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S EPT EM BER 13-19, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 47 • 16 Pages 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • 2500 Plaza S. Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858

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Duterte: Energy deal OK with China if PH drops claim by DONA AND

President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping Malacañang photo

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Criminal investigation is underway over deadly Santa Cruz Island boat fire that killed 34, including Fil-Am family The Labor Day tragedy becomes one of California’s worst maritime disasters AFTER the tragic Labor Day fire on the diving vessel Conception that claimed 34 victims, a joint investigation conducted by federal and state authorities has gone underway, a law enforcement source said on Monday, Sept. 9. Initial reporting from the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press said that the Dept. of Justice; the Coast Guard; the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are leading the investivation. The criminal probe follows a search of the company that owns the 75-foot vessel, Truth Aquatics, on Sunday, September 8. “No criminal charges have been filed at this time,” a source close to the investigation told

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PAZZIBUGAN JULIE M. AURELIO Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday, September 10, that Chinese President Xi Jinping had offered the Philippines a controlling stake in a proposed joint energy venture in the West Philippine Sea if it would set aside an international arbitral ruling award that went against China. The president said Xi told him during their meeting in Beijing in August that if he ignored the 2016 ruling of the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration, China would agree to be the

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SPECTACLE. Republic of Singapore President Halimah Yacob looks on as a Philippine Eagle flies by during her visit to the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao City on Wednesday, September 11. Singapore is eyeing to forge various partnerships with the city government, especially on infrastructure developments, Yacob said. Yacob said Singapore and Davao City have many things in common and that increasing city-to-city links can be beneficial for both areas in terms of business and other areas of partnership. Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Robredo hits Duterte’s ‘disappointing, irresponsible’ remarks on arbitral ruling by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed dismay over the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte to “set aside the arbitral ruling to pursue joint exploration with China. The president earlier said China has agreed to a 60-40 sharing scheme in

the possible joint oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea. “Kasi ‘yang (because that) exclusive economic zone is part of the arbitral ruling which we will ignore to come up with an economic activity,” Duterte said Tuesday night. Robredo said Duterte’s recent declaration on “ignoring” the arbitral ruling In this September 5 photo, Vice President Leni Robredo speaks at the 13th Toronto

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Global Forum in Canada.

Photo from Office of The Vice President

Napoles in custody despite ‘erroneous’ Duterte to certify anti-discrimination, inclusion in good conduct law release list not SOGIE, bill as urgent - Palace by KRISTINE JOY

Philstar.com

PATAG

MANILA — Plunder convict Janet Lim Napoles remains in correctional facility despite her inclusion in a list of prisoners set for early release because of the good conduct and time allowance, the Department of Justice said on Thursday, September 12. Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete, spokesperson Businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles is believed to be the brains behind the multi-billion peso Priority Development Assistance for the department, told reFund barrel scam.

Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas

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by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday, September 11, clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte will certify as urgent the proposed law against discrimination, not the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) bill. On Tuesday, September 10, Duterte said he will certify as urgent the SOGIE bill, which seeks to shield the LGBT community against hate and

prejudice. “Yes, whatever would make the mechanisms, what would make them happy,” he answered when asked about the bill. However, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, in a text message, clarified that Duterte was not talking about the SOGIE bill. “He was referring to an anti-discrimination bill, not SOGIE bill much like the anti-

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From the Front Page

Duterte: Energy deal OK with China... PAGE 1

junior partner in the proposed joint venture to develop gas deposits in Recto Bank, located in the West Philippine Sea, waters within the Philippines’ 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the heavily disputed South China Sea. 60-40 sharing “Set aside the arbitral ruling,” the President told reporters in Malacañang, quoting Xi. “Set aside your claim. Then allow everybody connected with the Chinese companies. They want to explore. If there is something, they said, we will be gracious enough to give you 60 percent, only 40 percent will be theirs. That is the promise of Xi Jinping.” But Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. refuted the President’s statements on Wednesday, saying China did not attach such a condition to the proposed joint exploration deal. “I read everything he told President Xi. China has never made setting aside the arbitral award a prerequisite to

anything,” Locsin replied to a reporter’s question via Twitter. “On the contrary, China agrees with the Philippines to disagree on their respective claims,” Locsin said. He said the memorandum of understanding that he signed with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi “applies only in disputed areas, not in areas everyone, including China, admits belongs to the Philippines.” Locsin cited Justice Menardo Guevarra’s legal opinion that the memorandum did not compromise the Philippines’ sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. Guevarra’s legal opinion “Can’t help it if traitors try to put a treasonous spin to it. But it’s [OK], one day they’ll be assassinated with impunity; indeed to loud acclaim,” Locsin said. After Xi’s visit to the Philippines in November last year, Guevarra vouched for the legal soundness of a joint exploration deal, saying there was no need for the Senate to ratify it because it was not a treaty.

“There are no sovereignty issues whatsoever as the [memorandum of understanding] merely expresses a mutual desire to agree on specific cooperation arrangements within 12 months,” Guevarra said in December. He said the agreement expressly stated that it “shall be without prejudice to the respective legal positions of the two governments and does not give rise to any rights or obligations under international or domestic law.” “It’s just [a memorandum of understanding], it’s noncommittal, nonobligatory and nonbinding from a legal standpoint. It’s a mere expression of mutual desires,” Guevarra said. China’s embassy in Manila had no comment on Wednesday on President Duterte’s remarks. Arbitral ruling The tribunal in The Hague clarified maritime boundaries and the Philippines’ sovereign entitlements, and in doing so, invalidated China’s claims to

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HANDS OFF OUR CHILDREN. Parents take to the streets of Manila their fight against the supposed recruitment of minors by leftist groups on Tuesday, September 10. The parents marched to the Department of Justice to hear the proceedings of the case they filed against key militant leaders and some lawmakers. PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Robredo hits Duterte’s ‘disappointing... PAGE 1

is “profoundly disappointing and extremely irresponsible.” The vice president pointed out that Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. himself said there was no need to set aside the ruling to pursue the joint exploration with China. “Entering into any agreement should not come at the expense of upholding our rights to the West Philippine Sea,” Robredo said. Robredo also stressed that Duterte’s argument that there are only two choices for the Philippines — capitulation or conflict — is not true. Citing Vietnam and Indonesia, the vice president said

asserting sovereign rights over Philippine exclusive economic zone does not entail open warfare. “The strongest anchor to our claim must be consistency — in our official positions, in our negotiations, and in the statements of our top officials,” the vice president said. R o b re d o w a r n e d t h a t Duterte’s policy on the West Philippine Sea will have implications not only for the rest of his term but also for the next administrations. “It will affect the lives not just of our generation of Filipinos, but that of our children, and our children’s children. We must take great care in

ensuring that we are not trading away the long-term interests of our nation and our children for short-term profit,” she said. Duterte said he raised the arbitral ruling with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting in Beijing last month. The Chinese leader, however, refused to acknowledge the arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea. “You know, China is there. He holds the property under the claim of ownership. ‘Yan ang sagot niya. It is ours, we will not budge,” Duterte said. n

Criminal investigation is underway... PAGE 1

Reuters on Monday. According to the Times, the investigation will center around the possible safety measures that could have either prevented the fire or mitigated the scope of the tragedy. Early reports of the investigation found that among those safety deficiencies included the lack of a “roaming night watchman,” which is required in the event of any dangers while at sea. Authorities have suggested that smoke inhalation was “likely” the cause of death for the 34 victims. The Santa Barbara Coroner’s Office decided to forgo the traditional autopsies and instead ordered DNA analysis to identify the

bodies. On Monday, September 2, the boat was anchored about 20 yards away from Santa Cruz Island caught fire at around 3:15 a.m., according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. Including the ship’s crew, there were 39 people on board at the time of the fire. Emergency services responded to the scene quickly with firefighters battling the blaze as the ship sank 64 feet, officials reported. Five crew members of the Conception were able to escape the destruction by jumping overboard after which a nearby boat rescued them; one of the escapees suffered a broken leg. But the tragedy claimed

the lives of 34 people in what is now considered one of the worst maritime disasters in California history As previously reported in the Asian Journal, Filipino American Michael Quitasol, 63, was on the boat with his wife Fernisa Sison, 57, and Quitasol’s three daughters from a previous marriage: Evanmichel, 37; Nicole, 31 and Angela Rose, 28. The family of five had been celebrating Quitasol’s 63rd birthday on the boat. As the massive investigation continues to progress, the FBI is seeking help from anyone who may have information. Those who may have information are urged to call (800) CALL-FBI. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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US: Chinese political, economic ties eroding sovereignty of nations THE political and economic leverage that China has on several nations has virtually begun to “erode” their sovereignty, the United States defense secretary said. During his trip to the IndoPacific region, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he saw how China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative is manifesting itself throughout the region. “The more dependent a country becomes on Chinese investment and trade, the more susceptible they are to coercion and retribution when they act outside of Beijing’s wishes,” the Pentagon chief recently said at London’s Royal United Services Institute. The Belt and Road Initiative is a global development

strategy adopted by the Chinese government involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries and international organizations in several continents. The BRI, seen as the center of China’s economic diplomacy, includes helping countries build infrastructure and facilities. Esper also warned of the Chinese economic power and Russian aggression and their threats to global security. “(We) cannot stand idly by while authoritarian nations attempt to reshape the global security environment to their favor at the expense of others,” Esper said. He said this influence ultimately trickles down to the security arena, and leads

countries to make sub-optimal defense decisions in fear of upsetting the Chinese Communist Party and being punished through economic measures or political backlash. The defense chief added that China has stolen technology to push forward military gains. Indeed, every Chinese company has the potential to be an accomplice in Beijing’s state-sponsored theft of other nations’ military and civilian technology,” he added. Esper said Chinese companies also pose a risk to the secure and resilient telecommunications infrastructure on which U.S. allies and partners depend for interoperability, intelligence sharing and mobilization. (Philstar.com)

Dateline USa

CONFIRMED. Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan II poses with his former colleagues in the Senate after the Commission on Appointments (CA) unanimously confirmed his ad interim appointment as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Wednesday, September 11. Also in photo are (from left) Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senators Bong Go, Imee Marcos, Panfilo Lacson, and Francis Tolentino. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

PSA: Filipina overseas workers outnumber males by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

A SURVEY by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released earlier this summer showed that an estimated number of 2.3 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) worked abroad at anytime during the period April to September wrong crimes. 2018. BuCor Documentations and Of the 2.3 million, female Record Section chief Ramon OFWs comprised 55.8 percent Roque, who is currently sus- of the total number. pended from service, said that Additionally, female OFWs the list was made in haste. were generally younger than “Yung list na yan, mabi- male OFWs, with about 47.5 lisan pong pinagawa samin. percent of the female OFWs Magpe-presscon po kasi (We belonging to the age group 25 compiled that list in haste to 34 years. Male OFWs in the because we were going to same age group, on the other hold a press conference),” hand, made up 38.9 percent. he said. Male OFWs aged 45 years Roque said that he already and older comprised 21.2 perasked the “computer section” cent of all male OFWs while the of the BuCor who told him female OFWs in this age group that some names appeared accounted for 14.5 percent. twice. n The survey also revealed an increase in the number of OFWs in elementary occupations, rising to 37.1 percent and

Napoles in custody despite ‘erroneous’... PAGE 1 porters that the DOJ has asked the BuCor to explain Napoles’ inclusion in the list of nearly 2,000 inmates who may walk free soon. Perete also stressed that Napoles “remains at the Correction Institution for Women” and has not been released. ABS-CBN first reported that Napoles was part of the list, which noted that her sentence, supposedly for rape, expired on Nov. 12, 2018. Napoles is believed to be the brains behind the multibillion-peso Priority Develop-

ment Assistance Fund barrel scam. She was convicted of plunder, and is still facing a string of criminal cases at the Sandiganbayan related to the pork barrel scam. Clerical errors? Sen. Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee, also brought the error-riddled list up at the resumption of the Senate’s inquiry into the GCTA law. Gordon pointed out that there were inmates whose names were listed twice, while others were listed with

Duterte to certify anti-discrimination bill... PAGE 1 discrimination ordinance existing in Davao passed when he was still the mayor there,” he said. Panelo also reiterated this clarification during an interview with CNN Philippines. “He said, ‘I have that, we have that in Davao.’ He was really specifically referring to that anti-discrimination law in Davao,” he said. A measure seeking to ban “all forms” of discrimination in the country has been filed by Sen. Sonny Angara. “Siguro mas maganda iyon, kung (perhaps that is better, if there is a) broader audience. Otherwise baka may problema ka sa (you may have a problem with) class legislation,” Panelo said. “Basta ayaw niya ng (he dislikes) discrimination, iyon ang (that is) very clear. He’s

Philippine members and supporters of the LGBT community take part in a gay pride march calling for equal rights in Manila last June 29. Philstar.com photo

outraged by any form of discrimination, against any particular class or person,” he added. The SOGIE bill has been tackled by senators after the temporary detention of a transgender woman who attempted to use the female

toilet at a Quezon City mall last month. Several conservative groups, on the other hand, are opposed to the measure. They cited Biblical doctrine and alleged that the bill would be discriminatory against sectors outside the LGBT. n

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making it the biggest among occupation groups of OFWs. Other large occupation groups included the service and sales workers (18.8 percent) and plant and machine operators and assemblers (13.8 percent). According to PSA, 58.7 percent of female OFWs were in elementary occupations. Cause-oriented group Lilac Center for Public Interest (Lilac) noted that the rising number of young female workers in elementary occupations, many of them were not able to finish their elementary or high school education, had led to abuse and maltreatment. “The data on women domestic workers falling into distress and becoming victims of abuse is alarming, given that Filipino migrant labor is now steadily being feminized,” said Nicon Fameronag, Lilac president. He called for the revival of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (Tesda) training regulations for the Domestic Work National

Certificate (NC) 2, to reinforce the educational attainment requirement for domestic work trainees, and to stop the deployment of those with knowledge, language and skills deficiency. According to Fameronag, this requirement and must go hand-in-hand with Tesda’s strict implementation of training before assessment, particularly for those who are first-time domestic workers, including the enforcement of the rule that a domestic worker trainee must present a training certificate before assessment. “Tesda’s implementation of the Domestic Work NC 2 training regulations has become lax to the point that instead of a full, no nonsense two-week training, many domestic workers now receive the so-called ‘one-day enhancement training’ package in assessment centers, where they are given a 100-percent assurance that they can receive a National Certificate 2 on domestic work the next day,” Lilac said. n

Duterte: Energy deal OK with China... PAGE 2 nearly the entire South China Sea. China, which did not take part in the arbitration, does not recognize the ruling. The President has sought to befriend Xi, hoping to secure billions of dollars of investment, avoiding challenging China over its activities in the South China Sea, including its militarization of seven artificial islands. Any agreement to forget the arbitral award and team up with China would be a major setback to other claimants, especially Vietnam and Malaysia, which like the Philippines have experienced repeated challenges from China’s coast guard inside their EEZs. The United States has called

that bullying and coercion aimed at denying rivals’ access to their energy assets. The President did not say if he had agreed to Xi’s offer, but said part of the arbitral award that referred to the EEZ “we will ignore to come up with an economic activity.” PH exploration rights The Hague tribunal said the Philippines had legal rights to exploit gas deposits that China also claims at Recto Bank, located about 140 km off the Philippine coast and internationally known as Reed Bank. The Philippines’ only accessible gas resources at Malampaya fields, off Palawan province, are set to run out by 2024. A joint project with China has been talked about for decades,

but has gone nowhere because of their competing claims. Joint activity could be deemed as legitimizing the other side’s claim, or even relinquishing sovereign rights. Locsin said in a television interview on Wednesday that a preliminary agreement between China and the Philippines would avoid stating which country was entitled to the gas. “It’s very clear — no legal position is compromised if we enter into this agreement,” Locsin said, adding that putting aside the arbitration case was immaterial because the Hague court had already made its decision. “It’s final and binding,” Locsin added. n

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OPINION

FEATURES

Relieve Faeldon of his ‘yoke’ PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte’s swift sacking of Nicanor Faeldon as Bureau of Corrections chief was widely applauded. The applause, however, died down as the president just as quickly picked up his fallen friend, describing Faeldon as a good man. The president has said that he would not tolerate even “a whiff” of corruption in his administration. In vouching for his loyal friend, he has cited the collection of billions in taxes from cigarette firm Mighty Corp. when Faeldon headed the Bureau of Customs. Faeldon had to be moved out of the BOC, however, amid a scandal involving the release of large shabu shipments through Customs. Faeldon’s integrity as Bureau of Corrections chief has yet to be established as the Senate continues its inquiry today into what is emerging as a systematic collection of payoffs by BuCor officials for the early release of prisoners based on Good Conduct Time Allowance, especially after the Supreme Court ruled last June that the GCTA law must be applied retroactively. The President

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himself had hinted that corruption was possible in the release of about 2,000 prisoners under the GCTA, including heinous crime offenders such as the rapist-killers of the Chiong sisters. While the president is free to express his opinion about his appointees, his statement has fueled speculation that he is again preparing to recycle Faeldon to yet another position in government. This would be unfortunate for his avowed campaign for good governance. Senators are still trying to determine if there was money involved in the aborted release of former Calauan mayor Antonio Sanchez. Even if Faeldon is eventually cleared of suspicions of graft, his competence for public service is under question. This is evident in the joke that has spread following his sacking. He should be recycled to the Metropolitan Manila Development Au- disappeared from prisons; so as MMDA chief, thority, according to the joke, because when he might make EDSA traffic disappear. After being fired from yet another governhe was BOC chief, large shipments of shabu disappeared; at BuCor, about 2,000 inmates also ment post, Faeldon claimed he felt relieved of a

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

heavy burden and he could now sleep soundly. The President should not burden his friend further with the yoke of public service. It’s time to put Faeldon out to pasture. (Philstar.com)

Home economics, house repairs and child care: Schools UN should account for doomsday forecast 30 years ago should bring back survival skill classes for ALL students Commentary The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS STUDENTS of today’s generation are so well trained and proficient in a lot of high-tech skills like computer and internet use, camera techniques, music mixing, editing, online publishing and social media distribution — skills that the older generation is just com-

ing to terms and even struggling with. However, we notice that there seems to be a deficiency in the skills of the youth when it comes to the very skills we were taught by our parents and our teachers early in life from grade school to high school. These are skills that we need in our day to day life like cooking, mending our clothes, washing and ironing clothes, doing repairs in the house, putting air in our tires, and troubleshooting power tripping and outages, etc. This came to my mind after

I came across an article online about the Colegio Montecastelo of Spain published by Racfheed on Facebook. This school offers home economics specifically for boys, teaching them what we learned in “H.E.” during our grade school and high school years — the basics of cooking, sewing, ironing, house cleaning, etc. The school also teaches the boys those skills that are typically taught to boys like the basics of carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrician PAGE 10

In 1989, the tumult behind the Iron Curtain burst out in earnest; it would culminate in the color revolutions in all of Eastern Europe and in the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in YEN MAKABENTA 1990. The collapse of commuI REMEMBER the year 1989 nism meant also the end of the well because it was a time of Cold War. In the movies, James tumult in the Philippines and Bond suddenly became old. In December 1989, thenthe world. At the time, I was serving as Col. Gringo Honasan staged editor in chief and associate his nearly successful coup publisher of the daily newspa- against the government of President Corazon Aquino, per Philippine Daily Globe. The work kept me awake all which plunged the Philippines day to follow what was hap- for a time into darkness and pening in the country and the confusion. In 1989, the United Nations world.

(UN) quietly detonated its forecast that planet Earth had only 10 years to go before it imploded on account of global warming. In doing so, the world body rained down grim tidings on a hapless humanity, even forecasting the disappearance of entire countries. This report forced me to sit up at my desk: The Philippines could be one of the countries that would be drowned by the rising sea levels. It is now exactly 30 years since that eventful year. Mercifully, mankind and planet Earth are still alive and kicking. Communism is banished. And PAGE 7

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Draft ruling vs Marcos poll protest divides SC by Jomar

Canlas ManilaTimes.net

AFP-MISLATEL PACT. Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal (2nd from right); AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Electronics, and Information Systems, Maj. Gen. Adrian Sanchez Jr. (right); Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company chief administrative officer, lawyer Adel Tamano (left); and Dito president and chief executive officer Dennis Uy (2nd from left) lead the ceremonial signing of memorandum of agreement allowing the new telco player to build its communications facilities in military camps and installations held at the AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday, September 11. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

‘No chance’ for UN probe into Philippines’ drug war

MANILA — The Philippines’ top diplomat would not allow the United Nations (UN) to come into the country and investigate alleged human rights violations linked to the war on drugs. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he will not be giving the UN a chance to do so. “No – I don’t want them coming here and then saying that everything they have been saying, but have not proved, is true ‘because we saw it,’” Locsin said in an interview with ANC’s “Headstart” Wednesday, September 11. In June, 11 independent human rights experts called on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to launch a prove into alleged human rights violations in the Philippines.

The 11 independent experts noted a “staggering number of unlawful deaths” in the conduct of the Philippines’ war on drugs. “We are extremely concerned over the high number of killings which are being carried out across the country in an apparent climate of officials, institutional impunity,” the experts said in a joint statement. DFA: Call ‘made in bad faith’ The Department of Foreign Affairs rejected this call of the UN special rapporteurs, claiming that it was “made in bad faith.” The DFA said the call for an independent probe into human rights violations in the Philippines was made by partis “who want to undermine dometic process and spread

disinformation.” “This action indicates the refusal of these parties to engage in true dialogue,” the DFA said in a statement. The UN Human Rights Council, on the other hand, had adopted a resolution mandating a “comprehensive” review of the Philippines’ drug war. A total of 18 out of 47 member-states voted in favor of the Iceland-led resolution calling on the Philippines “to take all necessary measures to prevent extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, to carry out impartial investigations and to hold perpetrators accountable in accordance with international norms and standards on due process and the rule of law.” (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)

UN should account for doomsday forecast... PAGE 5 the Philippines is much better than the sick man everyone used to speak of in patronizing tones. On September 23, the UN will convene its umpteenth Climate Action Summit in New York City to dramatize the urgency of combating climate change and averting climate apocalypse. Before UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says one more word about the UN’s climate forecast, I believe the world should present him a bill for all the wrong predictions about the climate that the UN made 30 years ago and continues to foist on the world. It is time for a reckoning. UN prediction of global disaster in 1989 To show what the UN must account for, l am reprinting here the report of the Associated Press on the UN’s forecast

of global disaster in 1989. The report, written by Peter James Spielmann, was issued on June 30, 1989, with the headline, “UN predicts global disaster.” This is what Spielmann wrote: “A senior UN environmental official says entire nations could be wiped off the face of the Earth by rising sea levels if the global warming trend is not reversed by the year 2000. “Coastal flooding and crop failures would create an exodus of eco- refugees, threatening political chaos, said Noel Brown, director of the New York office of the UN Environment Program, or UNEP. “He said governments have a 10-year window of opportunity to solve the greenhouse effect before it goes beyond human control. “As the warming melts polar icecaps, ocean levels will rise

by up to three feet, enough to cover the Maldives and other flat island nations, Brown told the Associated Press in an interview. “Coastal regions will be inundated; one-sixth of Bangladesh could be flooded, displacing a fourth of its 90 million people. A fifth of Egypt’s arable land in the Nile Delta would be flooded, cutting off its food supply, according to a joint UNEP and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study. “Ecological refugees will become a major concern, and what’s worse is you may find that people can move to drier ground, but the soils and the natural resources may not support life. Africa doesn’t have to worry about land, but would you want to live in the Sahara?’ he said. “UNEP estimates it would PAGE 10

SEVERAL Supreme Court (SC) justices were inclined to oppose the draft decision circulated by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa dismissing the poll protest filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos against Vice President Leonor Robredo, sources told The Manila Times on Tuesday, September 10. Caguioa’s draft decision, copies of which were sent to Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin and the 13 associate justices on Monday, September 9 upheld the proclamation of Robredo. Unimpeachable sources told The Times that Caguioa, the designated ponente of the case, circulated his 54-page draft decision on Monday. The magistrate adopted a rarely used procedure in distributing his ponencia — each set bears a water mark. Sources, however, clarified that the draft decision is not final since members of the tri-

bunal have yet to deliberate on Caguioa’s ponencia and later cast their votes whether they agree or disagree with the recommendation. The next deliberation was set on October 1. Until the Supreme Court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), comes out with its final and official ruling, the case remains unresolved, the sources said. They added that some justices tended to concur with the draft decision, while others said they intend to file their objection. Some magistrates also asked for more time to study Caguioa’s ponencia. On Tuesday, Brian Hosaka, head of the high court’s Public Information Office, said the PET had “concluded and finished the recount and revision of ballots in the three test provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Camarines Sur, involving 5,415 election precincts.” Hosaka said the tribunal “has not taken any action yet on the report of Justice Cagu-

ioa.” “The tribunal would like to again remind the parties that they are still subject to the subjudice rule pursuant to its resolution dated Feb. 13, 2018 and March 20, 2018. Hence, they are strictly ordered to refrain from making any public statements to the media with regards to the case,” Hosaka added. In his protest, Marcos assailed the election results in 39,221 clustered precincts. Based on date from the Commission on Elections, the 39,221 clustered precincts are composed of 132,446 precincts. Marcos lost to Robredo by only 263,473 votes in 2016. He accused her of “massive electoral fraud, anomalies and irregularities” such as pre-shading of ballots, preloaded Secure Digital cards, misreading of ballots, malfunctioning vote counting machines and an “abnormally high” unaccounted votes/undervotes for the position of vice president. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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African swine fever reaches the Philippines by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

FRESH CATCH. A fisherman carries a 40-kilo yellow fin tuna caught off the coast of Barangay Libjo in Infanta, Quezon. A kilo of tuna costs P250. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Home economics, house repairs and child care... PAGE 5

skills. This school in Spain wants to stop gender inequality by teaching boys the basics of doing household chores, pointing to how women have always been expected to cook, wash the dishes, do the laundry, take care of the children, while also working full time or part-time job for the family. Many husbands (not all), especially in the Philippines, would be seen having happy hour with a chilled bottle of beer while watching TV when they come home from work. Both the husbands and the wives are tired from their jobs, but the women are expected to do all the chores as the husband enjoys “me time,” and then expects the wife to please him in bed at night. For many families, it seems the explanation for this is that the husbands do not know how to cook, iron the clothes, clean the house, or bathe the babies, because these are chores women have been trained to do. But more than this is the stigma that they will look like “under the saya” or emasculated if they do the chores typically done by the wives. But they contend that they are the ones the wives run to to do house repairs, gardening and changing bulbs. This delegation is great — men and women having the division of labor and doing chores they are more adept with. However, times are changing. We now have both the husband and the wife taking full-time jobs. There are times when it is the wife who gets a better job opportunity than the husband, but somebody has to stay at home to take care of the kids and do household chores. The man

of the house has to step in and do the household chores while the woman helps in providing for the family. This is what marriage and partnership are all about. Now what this school in Spain is doing is breaking down the walls of stereotypes institutionally, and this helps the collective psyche of the boys who will grow up to be the men of the house to feel no shame in doing household chores and taking care of the children. It even teaches the lesson to the fathers of these children, no matter how belatedly. After all, it is never too late to learn something good, right? Many of my followers on Facebook who are in their 40s and older would comment that they remember having these classes when they were still in grade school and high school. Unfortunately, with the cost-cutting because of less budget now being appropriated to education, these subjects — home economics, vocational, music and arts — are the first to go. And with both the husband and wife working, who will really have the time to train the kids consistently and relentlessly in these life skills? THEREFORE, I hope our schools will bring these skills back to the curriculum as mandatory subjects. I propose to take this initiative several notches higher. I think these life skills — household chores, taking care of the babies, basic carpentry, plumbing, electrician skills, changing flat tires, among others, should be taught to ALL students, boys and girls learning together. Teaching girls skills typically identified with boys will empower them, giving them

THE Department of Agriculture on Monday, September 9, confirmed that the African swine fever was the cause of death of pigs in some parts of the Philippines, but quickly reassured that pork in the country remains safe for human consumption. According to Agriculture chief William Dar, 14 out of the 20 blood samples of dead pigs from some areas in Rizal tested positive for ASF virus based on tests conducted in the United Kingdom. “Out of the 20 blood samples, 14 are positive with African swine fever,” Dar said in a press briefing. “We continue to monitor, even beyond the 10-kilometer radius. So far, so good. No incidents,” he added. ASF, a highly contagious viral disease among domestic and wild pigs, has no cure and no vaccine. The Philippine Star reported that mortality rates of

ASF are as high as 100 percent. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infected pigs, ingestion of contaminated materials such as food waste, feed or garbage, or contaminated fomites or biological vectors. Infected hogs may experience high fever, depression, loss of appetite, redness of ears, abdomen, and legs, vomiting, and diarrhea that may lead to death. The DA stressed that, while ASF is confirmed to have reached the country, the Philippines is not in an epidemic stage. Dar also said that as long as the hogs passed through the proper process of slaughtering and preparation as approved by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), pork is safe to eat. “The public should not fear eating pork,” he said. Dar, along with other agriculture and health officials, as well as hog stakeholders, and members of the private sector

the confidence that they do not need a knight in shining armor to solve problems in the house, and will not fall prey to unscrupulous repairmen who would charge hefty service fees for a simple job because they think the women know nothing about the issue that needs repairs anyway. I would like to include financial literacy to the “home PAGE 7 do now to stop a … change’ of economics” aspect of the cost the United States at least about 3 degrees. learning. All students should $100 billion to protect its east “‘Anything beyond that, and be taught about budget- coast alone. we have to start thinking about ing money, how to balance “Shifting climate patterns the significant rise of the sea checks, how to live within would bring back 1930s Dust levels … we can expect more your means, how to save Bowl conditions to Canadian ferocious storms, hurricanes, money, how to invest money, and U.S. wheat lands, while wind shear, dust erosion.’ the pros and cons of using the Soviet Union could reap “He said there is time to act, credit cards, and different bumper crops if it adapts its but there is no time to waste. kinds of loans. “UNEP is working toward agriculture in time, according These skills, I believe, will to a study by UNEP and the forming a scientific plan of achelp shape more responsible International Institute for Ap- tion by the end of 1990, and and independent adults in plied Systems Analysis. the adoption of a global clithe future. They will be more “Excess carbon dioxide is mate treaty by 1992. In May, self-reliant, frugal, and will pouring into the atmosphere delegates from 103 nations discover the joy of mend- because of humanity’s use of met in Nairobi, Kenya — ing, repairing, making things fossil fuels and burning of rain where UNEP is based — and work instead of dumping tat- forests, the study says. The decided to open negotiations tered clothes, appliances and atmosphere is retaining more on the treaty next year. furniture that can still be re- heat than it radiates, much like “Nations will be asked to paired. reduce the use of fossil fuels, a greenhouse. These skills will create “The most conservative sci- cut the emission of carbon dibetter dynamics between entific estimate that the Earth’s oxide and other greenhouse couples, siblings, roommates temperature will rise 1 to 7 de- gases such as methane and because they all can share in grees Celsius in the next 30 fluorocarbons, and preserve the responsibilities of making years, said Brown. the rain forests.” and keeping a home. And as This would lead eventually “The difference may seem each generation stands on slight, he said, but the planet to the Kyoto Protocol and the the shoulders of the previous is only 9 degrees warmer now Paris Accord. generations, we can expect than during the 8,000-year Ice Mother of doomsday sceto have better, happier and Age that ended 10,000 years narios more productive homes and ago. I am not alone in monitorfamilies in the future. “Brown said if the warming ing what the UN has been doNow isn’t this something trend continues, ‘the question ing during the past three deworth investing in? is will we be able to reverse cades in pursuit of its climate *** the process in time? We say agenda. Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s that within the next 10 years, Other climate skeptics, in“Balitang America.” Views and opinions given the present loads that cluding top climate scientists, expressed by the author in this column are the atmosphere has to bear, and major writers have been solely those of the author and not of Asian we have an opportunity to start doing the same. They have Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, the stabilizing process.’ published statements rejectgo to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, “He said even the most con- ing the UN’s climate change https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos. servative scientists ‘already reports and its climate agenda. Relos tell us there’s nothing we can I have continuously written on

had a boodle fight of different pork dishes for breakfast at the DA headquarters in Quezon City to prove pork and processed pork meat were safe for human consumption. “We hope the public will understand, as we have shown today during the boodle fight, it is safe [to eat pork],” Dar said. The Department of Health, for its part, gave assurance that ASF does not pose any risk on human health, reiterating that as long as meat was “thoroughly” cooked, it is safe. “We want to allay the fears of the public by saying that, as long as pork is bought from reliable sources and it is cooked thoroughly, pork is safe to eat,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo also said there is no reason to be alarmed. “I think there is no need to worry considering the DA secretary has not cautioned us not to avoid or not to eat, or to avoid,” Panelo said. n

UN should account for doomsday forecast... their articles over the last two years to keep readers posted on the debate between the climate alarmists and climate skeptics. One skeptic, Daniel Hunter, came up with the idea of demanding from the UN an accounting for its wrong predictions and fear mongering. He wrote the following comment on Fox News this week: “Global warming is the mother of all doomsday scenarios. It blew away other environmental issues like candles on a cake…. “Thirty years ago this week, the United Nations issued a global warming report that I distinctly remember. It predicted worldwide disaster… “[H]ere we are 30 years later, and I look back at that 1989 report, I think only this: What happened? “The predictions in the report were not just a bit ‘off’ — like my calculations in my high school math class, my understanding of Shakespeare, or my failed attempt to high jump. The UN report was flat-out wrong. It was 100 percent, complete opposite, 180-degree wrong. “Can I get an explanation, please? “[The] UN has a 30-year track record of being wrong on this issue, so I take its reports on climate change and ‘we have 12 years left’ with a grain of salt the size of the Maldives.” (ManilaTimes.net)

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COMMUNITY Journal

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Safeguarding your petition, Part 1 Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ MOST family-based petitions take years to be processed and for the priority date to finally become current. For example, it could take nine or more years for USCIS to process a petition for a married son or daughter or a sibling, and then up to 30 years for the priority date to become current, or visa to become available. Meanwhile, there could have been changes in circumstances that could affect the petition and/or could result in the case being denied or terminated without the alien’s knowledge. The following are some of the more common situations I have encountered with Filipinos in connection with issues they have with their petitions. It could help your case if you follow these tips or suggestions to safeguard your petition: 1. Make copies and file by certified or overnight mail. I’ve encountered situations where a person came for a consultation stating they “remembered” that some time back in the early 80s or late 90s, Tatay filed some sort of petition. When I asked for a copy, they state they cannot locate it. Or they did not bother making any copies before filing, and sent it by regular mail. To establish eligibility for a benefit, you need documentary proof, not your memory. Therefore, whenever you submit anything to USCIS, make copies and don’t send it by regular mail. Sending or filing by certified or overnight mail at least provides a record/receipt. 2. Get the filing receipt. Once a person files a petition, they should get a receipt within a few weeks. If you filed something, but never received a receipt, there may be problems as to whether it was ever received by the USCIS. The

receipt is important because it has the receipt number, which is how USCIS will track your document. 3. Get the approval notice, check processing times. After the petition has been filed and the receipt is issued, keep track of the approval notice. I have had many situations where a person may have received the filing receipt, but not the actual approval notice. Receiving the approval notice depends on how backlogged the USCIS is and their processing times for particular petitions. For example, petitions by green card holders of their spouse and minor children could take up to two years to process. Petitions for a brother and sister of a US citizens could take at least 10 years before the approval notice would be received. So, you may not receive the approval notice right away. If your case was filed and it is beyond USCIS’s processing times, but no approval notice was received, you could have issues or problems with your case. 4. Notify USCIS and NVC of address change. If the petitioner or beneficiary moved since the date the petition was filed, you need to notify the USCIS and NVC of your new address. It is not enough you give a postcard to the post office when you first move, as that notification expires after one year. You need to give direct notice to USCIS and the NVC. This is critical because if you do not provide your new address, they will send notices to the last address they have on file. Sometimes the USCIS will request for evidence (RFE) and there is a deadline to respond. If you do not respond within the deadline, the case could be denied or terminated. For example, a petition is filed, the family moves, and five years later USCIS sends a request for evidence (RFE) to the old address, giving the person 87 days to respond. The person never receives the RFE, because they moved.

The case is then denied for abandonment. Meanwhile, the family keeps waiting for years and years on the petition, unaware it had been denied. And you can’t seek reconsideration on the grounds you never received the notice, because it was your responsibility to notify the government of your new address. Similarly, the NVC will send notices to the last address they have on file for you. If you move, they will send the notices to your old address, giving you one year to respond. If you do not respond, the case is shredded and terminated, and the priority date is lost. In a future article I will discuss more tips and strategies for safeguarding your petition. But if you have experienced any of the issues discussed in this article, you may want to seek the advice of an attorney to make sure your petition is still active and moving forward. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @ GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

DREAMS OF A FAIRYTALE WEDDING ENDED UP IN A NIGHTMARE OF BATTERY AND ABUSE. Anne entered the U.S. on a fiancé (K-1) visa, hoping to build a beautiful, love-filled life with her U.S. citizen petitioner. But the marriage turned into a nightmare, when the husband became verbally and physically abusive. Battered and abused, Anne reached out to leading immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch as Anne was able to escape the chains of abuse, through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petition that the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel filed and was able to get a green card for Anne….on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

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Features Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA

Actor Baron Geisler being conferred the ‘datu’ status by the king and queen of Sulu.

Philstar.com photo by Jan Milo Severo

‘Datu’ Baron explains return to rehab By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

ACTOR Baron Geisler has denied rumors that he will be returning to a rehabilitation center, but admitted that he visited there for spiritual guidance. In an interview with the media after his conferment for being a “Datu” by the royal family of King Raja Mohammadmamay Hasan Adurajak and Queen Maria Makiling Helen Fatima Nasaria Panolino Abdujarak, Baron admitted that he was depressed lately. “Wala akong comment d’on. I guess siguro ‘yung mga detractors,” Baron said on what made him depressed. Last week, reports said the actor was allegedly set to return to rehab for treat-

ment of severe alcoholism, but Baron denied this. “But I got depressed for a while because ‘pag napapanood ng tao ‘yung role kong Bungo. Siyempre coming from rehab, very spiritual, my thoughts were really pure kaya medyo naguluhan ako. And then my fiance, she flies back and forth sa Cebu. There are times na two weeks mag-isa ako, so na-depress ako. That’s the reason,” he added. The “Ang Probinsyano” actor said he went to the rehabilitation center for him to be grounded again because he was overwhelmed to become a celebrity again. “Regarding sa rehab, I went there and asked for spiritual guidance sa kanila, so it’s for me just to be grounded. Kasi I’m beginning to be an artist again

and siyempre nawala ako sa limelight for three years. nakakaoverwhelm siya kasi kilala ka nanaman ng tao, so what I did was inunahan ko na, just to ground myself at hindi lumaki ang ulo ko and also be closer to God kasi mapakatindi talaga ng demonyo eh,” Baron said. “May kasabihan nga, ‘Ang tunay na matapang ay ‘yung gumagawa o pumupunta sa matuwid, ‘yung nag-oobey at hindi ‘yung gumagawa ng kasamaan. Kasi napakadali eh, napakadaling uminom, napakadaling tumingin sa babae, napakadaling makipag-away, makipagsuntukan, so I’m being away from the bad and for me, whenever I am depressed or inaatake ako ng bad elements, I have a spiritual family to go to. So we pray, may structure,” he shared.

Jean: action’s newest golden girl By TeSSa Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

Jean Garcia in a scene from her new TV show ‘Beautiful Justice’. GMA photo

IT’S hard to believe that the beautiful and talented Jean Garcia is showbiz’s latest 50-year-old. She is actually slimmer than ever, more radiant than ever, and in fact more energetic than she ever was in her younger years. Jean shared this piece of trivia with the T-Zone herself just a few days after her golden birthday on August 22. We sat down for a one-on-one interview for this column’s online version on our new show on the Manila times Digital TV, “CSI: Celebrity, Style, Inspiration,” which was posted on September 3. (The episode’s still up on the official Facebook Pages of TMT TV and CSI and www.manilatimestv.com, by the way, so

please click and watch!). There, Jean talked about surprising herself that she pulled off an action movie for the very first time in her decades-long career as the lead of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino entry “Watch Me Kill” by Director Tyrone Acierto. She went on an intense Krav Maga training to prepare for the role of an assassin and definitely felt empowered by the whole experience. “Even taking everything I learned on the shoot on location — by the dirt roads, in the middle of huge fields, under the heat of the sun — I didn’t expect that I’d be able to do all that especially at my age. We did the movie last year so I was already 49 so it’s such an unexpected opportunity to do an action-drama at this point in my career. That’s

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Once UpOn a Time SerieS

meet elaine, The rock “…Elaine and Neil were more like two Mexican jumping beans trapped in a pod. …”

(Continued from the previous week…) There were happy times too and she chose to dwell on them. Elaine imagined herself to be like a film editor retaining the reels of fun and laughter they had during the early years of their family life. She smiles broadly recalling their wedding, two normal childbirths, flying kites in the open space and on the beaches when the children were growing and just countless fun times they shared and recorded in fading photographs and video clips. And like the editor of her life, she chose to gloss over and edit out the ugly parts and leave them on the cutting room floor, swept in a bin and zapped away from memory. Poof. Gone. Forgiven and Forgotten. This is just how I cope and how I choose to remember my life and times, Elaine thought. Some couples are described as two peas in a pod. Elaine and Neil were more like two Mexican jumping beans trapped in a pod. She often gritted her teeth and bit back a retort when things got heated. She didn’t want the children to hear. She turned to prayer, first as an escape valve, and later as a real comfort and eventually, a deep, unfailing source of peace and strength. With a solid faith in God ‘s mercy and love, peace did come to their home. A deep-seated respect for each other quietly slipped in during their mature and last few years together. Elaine placed everything in the backburner when she took care of Neil as he languished. She felt his pain and for his part, Neil began to see her in a different light.

Theirs was not an all-consuming love affair, which she sometimes thought was the stuff of Hollyweird garbage anyway, but they managed to work out their differences over time. As they mellowed, they became patient and kinder with each other. Eventually, love did come to dwell in their hearts. A sense of overwhelming peace washed over them in the few remaining years left. During the critical times, Elaine learned to tough it out. She stood her ground to keep her family together. And yet, she understood the frailty of unions which crack and fall apart at the merest hint of trouble. Elaine decided early on that she would be the glue to hold her family together — no matter what. The only thing that would break her resolve would be if there was another woman involved. Thankfully, there wasn’t. More than anything, it was personality differences that threatened their marriage. Their two children turned out right and became upstanding, caring young adults of strong faith. For Elaine, it was all worth the struggle of keeping their family whole. Two years into her grief, Elaine thought she was finally done with all her struggles. She expected a season of calm. But fate had other plans. Life wasn’t done with her yet and another curve ball was headed her way. Elaine’s younger sister, Joyce and her husband, Jerry, died suddenly, within months of each other, her brother-in-law in a motor

accident and her dear sister, in a rare, aggressive form of cancer that left two teen-agers — a girl and a boy — to fend for themselves. Elaine had a huge heart and she took the youngsters under her wing and helped them heal after the tragic loss of their parents. She helped them finish school and get onto meaningful career tracks. She became their mother and the two orphans realized just how great Aunt Elaine was. They called her Mom. Instead of two children, now she had four who loved her dearly. As she looked back at her life, Elaine marveled at how she had managed it all. She realized she was never alone during her seasons of struggle over darkness. There was always something guiding her and protecting her – a bright light that shone in her heart and is reflected in her being. God and His angels have been with her every nanosecond of her valiant. little life. Of this, Elaine is certain. Elaine didn’t accrue material things for herself. In fact, she gave them away as fast as she could. Yet the one thing she did have is a family cobbled together by nothing more than steadfast love, kindness and a deep, unyielding faith in the goodness of God. Elaine knew she was going to be just fine no matter what. She would be leaving a small yet beautiful legacy. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com.

why I’m so grateful to Direk Tyrone he trusted me with the role. I know I wasn’t his first pick but I really gave my everything here and I hope I won’t disappoint,” said the much-loved actress. Here then are more snippets on The T-Zone’s interview with action’s newest golden girl. Watch Me Kill opens along with the rest of the all-Filipino line-up of

movies for the 3rd PPP on Friday, September 13. Tessa Mauricio-Arriola: How does it feel to be fabulous at 50? Jean Garcia: I feel good. Para naman sa akin kasi, pag tumatanda ka at dumadagdag ang iyong edad, ang ibig sabihin lang ‘nun ay nagkakaroon ka ng mas maraming experiences — mas marami kang natututunan. Yung wis-

dom mo ngayon mas iba na at yung pag-iisip mo nag mamature na. So ako I’m just enjoying my life and nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon dahil pinaabot niya ako sa ganitong edad na healthy, masaya sa buhay, at marami pa ring trabaho ino-offer sa akin. So I’m really very, very grateful na ito nandito ako sa position ko ngayon, and I’m PAGE 13

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EntErtainmEnt

Khalil & Gabbi make sweet music together

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 13-19, 2019

A1’s Ben wants to collab with Sarah

By Bot glorioso

By Krissy AguilAr

Philstar.com

Inquirer.net

KHALIL Ramos and Gabbi Garcia belong to different networks but they don’t see it as a cause of conflict or a hindrance in their relationship. Khalil and Gabbi have been going steady for more than two years now. For those not familiar, Khalil is

ENGLISH singer-songwriter and member of boy band A1 Ben Adams wants to duet with singer-actress Sarah Geronimo. Adams said Tuesday he has already tapped Geronimo’s agency Viva Artists for a possible collaboration. “Well, quick update, I’ve checked out all of the videos and articles you guys have sent me on @JustSarahG and I think she’s amazing! Have emailed @VivaArtists so let’s see what they say…… thanks everyone! #Philippines,” Adams wrote in a Twitter post. This was after he asked his followers over Twitter which female Southeast Asian artist he should sing with. Most suggestions were Geronimo and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Adams said. “I’m looking for a well known South East Asian female artist to duet with me

PAGE 15

Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos

Photo photo from Instagram/@khalilramos

Jean: Action’s newest golden... PAGE 12 happy and actually proud that I’m 50. TMA: There’s definitely so much to be excited about at this golden crossroads and one of these is your PPP entry. Usually, we see you so glamorous — prime time TV’s famous Madam Claudia of “Pangako Sa’yo” Moreover, you’re a noted dramatic actress but all of a sudden, we see you with a shotgun in hand for Watch Me Kill. How did this all happen? JC: To be honest, hindi lang naman ako yung kinonsider ni Direk Ty for the movie, but he sent the script through my manger Manny Valera and my handler Tet de los Reyes Rivera and nagustuhan ko kaagad. Actually na-in love kaagad ako. One, because hindi talaga ako nakagawa ng ganitong klaseng pelikula at tatlong dekada na ko nagtatrabaho dito sa show business. First time na may offer na ganitong klaseng pelikula sa akin so I was really excited. Ang hiningi ko lang talaga kay Direk ay kung ako yung gusto mo diyan, tatanggapin ko pero bigyan mo ko ng pagkakataon magkaroon ng training. Sa paghandle ng weapons, yung fight scenes namin and all. Sabi ko kailangan ko ‘to para at least sa shooting, confident ako na humawak ng baril so mag co-concentrate nalang ako and mag-fo-focus nalang ako sa acting ko and sa gusto niya ipa-portray sa akin. Thankfully it all worked out. TMA: Can you tell us more about your training? JG: I had an intensive training with the International Krav Maga Federation here in the Philippines. Actually ang trainer ko, ang nagturo sa akin was the head and the director himself, si Dindo de

Jesus. Tatlong weapons yung ginamit namin — parang Gloc 9, tapos meron ding machine gun and shotgun also. Yun yung mga weapons na ginamit namin sa pelikula. TMA: Was the experience empowering? JG: Oh definitely! Kasi takot talaga ako sa mga ganyan pero dahil nag-train nga ako under kay Dindo, magaling siya at alam kong safe ako so I was very confident during the training. Nawala yung takot ko dahil sa kanya. Tapos nung nag-sho-shoot kami, automatic na kapag binigay na sakin yung baril, alam ko na kung paano siya hawakan. Tapos ito pa! Kaya lalo pa akong na-excite is because yung Krav Maga dito sa Philippines, siya din yung nag-train kay Keanu Reeves for “John Wick” under Krav Maga US. Taray di’ba? (laughs). So now ang tawag nila sa akin sa Krav Maga, “Jean Wick!” TMA: How would you describe your character Luciana here? I learned from the director it isn’t strictly and action movie but more of a drama and a psychological thriller. JG: Yes, I’d say minimal naman yung because the movie is more about the story of this hired killer, Luciana — kung ano yung past, yung backstory niya, bakit siya naging hired killer. [It will answer] bakit nga ba doon napunta ang buhay niya base sa storya ng paglaki niya. And then it shifts to her present na hired killer na siya at paano siya nabubuhay every day. What I can say is hindi ito yung the usual na Jean Garcia na lumalabas sa pelikula o sa TV. Iniba namin ni direk yung atake from having no makeup and being totally deglamorized. Talagang mahuhulas ka rin naman be-

cause yung location namin is almost all exterior kami. Kung may interior kami bahay lang o yung pub house ni Jay Manalo na kasama din namin sa pelikula. Iitim ka talaga at maalikabok with all these trucks na dumaadaan to pick up rock and sand from the lahar areas ng Pampanga and Zambales. And then nag-cu-cut kami pag dadaan sila kaya physically mahirap talaga with the heat and everything. Pero napaka-peaceful at napaka-payapa ng aming shoot kaya very proud din ako sa grupo na ‘to. First and foremost, si Direk Ty kasi he’s a good director — sobra — and you will see that in the film. TMA: Of course, the PPP besides screening an allFilipino lineup is also a competition festival. What are your expectations come the awards night? JG: I have none whatsoever. Ako kasi, unang una, masaya lang ako na nakasama kami sa pitong pelikula dito sa Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Kasi madaming pumasok at pumili lang ng pito at nakasama kami dun. ‘Dun palang, masaya na ako. Ayoko nang isipin yung nomination; ayoko na munang isipin yung mananalo ba kami. Ang gusto ko lang is mai-share namin yung hard work na ginawa namin sa pelikulang ‘to. Everyone — especially Direk Ty, all the actors, the production staff, the crew, even yung utility namin. Yung hard work namin dito sa pelikulang ito ang gusto ko sanang mapanood lang ng mga tao. If it will be a box office hit, bakit hindi di’ba? So if anything yun talaga ang dream ko — hindi na yung manalo ng award o ano. Ang gusto ko nalang maging successful siya.

Ben Adams

on something……any suggestions? #Philippines #Singapore #Indonesia #Thailand #Malaysia,” Adams wrote. “So @JustSarahG and @ catrionaelisa seem to be coming up a lot in suggestions for who to duet with on my next project…….now I

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Photo from Instagram/@benadamsuk

just need to find their contact details and make it happen! #Philippines,” he said in a separate post. Adams’ boy band A1 rose to fame in the ‘90s and some of their hits include “Like A Rose,” “One Last Song,” “One More Try,” among others.

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SEPTEMBER 13-19, 2019 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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FIL-AMS ROCK AT THE US OPEN 2019

Andre Alcantara, JAGMAC entertain fans BY

T

MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPRESS

HE US Open ended over the weekend with a bang and for both men’s and women’s championship matches, it was about youth versus experience.

On the women’s side on Saturday, the 19-yearold Canadian Bianca Andreescu denied Serena Williams her 24th Grand Slam title by winning her first in straight sets. Their age gap of 18 years was the largest age gap in a championship match at a grand slam. For the men’s championship, the age gap was smaller at just 10 years, between the 33year-old Rafael Nadal and the 23-year-old Daniil Medvedev. It looked like it was going to be an easy win for the Spaniard who sailed and won the first t w o sets. T h e Russian repositioned his strategy and came from behind to win the next two, pushing the match into a fifth set decider. In the end, it was experience that prevailed. After four hours and 50 minutes of slugfest, Nadal claimed his 19th Grand Slam trophy. He is now just Andre Alcantara AJPress photos by Troi Santos

one championship win away from Roger Federer who owns the record at 20. And with that, we witnessed the last grand slam tournament of the decade. We have to wait for four months for the next slam, the Australian Open in January. In the meantime, let’s look back at this year’s US Open for some of the Filipino American personalities we saw. Andre Alcantara, US Open Kidcaster Aside from Alex Eala, who made her US Open J u niors Championship debut, there was another young Filipino whose face became familiar with those who follow tennis. His name is Andre Alcantara and he was a US Open Kidcaster, which means he, along with some other kids, gets to show some behind-thescenes look at

the US Open. This is part of Net Generation, the United States Tennis Association’s efforts for children to get into the sport, making it easier for children and their parents to learn about tennis and get into the game in schools, parks and tennis clubs across the country. The USTA emailed his parents and asked if Andre could be a “kidcaster”. The young Alcantara was ecstatic when he found out. “It’s super good. I’ve had a lot of opportunities so far, and as a kidcaster, I get to interview different players and officials,” Alcantara shared with the Asian Journal. “This is exciting, it is the biggest grand slam in the world.” This is the first time that the he is able to attend the US Open. It is also his first trip to New York City and

AJPress photo by Troi Santos

the fact that he is enjoying it with his parents and his younger brother Ashton means the entire world to him. The 11-year-old Andre is also a budding tennis player. His dad is also into the sport so he encouraged him when he was young to see if he liked to play. At the age of 5, Andre got hold of a racket and he started playing since. When he was 7 years old, he competed for the first time. He was named after his dad’s idol, tennis legend Andre Agassi. “My parents didn’t tell me much about him but I know that he is the greatest returner of all time,” he said. For his part, Andre idolizes Roger Federer and the Bryan brothers. The young tennis player counts his interview with Petra Kvitova as one of the most memorable experiences he’s had in the tournament “simply because PAGE 15

Andre with Kobe

JAGMAC, a band composed of six Filipino-Polish siblings, performed at the US Openʼs Arthur Ashe Kidsʼ Day. They were named Radio Disneyʼs Next Big Thing in 2018. Photos from Instagram/@jagmacmusic

Rafael Nadal, who won his fourth US Open trophy, poses with ball boys and ball girls, after he won a fifth set thriller against Russiaʼs Daniil Medvedev. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

Andre with Naomi Osaka

Photo by Marilen Clemente

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Lito Legaspi passes away at 77 Gab to people with mental By Nika Roque ManilaTimes.net

VETERAN film and television actor Lito Legaspi passed away due to cardiac arrest on the morning of September 8. He was 77 years old. According to reports, he was was rushed to Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center in San Juan City two days previously complaining of chest pains. He died just ahead of 78th birthday on September 10. Legaspi started in showbiz in 1959 via a comedy caper titled “Ipinagbili Kami ng Aming Tatay” with no less than Comedy King Dolphy in the lead. Legaspi rose to fame when he was introduced by Sampaguita Pictures as a matinee idol alongside contemporaries Gina Pareno and Eddie Garcia among others. To date, the actor has

more than 120 film and TV credits to his name as well as numerous accolades including a Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actor for the 1977 musical drama “Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping?” Legaspi also portrayed former mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte in the 1992 film “Pugoy Hostage: Davao.” Legaspi’s was most recently seen on GMA Network’s afternoon soap “My Special Tatay” and ABSCBN’s “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” Legaspi is survived by sons Zoren, Brandon, and Kier Legaspi who followed his footsteps in acting. As of this writing, the family is holding their patriarch’s wake at Loyola Memorial Funeral Homes in Marikina City and had yet to release a statement on details of interment.

issues: You’re not alone By kRissy aguilaR Inquirer.net

Lito Legaspi

Inquirer.net photo

Khalil & Gabbi make...

PAGE 13 a Star Magic talent of ABSCBN while Gabbi is part of the stable of talents of GMA Artist Center. Gabbi said she does not meddle in his work in the same way her boyfriend gives her space and allows her to make decisions for her career. “I don’t like seeing him in the same building doing the same work as mine and it’s good that every time we see each other, we always have stories to tell, new things to talk about,” said Gabbi. “Mas naging blessing pa because we are able to balance things well kaya mas okey na we don’t get to see each other every day,” added Khalil. They finally got to work together as lead stars in LSS (Last Song Syndrome) produced by Quark Henares’ film outfit Globe Studios under the direction of Jade Castro. The film is one of the entries to this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) that is set to begin on Sept. 13, coinciding with the celebration of the Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema. “It was hard to begin with,” said the 23-year-old actor of working with Gabbi for the first time in a movie, and added, “At the start, we had difficulty in the scene where we were supposed to be strangers. We’re not sure

if our chemistry is effective on screen so we kept on asking direk Jade if okay ba.” “But along the way,” Gabbi added, “we’ve seen the advantage of working together kasi nagkatulungan kami like we’re comfortable. You know, we don’t have to break the ice when it comes to doing scenes together.” It can be recalled that the two previously collaborated on Gabbi’s music video for her song All I Need which Khalil directed. Their relationship, both agreed, inspires them to improve as actors and individuals. “Siguro sa akin, the way I think about things, the way my mindset changed is because of Khalil. The way kung paano ko tingnan yung pamilya ko; my work kasi dati I would work because this is my job. Now, I work because this is my passion. He taught me how to see the bigger picture and he taught me how to balance things,” maintained Gabbi. “I think we found each other at a time when we were both ready to jump (into a relationship) kasi ako I was working on myself, my selfidentity,” Khalil narrated. “I was working on my own mindset so when I met her nag-share kami ng same energy — nag-tulungan kami.” Gabbi continued, “Mostly di ba at our age, some would tell you, it will destroy

you, it will make you lose focus. But for us, it has been the other way around because it (relationship) helps us individually.” They do not put restrictions on each other. Khalil believes in Gabbi’s artistry and as much as possible, he would like her to grow her passion as an artist “in the same way that I’m growing mine. So, I really wanted to influence her to explore more, widen her scope as an actor and go for versatility. I don’t want to be a hindrance to what she wants. If she wants to do a project outside of her comfort zone then, go.” Gabbi, on the other hand, revealed that Khalil often gets the impression of being too serious “because he seldom shows his weird side. (But) he’s a funny guy.” Asked if LSS is their love story, Khalil said it shares some similarities to real life. Like their characters, they are both into music. “I guess, it’s our love for music. We are big music fans. We love OPM and in the story, music leads us to fall in love with each other.” LSS also features the hits of Ben&Ben, whose band members are the twins Paolo and Miguel Guico, Poch Barretto, Jam Villanueva, Agnes Reoma, Patricia Lasten, Toni Munoz, Andrew de Pano and Keifer Cabugao.

On Wednesday, September 11, a day after World Suicide Prevention Day, singer and dancer Gab Valenciano reminded those going through mental or emotional issues that there were people willing to listen to them. “World Suicide Prevention Day isn’t just a day where we celebrate victories of those who have survived, instead, it is an awareness day where we magnify the importance and significance of how to deal with this growing epidemic,” Valenciano wrote in an Instagram post. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) recognize every Sept. 10 as the World Suicide Prevention Day, aimed at raising awareness on suicide prevention. Valenciano also expressed alarm of the increasing cas-

Gab Valenciano

Photo from Instagram/@gabvalenciano

es of suicide every day: “As of today, one person dies every forty seconds by suicide. That is not a good statistic at all.” “I would have been part of that statistic, twice, if not for the grace of God and love for my family and friends,” he said. Because of this, Valenciano felt like he had a calling to “reach out and help as many people as I can who are struggling with mental health issues, through empathy and compassion.” “Please everyone, there

are people willing to listen and help. It doesn’t need to end this way. The only way to battle this is to fight together so fight with us,” Valenciano said. He continued: “Surround yourself with the right people and feed your soul with the right content. You can do this. Stay alive, my dear friends. You are enough and you are worth it.” Valenciano earlier revealed hitting “rock bottom” in 2018 and described it as “the darkest and most painful” time of his life.

Fil-Ams rock at the US Open...

PAGE 14 she has won 2 Wimbledon championships.” Then there are also his moments with basketball superstar Kobe Bryant, last year’s women’s champ Naomi Osaka and his idol Federer. Bryant went to the USTA Tennis Center in Flushing to promote his book “Legacy and the Queen”. So how did he prepare for this gig? “Me and my parents, we think about the questions ahead of time. I need to be ready,” he quipped. And for the lessons and nuggets of wisdom he learned, he said he was able to overcome some of his shyness. “They told me never to be afraid of the camera. I get scared sometimes,” he shared. Andre dreams to become a professional tennis player himself, which is why he plans to use this experience at the US Open to inspire himself further. Add to that the regular practice sessions, about four hours a day, at the No Quit Tennis Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. Andre is currently in the

sixth grade and he is homeschooled by his parents Eric and Ana. “We support him all the way and this is really his passion,” his parents said. “Hanggang gusto niya, mahirap kasi pag pinipilit. But it’s really his dream.” JAGMAC at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day They’re called JAGMAC and they were dubbed as Radio Disney’s NBT or ‘Next Big Thing’ last year. Among the previous ‘Next Big Thing’ alumni are Shawn Mendes, Camilla Cabello, Fifth Harmony and Alessia Cara, who are now among the biggest names in the music industry. The six sibling FilipinoPolish American group from Baltimore was among the Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day performers this year. JAGMAC is an acronym from the first letter of the four brothers and two sisters’ names: Jared, Angelique, Gabriel, Manjo, Alyssa and CJ. The Patalinghug siblings were all born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and are known for their catchy choruses, stunning vocals and remarkable dance routines. They sing, dance, co-

write all their songs, choreograph their own moves and play musical instruments including the guitar, piano, bass and drums. Every member of the group also holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and are world champions in Eskrima, a Filipino martial art. Born half-Filipino and half-Polish to parents Carlos and Alicia, the members of JAGMAC grew up in Baltimore’s Brooklyn neighborhood. According to Baltimore Sun, their father gave each sibling the same two life requirements early on: “I told each of them — you have to go to church on Sunday and get your black belt,” said Carlos Patalinghug, who owns and teaches at the martial arts training center Kick Connection in Pasadena. “Still not over about what happened this weekend at the US Open,” the group posted on their Instagram account. “Last year, we were talking to each other about how we wanted to perform inside the stadium, and now, we opened up the US Open! Words cannot express how grateful we are.”

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september 13-19, 2019 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerseY AsIAN JOUrNAL

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