101218 - San Francisco Edition

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R

Volume 17 - No. 28 • 3 Sections – 22 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Kavanaugh sits on Supreme Court bench after weeks of debate over sexual misconduct JUST weeks before the midterm elections are to take place, Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh sat on the Supreme Court bench for the first time on Tuesday, October 9 after weeks of debating accusations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse. Kavanaugh, 53, was confirmed on Saturday, October 6, and replaces retired Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy who resigned earlier this year. Swearing Kavanaugh in was Chief Justice John Roberts. The 50-48 Senate confirmation vote to approve Kavanaugh was the closest of such kind in over a century, and was a major victory for President Donald Trump and RepubPAGE A3

NBI arrests ‘notorious forger’ over fake US visa application THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a previously convicted master forger for allegedly falsifying documents once again. Dubbed as the “golden hand,” Manuel Bala has already served time in prison after being convicted in 2000 for violating Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code. Bala was arrested by operatives of the NBI’s Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-AOTCD) in an entrapment operation in Paco, Manila on October 5. NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin at a press conference said, “The notorious and famous Nonoy Bala is back in the arms of the

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O C T O BE R 1 2 - 1 8 , 2 0 1 8

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

Palace: Duterte cancer-free, healthy and in high spirits by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, October 9, said President Rodrigo Duterte has tested negative for cancer. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Duterte’s top aide, made the statement amid the clamor for the president to publicly reveal the state of his health as required by the Constitution. “Sorry to disappoint his critics. The president is

very healthy and in high spirits. I know for a fact that he is cancer-free. He will finish his term and live beyond 2022. Tuloy lang po ang aming trabaho. Salamat po sa inyong concern sa kanyang kalusugan (We will continue our work. Thank you for your concern on his health. I assure you, there is nothing to worry about),” Go said in a chance interview before the presentation of signed laws on occupational safety and health hazards and on personal property security act. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. dur-

ing a press briefing echoed Go’s statement saying, “It is not serious. It does not have to be divulged.” “We will abide with the provision of the Constitution. We take it that whatever the president has is not serious for the constitutional provision to apply. So we leave it at that,” he added. Duterte himself on Tuesday night assured the public that he is healthy and cancer-free after tests on his Barrett’s disease came out negative. “Hindi pa ako cancerous (I’m not yet cancerous), PAGE A2

Pulse Asia survey: Social media sway political views of 50% of Filipinos by RALPH

VILLANUEVA Manilatimes.net

SOCIAL media influence the political views of more than 50 percent of Filipinos, according to Pulse Asia in a survey released on Wednesday, October 10. The result, based on a sample of 1,800 representative adults 18 years old and above, is a 12-point increase from June 2017. It said that 51 percent of Filipinos with access to the internet would change their views concerning politics and the government upon seeing, reading or listening to a related topic in their news feeds. Visayans are the most easily swayed by social media at 71 percent while 52 percent are from Balance Luzon. Those from the National Capital region (NCR) and in Mindanao are not as easily influenced at 58 percent and 56 percent respectively. The same survey found that 88 percent PAGE A3

MEETING AT THE PALACE. President Rodrigo Duterte discusses matters with House Speaker Gloria Arroyo during a meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, October 9. During their meeting, Duterte discussed several legislative measures pending at the House of Representatives with Arroyo. Duterte requested Arroyo to include in the 2019 budget the funding for the housing projects for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, as well as the water system for the housing project for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda. Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal

Senate OKs Universal Health Care bill AFP declares the end of the war with MILF by GAEA

KATREENA Philstar.com

CABICO

THE Senate on Wednesday, October 10, passed on third and final reading the measure which will soon give Filipinos access to affordable and quality health service. Voting 14-0, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1896 or the Universal Health Care bill. Under the bill, all Filipino citizens will automatically be enrolled into the National Health Insurance as direct contributor or those who have the capacity to pay premi-

ums or indirect contributor or the indigents, senior citizens, among others. Filipinos can also avail of primary health care services even without the PhilHealth identification cards once the bill becomes a law. The proposed measure also aims to improve the doctor-to-patient ratio, upgrade hospital bed capacities and equipment, and establish hospitals in far-flung areas. “This bill will ensure that financial issues will no longer be a burden to our countrymen when it comes to healthcare,” Sen. JV Ejercito, the bill’s principal author, said

when he sponsored the measure. The bill’s co-author and cosponsor, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, called the passage of the bill on third and final reading a “giant leap” in equalizing health service delivery for all Filipinos. “The measure will have a significant, lasting and profound effect on the health of every Filipino as it closes the economic, class and gender gaps in the delivery of healthcare systems in the country,” Hontiveros said. The House of Representatives earlier passed a version of the bill in September last year.■

Noted Fil-Am leader seeks back mayorship by TEDDY

MOLINA

MILPITAS, CALIF. — A noted Filipino-American political, civic, social, and religious leader is back in the campaign trail to regain the mayorship of Milpitas that he had previously held for six terms. Jose “Joe” S. Esteves, who traces his roots in Dagupan City and Mangatarem town, both in Pangasinan, is running to bring back the “old glory” that the enviable city in the heart of Silicon Valley once enjoyed. In the race for the November 6 elections, he is offering

Councilmember Gary Barbadillo

Jose “Joe” Estevez

his accomplishments and track record of 12 years on the saddle as the city’s chief executive and four years as council member backed by a record of integrity, accountability and responsible, proactive leadership.

It was learned that his guiding principle in running the city of Milpitas has always been to make it a great and safe place to live and work. He first served as mayor in 2002,

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ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. has officially declared that the war is over between the Philippine military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). “I can now declare that the war between the Armed Forces and the MILF is finally over,” Galvez said as reported by The Manila Times. Galvez announced this during his visit to MILF Chairman Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim on Saturday, October 6, at the MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat. “To my commanders, let us embrace our brothers and sisters and give them respect and lasting peace that the Moro people deserve,” the military chief added. Many high-ranking military officials from the national head- Armed Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. shakes hand with MILF Chairman Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat. File photo by Mnaila.net quarters and the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) accompanied the AFP chief. There were about 6,000 MILF supporters lined up along the Sultan Kudarat highway that welcomed Galvez and his party. In return, Ebrahim expressed joy on the visit of Galvez to their camp, describing it as “historical.” “This visit represents the degree of progress we have made over the years in bringing significant cooperation between our military officers in our quest for peace PAGE A3

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OCTOBER 12-18, 2018 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page Palace: Duterte cancer-free, healthy... PAGE A1 t so don’t be afraid to go near me. I will not contaminate you,” he said during the induction of the new batch of officers of the Malacanañg Press Corps at the Palace. “Lumabas na (The result is out)... If you mean I was found positive of cancer? No, it’s not the colon; it’s my Barrett… It’s badly eroded because I was told to stop drinking years ago,” he added. Duterte also made some jokes about his health, likening it to a battery. “‘Yang health natin, parang baterya ‘yan, may positive at saka negative. (Our health is like a battery, there is positive and negative),” he said.

Following his statements were accounts from his top aide and government officials confirming his good health. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said, “The president had said he has polyps, he has growth in his intestines, but it’s nothing. It’s benign. It’s a polyp but not cancer, and he was in high spirits. He was very happy yesterday (Monday, October 8), cracking a lot of jokes.” Zubiri had met with Duterte at the Malacanañg on Monday night, along with Senators Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, Richard Gordon, Sherwin Gatchalian, and JV Ejercito to discuss legislative matters. They all had dinner together afterwards.

“The president is as strong as an ox. We saw it yesterday. He was in good spirits,” Zubiri added. Acting Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also told reporters that the president volunteered the information on his health in the middle of their Cabinet meeting on Monday night. “In the middle of the meeting, (the president) said, ‘By the way, the test is negative’ and we all applauded and told him, ‘Congratulations, Mr. President!’” Año said. Duterte is the oldest person ever to be elected president in the Philippines and speculation about his health has regularly cropped up since he took office in 2016. (AJPress) n

NBI arrests ‘notorious forger’ over fake... PAGE A1 t law.” The arrest was executed afFLOOD DEFENSE SYSTEM. Workers of the Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) rush the Improvement/ ter the NBI was alerted by the Sheet Piling for flood defense system or bank protection along Roxas Boulevard channel (East Side) Phase II, Parañaque City. PNA photo by Gil Calinga United States Embassy in Manila over a falsified document submitted to them by two Filipinos applying for a U.S. tourist visa. Kevin Keith Fajardo and Jarra Rowella allegedly posed as a //", 9Ê /Ê 7 married couple after Bala convinced the two that the guise will expedite the process of their ap-

plication. He provided them the fake documents. “When this was checked by the U.S. Embassy, it turned out that there was no marriage on record with the Philippine Statistic Office,” Lavin said. Aside from the nonexistent records at the PASO, Lavin also verified that Fajardo has no records in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for a business he supposedly owned.

The visa applicants admitted they were promised by Bala that he will hand over to them original documents at a hotel in Paco, Manila — which is how the NBI hatched the operation leading to Bala’s arrest. According to the NBI, Bala has already undergone inquest proceedings for violation of Articles 171 and 172 — falsification by public officer and by private individual, respectively. (AJPress) n

Noted Fil-Am leader seeks back mayorship

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PAGE A1 t got reelected in 2004 and again in 2006. Esteves, bound by the three-term limit rule, mandatorily took a momentary leave during the 2008 polls. He went back to city hall two years later after a resounding victory in 2010, and a repeat of his first three terms ensued after he successively won two more elections, after that. Having served his second third term, Esteves sidelined himself in the 2016 mayoralty race. During Esteves’ time as mayor, Milpitas gained U.S.-wide recognition as one of the best places to live in the country. The city also enjoyed triple AAA status in funds rating, one of the highest in the golden state, and had low unemployment rate. The city notched the distinction after Money Magazine ranked Milpitas as 29th best place to live among the best U.S. cities it evaluated in 2014. It was

also adjudged as one of the best places to live in the Bay Area. Money magazine wrote, “There is a lot of silicon valley money in Milpitas. Tech giants like Sandisk and Cisco are big employers. The city is centralized and convenient to other cities. It is also a magnet for a welleducated diverse population.” Esteves has worked for the relocation of Silicon Valley giants and other electronics industry players from other cities to Milpitas. This did not happen overnight though as his supporters said. “He had to crack brain and keep his creative juices working to come up with an attractive package to draw them in,” re-electionist Councilmember Garry Barbadillo revealed. Companies were offered a set of concessions including a unique financial incentive program that the establishment found irresistible. He also over-

hauled city hall’s administrative operations by cutting red tape and shaving off too much bureaucratic baggage to make sure businessmen and investors can start their operations right away without having to wait too long. Consequently, the arrival of electronics industry companies spawned vast employment opportunities for the residents and perked up the local economy. Esteves had previously told reporters that early on in his political career he had his eyes trained on the so-called Fortune 500 companies, a great number of which are based in the Silicon Valley region. During the early stages of his first term as mayor, Esteves had pushed for an aggressive economic development program according to Barbadillo. “This set-up went on without let-up as long as he was the mayor. He was always thinking forward,” PAGE A3

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Pulse Asia survey: Social media sway political views... PAGE A1 t of Filipinos were aware of “fake news” with 79 percent saying that they consider it to be widespread on social media. This is a 20-point increase compared to June 2017. This awareness increased in Luzon at 79 percent from 64 percent in June 2017; Visayas,

80 percent from 25 percent; and Mindanao, 78 percent from 55 percent. It decreased in NCR by five points. The survey was released a day before the start of the filing of certificates of candidacies (COCs) for the 2019 mid-term elections. Local and international stud-

ies showed that social media was being used to sway the perceptions of people. Several political and social media experts view fake news as a problem that should be addressed in the country. The survey has a ± 2.3 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.n

Kavanaugh sits on Supreme Court bench... PAGE A1 t licans who with Kavanaugh may now see a 5-4 majority vote in the nine-seat Supreme Court. Kavanaugh was Trump’s second nomination to get a seat on the court since the president took office in 2016. On route to a campaign rally in Kansas, Trump said of Kavanaugh, “We’re very honored that he was able to withstand this horrible, horrible attack by the Democrats.” In the weeks leading up to the confirmation, protesters throughout the nation rallied behind Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a university psychology professor, who accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in an upstairs bedroom in one of Washington’s upscale suburbs in 1982. Two other women, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick, also accused Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct in the 1980s. On Saturday, Ford’s lawyer, Michael Bromwich, described the final week of an FBI investigation that culminated the hearings in tweet saying, “A week that will live in infamy for the U.S. Senate, permanently diminishing its stature.” “It treated serious allegations as nuisance to be sidestepped rather than a call to investigate seriously,” Bromwich continued. “It then deemed a perfunctory investigation sufficient when it was not. Appalling.” For Republican senators — including a few who showed hesitance over voting Kavanaugh forward — a brief weeklong FBI investigation that found no corroborating evidence of Ford’s accusations was enough to get their vote. But for Democrats and other protesters, the FBI probe — given its time limit to one week — was simply not enough. On Capitol Hill Saturday, protesters briefly interrupted the confirmation vote in the Senate gallery by chanting “Shame on you!” and “November is coming!”. Several protesters, many of who were women behind the widespread #MeToo movement, were arrested. Kavanaugh’s hearing drew stark similarities to the also controversial 1991 confirmation hearing of current Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas who was also subject to sexual harassment allegations by law professor Anita Hill. According to Nielsen data released about a week before his confirmation, roughly 20.4 million people tuned into the hearings on broadcast and cable networks. #NovemberIsComing

DEEP DEVOTION. Devotees pray and join the veneration of Saint Padre Pio’s Heart Relic inside the Santisimo Rosario at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on Monday, October 8. The visit of the heart relic of St. Padre Pio was organized by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on the Clergy (CBCP-ECC), in coordination with the National Shrine of Padre Pio in Santo Tomas, Batangas. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Noted Fil-Am leader seeks back mayorship

Justice Brett M. Kavannaugh

While the bitter battle over Kavanaugh’s confirmation came to an end, it has fueled Democrats and Republicans who are now using its outcome in encouraging people to go and vote in the upcoming midterm elections on November 6. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, told reporters that the hearing and its result will be a boost to Republicans at the ballot box. “We have noticed some kind of energy pick-up on our side,” McConnell said at a press conference on Monday, October 8 in Kentucky. “It provided the adrenalin shot that we had not been able to achieve in any other way.” Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts told protesters before the vote, “It hurts every survivor of sexual assault who has been ignored.” Warren continued with encouragement to “take back the House” and “take back the Senate.” “We have forged a bond that will make us stronger in the next fight,” added Warren. With seats in both the House and the Senate at stake for both parties, Democrats are looking to gain at least two Senate seats, and 23 House seats during the midterm elections in order to be a majority in each chamber. As House and Senate candidates across the U.S. voiced their opinions with the outcome, so too have some running candidates of the Fil-Am community. “Kavanaugh’s confirmation reminds us that there are still those who think of our voices and our experiences as inconvenient distractions, versus life experiences equally deserving of respect,” tweeted Gina Ortiz Jones of Texas’ District 23. “Women deserve to be represented, and we’ll remember those who sold us out.” Running for California’s 14th District, Fil-Am GOP nominee Cristina Osmeña urged people to “Stop bullying Susan Collins,”

PAGE A2 t he added while stressing that his in a tweet linked to an article on efforts yielded big revenues that Senator Susan Collins who as ensured solid financial footing a result of voting for Trump’s for Milpitas. nomination of Kavanaugh, has Barbadillo who is also of Filibeen called by many a “betrayer pino origin, is also seeking his of women.” second term this November. He Osmeña shared her thoughts disclosed that fiscal responsibilthroughout the hearing once ity measures were, at the same saying, “Dr. Ford seems likeable time, instituted by Esteves to and trustworthy. So does Brett maintain the city’s good finanKavanaugh. I hope he shows cial condition. compassion for her experience During his term, the city was when he testifies. She has been also adjudged as among the most truly victimized by someone.” peaceful in Santa Clara County (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress) n for having a low crime rate. Courtesy photo of www.marketwatch.com

Esteves is also known as the prime mover and founder of the sprawling $50 million state-ofthe-art Milpitas Public Library which also houses an auditorium that is benefitting the youth, students, adults and everyone from both the city and other neighboring places in the county. Esteves finished with a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Industrial Engineering and also has a Master’s in Business Administration degree, both from the University of the Philippines. Here in the U.S., he attended the UCLA Anderson School of

Business) and Harvard University’s JFK School of Government where he took a course in “Leadership in the 21st century.” Esteves began his political career in 1998 as a member of the Milpitas City Council where he served until 2002. Before that, he served as the city’s planning commissioner and as a volunteer in various socio-civic and church organizations. In a 2015 interview with visiting Filipino newsmen, the former mayor credited the city council for having supported the projects he had proposed. n

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Pacquiao not interested in fighting McGregor REIGNING World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on Sunday, October 7, said that he is not interested in fighting the Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor in a boxing match. “Hindi dapat nangyari yun tapos na ang laban at naghihintay na lang ng decision (I think it shouldn’t have happened anymore since the fight was over and they’re waiting only for the decision).” It can be recalled that the fight between McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov during the weekend was a brawl-filled Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 229. McGregor then submitted so Khabib was named the winner.

“Mali naman si Khabib sinugod niya pa ang mga tao. I think magkakaroon ng suspension or multa (Khabib was wrong to attack the people. I think there will be a suspension or fine),” Pacquiao said. The 39-year-old boxer and senator who holds a 60-7-2 record with 39 knockouts admitted that there were talks for a fight against welterweight boxer Adrien Broner who himself holds a 33-3-1 record with 24 knockouts sometime next year. “We are still finalizing everything (about Broner fight). Hindi pa sigurado (It remains uncertain),” the welterweight champion said. Pacquiao also admitted that a possible rematch with the undefeated Mayweather Jr. was also

set next year. However, the eightweight division champion said that the possibility that he could still face either former sparring partner Amir Khan or American Keith Thurman early next year would still depend on the negotiations. “It still depends. We are still fixing that,” Pacquiao said as reported by The Manila Times. The Filipino boxer was said to be considering the possibility of joining forces with Mayweather Promotion as co-promoter in the upcoming fights. It can be recalled that Pacquiao scored a seventh-round technical knockout against Lucas Matthysse last July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (AJPress) n

Cubs’ Addison Russell suspended 40 games for domestic abuse allegations Ex-wife of Fil-Am shortstop opens up to MLB investigators, speaks publicly for the first time since divorce filing UNVEILING OF MARAWI HEROES MURAL. Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista (right), Commanding General of the Philippine Army, led the blessing and soft inauguration of the Marawi Heroes Memorial Murals at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. The event also commemorated the first anniversary of Marawi City’s liberation from the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Presidential photo by Toto Lozano

ON Wednesday, October 3, the Major League Baseball league suspended Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell for 40 games for violating the league’s policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse after Russell’s exwife opened up to investigators regarding alleged domestic abuse by Russell. Melisa Reidy-Russell, who filed for divorce from Russell (who is half-Filipino on his mother’s side) in June 2017, wrote an emotionally-charged blog post last month that detailed years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex-husband. This week, she spoke with ESPN and said that league investigators reached out to her last year in response to a since-deleted Instagram post suggesting Russell was unfaithful and abusive. She said she wasn’t ready to speak then, but after her September blog post is ready to speak publicly. “Last year when the MLB contacted me, I wasn’t ready,” ReidyRussell, 24, told ESPN this week. “I didn’t know what was the right thing to do. I didn’t even believe in myself enough to think I should do that. I just left my husband and all this blew up.” On Wednesday, MLB Commis-

sioner Rob Manfred announced that the league had completed the investigation and concluded that Russell violated league policy “and should be subject to discipline in the form of an unpaid suspension that will cover 40 games.” Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein gave a news conference on Wednesday condemning domestic violence. When asked if Russell will return to the team next season, Epstein answered, “I don’t know. With all of our words and actions going forward, whether we know it or not, we’re sending messages to our fans.” “Domestic violence is everyone’s problem,” Epstein added. “Because of that, we all have an obligation to be part of the solution as well. Discipline, in a case like this, is part of the solution going forward.” Russell, 24, initially denied his ex-wife’s allegations, but in a statement released on Wednesday, he said that he has “gained better understanding” of the situation. “I have concluded it’s the best interest of my family to accept MLB’s proposed resolution of this matter,” Russell said through his lawyers “I wish my ex-wife well

and hope we can live in peace for the benefit of our child.” Reidy-Russell, with whom Russell has a 3-year-old son, alleges that the Cubs shortstop has been unfaithful to her. On the Instagram photo posted June 2017, a user, who is reportedly a close friend to Reidy-Russell, claimed that Russell “hit” his wife. On Sept. 19, 2018, Reidy-Russell published a blog post titled, “you no longer have a secret, you have a story” which details her emotional and psychological distress allegedly brought on by physical, emotional and verbal abuse and infidelity on Russell’s part. “The way I was treated and the way he made me feel about myself, tore me down to nothing,” Reidy-Russell, a licensed cosmetologist from Bay Minette, Alabama, wrote. “No matter who you are or what you’re going through, you should not be afraid or ashamed to speak out about any type of abuse regardless [of] who it will offend.” Less than 12 hours after the blog post was published, the MLB announced that Russell had been put on paid leave under the league’s domestic violence policy. n

San Francisco’s ‘comfort women’ statue sparks outrage among Japanese officials Controversial monument features a Filipina comfort woman; the Japanese city of Osaka rescinds sister cityhood from San Francisco by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

LAST year, the City of San Francisco erected a monument that depicts young women from Korea, China and the Philippines holding hands as a separate statue of a Korean activist, Kim Hak-sun, looks up at them. The “Column of Strength” memorial commemorates the hundreds of thousands of women and girls --- euphemized as “comfort women” --- who Japanese soldiers detained and raped from 1931 to 1945 during World War II. These sexually-enslaved victims and survivors came from 11 countries, and a majority of them came from China, Korea, the Philippines and other east and southeast Asian nations. Since it was first unveiled in Downtown San Francisco on Sept. 22, 2017, officials from the Japanese government were not too pleased, and this week, the mayor of Osaka, Japan --- Hirofumi Yoshimura --- announced he is ending the “sister city” relationship with San Francisco. On Tuesday, Oct. 2, Yoshimura penned a letter to Mayor

London Breed of San Francisco saying that the inscriptions on the monument represent “uncertain and one-sided claims as historical facts” and claimed that the toll of women who were enslaved was not based on fact. Breed responded in a statement released Thursday, Oct. 4 saying that “one mayor cannot unilaterally end a relationship that exists between the people of our two cities,” and that the monument will not be taken down. “The San Francisco Comfort Women Memorial is a symbol of the struggle faced by all women who have been, and are currently, forced to endure the horrors of enslavement and sex trafficking,” Breed wrote. “These victims deserve our respect and this memorial reminds us all of events and lessons we must never forget.” Japan’s official view on World War II comfort women has changed over the decades. In 1993, it formally recognized that the Imperial Japanese Army forced women from neighboring Asian countries to work in brothels for the army’s soldiers.

The “Column of Strength” memorial was erected and funded through an alliance of immigrant women’s groups called the Comfort Women Justice Coalition. Several years ago, the coalition and 11 human rights groups launched a grassroots campaign for the memorial which was approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2015. In November 2017, the late Mayor Ed Lee of San Francisco signed a resolution to formally designate the statue as a city monument, a move that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan called “not only deeply regrettable, but it also opposes the views of the Japanese government.” Despite both Abe’s and Yoshimura’s condemnation of the statue, there are no motions to have it removed. Retired Superior Court Judge and chairwoman of the Comfort Women Justice Coalition Lillian Sing responded to Yoshimura’s threat to break ties with the city, saying, “He wants to remove the memorial because he is afraid of the truth. Removing it does not eradicate history.” n

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De Castro exits after hiking court salaries by CATHERINE

A. MODESTO

Maniltimes.net

MAKING sure her short stint will be remembered by the judiciary, Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro promoted a number of court personnel and increased the salary of trial court employees. “We have upgraded the salary of our first-level courts in keeping with the heavy responsibility that they perform,” de Castro said in a speech on Monday, October 8, during her last flag ceremony as chief justice. “We granted overtime pay for court employees who are helping in the continuous trial of cases,” which was pushed by Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta, she said. She also announced that high court employees would receive “tokens of appreciation” from

the justices “for their dedicated service to the court.” These are bonuses or additional fringe benefits subject to tax, as later clarified by the court’s public information office. She also took a swipe at Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was removed as chief justice in May for lack of qualification, leaving many positions unfilled. “We have also promoted immediately our officials to fill vacant positions and opened up positions of assistant chiefs of office, numerous positions [that went] unfilled for many years, in order to not disrupt the delivery of public service,” she added. De Castro served as top magistrate for only 44 days. She has served in government for 45 years. Her last day in office was on, Tuesday, October 9, but her mandatory retirement will be on

Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro waves to Supreme Court employees and associate justices on Monday, October 8, Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban

Wednesday, October 10, upon reaching 70. De Castro will attend the oral arguments on the case involving the country’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court. ■

Most Filipinos believe Duterte’s health is a public matter — SWS MORE than six out of ten Filipinos want to know what President Rodrigo Duterte’s health status really is, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed. The survey said 61 percent of Filipinos believe that Duterte’s health is a public matter, while only 33 percent said it is a private one. The remaining six percent just shrugged their shoulders. Those who agreed that Duterte’s health is a public matter numbered the highest in the Visayas at 65 percent. The President’s home region, Mindanao, came second at 63 percent, followed by Balance Luzon at 59 percent and Metro Manila at 58 percent. This is also the dominant opinion among socio-demographics. Section 12, Article VII, of the 1987 Constitution states, “In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health.” Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. on Friday, October 5, said he will urge the President to release a medical bulletin this week. The survey was conducted from September 15 to 23, roughly two weeks after Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder

Jose Ma. Sison said Duterte was in coma. Duterte admitted on September 21 in a speech during the 3rd Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Forum of the Asia-Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) that he underwent colonoscopy and endoscopy a week before. On Thursday, October 4, he floated the possibility of having Stage 3 cancer, after admitting that he went to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City and stayed there for an hour as doctors “took samples.” He said he did not know the state of his health, but would not seek treatment anymore if diagnosed by doctors with Stage 3 cancer. The SWS survey also showed that less than half of Filipinos believes that Duterte has health problems. Forty-five percent of those surveyed said they believe that the President has health issues, while 26 percent answered in the negative. Those who believe this strongest come from Metro Manila at 53 percent, followed by those in Balance Luzon and Visayas at 45 percent and Mindanao at 39 percent. The remaining respondents

were undecided on the matter. Fifty-five percent said they are worried that the President will have health problems and 44 percent answered they are not. The SWS polled 1,500 adults. The survey had sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±4% for Balance Luzon, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. Right to be informed Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Filipinos have the right to be informed of the real health condition of the president. “Nasa Saligang Batas po iyan na may karapatan ang taumbayan na malaman ang tunay na kalusugan ng pangulo (The Constitution states that the citizenry has the right to know the real health condition of the president),” Drilon said in a radio interview. But Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said there was nothing alarming about Duterte’s recent check-up. “Those are regular procedures. I do the same once a year. The President is healthy enough to discharge his duties,” he said in a text message. “Am sure Malacanang will update the public on the President’s PAGE A6

PHILIPPINE SENATE LEGACY. Senator Panfilo Lacson (2nd from left), chair of the Senate Committee on Accounts, receives a certificate of appreciation from Senate Secretary Myra Marie Villarica (2nd from right) after his address to Senate employees on the flag rites on October 8. Lacson said that for more than a century now, the Senate has remained strong, principled, colorful, and active amid the many challenges it has faced. “Truly, this democratic institution has outlived our forerunners. It will outlive us. What will remain in between the pages of history is the legacy that we will leave behind,” he said. Also in photo are Senate Deputy Secretary for Administration and Financial Services Arnel Jose Bañas and Bureau Director Arnold Vistan of the Senate Maintenance and General Services Bureau. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

Senate OKs bill vs catcalling, street harassment by GAEA

KATREENA CABICO

Philstar.com

MANILA — The Senate on Monday, October 8, passed on third and final reading the measure that seeks to protect women from catcalling and other forms of harassment in public places. Senate Bill 1326, or the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act of 2017, aims to penalize catcalling, wolf-whistling, cursing, leering and groping. It also lists persistent requests for a person’s name and contact details and the use of words tending to ridicule on the basis of actual or perceived sex, gender expression or sexual orientation and identity in public spaces as grounds for punishment. Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the bill’s principal author and sponsor,

Senator Risa Hontiveros

Philstar.com photo

hailed the passage as a “major pushback” against misogyny and sexism. “At a time when sexism and misogyny seem to be the new normal, this is an important victory for all women and LGBT persons. This is a major push-

back against street-based sexual harassment and the culture of sexism,” Hontiveros said. She added: “With this measure, we will reclaim the streets from sexual harassers and make them safe for all.” Hontiveros is hopeful that the bill will “change the people’s language habits, prevent different forms of gender-based harassment and convince the public of gender-sensitive expression.” A counterpart bill filed at the House of Representatives by Rep. Tom Villarin (Akbayan) in 2017 is still pending at the committee level. Last July, the local government of Manila passed ordinance, which aims to ban catcalling and other forms of sexual harassment in the city. Quezon City passed the first ordinance penalizing street-level harassment of women in 2016. ■

AFP declares the end of the war with...

PAGE A1 in the Bangsamoro homeland,” Ebrahim said. The MILF leadership awarded Galvez with the “Soldier of Peace Award. Galvez was said to be the first military officer to receive such an award from the group. “I came back to one [of] the most revered place[s], a place I can call home because here lived those gallant men I considered my brethren, those whom I had been working with for a peaceful Mindanao,” Galvez said. Galvez’s meeting with the MILF leadership came months after Pres-

ident Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), which creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. As the former head of WestMinCom, he was one of the key military officials during the fivemonth Marawi City siege in 2017 and the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division. Both of which were deals with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Central Mindanao. Galvez was also the Philippine government’s chairman for the Coordinating Committee

on the Cessation of Hostilities in 2015. Galvez also compared the MILF to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). He noted that the communist rebels have been “deceptive, manipulative and insincere.” “They burned road project equipment, they executed thousands, even their own comrades. They extort and always wanted to take advantage,” he said. “[The communist rebels] do not have the sense of honor or ‘Maratabat’ of the MILF,” he added. (AJPress)

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6 Cabinet secretaries plan to run in 2019 by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

BREAK FREE FROM PLASTIC. Greenpeace Southeast Philippines Campaigner Abigail Aguilar (2nd from left) gives an overview of the global plastic waste problem during the launching of #breakfreefromplastics Global Report on Brand Audits at Salu Restaurant in Quezon City on Tuesday, October 9. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Most Filipinos believe Duterte’s health...

PAGE A5 nature and are not “findings” or medical condition at the appropri- conclusions regarding his state of ate time,” Recto said. health. Sen. Francis Escudero said “I think he will be equally canthe procedures mentioned by did with respect to the ‘findings,’ if the President are diagnostic in any, and his spokespersons should

take the cue from their boss with respect to this issue and not second guess him as regards his candidness and honesty with respect to this and other matters,” Escudero said. (ManilaTimes.net)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 9, disclosed the names of six Cabinet members who might run in next year’s elections. Duterte said among the officials who are seeking electoral posts are Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano, presidential spokesman Harry Roque, political affairs adviser Francis Tolentino, Agrarian Reform secretary John Castriciones, presidential aide Christopher Go and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Guiling Mamondiong. “I’m sure these will be guys running,” Duterte told members of the Malacañang Press Corps when asked whether he was expecting a Cabinet revamp because of the 2019 polls. Duterte said Cayetano is running for congressman in his district in Taguig. He said he has already identified Cayetano’s possible successor. “I have a name. He agreed but he did not authorize me to name him,” the president said. Duterte: Roque ‘flip-flopping’ on political plans Duterte also said he believes that Roque will push through with his plan to run for senator. Roque

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque with fellow Cabinet secretaries on Monday, October 8, the day he said he was on indefinite leave. Philstar.com photo

has said he has not yet decided whether to seek an electoral post. The president said Roque had been flip-flopping on his political plans. He said he is considering Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo to become press secretary, a post that would be revived once he issues an executive order reorganizing the Presidential Communications Operations Office. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, nominally the head of the agency that had reaped criticisms over a series of blunders, previously said Roque was being eyed to become press secretary.

“It’s not my fault. He (Roque) said he is not running. Then he is running. I said I would choose someone else so there would be no paralysis in the functions,” Duterte said. “I do not know where to place him. I did not wait a minute longer,” he added. Duterte said Panelo would become press secretary once he revives the office and he finds a new chief legal counsel. He said Andanar would remain as a consultant after the PCOO is replaced by the Office of the Press Secretary. “He (Andanar) will remain a consultant....They have to reconfigure PAGE A7

Fox’s lawyers: Immigration ‘gave in’ to Duterte’s whims MANILA — The camp of Sister Patricia Fox on Monday, October 8, slammed the Bureau of Immigration for its ruling that showed, they said, that it gave in to the “whims” of President Rodrigo Duterte. The Immigration bureau has denied with finality Fox’s appeal to extend her missionary visa. BI ordered Fox to apply for a temporary visitor’s visa that has a validity of 59 days. In a statement, Fox’s lawyers said: “Clearly, the BI wants her out of the country, discontinue her missionary work for the poor Filipinos, and silence her unwavering call for justice, accountability and protection of human rights, without even laying the basis for such decision.” “The BI has long prejudged the case of Sister Pat that it consciously turns a blind eye and deaf ears to reason and evidence, and [gives] in to the whims and caprice of its master in Malacañang,” their statement further reads.

Sister Patricia Fox Eddgumban

The statement was signed by lawyers Jobert Pahilga, Rey Cortez, Kathy Panguban and Sol Taule. Duterte has publicly admitted to ordering the investigation into Fox. He repeatedly lambasted the elderly nun for having a “shameful mouth” for supposedly criticizing him at rallies. The chief executive said that

Philstar.com photo

foreigners are not allowed to criticize the Philippine government. “You don’t have the right to criticize us. You can come here to enjoy all the sights,” the president said on April 18. Fox’s legal counsels said that the said that BI “consciously turns a blind eye and deaf ears to reason and evidence, and give in to PAGE A7

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Robredo camp hits draft charter’s ‘ridiculous’ basis for omitting VP from line of succession by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

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MANILA — The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo questioned the proposed draft federal charter, which removes the vice president from the line of succession in the transition government. The draft charter that House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and 21 other lawmakers authored puts Senate President Tito Sotto as next in line should President Rodrigo Duterte be unable to lead the transition government. Section 4, Article XVII of the House draft federal constitution states, “In case a vacancy by reason of removal, resignation, permanent incapacity or death of the incumbent President, the incumbent Senate President shall act as President until a President shall have been chosen and qualified.� Romulo Macalintal, Robredo’s legal counsel, said the proposal was a mere “political calisthenics� based on the reason of Rep. Vicente Veloso (Leyte). Veloso, chair of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, said this proposal was made to prevent “instability� that comes with the election protest against Robredo. Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong� Marcos Jr. filed the poll protest against Robredo after he lost by 263,473 votes in the 2016 national elections. “The election protest filed by

Vice President Leni Robredo

Philstar.com photo

former Senator Bongbong Marcos as [a] ground for ousting VP Leni is clearly frivolous if not outright ridiculous,â€? Macalintal said. “Since when did a pending election protest be the basis of succession to the highest position of the land?â€? he added. Macalintal stressed that Veloso’s reasoning has no visible means of any legal or factual support. Questions on Duterte’s health Robredo’s lawyer raised questions on why Duterte’s allies appear to be implying that the president would not be able to perform his duties while MalacaĂąang has been insisting that he is healthy. “If he is sick, succession should not be the topic of discussion but prayers for his health,â€? Macalintal said. The vice president’s lawyer said the Senate and the House would not even have enough time to

make a final draft of the proposed shift to federalism. “The Senate and the House could not even resolve how they would vote, whether jointly or separately. There is still the need to submit the proposed charter for people’s ratification and the process would involve substantial time and public funds which will never be achieved till the next presidential polls in 2022,� the lawyer said. Macalintal expressed confidence that the proposal to remove Robredo in the transition government would never happen. A report of the House panel dated October 2 showed that Arroyo’s draft charter has been recommended without amendment to the plenary. The draft also lifts the term limits for members of Congress and made no mention of anti-dynasty provisions. n

Fox’s lawyers: Immigration ‘gave in’ to Duterte’s... PAGE A6 the whims and caprice of its master in MalacaĂąang.â€? BI has repeatedly said that the deportation against Fox is for her involvement in partisan activities, an accusation that Fox has denied.

The lawyers also said that the ruling reflects the Duterte’s administration stand on its critics and human rights defenders. They noted that four other foreigners were barred from entering the Philippines in the past

months. Their cases “illustrate the State’s persecution of human rights defenders,� said the lawyers. Immigration has denied that there is a crackdown on foreign missionaries. (Kristine Joy Patag/ Philstar.com)

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6 Cabinet secretaries plan to run in...

PAGE A6 sa PTV 4. They need to change a lot there perhaps to make it more responsive as sounding board of the Republic of the Philippines,� the president said. ‘Tolentino a good point person, Go could be friend of the public’ Duterte heaped praises on Tolentino, a former Metro Manila Development Authority chief, saying he has been efficient as a point

person during disasters. “He (Tolentino) is a very good administrator...He was always my point man. He was always my contact sa outside world,� the president said. Duterte said Go, who sometimes represents him in public engagements, has been a “faithful assistant� who can be a “friend� of the public in the senate. Sources said Castriciones is

planning to run for senator while Mamondiong is considering running for a local post. Duterte also said that he wants a Chinese-Filipino businessman to lead the National Food Authority. Retiring Army chief Lt. Gen. Roland Bautista was initially eyed to become NFA administrator but Duterte later on decided to name him as Social Welfare secretary. n

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A10 OCTOBER 12-18, 2018

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OPINION

‘The war is over’

FEATURES

LAST Saturday, October 6, some 6,000 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front lined a five-kilometer stretch of road from Cotabato City to Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao, to welcome a visiting group from the Armed Forces of the Philippines led by chief of staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. MILF chairman Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim led those who welcomed the AFP officers to the MILF’s Camp Darapanan, where Galvez declared that the war with the Islamic separatists is over. This is a most welcome development for peace efforts in Mindanao. Even before the Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL was enacted earlier this year, the MILF had been cooperating with the government in various aspects particularly in law enforcement and counterterrorism in the conflict zones of Mindanao. Unfortunately for the peace process, long before the BBL was passed, a faction had broken away from the MILF. And just like the MILF when it broke away from the original secessionist group the Moro National Liberation Front, the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters is conducting armed attacks in several provinces in Mindanao. BIFF fighters are believed to have teamed up

with Islamic State-inspired Maute terrorists who laid siege to Marawi City for five months last year. Besides the Mautes and BIFF, the AFP also continues to battle the Abu Sayyaf, whose terrorist activities have hampered development and poverty alleviation efforts in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The Abu Sayyaf is still keeping several hostages, most of them foreigners. Kidnapping for ransom is a major source of funding for the group. The Mautes, on the other hand, are believed to be raising funds through drug trafficking and various types of business fronts. The continuing activities of these threat groups mean sustained conflict in Mindanao, even if the BBL is ratified in the plebiscite set next year. The war with the MILF is over, but the battles with threat groups in Mindanao continue on other fronts. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THE CONFIRMATION process of Justice Brett Kavanaugh just all the more highlighted how divided and angry this nation has been, especially in the last two years. If you are happy where the country is right now, or whether you have serious concerns how the democratic process has increasingly been hijacked, then do NOT fall into the trap of either complacency or paralysis and resignation. Channel your passion into a mission to give the power back to us, “We the People”, as stipulated in the U.S. Constitution. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”, is what

Commentary

FRANCISCO TATAD DESPITE the disturbing presidential admissions in the last few days, most Filipinos, I believe, continue to hope that President Rodrigo Duterte would serve his full term until 2022, without any incident. But for some, the next three years will be a toss-up between his physical health and his political health. Will he ultimately fall because of failing health or will he be ousted by the CPP/ NPA/NDF? This question can no longer be avoided. An endoscopy and colonoscopy recently performed on DU30 have shown a “growth,” which doctors are still trying to determine whether malignant or benign. The complete reading is not yet known, but DU30 told the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association on October 4, “if it’s cancer, it’s cancer. And if it’s third stage, no more treatment. I will not prolong my agony in office or anywhere.” The physical vs the political While DU30 is battling such serious health issue, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has claimed that the CPP/NPA/ NDF plans to oust DU30 soon, and that 18 universities and colleges had become the hub of its destabilization effort. We have not seen anything remotely resembling the storm that raged inside the universities during the Marcos years, but if DU30 believes they had become the hotbed of an oust-DU30 movement, then the relevant “facts” will not be slow in rising to the surface. University authorities and students have already denounced the government’s allegation as baseless. Both threats to the President deserve an objective, cold-blood-

Philstar.com photo

Give the power back to ‘we the people’: Go out and vote in the November 6 midterm elections

democracy really is. This is why if you think the balance of power is now leaning toward one ideology and/or party, and that the system of checks and balance provided for by the Constitution seems to not functioning as it should, then we all need to VOTE in the November 6 midterm elections. As we have witnessed in the Kavanaugh confirmation process, it is important for us to have informed decision on who to elect into positions of public trust. This should not be limited to the top positions of the executive branch of our government. The legislative and judiciary are co-equal branches of government and have a lot of power as well in making consequential decisions on how to run the govern-

ment, the bills to pass, the services to be given to the people, the nominees to be confirmed, the impeachment of the people in power who abuse public trust, etc. On November 6, each vote — your vote — matters and has consequences. As the New York Times reported, the 2018 midterm elections, which rolled out “with hundreds of congressional, state and local primaries, will culminate with the Nov. 6 general election to decide whether Democrats can gain control of Congress or if Republicans will keep their hold on the legislative branch.” What are the chances of the “blue wave “ changing the seascape in the Senate? Accord-

Is the end imminent? ed look. What are the real prospects of each? First, let us consider DU30’s physical health. Since the 73-year-old DU30 assumed office on June 30, 2016, he has been bothered by various maladies. His recurring and unexplained disappearances from official public functions have been blamed on these ailments. He has complained of continuous migraine, Barrett’s esophagus, Buerger’s disease, and some spinal injury sustained during an early motorcycle riding accident. He was recently reported to have suffered severe coughing and vomiting spells, before and after his July state of the nation address. An endoscopy is an examination of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine, using a tube with lighting and camera at the end. It is usually performed on patients who are complaining of dyspepsia or heartburn, constant bleeding or vomiting. A colonoscopy on the other hand is an examination where the doctor inserts a colonoscope from the anus up to the hole of the large intestine. Both procedures have been performed on the President. Some doctors, however, point out that if the patient’s problem is the throat, this would require a separate examination; it is not known whether the President needs such an examination or that he has had it. What’s serious illness? DU30’s own revelation has triggered a demand for more information about his actual state of health. Section 12 of Article VII of the Constitution provides that “in case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health. The members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not be denied

access to the President during such illness.” Section 11 of the same article provides that “whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.” Likewise, “whenever a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House…a written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.” No enabling law has been enacted to define what “serious illness” means. Who decides when the President is seriously ill? Is cancer, whether treatable or not, considered a serious illness that should instantly trigger the implementation of the constitutional provision? Who can compel the release of the President’s medical records if he decides not to release them? Does the President have to order or authorize the issuance of regular medical bulletins? Who can authorize such bulletins if the President refuses to have them? Roque in the dark No complaint has been heard from the Foreign Secretary, the Defense Secretary, the National Security Adviser or the AFP Chief of Staff that they have been denied access to the President at this time, but the presidential spokesman Harry Roque has complained that he has been kept in the dark about DU30’s endoscopy and has threatened to re-

ing to the analysis of the Times, “Democrats hope to win at least two new seats to regain control of the chamber, but their margin for error is slim. A majority of the seats up for election in 2018 are currently held by Democrats.” Meanwhile in the House race, “Democrats need to flip 23 seats to capture the 218 seats necessary for control of the chamber. There are 194 likely or solidly Democratic seats and 173 likely or solidly Republican seats. The competitive races below are listed by state and district number.” In the state elections, “there are also 36 governor’s races on the ballot in 2018. With the next redistricting process set for after the 2020 election, winning gubernatorial and state legislative

control will be crucial for both parties.” The exercise of our right and obligation to vote are so sacred and important as they keep our elected officials accountable. If we do not exercise this right, we give abusive officials a pass and become complicit to their transgressions against our democracy. So, register to vote if you haven’t yet and go to your polling places on November 6. Some states allow early voting and mail-in ballots. Vote for candidates who represent your values and priorities, who consider the good of ALL AMERICANS and not just a chosen privileged few, who think not only of short-term gains but

of long-term benefits to yourself, your family, your community, our nation, and our planet. Vote for candidates who value honesty, accountability, and respect for all, especially for our Constitution, our democratic principles, institutions and processes. For more information, go to: https://www.rockthevote.org/ voting-information/ or https://www.usa.gov/election-office. ***

sign. Roque has made known his desire to run for the Senate in the May 2019 elections, but DU30 has said he has no way of winning because the armed forces, who are supposed to be politically neutral in any election, are not inclined to support him. DU30’s medical condition has triggered instant discussions about his possible successor, but his gratuitous remarks about Vice President Leni Robredo have provoked speculations about the possibility of an extra-constitutional process. However the President goes, the choice of his successor is defined by the Constitution, not by anybody else. The line of succession begins with the Vice President, down to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House. Vice President Leni Robredo’s election is under protest from former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., but if the presidency falls vacant now, Robredo automatically assumes the office. Bongbong Marcos will have no claim to it, and Robredo’s right to succeed will not be affected by DU30’s opinion that she lacks his murderous qualities to become president. Neither will the military be obliged to listen to DU30’s musings about a military junta, unless perhaps a military conspiracy or a foreign invasion threatens to overrun the government and the military decides to act as the constitutional protector of the people and the state. The communist threat This brings us to the second question: What are the chances of DU30 being overthrown by the communists? It is safe to presume that the CPP/NPA/NDF considers the university classroom or campus a fertile ground for recruiting new members. Even foreign intelligence and corporate “headhunters” look to them as possible sources of fresh recruits. But the government cannot just assume “it is highly likely” that commu-

nist recruitment is going on; it must show it is indeed happening there, and build up its case against the suspects. This is best done through police investigative work, not simply by making a blanket accusation against the universities and colleges. Irresponsible and dangerous The statement, coming from the AFP, is regrettably so unintelligent, irresponsible and dangerous. It tars all the academic institutions, makes every student and faculty member in those institutions suspect, and threatens a military crackdown that will make the slightest tinge of academic freedom a thing of the past. Far from preserving the university classroom and campus as places where the young can explore new ideas, it turns them into places where they could build and throw bombs instead. It creates the very situation which academic learning is supposed to prevent. Under Marcos, the “university belt” became the seat of the student protest movement. University of the Philippines President Salvador P. Lopez, a nationalist patriot who wrote the last words (“Bataan has fallen”) for the Filipino wartime defenders of Bataan against the savage Japanese onslaught, and who long after the war served as one of the nation’s more consequential Secretary of Foreign Affairs, led the student marches from Diliman to Malacañang in an effort to showcase the nationalist character of their protest. But there were no clear dividing lines between the nationalists and the communists. Their common objective was to remove Marcos, even though Joma Sison and Commander Dante alone had a concrete plan of setting up a Maoist dictatorship. Irony of ironies, Marcos virtually broke the back of the communist movement by capturing and jailing Sison and other top communist leaders during Martial Law, only to fall in a civil-

ian-supported military putsch in 1986. Then Cory Aquino, his revolutionary successor, released and amnestied all the dissidents. When the Soviet empire disintegrated and the Cold War ended in 1991, Sison and his companions remained the only communist holdouts in Europe, specifically in Utrecht. Was DU30 ever anti-Red? In 2016, DU30 began his presidency with an express desire to forge a coalition government with the communists. His most notable Cabinet appointees were members of the CPP central committee, without the benefit of any peace agreement. He pursued his peace talks with the communists in a farcical dance between NDF1 and NDF-2, driven by his previous personal association with Sison as his professor in college. Then the talks broke down on a bed of personal insults. Most of his communist appointees failed to hurdle the confirmation process, but he kept his top communist aide, rebel ex-priest and NDF vice chairman Leoncio Evasco Jr., who continues to run the Office of the President. If DU30 is determined to go after the alleged communist recruits in the universities, what will he do to his communist partners and subordinates in government? Given his relationship with the Communist Party of China, which now feeds into the broad conduct of his national security and international relations, is it unthinkable for DU30 to accelerate his original plan of building a coalition government with Evasco’s communists, while abrogating his ties with the Sisonite forces, who accuse him of running a “brutal, corrupt and mendacious” dictatorship? His revelations on “Red October” and on his precarious state of health may have compelled various political forces to come out of the woodwork, but they have not necessarily put DU30 entirely on the defensive. (ManilaTimes.net)

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.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

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BUSINESS NEwS

‘Higher oil prices to result in lower Philippine growth’

‘Little downside risk’ to Philippine banking industry by MayVeLin

u. carabaLLo Philstar.com

In its economics and weekly strategy titled “How will Asia cope with $100 oil,” DBS economist for the Philippines and Indonesia Masyita Crystallin said the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) would expand by only six percent instead of 6.7 percent next year. File photo by Philstar.com by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

DBS Bank Ltd. of Singapore said the Philippines’ economic growth would ease further while inflation would continue to soar in 2019, if the price of oil hits $100 per barrel as the US ratchets up sanctions on Iran. In its economics and weekly strategy titled “How will Asia cope with $100 oil,” DBS economist for the Philippines and Indonesia Masyita Crystallin said the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) would expand by only six percent instead of 6.7 percent next year. She said the peso would also depreciate to a new record low of 60 to $1 instead of 56.5 to $1 next year under the $100 per barrel price of oil scenario. She added this would translate to a wider current account deficit of three percent of GDP instead of 1.4 percent per GDP as importers would have to shell out more greenbacks to pay for oil shipments. According to Crystallin, oil imports have a big impact on trade as it account for more than 10 percent of total imports. In the first seven months of the year, there was an additional $14 billion of imports that were mostly due to oil price increases. Furthermore, Crystallin warned remittances from overseas Filipinos continue to weaken.

“Widening trade deficit and possibly weaker consumption due to lower purchasining power, will adversely impact growth. Under this scenario, GDP growth in 2019 will only reach six percent compared to 6.7 percent in our baseline,” she said. The economist said inflation could average 5.9 instead of 5.5 percent next year as an oil price scenario of $100 could boost inflation by 0.4 percentage point. This, she said, would prompt the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to raise interest rates by 75 basis points instead of only 50 basis points next year. “Given that the Philippines economy is currently overheating, BSP will likely raise rates further by at least another 75 basis points to contain inflation in our baseline scenario. If oil goes to $100, there could be another 50basis point upside to the policy cycle,” Crystallin said. Under its baseline scenario, DBS expects the country’s GDP to expand 6.7 percent this year and next year. On the other hand, it sees inflation averaging six percent this year and 5.5 percent next year. The country’s GDP growth eased to its slowest pace of six percent in the second quarter from 6.6 percent in the first quarter, bringing the first half average to 6.3 percent. On the other hand, inflation leapt to 6.7 percent in September from 6.4 percent in August due to higher oil and food prices,

PH smartphone market recovers Pinoys are buying high-priced models

File photo by Manilatimes.net

ANALYST firm IDC said smartphone shipments in the Philippines reached 7.8 million units in the first half of 2018, posting a 5.6 percent growth year-overyear (YoY) and allowing the market to bounce back from the -6.6 percent decline experienced in the same period last year. Although the ultra-low-end smartphones still have the biggest market share, the average selling price (ASP) of a smartphone grew to $192 (about P10,000) in 1H18 compared with the $127 (about P6,800) before in 1H17. “The higher ASP indicates that end users are willing to invest in a phone with better specifications and features to suit their latest needs,” said Polyne Gallevo, market analyst at IDC Philippines. “Use of phones have become heavier, aside from end-users being accustomed to using smartphones as a platform for capturing, sharing, saving content, and streaming videos, engaging in higher form of mobile gaming has also been emerging.” The availability of payment options has continued to make purchasing higher priced smartphones less taxing for end users. Financing companies such as Home Credit and Flexi Finance, and in-store retail credit allow customers who do not own credit cards to get installment plans to make payments lighter. “Keeping in mind that Filipinos remain to be price conscious and want to ensure they get the best value of their money, brands now highlight no only the quality of cameras but also

features that make smartphone usage experience better such as near bezel-less screens, highspeed processors, quality speakers, AI features, and long battery life to ensure the customers that the brand is the bang for their buck,” Gallevo added. Top 5 vendors Cherry Mobile continued to lead the smartphone market in terms of unit market share but experienced a slight decline as it faces price competition with international brands and their strong marketing. Samsung remained at the second spot as it continues its approach of being present in most price points with the J and A series for low-end to midrange and its flagship phones S and Note series for the premium, combined with celebrity endorsements. Vivo climbed up a notch to third place in a year with its aggressive marketing efforts and tapping of popular local celebrity endorsers in launching V9. Shipments for their Y series increased with the launch of Y71 and Y85. X21 was also launched as the first in-display fingerprint smartphone and the official smartphone of FIFA. Oppo slipped into fourth place as Vivo became more aggressive. The vendor maintained its presence through mall ads and promodizers. It launched Oppo F7, A71, and F7 Youth. Oppo also tapped local celebrity endorsers who have a high reach among the millennials and masses. Huawei shows significant growth. The vendor increased its marketing activities with noticeable in-store display in retail, online ads, and celebrity endorsements. (Manilatimes.net) n

weak peso, and the impact of the implementation of Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. This brought the average to five percent in the first nine months of the year, exceeding the BSP’s two to four percent target. The BSP’s Monetary Board has so far raised interest rates by 150 basis points since May to curb rising inflation and keep inflationary expectations well anchored. Based on its latest assessment, the central bank now expects inflation to average 5.2 instead of 4.9 percent this year and 4.3 instead of 3.7 percent next year. n

SOLID fundamentals will keep Philippine banks on solid footing amid concerns that the economy is overheating, a Fitch Group unit said. “We believe that the Philippines banking sector is likely to remain stable and that there is little downside risk to financial stability over the coming quarters,” Fitch Solutions said in its latest “Industry Trend Analysis”. It expects gross domestic product (GDP) growth to remain stable, forecasting full-year expansion of 6.3 percent this year and the next—lower, however, compared to last year’s 6.7 percent result and the government’s 7.0-8.0 percent target for 20182022. GDP growth as of the first semester has averaged 6.3 percent. “While there are concerns that the economy may be overheating and the business environment is deteriorating, we expect growth to remain supported by positive demographic trends, a strong public infrastructure drive, and deepening economic cooperation with China and Japan,” Fitch Solutions said.

This “robust” backdrop suggests growth in household income and corporate profitability, it added. “We also observe that credit has been moving away from the more speculative sectors such as real estate into more productive sectors like construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail, which will be supportive of growth in the coming quarters,” Fitch Solutions continued. Tighter domestic monetary policy, meanwhile, will also support capital buffers. It anticipates a “fairly stable” capital adequacy ratio (CAR) “as the weakening profitability will likely be offset by slower loan and risk-weighted asset growth” in the coming quarters due to continued monetary tightening by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The BSP has raised its key interest rates by a total of 150 basis points (bps) beginning May and Fitch Solutions expects policymakers to order a 25-bps adjustment before the year ends and another 75 bps in 2019. “While we believe that asset quality will likely worsen over the coming months due to the sustained rapid loan growth (which might have come at the expense

of due diligence) and increased difficulty in servicing loans due to higher interest rates, we believe that the strong economic growth outlook is likely to cushion some of the downside impact,” it added. The Fitch unit noted that gross non-performing loans as a share of total loans of 1.9 percent in July remained significantly below the 2008 crisis level of around 5 percent and the average of 2.5 percent in the 2013-2017 period. It highlighted that private sector credit as share of GDP stood below many of its peers at just 47.8 percent in 2017, “suggesting that debt servicing costs remain manageable.” Fitch Solutions also noted that Philippine banks were liquid and that “banks in general will likely be able to sufficiently cope with an unlikely event of a bank panic, with limited assistance from the central bank.” Lastly, it pointed out that cash and due from banks as a share of total deposits was at 19.8 percent, higher than the 18-percent reserve requirement, “indicating that there is still some buffer before liquidity becomes a constraint for bank lending.” n

A12 OCTOBER 12-18, 2018

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Friday, October 12, 2018

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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 12, 2018

The raw, unapologetic candor of Jose Antonio Vargas

The journalist and activist explores the meaning of home, internal identity struggles and the power of speaking up in new memoir “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen” by Klarize

M. Medenilla / AJPress

TWO things happened to Jose Antonio Vargas after Donald J. Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States of America. First, he found himself without a permanent residence. On the day after the election, on Nov. 9, 2016, Vargas was living in an upscale apartment building in Downtown Los Angeles. The building’s manager, with whom Vargas had a friendly acquaintance, texted him saying “I’m not sure what we could do if you showed back up here,” suggesting the likelihood that Vargas would be apprehended under Trump’s stringent immigration reforms. “[James] Baldwin once said, ‘All safety is an illusion,’ and that never felt more real than that day,” Vargas told this writer in a recent phone interview. Vargas proceeded to move out of that apartment building. The second thing that happened was a sudden flood of emails, tweets and messages from young, undocumented immigrants to Vargas, who for the last decade has become a reverberating voice in the fight for immigration reform and immigrants’ rights.

Across the country, the undocumented community feared for their futures in the U.S. and turned to the strongwilled, defying voice that Vargas lent in the national dialogue on these issues, and the 37-year-old writer and activist wanted to deliver in the form of a book. Originally, he had planned on an issue-based book of the global impact of immigration policy, but his editor, instead, asked him to list out the top 10 most painful experiences of his life, “all of which had to do with lying, passing or hiding,” Vargas said in the interview. This became the foundation of his newly-released first book, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen,” a powerful, unmitigated memoir which has less to do with immigration policy and the politics surrounding it, but more to do with the psychological and emotional implications of living in America as an undocumented person. Vargas has propelled his message through the affecting cogency of his journalistic writing (like in his 2011 New York Times essay in which he made public his citizenship status) and documentary filmmaking

Vargas was detained and later released by Border Patrol in Texas in the summer of 2014.

that thematically challenges social and political norms. He’s harnessed his message into founding Define American, a non-profit media and culture organization focused on immigrants and their stories rather than politics. Vargas began “Dear America” after he left his downtown LA apartment and began his nomad lifestyle, staying with friends or renting out hotel rooms and Airbnbs. As he writes in the prologue, the book appeals to the feeling of homelessness and living a life where he had to hide from the government and lie about his citizenship. But this time around, Vargas wanted to strip the story of policy jargon and political rhetoric and put together a narrative with language that’s “more accessible and relatable” to relay a more human element of an oft-dehumanizing topic. “After twenty-five years of living illegally in a country that does not consider me one of its own, this book is the closest thing I have to freedom,” Vargas writes in the book’s prologue. In the book, Vargas details — through succinct, but stirring chapters — his mother sending him from Antipolo, Philippines (where he was born) to Northern California in 1993 to live with his lola and lolo. He recounts the shock and horror he felt as a teenager when he found out that he was undocumented and how coming out as undocumented was more difficult than coming out as a gay man. For those of us who haven’t gone through life as an undocumented immigrant of color, it’s difficult to imagine the emotional rigmarole that comes as a requisite for undocumented peoples in an America where

the emergence of nativism and xenophobia continues to manifest itself in the ugliest ways. “Dear America” delivers a perspective that has endured institutionalized and socialized racism and internal struggles and identity crises as an undocumented gay immigrant of color. “The book is kind of owning up to my own depression that I don’t really talk about. I wanted to create something relatable, but I wrote the book, really, for myself, and it’s probably the closest I ever got to going to therapy,” Vargas quipped in our interview. Impactfully, he references his literary idols — celebrated black American writers Toni Morrison and James Baldwin and legendary Filipino-American writer and poet Carlos Bulosan — writers of color who, unapologetically, claimed their identities and reverberated their truths through their writing — and, it’s evident throughout “Dear America” that he’s following suit. He began writing the book at the dawn of 2018 and chronicled the invisible existence he’s lived throughout his life as the Trump administration rolled out its most controversial immigration measures. “We are flooded with news about immigration, and sometimes the media makes it seem like all of this is happening all at once, but the reality is that Trump is only the culmination and manifestation of every bad policy on immigration. This did not happen overnight,” Vargas says. When news came out that migrant families were being separated at the border in the early summer, he was simultaneously recounting his own detention long before Trump’s election, in the summer of 2014

Vargas holds up a sign during Mitt Romney’s speech at the Iowa caucus in 2012. Photos courtesy of Jose Antonio Vargas

When Vargas was 16, he found out his green card was fake when he tried to apply for a driver’s permit.

Jose Antonio Vargas speaks at a stop on his book tour at USC on Sept. 25 AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

Vargas with his mother Emelie in the Philippines before he was sent to live with his grandparents in the U.S.

when he was detained with young Hispanic boys in a jail cell in south Texas, when “the media didn’t care and there were no hashtags or marches to bring families together,” he laughingly tells me. In this poignant chapter, Vargas details the language barrier between these boys and him and the desire to assure them colonialism was the root cause of the unjust, inhumane immigration practices that America, a country founded by

immigrants, has adopted. “If I spoke Spanish, I could have told the boys that none of this was their fault,” Vargas writes in the book. “I could have made sure they understood — even if most Americans do not — that people like us come to America because America was in our countries.” The physical book, itself, also emphatically represents Vargas’ claim of identity and voice with the handwritten Continued on Page SF6

Expect more deportations with new USCIS policy Your Immigration Solution Maridex e. abrahaM ON June 28, 2018, the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) issued a new policy memorandum that will affect individuals who apply for immigration benefits in the United States. In the memo, USCIS announced that immigration officers will have more authority to issue a Notice to Appear (“NTA”) to people whose applications for immigration benefits have been denied. This new policy took effect on October 1, 2018, and USCIS officials anticipate that more NTAs will be issued in cases where the person does not currently have the lawful authority to reside in the United States. The NTA policy may seem intimidating and confusing to understand, but you should not be discouraged from applying for immigration benefits. A qualified immigration attorney can help you navigate the immigration processes as policy changes begin to take effect. First, an NTA is the document issued by the Department of Homeland Security that initiates Removal proceedings, commonly referred to as Deportation proceedings. If you have been issued an NTA, you are required to appear in Immigration Court. The NTA will list the date, time and place of your hearing before an Immigration Judge. It is the Immigration Judge who will ultimately decide whether you may remain in the United States. The USCIS’ new policy allows an immigration officer to issue an NTA to any person who is not lawfully present in the United States. This includes individuals who have been convicted of certain

crimes, committed fraud or misrepresentation, used public benefits, or who have simply failed to maintain lawful immigration status in the U.S. The NTA policy memo does not directly impact the way officers review an application for immigration relief. In light of the USCIS’ new policy, it is extremely important that you follow instructions correctly and submit all the required documents when applying for immigration benefits. Because despite the new policy, USCIS may still approve your application if your filing contains enough information that establishes eligibility for the benefit you are seeking. However, it is essential that you pay close attention to details and be aware of any issues that may affect your case. A knowledgeable immigration attorney can help you confirm your eligibility for the requested benefit, as well as making sure that you are providing all the information needed for USCIS to approve your case. An immigration attorney will also identify any problems that might come up and help make sure that your application addresses these issues so that the officer has enough information to approve your case. If your application is unfortunately denied, you may have the opportunity to appeal the denial. It is important to note that appeals are not available for all types of denied applications. In addition, you may also be able to persuade the USCIS to reopen your case and review your application again. However, without successfully appealing or convincing the USCIS to reopen your case, USCIS will consider the positive and negative factors in your case to determine whether to issue you an NTA. The USCIS’ new policy is also applicable to people who submit applications to extend or change their non-immigrant status. If your application to extend or change your non-

immigrant status has been denied, USCIS will give you a grace period to leave the U.S. before issuing an NTA. The denial letter will provide warning language that tells you how long you are allowed to depart. It is especially important to immediately discuss any denials with an attorney before you depart the U.S., as an appeal may be possible if the application was denied incorrectly. Finally, if USCIS issue an NTA in your case, you do not have to appear in immigration court alone. An immigration attorney can represent you in removal proceedings to help you explain your case to the immigration judge. An experienced attorney understands how immigration courts work and can assist you in requesting relief from deportation, including filing all necessary documents and writing legal briefs in support of your case. Even though USCIS can issue a Notice to Appear in more types of cases, this should not prevent you from pursuing your immigration dreams. However, it is more important than ever to be represented by an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney. In addition to making sure you are eligible for the requested benefit, they can also make sure that your application and supporting documents are thorough and complete. *** REEVES IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 795- 8009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 12, 2018

Oscar-nominated Filipino is cinematographer of Lady Gaga’s ‘A Star is Born’

HOLLYWOOD — He served as Director of Photography for Darren Aronofsky’s daring films “Requiem for a Dream,” “The Fountain,” “Noah,” “Black Swan” and, most recently, “mother!” Now, Oscar-nominated cinematographer, Filipino-American Matthew Libatique, lenses director Bradley Cooper’s critically-acclaimed romantic drama, “A Star is Born.” In this new take on the iconic love story, Cooper and Lady Gaga fuse their considerable talents to depict the raw and passionate tale of Jack and Ally, two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Theirs is a complex journey through the beauty and the heartbreak of a relationship struggling to survive. It was important for Cooper that “A Star is Born’s” cinematic style have a first-person perspective, with the hope of giving the audience the ability to experience the intoxicating energy of performing live before a crowd. To achieve this sensation, Cooper and director of photography Libatique chose to film all performance sequences from the perspective of the performers: that meant the singers’ and musicians’ immediate POV and onstage interactions with each other. No wide shots of concerts from the audience perspective; the lens would live inside the performance. Producer Bill Gerber states, “Bradley took a very specific approach with how he told the story cinematically. There are certain angles from traditional concert movies you’ll never see in this film. Instead, he and Matty put you in the middle of what it feels like to start becoming famous, what it feels

“A Star is Born” director Bradley Cooper and Filipino-American cinematographer Matthew Libatique. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

like to have been famous for a long time, and what it feels like to lose that. It’s very visceral.” Libatique has shot his fair share of music and concert videos as well as feature films. “He’s an artist,” Cooper said of Libatique. “I got to meet him through Darren Aronofsky, who he has done many films with, and we hit it off right away. I told him we wouldn’t have a lot of days and we’d be moving fast, here’s the color palette I see, here’s a little about the opening composition, and he just got it.” Libatique incorporated various shooting techniques, including handheld, Steadicam, long tracking shots following Jackson Maine from backstage to onstage, and so on, frequently keeping the focus extremely up close and personal on its subjects. “Thank God for Matty and his crew, they were incredible,” Cooper emphasized. “And our camera operator, Scott Sakamoto. I found myself watching him operate, he’s like a dancer. One of the greatest of all time.”

“Black Swan” earned Matthew Libatique his first Academy Award nomination, as well as nominations from BAFTA and The American Society of Cinematographers. He was honored with both the New York Film Critics’ and Los Angeles Film Critics’ awards, as well as the Independent Spirit Award in cinematography for the same film. Libatique has ongoing collaborations with several directors, including Spike Lee, for whom he photographed “ChiRaq,” “Miracle at St. Anna,” “She Hate Me” and “Inside Man”; Joel Schumacher, with “Tigerland” and “Phone Booth”; and Jon Favreau, with “Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2” and “Cowboys & Aliens.” His other feature film credits include “Venom” for Ruben Fleischer; “Straight Outta Compton” for F. Gary Gray; “Gothika” for Mathieu Kassovitz; “Everything Is Illuminated” for Live Schreiber; and “Ruby Sparks” for directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. “A Star is Born” marks his first collaboration with director Bradley Cooper. (Philstar.com)

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List of official entries for 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival released

By Ferdie Villar THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) released the list of official entries to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Entries were chosen based on the script submitted by film producers. One of the films that made it to the “Magic 8” is “Fantastica, The Princesses, The Prince and The Perya” starring Vice Ganda under Viva Films. Actors Coco Martin and Vic Sotto will test their comedic timing and chemistry in their movie “Popoy en Jack: The Puliscredibles” by Mzet, APT and CCM Productions. Coco will also direct the said movie. Fans of Kim Chiu will see her onscreen again in not only one — but two films. The first one is alongside Jericho Rosales, Jessy Mendiola and Tom Rodriguez in the film “Girl in The Orange Dress” by Quantum and MJM Films. The second one under Regal Entertainment is “One Great Love” with Dennis Trillo. “It’s Showtime”host Anne Curtis returns to the MMFF via the film “Aurora” also under Viva Films. Veteran artists Gloria Romero, Eddie Garcia and Tony Mabesa headline “Rainbow Sunset” by Heaven’s Best Entertainment, directed by Joel Lamangan. Sisters Toni and Alex Gonzaga, along with Sam Milby star in “Mary, Marry Me” by TEN17P. Last film to make it in the Magic 8 is “Otlum” by Horseshoe Productions starring Ricci Rivero and Jerome Ponce directed by Jovinor Tan. The MMFF is an annual film festival which runs from Decem-

ber 25 through New Year’s Day and into the first weekend of January the following year. It focuses on Filipino films and during the course of the festival, only films approved by the jurors are shown in movie theaters. No foreign movies are shown except in 3D and IMAX theaters. The annual event started in

1975, during which “Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa” by Augusto Buenaventura won Best Film. One of the highlights of the festival is the parade of floats during the opening of the event. Each float represents one movie entry with their respective stars, and parades down Roxas Boulevard.

Albert Martinez, a veteran actor in Philippine entertainment, is the lead actor of the newest Filipino teleserye “Kadenang Ginto.” The series started last Monday, October 8.

Former beauty queen-turned-actress Elizabeth Oropesa is one of the lead actors in the newest primetime teleserye in GMA Pinoy TV entitled “Pamilya Roces.” The teleserye started last Monday, October 8.

Sisters Toni and Alex Gonzaga, along with Sam Milby star in “Mary, Marry Me” by TEN17P, an official entry to the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Actress Kim Chiu has two film entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival — “Girl in The Orange Dress” and “One Great Love.”

Northern California community and civic leader Concepcion Belleza Gaspar, known to her relatives and friends as Tita Connie, passed away last September 26. She is scheduled to be interred at Cypress Lawn on Friday, October 12.

Veteran actress Gloria Romera stars in the movie “Rainbow Sunset” by Heaven’s Best Entertainment, directed by Joel Lamangan.

Coco Martin will not only act in the film “Popoy en Jack: The Puliscredibles” with Vic Sotto, but will also direct it as well.

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SF5

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 12, 2018

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ SEVERAL people have consulted with me, asking whether the approval letter they received was genuine. While the notice has the opening sentence, “welcome to the United States of America,” FAKE TOURIST VISA RESULTED IN BEING SENT BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES “A TO A”, AND LATER JEOPARDIZED HIS IMMIGRANT VISA DUE TO FRAUD — ON AN which is how an adjustment of ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Johnnatan (second from left) got a tourist visa through a newspaper ad that advertised “Non-Appearance” visas for status approval notice typically $2500. He entered the U.S. in 2002 without any problems, but when he returned in 2003, he was held at the airport and sent back to the Philippines, after starts, these approval notices U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accused him of using a fake or counterfeit tourist visa. That meant a possible lifetime ban. Years later, his motherʼs are fake and people should be petition became current, and he was afraid how his fake tourist visa would affect his and his daughterʼs chances of immigrating to the U.S. Watch how a careful that they are also not family was able to overcome a fraud charge and be reunited, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. scammed. (Advertising Supplement) Apparently, there is an immigration consultancy group in Las Vegas, claiming to be associated with an entity that sounds like it is a law firm, but And lifestyle plays a great role in safe for non-pregnant women to is actually a limited liability have one drink a day, and men what happens to our body and corporation handling manageto our life. The strategy includes to have two drinks a day, new ment consultancy. But still, it PHILIP S. CHUA, diet, exercise, and staying away medical studies reveal that there looks like the person is being MD, FACS, FPCS is really no safe level of alcohol. represented by an immigrafrom toxins and poisons, and Ethyl alcohol (the ingredient in anything harmful to our body. tion law firm. In one case, our cocktails) is still an alcohol, Most diseases are “self-inIN this era of health cona Filipino was charged over which is toxic to our liver. Of flicted” sciousness, people, in gen$22,500 for legal services, course, it is a matter of dose, Have we programmed our eral, are seeking ways to live which included the promise of but why even have a tiny burn in a green card. mind and our being to selfhealthier and maximize longevour liver at all? ity through prevention. This was destruct? Many of us, includAfter paying the money, Occasionally, I love to have ing the most educated ones, one of the reasons why I wrote the person received a notice Beefeater’s martini during lunch from USCIS to be fingeroften disregard well-publicized the book, “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ evidence-based medical guides and pinot noir with my dinner Our Children,” a primer on printed for work authorization. healthy lifestyle and disease pre- for a healthy life style. Although especially during my younger They even went down to the years, but my burning GE reflux USCIS and had their fingerwe know that a certain habit or vention at the cellular (DNA-tenow punishes me when I indulge prints taken. This convinced lomere) level pre-emptively and practice or behavior is uneven with one drink. Perhaps, healthy, we still do it. Examples proactively to protect damages the person that the filing must my liver and I should thank my of these involve three culprits: to our DNA and severely minihave been legitimate, as USacid-reflux for my abstinence food, alcohol, and tobacco mize the risk for the developCIS was already fingerprinting today. (FAT). ment of hypertension, diabetes them for work permit. Diet of confusion Scientific articles abound T2, heart attack, stroke, AlzheHowever, this was merely The various types of soabout the hazards of smoking, imer’s, and even cancer. part of the scam, to make where zero tolerance is the rule, called healthy diet are confusOur society seems to have the person feel that the filing ing. There are the Adkins, South by the consultancy firm was including vaping (e-cigarettes), surrendered and accepted the Beach, DASH, ketogenic, vegan, legitimate. In reality, the conwhich has been found to be as development of these diseases dangerous as regular cigarettes. vegetarian, lectin-free, glutenas natural, a matter of course, sultancy firm apparently had free, Stillmans, Hacker, raw Even the tobacco industry, and expected as normal as hufiled an application for political foodism, etc. mans grow to midlife and older. indicted by the United States asylum for the person, beTo simply put it, what is government, now admits that There is nothing farther from cause the work authorization important are two factors: cigarettes are harmful to health the scientific truth. code on the fingerprint notice and could cause various types of quality and quantity. Basically, No one needs (or is deswas “C08,” which is the code all of these diets aim for us cancer, and yet many continue tined) to have high blood presfor work authorization when a to eat anti-inflammatory food to smoke or vape. sure or diabetes or any of the person has a pending political items, those high in anti-oxiAlcohol use is another. major cardiovascular illnesses, asylum application. dants and nutrition, those that While it was medically recomor even cancer. These are After being fingerprinted mended in the past that it was preventable to a great extent. Continued on Page SF8

Health@Heart

Life is wonderful

Another green card scam: Fake approval notices

for work authorization, the work authorization card itself never arrived. Phone calls were never returned, and when they finally got in touch with the consultancy firm, they were given the run around and many excuses. Ultimately, they received an “approval” notice for adjustment of status, even though they were not eligible for adjustment of status. This notice had the familiar “welcome to the United States” greeting, but was so fake and bogus in so many other respects. • The application or receipt number starts with the letters ZNY. This is a code for an asylum office in New York. It also shows a Service Center of “ESC,” which does not exist. . • Although this notice purports to grant permanent residency, it also reminds people they may “request to change employers” if their adjustment application had been pending for over 180 days. This is a non-sensible reference to provisions of the American Competitiveness Act of the 21st Century (AC- 21) for employment based petitions, which would have no bearing on a case that has already been approved. • Also, to be eligible for adjustment of status, there should have been some underlying petition or application that had been filed and approved, with a current priority date. USCIS doesn’t simply “approve” green cards without any underlying basis. The people who fell for this scam are out thousands of dollars. More importantly, the scam artists seem to have filed for political asylum to get a fingerprint appointment, so as to fool the people into thinking something legitimate had actually been filed with USCIS. But now, USCIS could

move forward on the asylum claim, call the person in for interview, deny the asylum, put the person in deportation/removal, and they could be ordered removed. In addition, the consultant may be having these notices sent to the consultant’s address, and they may not forward the asylum or deportation notices to the person. Years later, the person may be shocked to find they had been ordered deported when either they apply for a legitimate immigration benefits or ICE knocks at their door. If you have been a victim of this green card scam, you should seek the advice of a legitimate and reputable attorney, who might possibly be able to undo the damage of this bogus, fraudulent filing. *** 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)

entertainment The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 12, 2018

The CTV Files Atty. LiLLi B. BAcuLi IN June 28, 2018, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an Updated Guidance for the Referral of Cases and Issuance of Notices to Appear (NTAs) in Cases Involving Inadmissible and Deportable Aliens Policy Memorandum (PM). Beginning October 1, 2018, USCIS will take an incremental approach to implement this memo. In simple terms: USCIS will issue an NTA where, upon issuance of an unfavorable decision on an application, petition, or benefit request, the alien is not lawfully present in the United States. A Notice to Appear, or an NTA, is a document that instructs an individual to appear before an immigration judge and is the first step in starting removal proceedings. According to this Policy Memorandum, USCIS may issue NTAs on denied status-impacting applications, including but

Recent USCIS policy changes: Issuance of Notice to Appear (NTA) Part I not limited to Adjustment of Status Applications and Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status. The June 2018 NTA Policy Memo will not be implemented with respect to employment-based petitions and humanitarian applications and petitions at this time. Existing guidance for these case types will remain in effect. USCIS will continue to prioritize cases of individuals with criminal records, fraud, or national security concerns. There has been no change to the current processes for issuing NTAs on these case types, and USCIS will continue to use its discretion in issuing NTAs for these cases. Now more than ever, we urge people to seek legal and competent counsel especially with regard to their immigration concerns, and in particular, in their immigration applications. It is important to be

vigilant and understand how immigration policy changes may affect you or your loved ones. It is important to consult with a licensed, competent, and experienced immigration attorney who will be able to walk you through your and your family’s immigration questions. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ ctvattys.com; www.chuatinsayvega. com.

(Advertising Supplement)

The raw, unapologetic... From Page SF2 cover title and byline, Vargas’ fingerprint as the cover art and the bright, Pantone yellow book jacket that represents the given color of the Asian race. In a chapter called “Filipinos” he writes, “Filipinos fit everywhere and nowhere at all,” and despite the rich presence of Filipinos in American history, the struggle of Filipinos in America to feel at home and to feel a sense of belonging is ubiquitous. In our interview, Vargas notes the present reckoning of Filipino-American writers like Noel Alumit and Elaine Castillo who are “redefining and claiming” the Filipino identity

EMPLOYMENT

in the 21st century. In many ways, “Dear America” is an introductory call to Filipinos in America — undocumented and otherwise — to stake a claim to the Filipino-American identity and understanding how we got here. At the time of publication of “Dear America,” Vargas is 37 years old, one year older than his mother was when she dropped him off at the airport in the Philippines. On Sept. 25, on a speaking tour for his book at University of Southern California, Vargas requested that he record the audience singing “Happy Birthday” to his mother, who turned 61 years old that very day.

Vargas has not seen his mother in person since that day at the airport 25 years ago. Publicly, Vargas is a fierce, outspoken advocate for the humanization of the immigration conversation. But on that day at the Bovard Auditorium recording a crowd of strangers wish his mother a happy birthday, his demeanor softened and a modest, faint smile formed on his face. At that moment, Vargas wasn’t an activist or a writer. He was the son of a Filipina who risked family separation for the success of her anak. “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen” is out now.

How to Build a House of Bricks in Any Season

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Second of 3 parts

Monette AdevA MAgLAyA (THE first 5 tips came out in last week’s issue. Here’s the second installment of 5 more.) 6. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. Know the difference between needs and wants. Use the Pareto principle in pinpointing the vital few (20%) and the trivial many (80%). When you let your wants overrule your life, you will end up trading your time and therefore, your life away to get those material things you thought will make you happy. For those of us with big egos who cannot resist the urge to impress others with the latest gizmos, this can be a serious problem. Stuff is just stuff. If we don’t watch it, we can clutter up our lives with junk. Browsing leads to buying. There is a back end to each item we acquire as personal property. After its use, we MUST CHOOSE ANY OF THESE OPTIONS: THROW, DONATE, SELL, DESTROY or KEEP them. Keeping a great chunk of stuff we acquire over a lifetime can make pack rats out of us and deprive us of breathing space. Empty space can be beautiful because it presents possibilities. The truth is, life’s journey is easier when we travel light. This was the bucket list elucidated on in a previous article. 7. Refuse to live in the shadows. If you’re illegal, exhaust every available avenue open to you to GO LEGIT. The gates have cracked open for the time being. Life is tough enough without you having to look over your shoulders and feeling edgy all the time fearing you’ll be put on the next plane back to the home country. Surely you didn’t go through all that trouble just to live a short, harried, hapless life. After 9/11 and the dangers of soulless terrorism, whether we accept it or not, after years of abuse, a new system, is now firmly in place and “the times, they are a-changin.”

EMPLOYMENT

“I build my house of sticks. I build my house of twigs. With a hey-diddle-diddle, I play on the fiddle. And dance all kinds of jigs.” — Fiddler Pig The political axis has shifted, perhaps for the better, and the times call for nations to build walls and constrain the movement of people in the face of real threats to their national sovereignty. A oneworld, unelected government, with wealth and absolute power as their global goals, has zero interest in upholding the average person’s human rights. Economic migrants will be hit the hardest. Terrorism has reared its ugly head and fluidity and movement of people is now constrained. Get legal and go the whole nine yards towards American citizenship. Shop, ask around and get the best legal representation you can get if you have to. Not all immigration lawyers are cut from the same cloth. Choose wisely. Inspect track records. 8. Get physical. Make diet and exercise a regular part of your life. We maintain our cars and use high-grade fuel to get great performance from a machine to get us from Point A to Point B. Our magnificent bodies, the crowning glory of God’s Creation, deserve no less. If we expect to run the full course set before us and barring unforeseen twists of fate, like being run over by a truck, struck by lightning or hit by a meteorite, we can look forward to a long stretch of happy, productive, relatively healthy years ahead. 9. Admit you’re no superhero. Don’t take on more than you can handle. American life is demanding. We are all required to multitask at work and at home — to do too many things all at once —it’s enough to drive us to the edge of insanity. One technique to help us

maintain our mental health and take off the pressure when we feel overwhelmed is to say NO. Know your strengths and respect your limits and know when you’re spreading yourself too thinly. 10. A fool and his money are soon parted. Have this truism tattooed on the hand that keeps wielding the plastic, aka credit/debit cards, until it hits home — just until you learn fiscal responsibility and mind your financial health. The great financial industry that runs and oils America has your number and gauges the kind of risk you are based on your track record of fiscal responsibility reflected in that all too important number called the FICO score. This is the metric reflective of how you deal with money and your financial obligations. The gold standard is 850 and above. Cash remains king but a good credit history is queen. Mess with this metric and you will pay a painful price that hits your pocketbook even more when you have to buy big-ticket items, like a car or a house. Take care that in the first few years and for the rest of your life, you guard your credit history with the tenacity of a pit bull. (Next week: The third and final part of 15 Tips: How to Build a House of Bricks in Any Season.) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: http:// issuu.com/asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.

FOR RENT Below Market Rate (BMR) Rental Apartments Available

SF #2838

70 studio, one, two bedroom BMR rental units available at 450 Folsom Street. Rents: Studio $970, $978, $979, $987; 1 BR $1,032, $1,042, $1,116, $1,126; 2 BR $1,228, $1,241, $1,242, $1,255 per month. Must be income eligible and meet occupancy guidelines. Households must earn no more than the maximum income levels below:

40% of Median Income Household Size

1 Person

2 Persons

3 Persons

4 Persons

5 Persons

Max Annual Income

$41,080

$46,920

$52,800

$58,640

$63,360

Household Size

1 Person

2 Persons

3 Persons

4 Persons

5 Persons

Max Annual Income

$41,450

$47,350

$53,300

$59,200

$63,950

50% of Median Income

FOR RENT

Application information found on DAHLIA at housing.sfgov.org starting 10/11. Applications due by 5pm on 11/1. Please contact Related Management Company for building information at (628) 241-4501 or 450Folsom@related.com. Income limits are subject to change based on changes to the Area Median Income as published by HUD, and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.

1101 Connecticut is now leasing brand-new units! 18 apartments available for lease through DAHLIA San Francisco Housing Portal

SF #2830

SF

Apartment sizes and rents range from: Two studios

$979-$1,187 per month

Four 1 BR’s

$1,115-$1,351 per month

Eleven 2 BR’s

$1,238-$1,504 per month

One 3 BR

$1,650 per month

Households must have a minimum monthly gross income of two times the rent Households must earn no more than the gross annual income listed below: 60% AMI

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

$49,750

$56,800

$63,950

$71,050

$76,700

$82,400

$88,100

Applications must be received by 5PM on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. Postmarks will not be considered. Applications available from 10/2 to 10/23. Apply online to ensure your application is received on time. Applications must either be submitted online at housing.sfgov.org or mailed in to: 1101 Connecticut, P.O. Box 420847, San Francisco, CA 94142 Applications can be downloaded from housing.sfgov.org or picked up from one of the housing counseling agencies listed at housing.sfgov.org/housing-counselors. Some units are available with special features for mobility impaired or sensory impaired households. Several preferences apply; learn more at housing.sfgov.org.

8QLWV DYDLODEOH WKURXJK WKH 6DQ )UDQFLVFR 0D\RU¶V 2I¿FH RI +RXVLQJ DQG Community Development and are subject to monitoring and other restrictions. Visit www.sfmohcd.org for program information.

Planning and public engagement process community SF for multi-year effort to revitalize the Crissy Bea Alonzo, Aga Muhlach say they’ve Field area of The Presidio begins always wanted to work with each other The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 12, 2018

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The National Park Service, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and the Presidio Trust launched the planning and public engagement process for a multi-year effort to revitalize the Crissy Field area of the Presidio. With a growing urban population, unique natural and cultural features, and a changing bay environment, the next chapter of the much-beloved Crissy Field begins. The project, named HYPERLINK “http://www.nps.gov/goga/ crissyfieldnext.htm� Crissy Field Next, is especially focused on gathering input and ideas from existing as well as new audiences to create an inclusive, welcoming space for all communities. “We’re excited to be taking the widely popular Crissy Field to another level through improved services and better maintenance for all of our communities to enjoy,� said Laura Joss, Golden Gate National Recreation Area General Superintendent. The National Park Service and the Parks Conservancy began transforming Crissy Field in 1998 from an army airfield into the first visitor destination within the Presidio, a national park site. A few years later, the Presidio Trust began developing the buildings along Mason Street, welcoming in visitor-serving park tenants – and now is working in partnership with the Park Conservancy and the NPS on the Presidio Tunnel Tops, connecting the Main Post of the Presidio to Crissy Field. Now, nearly 20 years after its restoration, parts of Crissy Field are in need of repair and rehabilitation, while other areas may not be used to their full potential. Crissy Field Next offers an opportunity to make improvements to Crissy Field so that all visitors are able to enjoy and connect with this location in the park.

There may be new features, while the sense of tranquility and history that makes it such a special place will always be preserved. “When we began the transformation of Crissy Field 20 years ago, we knew it was a special place worth saving, but what we didn’t realize was how important a role Crissy Field would play for San Francisco residents and visitors alike,� remarked Greg Moore, Parks Conservancy President & CEO. “We are excited to champion Crissy Field in its next chapter, and hope through this process that we come up with more ways to connect visitors with this beloved bayfront area and the rest of the 1500- acre Presidio,� said Jean Fraser, CEO of the Presidio Trust. Crissy Field Next has five project goals to address in six topic areas: community, recreation, access and safety, ecology, history, and sustainability. Goals include: To connect with the community by creating an inclusive, welcoming space that’s accessible and easy to enjoy. To add more opportunities for recreation, renewal, and reflection — a visitor experience worth a day trip or more. To improve access and safety for Crissy Field visitors, with smoother traffic flow, practical parking options, and safer ways for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel. To preserve and enhance the value of the ecology and history of Crissy Field, with educational opportunities and insights that respect the richness of the place. The ultimate goal is to create a sustainable, well-designed space that’s durable, flexible, and easy to maintain in the decades to come and is inviting to current and new audiences. As part of the planning

and public engagement process, the project team and partners are inviting our communities to a special family-friendly kick-off event for Crissy Field Next. This day will invite current and new community members to learn more about the unique areas within Crissy Field and provide ideas and input on what they want to see next in each area. There will also be a representative from the Tunnel Tops project - which will add 14-acres of new national parkland over the freeway tunnels - to provide important information on how the two projects are connected in making a new Presidio visitor experience. Crissy Field Day will be held on Saturday, October 20, from 11 am- 2 pm, at Crissy Field East Beach (1199 East Beach, San Francisco, CA). This family-friendly event will have hands-on crafts and science fun, live music, and free gifts. About the National Park Service The National Park Service (NPS) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior charged with managing the preservation and public use of America’s most significant natural, scenic, historic, and cultural treasures. The NPS manages the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, as well as 417 other park sites across the U.S. For more information, visit nps.gov/goga. About Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit membership organization that supports the Golden Gate National Recreation Area—one of the most-visited units in the national park system in the U.S. Since 1981, the Parks Conservancy has provided over $500 million of support to site transformaContinued on Page SF8

by Alfred

BAyle

Inquirer.net

BEA Alonzo and Aga Muhlach were surprised to learn that they had been hoping to work with each other for the longest time. Both actors had a longstanding admiration for each other’s work and hoped to work with each other on a future project, but years went by and the right film didn’t come until director Paul Soriano walked in with “First Love.� “Nakatrabaho na siya ng ibang mga babae sa generation ko like sina Angelica (Panganiban), Angel (Locsin), Anne (Curtis), tapos akala ko, hindi na siya mangayayari. Pangarap ko siyang makatrabaho,� said Alonzo during an interview with Push. (He’s (Muhlach) worked with other women from my generation like Angelica [Panganiban], Angel [Locsin], Anne [Curtis], then I thought maybe it’ll never happen to me. I’ve always dreamed of working with him.) Meanwhile, Muhlach had also been admiring Alonzo’s work on the big screen. The veteran actor recalled saying, “Man, I’d love to work with her,� as he watched one of her

Aga Miuhlach and Bea Alonzo

films. Soriano would later approach Muhlach with a new project that the director had seen as a perfect movie for the two actors, such that he already labeled the raw script as “Aga and Bea.� Muhlach immediately texted and called up Alonzo to pitch the project. On her end, Alonzo quickly asked her driver to pull over just so she could answer a call from the Aga Muhlach. “Sabi ko, ‘Sandali, sandali, tumigil ka, tatawag si Aga Muhlach!’ Oo, talagang sinagot ko. Tapos, tina-try kong ikalma ang sarili ko,� Alonzo recalled. (I said, ‘Wait, wait, stop,

Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo

Aga Muhlach is going to call!’ I quickly said ‘Yes.’ Then I was trying to calm myself.) “Hindi pa niya natatapos ’yung sentence niya, sabi ko, oo, oo, opo, sige, gumawa tayo ng pelikula.� (He wasn’t finished with his sentence yet and I was already saying, ‘yes, yes, yes, all right, let’s make a movie.’) Muhlach also mused at how the actress called him “kuya.� Alonzo reflected, “Siguro ngayon ’yung perfect time at siguro, ito ’yung perfect project.� (Maybe now is the perfect time, and this is the perfect project.)

Davao City beauty wins Miss World Philippines by Arlo

Custodio

ManilaTimes.net

BEAUTY pageant veteran Katarina Rodriguez of Davao City bested 39 other candidates to win the Miss World Philippines 2018 crown on October 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The 26-year-old model was a Binibinibing Pilipinas title holder in 2017 and represented the country in the Miss Intercontinental pageant

in Egypt on January 25 where she placed first runner-up. She also placed third in the second edition of “Asia’s Next Top Model� in 2014. Rodriguez was proclaimed Best in Long Gown, and also won the Beach Beauty fasttrack challenge which automatically advanced her to the Top 16. Three Miss World winThe former Binibining Pilipinas-Intercontinental is ners were part of the panel of Continued on Page SF9

now Miss World Philippines. ManilaTimes.net photos by Gerard Seguia

Pilgrimage to Some of ITALY’s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5(9 -2(/ %8*$6 ĹĄ 1RYHPEHU WR 1RYHPEHU 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; 86$ 520( 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH Upon our arrival in Rome, our Tour Escort will welcome us to Italy. Rome is the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all over the world. After a short panoramic orientation of this Eternal City to us Roman Catholics, we will have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 3DSDO $XGLHQFH 5RPH This morning before we continue with our tour, we will have a Papal Audience. Then after, we will visit the famous Coliseum and see the Forum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi Fountain, before heading to our Hotel. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH %DVLOLFDV We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, and even ancient Greek and Roman artists. the largest church in Roman Catholicism, St. Peter’s Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary Major, Followed by visit of the Basilica. We continue to visit the rest of the major Basilicas within the walls of Rome, and St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Wall. We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same steps that Christ ascended to receive Pilate’s unjust condemnation. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY )UL Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR 2018 is the 100th Anniversary of the stigmatization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year. San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July, 1916 until his death on 23 September, 1968. Enjoy the drive going to San Giovanni, after we check in our Hotel. vWe visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated with him, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace that contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditating, see his room, his confessional box and the cruciďŹ x that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Celebrate Holy Eucharist (Hotel Gran Paradiso) DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN San Giovanni Rotondo (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6DW Ĺ&#x; 6$1 *,29$11, 52721'2 This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body. Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesome Basilica. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (Hotel Gran Paradiso)

'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6XQ Ĺ&#x; 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR /DQFLDQR /RUHWR MASS AND BREAKFAST. We arrive at Lanciano, famous for the Miracle of the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The miracle took place during the 8th century when a Basiline monk doubted the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. He found himself holding the host that had changed into Real Flesh and the Wine on the altar had changed into Real Blood. We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to see the famous sacred home of the most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Since 1294 the holy home has been located inside the Basilica of Loreto. Celebrate Holy Eucharist in Lanciano. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi. 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; /RUHWR $VVLVL Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis of Assisi. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica lies the tomb of one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Eucharist at the Crypt of St. Francis See the Basilica of St Clare, with her incorrupt body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its CruciďŹ x from which Jesus spoke to Francis about his mission in 1206: “Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â€? We visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1240. The small Church of the Porziuncola is inside the Basilica itself. Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble Church on August 1st and 2nd every year, with Confession, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; $VVLVL 6LHQD )ORUHQFH We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of the Renaissance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the city’s history while admiring it’s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s great medieval squares. Continue to Florence. (BB,D) We start with a guided walking tour of Florence, this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist. Rest of the day free (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; )ORUHQFH 5RPH Leave Florence around 2PM Arrived Rome almost dinner time (BB.D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 86$ End of our wonderful Pilgrimage

Please call QTS Tour and Travel NOW at 1 (714) 288-0800 or (714) 761-6280 1095 N Main St. Suite O, Orange, CA 92867

SF8

entertainment The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 12, 2018

Planning and public engagement...

From Page SF7 tions, habitat restorations, research and conservation, volunteer and youth engagement, and interpretive and educational programs. Learn more at parksconservancy.org or call (415) 561-3000. About the Presidio Trust

The Presidio Trust is a federal agency that manages the Presidio of San Francisco, a national park at the heart of the 82,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In partnership with the National Park Service and the non-profit Golden Gate Na-

tional Parks Conservancy, the Presidio Trust brings alive the park’s historic, natural, and recreational assets for the inspiration, education, health, and enjoyment of all people at no cost to taxpayers. Learn more at www.presidio.gov.

No trick here: McDonald’s USA brand new game “Trick. Treat. Win!” offers a 1 in 4 chance to win prizes instantly

With two ways to play, McDonald’s is the go-to place to get the most fun out of Halloween

CHICAGO – With the excitement of Halloween approaching, McDonald’s is launching a new national game called Trick. Treat. Win! (Advertising Supplement) that turns the season’s frights into delights. From October 5 through October 31, customers have a 1 in 4 chance to instantly win delicious McDonald’s food and awesome prizes. How to play the Trick. Treat. Win! game at McDonald’s: Customers can play by visiting a participating McDonald’s restaurant across the U.S. There are two ways to win the spooktacular prizes of the Trick. Treat. Win! Game. Instantly: By peeling game pieces on select McDonald’s packaging of iconic menu items, customers have the chance to instantly win craveable and delicious food prizes like fries, a Big Mac Sandwich, Artisan Chicken or Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Biscuit Sandwich, small McCafé Frappé, Smoothie or Shake and snack size McFlurry. Some instant win prizes may also be special prizes like cash, or from game partners, such as PlayStaO C TO B E R 9 - N OV E M B E R 9 tion Bundles, Monster Jam Superstore gift cards and more. FASGI presents FAIR art exhibit in Los Angeles If the game piece is not an FASGI is pleased to announce FAIR – FASGI Artists Impressions & Reflections – an art exinstant win, customers still have hibit to be held from October 9, 2018 to November 9, 2018 at the FASGI Bayanihan Center a chance to win by redeeming (135 N. Park View St., Los Angeles, CA 90026). FAIR is presented as part of FASGI’s Arts Inthe peeled game piece for Encubator Program. FAIR will showcase five internationally-acclaimed artists who will unveil new and original artworks: Rafael Maniago, Cesar Devera, Johnny Otilano, Mat Relox, and Tiinz Taruc. FASGI’s Arts Incubator Program was created in 2016 to promote and uplift Filipino and Filipino American arts and culture. The program’s mission is to: (1) help Filipino American artists to be properly recognized and given economic opportunities for advancement; (2) enable Filipino Americans to get in touch with their culture; and (3) to educate mainstream America on Philippine/American art. The program currently includes a permanent gallery, special exhibits, portraiture, parol-making, and an artist-in-residence program. Art workshops, instruction, and live projects are currently being planned for commencement in 2019.

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS

O C TO B E R 1 3

48th year anniversary retreat and rosary rally in Tujunga, CA October is the month of the Holy Rosary and what could be fitting is to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary and offer flowers of mercy and compassion to others. On Saturday, October 13, the Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups is sponsoring the event which will include a variety of retreat speakers: Monsignor Lorenzo Miranda, Rev. Stephen, Rev. Robert Victoria and Rev. Rene Panlasigui, RCJ. Topics will revolve around the theme: “Mary and the Church”. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration will start at 8:00 am at the patio. Procession will begin from the Grotto leading to Church. Come one, come all! All are welcome. Be refreshed and be renewed. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (7344 Apperson Street, Tujunga, CA 91042). For information, please call: Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or Rico Nosce at (818) 352-3218.

Daly City hosts Fil-Am History Month celebration Daly City celebrates Filipino-American History Month via Kasayahan sa Daly City at the Marchbank Park (2001 Junipero Serra Blvd., Daly City, CA 94014) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be food trucks, a family fun zone, arts and crafts, a jump house, a beer garden, several vendor booths, a bubble machine, and entertainment from homegrown talent. Parking is free at the DC Station Garage on 2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard, and Marchbank Park is accessible on the second floor. This is a free event, and everyone is invited.Entertainment throughout the day will be provided by Melvinsings! Maddie B, Kariktan Dance Company, American Center of Philippine Arts, Rudy Kalma, Mike Dayao, Guji, and more. Headliners to perform at the TFC Hour are “Queen of Freestyle” Jocelyn Enriquez and rapper and spoken word artist Ruby Ibarra. For more information about this event, call (650) 991-8001 or go to their Facebook events page https://www.facebook.com/events/264867907630476/.

O C TO B E R 2 0

West Ranch High School hosts Wildcat Classic n Valencia, CA West Ranch High School is proud to present the 10th annual Wildcat Classic, a daylong display of musical artistry. More than 20 high school bands from the Santa Clarita Valley and around the region will gather for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra (SCSBOA) Marching Band Competition. The Wildcat Classic is happening Saturday, October 20, 2018 3 p.m.-9 p.m. at Valencia High School’s football stadium, located at 27801 Dickason Dr. in Valencia. Tickets are $10; parking is free. Each high school band will compete by division followed by an astounding showcase performance of the three-time state champion West Ranch Band and Colorguard. The day-long event culminates in an awards ceremony with awards presented in each division as decided by a panel of SCSBOA judges. The performance schedule will be announced prior to the event. Vendors will be on site with plenty of delectable food and drink options as well as gifts and apparel for the music enthusiast. For additional information, please contact West Ranch Music Director Jason Marshall at 661-222-1220 x 646 or jmarshall@hartdistrict.org or visit their website at www.westranchmusic.com.

Our Lady of Fatima celebration in Los Angeles Join on Saturday, October 20, at 5 p.m. for a special celebration in honor of our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. It will be held at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). The main celebrant is Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar. All the faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are cordially invited to join us in October, the month of the Rosary, to pray for peace and conversion in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima. Please share this announcement with your parish, families and schools. Together we can bring peace to our world. Together in prayer, we make a difference. All are welcome! For more information, please call (323) 578-8411 or (818) 421-6534.

Fil-Am Association of SCV,Inc. 35th Anniversary Gala The Siena College QC alumni will be holding its 35th Anniversary Gala. A black tie and hollywood glamour dinner and dance $60.00 (prepaid) on Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia, CA 91355. For details and purchase of tickets, please call: Mul (661) 253-1825, Zeny (661) 284-0181, Myra (424) 350-1056, Zony (661) 312-3422, Nic (661) 312-9077, Linda (661) 904-1365 and Emie (661) 877-2699.

Pinta*Dos Philippine Art Gallery in San Pedro, CA hosts art talk by Christine Morla The current ongoing show at Pinta*Dos Gallery is Contemporary Filipino and Filipino American Artists Encounter Textile which presents works by Filipino American artists Cirilo Domini and Christine Morla, and Manila’s Aze Ong, all of whom have been conceptually, spiritually or formally inspired to use textiles as a starting point of inquiry. On October 20, 2018, artist Christine Morla will talk about her art and how her Philippine cultural heritage has influenced her work. Scheduled at 3:00pm - 5:00pm, the Art Talk will also include Conversations with one of the curators of the current art exhibit, Joseph Santarromana. Pinta*Dos Gallery is located at 479 W Sixth Street, Suite 107 at the Historic Arts District of San Pedro, CA. The event is free and open to the public but RSVP is requested. Call (310) 514-9139 or email Linda Nietes-Little: info@pintadosgallery.com for more details. Pinta*Dos Gallery is open on Thursday and Friday, from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. or by appointment.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

try Tokens that can be used to enter the Daily Sweepstakes on the McDonald’s Mobile app. In our app: Collect Entry Tokens from peeled game pieces on select McDonald’s packaging and use to enter the Daily Sweepstakes in our app for a chance to win a new prize each day. Craveable McDonald’s for life is just one of the Daily Sweepstakes prizes. Additional Daily Sweepstakes prizes include an all-new 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe, Beaches Resorts Luxury Included Vacations, football fan trips, Universal Parks & Resorts trips, and an abundance of cash prizes among many others. “This Halloween, we’re giving customers a month long celebration of trick-or-treating by playing the new Trick. Treat. Win! game at McDonald’s,” said Kenny Mitchell, Vice President of Marketing, McDonald’s. “With one in four odds of winning, we’re upping the ante with luck, not superstitions.” Trick. Treat. Win! game pieces can be found on many favorite menu items including a medium hot McCafé beverage, large hot McCafé beverage, medium cold McCafé beverage, medium fountain beverage or Iced Tea, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Filet-OFish sandwich, six piece Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, 10 or

20 piece Chicken McNuggets, Hash Brown or McMuffin Sandwich (excluding the Sausage McMuffin Sandwich). For more details on the Trick. Treat. Win Game, visit www.TrickTreatWin.com About McDonald’s USA McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 25 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www. mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/ mcdonalds. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER/WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE CHANCES OF WINNING. Open to residents of 50 US & DC 13+. In-Restaurant Game ends 10/31/18, or while Game Pieces last. Subject to Official Rules at participating McDonald’s, in the McDonald’s App and www.TrickTreatWin.com. See Official Rules for details on how to play without purchase. Void where prohibited. (Advertising Supplement)

The City of South San Francisco encourages residents to register to vote by the October 22 deadline

THE City of South San Francisco is encouraging residents to vote by 11:59:59 p.m. Pacific Time on October 22 for the upcoming election, which is Tuesday, November 6, 2018. If you are unsure whether you are registered to vote, you can visit https://registertovote. ca.gov. “I cannot stress enough the importance of registering to vote and voting in this upcoming election,” said South San Francisco Mayor Liza Normandy. “This is your chance to have your voice heard and it’s also a chance to shape our City’s future.” she added. Most neighborhood polling places will no longer be used

for voting. Instead, you can vote at any vote center in your county. All registered San Mateo County voters will get a ballot and voter guide in the mail a few weeks before the election. There are three ways to vote: 1. Mail your ballot. 2. Drop off your ballot at a secure ballot drop-box. 3. Visit any San Mateo County Vote Center to drop off your ballot or vote in person. Four vote centers are open 29 days before the election from October 9, 2018 - November 6, 2018. The South San Francisco Main Library, located at 840 West Orange Avenue, is

one of the four centers open. You can find additional locations at www.smcvote.org. The South San Francisco vote center is open to the public, including weekends and holidays (except October 1314 and October 20-21), on the following dates/times: • October 9, 2018 - November 2, 2018; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • November 3, 2018 - November 5, 2018; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. • November 6, 2018 ELECTION DAY; 7 a.m.-8 p.m. All vote center are fully accessible for voters with disabilities. To obtain information regarding what is on your local ballot, please visit http://votersedge.library.ca.gov/en/ca.

Life is wonderful...

From Page SF5 lessen oxidative processes in our body that cause illnesses and speed up aging. There are foods that induce inflammation in our body, and damages to our DNA, and those are to be avoided. Low carbohydrate (especially in rice), high plant-based food items, low fat, high protein diet with at least eight glasses of filtered water daily is the easiest rule to remember. I was a rice addict (three meals a day) until last March, when I stopped eating rice cold turkey. I never thought I could do it. But here I am almost eight months later, still on a rice-free diet, and my blood sugar and blood pressure well under control. Of course, depending on our weight, being aware of our caloric (volume) intake is essential, which we can always adjust. Daily physical exercise is a natural and a vital part of this regimen. Just observe our animal friends and see how active they are, always on the move. That’s nature teaching us. So, let’s stop self-inflicting, self-inducing harm to our body and get out of that self-destruct (almost suicidal) mode most of us, if not all, appear to have programmed out mindset to. Let’s be healthy and enjoy life. Minimize harmful lectin Studies have revealed that lectin (different from lecithin, which is good for health) a protein discovered in 1888 is found in almost all food items which could cause damage to our cells and a cascade of inflammation and auto-immune reaction. It is also anti-nutrients, undigested by our body. Some people are so intolerant of lectin that they

develop weight gain, leaky guts and other illnesses. While almost all foods have lectin in them, this harmful substance is greatly reduced by cooking, sprouting, and fermenting. Nonetheless, it is best to minimize our intake of lectin. The following are some of the food items which have high lectin levels: all soy and wheat products (most breads), most cooking oil, all varieties of rice, quinoa, barley, rye, grains, oats, dairy products, foods with gluten, and the so-called nightshade foods, like tomatoes, beans, peas, squash, lentils, eggplants, sweet and hot peppers, potatoes, peanuts, and cashews. Meats and seafoods also contain lectin. Those with low lectin levels are all vegetables not on the list above, dark chocolates, almonds, walnuts, macadamia, extra virgin oil, tea/coffee (without cream and sugar), and stevia, the only sugar substitute on the list. Again, cooking reduces lectin to a safer level. The lower, the better. Those who continue to smoke tobacco (including ecigarettes), which are toxic to the body, and can cause a host of illnesses, especially cancer, or those who imbibe excess alcohol, which is literally toxic to the liver, no matter how little (new studies show there is no safe level for alcohol intake), are virtually committing a slow suicide. While a bit of exaggerated, this is nonetheless a medical truism. Together with daily exercise (low-impact brisk walking is in, and joint-busting jogging is medically discouraged), diet is vital to our health and longev-

ity. We are indeed what we eat. Both physical exercise and proper diet significantly reduce our risk for the development of all major diseases, including Alzheimer’s and cancer. Dr. Google on-call If unsure or in need of information about anything, we have Dr. Google (office hours 24/7) at our fingertips, free of charge. In my case, “I don’t need Google, because my wife knows everything,” as printed on my t-shirt from Cancun, Mexico, a gift from my eldest daughter, Sheillah. In all seriousness, though, our state of health and longevity are greatly in our hands, within our control to a significant extent. Disciplining our mind (and mindset), harnessing and utilizing all the information about healthy lifestyle which are readily available and accessible today, plus regular meditation and daily prayers, are the fundamental ingredients of the recipe for a healthier, happier, more productive, and maximal longevity. Life is wonderful. Let’s have more of it. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indianwa and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; comments questions: scalpelpen@gmail.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Kulintang Dialect workshops and performance

SAN FRANCISCO — Through Conrad Benedicto’s mentorship and vision, Kulintang Dialect is an upcoming series of original kulintang music compositions that will explore the idea of an American kulintang music tradition with its own distinctive accent. These compositions will be offered to the public in a series of workshop presentations and performances, eventually producing a music album. Kulintang Dialect will offer a series of public workshops at Balboa High School in December 2018 and April 2019 and public performances in June 2019. Benedicto’s Kulintang Dialect will create and present work that will demonstrate the culmination of integrity and ethical use of material with specific cultural origins and context. All original compositions in Dialect will be rooted in three traditional kulintang songs: “Binalig,” “Kangungudan,” and “Tidtu.” Conrad will be joined by collaborating kulintang artists in the SF Bay Area including Caroline Cabading, Alexis Canillo, Manny Dragon, Ronald Quesada and Lydia Neff. During the workshops and performances, Benedicto and performing artists will show the connections between the songs and their roots within the rhythms and melodies of each style. This project is made possible and supported by grants from the San Francisco Arts Commission. Workshops dates All workshops will be held in Balboa High School’s Susan Ritter Room. Fall 2018 - October 13, 2-4 p.m. and November 17, 2-4 p.m. Winter 2019 - Feb 9, time TBA Spring 2019 - April 6, time TBA Performance will be at Balboa High School Theater on June 1, 7 p.m. and June 2, at 2 p.m. About Kulintang Dialect Conrad Benedicto was introduced to the indigenous Philippine art form of kulintang gong music through Danongan “Danny” Kalanduyan. Master Kalanduyan often compared kulintang music to speaking. Whenever Benedicto was on the verge of completing a song, Master Kalanduyan would say, “Everything is correct. Now play it with the proper (Maguindanaoan) accent.” Benedicto dutifully learned to play all of the songs with the “proper accent.” Since Master Kalanduyan’s

passing in 2016, Benedicto still wonders what his kulintang accent was as a Pilipino American. How would the music sound if that accent was fully expressed? This is the idea behind Kulintang Dialect. Kulintang Dialect’s workshop and performance intend to explore what a distinctly American kulintang tradition could sound like while also keeping the legacy of masters like Kalanduyan alive. The goals for Kulintang Dialect is to develop a distinct regional sound for Pilipino American kulintang. This style of playing traditional kulintang pieces will incorporate and celebrate the American/Pilipino American influences that often crept into the songs Danny would teach Benedicto. The material developed while exploring the distinct sound of Pilipino American kulintang will eventually produce an album. About Master Artist Danongan “Danny” Kalanduyan Danongan “Danny” Kalanduyan was born into a musically talented family in the southern Philippines: Datu Piang (formerly known as Dulawan). Prior to the late 1800s, the town of Dulawan rivaled Zamboanga in size and importance. Because of this, the traditional kulintang music that Master Kalanduyan learned on his mother’s knee is an ancient style of music, said to be one of the very oldest of the many styles of traditional kulintang music played in the Philippines. About the grant recipient Conrad Benedicto’s kulintang journey began in 1997 when he saw an ad for lessons by his future mentor, Danny Kalanduyan, at San Francisco’s Philippine Consulate. Like many young Pilipino Americans, he was hungry to reaffirm his identity in a manner that was more visceral than academia or even family could provide. The indigenous Pilipino music reverber-

PBRC holds 30th Anniversary Gala

The Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that provides a host of activities for Filipino Americans in the Peninsula region of the Bay Area, held its 30th anniversary gala at the Holiday Inn-SFO Airport last September 29. While reminding attendees of the many services that PBRC provides for youth, adults and seniors in the community, the event also honored founding members board chair Perla Gange Ibarrientos and board member Monica Abello for their years of service, commitment and loyalty to the organization. Elected officials, including Board of Equalization member Fiona Ma, CA State Assemblymember Phil Ting, San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa and Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo, presented PBRC and the honorees with citations and certificates. Photo above shows PBRC president Ray Satorre, as well as PBRC officers and board members, with Assemblymember Phil Ting after the Assemblymember presented PBRC with a citation; photos below show (top) PBRC board member Monica Abello and family members after being presented with a plaque in honor of Abello’s service to the PBRC; (bottom) and PBRC board chair Perla Ibarrientos with husband Emigdio (left) and PBRC president Ray Satorre (right) after receiving a plaque in honor of her service to PBRC. (Photos/caption by Joseph Peralta/AJ Press)

ated loudly in that space inside Benedictor that he sought to fill with the conviction that came from a people with a past, a heritage with intrinsic value and its own cosmology. For the past 20 years, Benedicto has taught English and Social Studies at Balboa High School, San Francisco, California. He is also the Executive Director of the Wilderness Arts and Literacy Collaborative (WALC). Benedicto is a two-time recipient of funding through the Alliance for California Traditional Artists (ACTA) Master-Apprentice program, and he has studied with Master Danongan “Danny” Kalanduyan since 1998.

people & events

SF

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 12, 2018

Davao City beauty wins Miss World...

From Page SF7 judges who were impressed by Rodriguez’ performance. They were former title holders Megan Young (2013), Stephanie del Valle (2016) and Manushi Chhillar (2017). Mr. World 2012 Francisco Escobar hosted the glittering pageant alongside Miss World 1993 Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez and actress Carla Abellana. On Monday, October 8, hours after her victory, the country’s official representative to the Miss World pageant in Sanya, China in December poured out her thoughts on Instagram. “Before I get into the conventional beauty queen victory post, I wanted to share something about authenticity. This is me. Katarina Rodriguez at 26 years old. I’ve had people from all directions, coming from everywhere and anywhere judge me like it’s their profession. “People who know me, or don’t know me, who think they know me, or may have just heard something through some imaginary grape vine so to speak—gave me constant criticism, be it constructive or just flat out unnecessary.

Miss World Philippines 2018 Katarina Rodriguez (third from left) is flanked by (from left) First Princess Chanel Morales, Miss Multinational Philippines 2018 Kimi Mugford, Miss Eco Philippines 2018 Maureen Montagne, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2018 Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez and Second Princess Pearl Hung.

They come my way day to day. I have people telling me to act this way or that way or not post, wear, or do certain things and at one point I got very confused at who I should be. “‘Just be yourself, Katarina.’ That’s me to me. ”The last two years of my life I had the chance to really get to know who I am as a person, as a woman in fact. And in the last four days that all seemed to have gone out the window. I was second guessing every breath I was taking because of the pressure. “Don’t doubt yourself… shake that off,” someone told me. I kept echoing these words in my mind. “Staying true to who you are is so im-

portant even in a performance like @msworldphil because in a world full of many false things, it’s almost like magic to be something so real. I made myself a promise that if I was going to win Miss World Philippines, I would win by being me and doing my thing. And I did exactly that. To anyone with self doubt, again,be who you are, the you of your soul. With that and kindnesss you’ll stay golden.” Also crowned were Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez as Reina Hispanoamericana 2018, Maureen Montagne as Miss Eco Philippines 2018 and Kimi Mugford as Miss Multinational 2018. First Princess was Chanel Morales, and Second Princess was Pearl Hung.

SF10

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - October 12, 2018