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s e Pt em ber 27-O ctO b er 3, 2019 Volume 12 - No. 49 • 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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Palace: Duterte won’t allow Chinese assault on Philippine sovereignty Justice Antonio Carpio’s claim that China would reclaim PanaPhilstar.com tag (scarborough) shoal bemANILA — malacañang fore President rodrigo Duterte on thursday, september 26, steps down as it stressed that dismissed as “speculation” su- the chief executive wouldn’t preme Court senior Associate permit any assault on Philipby Alexis
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DATELINE
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from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
pine sovereignty. Carpio, an outspoken critic of Duterte’s policy on China, has warned that Beijing might try to build islands in Panatag shoal within three years.
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Duterte to evaluate suspension of foreign aid order - Palace by Ritchel
menDiolA AJPress
RICHEST FILIPINOS. Former Senate President Manny Villar remains the richest man in the Philippines, but his fortune is still eclipsed collectively by the children of the mall magnate that used to hold the title, according to Forbes.com. The children of late tycoon Henry Sy are together worth $17.2 billion, according to Forbes’ “Philippines’ 50 Richest.” Villar, however, tops the list in terms of individual wealth, with an estimated worth of $6.6 billion. This was over a billion dollars higher than an earlier estimate released by Forbes in March this year, which put the former lawmaker’s fortune at $5.5 billion. Infographic courtesy of Philstar.com
SECOND GENERATION OF BILLIONAIRES EMERGE
PresIDeNtIAL spokesperson salvador Panelo on tuesday, september 24, said President rodrigo Duterte will evaluate his directive suspending aid agreements with countries in favor of the Iceland-led resolution seeking a probe into the Philippines’ war on by DoRis DumlAo-AbADillA Inquirer.net illegal drugs. this is after the defense department made mANILA–the sy siblings an appeal to exempt military deals from remain the wealthiest family Duterte’s memorandum. in this part of the world, with u PAGE 4 a combined net worth of $17.2 billion coming from their market-leading property, banking and retailing businesses, based Fil-Am federal prosecutor Patrick J. Bumatay on forbes magazine’s “2019 Department of Justice photo forbes Philippines rich.” the second generation sys by Ritchel menDiolA made it to the list for the first AJPress time this year, replacing their father henry sy sr., as the PhILIPPINe fast food giant Jollibee foods new No. 1, a position which Corp. (JfC) has completed its $350-million the late sm group patriarch acquisition of American beverage and food held for 11 consecutive years. retailer Coffee Bean and tea Leaf (CBtL), the six sy siblings are teresita marking it as the company’s largest acquisi- (sy-Coson), elizabeth, henry PresIDeNtIAL spokesperson salvador Pan- tion to date. “Big Boy” Jr., hans, herbert elo on tuesday, september 24, said President Jollibee on tuesday, september 24, disclosed and harley. rodrigo Duterte will evaluate his directive sus- to the Philippine stock exchange (Pse) that it the ty siblings of Gt Capital pending aid agreements with countries in favor has completed all the necessary closing condi— Arthur, Alfred, Alesandra of the Iceland-led resolution seeking a probe tions for the deal, including government apand Anjanette — also entered into the Philippines’ war on illegal drugs. provals, provided by the purchase agreement. the list at No. 9 with a comu PAGE 4 u PAGE 2 bined net worth of $2.6 billion.
Sy siblings on top of Forbes PH richest list
Trump nominates Fil-Am attorney to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for second time
Jollibee completes Coffee Bean acquisition
Hans Sy and Henry Sy Jr.
they succeeded their father George ty, who built Gt into a major conglomerate with interests in automotive, banking, insurance, power generation and real estate. Based on the list, which can be found at www.forbes.com/ philippines and in the october issue of forbes Asia, the top 10
Inquirer.net photo
richest in the Philippines are: 1) sy siblings; Us$17.2 billion 2) manuel Villar; $6.6 billion 3) John Gokongwei, Jr.; $5.3 billion 4) enrique razon, Jr.; $5.1 billion
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Sy siblings on top of Forbes PH... PAGE 1
5) Jaime Zobel de Ayala; $3.7 billion 6) Lucio Tan; $3.6 billion 7) Tony Tan Caktiong; $3 billion 8) Ramon Ang; $2.8 billion 9) Ty siblings; $2.6 billion 10) Andrew Tan; $2.55 billion. In a press statement on Thursday, Forbes Magazine said another new listee and second generation successors, the Campos siblings — Jocelyn, Joselito and Jeffrey — debuted on the list at No. 23, replacing their late family matriarch Beatrice Campos.
Their combined net worth of $650 million comes from the country’s pharmaceutical giant Unilab. Jocelyn, the eldest of the three, now chairs the company cofounded by their late father Jose Campos. The Sy, Ty and Campos siblings are among the six newcomers on the list which also included three self-made entrepreneurs. The list also includes Davaobased logistics and energy tycoon Dennis Uy who made the list after net assets of his Udenna group rose 28 percent in 2018. Uy, who has been one of the most acquisitive
important player in the large, fast-growing, and profitable coffee business. “[It will] bring JFC closer to its vision to be one of the top 5 restaurant companies in the world in terms of market capitalization,” the company remarked. CBTL ended August 31 with 1,180 outlets, 336 of which are company-owned while 844 are franchised. Of these, 288
From the Front Page
businessmen in town since 2016, leads the consortium that bagged the slot for the third telecom provider in the country. Delfin Wenceslao (No. 25) made his debut with a net worth of $500 million after taking real estate developer D.M. Wenceslao & Associates public in June 2018. Antonio Lee Tiu, also a firsttimer, is ranked No. 49 with a net worth of $135 million as shares of AgriNurture, the agri-products company he founded 22 years ago, rose steadily over the past three years. n
Jollibee completes Coffee Bean... PAGE 1 CBTL will be the company’s second largest business after Jollibee. It will add 14 percent to Jollibee’s global sales and 26 percent to its total store network. It will also boost the share of Jollibee’s international business to 36 percent of worldwide sales. According to Jollibee, the CBTL acquisition will enable the company to become an
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are in the US, 439 in Southeast Asia (Philippines 150, Indonesia 88, Malaysia 100, Singapore 65), 301 in East Asia (South Korea 290), 152 in the Middle East and other parts of Asia (Kuwait 36, Qatar 28, Saudi Arabia 16, Egypt 13, India 25). In 2018, CBTL booked a net loss of $21.38 million. Jollibee aims to turn its fortunes around in 12 to 18 months. n
SENATE TAKES UP BUDGETS. Sen. Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate finance committee, confers with Majority Leader Migz Zubiri during the continuing budget deliberations on the proposed 2020 budgets of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLA), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), National Security Council (NSC), Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Thursday, September 26. Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo
Palace: Duterte won’t allow... PAGE 1 He said China would push for the signing of a code of conduct for South China Sea claimants after it reclaims the shoal because such code would stop the building of anything in the area, thereby legitimizing whatever they built there. The magistrate said the Chinese would be emboldened to undertake such reclamation because of Duterte’s admission that he could not stop them from building structures in the shoal. But presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said nobody could say for certain the plans of the Chinese government with regard to the maritime row. “Can you read the mind of the Chinese government? We don’t know,” Panelo said in a press briefing. “My fraternity brod who is a justice, he is very fond of engaging in speculations,” he added. Panelo and Carpio are members of the Sigma Rho fraternity in the University of the Philippines Law. Panelo said the administration would continue to oppose any intrusion into the Philippines’ sovereign affairs. “Definitely, just like what the president said, I will not allow during my incumbency any assault on our sovereignty. That arbitral ruling is final, binding and not subject to appeal. That’s what he said,” Panelo said. “Anything that will go against the arbitral ruling would be of course objectionable for us, I think that’s a given. Because
In this Oct. 20, 2016 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte is accompanied by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his arrival at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Malacañang photo by Toto Lozano
we are against any intrusion into the sovereign affairs of the land,” he added. In 2016, a United Nationsbacked arbitral tribunal based in Hague ruled that China’s expansive maritime claim in the South China Sea has no legal basis. The ruling also upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its 200nautical mile exclusive economic zone. While Panatag Shoial is within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, the tribunal ruled that Filipino and Chinese fishermen from the Philippines and China had traditional fishing rights at the area. The court said China had interfered with the fishing rights by restricting access to
the shoal. Asked if the Philippines can stop China from proceeding with a reclamation, Panelo replied: “We can always try.” “We will—the usual, we have to file a diplomatic protest,” he added. Panelo expressed hope that there would be significant developments in the crafting of a binding code of conduct for South China Sea claimants during this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit next month. “Considering that even the President of China has agreed with the President that there is a need for stability and peace of the region, there must be a Code of Conduct,” he added. n
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Family searching for Fil-Am trans woman LA’s Historic Filipinotown dubbed one of the ‘coolest’ neighborhoods in the world who went missing at Dallas airport Time Out magazine highlights Filipino cuisine option in by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
A FILIPINO American family is searching for their loved one who reportedly went missing on Saturday, September 14 during a layover at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Pauline “Paula” Del Mundo, a 59-year-old transgender woman, was last heard that Saturday while transferring airlines en reroute to Cozumel, Mexico from Tampa, Florida. She never took her connecting flight on American Airlines, and reportedly expressed hesitance to taking the flight. Now the family is asking the public for help in locating their loved one.
“It was such a nightmare for our entire family because she [is] the kind of person who is bubbly and loves her trips documented,” Yolanda Del Mundo, Paula’s older sister, said in an email sent to the Asian Journal. “Unfortunately we never heard from her since then.” The older sister noted that Del Mundo “was half-hearted to leave” according to her last text messages. The family is also concerned for Del Mundo’s mental health since “she was on the verge of desperation and we are so worried.” Yolanda Del Mundo then flew to Dallas from New York City on Friday, September 20 to look for Del Mundo with the help of local law enforcement.
Pauline “Paula” Del Mundo
According to Yolanda Del Mundo, DFW police under the Department of Public Safety is currently investigating the case and working with law enforcement in Tampa, Florida where Del Mundo lives. Del Mundo is a naturalized Filipina American federal employee with a medium build and height of 5’6”. She has long brown hair and brown eyes, and may also be using the name Paulino. She speaks English. Anyone who may have information about her whereabouts are urged to contact the DFW’s Department of Public Safety at (972) 973-3434, Dallas police at (214) 671-4268 or the Philippine Consulate in Houston at (346) 256-4522. n
one of LA’s up-and-coming areas
by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
IN the last two decades, Angelenos have lamented gentrification’s impact on the erasure of the historic local color that has raised rents and kicked out residents who’ve lived in certain neighborhoods for decades. Among the neighborhoods on the cusp of that societal transformation is Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown, which seems to be reforming that jaundiced take of gentrification in a non-generic way that actually embraces the local culture. So it’s really no surprise that this week, the global culture and lifestyle magazine Time Out released a list of the 50 coolest neighborhoods in the world and named Historic Filipinotown No. 5 on the list. With its official designation in 2002 by then-Councilmember Eric Garcetti, Historic Filipinotown — nicknamed HiFi — was the first official geographic locale outside of the Philippines honoring the Filipino community. It exists within the section of Echo Park south of the 101 Freeway, which was the hub for Fili-
“Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana (Filipino Americans: A Glorious History, A Golden Legacy),” the mural by Filipino American artist Eliseo Silva at Unidad Park in Historic Filipinotown. AJPress file photo
pino immigrants in the early 1900s. Time Out highlights the growing food scene of Historic Filipinotown which “reflects L.A. as its best: a convergence of cultures.” Along Temple Avenue are remnants of the historic Filipino American sensibility of the area: beloved traditional Filipino restaurants that host karaoke like Bahay Kubo and Chibogs and modern Filipino fusion joints like Park’s Finest and Tribal Cafe line the thoroughfare. On Beverly Boulevard, longtime local favorite Little Ongpin serves classic Filipino flavors and sits across from the hip HiFi Kitchen,
which serves up vegan takes on Filipino cuisine. And it’s not just Filipino businesses that make up Historic Filipinotown’s vibrant landscape. Time Out also praises Woon, the new Chinese restaurant that blends authenticity and innovation and Bloom & Plume Coffee which celebrates black art. In the extensive list, Time Out remarked that Historic Filipinotown “is still in the early stages of its rise” but that “HiFi is a spirit as much as an area, a place that feels refreshing and honest in a Los Angeles landscape that is quickly becoming over-funded and monotonous.” n
Contributed photos
Duterte to evaluate suspension of foreign aid... Trump nominates Fil-Am attorney to 9th... PAGE 1
“The president is a very reasonable man. If it involves national security, he might. I do not know yet, we have to wait for his thoughts on the matter,” said Panelo at a press briefing. “We will wait for the... evaluation of the secretary of national defense... I’m certain the president will evaluate it,” he added. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday, September 24, pointed out that Duterte’s order does not cover buying of key defense equipment from any particular state, as it is only for grants and loans. He maintained that the defense department will abide by the president’s order but said he will request for an exemption for loans pertaining to defense contracts. “We are going to request for an exemption because we really need to transact business with other countries,”
Lorenzana said at a forum of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding in Mandaluyong City. “We are now in the process of talking with the Australians about the building of our six offshore patrol vessels. We’re going to buy that. I will talk again with the higher ups on how we can go around the directive of the president. But we will follow the directive,” he added. In July, Iceland filed a resolution calling on rights chief Michelle Bachelet to investigate the human rights situation and prepare a comprehensive report to be presented before the United Nations Human Rights Council. The 18 countries who voted favorably for the resolution calling for a “comprehensive report” on the human rights situation in the Philippines were Argentina, Australia, Austria Bahamas, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Ita-
ly, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Uruguay. The 14 countries who opposed were Angola, Bahrain, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Hungary, India, Iraq, Qatar, the Philippines, Somalia and Saudi Arabia, while the 15 others that abstained from voting were Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Japan, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and Tunisia. In light of the administrations’ strong rejection of the resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Malacañang issued last August 27 the memorandum directing agencies to suspend negotiations for and signing of all loan grant agreements with the governments of countries that co-sponsored and voted in favor of the resolution. n
PAGE 1 This is after the defense department made an appeal to exempt military deals from Duterte’s memorandum. “The president is a very reasonable man. If it involves national security, he might. I do not know yet, we have to wait for his thoughts on the matter,” said Panelo at a press briefing. “We will wait for the... evaluation of the secretary of national defense... I’m certain the president will evaluate it,” he added. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday, September 24, pointed out that Duterte’s order does not cover buying of key defense equipment from any particular state, as it is only for grants and loans. He maintained that the defense department will abide by the president’s order but said he will request for an exemption for loans pertaining to defense contracts. “We are going to request
for an exemption because we really need to transact business with other countries,” Lorenzana said at a forum of the Association for PhilippineChina Understanding in Mandaluyong City. “We are now in the process of talking with the Australians about the building of our six offshore patrol vessels. We’re going to buy that. I will talk again with the higher ups on how we can go around the directive of the president. But we will follow the directive,” he added. In July, Iceland filed a resolution calling on rights chief Michelle Bachelet to investigate the human rights situation and prepare a comprehensive report to be presented before the United Nations Human Rights Council. The 18 countries who voted favorably for the resolution calling for a “comprehensive report” on the human rights situation in the Philippines were Argentina, Australia, Austria Bahamas, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Uruguay. The 14 countries who opposed were Angola, Bahrain, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Hungary, India, Iraq, Qatar, the Philippines, Somalia and Saudi Arabia, while the 15 others that abstained from voting were Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Japan, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and Tunisia. In light of the administrations’ strong rejection of the resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Malacañang issued last August 27 the memorandum directing agencies to suspend negotiations for and signing of all loan grant agreements with the governments of countries that co-sponsored and voted in favor of the resolution. (AJPress)
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Features
OpiniOn
Coastal cleanup AS the country marked the 47th anniversary of the declaration of martial law last Saturday, September 21, about 20,000 people gathered around Manila Bay for a different type of observance: International Coastal Cleanup or ICC Day. The special day is now seen as the world’s most extensive volunteer effort to promote ocean health, with over 100 countries participating. The Philippines has been among the most active participants in the event, which was started in 1986 by the U.S.-based environmental group Ocean Conservancy. This is due in part to the fact that the country, with its extensive coastline, is also among the most threatened by rising ocean temperatures and sea levels. Beyond the annual observance, the Philippine government continues its cleanup of Boracay. In Metro Manila, about 10,000 people participated in the launch on Jan. 27 this year of the government’s ambitious program to clean up Manila Bay, including the rivers and other waterways that drain into the bay. During every ICC observance, tons of gar-
bage are collected from Manila Bay. This indicates that the clean-up effort isn’t trickling down to communities around the bay and the waterways that flow into it. Encouraging such communities to clean up should be the job of local government units, starting with barangay offices. In Metro Manila and other urban areas facing the sea, this task often goes handin-hand with governance in informal settlements. The so-called Battle for a Trash-Free Manila Bay must include a program to deal with the slum communities that use the bay and waterways as their septic tank and garbage receptacle. Garbage piles up even in waterways that run through communities where there are no squatters. Local governments must intensify efforts to enforce ordinances on proper garbage disposal. Garbage collection must also be enhanced, with recycling and segregation encouraged. Ordinances against littering strategic spots and the trash collected regumust be enforced, with violators apprehended larly. People litter because they can’t find a and appropriate penalties imposed. Alongside place to put their trash. this, garbage receptacles must be installed at Outside the cities, there are areas that are
Editorial
The youth takes charge of the adults’ denial, apathy and inaction on the climate crisis threatening life on earth
The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS HISTORY has again and again documented how the youth has been the driving force of change in society through many generations in different parts of the world. The youth and young adults ignited the spirit of the French Revolution that overthrew the abusive monarchy and established a republic in France. The youth and young adults were the force behind the civil rights movement that challenged racism, pushed forward
voter rights and civil rights legislation in America. The youth and young adults were a strong force in the bloodless People Power Revolution that ousted the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines. These are but some of the many other chapters in world history where the youth’s idealism, boldness, and uncorrupted spirit pushed for the change that the complacent, self-serving, power-driven and money talking adults refuse to respond to the call and the urgency of the times so as not to
rock the status quo. Just recently, we have seen how the students from Parkland, Florida who faced a tragic shooting at their high school in February 2018 spearheaded a movement that demands gun control legislation and came up with the “Peace Plan” to put an end to gun violence and mass shooting in America, all because the adults of the country — especially the current occupant of the White House and the Republican leadership have nothing to ofPAGE 10
Philstar.com photo
facing the risk of becoming another Boracay before the cleanup. With a clear plan and political will to carry it out, it’s possible to clean up coastal areas. (Philstar.com)
Basic governance
Demand and Supply Boo ChanCo MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno said in so many words to hold the praises because he has really done nothing yet ot her than basic governance. The problem with us, the mayor said, is that we have gotten used to corruption and inefficiency as normal. “So, when I start doing what is expected of a mayor, it is abnormal.” I met the mayor for the first time last week when he spoke before the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF).
I have covered all sorts of politicians and officials in my journalism career, but I have yet to figure out who Mayor Isko Moreno really is. Those who know him tell me “what you see is what you get.” Few politicians are like that. He served as Manila councilor for nine years and then as vice mayor. But he had the initiative to attend governance courses at the Kennedy School in Harvard and then in Oxford. That only shows he sees more in public office than making it a family business. He started poor… knew hunger in his youth… lived in a garbage… then got a break
in showbiz. If lots of money is all he wanted, he could have remained in showbiz. He seems strongly motivated to show the world that poor boys can aspire for anything in life and achieve it. The young Manila mayor caught the people’s attention the day after he was sworn into office. Over the next two months and a half, he has done more than his predecessor who had two terms at city hall. Indeed, the mayor provided a bright spot of hope at a time when many Filipinos have given up on their public officials. People wonder if he is PAGE 10
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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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 27-OctObER 3, 2019
Dateline PhiliPPines
De Lima calls AFP deal with China-backed telco a ‘Trojan Horse’ by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
INCREASING SIN TAXES. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Sen. Pia Cayetano holds a press conference with Finance Undersecretary Karl Chua and Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo on Senate Bill No. 1074, seeking to increase excise taxes on alcohol, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products (HTPs). Senate photo
Survey: Majority of Filipinos still satisfied with anti-drug campaign by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
FILIPINOS remain satisfied with President Rodrigo Duterte’s three-year war on illegal drugs, a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed. The poll, conducted from June 22 to 26, found 82% of adult Filipinos satisfied with the government’s anti-narcotics campaign. Those dissatisfied accounted for 12% and 6% were undecided — resulting in a net satisfaction score of “excellent” +70. According to SWS, the net satisfaction of the anti-illegal drugs campaign has always been either “very good” or “excellent” in the past 11 survey rounds with the highest rating recorded in December 2016 at “excellent” +77.
The pollster also noted that the main reason why 82% of Filipinos across the country are satisfied with the war on drugs is because of the reduction of drug suspects in their local communities. The undecided respondents, meanwhile, claimed that the drug trade and drug suspects are still prevalent. Those who are dissatisfied, SWS noted, were the same group who recently gave Duterte lower net satisfaction rating. The June 2019 survey also revealed that net satisfaction with the performance of Duterte was excellent +76. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the poll showed that the international community has a warped understanding of what was happening in the country.
“If it’s true that there are human rights violations, then the people of this country will rise against this administration,” Panelo said Monday, Sept. 23. “It’s not true that policemen just kill at will, they cannot do that,” he added. The survey was conducted by SWS using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao). Since Duterte took office in July 2016, government data has claimed that at least 6,600 people have been killed in the anti-illegal drug operations. n
‘Drug queen’ named, but out of the Philippines by non
alquitRan Philstar.com
MANILA — Police are building a case against a former barangay captain accused of reselling or recycling illegal drugs seized in law enforcement operations with the help of rogue cops. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said corrupt policemen have been selling shabu worth P16.6 million daily in cahoots with Guia Gomez Castro, tagged as the drug queen of Sampaloc, Manila where the University Belt is located. PAGE 8
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar holds a sachet of shabu following a raid on a drug den in Pasig City in this file photo. Eleazar said they are building a case against a former barangay captain responsible for reselling seized illegal drugs with the help of rogue cops. Manila’s alleged drug queen, identified as Guia Gomez Castro, is seen in this political streamer (inset) taken several years ago in Sampaloc, Manila. Philstar.com photo by Miguel de Guzman
“TROJAN Horse.” That’s what opposition senator Leila De Lima on Friday, September 20, called the signed agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and China-led Mislatel Consortium, now called Dito Telecommunity. “Any time now, this Trojan Horse will be knocking on the gates of different facilities and expose our other vulnerabilities,” she said in a statement, warning the government that the deal may pose a threat to the country’s national security. The AFP on September 11 signed an agreement with Dito Telecommunity that allows the telco to put up its communication equipment and facilities inside military camps and military communication sites. However, Defense Secretary
Delfin Lorenzana on September 16 said he was unaware of the agreement at the time it was signed. Dito Telecommunity being composed of a consortium with Chinese governmentcontrolled China Telecom has drawn worries and criticism that China may use the deal for espionage. Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 137 seeking to investigate the national security implications of the deal between AFP and Mislatel. De Lima expressed her support for Hontiveros’ resolution and called on the Congress to exercise its oversight function into the controversial deal. “Congress needs to assert its oversight function and look into this MOA between the AFP and Mislatel Consortium. I fully support Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ Senate Resolution to look into the agree-
ment as our sovereignty is already in a compromising position,” she said. “Our national security is at stake in this agreement,” she added. According to De Lima, the AFP’s deal with Mislatel was tantamount to treachery “in the same league as President Rodrigo Duterte’s setting aside our claim over the West Philippine Sea and his entering into onerous deals with the Chinese government.” “Since the start of the Duterte administration, the public remains in the dark over the deals the government has been making with China. We do not know what the exact consequences of these deals are,” she pointed out. “We just might wake up one day with our sovereignty totally stripped off our nation, all because of the deals President Duterte made with China,” De Lima added. n
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Amended law now includes protection of sources for broadcast, online media by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
BROADCAST and online journalists are now covered by a bill protecting journalists from being forced to disclose their sources. According to a copy of the measure made public by Malacañang on Wednesday, September 25, Republic Act (RA) No. 11458, an amendment to RA No. 53 or the Sotto law, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 30. The Sotto Law only used to cover print journalists from being compelled to reveal their sources, unless the court or Congress determines that disclosure is demanded by the security of the state. Under the new law, any media practitioner from television, radio, online, and wire service news organizations can now protect their confidential sources. “Without prejudice to his liability under the civil and criminal laws, any publisher, owner, or duly recognized or accredited journalist, writer, reporter, contributor, opin-
ion writer, editor, columnist, manager, media practitioner involved in the writing, editing, production, and dissemination of news for mass circulation, of any print, broadcast, wire service organization, or electronic mass media, including cable TV and its variants, cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news items, report or information appearing or being reported or disseminated through said media, which was related in confidence to the abovementioned media practitioners unless the court or the House of Representatives or the Senate or any committee of Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State,” the amended law read. According to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, the grandson of the late Senator Vicente Yap Sotto who was the main author of the Press Freedom Law, Duterte signing the measure “is proof that this government will never waver from its responsibility to protect journalists from legal and security threats.” He also thanked Duterte
for acknowledging the law’s significance. “I have always been and will always be a strong advocate of the freedom of information and an avid guardian of the rights that our journalists justly deserve,” Sotto said Wednesday. He also noted that the Philippine media would “always thrive in the freedoms that our forefathers have sought and successfully won to ensure democracy in our country.” Sotto was the one who introduced the Senate measure to expand the original law, saying the expansion was necessary as advances in technology had also expanded the coverage of mass media. Sen. Grace Poe, who sponsored the measure in the previous Congress, welcomed the enactment of the measure. “The freedom of the press and the right of the public to know are fortified when the media is able to gather and report news unimpaired and unafraid,” she said, noting that anonymous sources have played important roles in exposing anomalies and corruption. n
‘Drug queen’ named, but out of...
Lombard By The Bay is a joint venture development project between Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate and Development Corp. and Omnicor Industrial Estate & Realty Center, Inc.
PAGE 7 Castro, former captain of Barangay 484, Zone 48, is allegedly being protected by the so-called “ninja” police officers and other politicians. “We are coordinating with various courts in Metro Manila where she was charged with drug offenses, prior to working for her extradition for her to answer for her misdeeds. We want to lock her up behind bars,” said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed yesterday that Castro left the country last Sept. 21 on a Cebu Pacific flight for Bangkok, Thailand, just days after arriving in the Philippines from Vancouver, Canada on Sept. 18. BI spokesman Dana Sandoval said immigration personnel did not flag Castro before she left the country due to the lack of derogatory record. Eleazar said Castro’s involvement in the illegal drug trade has been an “open secret” in Manila but was only confirmed after her cousin, Porferio Pementera, was arrested in April this year and his wife Ivy Rose in February last year. Police said Castro was in cahoots with 16 police offi-
cers in recycling drugs. Nine of these lawmen have been killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen. “We are studying if the drug queen is responsible for the purging of some of the involved cops,” Eleazar said. Meanwhile, the rest of Castro’s ninja cops are already retired, dismissed or went on absence without leave. One of these cops, identified as Cpl. Jolly Aliangan, was arrested and detained by the National Bureau of Investigation in a previous operation. The Metro Manila police chief said they were keen on having Castro extradited to the country to face charges. Castro allegedly owns several high-rise buildings in her neighborhood and several places in Manila and Eleazar claimed they are gathering evidence that these were “fruits of her crime” so the government could sequester them. Sources told The Star that Castro ran for councilor in the 4th district of Manila in the 2016 elections but lost. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, however, clarified yesterday that Castro is no longer chair of Barangay 484 – a post she just won last May. “She was elected in the last
elections, but in April to June this year, she applied for a leave of absence from her office,” Moreno said, stressing that she has not returned to her office since, which prompted the barangay council to approve a resolution removing her from the post. The number one barangay board member assumed her post, per the rules on succession. Eleazar said the Philippine National Police (PNP) was also continuously monitoring the activities of 22 more policemen involved in drug recycling, five of whom were assigned in Metro Manila. A total of 854 police officers are under the government’s drugs watchlist, according to PDEA. Of the number, 372 are still in active service, including at least 22 ninja cops. The Senate on Tuesday voted to authorize the Blue Ribbon and justice committees to lift the secrecy over the information divulged by Baguio City Mayor Benjaminn Magalong last week to senators in executive session. The vote meant, among others, that the committees can provide Duterte the information given confidentially by Magalong and other witnesses. n
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WHO: Philippines remains polio-free THE Philippines has not yet lost its polio-free status despite having two cases of the highly contagious disease, the World Health Organization stressed on Wednesday, September 25. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, acting WHO representative in the Philippines, explained that a country remains polio-free if no new case of wild poliovirus has been reported. “The Philippines continues to remain polio free... The occurrence of the vaccine derived polio cases does not constitute the fact that you have lost your polio-free status,” Abeyansinghe said in a press briefing. The last case of wild poliovirus is the Philippines was reported in 1993. WHO declared the country-polio free in 2000. Only Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries where the wild poliovirus has not been eradicated. “Vaccine derived polio is not unique,” Abeyansinghe said,
citing outbreaks in Papua New Guinea, China and Laos. In the Philippines, there are reported two cases of polio—a three-year-old-girl from Lanao del Sur and a five-year-old boy from Laguna. Both cases were caused by the vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2. In 2015, WHO certified that type 2 virus has been eliminated around the world so this strain was removed in the oral polio vaccine. The acting WHO representatives in the Philippines stressed that the transmission of vaccinederived polio usually happens when the vaccine coverage in an area is inadequate. The oral polio vaccine coverage in the Philippines for three doses is only around 66%—way below the target of 95%. The coverage of the injectable vaccine is even lower at only about 40%. He also pointed out that while the Dengvaxia contro-
versy has contributed to the low vaccine coverage, it is not the only factor that gave rise to the low immunization rates in the country. “Vaccine coverage for polio was around 70% even before the Dengvaxia issue happened. The Philippines has been at high risk for the emergence of such situation. It’s critically important that we ensure that all children have access to vaccines on a regular basis,” Abeyansinghe said. Polio is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children. The virus is transmitted by person-toperson spread mainly through the fecal-oral route. Initial symptoms of the disease include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs. Polio can cause paralysis, which is often permanent, in a small proportion of cases. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)
PAGE 5 for real, or if he can keep this up. The mayor seems amused at all the attention. “I just do what I am supposed to do under the law,” he said, “I am just doing basic governance.” He cited the example of rampant rumbles involving young people in the depressed areas of the city. He used a long existing city ordinance that penalized parents of children caught in the streets. He imposed a curfew for children from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Overnight, there was peace and order. As for clearing the streets of Divisoria, he said he simply talked to the organizers in the language of one who grew up in Tondo and they understood. The streets were clean the day after his deadline. The mayor joked that the eminent business people in the audience are in the wrong careers. If they want oodles of money, they should just be mayor of Manila… he was offered P5 million a day to look the other way in Divisoria. He rejected it and insisted that they give the streets back to the people. The mayor manages by wandering around. He wanders around at odd hours of the day and night. No city official or even police officer is safe if he finds something wrong in their areas. The mayor said his idol in governance is the late Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He has been read-
ing a lot about LKY and tries to apply lessons learned. He also subscribes to the broken window theory used by Mayor Rudy Guilliani in New York City. This is why he is focused on cleaning up the city and asking the private sector to help him revive the historical buildings in Escolta and Binondo. He claims to have a PhD in garbage management because he spent a good part of his youth earning a living in the garbage dumps. He knows what to do about garbage collection, which he said, starts with changing the mindsets of citizens. Hunger is a special concern of the new mayor. So he sought the help of another Tondo boy, Ramon Ang of San Miguel. Last week, the mayor and Mr Ang inaugurated SMC Better World Community food bank and education center in Tondo. The San Miguel feeding program would help students do better in school. “I know what it feels like to come to school starving,” said Moreno. “Hindi lang ako, pati ‘yung mga kaklase ko, medyo slow at hirap ‘pag walang chicha,” he said. San Miguel Foundation’s “Better World Community” will provide daily meals to impoverished kids in Tondo for the next 10 years. They are also planning to build nine other food banks in other depressed areas of Manila. They are working with another volunteer group to help gather food donations from
restaurants and hotels. Ease of doing business is now a reality in the City of Manila, he said, and business permits can be had in a day or two at the latest. He said there is no valid reason to delay. There are those who say the mayor reminds them of Duterte and is his best successor in 2022. But Mayor Isko dismisses the thought. He is focused on proving good governance can change the city for good. But I noticed how he differentiates himself, perhaps subliminally, to Duterte. He says he believes in the rule of law and he intends to stay within the law at all times. No EJKs, no shortcuts. Highly placed sources tell me that Duterte is a fan of the mayor. Duterte likes the spunk and humility of the man. Duterte liked it that when Moreno reportedly asked to be made DSWD Secretary, but it was already promised to someone else, Moreno accepted being undersecretary. “Take a second look again at Manila. Give me a couple of years. Tingnan natin kung sino ang magwawagi - yung nakagisnan o yung luma - yung luma na tama. Kasi what happened to us - yung abnormal naging normal…” Will a basurero be the next tenant of Malacañang? Probably, but he has to prove he can collect Manila’s garbage first and deliver a City of Manila we can be proud of. (Philstar.com)
Basic governance
QATAR VISA CENTER. The government of Qatar inaugurates its Visa Center in the Philippines to facilitate the visa and employment applications of overseas Filipino workers (OFW), during the ceremonial ribbon cutting held at NU Mall of Asia Building in Pasay City on Wednesday, September 25. Leading the activity are Presidential Adviser on OFW Abdullah D. Mama-o (2nd left), and Qatar Ambassador to the Philippines Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki (2nd right). With them are Major General Abdulla Salem Al-Ali (left), Adviser of the Minister of Interior; Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi (right), Director of Visa Support Service Department; Ali Mohammed Al Meer (center, back row), labor expert at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs; and other dignitaries. PNA photo by Ben Briones
The youth takes charge of the adults’ denial...
PAGE 5 fer but “thoughts and prayers” as they remain beholden to the rich and powerful National Rifle Association lobby group for political expediency. This is the same dilemma faced by activists in a more urgent problem that affects not just a state, or a country, or a region of the world. It affects the whole planet earth. It affects all of us living thing. Last Friday, September 20, millions of the youth and young adults in different countries all over the world walked out of their classrooms and work to join a global protest to demand URGENT action on climate change. This was lead by climate activist Greta Thunberg, a 16year old student from Sweden who started this global movement. She happens to be in New York City to speak before the UN General Assembly, after delivering her forceful message to Congress. Greta Thunberg and 15 other young people on Monday, September 23 filed a potentially and hopefully worldchanging climate complaint, announcing that “they’re suing five of the world’s major carbon polluters on the grounds that the countries are violating their rights as children’. The lawsuit, according to Gizmodo report, was filed on behalf of the youth by the international law firm Hausfeld. It contended “that world governments are violating children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The convention drafted in 1989 is the most-signed human rights treaty ever crafted and lays out the inalienable rights of children. They include among others, the right to life, health, and peace, all with special stipulations for
indigenous groups. They’re also all things climate change is upending. There’s ample evidence climate change is already making kids and adults sick, killing them, and uprooting their lives.” With the success of this fight, the UN would then classify the climate crisis as a children’s rights crisis. “And more importantly, it would compel Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, and Turkey—the five countries named in the suit—to work with other nations to forge binding emissions’ reduction targets,” as reported by earthergizmodo. com. Greta was only 15 when she took time off school to demonstrate outside the Swedish parliament, holding up a sign calling for stronger climate action. The power of one exploded to a global movement driven by young people who are afraid about what is happening in our planet and how this will affect their future. “This is all wrong, I shouldn’t be up here,” Thunberg said, addressing the General Assembly and shaking with rage. “I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. You have stolen my dreams, my childhood with your empty words. We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line.” The message isn’t just for the world’s major carbon polluters, but are also directed toward the adults — who, despite the facts and data from scientific research, had not acted urgently enough to solve the climate crisis that has now endangered life on earth as we know it. “We are at the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and
fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” were the strong impassioned messages of Greta on behalf of her generation and the future generations. She continued, “For more than 30 years the science has been crystal clear. How dare you continue to look away and come here and say that you’re doing enough when the politics and solutions needed are still nowhere in sight. You say you hear us and understand the urgency. But no matter how sad and angry I am I do not want to believe that because if you really understood the situation and still kept on failing to act, then you would be evil, and that I refuse to believe.” “There will not be any solutions or plans presented in line with these figures here today, because these numbers are too uncomfortable and you are still not mature enough to tell it like it is,” Thunberg added. “You are failing us. Young people are starting to understand your betrayal. The eyes of all future generations are upon you. If you choose to fail us, I say we will never forgive you. We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line. The world is waking up. Change is coming whether you like it or not.” I AM WITH GRETA. I am fighting for my children and grandchildren and the generations more to come. ARE YOU WITH US? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos. Relos
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COMMUNITY Journal
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Safeguarding your petition, part 2
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
AFTER NEARLY 25 YEARS, THIS FAMILY’S AMERICAN DREAM IS FINALLY REALIZED. Jean (center) was petitioned by her sister in 1994. Life in America had always appealed to Jean and her family. Eventually, in 2013, she came to the U.S. as a tourist with her daughter. The trip was a graduation gift for her daughter who was an honor student. They risked everything and decided to overstay, along with Jean’s husband, Milo (left). When the petition became current, leading U.S. immigration lawyer Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) pursued Adjustment of Status for the family. Based on their eligibility, Jean’s petition was transferred from the Philippines to the U.S., where she and her family was interviewed. Watch how after almost 25 years of waiting, Jean and her family are now living the American Dream with no fear nor worries, on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Ask Alexa for a job at McDonald’s
MCDONAlD’S Corporation is now working with a voice millions know and love. Alexa can now assist with the first step of a McDonald’s restaurant job application, helping drive talent attraction worldwide through the McDonald’s Apply Thru skill. The world’s first voice-initiated application process, the McDonald’s Apply Thru, is available on Wednesday, September 25 as part of the recently launched Made at McDonald’s global hiring campaign that seeks to drive applications worldwide. “We must continue to innovate and think of creative, and in this case, groundbreaking, ways to meet potential job seekers on devices they are already using, like Alexa,” said McDonald’s Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer, David Fairhurst. “Alexa has many of the qualities we look for on our teams — friendly, responsive and fun. I am looking forward to having our application process simplified with Alexa.” Thanks to Alexa, starting a job application is as simple as saying “Alexa, help me get a job at McDonald’s.” Applicants can also use any device with
the Google Assistant built-in by saying, “Ok Google, talk to McDonald’s Apply Thru.” As the Apply Thru is further developed for the Google Assistant, the Action will be activated by simply saying, “Ok Google, help me get a job at McDonald’s.” The voice experience is available on Alexa and Google Assistant devices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. and is expected to roll out to other countries in the coming months. After opening McDonald’s Apply Thru, all users need to jump-start their application process is to answer a few basic questions ranging from their name, job area of interest and location. Potential applicants receive a short text message shortly thereafter
with a link to continue their application process. “Alexa makes life easier, and we’re thrilled to see McDonald’s utilize voice to create a simpler, more convenient job application process for customers,” said Steve Rabuchin, Vice President, Alexa. “With Apply Thru, customers can start the process for a job at their nearest McDonald’s restaurant – all they need to do is ask.” This move is part of the company’s larger Made at McDonald’s campaign, which highlights all the opportunities a first job, parttime job, or lifelong career at McDonald’s can create. A recent survey said more than 128,401 McDonald’s crew members have gone on to become nurses, 489,302 PAGE 13
IN A previous article I discussed some tips, strategy, and suggestions to safeguard your family-based petition. Here are more suggestions and observations: 5. Notify NVC of beneficiary’s marriage or divorce/ annulment. Sometimes, a person is petitioned by their U.S. citizen parent while they are still single, and they later get married. In other cases, a person is petitioned by their U.S. citizen parent when they are married, and their marriage is later terminated by divorce, annulment, or death of their spouse, making them
“single” or unmarried. If there is a change in the beneficiary’s marital status, they should notify the NVC, as there is at least a 12-year difference in the waiting time between married and single children of U.S. citizens. I had one consultation, where the child was petitioned in 2000 as married. However, over the course of time, the marriage was annulled. As a result, the person was now considered unmarried or single. There was still a wait of several additional years if they were still married. However, as a result of the termination of the marriage, the priority date for single children of U.S. citizens was already current. But they were unaware of the conversion of the petition classification and could have immigrated to the U.S. years ago as the single/unmarried child of a U.S. citizen.
On the other hand, if a person was petitioned as single, and later got married, they are considered married and subject to the priority dates of married children. They should not try to sneak through as “single,” as that would be considered fraud. Instead, they should notify the NVC of the marriage, and although it will require additional waiting time, at least they will now be placed in the proper family classification. 6. Monitor the priority date. A person’s priority date is based on the date the petition was filed. That becomes their “place in line” for a visa. They then have to wait for their priority date to become current, in order for them to be eligible to receive their immigrant visa or green card. But the waiting time can be anywhere from 2 to 30 years. PAGE 13
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september 27 - OCtOber 3, 2019 • NeW YOrK AND NeW JerseY AsIAN JOUrNAL
Mindfulness as virtue
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette aDeva Maglaya THESE are the best of times. These are the worst of times. Charles Dickens could have said these words just as fittingly to apply to this tech crazy world we live in today. There are far too many distractions emanating from tech wizardry that derail us from being mindful — that glorious state of mind which allows us to fully live joyfully while recognizing and appreciating the present moment. Mindfulness is a skill borne of discipline. It is the mental and deeply spiritual process of laser focusing one’s energy and full attention to the sensations and experiences happening right now. This skill effectively places all other concerns in the back burner while fully engaged in the moment. Mindfulness has become a highly valued skill in today’s extremely distracting world seemingly spinning at warp speed. It is essentially a mental skill that can be honed and developed by consciously tuning out all distractions through the discipline of regular prayer and meditation. It is the finely honed craft of just being yourself in the moment, without the baggage of the past or the anxieties of the future. It is considering the present moment as a gift to be relished and enjoyed fully. Do you feel incomplete, naked, inept and insecure when you are not tethered electronically to your cellphone or your computer? Do you feel less of a person? Take heart. You are not alone. There are billions of us in this increasingly wired world. The advances in communication technology have created a world where we can send and receive information at breakneck speed. The thoughts, the images of anyone, from kings to paupers, from the most profound to the most profane, from the wisest to the most foolish, from the most beautiful to the most horrific, once formed, can be transmitted to billions of people around the electronically wired community. Just like the common cold,
“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.” – Ways of the Peaceful Warrior thoughts and images “go viral…” The power of a message is now measured by the number of tweets, retweets, hits and views it gets. Many are choosing to live in virtual reality rather than in the real world believing they can safely hide behind a cloak of anonymity. Disabuse yourself of the idea. No one remains anonymous for long. Just like sin, nothing and no one remains hidden in secret. These thoughts and images go around fast just like the weather patterns that change and swirl around the globe. And just like the weather, our cultural world is being shaped by our collective thoughts within the structure and framework of the technologically wired environment we live in today. Do we then damn technology because of the potent power it helps wield over us? Certainly not. It would be a big mistake to blame technology for our present woes. Just like fire and electricity and practically all of man’s tools and inventions through the ages, technology is a double-edged sword. It can enhance human life or it can destroy just as well. The fault, dear tech user, is not in our stars but in ourselves. It is how we define our relationship with technology and use it in our daily lives. We can be the boss of it. Or if we lose control, we can let ourselves be obsessed by it. It can wreak havoc on our souls, our persona and ultimately our lives. How do we know if technology has us wrapped around its little keypads? It is easy enough to self-diagnose this condition. When we are no longer mindful of our present conditions and depend on technology overly much to do the thinking for us, then we are truly in deep doodoo. People have become so preoccupied and distracted by the mind boggling possibilities presented by multitasking that is engendered by a tech-enhanced way of life, that they tend to forget what is important and what
truly matters. How badly can it get? There are horror stories of mindless idiocy. Countless car accidents borne of texting while driving, are a testament to the tragic loss of mindfulness and by extension, common sense, among us earthlings. Witness the number of news items about overly busy, distracted working parents who forget that they have babies strapped in car seats in the back of their cars leaving them to die in the heat of the sun. It is a sad commentary that while we have all the technological aids at our disposal to make our lives better, we fail to use them appropriately. How do we detox? Try going tech free at designated times or for long stretches of time without having to check your phone or your computer for messages that you feel compelled to respond to ASAP. As I have said in another article championing the cause of living mindfully in the moment, “Log off and enjoy your hot chocolate.” Unless your work involves saving lives, taking a vacation from technology may prove to offer a higher quality of life by getting back to a state of mindfulness. Eventually, as we learn to synch and balance our lives with our tech tools, they will be obedient dogs serving us as their master. Think of the perks. We get to appreciate the present moment and appreciate and deeply love the people we are with right then and there. We get to “Carpe Diem” and experience joy in real time. We get to open our eyes and our hearts to the beauty and infinite majesty of just breathing and knowing LIFE IS GOOD– so good you can feel it in your bones. Best of all, we get to reserve the eminent right to remain essentially human — ever mindful that we are created in God’s own image and likeness. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc. com.
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An American Dream, almost 25 years in the making, on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy!
SOME people are hesitant to file family-based petitions, especially those by siblings because the wait is “too long.” However, this case demonstrates that slow and steady will get you where you want to go. Jean was petitioned by her sister in 1994. After several years, Jean and her family came to the US and overstayed. Almost 25 years later, the priority date on that peti-
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS FOLLOWING our article on the use of UVC and ozone for sterilizing CPAP system for sleep apnea and almost any other items at home, we received queries about the use of ozone cleaner, since UVC lamps comes with or without ozone. Natural beneficial germicidal UV-C rays in the stratosphere do not reach us on earth. What is ozone? Ozone is activated oxygen (O2) with an added atom of oxygen (O3), a supercharged highly reactive gas. The ozone layer in the stratosphere, encircling the earth, protects us from harmful UV rays from the sun. This is ozone from nature, but there is also ozone that is manmade. A tiny machine available today (5x2x2.5 inches, about the size of a can of soft drink) produces ozone emission, which kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, mites, some parasites) and deemed safe and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cleaning CPAP machine, masks/nasal pillows, tubing, and accessories. How is the ozone unit used? The tubing connected to the machine (heated or not) that is connected to a shorter tube where the mask or nasal pillow is attached to the head gear is connected directly to the ozone-maker gadget. This unit has a onepress button to turn it on and a green light on-indicator. It also has a set timer for 25-minute sterilization dose and automatic shut-off fea-
tion became “current.” After risking everything when they came and overstayed, the family wanted to make sure that they had the best possible lawyer to help them with their case. They retained the services of the Law Offices of Michael Gurfinkel. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Gurfinkel was able to have the case transferred from the Philippines to the U.S., where Jean
and her family were able to adjust status and finally get their green cards in June 2019. Watch how after almost 25 years of waiting, Jean and her family are now living the American Dream on a brandnew episode of CITIZEN PINOY – this Sunday 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Ozone for sanitizing
ture, turning off the green light when sanitation is completed. The ozone (03) gives off one atom of oxygen and becomes O2 (regular oxygen we breathe in) in about 30 minutes. There is a 2-hour airing time to allow ozone to dissipate completely together with the post-thunderstorm (ozone) smell. This “waiting period” must be followed diligently. How much microbes are in our home? It is mind-boggling but there are trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, algae, protozoa) in every home, no matter how we clean it in the conventional way. Indeed, there are more microbes in one home than the number of humans (currently 7.72 billion) in the galaxy. While not all of them are pathogens, a significant number of them can cause illnesses of varying degrees, some silent infections which result in continuous inflammation in our body we do not even know or sense. This inflammation increases our risk for the development or aggravation of cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic illnesses, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. Any form of inflammation in us is the enemy of our body, negatively impacting our immune system. Besides microbes, stress, tobacco, vaping (e-cigs), alcohol, lack or exercise, loneliness and bitterness also cause inflammation within us. Can this gadget sanitize areas or other items? This ozone-producing unit is being used to sanitize in-sink garbage disposer, closets, drawers, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, crawl
spaces, etc. using the same procedure as stated above. To sanitize shoes, jewelries, cell phones, charger cables, headsets, earbuds, and other small items, use a large plastic bag (like plastic covers from dry cleaners) tied shut on one end. The gas-blowing-output end of the unit is inserted into the “mouth” of the plastic end, and tied around, to seal the bag. The air-intake end of the gadget allows outside air to get into the unit to produce ozone that is pumped into the bag, like a balloon Any enclosure, like a shoe box, a large box (make a hole), a plastic grocery bag, a luggage, a purse, may be used to sanitize objects that fit inside, using a small tube that fits perfectly into the mouth of the gadget, the other end inserted into the hole in the box, to pump in ozone. The house vent could be turned on to get rid of any ozone leak, or the sanitizing could be done outside the home. Ozone also gets rid of the bad odor or musty smell of shoes, slippers, any clothing items, etc. Can an entire room be sanitized with ozone? Theoretically, yes, but for homes it is cumbersome, inconvenient, and not practical. For sanitizing an entire room, bathroom, family room, office, bedroom, etc, the use of UV-C lamps is more practical and more efficient. One UV-C lamp with 25 watts (less than $20) could sanitize 400 square foot of space in one hour. For info about the lamp and a small portable collapsible bag sanitizer (for travel) email Shu Wenphone at steriletote@hotmail.com PAGE 13
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Safeguarding your petition...
PAGE 11 If your petition was filed and approved, you should continue to monitor your priority date. For my part, each month I publish the monthly Visa bulletin on my website, Facebook, etc., which shows the current priority dates being processed. There are also numerous other sites, including the State Department, that has the monthly Visa Bulletin. Make sure your priority date has not already passed and has been current. There have been some situations I’ve encountered where a person may have been petitioned by a brother or sister in 1990, and they say they are “still waiting.” But the NVC is already processing brothers and sisters who had been petitioned in 1998. Therefore, this person’s visa had been available for years, but they did not monitor their priority date, and were totally unaware that their
visa was available for years. These are only a few tips and suggestions while you are waiting for your priority date to become current. If you have issues with any of these items, you may want to seek the advice of an attorney now, rather than risk “losing” your petition. Also, when the priority date finally becomes current you may also want to seek the assistance of an attorney in connection with either eligibility for adjustment of status or consular processing, especially in this era of Trump, where the government is getting very strict, looking at public charge issues, and whether perhaps an elderly parent may become dependent on the U.S. government, thereby justifying a visa refusal, etc. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of
the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Ask Alexa for a job at McDonald’s... PAGE 11 have made a career teaching and 2,403,460 have become entrepreneurs. With McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity education program, eligible employees at participating U.S. restaurants receive an opportunity to earn a high
school diploma, receive upfront college tuition assistance, access free education and career advising services and learn English as a second language so they are set up for future success. Later this year, McDonald’s said it intends to
launch a career navigation app in the U.S. that will allow eligible employees and the communities in which McDonald’s serves the chance to explore careers at McDonald’s and in other industries like healthcare and IT.
(Advertising Supplement)
Ozone for sanitizing...
PAGE 12 Is ozone better than chlorine? Ozone from this machine rapidly oxidizes and destroys other molecules, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and mold, and odors – the reason ozone is used in CPAP cleaning devices. There are several layers of ozone that surround earth, and naturally created by lightning storms and by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. It is a bactericidal agent, killing microbes. The smell we sense immediately after a storm or rain is ozone. Ozone as a cleaning agent has been found to be more effective than chlorine and bleaches as cleansing/ sterilizing agents. After a 30-minute ozone treatment, at least two hours of “airing” is needed to dissipate the residual ozone. After it does its job, it disappears within an hour. When it dissipates, it releases back an atom of oxygen and is transformed back into oxygen.
Ozone at its original concentration right after being generated by the machine is irritating to the eyes, nose, throat, skin, and dangerous to inhale. Ozone does not last long, but a little ozone smell may linger a bit. After two hours and beyond, the CPAP, or other items you sanitize with it, are ready to use. This waiting period for ozone dissipation is very important and must be strictly adhered to. Is ozone safer than chemicals for cleansing? With discipline, proper attention and care, ozone sanitizers are safer and more effective than chemical cleaning agents for our home. The ozone gas can reach tiny spaces, nooks, and corners, even on the ceiling, where chemicals like chlorine and other bleaches and cleaning agents could not be used as safely. Chemical fumes are also much more harmful to inhale (unintentionally but could not
be helped sometimes) than residual ozone smell. Ozone also removes bad odors in our homes. Releasing an extra atom of oxygen into the atmosphere (as O3 dissipates within an hour, and becomes O2 again) provides a little more oxygen for our environment, and is therefore ecologically better than the chemicals that pollute our respiratory system, our rivers, lakes (our sources of drinking water) and finally the oceans. Although the use of ozone is becoming popular, it is still prudent to do a due diligence before using any method of sanitizing. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
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‘70s matinee idol Jojit Paredes, 68 By Aric John Sy cuA ManilaTimes.net
JESUS Maria “Jojit” Paredes, also known as the other half of the singing duo “Twofus” with Ronnie Henares, died in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, September 24, his sister said using his Facebook page. He was 68. “Today we say goodbye to Jojit Paredes, who passed away peacefully in Los Angeles, surrounded by loved ones,” Carol posted. The singer reportedly succumbed to brain aneurysm. Carol said her brother, a matinee idol of the ’70s, “loved making music for every one of you who ever watched one of his concerts, every one of you who ever bought his records, every one of you who listened to him on the radio, every one of you who watched him on TV or movies, every one of you who wrote to him or read about him, every one of you who shared a memory or an experience with him while listening to the Guitar Man, or a Beautiful Sunday.” Guitar Man and Beautiful Sunday were two of the late
Jojit Paredes
singer’s popular songs. He last appeared in public on September 1 last year, when he and Henares performed at Solaire in Pasay
City. His brother, singer Jim Paredes, and fellow APO Hiking Society member Boboy Garrovillo, joined the friends on stage.
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people events arts culture entertainment
‘Rice. Noodles. Yum.: Everyone’s Favorite Southeast Asian Dishes’ : A myriad of flavor from the Philippine and beyond Author Abigail Sotto-Raines shares recipes of favorite noodle and rice dishes from all over Southeast Asia
T
by
Malou liwanag-bledsoe / aJPress
WO staple ingredients not only in Filipino cuisine but in Asian dishes as well are rice and noodles. This comes as no surprise because the Philippines have been a melting pot of different cultures from Southeast Asia.
This is why Filipino American first-time author (who also manages the blogsite, Manila Spoon) Abigail Sotto-Raines is so excited to share to everyone her favorite dishes via her book “Rice. Noodles. Yum.: Everyone’s Favorite Southeast Asian Dishes.” Born and raised in the Philippines, Abigail often spent her days with her grandmother cooking traditional Filipino meals in which rice and noodles provided the base for so many delicious and interesting flavor combinations. Later on, she traveled extensively in Southeast Asia where she discovered the wealth of rice and noodle -based dishes. Currently residing in Hamden, Connecticut with her husband Mark and two kids (William and Sophie), Abby is a lawyer turned stay-at-home mom. However, her love for cooking did not begin naturally. “Truth is, I had to learn to cook out of necessity,” she wrote in her blog, Manila Spoon. “As anyone familiar with the Philippines would know, when you grow up with a maid, oftentimes you never learn the wonderful art of cooking. Back then, I always knew that when dinner’s on, the food would be ready at the table, often prepared by anyone in the house but me. I did dabble a bit on cooking after college but never really pursued it passionately.”
It was when she got married and settled in the United States that she had to learn how to cook. Starting with basic recipes, Abigail eventually became comfortable in the kitchen through trial and error. She started Manila Spoon to document her adventures in cooking and to share her collection of recipes which her family have tried and enjoyed through the years. After six years of blogging, she released just last June, “Rice. Noodles. Yum.” containing 75 (yes, 75!) authentic rice and noodle dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. Apart from popular Asian dishes like pad thai from Thailand and serabi from Indonesia; she included fusions and recipes with a twist like an Asian-Italian spaghetti and meatballs made of rice noodles and curried beef gravy, and Suman Con Chocolate ((Steamed Glutinous Rice Cakes with Chocolate Sauce). There are more easy-to-follow recipes inside the cookbook that readers will surely enjoy cooking. “Rice. Noodles. Yum.: Everyone’s Favorite Southeast Asian Dishes” is available on Amazon (www.amazon.com), Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million and IndieBound (www. indiebound.org). Visit Abigail’s blog at www. manilaspoon.com.
The author, Abigail Sotto-Raines with her husband William and children William and Sophie. Photo from ManilaSpoon.com
Sa Po Gai Fan
Photo on cover from the author’s Facebook page. Food photos courtesy of Adrian Schwalbe of YC Media.
Suman con Chocolate
(Steamed Glutinous Rice Cakes with Chocolate Sauce) SUMAN is a tube-shaped rice cake made with glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk, wrapped in either palm, banana or bamboo leaves, then steamed. It is always a great choice for breakfast as it can be paired with a variety of options: plain sugar, coconut jam, with fruits and, of course, a big favorite— homemade chocolate sauce. This breakfast treat is almost always paired with coffee or hot chocolate. Serves 8 (16 rice cakes) 2 cups (400 g) sticky or glutinous white rice 1 (13.5-oz [400-ml]) can coconut cream plus enough water to make it to 2½ cups (600 ml) ½ cup (100 g) white sugar 1¼ tsp (8 g) salt, divided 16 (9-inch [27-cm]) softened banana leaves for wrapping 2 cups (480 ml) heavy or double cream 6 tbsp (42 g) cocoa powder ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar Soak the rice in water overnight or for at least 3 hours. Rinse the rice well. Drain. Place the rice and coconut cream diluted with water in a wok or deep pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Adjust the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid has nearly dried up. Add the sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt and continue to cook until the sugar is fully dissolved and the rice begins to pull away from the edges of the pan when stirred. Remove from the heat and allow the rice to cool. Defrost the banana leaves, if frozen. Clean the banana leaves by wiping off the white residue with a damp cloth or paper towel. Pass each leaf through a flame or place it on the stovetop to heat it up until it turns dark green. This will help prevent the banana leaf from tearing as you roll it up. Scoop about ¼ cup (45 g) of the rice near the edge of the banana leaves. Flatten it to elongate to about 5 inches (15 cm) in length. Roll until you reach the other end. Twist the edges then tie each end with a twine or a thin strip of banana leaf. Repeat until there’s no more rice left. Place the rice parcels in a steamer tray or basket. Steam the rice parcels over rapidly boiling water for 30 minutes. Make sure that the water doesn’t touch the steamer basket. To make the sauce, place the heavy cream, cocoa powder, brown sugar and ¼ teaspoon of salt in a saucepan over medium heat and stir to combine. Simmer for 5 to 8 minutes or until the sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Set aside. When the rice parcels are done, peel the banana leaf cover from each cake then serve the rice cakes warm or at room temperature drizzled with the chocolate sauce. Suman may also be threaded in skewers and dipped in the sauce.
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 27 - OCtObER 3, 2019
‘70s matinee idol Jojit Paredes, 68 Derek admits being ‘more than JESUS Maria “Jojit” Paredes, also known as the other half of the singing duo “Twofus” with Ronnie Henares, died in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, September 24, his sister said using his Facebook page. He was 68. “Today we say goodbye to Jojit Paredes, who passed away peacefully in Los Angeles, surrounded by loved ones,” Carol posted. The singer reportedly succumbed to brain aneurysm. Carol said her brother, a matinee idol of the ’70s, “loved making music for every one of you who ever watched one of his concerts, every one of you who ever bought his records, every one of you who listened to him on the radio, every one of you who watched him on TV or movies, every one of you who wrote to him or read about him, every one of you who shared a memory or an experience with him while listening to the ‘Guitar Man,’ or a ‘Beautiful Sunday.’” “Guitar Man” and “Beautiful Sunday” were two of the late singer’s popular songs. He last appeared in public on September 1 last year, when he and Henares performed at Solaire in Pasay City. His brother, singer Jim Paredes, and fellow APO Hiking Society member Boboy Garrovillo, joined the friends on stage. (Aric John Sy ABS-CBN photo Cua/ManilaTimes.net)
Jojit Paredes
Aside from physical strength, Jane reveals other equally important demands of Darna role by AllAn
PolicArPio
Inquirer.net
IT has been three months since Jane de Leon learned that was chosen to play Darna. But to this day, she has yet to fully grasp the magnitude of the said project and the impact it could make not only on her career, but also on her life. “I still can’t believe it. I’m not really sure what they saw in me—I just did my best during my auditions,” she told the Inquirer in a brief chat, moments before she took the red carpet at the 2019 ABS-CBN Ball. “Just the same, I’m thankful that our bosses saw potential in me; that they believe I have the qualities and what it takes to take on the role,” added Jane, who bested over 200 hopefuls for Star Cinema’s 2020 film adaptation, featuring the iconic Filipino superhero. The training is reportedly rigorous and physically demanding, so much so that the two previous actresses tapped for the movie were both forced to withdraw due to health issues. Angel Locsin injured her back. Liza Soberano, meanwhile, felt she wouldn’t be able to perform stunts properly because her broken finger kept hampering her. Preparations are already underway, and she’s starting to feel the pinch. But she’s up for the challenge. She works out every day and maintains a healthy diet to make sure she has the strength and endurance during training. “At first, it was difficult, but as we go on, I feel like I’m starting to get used to it … I’m quite athletic; I do wushu,” the
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friends’ with Andrea Torres
By Krissy AguilAr Inquirer.net
ACTOR Derek Ramsay has finally ended speculations and admitted he is “more than friends” with actress Andrea Torres. “We are more than friends. We’re at that stage na we both have feelings for each other,” Ramsay said when asked about their relationship status, as reported by entertainment website Pep. ph Thursday. “It’s not just both physically attracted, it’s deeper than that in the sense that she has met my parents, I’ve met her parents, our parents have met,” he added. Ramsay said his mother approves of Torres and shared: “My mom’s exact words were ‘Yan ang babaeng may breeding.’” Ramsay and Torres are co-
Derek Ramsay and Andrea Torres
Photo from Instagram/@derekramsay07
stars in GMA Network’s drama series “The Better Woman” which will air its final episode on Friday, September 27.
It was in June 2019 when Ramsay confirmed his split with Joanne Villablanca, his girlfriend for six years.
Jessy bares what stopped her from moving to GMA-7 By JAn Milo severo Philstar.com
Jane de Leon
20-year-old Star Magic talent related. “I also have to be mentally strong.” But more than the role’s physical requirements, she stressed that it’s just as crucial that she embodies Darna’s values. “She and I are both tough … And we’re both willing to sacrifice everything for our families and loved ones,” Jane pointed out. In earlier social media posts, “Darna” director, Jerrold Tarog—who replaced Erik Matti—said Jane was the “unanimous choice for the role.” “The execs wanted a new face for Darna and I was all for it,” he wrote on Instagram. “Thus, open auditions—newbies, celebs, chinita, mestiza, morena, etc. The short list was a good mix, but ultimately, it was about who could carry the role.” On the ABS-CBN Ball red carpet, she wore a drapey, blu-
Photo from Instagram/@imjanedeleon
ish-grey gown by Vania Romoff. But it wasn’t the outfit itself that had people talking. It was her pendant: a golden South Sea pearl which, observers believed, was a nifty allusion to the stone Narda swallows to transform into Darna. For her ensemble, Jane was named “Belo Beauty on the Rise,” one of the special awards handed out at the ball. And as Darna would have probably done herself, the actress donated her winnings to the night’s beneficiary, the Bantay Edukasyon program of the charity organization Bantay Bata 163. Jane used to be a member of the dance group Girltrends, and had played mostly minor roles in such TV series as “Halik” and “La Luna Sangre.” “Darna” could potentially catapult her to stardom. “I’m committed, 100 percent, and I will give it my all,” she said.
JESSY Mendiola admitted that her upcoming teleserye “Sandugo” was the reason why she is staying with ABSCBN. During the press conference of the teleserye set to air on September 30, Jessy was asked if “Sandugo” was the reason why she is not transferring to GMA 7. “Yes po. I just want to set it straight. Yes po,” Jessy briefly said. Jessy’s last teleserye was “You’re My Home” in 2016 apart from her guesting in the longest running teleserye “Ang Probinsyano.” She hopes that her role this time will leave a mark to the audience. “Actually kaya ‘di po tinanggap ko ‘yung role kasi po feeling ko kaya hindi ako nagkakaroon ng chance na patunayan ‘yung pag-arte ko kasi po hindi ako nabibigyan ng kakaibang role. So hopefully po sana mag-marka. There’s always a first time for everything,” Jessy said. During hibernation, Jessy said she learned to give balance in her life. “‘Pag may pagkakataon po na parang hindi ka na nag-
Jessy Mendiola
Photo from Instagram/@senyorita_jessy
kakaroon ng passion or excitement ‘pag tumatanggap ka ng project, might as well na ‘wag ka na lang tumanggap kasi siyempre you won’t be able to give your hundred percent, so it would be really unfair for sa mga katrabaho mo, sa mga bosses o sa production. Para sa akin po, at this point, as long as it excites me, as long as I have something to prove to myself, gusto ko pong tumanggap ng maraming iba’t ibang role,” she said.
Jessy assured that she loves her role in “Sandugo” and promised to give her all for the character. “I’m very thankful po nabigyan ako ng role at ng show ulit. Marami na rin pong mga shows na binigay pero ako din mismo sa sarili ko na hindi rin po ako ready and that would be really unfair to the people na nagbibigay po sa akin ng trabaho. I promise po this time, I think and I feel that I’m really having fun with my character,” she explained.
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