110817 - Los Angeles Midweek Edition

November 8-10, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 90 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages

Duterte: PH, US ‘best of friends’ by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

DESPITE his previous tirades against the United States, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, Nov. 7 said the Philippines and the U.S. are “the best of friends.” In his speech during the 67th anniversary of the Philippine Marine Corps. in Taguig City, the president reaffirmed the Philippines’ ties with the U.S. “We remain to be the best of friends with America. Most of you or some of you went to school in America and I do not blame you if your sentiments really remain with the power that President Rodrigo Duterte listens to finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III

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during the Cabinet cluster meeting held at Malacañang on Monday, Nov. 6.

Malacañang photo

USA

DATELINE White House, Republicans delay decision on DACA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Lawmakers postpone finding a solution for the program until after the holidays

SINCE the Trump administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in September, Congress has engaged in talks on how to protect the nearly 800,000 undocumented youth currently enrolled in the program. While minimal progress has been yielded from these talks, the White House and congressional Republicans on Thursday, November 2 have decided not to include a solution for DACA in the end-of-the-year spending bill, and instead will table the issue until after the holidays.

Groups to hold protests against Trump Fewer Filipinos believe by GAEA

AFTER making a first stop in Japan, U.S. President Donald Trump made way to South Korea on Tuesday, November 7, amid tensions with its neighbor North Korea. At a joint news conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Trump said that the nuclear and missile programs of North Korea’s Pyongyang were threatening to “millions” of people and required worldwide action. “We call on every responsible nation, including China and Russia, to demand that the North Korean regime end its nuclear weapons and its missile program and live in peace,” said Trump at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, almost 35 miles from North Korea’s border. “It’s time to act with urgency and great determination,” he added. Despite Trump’s previous diatribes

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KATREENA Philstar.com

CABICO

MANILA — Protests will greet United States President Donald Trump the moment he arrives in the Philippines for the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. During the launch of the #BanTrump campaign Tuesday, Nov. 7 militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan announced they would hold a three-day protest action against the controversial leader, sayTRUMP EFFIGY. Leftist protesters parade an effigy of President Donald Trump near the U.S. Embassy on Friday, Sept. 15 to protest alleged American ing Trump’s visit to the country military interference in Mindanao. The effigy was later burned. Anti-riot would not be beneficial. “Trump represents the worst police blocked members of militant groups Save Our Schools (SOS) and Kilusan ng Moro at Katutubong Mamamayan Para Sa Sariling Pagpapasya aspects of U.S. imperialism. His (Sandugo) on Kalaw Avenue and prevented them from crossing Roxas Boulevard. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

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Philippines urges tighter ASEAN border control by DEMPSEY

REYES ManilaTimes.net

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Trump visits South Korea on second leg of Asian tour, talks negotiation as option with N. Korea

SEND-OFF CEREMONY. Officials led by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (10th from right); ASEAN Director-General for Operations Marciano Paynor, Jr (8th from left); Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana (10th from left); Interior OIC Sec. Catalino Cuy (7th from left); AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero (8th from right); National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., (9th from right), PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa (6th from left); MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim (5th from left) join the thousands of security forces to be deployed in the upcoming 31st ASEAN Summit in a send-off ceremony at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday, November 5. PNA photo Avito C. Dalan

THE head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines urged members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to fortify their border security to curb transnational crime and prevent the entry of terrorists. In a statement issued before next week’s ASEAN Summit in the country, Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero stressed the need to enhance regional border seAFP Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero curity through coordinated border patrols. ManilaTimes.net photo

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Duterte can fulfill promises by JEFFERSON

ANTIPORDA ManilaTimes.net

THE number of Filipinos who expect President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill his promises has significantly dropped 15 months after he took his post, a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed. Based on the nationwide survey held from September 23 to 27, 2017 involving 1,500 respondents, only 35 percent believe that Duterte can fulfill most, if not all of his promises. The survey question was, “In your opinion, how many of the promises of President Rody Duterte can be fulfilled? [All or nearly all of the promises, Most of the promises, A few of the promises, Almost none or none of the promises].” Of the 35 percent who are convinced that Duterte can fulfill his promises, eight percent said the president could fulfill “all or nearly all,” and 27 percent said he can fulfill “most” of his promises. The figures were far from the result of the survey conducted in June 2016 wherein 63 percent of Filipinos were convinced that Duterte could deliver on his promises. In September 2016, 56 percent believed that the president can live up to his

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Palace took note of the SWS survey. Malacañang photo

promises. The September 2017 survey also showed a 15-point drop from the March 2017 survey wherein 52 percent of the respondents believe that Duterte will make good most, if not all his promises. In the same survey, 57 percent of respondents said they expect the President to deliver “a few” of his promises while six percent said “none or almost none.” Expectation that Duterte can fulfill “all or nearly all” of his

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Robredo: ASEAN integration good for women by HELEN

FLORES Philstar.com

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo is looking forward to the economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), saying this will provide more opportunities for women in the region. “ASEAN integration is good for women,” Robredo said in her speech at the opening of the 1st Southeast Asia Women’s Summit held at Miriam College in Quezon City. Robredo said the 10-member regional bloc focuses on micro, small and medium enterprises as a tool for inclusive growth, thereby providing opportunities for wom-

en in agribusiness, tourism, services and other sectors. The ASEAN economic integration offers Filipinos opportunity for more jobs locally. One of the goals of the ASEAN Economic Community is to decrease unemployment and underemployment in all member-states. “We need to take advantage of the opportunities created by the ASEAN Economic Community by making sure that our workers are ready. When we do, our people, especially our women, will not be left behind; instead, they will be equipped with competencies that are in line with the demands of the international labor market,” Robredo said.

Citing global studies, the Vice President said $12 trillion will be added to global gross domestic product by 2025 if women achieve equality in the workplace. Robredo also noted that over the past 50 years, there has been a determined effort to empower women in the ASEAN. She cited the inclusion of human rights in its Charter and the establishment in 2010 of human rights mechanisms such as the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and the ASEAN Committee of Labor and Migration. “These are increasingly important now, in light of reports of heightened abduction and trafficking of women along the borders of China, and women as victims of conflict and terror,” Robredo said. ■

“ASEAN integration is good for women,” Vice Pres. Leni Robredo said in her speech at the opening of the 1st Southeast Asia Women’s Summit held at Miriam College in Quezon City. Photo from the Office of the Vice President.

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From the Front Page

Duterte: PH, US... PAGE A1 helped us for the longest time,” the president said to an audience that included some American soldiers. But Duterte said geopolitics is changing relations between countries. He cited the tension caused by North Korea’s ballistic missile launches. “I just hope that (North) Korea

will have the sense to avoid it because you know whether we like it or not, we remain to be friends, courteous,” Duterte said. Duterte made the statement a day before meeting U.S. President Donald Trump at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Vietnam. In the same speech, the president thanked the U.S. for its assistance in the fight to liberate

Marawi City. He also thanked China, Russia, and Israel. Duterte said he is hoping that China would “honor” its word that it will not reclaim land in the Panatag Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) following reports that it has launched a massive dredging ship nicknamed the “islandmaker.” “I hope you understand that I cannot afford to go to war. You know, I know that it would end up in a massacre. We do not [have] nuclear arms and everything, as a matter of fact, we’re just bystanders,” he said. n

Philippines urges tighter AseAn...

PAGE A1 Guerrero expressed hope that the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia will tighten security through the Trilateral Cooperation Arrangement signed by the three countries in June this year. The agreement aims to halt crimes, including kidnapping, trafficking and the transit of terrorists in the Sulu Sea. He said he is eyeing more co-

ordinated patrols with Asean countries. “We will also increase the frequency of our coordinated patrols with our Asean counterparts in order to prevent the use of our common maritime borders for illegal activities,” Guerrero said in a statement. In October, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and former AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año,

together with their counterparts, launched a Trilateral Air Patrol program that aims to curb terrorism in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. The program will also protect the maritime areas of the three countries and keep the Southeast Asian region safe from any threat. The project may cost the three countries PAGE A4

ASEAN SECURITY FORCE. A priest blesses the 60,000-strong multi-agency force during the send-off ceremonies on Sunday, November 5 for the upcoming 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2017 and Related Meetings. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Groups to hold protests... PAGE A1 visit to the Philippines will bring more harm than good,” Bayan said in a statement. The left-leaning group noted that Trump only wants to drag the country into the conflict with North Korea, increase U.S. military presence in the Philippines and engage in direct combat in Mindanao. “Trump seeks to maintain the grossly unequal relations between the U.S. and the Philip-

pines. He is no friend of the Filipino people. He is right now the biggest threat to regional peace with his provocations against North Korea,” it said. Filipinos should not expect Trump to speak out on human rights violation in the country as “his regime cares little about the issue,” Bayan also noted. The members of Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives also expressed their support to the #BanTrumpPH protests. “Hindi natin kailangan ng mga

bagong kasunduan na nagpapatatag at nagpapalakas ng (We don’t need new agreements that will strengthen the) master and slave relationship between the Philippines and the government of the U.S. represented by Donald Trump,” Anakpawis party-list Ariel Casilao said. Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate noted that Filipinos should condemn, not celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. “Limang dekada na ‘yang ASEAN pero ‘yung sinasabi nila na ‘yung ASEAN countries magPAGE A5

Fewer Filipinos believe Duterte...

PAGE A1 promises fell in all areas, with Mindanao recording the biggest decline at 42 percent, lower by 17 percent from his 75 percent score in March. Visayas also recorded an 18point decline from 49 percent last March to 31 percent in September, while Luzon registered an 11-point drop from 45 percent to 34 percent during a six-month period. In Metro Manila, 31 percent of respondents still believe that Duterte can fulfill all or nearly

all of his promises, down by 13 points from the March figures. Expectation that the President can fulfill most of his promises was highest in class A,B, and C at 42 percent. Nothing unusual Malacañang said it found “nothing unusual” with the survey results. In a statement on Sunday, Nov. 5, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the Palace took note of the SWS survey. “We find nothing unusual in the drop of those who expect

that he would fulfill his promises as the euphoria of the elections normally wears off after a year in office and people become more realistic on what the government can deliver,” Roque said, adding that results of these surveys has been a “trend” in previous administrations. “Regardless of the numbers, the president and members of his Cabinet would continue to work hard in bringing comfortable life for all where citizens feel safe and secure under a trustworthy government,” he added. n

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Calif. governor, congressional delegation request $7.4-billion in federal disaster relief funds to aid wildfire recovery

SAP CONTINUATION OF HAZING HEARING. Senators (from left) Grace Poe, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Senator Panfilo Lacson (2nd from right) talk to Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. (3rd from right) before the start of the third hearing on the death of hazing victim Horacio Tomas “Atio” Castillo III, Monday, November 6. Catalan assures senators they are currently studying and analyzing the statements of witness Marc Anthony Ventura, who tagged 23 individuals present during the initiation rites of Atio last September 17. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

SoCal edison to increase carbon-free resources to local, disadvantaged communities by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

One of the nation’s largest electric utilities, Southern California Edison (SCE), released on Tuesday, October 31, a strategic framework to help California meet climate and air quality goals by 2030. “We are very committed to helping the state in its efforts to fight climate change and reduce air pollution,” said Pedro Pizarro, president and chief executive officer of Edison International, the parent company of SCE. The utility has a service area of around 50,000-squaremiles within Central, Coastal, and Southern California. The state of California has made greenhouse gas (GHG) goals for a 40 percent reduction in GHG emissions from 1990 levels by 2030, and an 80 percent reduction by 2050. SCE looks to help California achieve those goals through its recently released white paper titled “The Clean Power and Electrification Pathway”. In effort to continue carbon reduction in the electric sector — which SCE says now accounts for only 19 percent of California’s GHG emissions — the pathway works to double the use of carbon-free electricity from 40 per-

cent to 80 percent by 2030. This includes increasing the use of large-scale, carbon-free energy generation through wind, solar, and large hydroelectric power plants, as well as through the continued use of rooftop solar energy. The plan also looks to increase the number of electric vehicles (EV) on California roads. According to SCE, the transportation sector contributes close to 40 percent of the state’s GHG emissions, and 80 percent of California’s smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. “We believe that California will need to put out seven million or more personal electric vehicles by 2030,” said Pizarro. Despite improvements in air quality awareness, many communities in California continue to experience asthma and other air-quality related issues. SCE advises that electrifying transportation is a much needed step in improving local air quality, especially in disadvantaged communities (DAC) that are disproportionately affected by pollution due to close proximity to heavily traveled highways. Of the state’s DACs, nearly half fall into the utility’s service area. To encourage EVs and consumer acceptance, particularly in the highly impacted DACs, the

white paper urges to increase the amount of away-from-home charging ports, and continue financial incentives for EV purchases, especially for low- and middle-income communities. Because many in DACs rely on public transportation, efforts to electrify medium and heavy duty vehicles like buses are also of focus. “Buses are going to be a big part of the equation because they are particularly heavy emitters of air pollution and often, they’re working right in the middle of disadvantaged communities,” Pizarro told the Asian Journal. “It might also be a great way to educate customers about electric transportation,“ he added. “If you’re taking a bus, you see it rides well, it’s clean, it’s quiet — it might also get consumer interest in passenger vehicles as well.” Also part of the plan is the electrification of nearly onethird of residential and commercial space and water heaters by the 2030 mark. The building sector — which are residential, commercial, and industrial facilities combined — contributes approximately 30 percent of California’s GHG emissions according to SCE.

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Look Maganda

SACRAMENTO – On Friday, November 3, Governor Edmund “Jerry” G. Brown Jr. joined California’s two U.S. Senators and 39 members of the California congressional delegation to request $7.4 billion in federal funding for wildfire relief and recovery efforts in the state. Brown also expedited more than $40 million in state aid for immediate recovery efforts. The letter from the governor and members of the state’s congressional delegation, sent to the White House today, urges the president and Congress to work quickly to adopt a third supplemental disaster-related appropriations bill to support the state as it recovers from October’s devastating wildfires that killed 43 people and destroyed approximately 8,900 residential and commercial structures. This $7.4 billion in federal funding would flow to a variety of federal cleanup, recovery and assistance programs and support housing, transportation, agriculture, environmental protection, local health services, long-term recovery planning, reconstruction and small businesses. Separately today, Brown directed the California Department of Finance to expedite the allocation of $41.5 million in funding to help support immediate needs in impacted areas, including cleanup, hazardous waste removal and assistance for Californians impacted by the fires who are not eligible

Gov. Jerry Brown

for federal aid. Under the state appropriation, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) will dedicate $35 million to debris removal and cleanup efforts, while the California Department of Toxic Substances Control will direct $1.5 million to support hazardous waste cleanup operations. This funding will support debris removal and household hazardous waste cleanup at lots impacted by the fires. Household hazardous waste has already been removed from more than 3,000 lots and debris removal is starting across the impacted counties. The appropriation also includes $5 million – managed by the California Department of Social Ser-

White House, Republicans... PAGE A1 “There was also a consensus that anyone on the other side of the aisle who thinks that they’re just going to codify DACA in the year-end appropriations bill, it may not be very well received,” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on Thursday. Back in January, the president assured DREAMers that he’ll continue to protect them. “[DREAMers] shouldn’t be very worried,” said Trump in an interview with ABC News shortly after his inauguration. “I do have a big heart. We’re going to take care of everybody.” In July, when probed about his plans for DREAMers, he softened his stance and said that a decision on DACA is “very, very hard to make” but that he understood the situation “very well.” Trump then broke his promise in a surprising decision to would phase out DACA, which was established in 2012 by former President Barack Obama to provide work authorization, protection from deportation and a host of other benefits to undocumented youth. In a statement, he said that his decision was driven by a concern for all Americans, saying that “millions of Americans [have been] victimized by this unfair system.” U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said that the program has said that DACA, through its work authorization measure, “denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans.” Since 2012, more than 800,000

undocumented youth — called DREAMers — have received benefits. More than 22,000 young Filipinos are eligible for the program, and between 6,000 to 10,000 are currently enrolled, according to several reports from the United States Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The White House announcement to end DACA sent a shock signal to DREAMers and their families who worry about their educational and career goals set forth because of the program. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a statement condemning the decision by the president and congressional Republicans to not include DACA in the end-of-theyear spending bill. Rep. Judy Chu (D-California) said that the “cruel decision” to end DACA left the lives of many Asian Americans and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth in limbo. “It is reprehensible that the president is now attempting to use these young people as bargaining chips to advance his antiimmigrant agenda,” Chu, who represents Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley area in Congress, said in the statement. “The White House should not play politics with the lives of our nation’s Dreamers. If the bipartisan, bicameral DREAM Act were brought to the floor today, it would have the votes to pass,” Chu asserted. “I urge my Republican colleagues to do the right thing and allow us to vote on a clean DREAM Act before Congress adjourns in December.”

Trump visits South Korea on...

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PAGE A1 against North Korea which he said would be met with “fire and fury” and calling Kim Jong-un “little rocket man”, Trump took a different approach and indicated dialogue with North Korea as an option towards denuclearization. “It makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that is good for the people of North Korea and for the world,” said Trump. Trump also said he had seen “a lot of progress” in diplomatic efforts with Pyongyang, adding, “Ultimately, it will all work out.” Moon shared similar words and said, ”President Trump and I reaffirmed our current strategy, which is to maximize pressure and sanctions on North Korea until it gives up nuclear weapons and to come to the table for dialogue on its own.”

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“At the same time, should North Korea choose to make the right choice, we also reaffirmed our view that we are willing to offer North Korea a bright future,” he added. Trump flew into South Korea from Japan where he had been since Sunday, Nov. 5, meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who Trump gifted with a gold lettered hat inscribed “Donald & Shinzo, Make Alliance Even Greater.” “We have to spend more time together because I have enjoyed every minute of it,” said Trump at the state dinner on Nov. 6. Among discussing the pressing issues of North Korea, Trump and Abe agreed to maximize pressure on the country to change its policies. “No one likes conflict,” said Abe. “But North Korea continues its provocation against international communities so

vices – to aid wildfire victims who are not eligible to receive federal disaster assistance because of their immigration status. The funds will help these individuals and families affected by the fires with food, housing, utility and other expenses. During the wildfire disaster last month, Brown declared a state of emergency for the counties of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yuba, Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Nevada and Orange and secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support the state and local response to the fires, within 24 hours of making the request. Federal direct aid was also secured for residents of Napa, Sonoma, Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Yuba, Orange and Nevada counties who suffered losses due to the fires as well as Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits for workers in these counties who lost jobs or had work hours substantially reduced as a result of the fires. Governor Brown also issued an executive order to help cut red tape and streamline recovery efforts in impacted communities and last Saturday declared a “Day of Remembrance of the Northern California Fires” in recognition of victims and first responders. Additional information on California’s wildfire emergency response and recovery efforts is available at: http://wildfirerecovery.org. n DACA advocates in Congress also aren’t going down without a fight. The progressive liberal wing of the Senate has decided to take a stand against Trump and the Republicans and warn they will oppose a government funding bill in December if a deal is not made on DACA. Senator Kamala Harris (D-California) was one of the first senators to speak out against the delay in a decision for DREAMers, whose lives she said should not be used as political pawns. “I will not vote for an end-ofyear spending bill until we are clear about what we are going to do to protect and take care of our DACA young people in this country,” Harris, a long-time advocate for immigrants’ rights, said at a press conference two weeks ago. “Each day in the life of these young people is a very long time, and we’ve got to stop playing politics with their lives.” Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) are among the senators to hold the president accountable for his promise to protect DREAMers he made early in his presidency. “Trump must make good on his promise to sign a bill protecting DREAMers. I won’t vote for any spending bill without a permanent DACA fix,” Sanders tweeted on Friday. Booker cited the “chaos and uncertainty” DREAMers are currently facing as they await government action on their futures, saying, “I want solutions to protect these kids, and won’t vote for a spending bill that doesn’t include one. It’s an issue of basic decency and morality.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) we need to collaborate in the international community so they change policy,” he added. Trump also discussed trade imbalances between the U.S. and Japan saying, “We will try to resolve unfair trade relations with Japan.” Purchasing U.S. military equipment, and building cars in the U.S. were two suggestions made by Trump. Next on the itinerary of Trump’s 13-day trip across across Asia is Beijing, China where Trump will meet with President Xi Jinping who he said has been “very helpful” in dealing with North Korea. China is North Korea’s biggest trade partner. The trip will continue with a stop in Vietnam where Trump will meet with Vladimir Putin, and will conclude with a visit to the Philippines where he recently announced an extended stay to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) on Tuesday, November 14.. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

Philippines urges tighter ASeAn...

$40 billion a year. Guerrero said the Philippine military will be banking on a national policy and defense agenda to develop a “credible defense force” by strengthening the country’s naval and air capabilities. This, he pointed out, would result in a “more effective” monitoring and control of sea lanes and air space within the region. “For this, we will reinforce our Maritime Domain awareness

on our maritime areas of interest particularly our sea lanes of communications. We will also push through with our capability build-up in order to enhance our maritime operations capability,” he explained. The AFP also seeks improvements in the country’s international security engagements, including the activation of the International Military Affairs Center. Guerrero also wants to shift the training methodology for

AFP’s peacekeeping units “involving temporarily formed units to deploying existing units.” According to Col. Edgard Arevalo, the AFP’s public affairs chief, Guerrero’s plans shows that the military is on track with its goals. “The Command Guidance outlines the Chief of Staff’s courses of action and orders for the line units and offices to follow to ensure that the AFP remains on track on its short and long-term goals,” Arevalo said. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

De Venecia pushes peace mission to North Korea by Jefferson

AntipordA ManilaTimes.net

FORMER House Speaker Jose de Venecia believes that two major international summits can be good opportunities for world leaders to come up with a new approach to address the Korean peninsula crisis. De Venecia, a special envoy for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Inter-Cultural Dialogue, said leaders of the 10member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 21-member APEC could explore the possibility of forming a small team to lead negotiations with North Korea. He noted that the APEC meeting in Vietnam to be held on November 8 to 11 and the Asean summit in the Philippines on November 10 to 14 are opportunities for the lead-

Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Inquirer.net photo

ers to explore the idea of sending a joint peace mission to Pyongyang. President Rodrigo Duterte in a recent speech said someone should talk to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to convince him

Groups to hold protests... PAGE A2 a-assert ng kanilang sariling kakayahan ay di pa rin nangyayari bagkus ang mga bansa sa ASEAN ay nagiging sunud-sunuran sa policies na tinatakda sa pangunguna ng Estados Unidos (ASEAN has been in place for five decades but ASEAN countries have yet to assert their capabilities because they are lackeys of the United States),” the solon said. Trump will be in Manila on

November 12 to attend the 50th anniversary of ASEAN and the ASEAN-U.S. Summit the following day. He will extend his stay in the country to attend the East Asia Summit on November 14. The U.S. president is also expected to have a bilateral meeting with Duterte on November 13. Prior to the ASEAN Summit in Manila, Duterte and Trump are also expected to meet in Danang, Vietnam on November 10 for the

nobody is out to remove him or destroy his country. De Venecia said a joint peace mission could help ease tensions in the Korean peninsula and pave the way for an enduring peace in the area. He said the inter-Korean talks could be at senior or mid-levels, representing not more than seven parties including key APEC members like the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, a representative of Asean, and North Korea. “Progress could be publicized or unpublicized with a recess on the eve of the Christmas holidays, and the talks could target preliminary understanding by early next year,” de Venecia said in a statement. The former speaker noted that a meeting of the two Koreas, with the participation of APEC PAGE A7 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings. According to Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez, one of the major issues Duterte hopes to discuss with Trump is narco-terrorism. Protesters will burn a Trump effigy depicting “the U.S. leader as the fascist, racist CEO of U.S. imperialism” on November 13. The groups will hold rallies outside the U.S. Embassy, vicinity of the Philippine Internation Convention Center in Pasay City and in Clark Field in Pampanga. n

SoCal Edison to increase carbon-free... PAGE A4 Cost concerns SCE acknowledged that the cost of adapting clean power and electrification practices would be a concern for many communities, but affirmed that there would be no significant cost changes. “We recognize, particularly with the customers that feel challenged to pay their bill, that they may have a lot of things on their plate and the last thing they want to think about is their electric bill and what they can do about it,“ said Caroline Choi, senior vice president of Regulatory Affairs for SCE. About a third of SCE’s customers are on the utility’s incomequalified programs, she added. Through the electrification

pathway, SCE believes that the overall cost would not be profoundly affected. “In the end result, we will see that the share of household incomes spent on all forms of energy won’t change when adjusted for inflation, so that’s good news,” explained Pizarro. While consumers will see a roughly two percent increase per year, SCE assured that it would be offset by decreases of other energy sources like gasoline. “So stands to reason if you’re using an electric car at home, you may be using more kilowatt hours, and you may have a higher electric bill due to that, but you also won’t be going to the pump,” said Pizarro. “So net — how much you’re spend-

ing on energy in total — we expect to not change very much,” he added. Pizarro also clarified that SCE does not make money by selling electricity. With twelve years to go until the 2030 target, SCE is pushing to encourage their pathway towards clean energy to all communities. This includes working with local community based organizations that respective community members trust and recognize, and providing information in different languages. “Years in our world is a very short amount of time,” said Choi. “We’re talking about getting a lot of work done in a short period of time.” n

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“GENERALLY, it is safe to work, study, do business, and travel in the Philippines.” This was what newly appointed Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque assured foreign embassies following the fresh travel advisory issued by the Australian government against the Philippines. In its advisory, the Australian government cautioned its citizens on the Philippines’ safety or security risks. “We verified with Australian officials and that the advisory is not a response to any specific threat. Their general threat assessment has remained the same as it was the height of the Marawi rebellion, which we all know has already been resolved by our government forces,” Roque said in his official statement. The United Kingdom (UK) likewise said its existing travel advisory regarding terror threats in the Philippines remains in effect. The alert on its official website, updated Nov. 3, was identified as “still current” on November 4. “Militant groups in rural areas throughout the Philippines. Armed clashes between security forces and militant groups can occur at any time without warning. Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the Philippines, including in Manila,” the advisory stated. For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has coordinated with other embassies and confirmed that there are no changes on the travel advisories to the Philippines issued by other countries. “The Philippine government has no information about any increased terror threat in the county and we assure our foreign friends that local authorities have been enforcing tight security measures, especially in populated areas while we urge everyone to continue being aware of one’s surroundings,” Roque added. Fighting in Marawi City was declared over after military forces killed Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon

Hapilon and Omar Maute, one of the founders of the Maute Group, last October 23. Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 8, the entire force of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be on full alert to address any security concerns for the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2017 which is scheduled next week. Under this status, PNP units are available 100 percent for immediate deployment should they be required immediately. Military personnel are also tasked to remain vigilant and secure the safety of leaders and delegations attending next week’s summit. National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said no security threat has been detected so far. An estimated 60,000 personnel from 21 agencies and their equipment will be deployed to various ASEAN meeting venues in Metro Manila, Bulacan and Pampanga to secure the week-long event. “We cannot be very complacent. We should be aware, we should be on guard. We need to be strict in implementing tight security measures to prevent any untoward incident,” Lorenzana said. National security is of paramount importance to any country and to everyone. Confronting any looming threat goes beyond the power of governments. Travel advisory or not, every citizen is advised to remain vigilant and to take extra precautions wherever they go. The war against terrorism requires a resolute individual to take a stand and confront it. This also means understanding terrorism: why it exists and why it has had adverse consequences on humanity. (AJPress)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

The Filipino Channel’s ‘Balitang America’ turns 15

The Fil-Am Perspective

Documentary airs on November 12

GEL SANTOS-RELOS “BALITANG AMERICA” (BA), the daily newscast of ABSCBN International’s The Filipino Channel, is celebrating its 15th year and has become the leading source for Filipinos in North America. BA is a 30-minute newscast aired daily from Mondays to Fridays that presents news stories about Filipinos in North America, as well as news reports about currents events in America, Canada, the Philip-

pines and around the world that affect our lives here in North America and the lives of our families in this global community — all told from our unique Filipino-American perspective. BA was created as a result of ABS-CBN’s mission to expand news bureaus in different parts of the world where The Filipino Channel (TFC) was shown. The mission was the driving force — to serve the overseas Filipino community. With meager resources and limited manpower, BA premiered on September 28, 2002

as a weekly newscast, with headlines and stories focused on the aftermath of the biggest terrorist attack on U.S. soil on September 11, 2001, specifically on the heightened security and growing anti-immigrant sentiments. I was already anchoring the daily newscast in the Philippines for 12 years when my family immigrated to the United States in 2001 for my husband’s advanced training as a surgeon. It was in 2003 when I started to re-connect with my ABS-CBN family when BA tried to cover as many U.S. states as

possible. I was based in Minnesota at that time doing real estate on the side when I was invited by BA to contribute stories about Filipinos in this part of the Midwest. In 2005, my family moved to California. This paved the way for me to be in front of the cameras for ABS-CBN again, initially as a co-host of Atty. Michael Gurfinkel for “Citizen Pinoy,” and as a pinch-hitter for Cara Subijano for BA. In 2007, BA became a daily newscast, and it paved the way for me to go back to anchoring the news on a daily basis.

BUT there is a bigger story on how BA came to be the most far-reaching source of news and information for Filipinos in America. WATCH the BA documentary and find out how the newscast began, the grit and tenacity of the BA team, and the inside stories of our coverage. “For every breaking news, for every compelling story, BA has been with you for 15 years. With our team of reporters across the United States and Canada, BA has become a voice for the most underrepresented in the community, a

unifying force for important undertakings, and a rallying point during times of crisis and tragedy.” Watch “Beyond News: 15 years of Balitang America,” airing November 12 at 7:45 p.m. across time zones - ONLY ON TFC! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos. Relos

Philippine foreign affairs in good hands

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ LESS than six months after joining the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte, former senator and now Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano literally hit the ground running. And I can comfortably say – after watching him up close – that he is the perfect man for the job. I traveled with Secretary Alan to Davao last Friday for the briefing of the president on the upcoming ASEAN Summit. With 21 heads of state plus the UN Secretary-General set to attend, the preparations for this historic event are simply overwhelming. This column may sound “sipsip” to some people but I can bluntly say I’ve been around long enough to know who’s who in government and what’s what. Observing Secretary Alan in the past couple of weeks, I can see he can aptly articulate what is in President Duterte’s mind. “The Philippines integrates the human rights agenda in its

development initiatives for the purpose of protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable, from lawlessness, violence and anarchy… That is why we have a massive campaign to restore the rule of law by fighting corruption, crime and illegal drugs,” he said in his eloquent speech at the UN general assembly in New York, emphasizing that “security and human rights are not incompatible.” However, he also stated that Filipinos expect the sovereignty of this nation to be respected, and that “its democratically elected government’s assessment of threats and how to go about addressing them shall be accorded pre-eminence among nations.” He also had very good meetings in Washington, D.C. with US State Secretary Rex Tillerson as well as Senators John McCain III and Cory Gardner. McCain is a strong advocate of the continuing engagement of the U.S. in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region. McCain’s grandfather served in the Philippines during the Second World War while his father, U.S. Navy

Admiral John S. McCain Jr., was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor. Senator McCain himself spent time in Subic and it was in Clark where he was processed after his release from Vietnam as a prisoner of war. Senator Gardner — who chairs the U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia — visited the Philippines last June to have a “face-to-face” discussion with President Duterte about threats to US national security and the importance of adhering to the rule of law. Gardner is also one of those who urged US President Donald Trump to attend the ASEAN Summit, noting the importance of showing US leadership “not just in rhetoric but in action, in visible ways.” In the meeting with Tillerson, both officials reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the partnership and alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines which, in the words of Secretary Tillerson, is “on an upward vector.” During that meeting, Secretary Alan also said the Philippines is ready to work with

independent observers and experts on the serious problem of illegal drugs – but he also made it clear in no uncertain terms that these experts or investigators must be fair and impartial, and make sure investigations are not politicized so that outcomes are credible. People who know Secretary Cayetano well say his sharp wit, unflappable character and eloquence are among the reasons why he is perfect as our top diplomat – able to articulate what the president really wants to communicate. Many Filipino-Americans who met Alan Peter during his month-long trip to the US were clearly impressed, saying he “exemplifies a young diplomat with charisma and sense of humor…” positive characteristics that could be utilized to “balance and calm down political tensions that the Duterte administration is facing with other countries.” During a speaking engagement dubbed as “A Conversation with Alan Peter Cayetano” organized by the Council on Foreign Relations, former U.S.

Ambassador to the Philippines Frank Wisner introduced him as “a man who has worked [his] way up from the grassroots of Philippine politics through the House of Representatives, to [his] election to the Senate…” – representing “the very best in Philippine politics,” and adding “particular tone and luster” to the Cabinet of President Duterte. The said speaking engagement highlighted the eloquence and intelligence of Secretary Cayetano – framing the president’s new independent foreign policy through the balanced use of metaphors and “plainspeak” as he discussed the challenges that global change poses on bilateral relations. President Duterte pursues “a truly independent foreign policy for Filipinos by Filipinos, where we pursue bridges to places where once there was none… a bridge to the other side of the river,” Secretary Alan said. When the president announced our “separation” from the U.S. during his state visit to China, what he meant was this: When Philippine interests in-

tersect with the interest of the U.S. or any other country, we go together. When the interests do not meet, then we make our own path. “Sometimes we sacrifice, because that is what foreign relations is all about… It’s about we. It’s about us,” Alan Peter told his audience, elaborating that the Philippines also wants to stand on its own two feet. “What good is the Philippines as an ally to the U.S. if we are always dependent upon you? But as a strong ally, standing on our own, we are more use to you and the American people,” he said. This is actually aligned with President Donald Trump’s speech to the UN: “Our success depends on a coalition of strong and independent nations that embrace their sovereignty, to promote security, prosperity, and peace, for themselves and for the world,” Trump said. With Secretary Alan as Foreign Secretary, I completely subscribe to what he described as our foreign policy: “The Filipino people’s interest comes before all others.” (Philstar.com)

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 8-10, 2017

A

DOJ starts ‘pork’ probe of Drilon, Trillanes by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has started its reinvestigation into the multibillion-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel scam. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is building up cases from evidence submitted to his office by former Manila councilor and anti-pork barrel advocate Greco Belgica and other sources as well as initial statements by accused pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. “There are many documents submitted to us, but the ones from Greco Belgica would already suffice. The NBI is now building up the cases,” Aguirre said in an interview. He issued the statement in response to the recent call made by former Makati vice mayor and Campaign for Public Accountability (CPA) convenor Bobby Brillante for the reinvestigation into the pork barrel scam, particularly the supposed involvement of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. Brillante also called on the Senate to conduct another investigation on the PDAF scam, saying the probe in the previous administration was selective as it only targeted three opposition senators then: Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla. Drilon is a member of the political opposition, while Trillanes is a critic of President Duterte. Earlier, Trillanes challenged Duterte and his family to sign waivers on their bank accounts allegedly containing unexplained wealth worth millions of pesos. Aguirre said Drilon and Trillanes have been implicated by Napoles in the PDAF scam. “Napoles mentioned prominent personalities from the previous administration, including Senators Drilon and Trillanes,” he said. But Aguirre refused to give further details so as not to preempt the NBI’s fact-finding probe. Trillanes IV was unfazed by the

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is building up cases from evidence submitted to his office by former Manila councilor and anti-pork barrel advocate Greco Belgica and other sources as well as initial statements by accused pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. Philstar.com photo

reinvestigation of the DOJ into the PDAF scam. He described the new probe as “just another propaganda move of DOJ.” “Kung meron talaga akong ginawang kalokohan dyan sa PDAF na yan, last year pa dapat nila nafile yan (If I really did something illegal in that PDAF, they would have filed charges against me last year),” Trillanes said in a text message. The senator earlier denied any involvement in any irregularity regarding PDAF, the Disbursement Acceleration Program funds or any government fund. He stressed he was never mentioned in any of the so-called Napoles lists provided during the height of the investigations in 2013. Drilon could not be reached for comment as he is still out of the country. Earlier this year, Aguirre said Napoles cooperated with the DOJ’s plan to revisit the PDAF scam and was set to submit a tellall affidavit. Aguirre said Napoles also implicated former budget secretary Butch Abad and detained Senator Leila de Lima, but has yet to detail their alleged criminal liabilities. During the previous administration, Napoles submitted to the DOJ a list of all lawmakers she

‘Revolutionary govt far from happening’ by dEmPsEy

REyEs ManilaTimes.net

IT would take a lot of troubling incidents before President Rodrigo Duterte can declare a revolutionary government, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday, Nov. 6 Lorenzana downplayed the statement of left-leaning groups that Duterte was poised to declare a revolutionary government, saying these groups were making up stories. “I think they are the only ones making up those stories. In fact, they were being tracked down by the president,” Lorenzana told reporters on the sidelines of the 78th anniversary of the Department of National Defense in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. “It will take a lot of incidents or developments in the country to

warrant [a revolutionary government]. So, I’d leave that. That is the prerogative of the president and not ours,” he added. He said the public should not take seriously statements that the president plans to establish a revolutionary government. In October, Duterte threatened to set up a revolutionary government amid the alleged destabilization plot being planned by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The president said he can arrest his enemies and destabilization plotters under a revolutionary government. Former President Cory Aquino set up a revolutionary government after assuming power in 1986. She established a temporary charter that replaced the 1973 Constitution prior to the formation of the 1987 Constitution. n

Philippines grieves with kin of Texas church shooting victims MANILA — The Philippines on Monday, Nov. 6 said that it grieves with the families of the victims of a shooting near San Antonio, Texas that left 26 people dead. “We are saddened by this unimaginable tragedy in San Antonio that took the lives of many innocent men, women, and children,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said shortly after the shooting hit the news on Monday. “The Filipino people grieve with the families of the victims of this unfortunate incident,” Cayetano said. He also offered prayers for the recovery of 20

others reported injured in the shooting by a long gunman in the small town of Sutherland Springs. None of the 7,400 Filipinos in San Antonio were among the casualties The investigation into the shooting, the worst in Texas history, is still ongoing. The suspect in the shooting, discharged U.S. Air Force personnel Devin Kelley, was among those killed in the shooting. Last month, a lone gunman killed 58 people and left 546 others injured at a mass shooting at a Las Vegas music festival. (Philstar.com)

De Venecia pushes peace mission... PAGE A5 and Asean representatives, could even lead to the inclusion of North Korea in the Asean Plus 3 nations. “This would add North Korea to the current ASEAN Plus 3, which includes the 10 Asean nations plus China, Japan, and South Korea. In the future, perhaps the two Koreas could consider a “unification” or “confederation,” he added. De Venecia, the founding chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), counts Pyongyang’s Korean Workers Party as one of ICAPP’s more than 300 ruling, opposition and independent parties as members. Also, as co-chairman of the In-

ternational Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), he plans to invite the North Korean Parliament to nominate delegates to the IAPP. The unification of Korea, de Venecia said, is not impossible, citing the cases of Germany and Vietnam. “Unforeseen, unnegotiated geo-political circumstances eventually proved everyone wrong, resulting finally in a strong, prosperous united Germany and a flourishing united Vietnam,” he pointed out. De Venecia is on a visit to Iran to promote Inter-Cultural Dialogue and to pursue a project for a petrochemicals complex in Pangasinan and Northern Luzon. n

had allegedly transacted with. She tagged about a dozen senators and over 100 congressmen who benefitted from the PDAF scam that involved bogus non-government organizations, but only Enrile, Estrada and Revilla and several congressmen were indicted by the Sandiganbayan. This supposed “selective justice” in the PDAF scam was among the issues raised by Duterte during his presidential campaign last year. Recently, Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero have called for reopening of the probe into the pork barrel scam. They stressed that the cases involving Napoles comprised less

‘PISTANG DALUYONG ‘ 17. Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmencita Abalos (black polo) waves to people as she leads the fluvial parade along Pasig River during the 86th anniversary of the law changing the name of the Municipality of San Felipe Neri in the Province of Rizal to Mandaluyong City. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

than half of the total amount that went to the pockets of unscrupulous public officials and their cohorts. Escudero said he favors a reopening of the Senate investigation, especially if the DOJ could present new evidence that would

pin down other involved personalities. He said only P6 billion worth of PDAF was investigated in relation to the case of Napoles, while the Commission on Audit reported that P13 billion to P14 billion of public funds were un-

accounted for. For her part, Poe underscored the need to resolve the matter once and for all, adding that a number of personalities who have been previously named in past investigations have yet to come forward. n

A NOVEMBER 8-10, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 8-10, 2017

BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY OURNAL

B1

SSS investment program to continue amid controversy by IRIS

GONZALES Philstar.com

STATE-owned Social Security System (SSS) has tapped the Goldman Sachs Group Inc., a global investment bank, to help the company improve its investment program as it plans more “brick and mortar investments” and eyes equities abroad. In an interview, SSS chairman Amado Valdez said it’s business as usual for the institution, particularly with its investment programs even with the ongoing investigation of three officials accused of using SSS stockbrokers for their personal benefit. “There will be no slowdown in our stock market investment. There is already a system being followed,” he said. Valdez said he has already

In an interview, SSS chairman Amado Valdez said it’s business as usual for the institution, particularly with its investment programs even with the ongoing investigation of three officials accused of using SSS stockbrokers for their personal benefit. SC PIO/Released, File

Gov’t urged to address high power rates

asked Goldman Sachs for assistance to provide SSS with case studies on successful investment programs of similar institutions. “We’re talking to them to do case studies on successful investments of similar institutions,” Valdez said.

The Philippines has one of the highest industrial power rates in the region at $9.91 per kilowatt-hour, compared to Indonesia’s $4.82 per kwh and Thailand’s $5.33.

u PAGE B4

by DANESSA

RIVERA Philstar.com

Cybersecurity rules for banks tightened

THE Philippines will continue to lag behind Asian neighbors in socio-economic development unless government takes proactive reforms to address the country’s high power cost – considered the most expensive in the world, according to Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) senior vice president for commercial and planning Chrysogonus Herrera. “We are at the bottom in terms of gross domestic product growth in Asia and it is clear that we need to catch up with other countries such as Malaysia and China, which have achieved higher GDP even though they are producing higher carbon

by MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO ManilaTimes.net

BANKS have given one year to implement tighter cybersecurity measures under new rules issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). A circular aimed at establishing an information and security risk management framework for banks has been approved by the Monetary Board and covered entities have been directed to have their action plans ready before the end of the year. “The cyber-threat landscape has continuously evolved with more threats surfacing in the cyber realm in an increasingly complex and sophisticated fashion,” the BSP said in a statement on Friday, November 3. If not properly managed, cyber-threats and attacks launched against Bangko Sentral-supervised financial insti-

tutions (BSFIs) may result in operational, legal, reputational and systemic risks, it said. The new rules highlight the role of the BSFI boards and senior management in spearheading sound information security governance and a strong security culture within their respective networks. BSFIs, the central bank said, should manage risks via “a dynamic interplay of people, policies, processes, and technologies following a continuing cycle (i.e. identify, prevent, detect, respond,

Officials claim failing control of corruption, rule of law scores based on outdated info by MAYVELIN

U. CARABALLO ManilaTimes.net

THE government believes the Philippines remains eligible for a fresh Millennium Challenge compact despite failing to meet several standards in a scorecard used to determine whether a country should receive aid from the United States.

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Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, in a statement, said there were “inherent time lags” with regard to data used for indicators where the country received failing scores, particularly in terms of control of corruption and rule of law. “The data on which the ‘control of corruption’ indicator was based and released in September

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2017 primarily covers the events of 2016,” he said. The Finance department noted that the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC), the agency that administers the aid, uses information from independent thirdparty sources for the scorecards. Dominguez said that in the Philippines’ case, the control of corruption and rule of law scores

“were based on an aggregation of quantitative assessments and perception surveys that were collected by the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators in conjunction with the Brookings Institution based on information for the events of 2016.” “We have been informed that we are at the median level in

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ing to Herrera. “We have seen it working with about P15 billion in investments to generate about 7,500 megawatts of new capacity addition until 2021,” he said. The country should also replace ageing plants by building new plants. About 60 percent of the country’s operating power plants are older than 15 years, or more than half its life span of 25 to 30 years. As power plants get older, they are no longer capable of handling lifting operations, Herrera said. “The future presents an opportunity to replace them if they are no longer competitive in the WESM, are not environmentally compliant, or they can no longer comply with the resiliency standards imposed by the Department of Energy,” he said.■

PH still eligible for US aid – government

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dioxide (CO2) emission,” Herrera said. The Philippines has one of the highest industrial power rates in the region at $9.91 per kilowatt-hour, compared to Indonesia’s $4.82 per kwh and Thailand’s $5.33. Herrera said the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) should transform the power industry from a sellers’ market and a government monopoly in generation to a buyers’ market to help reduce power costs. “Distribution utilities (DUs) and contestable customers must be empowered with competition and choice, including the decision regarding from whom and what to buy,” he said. The power sector must also let the market under the EPIRA sort itself out in pursuing least cost generation alternatives, accord-

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Meeting with Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi: Journey to the Himalayas; Next Visit: Iran

by Jose

C. de VeneCia, Jr.

W

e were travelling most of last month to Myanmar (which we, the older ones, still remember as Burma), to the Kingdom of Bhutan, high on the Himalayas; Dubai, the small bustling air travel and trading center of the United Arab emirates, home to hundreds of thousands of Filipino overseas workers; and on to Iran, which everyone knows as the seat of the old Persian empire, and which today is one of the leading petroleum powers, with Saudi Arabia, Russia and the U.S. From Yangon, the old capital, my wife, Gina and I travelled to the geographic center of the nation, Naypyidaw, the newly proclaimed capital. We were fortunate that inspite of the raging Rohingya crisis, where today some 500,000 Muslims, who had been living in Myanmar for decades, were fleeing the endangered region to their ancestral Bangladesh, to escape persecution from the Myanmar military, Aung San Suu Kyi found time to receive us. We conferred with Myanmar’s constitutional senior government leader, an intelligent no nonsense lady, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and much admired all over the world. In the last national elections, Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, National League for Democracy (NLD), won overwhelming majority of the seats in parliament, inspite of many years under house arrest, but she could not be president under the terms of a military-influenced technicality in the Constitution because her late husband was British. Today the senior leader in the Cabinet and largely running the country, she nominated the incumbent President and most cabinet posts, but the powerful ministries, defense and security are still held by the generals. Accompanied by our old friends, Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar eduardo Kapunan, Jr. and wife elsa, we asked Aung San Suu Kyi, (who received us three years ago at her residence in Yangon, in the course of an Asian parties conference), to nominate her party’s senior representatives to join the Boards of our International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), based in Seoul, now composed of more than 340 ruling, opposition and independent political parties in Asia, and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), based in New York, to which she enthusiastically agreed. This week we are sending her ICAPP’s and IAPP’s written invitations so she and her party would pres-

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi receives and holds talk with Hon. Jose de Venecia, Former Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives and Special Envoy to President Rodrigo Duterte to the APEC and Intercultural Dialogue, accompanied by wife, Former Congresswoman Gina de Venecia and Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Ed Kapunan.

ent their nominees. With Ambassador Kapunan, we also raised the possibility of the Philippines acquiring perhaps 25,000 to 50,000 hectares of potential rice fields in Myanmar for a possible government-to-government joint venture or an agreement among the Philippine private sector in partnership with Myanmar, hopefully with the bulk of rice production, following anticipated successful rice growing and shipment to the Philippines. The Philippines has been importing rice from Thailand and Vietnam in large volumes, as far we could remember, even when we were first assigned to Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) as Minister – economic Counselor there in 1966-1969 when we were 30, at the height of the Vietnam War. Today Vietnam is one of the world’s major rice exporters, is industrializing and doing well. Our friend Aung San Suu Kyi expressed much interest in the potential of Myanmar – Philippine economic collaboration and she asked our Ambassador to immediately confer with her Minister of Agriculture. Upon return to Manila, we suggested to San Miguel Corporation Chairman eduardo Cojuangco, a confirmed, successful, largescale agriculturist, and San Miguel’s dynamic President Ramon Ang and other leading agricultural-industrial groups to perhaps co-lead a Philippine private sector effort in a consortium that could present a helpful solution to the Philippines’ perpetual rice crisis, with the current massive rice imports every year, largely from Vietnam and Thailand. The Philippines is fragmented with 7,100 islands while Myanmar’s land is massive, contiguous, perhaps larger

than France and Ireland combined, and connected to Asia’s two largest countries, China and India, the latter via Bangladesh. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma used to be ruled by the english Viceroy in British India. President Rodrigo Duterte might consider asking our capable Agriculture Secretary Piñol to look into this potential initiative in Myanmar. We also asked the popular Ambassador and former Armed Forces reformist to raise the possibility of joint Philippine-Myanmar exploration in Myanmar’s rich oil-producing petroleum exploration concessions and explore establishment of an ASeAN-supported or Filipino-led export Processing Zone with a petrochemical complex, as part of a combined Agricultural – Industrial initiative. We should be awaiting some feedback. On the Rohingya crisis, we suggested the U.N. and ASeAN might propose an appreciable International Red Cross deployment in the Rakhine region, which will help, not inflame the refugees, and not alarm the Myanmar military. From Myanmar, we flew back to Bangkok as there is no direct flight in the journey to the Kingdom of Bhutan, high on the mountain ranges, next door to Nepal. In the Himalayas, the Nepalese King sometime back was forced to abdicate the throne and gave way to an elected democratic civilian government, while the other Himalayan state Sikkim chose to give up its sovereignty and joined the State of India. We have been to the Himalayas a few times. In Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, the ruling Hindu Party and the Marxist Communist Party have their representatives on our Board

in ICAPP. In Bhutan’s Himalayan mountains we were hoping to check into the Chinese-Indian military stand-off but by the time we reached the capital, the crisis had calmed down, the forces in the highest hills had disengaged. The well-loved Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Prime Minister were out of town but we had a delicious luncheon and good conversation with Bhutan’s Chief Justice, Dasho Tshering Wangchuck, Foreign Minister Damcho Dorji, Acting Speaker of Parliament Zigme Zangpo, and others, hosted by Bhutan’s former Ambassador to Thailand and Bangladesh, Tsherung Dorji and his lady, who were introduced to us by former Thai Minister Nalinee Taveesin, Gina’s friend, and our current ICAPP representative at the first Asia-europe Political Forum, which met recently in Seoul, and which will now meet yearly among Asian and european political party leaders. (We collectively set the trend a few years earlier with our bringing together Latin America’s and the Caribbean’s political parties under their regional organization, COPPPAL, with our ICAPP, followed by our successful encouragement of the founding of the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP), based in Khartoum, which is now a reality). The Bhutanese leaders indicated their people are not living in paradise but are happy with God and with the world; their land has never been conquered; they live in a happy Kingdom, and national success is not measured in Gross National Product (GNP) but in Gross National Happiness (GNH). Our tourists should consider a visit there.

Victories, Colossal Defeats, and Victories in the Middle East by Jose

C. de VeneCia, Jr.

FROM MYANMAR, Thailand and the Kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas, we returned to Manila, rested for a few days, and then we journeyed on to Dubai, commercial and aviation center of the United Arab emirates (UAe), whose capital is the oil-rich and largest emirate, Abu Dhabi. With much nostalgia, our son, Jose de Venecia III, today Honorary Consul of Azerbaijan, was with us together with our parliamentary assistant of many years, Aldwin Requejo. Joey III had his first exposure to the Arab world in the mid 1970s at age 16 as an apprentice in our company in Kuwait and Iraq. Shortly before our next flight to Tehran, seat of the ancient Persian empire, we briefly motored to Ajman, the smallest emirate in the UAe. The other emirates are of course oilrich Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujerah on the coast of the Persian Gulf (Arab Gulf to the Arabs), between Oman and Saudi Arabia. The desert sands had long enveloped the exploratory oil well we drilled in the mid1970s in Ajman, on the coast, whose population today is listed at 372, 923, living in some 250 square kilometres of largely flat land. Our two Philippine oil exploration companies then, Basic Petroleum and Landoil, were the first pioneering Filipino companies to venture in the Arab world. At that time, we won in tough international bidding as prime contractor in operating the Port of Jeddah, with our joint-venture, Philippine-Singapore Ports Corporation (Philsinports) at the helm

with multi-national executives and 3,500 Filipino port workers on the Red Sea, and opened and operated as well the Port of Jubail, also on the Gulf facing Iran not too far from Ras Tanura, seat of Saudi Arabia’s richest oil fields in Arabia’s eastern region, peopled largely by Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims. We operated Jubail with another set of executives and some 800 port workers, closer to Kuwait and the Shatt Al Arab en route to the Iraqi frontier, where as in Jeddah, we built our executive offices and mass housing. We were perhaps the largest pioneering Southeast Asian companies in the Middle east at the time, as prime contractors, with our own equipment, management team and work force, not labor recruiters. On the Ajman project, we brought from Manila by sea-freight a heavy U.S.-built oil-drilling rig, and our capable drilling superintendent was the respected white-haired Mario Nieto, who was then Vice-President and General Manager of PODCO. Our brother Oscar de Venecia, president of Basic Petroleum, literally borrowed Mario from old man Andres Soriano’s oil company PODCO on “lendlease.” We also engaged the American Dr. Francis Gibson, who was a celebrated geologist of the then U.S.-owned Iraqi Oil Company, which was responsible at the time for some of the big oilfield discoveries in Iraq. Thus us Filipinos, we were ready, drilled and co-financed with Arab entrepreneurs the first-ever Filipino and Asian-Arab oil wells in Ajman as prime contractor and risk-taker (not sub-contractor), in this poorest emirate of the UAe. Our other key executives

in the field were the late Luis Catubig, the late Mario Uson, Ambrosio “Boy” Collado and Gus Macam of Pangasinan and of Basic/Landoil, and Jess Galang, of Pampanga, who later moved to Dubai and is today a successful entrepreneur there. After a few weeks, at perhaps 3,000 to 4,000 feet depth, our memory does not remember the exact depth, we hit good guzzling crude, and soon the entire Filipino-Arab-American drilling crew were screaming with joy and drenched in oil as in the old Texas movie, the “Giant”. But as fate would have it, when we hit black gold, the price of crude worldwide was at $38 per barrel, the highest at the time, and we were jumping with joy and imbibing prohibited Champagne. Soon after a few weeks, however, the price began to slide to $30 per barrel, and before we knew it, plunged to $20, then $15, and then settled at the bottom, at $8 per barrel. All of us were sobbing as if our desert had become one large funeral parlor. We closed down the rig and we shipped it home together with our much disappointed drilling crew. everywhere in the Arab world, in Iran, North Africa, the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Russia, Central Asia, Australia, the Philippines, even with its tiny petroleum production, which our companies, Basic and Landoil, and partners Oriental, Philodrill, and the U.S. Cities Service, co-produced, the price of petroleum had crashed. There was a time, it had soared to some $120 per barrel and the Arabs were kings but slowly, inexorably

the price declined to below $50 per barrel and today it is in that neighbourhood. We are almost 81 now, and have not been following, like a dedicated stock broker, the rise and fall of crude. Our tragedy in Ajman was only the beginning. In a couple of weeks, our declining 3,500 Filipino workforce, under our Group companies, building houses, roads and hundreds of kilometers of electricity grid in Iraq and adjoining Kuwait were hit hard. The worst was those in Iraq, on the frontlines of Basrah on the Saudi-Iraqi border, which by then was being hit by Iranian artillery, with the unexpected outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war. We thought the war would end a few months, but actually lasted almost 10 years up to the late 1980’s. Iraq’s dictator Saddam Hussein was telling all foreign companies and ourselves that Iraq was already running out of foreign exchange. Most foreign and Arab companies in Iraq and nearby Arab states, with the severe oil price crisis and the Middle east wars, were then being driven close to bankruptcy and began evacuating hundreds/thousands of their workforces to their respective countries. Our great triumphs in the Gulf region had turned to great defeats and we began “folding up our tents,” packing up and sent thousands of our people home and many of us entrepreneurs were in tears and driven to near bankruptcy. In our case, the price of oil had not only fallen in the entire Arab world and our construction and operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts have been greatly slashed or came to a halt. Worse, we

On Eve of APEC/ ASEAN Talks, A Proposal for a Joint Mission to North Korea TEHRAN, Nov. 4 - - Former Philippine Speaker Jose de Venecia, the Philippines’ Special envoy for APeC and Inter-Cultural Dialogue, proposed today a “small composite team of APeC and ASeAN” to journey to Pyongyang to begin to negotiate “a peace that will hopefully endure in the Korean Peninsula.” He said the 21-member Asia Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASeAN) are meeting one after the other, back-to-back, in Vietnam (November 8-11) and in the Philippines (November 10-14) for their annual Leaders Meetings. He added their leaders could quietly explore in the next two weeks the idea of sending a joint peace mission to the North Korean capital. He pointed out Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hopes a new tack could ease the continuous exchange of accusations in the Peninsula and lead to opportunities for the difficult peace. De Venecia said he envisioned inter-Korean talks could be at senior or mid-levels, representing perhaps not more than seven parties including key APeC members, U.S., China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, a representative of ASeAN, and North Korea; progress could be “publicized or unpublicized” with a recess on the eve of the Christmas holidays, and the talks could target preliminary understanding by early next year. He pointed out there should be a timetable otherwise the talks could be endless as in the old Panmunjom talks. However, while the 1950-1953 South-North Korean conflict ended, “a technical state of war persists until now, with both sides not signing a formal peace treaty,” he said. Today there is continuous, recurrent threat of hostilities, even nuclear war, since North Korea has already developed nuclear weapons with a missile delivery system. De Venecia said he hoped a meeting of the two Koreas, with nominees from APeC and ASeAN in attendance, could lead to an “eventual peaceful ASeAN Plus 4 configuration.” This would add North Korea (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) to the current ASeAN Plus 3, which includes the 10 ASeAN nations plus China, Japan, and South Korea until at some point, in the future, perhaps the two Koreas could consider a “unification” or “confederation.” De Venecia pointed out as a first stage ‘Confederation” is easier to promote, ahead of eventual unification. De Venecia, who is founding Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), counts North Korea’s Korean Workers Party as one of ICAPP’s more than 300 ruling, opposition and independent parties as members. Also, as Co-Chairman of the International Association of Parliamentarians

for Peace (IAPP), he also plans to invite the North Korean Parliament to nominate delegates to the IAPP. Looking back at recent history, de Venecia said for decades since the 1950s observers said the two Germanies and the two Vietnams could never unite but unforeseen, unnegotiated geo-political circumstances eventually proved everyone wrong, resulting finally today in a strong, prosperous united Germany and a flourishing united Vietnam. As then head of the Philippine Congress’ foreign relations committee, he journeyed to Pyongyang in 1990 and with North Korea’s founder then President Kim Il-Sung, grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-Un, finalized North Korean-Philippine diplomatic relations and dispelled as well North Korea’s rumored assistance to the Philippine New People’s Army. At the time, in Kim Il Sung’s mountain retreat, de Venecia pointedly asked the North Korean leader if there was truth to speculations that he planned to attack South Korea, he replied: “If we attack the South, the South will be destroyed. But we in the North will also be destroyed.” After a few weeks, on de Venecia’s invitation, North Korean Deputy Premier Kim Dahl-Hyun flew to Manila to finalize agreement on formal diplomatic relations with then Philippine President Corazon Aquino’s Foreign Secretary Raul Manglapus. After about a year, Japan’s LDP leader Kanemaru journeyed to Pyongyang, followed later by then former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. De Venecia said he hopes ICAPP and IAPP could contribute even modest efforts to a North-South inter-Korean peace process.He disclosed one of the founders of IAPP and the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), Madame Hak Ja Han Moon and her late husband Dr. Sun Myung Moon, donated a much-appreciated hotel and automobile factory in Pyongyang to the North Korean government. He added a small team of IAPP headed by former Nepal Premier Madhav Nepal and former Minister of Peace and Reconstruction ek Nath Dakhal recently visited Pyongyang and had constructive talks with the North Korean Workers Party. De Venecia has asked UPF President Thomas Walsh, IAPP Co-Chairman Dan Burton, Washington Times Publisher Thomas McDevitt, and Ambassador Joseph de Trani, former U.S. envoy to the Six-Nation Party Talks on North Korea, to organize a peace mission to Pyongyang, which he earlier discovered with UPF President Walsh. NOTE: (Tehran, Nov. 4 - Former Speaker Jose de Venecia is on a visit to Iran to promote InterCultural Dialogue and to pursue a project for a Petrochemicals Complex in his home province of Pangasinan and Northern Luzon.)

were also caught and trapped by the Iraq-Iran war, and we then phased out our offices in Basrah, Baghdad, Kuwait, Bahrain, Ajman, Riyadh and Jeddah, and head office in London, and also closed our smaller construction, agriculture and health-based operations in Libya, also hit hard by the oil crisis. Our triumphs in the Arab world were now turning to tragedy. Our then Vice-President for Finance Rudy de Lara, a graduate of the SGV executive group, reports that up till today, we have not been paid by Iraq since 1981, 37 years ago, since Iraq, formerly known as Babylon or Mesopotamia, had faced war, after war, after war up to today. Saddam Hussein tried invade Iran and was driven back by the Iranians, also invaded Kuwait, and was ousted by the Americans in the second Gulf War. Our most expensive war-risk $50-million insurance policy which we acquired from Lloyds of London and the U.S. insurance companies, turned out to be only “contracts that enabled us to sue and which did not insure immediate payment.” Thank God, after almost two years, with legal battles in London and New York, and with the help of the great U.S. law firm White and Case, which took our case on a rare “contingency basis,” (which illustrated the high merits of our case, and with the help of european investment bank, Lazard Frere) we won our case, and we thus were able to pay back all of the thousands of our employees back home. In London, New York, and Manila after the legal judgments, we were shouting like Arabs “Allahu Akbar,

Allahu Akbar!”, indeed “God is great, God is great!” with bottles of champagne. Yes, we were the pioneers in the Middle east and our own companies employed some 51,000 Filipino executives, technicians and healthcare specialists over the yeas at the time as prime contractors or consortium partners and we were proud to say that we set the stage for the later millions of Filipinos who followed and streamed into the Gulf region, and then later many sailed into the Suez Canal and into Greece, Spain, Italy and thence to england and Northern europe. Today the OCWs, reminiscent of the first Filipino workers in Hawaii and Alaska in the 1900s, and Filipino expatriate community total more than 10 million, almost 10% of the Philippine population. When we began in the Middle east and earlier in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, the total Philippine dollar reserves were somewhere at $200-million to $300-million. When we later designed and started the historic Philippine dollar remittance program, which totally wiped out the Philippine black-market and became a model for many “Third World” nations, and which netted us many government decorations, the national reserves went up pile after pile, through the dark years of martial law, through the various coup attempts, and through various administrations, the reserves today stand at some $80-billion, propped up by more than $25-billion every year from our foreign offshore, largely labor remittances to the Central Bank.

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 8-10, 2017

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Political woes seen pulling down peso Cybersecurity rules for banks... by BEN

O. DE VERA Inquirer.net

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recover and test phases).” It also called for participation in information sharing and collaboration forums, enhanced situational awareness capabilities as well as the adoption of advanced cybersecurity controls and countermeasures. One requirement is the establishment of a 24/7 securities operations center (SOC) equipped with advanced technologies and manned by competent ana-

THE peso is seen further weakening to 55:$1 next year amid political uncertainty, London-based economic research firm Capital Economics said. “We expect most Asian currencies to hold up well against the US dollar in 2018, supported by healthy external positions and strong export demand. The main exceptions are those with significant external vulnerabilities (Sri Lanka and Pakistan) and where the domestic political situation may deteriorate (the Philippines and Thailand),” Capital Economics said in its Oct. 31 Emerging Asia Markets Monitor report titled “Asian equities bounce back.” Capital Economics projected

Calendar of Events across

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Continued from last week...) FOR years, there has been an onslaught of terrifying events from just about everywhere, facilitated by the startling phenomenon of social media and the ease of anything going viral and trending through the internet. Social media, like any other invention during modern times, has become a double-edged tool. It can be used for good or ill, depending on the user and his motivation. Against this gloomy global backdrop, what is good and true appear to be defenseless against unseen forces that doom personal struggles: relationship problems, self-esteem issues, financial problems, addictions, physical and mental illnesses and other ills too many to mention. The result — there seems to be far too many lonely, alienated people these days. The suicidal stage is the most dreaded period of such a state of mind, when intense loneliness descends to a deep vortex of hopelessness and darkness. Suicide signals the end of a futile human struggle. There is available help — a sliver of hope. Psychotherapy and the safe and judicious use of antidepressants can help keep deep depression at bay. But that is all it does — keep it at bay. One cannot help but think that there has to be a better way when an alarming percentage of those who take antidepressants still throw in the towel and end it all. In simpler times, if you can call and label adversity by name, you can figure out simple ways of defeating it. Yet now because of the complexity of the world we live in, we don’t call people lonely. We call them depressed. They are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, paranoia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a whole dizzying lexicon of mental diseases. Two thousand years ago, our ancestors called the whole gamut of mental diseases and bizarre behavior, possession by the dev-

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG

ACCUMULATING debt is the easiest thing you can do in America. Even your dog can get credit cards with a fake social security number. If you are an immigrant and just arrived, you will have no history of credit here. Chances are that in your country of origin, you probably had no credit card debt, or if you did, maybe you had an insignificant amount of credit card debt. In other countries, most people are on a “cash” basis. In other words, you buy everything in cash, not credit. If you buy a house abroad, you either paid cash for it, or you put a substantial cash down payment and have a small mortgage on it. In other countries, the objective in life is to accumulate cash and assets but have no debt. But here in America, Mastercard, Visa and other credit card companies, sell you the American lifestyle, which is to bury yourself in debt to get all the things you want. Want a brand new 80-inch flat and thin high definition TV, the one that curves on both ends of the screen to let you watch it clearly from almost any angle? It’s only $3,000. Don’t have the $$3,000? No problem. Just charge the $3,000 on your credit card. Bring the TV home today for your whole family to enjoy! You don’t have to pay $3,000 up front. Next month, just set aside $90 to make a minimum monthly payment on the $3,000. Instant gratification! This is the American way.

lysts who will proactively monitor cyber-threats and attacks. The rules recognize that BSFIs have varying degrees of cyber maturity and exposure to cyber risk, so profile classifications have been expanded to “complex”, “moderate” and “simple” to allow for compliance flexibility. Those classified as “complex”, for example, will definitely have to adopt advanced cybersecurity tools and processes such as the setting up of an SOC.

Whatever happened to ‘happily ever after’ “Suicide, contrary to the lyrics of a popular song, is never painless.”

(Part 2 of 3) il. One is no longer in charge of cultural canvass that engenders one’s soul but has been overpow- hopelessness and darkness in ered by a sinister, evil force. The the souls of many individuals today. There are far too many news soul is its habitat. Pope Francis, fully aware and of suicide these days and its hordeeply concerned about what is rible spawn, murder-suicide. Consider the case of that degoing on in the spiritual realm in today’s world, has ordained ex- ranged, suicidal Germanwings orcism official Catholic practice. pilot who planned and deliberThere are only a few of these ately slammed a planeload of exorcists among the dwindling passengers against an Alpine number of clergy. Pray unceas- mountain, causing the death of ingly that God sends to every- 149 people. Who can forget about that dewhere around the world more of this class of holy spiritual soldiers spondent Malaysian Airlines pilot in the tradition of Michael the who may have caused the death Archangel who defeated Satan. of others by murder-suicide? AfThe greatest lie perpetrated ter 17 months of fruitless searchby the devil during modern es, debris of the ill-fated MH 370 times is to make people believe have been recovered on Reunion that evil does not exist. It does. Island in the Indian Ocean close People lulled by a false sense to Mauritius and Madagascar, of security in believing they are perhaps dragged by ocean curnot in the sights of that sinister, rents from where it crashed unseen force, have become like on March 08, 2014 killing 239 the dodo—fat sitting ducks for people onboard. To this day, this evil—unwary and often caught tragic incident continues to be shrouded in mystery. off guard when tested. And then there are the twisted The dodo is gone because it did not recognize the predators beliefs of suicide bombers seekthat wanted to kill it. In the spiri- ing martyrdom. They think they tual realm, it has always been the will go to paradise and be rebattle for the human soul — good warded with seventy-two virgins versus evil. The battle is raging. for their atrocity. There are reliSadly, many are none the wiser. gious leaders intolerant of other Remember though that hope beliefs, who incite their followers springs eternal and the tide al- to eradicate Christians and Chrisways turns in God’s perfect tim- tian nations. Who can explain evil incarnate? ing. There is news of suicide that The beheadings, stonings and widespread Christian persecu- hits you harder because you tion in the Middle East and Af- personally know the person who rica by radical elements of Islam took his own life. By all accounts, in recent years, and in the home he has led a good life but unfront of western civilization, the known to all, was going through pervasive liberalism that mocks overwhelming personal strugChristian morality and values by gles, quietly wallowing in darktouting political correctness, the ness and despair never wanting world is yanked back to 1 AD to cause a ripple and simply gave all over again. This is history re- up. (Conclusion in next week’s ispeating itself — a throwback to two thousand years ago when sue …) *** the blood of martyrs flowed, Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP and Nero fiddled while Rome of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send burned. comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ This is the present social and asianjournalinc.com

Avoid the bondage of debt, especially seniors Want to bring the family to Hawaii for Christmas? Let’s see. It’s $1,500 for a week’s stay at one of the five-star resorts in Waikiki, including round-trip plane fare and hotel per head. Since you are a family of that would be a grand total of $6,000 for a oneweek family Christmas and New Year vacation in paradise. Even LA gets cold in winter even if it doesn’t snow but the climate in Hawaii is a comfortable and breezy 80 degrees. “Mele Kalikimaka” that’s how they say “Merry Christmas” in Hawaii, as you probably know. And the food, the Luaus are terrific. The scenery is spectacular. Plan on riding a helicopter to look at the Big Island Volcano, which only adds another $1K to your vacation budget for your family of four. So, the one-week Christmas vacation will cost about $8,000, all expenses accounted for, with first-class accommodations. There’s only one problem. You didn’t have $3,000 for the big screen TV that looks so good in your family room, so where will you get the $8,000 for your Christmas vacation? No problem. In America, the credit cards keep on giving and giving. They are perennial Santa Clauses. The wife wants to go. The kids want to go. You want to go. So go. I mean, Pres. Obama spent a lot of his vacations in Oahu where he was born, so why can’t you bring your family to paradise this Christmas? By all means, go and give the family a great time this Christmas.

With the brand new TV at $3,000 and the Hawaii Christmas vacation at $8,000, you will owe $11,000 at the end of this year. So what? You got the TV and you’ll still have your Hawaii tan for a couple of weeks when you get back right after New Year. Your co-workers will envy you when you say you just got back from paradise and you feel totally relaxed and ready to face the challenges of 2018 head-on. Yes, that’s right, everything is still status quo but then, at the end of January 2018, you will have to take $330 out of your takehome pay and pay the minimum for the TV and Hawaii. At the end of 2018, you will have paid your credit card masters $4,000, but you would still owe them the same $11,000. But the reality of life here in America is that you will buy a lot more good stuff on credit. Maybe two brand new computers for the kids? A brand new leather sofa set? Maybe you need a new fridge? Or, even a new roof because the roof leaks. There is a high probability that in 2018, you will add another $10,000 of credit cards because you don’t really feel the pain when you buy stuff on credit, isn’t this true? It’s not like you have $10,000 of cash in the bank and you have to take $8,000 from it to pay for Hawaii, right? That would be painful. On the other hand, charging $8,000 on credit cards is practically painless. You just have to take the card out of your wallet

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“While not a silver bullet, the new regulation serves as one of the critical components in BSP’s Strategic Roadmap on cybersecurity”, the central bank said. BSFIs have one year from the effectivity date of the circular to fully comply. Also, action plans with specific timelines as well as the status of initiatives being undertaken should be readily available upon request starting December 2017, the BSP said. ■

America

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Filipino indie film “1st Semester” screening in Los Angeles Catch the Hollywood premiere screening of the award-winning Filipino indie film, “1st Semester” on Wednesday, November 8. “1st Semester” is a Filipino coming-of-age comedy movie about a young boy who is sent to college by his mother with their entire clan but goes home immediately after experiencing separation anxiety. It explores a boy’s rite of passage to manhood and a mother’s strong will and determination to uphold the best for her family. “1st Semester” stars Allan Paule, Darwin Yu and award-winning actress Lotlot de Leon. It is written and directed by Dexter Paglinawan Hemedez and Allan Michael Ibanez. The Hollywood Premiere will be held on Wednesday, November 8 at the American Film Institute (AFI), 2021 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA. Showtimes are at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Come and meet the writers and directors of this internationally-acclaimed film. Parking is free For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please email 1stSemAFI@gmail.

PWC 20th Anniversary Celebration in Los Angeles The Pilipino Workers Center will have its 20th anniversary celebration on Wednesday, November 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Pico House and Courtyard (424 N Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Attire is smart casual or Filipino-inspired fashion. Honorees include Sen. Connie M. Leyva, Jose Antonio Vargas, and PWC Council of Leaders. The program will be hosted by Giselle “G” Tongi. There will also be special performances and a feast of Filipino delicacies. Tickets are $100 each. For tickets and sponsorship details, call (213) 2504353 or visit www.pwcsc.org. com.

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Diva 2 Diva concert in Pasadena, CA The Philippines’ Pop Diva, Kuh Ledesma, and the Divine Diva, Zsa Zsa Padilla, are back in Southern California with DIVA 2 DIVA on Saturday, November 11! They will be joined with comediennes Nanette Inventor and Mitch Valdez. The show will begin at 7 p.m. at the “PazNaz” First Church of the Nazarene (3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, California). For tickets, you may purchase them online at diva2diva2.eventbrite.com or you may call Henry at (818) 612 4500 for more details. com.

Veterans Day Celebration in San Pedro, CA On Saturday, November 11 (Veterans Day), Philippine Expressions Bookshop is hosting “An Evening of Remembrance” to honor both fallen and surviving U.S. and Filipino war veterans. The event — which is 5 to 7:30 p.m. — is free and open to the public. Seats are limited so RSVP is necessary by emailing to linda@philbooks.us or calling (310) 548-8148. At 5 p.m. there will be a book talk and signing, launching of a two-volume comix on World War II written by military historian Jay Wertz and illustrated by Ed Jimenez. At 6 p.m., there will be a documentary screening of “Manila 1945: The Forgotten Atrocities.” Philippine Expressions Bookshop is located at 479 W. 6th St., San Pedro, CA 90731.

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Search to Involve Pilipino Americans’ 45th anniversary awards & benefit dinner in Los Angeles Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will have its 45th annual anniversary awards and benefit dinner entitled “Embrace. Empower. Evolve.” The dinner will take place on Friday, November 17 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel at 6 p.m. All proceeds will go towards the organization’s health & human services, community economic development and education programs. Tickets may be purchased online at sipa.ticketsocket.com.

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13th annual mayor’s luncheon in Woodland Hills, CA The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley presents the 13th annual mayor’s luncheon with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday, November 29 at the Warner Center Marriott - Grand Ballroom (21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367). Registration opens at 11 a.m. and the program is from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be complimentary self-parking, while valet is $16. For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please call (818) 981-4491 or email marian@unitedchambers.org.

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Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA Global Law Centers in association with Civicminds Recruitment presents an immigration forum on Thursday, November 30 at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). Candidates and employers with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visa issues are encouraged to attend this FREE Q&A session from 6 to 8 p.m. Civicminds Recruitment will offer tips on how to find employers for green card and work visas after graduation, job placement assistance for qualified applicants and free resume evaluation. To register, please email admin@globallawcenters.com or call (714) 657-7460. For more information, please visit www.globallawcenters.com.

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Historic Filipinotown parol parade and festival in Los Angeles The Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) announced that the annual parade and festival will be on Friday, December 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will start with the assembly of parols and vehicles at 250 N. Union St. at the Our Lady of Lorreto Catholic Church courtyard. The parade will start at 5 p.m. and will go westward from Union to Beverly, and will eventually end up at the FCC/FACLA compound at 1740 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026. The HFNC is calling for volunteers who will serve as security, ushers, for registration and monitors for the parade. To volunteer, please call Art at (213)318-9065. For more information, please contact Cecile at (213) 503-8176.

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Pasko Na Naman in Glendale, CA The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups will sponsor a fundraiser entitled “Pasko Na Naman 2” on Saturday, December 2 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium (1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208) starting at 4 p.m. The presentation’s theme is Salo-salo at Pagdiriwang” which means “getting together joyfully.” The show will provide a glimpse on how Filipinos celebrate Christmas in the Philippines, which will be depicted through choral singing and folk dancing. The performers are Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Choir, Monique Magpayo and Kurt Winterhalter. Benefactors of proceeds include but are not limited to: Channel of Charity, Filipino Priests Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, feeding programs and FFRG faith formation events. Come one! Come All! Feel the scents and sights of Filipino Christmas. The audience will also enjoy “merienda cena” during the intermission. Ticket donation is $45.00 per person. For souvenir ad and ticket information, please contact Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-3316.

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

B NOVEMBER 8-10, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to division in California family court. One has to understand the general community property presumption in California. Property acquired before marriage is the acquiring spouse’s separate property, as is property obtained during marriage that can be traced to a premarital acquisition. Family. Code. § 770(a). Rents, issues and profits” of separate property are separate property. All property acquired during marriage and before separation, other than by gift or inheritance, is presumptively community property. Family Code §§ 760, 771(a), 772; Marriage of Bonds (2000) 24 C4th 1, 12, 99 CR2d 252, 258; Marriage of Lehman (1998) 18 C4th 169, 177, 74 CR2d 825, 828. Pursuant to Family.Code. § 760, community personal or real property is consistently defined no matter where situated. Family Code §760 defines “Community property” as “Except as

Community Journal

Disclosure and characterization of overseas assets in divorce

otherwise provided by statute, all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” As such, out-of-state community property is community property for all purposes, including intraspousal management and control fiduciary obligations. It does not matter if the property is located in another state or another country. For the same reason, the parties to a divorce case is required to disclose all property, separate and community, including those outside the state. During the marriage, the parties’ fiduciary duties require full and accurate disclosure of true and full information affecting community property transactions. FamilyCode. §§ 721(b), 1100(e). In addition, disclosure duties arise upon separation in anticipation of dissolution, nullity or legal separation. The post-separation disclosure duties extend to all assets and liabilities in which either party has or may have an interest or obligation, regardless of community or separate property characterization, and to current earnings, accumulations and expenses. These duties “arise without reference to any wrongdoing.” Family.Code. §§ 721(b), 2100(c), 2102(a)(1); Marriage of Feldman (2007) 153 CA4th 1470, 1475–1476, 64 CR3d 29, 33; Marriage of Brewer & Federici (2001)

93 CA4th 1334, 1342–1344, 113 CR2d 849, 854–855. Parties to a divorce case has a duty to provide full and accurate disclosure of all assets and debts including those in other states and other countries. Failure to disclose could result to certain legal consequences to the non-disclosing parties including sanctions and attorney’s fees. If you are contemplating a divorce and you own assets and properties outside the state or country, its best to retain the representation of an experience family law attorney.

*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

SSS investment program to...

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SSS is also looking at increasing the allowable investible funds abroad to more than 7.5 percent of total investible funds given its potential for higher returns. The institution is already in talks with fund managers to handle possible transactions abroad. If it proceeds, this is similar to the route taken by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which has a balance of domestic and overseas investments. Valdez said the overall plan is to invest not just in “finance investments” but in infrastructure and brick-and-mortar development to put “people’s capital to good use.” For infrastructure, SSS is looking at joining the development of

the Davao International Airport and the Cagayan International Airport. Valdez said if the project cost is P5 billion, for example, SSS will account for the 30 percent and if the projects earn 20 percent, SSS will get a share. He said the move is part of SSS’ efforts to shift to direct investments from purely finance investments. Pure finance investments, Valdez said, do not translate to brick and mortar development. On the ongoing investment and reassignments of executives involved in a stock market controversy, Valdez said this should not affect SSS’ investment programs. SSS also reiterated that it has institutionalized procedures to

address administrative complaints. Such mechanisms ensure all parties are given due process. SSS guarantees its members that the Investment Reserve Fund, which came from members’ contributions and investment income, is intact, well-protected, and professionally managed. The management would also like to assure its members that no SSS fund was used or compromised in the issue. The institution is looking into alleged profiteering by three SSS officers — executive vice president for investments Rizaldy Capulong, equities investment division chief Reginald Candelaria and equities product development head Ernesto Francisco Jr.n

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What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA PENALTY could still be relived even if you fail to file your tax returns and pay taxes owed if you have reasonable cause. How to establish reasonable cause • Facts. Provide facts, situations, circumstances that have not allowed you to file your tax return timely and pay taxes owed. • Ability. How the facts, situations, circumstance did affect you to do your daily activities. • Actions. What did you do to file your tax return and pay taxes owed despite the facts, situations, circumstance? • You have sole authority. Is

Penalty relief: How to establish reasonable cause

the filing of the tax return and payment of taxes owed cannot be delegated to someone else but you as the only authority? Common situations for reasonable cause • Taxpayer: death, serious illness, inevitable absence • Inability to obtain records • Casualty: fire, natural disaster • Execution of ordinary business care and prudence to meet obligation. What are considered valid supporting documents for reasonable cause? • Hospital records and physician letter to establish illness • Court records • Specify dates: start and end, if ongoing • Natural disasters records:

police report, fire certificate, declaration of disaster area • Death certificate if there is death. .* * *

Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxrelated penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies. (Advertising Supplement)

Political woes seen pulling...

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the peso to close this year at the 52:$1 level, before sliding to 55:$1 in 2018 and 2019. Data showed that as of endSeptember, the peso weakened the most compared with other currencies that depreciated against the dollar, including those of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore. In contrast, the currencies of

South Korea, India, Taiwan, China and Thailand strengthened against the greenback year-todate. The peso slid to fresh 11-year low levels in October, hitting 51.77:$1 on Oct. 25, the weakest since July 25, 2006’s 51.87:$1. In an earlier report, Capital Economics said “the outlook for private investment is less promising” in the near term due to politics.

“If companies are to invest, they need a stable and predictable business environment. While Rodrigo Duterte has not been the disaster for the economy that some feared, there are signs the new president’s war on drugs, his erratic policymaking style and the worsening security situation in the south of the country is starting to weigh on investment prospects,” according to Capital Economics. n

Avoid the bondage of debt...

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and swipe it. It’s so easy to spend money that you don’t have here in America. One can easily get addicted to credit cards the same way that a person can get addicted to drugs. Just like cocaine and LSD, using credit cards gives the user a “high.” Just like drugs, it’s addicting. In a couple of short years, starting from a $3,000 for your TV, and $8,000 for your Hawaii Christmas vacation in 2017, you will owe $30,000! You would have added a trip to Europe, a trip to China, Japan, Thailand and Bali for the family. These trips do not even include the family trips back to your country of origin, which require a lot more money because as everyone knows, family back home expect to get a lot of expensive gifts from their “rich” now American relatives, not to mention paying the tab for all the restaurant food that you and your family back home will be enjoying. If all of this took place 10 years ago mark my words — you would now owe maybe $30,000 of credit cards. These now cost you $1,000 a month of minimum payments. For the next 12 months, you will pay $12,000 of minimum payments, but at the end of the 12 months, you will still owe $30,000. In 24 months, you will pay $24,000 of minimum payments, but you will still owe $30,000. Then, if you are objective enough to see your own financial situation, you will know that you are now in what is called “financial bondage.” You are now a debt slave. What’s worse than being a debt slave? Being a senior debt slave is the worse. Let’s say that you are now 62 and you owe $30,000 in credit cards. Social security and retirement are just around the corner. You’re looking at $1,800 of S.S., which is not too bad. But you’re also on the hook for $1,000 of minimum monthly credit card payments. This is more than half

of your social security benefits. Imagine the hardship caused by having to fork over more than half of your social security to pay $1,000 to your credit card masters every month for the rest of your life during your golden years. It sucks! But as you have now learned, after paying your credit card masters $120,000 in the last 10 years, you still owe your masters the same $30,000 of credit card debt! Just like “Django Unchained”, it’s time to break free of credit card debt! What you need now is the full legal power of a Chapter 7 petition to give you a fresh start without the $30,000 of credit card debt. Break free from your credit card masters and live with freedom and joy and be productive again and start fresh again without accumulated debt. Turn your back on the $30,000 and nuke them with a bankruptcy discharge. Only the legal nuclear bomb of Chapter 7 has enough destructive force to wipe out all of your credit cards that keep you financially enslaved, month after month, year after year, decade after decade! You won’t regret it. It’s the right thing to do. Even Pres. Trump has said that Puerto Rico’s $70-B debt must be discharged. Well, he should know, the Trump companies filed for bankruptcy four times discharging hundreds of millions of debt. Even Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice before he became successful. Milton Hershey of Hershey chocolates, now a global multi-billion dollar business filed for Chapter 7 before he became successful. M.C. Hammer, Francis Ford Coppola, Kim Basinger and Mickey Rooney, these celebrities all filed for Chapter 7 to get a fresh start in life. It’s easy to get into debt in America. But it’s really hard to get out of debt in America. That’s why you need the full legal power of Chapter 7 to get out of debt and get a fresh start. It’s a

federal right given by law to the debtor who needs relief from accumulated debt. Why be embarrassed to exercise a right given by law? Life after bankruptcy is great and very enjoyable, the grass is indeed greener after getting rid of debilitating debt. You still keep everything you own as long as you qualify for applicable exemptions. You will be able to save money again every month. Anyway, the cards have enabled you to bring your family around the world already and you still have the big screen TV in your family room. Have your cake and eat it too and get a fresh start with no debt. Only in America! Get back on solid financial footing, get rid of your accumulated debt with Chapter 7, and face your retirement years with peace of mind! Only in America can you get a fresh start using Chapter 7, which is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. In N. Korea, Kim Jung Un will blow your head off with a bazooka and give your torso to your creditors. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. “BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH! – PSALM 46:10 ***

Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

PH still eligible for US aid... PAGE B1 t these two indicators, which we believe we can improve as we work together with the MCC to enlighten them about our effective efforts to weed out corruption in the Philippine bureaucracy,” he added. Newly-appointed Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque echoed Dominguez’s claims of outdated data, saying on Friday that the MCC’s “findings … may not completely reflect the reform initiatives of the Duterte administration…”. The MCC scorecard released on Thursday, November 2, gave the Philippines below-standard scores in eight out of 20 indicators. Reports focused on the rule of law and control of corruption as the MCC last December deferred a vote on a new grant “subject to a further review of concerns around rule of law and civil liberties”. The country was previously awarded a five-year, $434-million package that expired in May last year. The Philippines was again listed as a candidate country in August — meaning the aid agency would reopen discussions — and Dominguez in September said the government was preparing a list of projects for possible fund-

ing. “The scorecards are only one of the factors that the MCC Board takes into consideration when making reselection decisions. We are confident that the Board will take into consideration relevant information and recent data on our very deliberate efforts to improve the ‘control of corruption and adherence to the ‘rule of law,’ indicators,” he said following the release of the MCC scorecard. “The Philippines remains firmly committed to the rule of law and strictly adheres to due process. The president has also made clear that his platform of government will be based on zero tolerance for corruption in government,” Dominguez said in the statement. “In its first year in office, the Duterte Administration has actually been relentless in the campaign against corruption in government,” he added. He noted that the government had cleansed Bureau of Corrections in just weeks after assuming office by replacing its prison guards with elite personnel from the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and last month issued an executive order creating the Presidential Anti-Corrup-

tion Commission to investigate administrative cases involving presidential appointees. The administration also set up the 8888 Citizens Complaint Hotline in October last year to receive complaints against corruption and inefficiencies in government, among other measures. Dominguez said a continued partnership with the MCC could “contribute to making progress in terms of maintaining the country’s growth momentum, improving competitiveness, institutionalizing good governance, and moving closer to our shared objective of inclusive growth.” “The Philippines remains one of the largest recipients of US assistance in Asia. The U.S. values the partnership of the Philippines on shared interests, especially in countering violent extremism, and in promoting stability across the region,” he noted. Funds provided under the first MCC compact were used for tax collection reforms at the Bureau of Internal Revenue, 4,000 community development programs under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or KALAHI-CIDSS, and the construction of 137 miles of roads and 61 bridges in Samar.n

B5 NOVEMBER 8-10, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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People and Events Monrovia Unified elementary students receive free dictionaries from local Elks Club MONROVIA, Calif. – Bradoaks Elementary School third-grader Alaina Delgado eagerly flipped through the pages of her new dictionary during the school’s Oct. 30 dictionary giveaway assembly, thrilled at having a resource to expand her vocabulary. “It’s really cool that they gave us these dictionaries because it will help me learn new words to use every day,” Delgado said. “Now I get to look up a bunch of words that I didn’t even know existed before.” Delgado was one of more than 500 Monrovia Unified elementary school students to receive a free dictionary from members of the Duarte Elks Club No. 1427. The organization gives away 3,500 dictionaries to local school districts each year to encourage students to become life-long learners, while also encouraging students to consider college and remain drug free. “We love the excitement that the Duarte Elks Club brings to

EMPLOYMENT

Bradoaks Elementary School third-graders practice sign language thanks to their new dictionaries, donated by the Duarte Elks Club during an Oct. 30 assembly. The annual gift encourages students to become lifelong learners.

our students during their annual dictionary give away,” Monrovia Unified Board President Bryan Wong said. “This gift will encourage our students to understand the power of words and the importance of literacy.” The Duarte Elks has been donating dictionaries to Monrovia Unified since 2011. Each diction-

A class of Bradoaks Elementary School’s third-graders holding their new, personalized dictionaries, donated by the Duarte Elks Club to encourage students to learn new words and improve their vocabulary.

ary contains resources for learning American Sign Language, the geography of the United States, different parts of speech and a section for the longest word in the English language, which is a 1,909-letter term for a type of enzyme. “Our partnership with the Duarte Elks Club is an annual

EMPLOYMENT

treat for our students because it piques their interest in learning new words and provides them the opportunity to find new ways to express themselves,” Monrovia Unified Superintendent Dr. Katherine Thorossian said. “Thank you to the Duarte Elks Club for providing a valuable resource to our students.” ■

Traffic enforcement operation for Glendale THE Glendale Police Department stepped up Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement on Monday, November 6, with focused enforcement on collision causing factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. The department has mapped out locations over the past year where pedestrian and bike collisions have occurred, along with the violations that led to those crashes. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian traffic and crashes occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries. Special attention will be directed toward drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in cross walks or any other dangerous violation. Additionally, enforcement will be taken for observed violations when pedestrians cross the street

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FOR RENT

illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped and citations issued when they fail to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists. All riders are reminded to always wear a helmet – those under 18 years of age must wear helmets by law. Pedestrians should cross the street only in marked crosswalks or at corners. Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising in California as more people use these non-motorized means of transportation. Locally, Glendale police Department has investigated 4 fatal and nearly 298 injury collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists during the past three (3) years. In 2013, California witnessed 701 pedestrians and 141 bicyclists killed, accounting for more than 28 percent of all traffic fatalities. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ■

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Community Journal

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 8-10, 2017

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The Asian Journal

MDWK

Wednesday, november 8, 2017

(L-R) Gerard Butler and director Dean Devlin on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Skydance’s suspense thriller “Geostorm.� Cover photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

MAGAZINE

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Andy Garcia (standing far left), Ed Harris (4th from right, seated at table) and director Dean Devlin (3nd from right, standing) on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Skydance’s suspense thriller “Geostorm.�

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 8, 2017

‘Geostorm’: Fil-Am Dean Devlin’s directorial debut BY

FIL-AM Hollywood honcho Dean Devlin has stepped a bit outside his comfort zone and made his feature film directorial debut with the suspense sci-fi thriller “Geostorm”, starring an international array of Hollywood stars led by Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Andy Garcia and Ed Harris, among others. While “Geostorm” is still in theaters, Devlin in post-production on his second feature directorial effort, “Bad Samaritan,” starring David Tennant, and is also in post-production on the fourth season of the TNT hit series “The Librarians,” which premiered in 2014 as the most watched cable debut of that year. Over the last twenty years, Devlin has co-written and produced some of the most successful feature films of all time. He co-wrote and produced “Stargate,” “Godzilla,” and “Independence Day,” which grossed more than $800 million worldwide, and recently produced the sequel “Independence Day: Resurgence.” For “Geostorm”, Devlin also wears a couple of other hats as he also wrote the script with Paul Guyot and he is also co-producing it. “When my daughter was about 6 years old, she started learning about climate change and she very naively asked me, ‘Daddy, why can’t we just build

MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPRESS

a machine that fixes this?’,” Devlin said in an interview. “I tried to engage her in discussing geo-engineering and the complexities of how hard it is to accomplish and the moral questions on what we should be doing of what we should not be doing, I realized that the best way to explain it to her is through a bedtime story.” That question sparked all these ideas in his mind about what would happen if we did build just such a machine. Then more questions came, one after the other. And what if something went horribly wrong? What if we wait too long to deal with extreme climate change? What if we don’t? What if we could create this amazing machine to control the weather around the entire planet? And what would we do if it went rogue?” Essentially, the concept of a geostorm, in the context of the film, is that the planet is being protected by a massive array of satellites and if the satellites go rogue, they can actually start a storm instead of prevent them. And if the satellites systematically fail, that storm can continue to grow and it can cover the entire planet. As writer/producer/director Devlin imagines a world in which global political cooperation and a vast network of weather-controlling satellites installed in space have ren-

Daniel Wu as Cheng Long in Warner Bros. Picturesʼ and Skydanceʼs suspense thriller “Geostorm,” a Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Warner Bros. Pictures release.

dered natural disasters a thing of the past. “At the heart of ‘Geostorm’ is a political thriller, it’s a whodunit. In the film, someone is murdered and there is a big effort to figure out who did it and why. The consequences of this political thriller, however is a disaster on a worldwide scale,” Devlin added. Asked about the advantages (or disadvantages) of his multiple roles in the film, Devlin paused and replied, “If you’ve written it, you know about the story you want to tell. The challenge is you have to disrespect the script sometimes and throw the script away and face the challenges of what’s happening on the set at that moment, divorce yourself.” “Tom Hanks once said that the reason it is difficult to make a great movie is that you have to make a great movie three times, you have to write one, shoot one and edit one. All three of those experiences have to be great. The biggest challenge of doing all those three challenges is being able to separate each section, the advantage is you have a lot of information.” Devlin also heaped praises on his cast, an international group of actors meant to represent the global scale of geostorms. One of the first discussions with respect to casting the film, Devlin said, centered on the fact that global warming is a global concern. “We wanted to make a movie that would speak to the whole world, with a truly international cast to reflect it,” he said. Among the film’s players are actors from all over, including Scottish-born Gerard Butler, the UK’s Jim Sturgess, Australian Abbie Cornish, Mexico’s Eugenio Derbez, Romanian Alexandra Maria Lara, Germany’s Zazie Beetz, Nigerian Adepero Oduye, Egypt’s Amr Waked, Irish-born Robert Sheehan, Cuban Andy

Garcia, and the USA’s Ed Harris, Talitha Bateman and Daniel Wu, the latter being a first-generation American of Shanghainese descent. “We got lucky with the casting. When you set out to do a movie, you have a wish list of people you want in the movie and most of the time, you don’t get them,” he said laughing. “This cast was just a blessing in every sense.” “I have always wanted to work with Ed Harris my whole career and suddenly to be on set with him, I was like a stammering little fan because he is an icon. Gerald Butler is a storm, he literally is a storm of energy. It is a giant blessing on the set, because it is tiring making a movie, the hours are long and it is exhausting and then this storm comes to set and he is just full of energy.” From the cast to the set, the film’s producers made sure that everything was credible, including their recreation of the International Space Station, completed by NASA in 2000 after 12 years of construction in orbit, utilizing parts manufactured on Earth and shuttled to the site, which today maintains a distance of about 250 miles above the planet as it circles it approximately 15 times each day. “We wanted to have a set that had so many twists and turns in it that you can get lost inside of it. It was a remarkable set and it always blows my mind on movies when you see these amazing sets and you think in a few weeks, they’d be gone. I wish I had a bigger backyard

Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish and director Dean Devlin on the set of Warner Bros. Picturesʼ and Photo by Ben Rothstein Skydanceʼs suspense thriller “Geostorm,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Gerard Butler as Jake Lawson in Warner Bros. Picturesʼ and Skydanceʼs suspense thriller “Geostorm.”

so I can just say ‘Put that in my house!’,” Devlin shared. Devlin added, “When the guys from NASA came in early on to look at the artwork and to check out our designs for the sets, I had my heart in my throat. It was important to me that we have their stamp of approval, and I trust Kirk’s work implicitly, but when they told us how close we were to reality, I was floored nonetheless!” The whole of the ISS sets for “Geostorm” were accommodated by five adjoining soundstages at New Orleans’ Big Easy Studios, situated on a portion of an actual NASA

Photo by Ben Rothstein

manufacturing plant on the city’s eastside, the Michoud Assembly Facility. As someone who grew up watching fun sci-fi films, Devlin said he hopes the film gets to resonate with fans who are looking for a great time at the movies. “The audience can expect a big, wild, crazy fun adventure. This is a throwback to the kind of big popcorn movies that I fell in love with that I wanted to make, and have made,” he said. “But beyond that, there is an underlying message in what is otherwise a big, giant popcorn adventure.”

Photos Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

by MARIDOL

Coco Martin goes digital

RANOA-BISMARK Philstar.com

MOBILITY is power. More and more people are turning to the mobile phone for anything and everything under the sun. Coco Martin knows that. So he decided to tap the power of mobile phones to push something close to his heart. In-between tapings, guest appearances and others, he created a game app with Ang Panday, the character Coco is playing in a movie he is producing, directing and starring in for the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). “This time, let’s reverse the process,” Coco explains in Filipino. “Almost all young people play games on their cellphones when bored. So I created a game that can cross over to the movie.” He created a story and came up with Panday’s costumes and weapons (e.g. swords) to beat various enemies at different stages of his mission to help others. Coco also used his own voice as Flavio, whom the app will show going to various locations as he completes his mission. Joining Coco in this project are Synergy 88’s Jackeline Chua and Miker Rivera who polished Coco’s ideas based on their

“Panday is one of the first superheroes we Pinoys created,”Coco says. “I want children to know Panday, because some of them just know Thor. We also have superheroes we can be proud of, like Captain Barbell and Darna. Why don’t we start (promoting) them using social media?” Filipino animators who made some of the popular characters in Hollywood movies also inspire him. They, and young people who turn to their mobile phones to play games each time they’re bored, gave birth to “Ang Panday” the adventure game app (one can also play offline). “Young people get bored Coco Martin on Ang Panday game app: Panday is easily. Gusto nila may nabubuo one of the first superheroes we Pinoys created. I sila lagi. Kailangan natin silang want children to know him. ABS-CBN photo sabayan,” observes Coco. experience in the mobile game The app, available on business. Google Play store, lets Coco Coco’s passion and talent hit two birds with one stone. for telling a story and designBesides getting people hooked ing a mobile game impressed on the new mobile app, the acJackeline. So she and Miker tor is promoting “Ang Panday” offered to make Coco a busiway ahead of its targeted Dec. ness partner for this project 25 playdate. which she says aims at “global Yes, Coco knows how to up domination.” his game. In today’s go-go-go Global domination is aimworld, and the competitive ing for the sky. But if Coco showbiz circle he moves around and company make it, they’ll in, that could mean winning half be putting an original Filipino the battle for himself, and the creation on the map of mobile Filipino superhero he wants the gaming. world to know.

Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez and Karen Ibasco were crowned Reina Hispanoamericana and Miss Earth 2017, respectively. Marquez, 25, edged out 27 other candidates in the pageant held in Sta Cruz, Bolivia on Saturday night, Nov. 4. She is the first Asian to bag the title. Ibasco meanwhile beat 86 others in the competition that was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Winwyn Marquez is Miss Hispanoamericana 2017; Karen Ibasco crowned Miss Earth 2017 by ARLO

CUSTODIO ManilaTimes.net

held in Sta Cruz, Bolivia on Saturday night, Nov. 4. She is the first TWO Filipino women took the Asian to bag the title. global spotlight over the weekIbasco meanwhile beat 86 end by winning the crown in their others in the competition that respective competitions. was held at the Mall of Asia Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Arena in Pasay City. Marquez and Karen Ibasco were The two Filipinas were strong crowned Reina Hispanoamericana contenders from the start. and Miss Earth 2017, respectively. Marquez, daughter of actors Marquez, 25, edged out 27 Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno, other candidates in the pageant bagged several special awards

in the pre-pageant competition, including the product-sponsored “Miss Ipanema.” Ibasco won the gold medal for the Asia Pacific National Costume category, Darling of the Press, and Group 2 Swimsuit Competition and the silver medals for Resorts Wear and Long Gown competitions. Marquez also shone in the Continued on Page 3

entertainment 3

Jo Koy brings his jokes to PH by Nathalie

tomada

Philstar.com

IT will be a total of five shows for Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy when he returns to the Philippines to bring his brand of humor. The 46-year-old funnyman whose real name is Joseph Glenn Herbert is known for selling out shows in the U.S., sending audiences into stitches with loads of stories about his Filipino upbringing and family, particularly his mom Josie. In interviews, Jo has made it no secret that he first turned to comedy to cope with his parents’ painful divorce as a kid. He started doing stand-up in a neighborhood cafe in Vegas when he was barely 21. His career choice initially didn’t sit well with his mother, who singlehandedly raised him and three other siblings. “Do you see any clowns in our family, Josep?” the now L.A.based comic quoted his mom, mimicking her Pinoy accent and all in his hit Netflix special “Jo Koy: Live from Seattle”. Jo pokes fun at his mom and more — such as being a father to a teen son — in his special as well as live shows. One anecdote about his mom (also from the Netflix special), which is making the social media rounds, goes: “My mom raised us like we were still in the Philippines. She tried to cure everything at home like a real Filipino woman. You had to die to go to the hospital.” “My mom cured everything with Vicks VapoRub!... I should have died nine times when I was a kid. There was one time I had pneumonia. So, I go, ‘Mom, I think I have pneumonia.’ She goes, ‘I’ll put extra Vicks on your body, Josep,’” he recalled. “‘Just rub it everywhere, Josep. Rub it on the bottom of the foot and then put a sock on the foot. And then the pneumonia will go out of

the foot, Josep.’” In his YouTube page, Jo also said, while guesting on his mom’s radio show for the Filipino community in Las Vegas: “My favorite thing that my mom used to say to me... She used to go, ‘Josep, I want you to know one thing.’ ‘What?’ ‘I gave birth to you and nothing you do is more amazing than that.’” Expect more Pinoy-themed wisecracks in his forthcoming shows in the Philippines. And Jo assures that his mom loves being the “inspiration” of his jokes. The Star had an exclusive chat with Jo last weekend. Here are excerpts: On returning to the Philippines: “I can’t wait, you know, the last time I was there was with (fellow American comedian) Russell Peters. We were co-headliners. I just remember walking out into the city reflecting back on when I was kid, all the childhood memories went through my body. Now I get to know the country as a headliner, as a solo act. So, it will be overwhelming but I can’t wait to do it.” On his favorite memory when he was still a struggling comedian: “I think my biggest memory would be when I did the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 2005. That was the crowning moment for me. I was already about 14 or 15 years into it at that time. It was such a great moment, it changed my life. I was able to just focus on my live stand-up after that performance. My life changed.” On doing the Netflix special and becoming popular internationally: “Financially, it was a lot of money (laughs). I had to put a lot of money into that but it was worth every penny. I mean, you have to invest in yourself or forget about it. I knew I had a great

With his mom Josie, a favorite subject of his wisecracks

Photo from Instagram/@jokoy

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 8, 2017

Winwyn Marquez is Miss Hispanoamericana... From Page 2

question and answer portion of the pageant. Asked how she would promote the Hispanic-American culture with the prevailing language barrier, Marquez, through an interpreter, said: “Language can be learned but the will and determination to contribute to the organization cannot. It has to come from the heart. It has to be natural. I believe that kindness is a universal language that if you treat people with tolerance, Jo Koy Philstar.com photo patience and love, you will understand each other. special in my head. I knew deep in my heart that Netflix was going “The Hispanic culture is not to buy it from me. The pressure about language only. It’s about of delivering a good special love for God, love for country, and coming out with it, with the love for history and culture and finances, was a big thing. But boy, love for family. And as a Filipina once Netflix bought it from me, with a unique heritage, I have talk about instant relief overnight. I was 100 percent in control of the instilled that. I am ready to promote the Hispanic culture special, all the way to the editing not just in Asia but in the whole bay. Making it, producing it, that world. It is time to celebrate the was me 100 percent. “I had another special Don’t Hispanic culture. It is meant to be Make Him Angry years ago on celebrated.” Comedy Central. One thing I Marquez succeeded Maria noticed was it only had a certain Camila Soleibe of Colombia. amount of reach, I think it was Reina Hispanoamericana is an just national. When Netflix came annual beauty pageant celebratout and put my special in there, ing Hispanic heritage, language I noticed the international reach and culture. — South Africa, Australia, New The pageant began in 1991 Continued on Page 4

and has been held ever since in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Shortly after her coronation, Marquez posted a message through Reina Hispanoamericana’s Facebook page and said, “I am very happy and I promise to make the Hispanic culture alive.” Ibasco, meanwhile, had for

her court Lada Akimova of Russia (Miss Earth Fire), Juliana Franco of Colombia (Miss Earth Water) and Nina Robertson of Australia Miss Earth Air. Ibasco is a medical physicist and physics professor at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) where she graduated cum laude.

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entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 8, 2017

Winners of 2nd annual LAPIFF awards

Illac Diaz, founder of the organization Liter of Light, which gives light access to millions of Filipinos.

The Journey of Light takes off in America By MIKA

The 2017 LA Philippine International Film Festival (LAPIFF) was held on October 26-29 at the Southbay Pavilion Mall in Carson, California. The four-day event featured screenings of over a dozen Filipino films and an awards ceremony, which recognized categories like “Best Picture,” “Best Actor,” and “Best Actress.” LAPIFF is an organization devoted to the advancement, development and showcase of Filipino filmmakers & artists around the world through film, providing the global community of entertainment professionals and film goers with consistent annual screening events and workshops. LAPIFF provides charitable scholarships and a forum where Filipino filmmakers & artists can be recognized for their gifts, have open discussions about their movies and connect with industry professionals for understanding on production, distribution, representation and acquirement.

Jo Koy brings his jokes...

would have to be sinigang, kalderata, chicken afritada, monggo, shrimp, pancit bihon, my god, I From Page 3 me. It’s just a fun interaction, a could go on! I’m gonna get the Zealand — and I started seeing different style of comedy for me, best Filipino food when I’m out all these people interacting with more conversational and topical. there.” me because of that special. When I have different kinds of fans that On how his mom feels about Comedy Central put it (Lights listen to it so I love it!” being the subject of his jokes: Out) back on their platform, I On what he loves about be“Oh she loves it, she loves it realized that Netflix has a bigger ing Pinoy: 100 percent! Talking about my reach and I knew it was the place I “What I enjoy the most mom and upbringing, making it needed to go. about being Filipino is our funny and relatable, I think that’s “I knew, I had an amazing culture. You know my mom and why a lot of people like my standspecial, anyone who would have dad divorced when I was really, up. A lot of people can relate to done what I did would feel the really young so I never got to my childhood. She loves it!” same way. I knew I wrote a good know my dad’s side. It’s not that On comedians being one of routine. I knew it would do well. extended for me, I don’t really the most emotional creatures But to get to this level? It’s kinda know that many people on that when off stage and not in front of crazy because I wasn’t expecting side. One thing I know from the cameras: it to blow up like this. It’s pretty my mom’s side, our culture is “Oh very emotional. That’s amazing and I’m thankful that it’s deep, and family is great. I got very true. On or off the camhappening.” a big Filipino family. That’s what era, hands-down. (That’s how I On his PodcastOne I love about being Pinoy, we all release my emotions, through show, Koy Pond: gotta surround ourselves with comedy). Everything I put on “What I love about it is it’s a family, we all gotta laugh and stage is real, that’s what my life time for me to relax and talk to do things together. I love it! It’s is. My emotions, I wear them on my friends. It’s a great network by family first. my sleeve. I’m definitely putting Adam Carolla. He pushes me real“And of course, the food. my heart out there, when I’m on ly hard and he loves working with My favorite food is oh my god, it stage.”

FABELLA

IF you recognize this shiny little message in a bottle, it’s because Illac Diaz has brought Liter of Light all over the world. These solar powered lights, housed in recyclable bottles, have made their way to various countries, including the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Honduras, South Africa, and Guatemala, to name a few. Liter of Light is a global movement that fights energy poverty by offering affordable, renewable, and sustainable solar lighting technologies to people living in darkness in over 30 countries. This November, Liter of Light takes their vision across the United States, in a month-long crosscountry roadtrip, as ambassadors of the International Day of Light in 2018. Starting on November 10 in Los Angeles, Liter of Light will be bringing their knowledge on sustainable solutions to students and future leaders in a grand university tour. The caravan will be conducting solar energy workshops along their journey, making stops in Nevada, Arizona, Las Vegas, Colorado, Kansas, Chicago, Boston, and New York. Participants will get to assemble their very own solar lamp kits during the workshop as well as take part in a discussion and lecture about sustainable energy. The solar lights assembled in the workshops will be sent out to

various places in need, including the recently wartorn Marawi province in Mindanao, Philippines. The roadtrip will be featured in a full-length documentary movie by Lost & Found: Journeyman, an upcoming socio-cultural adventure webseries from the Philippines that combines science, digital filmmaking, social entrepreneurship and outdoor adventure to ultimately uplift marginalized communities in their country. The film, entitled Journey of Light, will premiere on May 16, 2018, at the International Day of Light in Paris, France. For more information and live updates on the USA Roadtrip, or if you’d like us to stop by your area and conduct a workshop for your community, you can contact us via our website http://www. literoflightusa.org/journeyoflight/ or follow Liter of Light on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/aliteroflight/. (Mika Fabella was a company scholar at Ballet Philippines and a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Major in Dance.)

entertainment 5 Bailey May, Ylona Garcia share experience in Hollywood boot camp Isabel Granada passes away at 41 The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 8, 2017

STAR Magic teen stars Bailey May, Ylona Garcia with AC Bonifacio and GirlTrend’s member Jane de Leon recently flew to Los Angeles, California as the official representatives of the Philippines for the boot camp created by well-known producer and talent manager Simon Fuller. Fuller gained prominence as the creator of “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance” as well as the manager of Spice Girls, David and Victoria Beckham, Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Steven Tyler. The four were shortlisted and competed against representatives from other countries for a chance to make it to “Now United.” Based on the teaser released online, Now United is described as a new interactive pop group for a new generation where incredible young performers from all over the world come together to sing and dance. As a preparation, representatives undergo dance and vocal workshops before competing for a spot in the group. Talking to members of the press, May and Garcia—who are former “Pinoy Big Brother 737” housemates—shared their experiences in the said boot camp.

Pauleen Luna and Vic Sotto

Hollywood just like Miley Cyrus as one of the great things that happened in the boot camp. “The boot camp actually honed my talent because we got the chance to be trained by renowned choreographers and singing coaches in Hollywood,” Garcia said. Now United has yet to unveil the talents around world who passed the boot camp and qualified to join the group. Meanwhile, when asked if it will be okay for them to leave their two-year-old love team dubbed as “BaiLona” to focus on their own careers or even pair with other artists, May Bailey May and Ylona Garcia ABS-CBN photo and Garcia seemed to have no problem with it. “I went out of my comfort “As long as we’re both fine zone that and met new friends with it and as long as we’re from different countries,” May friends, I guess it’s okay,” Garsaid during the launching of cia said. Jollibee’s Top-Your-Own Jolly “If it’s going to help our Hotdog. “We sang and danced there. careers we have to take that. But with Ylona kasi, she really The best part was when I was taught me how to gain conficoached right because there dence. When we were in acting was a time that I wasn’t able to workshop, I saw how good she do a part of a dance correctly was and that inspired me to do but I continued on and practiced for the whole day. So after good as well,” May said. Finally, the two hinted that that when it was our time to aside from endorsements, fans perform, I got every step right. would continue to see them The experience was fun,” the 15-year-old teen star continued. together since they have projects that will be known in the For Garcia on the other coming days. (Iza Iglesias/Manihand, she considers performlaTimes.net) ing with creator Fuller himself as well as popular artists in

ManilaTimes.net photo

Vic Sotto announces daughter’s birth in cool, casual manner by CHRISTINA

ALPAD ManilaTimes.net

greeted Luna and added a “Happy Birthday,” for they usuCELEBRITY couple Vic Sotto ally greet birthday celebrants on and Pauleen Luna need not wait the show. But Sotto corrected Allan K for Christmas to be in a joyful and told him that it’s still days mood as their much-awaited away before the 28-year-old’s baby has finally arrived. birthday. On Monday, Nov. 6, the Appearing confused, Allan K 63-year-old TV host calmly confirmed through his noontime asked, “Bakit, ano bang meron si Pauleen?” show “Eat Bulaga” that Luna “Anak,” Sotto, also known has given birth to their firstborn. During their “Juan for All, All in show business as “Bossing,” for Juan” segment, Sotto urged answered. The new father then promhis co-shot Allan K to greet her wife Luna, who has taken a leave ised that he would be sharing photos of his daughter in the of absence from their show. coming days. The clueless comedian

by ARLO

CUSTODIO ManilaTimes.net

ACTRESS-singer Isabel Granada died on Saturday, Nov. 4 in Doha, 10 days after suffering an aneurysm and falling into a coma. She was 41. Her partner Arnel Cowley confirmed the news of her passing in a Facebook post. In a television interview, has said Granada died at around 11 p.m. (Manila time) on Saturday. “She has been a fantastic wife, mother and daughter. She always did her best in everything she did, whether it be in front of a camera or sports. Baby, wherever you might be. Just always remember that I love you and I miss you very much,” he said. Meanwhile, Granada’s exhusband Jericho Aguas, the father of her son Hubert, also broke the news on Facebook. “Sa lahat, maraming-maraming salamat. Pahinga ka na. Paalam Isa (To everyone, thank you very much. Rest now. Goodbye Isa).” He followed it up with another post an hour later. “Malaki ang naging parte mo sa aking buhay. Binigyan mo ako ng isang gwapo’t matalinong anak, makulay ang 14 years nating pagsasama. Sa lahat, mula sa aking puso’t

kaluluwa, maraming-maraming salamat. Pahinga ka na. Paalam Isa. Mahal na mahal ka namin (You played a big part in my life. You gave me a handsome and intelligent son. Our life together for 14 years was truly colorful. For everything, from my heart and soul, thank you very much. Rest now. Goobye Isa. We love you very much).” Aguas, Hubert and Granada’s mother came back to Manila on Sunday while Cowley was left in Doha to take care of Isabel’s remains which was to be flown home on Wednesday night. The actress-singer was one of the big stars of the ‘80s and the ‘90s. She was a commercial model before joining showbiz as the younger sister of Aga Muhlach in Regal Films movie “Bakit Madalas Ang Tibok Ng Puso?” with Janice de Belen. She became a member of German Moreno’s “That’s Entertainment” Tuesday Group with Chuckie Dreyfus as her love team and the young Billy Joe Crawford and Robert Ortega as co-members. Her father, Huberto Granada was half-Spanish while her mother, Isabel Villarama, endearingly called “Mommy Gwapa” in showbiz, is Spanish. Isabel was born in the Philip-

Isabel Granada

pines but was raised in El Ferrol del Caudillo, Spain. Her last appearances on TV were in GMA’s “Meant To Be” and ABS-CBN’s “A Love To Last.” Her career in music included the album, “Out Here On My Own” and “In The Mood For Love.” Granada finished BS Aeronautical Engineering at the Philippine Air Transport and Training Services (PATTS) College of Aeronautics in 2001. She held a private pilot license.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 8, 2017