, their household income is $12,000 a month, or $144,000 a year. Can the client get a Chapter 7 discharge of his $50,000 of credit card debt even if their household income is $144,000 a year? Based on analysis of relevant bankruptcy law, the client should be able to get a Chapter 7 discharge even if the household income is $144,000 a year. Under the worse situation, if there is opposition from the U.S. Trustee, there is a small chance that client may have to convert to Chapter 13 where he will have to pay a portion of the $50,000 over 60 months. Let’s just say that, if non-filing wife’s expenses are adequately documented, client should be able to qualify for a Chapter 7 discharge. This is what I call a borderline case. You can file it as a Chapter 7 since the means test will not show a presumption of abuse, and if there is no viable opposition, it should go through as Chapter 7. If your debt burden is too much to handle, come see me regarding Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 reorganization. It’s better to do it earlier than later.
*** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789. (Advertising Supplement)
Barrister’s Corner ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES 177, 74 CR2d 825, 828. Pursuant to Family.Code. § 760, community personal or real property is consistently defined no matter where situated. Family Code §760 defines “Community property” as “Except as otherwise provided by statute, all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” As such, out-of-state community property is community property for all purposes, including intraspousal management and control fiduciary obligations. It does not matter if the property is located in another state or another country. For the same reason, the par-
ties to a divorce case is required to disclose all property, separate and community, including those outside the state. During the marriage, the parties’ fiduciary duties require full and accurate disclosure of true and full information affecting community property transactions. FamilyCode. §§ 721(b), 1100(e). In addition, disclosure duties arise upon separation in anticipation of dissolution, nullity or legal separation. The post-separation disclosure duties extend to all assets and liabilities in which either party has or may have an interest or obligation, regardless of community or separate property characterization, and to current earnings, accumulations and expenses. These duties “arise without reference to any wrongdoing.” Family.Code. §§ 721(b), 2100(c), 2102(a)(1); Marriage of Feldman (2007) 153 CA4th 1470, 1475–1476, 64 CR3d 29, 33; Marriage of Brewer & Federici (2001) 93 CA4th 1334, 1342– 1344, 113 CR2d 849, 854–855.
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Preparing for your restraining order hearing at court IN the last column, we covered how to obtain a domestic violence restraining order. In short, a domestic violence restraining order is a legal document from the court that states your abuser cannot contact you or come near you. If you are a victim of domestic violence and need protection, you may want to apply for a restraining order against your abuser. The requirements for applying for a restraining order will vary from state to state, so you may need to find assistance at the court’s self-help center, from a non-profit organization, or from a private attorney. In today’s column, we will provide basic information to help you prepare for your court hearing once you have filed your request for a restraining order and the court has provided you with a hearing date and location. You may already have obtained a temporary restraining order, but the hearing is to determine whether the court will issue you a permanent restraining order.
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Single mom seeks Chapter 7 Calendar of Events across America relief from $60K credit cards
Disclosure and characterization of overseas assets in divorce IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to division in California family court. One has to understand the general community property presumption in California. Property acquired before marriage is the acquiring spouse’s separate property, as is property obtained during marriage that can be traced to a premarital acquisition. Family.Code. § 770(a). Rents, issues and profits” of separate property are separate property. All property acquired during marriage and before separation, other than by gift or inheritance, is presumptively community property. Family Code §§ 760, 771(a), 772; Marriage of Bonds (2000) 24 C4th 1, 12, 99 CR2d 252, 258; Marriage of Lehman (1998) 18 C4th 169,
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2018
Commentary
LOU MARIE REYES Keep in mind that the information below is not a substitute for legal advice. For advice about your individual situation, you should consult with an experienced, trustworthy family law attorney. What should I bring with me to the court hearing? Bring two copies of any documents you filed with the court. You should always have two sets of copies ready -- one for yourself and an extra copy in case the court or your opposing party does not have all of the documents. Specifically, you should bring the Proof of Service, a document which verifies that you had the opposing party personally served
with the restraining order documents. You should check your local court forms for detailed requirements. The server is the individual who actually gave your opposing party the documents in person, and he or she must have signed the Proof of Service. As long as the server properly completed service, the court can proceed with the restraining order hearing, even if the opposing party does not show up. You will also want to bring any documents and witnesses that support your request for a permanent restraining order. Common supporting evidence include police reports, medical reports, and photographs. Witnesses may include individuals that witnessed any of the opposing party’s abuse against you. Remember that you must show the opposing party any documents that you plan to show the judge. How long will everything take? You may have to wait several minutes or hours for the judge to
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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS S E P T E M B E R 4 -27
SIPA hosts 8-session Entrepreneur Training Program (ETP) in Los Angeles The Entrepreneur Training Program (ETP) is an 8-session skills building training program designed for startup entrepreneurs covering the A to Z of starting and running a successful business. This is open to all! If you want to start your own business and don’t know where to start or how to start, this program was made FOR YOU! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to learn from the experts and from business owners themselves on how to build the business of your dreams! Program details: One time fee of $100 covers food and beverage and training materials for all 8 sessions; 5 FREE slots are available for College/University students and low income families; FREE Parking on site. Parking lot is accessed on Robinson St.; Includes FREE one-on-one business counseling with SIPA’s counselor, Fidji Victoriano; and you will receive a Completion Certificate at the end of the program. The eight sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the whole month of September 2018: September 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Program will be held at the SIPA Multipurpose room at 3200 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (through Robinson St. entrance). For any questions or to register in person, please contact Fidji Victoriano at (424) 235-5011 or e-mail at fvictoriano@esipa.org. This program is brought by Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) in collaboration with the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Hollywood (FACCHO) and the support of Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program (APISBP) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
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Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebration for MVGFC ’68 in Las Vegas CLECSN (now MVGFC) class of ’68 in Cabanatuan City, Philippines will have its golden jubilee anniversary celebration in Las Vegas, Nevada from Thursday, Sept. 13 to Wednesday, Sept. 19. For more information, please contact Eddie C. Talusan at (415) 583-1300 or Cindy Frando Reyes at (949) 705 - 9324.
SEPTEMBER 15
Penafrancia Fiesta event in San Leandro, California In honor of the feast of Our Lady of Penafrañcia, a day of celebration will be held on Saturday, September 15 in San Leandro, California. It will begin at 9 a.m. with a 9th day rosary and novena prayer, followed by the Holy Mass at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church (2500 Bermuda Ave., San Leandro, CA 94577). At 11:30 a.m., the land & fluvial processions will happen from the church to Marina Park Lagoon. From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a picnic, entertainment, games and vigil mass at Marina Park (14001 Monarch Bay Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577).
SEPTEMBER 16
Los Angeles Skyline Lions Club holds masquerade ball The Los Angeles Skyline Lions Club (District 4-L3) cordially invites guests to join the masquerade ball to celebrate its 15th anniversary of continued support to local and global communities, alongside the annual fall harvest festival and installation of new club officers. Please join the fun celebration on Sunday, September 16 at the Signature Banquet Hall, 11130 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, CA. Doors open at 4 p.m. For any inquiries, you may call PDG Sol “Sunshine” Santiago at (213) 500-1927. See you all there and be ready to unmask your night!
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Celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila in Lake Balboa, CA Come celebrate with us! The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Filipino Ministry San Fernando Region invites all to the 10th regional celebration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila on Saturday, Sept. 22 at St. Bridget of Sweden Church (7100 Whitaker Ave and Gault, Lake Balboa, CA 91406). It starts with a procession at 4:00 pm. and mass at 5:00 p.m. The Principal Celebrant is Rev. Fr. Albert Avenido, Moderator & Chaplain, Filipino Pastoral Ministry- Archdiocese for Los Angeles. A reception and program follows right after mass at the School Parish . For a schedule of the nine-day novena masses prior to the event, please call Patty Santiago at (818) 472-4288 or Alex Quadra (818-624-4684 or a.e.quadra@att.net).
Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California to celebrate 36th anniversary The Sto. Tomas Batangas Association of Southern California will celebrate its 36th anniversary & coronation Night on Saturday, September 22 at the Los Serranos Country Club (15656 Yorba Ave. Chino Hills, CA 91709). Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For attendance, please call Willie Manacsa at (818) 400-7391, Offie Villanueva at (626) 9608407), Mylee Moncada at (818) 322-9429, Rosalie Nasu at (909)631-9356 or Rosie Sancianco at (951)898-7628.
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Tau Alpha Grand Reunion in Las Vegas Tau Alphans everywhere, join D’Argos Adventure in Las Vegas on September 23-26, 2018. Experience O’le Las Vegas, the Birthplace of the Mob. Most of the four-day event will be held at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino on Fremont St. The “Meet & Greet” á la Western style, will be on Sunday, September 23; followed by a Family Picnic on Monday, September 24 at the Madeira Canyon Park in Henderson; a subsequent Nightcap in the Golden Nugget on the evening of September 24; D’Fabulous 50s Nostalgia Dinner-Dance will be in the Golden Nugget and the Gala Dinner/Fraternity Ball will be on Wednesday, September 26 at the Golden Nugget, Bel Air Rooms. There will be a privately hosted Bon Voyage Brunch on September 27. Tau Alpha is the 3rd oldest fraternity in the University of the Philippines. Chartered in 1932 as the College of Engineering Fraternity. Contact Art F. Jorge, chairman of the 2018 Tau Alpha Grand Reunion, at artnmyr@yahoo.com.
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United Architects of the Philippines - Southern California chapter hosts UAP president in Monterey Park, CA The United Architects of the Philippines - Southern California Chapter, Inc. (UAPSOCAL) a chartered member by the UAP, the only accredited architectural professional organization recognized by Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Philippines, will host the national president of UAP who will be in Los Angeles in connection with the induction of the incoming chapter officers and new members on Wednesday, September 26 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Monterey Hill Steak Restaurant (3700 W. Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 9175). Interested UAP corporate members, Filipino-American architects, designers, and allied professionals are welcome to attend the event and join the prestigious organization. For more information please contact Jun Joaquin at (323) 675-5042 / (323) 907-3050 or email at uapsocalchapter@ gmail.com.
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Preparing for your restraining... Foreign investments jump 42%... PAGE B3 t
call your case, depending on how busy the courtroom is. Once the courtroom opens, make sure to check in with the court clerk or officer. When you hear the judge call your name, you and your opposing party will go to the front of the courtroom. The hearing itself may take a few minutes or as long as two hours. It will depend on different factors, including the judge, the number of cases he or she has to hear that day, any witnesses, and other factors. What will happen during the hearing? The exact format of the hearing will vary from judge to judge. After the judge asks you your name and other preliminary questions, you should inform him or her about any supporting witnesses or evidence that you have not yet shown the court. The judge will then most likely want to hear your side of the story first. Make sure to answer the question being asked and speak slowly and truthfully. If you do not understand the question you have been asked, you can ask the judge to clarify or repeat his or her question. Once the judge has finished asking you questions,
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he or she will give the opposing party or his or her attorney the opportunity to ask you questions. If you have a witness, the judge may ask him or her questions or allow you to do so. As with your testimony, your witness will also be questioned by the other party or his or her attorney. Next, the opposing party will get the opportunity to tell his or her story. The judge or the other party’s attorney will ask him or her questions. You will also have the opportunity to ask him or her questions about the answers provided, and this will be the only time you are permitted to speak directly to him or her. Towards the end of the hearing, both parties may be allowed to make closing statements before the judge makes the final decision on whether to grant you a permanent restraining order. Make sure you understand all of the orders the judge makes verbally and to get a copy of the restraining order paperwork before leaving the courtroom. If the paper order is different from what the judge stated, tell the court clerk immediately. What should I do if I can’t speak English well?
In Los Angeles County courts, you can request an interpreter for your court hearing online: http://www.lacourt.org/irud/ ui/ index.aspx?ct=SC. Otherwise, you should call the courtroom in advance of the hearing and request that they provide an interpreter. You should also remind the clerk of your interpreter request when you check-in on the day of the hearing. If you think you might have difficulty communicating with the clerk in English, you should bring a friend or family member that can make the request on your behalf. If you have questions about your situation or need legal assistance, please contact Advancing Justice - L.A’s Tagalog helpline at 855-300-2552. *** Lou Marie Reyes is a community legal advocate at Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles. She joined the organization in February 2018 and staffs the Tagalog helpline, which prioritizes in-language assistance to the local Filipino community. Ms. Reyes works alongside Advancing Justice – LA’s attorneys that specialize in family law, domestic violence, citizenship and immigration, and employment law. (Advertising Supplement)
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first half, almost eight times the $201 million recorded in the same period last year. Equity placements by investors from Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, and the U.S. amounted to $1.75 billion from January to June, more than three times the $508 million recorded in the same period last year, while withdrawals fell by 47 percent to $163 million from $307 million. The inflows went to manufac-
turing, financial, and insurance; real estate; arts, entertainment, and recreation; as well as electricity, gas, steam, and airconditioning supply activities. Meanwhile, reinvestment of earnings remained steady at $420 million, while investments in debt instruments increased by 9.6 percent to $3.75 billion from $3.42 billion. For June alone, the BSP said FDI inflows rose by 9.2 percent to $831 million from $761 million in the same month last
year. “This was largely on account of non-residents’ net equity capital investments of $184 million during the month, which was a turnaround from the $67 million net withdrawals in June 2017,” it said. The BSP traced the improvement in net equity capital investments to the 83.6 percent expansion in gross placements of equity capital to $208 million, which more than offset withdrawals of $24 million. n
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Parties to a divorce case has a duty to provide full and accurate disclosure of all assets and debts including those in other states and other countries. Failure to disclose could result to certain legal consequences to the nondisclosing parties including sanctions and attorney’s fees. If you are contemplating a divorce and you own assets and properties outside the state or country, its best to retain the representation of an experience family law attorney.
*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.
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*** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 (Advertising Supplement)
B SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2018 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
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People and Events Join the Arbor Day Foundation Help Metro reimagine smarter bus lines in Sept., receive 10 free trees
EVERYONE who joins the Arbor Day Foundation in September will receive 10 free trees as part of the Foundation’s Trees for America program. Through Trees for America, everyone is encouraged to plant trees, which benefit the environment and improve the quality of life. With nearly 1 million members and supporters, the Arbor Day Foundation is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. Everyone who joins this month will receive one of the following tree packages based on their location: 10 Arizona Cypress, 10 Live Oak or 10 Mix trees including eastern redbud, white pine, sugar maple, white flowering dogwood, pin oak, red maple, river birch, silver maple, northern red oak and Colorado blue spruce. “These trees are carefully selected to yield year-round benefits, including beautiful spring flowers, cool summer shade, spectacular autumn colors, winter berries, and nesting sites for songbirds,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These trees will also add to the proud heritage of your state’s
Photo courtesy of www.arborday.org
Tree City USA communities.” Harris continued. “For the past 40 years, Tree City USA has supported effective urban forestry management across the country, and planting these trees will enhance this tree-planting tradition.” The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting between October 15 and December 10. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge. Easy-to-follow planting instruc-
tions are enclosed with each shipment of trees. New members of the Arbor Day Foundation will also receive The Tree Book, which includes information about tree planting and care. To receive the 10 free trees, send a $10 membership contribution to Ten Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410, by September 30, 2018, or join online at arborday.org/september. n
Tree ordinance information for City of Alhambra LAST July 23, 2018, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. O2M18-4737 amending Title 23 of the Alhambra Municipal Code to include a Tree Preservation regulation. The City Council adopted a tree ordinance amending an Alhambra Municipal Code that recognizes Oak Trees and other California trees as significant aesthetic and ecological resources. The ordinance was adopted by the City Council on July 23 and new regulations for Alhambra community members went into effect on August 23. This will include a new tree removal process for residential property owners in the R-1 and R-2 Zones (single family and medium density residential zones). Residential property owners will need to go through the tree removal process only if a tree on
their property needs to be removed in the front or side yards that face the street. Trees in the back yard and side yard that do not face the street will be exempt from this new rule. In R-3 Zones and the remainder of the City’s
areas, residents will be required to file for a permit and/ or replacement of a significant tree. The new approval process will help City officials with the preservation of significant California Native Trees. The Community Development Department has put together a list of trees that can be found in Alhambra, including Big Leaf Maples, California Buckeye and Canyon Live Oak. Timelines for tree removal will vary depending on project, scope of work and modifications. Residents will receive inserts with more detailed information in their upcoming utility bills. Visit the Community Development Department’s Tree Ordinance page at http://www. cityofalhambra.org/page/635/ tree_preservation_ordinance/ or call the Planning Division at (626) 570-5034 with questions or for more information.n
IT’S been 25 years since the Metro bus system has significantly been changed. So LA Metro is reimagining its bus system for the next generation. Help design a better ride, one that gets where you go, and helps LA County grow. Take a spin with
the engagement tool, available until October 2, to weigh in with lively feedback choices. Visit metro. net/nextgen and be sure to participate! For more information, contact Robert Calix, Project Manager, at Nextgen@Metro.net. n
PH appoints new honorary consul in Jamaica WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. PetaKaye Evania Chin as the Philippines’ Honorary Consul to Jamaica effective September 3, 2018. A lawyer by profession, Ms. Chin is the daughter of previous Honorary Consul General of the Philippines to Jamaica, Mr. Everoy Hugo Chin. “We are looking forward to further expanding the Philippines’ relations with Jamaica through the appointment of Ms. Chin. We are confident that her background and experience with the Filipino community will
There are nearly 200 Filipino nationals in Jamaica, which is the fourth largest island country in the Caribbean. With a population of 2.9 million, Jamaica is the third largest English speaking country in the Americas next to the United States and Canada. Below are the address and contact details of Honorary Consul Chin’s office: Address: 104 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8, convey stronger ties with our St. Andrew, Jamaica kababayans and their families E-mail address: lawwayattorliving and working in Jamaica,” ney@gmail.com Ambassador Romualdez said in Telephone number: (876) 384a statement. 3981 n
Delinquent tax debt could mean... PAGE B2 t
damages. • Passport application is denied. You will be notified in writing by the State Department if your passport application is denied or revoked. • You owe taxes and cannot pay in full. Apply for installment agreement or offer in compromise if you qualify, to reverse the certification and for issuance of
passport. • Disagreement with the tax amount. Call the number provided on notice CP 508C: 1-866519-4965; for international callers: 1-267-941-1004. For proof of payment, mail to the address on the notice. *** Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as
a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxrelated penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies. (Advertising Supplement)
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cover story
From the cover: Top photo: Photo by Graig Labranche Bottom photos: Courtesy of Anthony Alvarez/Oneculture
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 12, 2018
Globetrotting with Filipino-French entrepreneur’s lifestyle brand Oneculture by Christina
I got the name Oneculture.” This September marks one each season. year since Oneculture released “I really wanted to convey its inaugural collection inspired that message through the by Manila and opened a bouclothes, promoting culture and tique in Paris’ iconic Le Marais diversity and promoting travel district. The brand’s pieces have without any cultural barriers,” already garnered features in the 25-year-old Filipino-French publications like Vogue Paris, Le entrepreneur said in an interview Monde (France’s leading newswith the Asian Journal. “This was paper) and GQ. also during a time when a lot of Born in New Jersey, Alvarez people were focusing on barwas raised in a multicultural and riers, such as Brexit or Donald multilingual household with his Trump being elected president father being Filipino and French of the United States. That’s the on his mother’s side. He moved political side to it. So that’s how to Paris at the age of 8 and lived there until he attended Cornell University, studying business and entrepreneurship. After college, he spent a year in New York working in investment banking, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, before moving to London where he was with another bank for two years. “I learned a lot through those experiences. It was a lot of hours of work because...I was working seven days a week, did not get much downtime, but I think when you’re young, you conform to work as much as you can as long as you are learning,” he recounted.
M. Oriel / AJPress
TWO years ago Anthony Alvarez left a plum investment banking job in London to follow his childhood dream of starting his own clothing company. An avid traveler — coupled with his passions for extreme sports, art, and music — he realized that fashion was a universal language that could lessen barriers and divisiveness. With that mission came the founding of Oneculture, a lifestyle menswear brand that incorporates global influences
Oneculture opened its boutique in September 2017 in the Le Marais neighborhood of Paris.
Model Willy Cartier is dressed in Oneculture’s take on the traditional Filipino barong for its debut Fall/Winter 2017 collection inspired by Manila. Photo by Graig Labranche
Alvarez wears a T-shirt with Oneculture’s mission to transcend cultural barriers and tell a universal story. Using experiences from various trips, his collections so far have been inspired by Manila, Philippines, Fez, Morocco, and Tokyo, Japan.
But by the summer of 2016, Alvarez knew it was time to leave the finance world and take another direction. “I wanted to continue my training and education and make sure I had a solid business background before launching my clothing brand, which was always a target dream for me,” he said. He traveled for a few weeks to dive into “creative thinking,” as he was shifting into an industry different from what he was exposed to professionally. “When I was thinking about the name and message I wanted to deliver and things that really affected my life — when I was at Cornell, when it was through my high school friends or family — I’ve always enjoyed meeting people from different backgrounds, ethnicities and religions so I thought that’s what brought the best conversations, when everybody around the table has something different to offer,” Alvarez said. He recounted his annual trips when he and his best friends from various parts of the world would converge and meet in one place to go surfing and connect with locals. Oneculture’s eventual logo was derived from sailors’ symbols and flags, creating its own language. Given that Paris is a fashion capital, it was a natural decision for Alvarez to move back and have Oneculture headquartered there. “Eighty percent of our collection is manufactured in France so we’re really betting on ‘Made in France’ to help the economy and the manufacturers,” he said. Though Alvarez did not receive formal design training, styling clothes has constantly been an interest. Attention to detail and recruiting the right talent on board, from a creative director to designers, were further integral steps in building the company — both considerations he carried over from his banking background. The design process commences with a “mood board,” a collage of images and notes from his travels that guide that particular season. When traveling, he endeavors to see the place “with the eyes of a local,” through strolling by foot, shopping at street markets or eating at hole-in-thewall restaurants. He also tries to catch a sports game or play in one himself, like basketball or baseball. He then decides what kinds of items will be included, such as T-shirts, hoodies, or jackets, and relays that vision to a team of designers to “make sure the end product reflects what I had in mind,” he said. Fabrics and materials are predominantly sourced from France and Italy and from trade shows that Alvarez attends at the beginning of each season. “I design pieces that I really
Anthony Alvarez, the Filipino-French founder and CEO of Oneculture, pursued his childhood dream of owning a clothing brand representing his passions for travel, sports, art, and music. Photos courtesy of Anthony Alvarez/Oneculture
Alvarez shows the Fall/Winter 2017 collection to model and social media influencer Jasmine Sanders, also known as “Golden Barbie.”
Alvarez wears the fluo jacket — which has an inside print layer of a eucalyptus tree found in the Philippines — from Oneculture’s Fall/Winter 2017 capsule, as he talks about the brand with fashion editors and influencers.
would like to wear, that I wish I had in my wardrobe, or what I think I’m missing in my wardrobe. I would never approve a piece that I, or my friends, would not wear. Usually I’m the first test then I send it to a couple of my best friends and ask, ‘Would you wear this?’ If it’s totally a ‘yes,’ then it’s a green light,” he continued. In introducing the maiden collection, Alvarez paid homage to his paternal grandparents who were born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States as young adults. “I grew up in a household that was very Filipino,” he said. “It is a very important part of my identity so I [started] the journey of Oneculture in Manila.” He played upon the “energy and busyness” of the city that struck him from his many trips
Proceeds from a T-shirt designed by Oneculture and Run the World Association went toward providing prescription glasses to over 300 students in Manila. Alvarez and the charity personally delivered the glasses in May 2018.
Model Willy Cartier in the Oneculture x Run the World Association T-shirt
Photo by Graig Labranche
there. “Whether it was the high rises or the streets, there was a sense of chaos in the architecture that I wanted to translate through the clothes,” he said, describing the scotch tape techniques to express that movement. One of the statement pieces was a rendition of the men’s barong (a formal shirt made from piña considered the national costume of the Philippines) in the color black and using a more comfortable, sporty fabric. He incorporated the eucalyptus tree that is found in the Philippines and put that print in the inside layer of the clothes. In succeeding collections, comfort and functionality of the pieces are at the forefront, but the high-quality structuring and intricate detail never go unnoticed — seamlessly fusing streetwear, sportswear and high fashion. Though having his own company is a fresh experience, his family of businesspeople and entrepreneurs has been an accessible sounding board for Alvarez. “I was able to apply what my family taught me and what I learned through my experiences, but I’m [still] learning a lot every day. I really learn something or even more than one thing daily. My family gave me some advice from the start but nobody in my family launched a clothing brand before so there are a lot of experiences that are new,” he said. He continued, “From them, I learned first of all, core values. In anything you do…especially [if] it’s in finance or clothing, you will always be tested so it’s important to follow the right ethics and values.” In such an ever-changing, yet saturated industry like fashion, competing and standing out from the pack push Alvarez to persevere. “My grandpa came to the U.S. at a very young age and he still works extremely hard. He had to make a difference in the work he did and [because of that,] I was able to push myself, whether I was in university or in my investment banking experience, to work more than I thought I could. To push yourself... it’s all in your mental strength and it’s extremely critical to work harder than your peers,” he said. Continued on Page 3
entertainment
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 12, 2018
Kelsey Merritt becomes first Fil-Am to walk in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Increased diversity in the fashion world welcomes inclusion of Asian models
Willy Cartier in a F/W ’17 T-shirt with Oneculture’s logo
Photo by Graig Labranche
Globetrotting with...
From Page 2 Another value his family instilled in him early on was philanthropy, so he incorporated an aspect of giving back into Oneculture. For the Fall/Winter 2017 season, the brand collaborated with the Run the World Association — a French non-profit promoting access to children’s education — to design a T-shirt and in turn, a portion of the proceeds was put toward bringing prescription glasses to over 300 students in Manila. In May, Alvarez and the charity distributed the glasses at an elementary school in Manila. “We will do this in every city we [are inspired] from. I think that’s really important for the brand and culture,” he said. The brand’s second collection for Spring/Summer 2018 was influenced by travels to Fez, Morocco. “During my trip there, I was really inspired by the tanneries, where they dye leather there. The twist here is we didn’t do leather, but we did cotton hoodies that we dyed in a similar way. We used the traditional language, which is called Berber, and wrote ‘universal culture’ [on] the back of hoodie,” Alvarez said. “We revisited the traditional djellaba dress and...traditional baggy pants. Fez is very known for…palaces built with mosaics inside [so] we used a mosaic print on the bomber jacket.” The latest capsule for Fall/ Winter 2018 is based on Tokyo, including touches from the city’s transportation to street style. Projections show that the menswear market is poised to reach $33 billion by 2020, up 14 percent from 2015, according to a report by Digiday. That figure is in part due to social media platforms like Instagram that make men’s style more approachable versus traditional fashion publications. Each collection released by Oneculture is accompanied with a video in the given location to show the clothes in motion and to illustrate “the culture around them.” “Social media for us has been a way to promote our brand and we’ve developed followers from around the world, starting with my friends who are everywhere,” Alvarez said. “On Instagram Stories, I document a lot of my trips and we in some way help our followers travel with us and also travel with them.” Oneculture’s emphasis on technology, along with the storefront’s location in a prominent art and fashion neighborhood of Paris, has attracted a mix of local French and international shoppers, many coming from the U.S. and parts of Asia. The target clients are generally those around 18-35 years old, like sports, and are interested in street culture. Though Oneculture bills itself as a menswear line, women have come in to shop for the “boyfriend look” of oversized hoodies or jogging pants. “They actually became clients even though we didn’t envision them to be initially,” Alvarez noted. While there’s no ‘typical’ day for him — noting that his schedule is divided between alternating the creative and managerial components — Alvarez carves out a few hours to be present at the store to speak with customers. “That’s the best feedback I can get from meeting the clients
Alvarez in Oneculture’s bomber jacket inspired by the mosaic patterns found during a trip to Fez, Morocco.
myself,” he said, adding, “it’s been very exciting and…to be able to deliver a message to people and seeing them appreciate it is extremely rewarding. That is what motivates me to be able to touch more people and to continue to grow.” In the coming years, Oneculture aims to fortify its global community and brand recognition, as well as collaborate with local designers in each destination. The rise and transition of streetwear — comprising of T-shirts, sneakers and hoodies, for instance — from a niche to mainstay has undoubtedly gotten the attention of fashion circles. It’s a path that Oneculture is seeking to put its mark on. An article by Marc Bain in Quartz earlier this year noted that streetwear has signaled “a shift in what younger generations think of as luxury and status symbols.” Luxury fashion houses have in recent seasons collaborated with streetwear labels, especially to capture the millennial and Gen Z markets. Some notable ones include Louis Vuitton and Supreme (the latter brand was valued at $1 billion in 2017), Jimmy Choo and Off-White, and Manolo Blahnik and Vetements. Brands like Gucci and Balenciaga are among those that have taken cues on the trend with their latest offerings. “The youth… is directing a lot of fashion. Whatever the youth — whether it’s kids lining up at the Supreme store every Thursday for several hours or the latest Off-White — is wearing is whatever is cool,” Alvarez said. “I go to one of the skate parks in Paris and ask the young skaters what they think of Oneculture and hear their opinion. It’s how I evaluate the products.” Expanding the wholesale side is also a top priority as the brand progresses. This past summer, Oneculture presented at Pitti Uomo in Florence, Italy (an international fair for men’s fashion) and Liberty Fairs in New York. “The goal for us next year is to really develop wholesale and being sold in France and globally. It’s also a great way to spread our message through our clothes being available and for people to be able to touch and feel them around the world,” Alvarez said. The company plans on hosting international pop-ups in cities where it could reach more clientele, like Los Angeles, for example.
Alvarez visits one of Oneculture’s manufacturers. Eighty percent of the brand’s collections is made in France. Photos courtesy of Anthony Alvarez/Oneculture
“The concept and the style of the clothes would please a lot of LA customers. That’s why I think LA would be an interesting market for us on a wholesale perspective,” he said. For Oneculture, like any fashion company, it’s a cycle of forward thinking and preparing for upcoming seasons at least a year in advance. The brand has completed its Spring/Summer 2019 capsule and Fall/Winter 2019 is underway. “What I’ve learned in this industry is that you have to project yourself six months to a year in advance,” Alvarez said. “We have to really see ourselves and predict the styles that will be in vogue then.” Through its conscious and well-crafted collections, Oneculture goes beyond just the tangible aspect — expressing that fashion can tell stories and experiences, transcend borders and make the world not so large and isolating after all.
Merritt has been a brand spokeswoman for the top lingerie brand since May of this year, appearing in the compaIN the world of modeling, walking in the Victoria’s Secret ny’s campaigns. She has also worked with Maybelline PhilipFashion Show is a coveted pines, Kashieca and Palmolive dream, a rite of passage for and is managed by Wilhelmina young models everywhere. Models in London and New This year, Filipina-American model Kelsey Merritt gets York along other international modeling agencies. to live that dream as the first Before becoming a fullFilipina to be in the show, confirming the news on Friday, time model, Merritt studied communication at Ateneo de Sept. 7 in an elated post on Manila University and graduInstagram. ated in 2017. Throughout “We did it, Philippines! university, she also juggled What an honor it is to be modeling in New York, saying the first Filipino to walk in in May, “People often ask me the Victoria’s Secret Fashion how I managed to do it, and Show 2018!!! Ahhhhhh I can’t believe this! Thank you soooo all I say is that as long as you have your priorities straight much,” Merritt, 21, said in an and manage your time well, emotional post thanking her then it really can be done.” fans and management. Asian invasion in the fashThe freckle-faced model ion industry joins a group of the world’s Amid the overwhelming top models to showcase the success of two Asian-driven brand’s latest collections. films — “Crazy Rich Asians” Branded “Victoria’s Secret and “Searching” — studios Angels,” the young ladies wear extravagant angel wings and casting directors are realizing the marketability in the televised fashion show of Asian representation and which typically airs at the end diversity. of the year. by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
Model Kelsey Merritt announced last week on Instagram that she will be the first Filipina to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Photo from Instagram/@KelseyMerritt
Diversity is also seeping into to the fashion world, an industry that has famously imposed strict limitations on the body types, skin tones and ethnicities represented on catwalks, magazine spreads and brand campaigns. In the same weekend Merritt announced her casting for Continued on Page 4
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What’s keeping Sharon Cuneta down?
entertainment The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 12, 2018
Catriona Gray slays New York Fashion Week 2018 by JAN
MILO SEVERO Philstar.com
BEFORE setting foot in the grandest pageant in the universe, Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray gave the world a glimpse of her winning walk as she slays the runway for designer Sherri Hill at the recent New York Fashion Week. Clad in an elegant peach dress then later a yellow one, Catriona walked confidently on the runway with fellow models, including Miss USA 2018 Sarah Rose Summers. On her Instagram account, the Philippines’ Miss Universe 2018 representative posted a photo of her walking on the runway, saying that she could not believe she was chosen by Sherri Hill. “My first NYFW. When I got the call back in Manila I was incredulous, to be flown to NYC to work with @sherrihill
Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray at the Sherri Hill fashion show. Photos from Instagram/@Sherri Hill
- I couldn’t believe it, ako ba? Bakit ako?,” she wrote. “Thank you @sherrihill for the amazing opportunity and for seeing something in me! And thank you everyone back home who stayed up to 5am
to support! Mahal ko kayo sobraaaa #CatrionaForSherriHill,” she added. Catriona will be representing the country in the upcoming Miss Universe 2018 to be held later this year in Thailand.
by RONNIE
CARRASCO ManilaTimes.net
III
ISN’T Sharon Cuneta happy to have lost nearly 20 pounds? Seemingly not. On a diet regimen, the Megastar has been leaving no stone unturned to achieve her goal, that is, to shed off extra poundage. This is a sure welcome sight for the Sharon-Richard Gomez fans awaiting their reunion film with bated breath under Star Cinema. Lately though, Sharon’s posts on social media indicate she has been under stress, even asking for prayers from netizens. Again, there are insinuations that her marriage to Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan is on rough sailing. “No, their marriage has nothing to do with Sharon’s state of depression,” a source ascertained, suggesting it might be the senator’s alleged involvement in the DAP (Disbursement Acceleration Program) scam that’s getting her down. “Of course, Sharon knows Kiko very well. It’s not the ‘wife’s-the-last-to-know’ kind of stuff. After all, didn’t Sharon recently challenge whoever would dare accuse her husband of
Rayver Cruz: Not just a dancer
by ALLAN
POLICARPIO Inquirer.net
IF he could help it, Rayver Cruz would rather not mix his personal life with work. But now that he’s a GMA 7 contract artist, doing a show with his rumored girlfriend, Janine Gutierrez, suddenly became a possibility. “I don’t want people to be interested only in what’s going on with my life—I want them to be interested in the work, how I do it,” he told the Inquirer at a recent press conference. “But given the opportunity, it would be nice to work with her, of course. We’re close; we’re already comfortable with each other. Maybe that would happen—eventually. But for the meantime, I’ll be watching her shows, instead!” the 29-year-old actor-dancer added. Rayver, who used to be a child performer in the late German Moreno’s GMA 7 show, “Best Friends,” spent the last 18 years with ABS-CBN. But after
almost a year of contemplation, he decided to “move on” and transfer networks, for a muchneeded change in environment. “It’s time for a fresh start. I want to explore new things and work with new people in a different environment,” said Rayver, who hopes to work with GMA 7 stars Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Heart Evangelista and Jennylyn Mercado. “I’m now at a point in my career where I want to be open to new possibilities and options.” A lineup of projects already awaits him, Rayver said, the first one being an afternoon series with Kris Bernal and Thea Tolentino. “It’s going to be an exciting love story,” he related. “I want to get outside my comfort zone. I can’t wait to hone my skills, and show what I’m capable of… I’m staying positive.” Meanwhile, asked how his former network took his decision, Rayver said there were no problems, and they parted ways on good terms. “We talked
properly; I asked for their blessing,” he related. “I’m so thankful for all the training and lessons. I’m grateful for everything they had done for me. I am what I am today because of them—they will always be family. Eighteen years is no joke.” His close friends, Gerald Anderson and Enchong Dee, are also supportive of his move. “They’re both happy for me. They will always be my brothers, no matter what. And it’s not like we won’t be able to see each other again, anyway!” he said. While many of his fans understand his decision, other netizens couldn’t help but criticize it. “Bashers will be there and you can’t help it; they have their own opinions. But at least, they’re keeping tabs and know what’s happening,” he pointed out. “I’m old enough to make my own decisions. And if they choose to support me still, then great.” For the longest time, Rayver has been primarily known as
Sharon Cuneta
being corrupt? Pero siyempre, naba-bother din siya. But her conscience is clear, although it can also be stressful most especially at this time when her focus is on her forthcoming concert,” added our source. In his privilege speech in 2013, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada—who’s very close to Sharon at that—named Pangilinan as one of the top receivers of DAP funds supposedly
Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
earmarked for the MRT project. Now that Jinggoy is out of jail and in fact seen to be on the campaign trail for next year’s elections, will there be more details about this issue involving the husband of his friend since they were 13? The Megastar mounts her 40th anniversary concert — titled “My 40 Years” — at the Big Dome on September 28.
Kelsey Merritt becomes...
Rayver Cruz Photo from Instagram/@rayvercruz
a dancer. He wants to change that. “When people see me on the streets, they would say, ‘Ang galing sumayaw niyan!’ But I also want to show everyone that I love acting and can pull off heavy roles,” he related. “I want to be a more serious actor.”
From Page 3 the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Chinese-New Zealander fashion designer Claudio Li premiered an all Asian cast of models for her New York Fashion Week showcase on Sunday, Sept. 9 According to Li, the casting of 35 Asian models was intentional because it was her fashion house’s first official runway show. She told Refinery29 that the Spring/Summer 2019 collection “is all about memories of how I grew up in New Zealand as an Asian woman.” Of the 35 models, three were Filipina models — Irka Canseco of Cebu City, Charlene Almarvez of Laguna and Charmie Pfeffer — joined the all-Asian cast in a spectacular show of the diversity that exists beyond the unvaried pool of mainstream models frequently strutting the catwalks. Li hopes that her historic demonstration shifts
the fashion industry from a body-exclusive world into one that embraces diversity and champions a wider definition of beauty and fashion. “I want them to have their own personalities,” Li said of her choice to show a wide range of Asian bodies. “I feel like this collection is really connecting that with who I am, who they are, and who Asian women are. We have so many differences to show.” On representation, Li believes that merely casting Asian women isn’t enough and that casting directors in the fashion industry should take an intersectional approach to its recruitment of women of color. Li added: “It would be great if people can start casting Asian women not just because they’re Asian. Diversity is within each race and country, and I would like to see more of that represented.”
17-year-old Filipino receives standing ovation in ‘The X Factor UK’ audition by Cody
Cepeda Inquirer.net
ONE 17-year-old Filipino brought the house down and the audience and judges up on their feet during her audition at “The X Factor UK” recently. Maria Laroco put the pride in Pinoy when she sang her rendition of Prince’s classic “Purple Rain” to X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Louis Tomlinson, Ayda Field and Robbie Williams over the weekend. The video of her audition was shared by the official YouTube account of “The X Factor UK” and “Talent Recap UK” last Sept. 8, which showed the young Laroco on stage wearing a red sweatshirt and jeans. Maria Laroco singing Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ during her audition. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/The X Factor UK One 17-year-old Filipino brought the house down and
the audience and judges up on their feet during her audition at “The X Factor UK” recently. Maria Laroco put the pride in Pinoy when she sang her rendition of Prince’s classic “Purple Rain” to X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Louis Tomlinson, Ayda Field and Robbie Williams over the weekend. The video of her audition was shared by the official YouTube account of “The X Factor UK” and “Talent Recap UK” last Sept. 8, which showed the young Laroco on stage wearing a red sweatshirt and jeans. When asked by Cowell what gave her the strength to come all the way to the United Kingdom to audition, Laroco tearfully shared that it had always been her dream to be a superstar. “Since I was a little girl I’ve always wanted to be an international superstar. I want to be big, so that’s why I’m doing this because I love to do it
and this is my dream,” said the emotional Laroco. What came after was a breathtaking performance of Prince’s “Purple Rain” which had the audience and the judges — including the hardto-please Cowell — up on their feet and in fervent applause. Judge Tomlinson was blown away by Laroco, who commended her for an incredible performance. “That was absolutely incredible. Incredible. To do what you’ve just done at 17 vocally, you absolutely blew me away. Well done, well done.” Field, too, only had praises for Laroco. She gushed, “OMG! You just bossed that stage, well done!” Meanwhile, Cowell asked Laroco if there was ever a moment when she doubted herself. “No, I never gave up on my dreams. A lot of times people told me that I can’t do it, that I’m not good enough…” replied the tearful Laroco before
entertainment
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 12, 2018
pausing to compose herself. “Look what you did to the audience, that hasn’t happened a lot,” added Williams as he gestured to the cheering crowd. “You’re amazing. I’m going to kick this off and I’m going to give you a massive yes.” Field, too, gave Laroco her approval. “I’m gonna give you all the yeses I can possibly give you. YES,” she said.” “Maria, thank you so much for auditioning for this show; it’s a yes,” Tomlinson added. As for Cowell, he went beyond the “billion yeses” and told Laroco that he will be giving her “infinity yeses.” “So you are 17 years old and you’ve flown all the way which is a long trip. You’ve taken on probably one of the biggest songs in the world,” Cowell told her. “I’m gonna go beyond the billion yeses, I’m going to give you infinity yeses.” Yes! Congratulations, Maria!
Maria Laroco singing Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ during her audition. Photo screen grabbed from YouTube/The X Factor UK
entertainment The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 12, 2018
Kathryn Bernardo now a legit drama star
A MORE mature and versatile Kathryn Bernardo brought tears, broke expectations and blossomed into a full-fledged actress in her latest big screen offering “The Hows of Us” with perennial leading man Daniel Padilla. Bernardo has been wowing
moviegoers for her exemplary performance as the aspiring doctor George, who made huge sacrifices in her sevenyear romance with aspiring musician Primo. One of the most highly praised moments in the latest Cathy Garcia-Molina opus was
‘Music is Us’ performs live at Pechanga on October 13
A three-in-one treat of nonstop evening musical performance from veteran singers and entertainers in Manila-- ICE Seguerra, Morissette Amon, and Joey G, have banded together to showcase their distinctive talents live at the Pechanga Theater on October 13 at 8p.m. Pechanga Resort Casino, located off I-15 in Temecula California, is well-known for hosting the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers such as Megastar Sharon Cuneta, the singer/actress and Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga, popular singing grouo 4 Voices 1 Kathryn Bernardo Photo from Manilatimes.net Journey, winner of “Star Power Search 2011” Angeline Quinthe crucial jeepney and final tos, international actress and scene where George had to choose between her dream and top endorser Anne Curtis, and Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronher love for Primo. imo - who all gave wholesome According to Direk Cathy, entertainment to the delight of Bernardo winged that scene with just a single take. Netizens the crowd. Singer-songwriter, ICE raved about how the film has Seguerra, leads the pack of elevated Bernardo’s artistry and how it proved her doubters three-performing artists popuwrong about what she can offer larly called ‘ Music in Us’ with Morissette Amon and Joey G this business. that will surely provide a wholeMaturity certainly becomes some entertainment to majority Bernardo as the actress readily did scenes she is not known for, of Filipino-American patrons at Pechanga. among them cracking expleSeguerra started his career tives and showing her sultry at a tender age in 1987 for a side. The latest Cathy Garcia-Mo- popular noontime show ‘Eat lina blockbuster hit earned over Bulaga’, as it opened more doors as a child actor starring P36 million on its opening day in countless movies and TV and almost P300 million on its shows. He pursued a career in opening weekend, the highest regular opening day ticket sales music that spawned his major single, ‘Pagdating ng Panahon.’ that the tandem has raked in After winning a grand prize out of the eight films that they in ‘The Singing Bee’ Seguerra have headlined to date. The whopping second and third day performed in Singapore for a box office sales also saw a dou- repertory theater presentation in a stage play. bling of figures and sold out For the love of music, cinema screenings. The Hows Seguerra writes and plays of Us is still screening in over guitar as he pursued a career 435 cinemas as of press time. in music while he studied at the While their past films have focused mostly on bringing out College of Fine Arts & Design at the University of Santo kilig, The Hows of Us brought Tomas. Likewise, President out Bernardo’s depth and Rodrigo Duterte appointed him openness to take on roles that are more realistic and relatable. as Chairperson of the National Youth Commission of the PhilThe Hows of Us, which ippines. opened in several countries Meanwhile, there no is around the world last week, will question to the talent exemplicontinue screening in Australia and New Zealand starting Sep- fied by Morissette Amon, the reason she was dubbed as the tember 13, Singapore on Sep‘Asia’s Phoenix.’ She first rose tember 14, and Taiwan, Florence and Greece on September to prominence when she finished runner-up on TV5’s ‘Star 16. (ManilaTimes.net)
Factor’ at the age of 14. Amon made her professional debut in the Repertory Philippines production of Disney’s ‘Camp Rock.’ Her first album under Star Music/Star Records was entitled ‘Morissette, ‘ and in 2015, she was awarded the New Female Recording Artist of the Year by the 7th PMPC Star Awards for Music. One of Amon’s most identifiable talent is her vocal features, her ability to sing in the ‘whistle register’ with ease- that led to her being tagged as ‘the Mariah Carey of Asia.’ Another hit singing talent is Joey Generoso- who is frontlead vocalist of the famous Filipino pop-- Side A band, formed in 1985 and known for the hit song ‘Forevermore.’ Side A was dubbed as the local version of band ‘Toto.’ With 30 years of successful career, Joey G has continued to wow audiences, whether young or old. Three years ago, he left his band to go solo. You will get a chance to listen again to his hit songs-- ‘Forevermore, ‘ ‘Hold On,’ ‘Tell Me,’ and ‘Got to Believe.’ Don’t miss this chance of a lifetime to capture these trio perform at the Pechanga Summit. Make it a habit to witness and watch surprising live performances in the only one entertainment hub in Temecula, California-- the Pechanga Resort Casino, located at off I-15 at Temecula Valley Southern California Wine CountyNo. 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592. You may purchase tickets starting at $58 from the Pechanga Box Office 1-888-810-8871 or online at www.Pechanga.com. Shows in the Pechanga Theater offer a comfortable and intimate concert experience. With 1,200 seats in its theater, each show features state-of-
the-art and acoustically perfected sound. Enjoying favorite artists at Pechanga versus other venues proves effortless with free valet and self-parking for guests, complimentary casino/ resort shuttles, gourmet and casual dining options on site, plus comfortable chairs and an up-close view from every theater seat. About Pechanga Resort Casino Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the Number One casino in America by readers of USA TODAY and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway. Offering more than 4,500 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,090 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free 1888-PECHANGA or visit www. Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. Pechanga Resort Casino is open 24-hours. Guests must be 21 and older to enter the casino.
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 12, 2018
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 12, 2018