111018 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018 Volume 28 - No. 89 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages

DATELINE

Sandiganbayan finds former first lady Imelda Marcos guilty of graft

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Trump administration faces another legal setback on DACA termination

A PANEL of federal judges in California on Thursday, Nov. 9 halted the Trump administration’s termination of an Obama-era program that granted benefits to certain eligible undocumented youth including protection from deportation. The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is to stay in effect; last year, the Trump administration announced its plans to terminate the program after claiming former President Barack Obama’s executive order putting DACA into effect violated the constitution. “We conclude the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claim that the rescission of DACA — at least as justified on this record — is arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise not in accordance to law,” Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw wrote in her opinion. On Sept. 5, 2017 the Trump administration announced its plan to end the Obama-era program, opening up the possibility of the longawaited passage of the DREAM Act, which would provide a pathway to citizenship to DACA recipients. Many recipients of DACA — and undocumented youth in general — were brought to u PAGE A6

Fil-Am mail bombing suspect indicted on 30 counts, faces life in prison

by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

FORMER Philippine first lady and current Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos on Friday, November 9 has been found guilty on several graft offenses that occurred during her husband’s regime. Former first lady Imelda Marcos has been The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued found guilty of seven counts of graft. Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos its decision and sentenced the Marcos ma-

triarch to imprisonment of six years and one month to 11 years for each count with perpetual disqualification from public office for using her Cabinet position to maintain Swiss bank accounts when her husband, the late Ferdinand Marcos, was president. The former first lady violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act when she transferred around

$200 million to seven Swiss foundations during her term as a member of the defunct Batasang Pambansa and the then Minister of Human Settlements, the court found. During the Marcos rule, estimates have said that the family plundered $10 billion, of which $4 billion has been recovered to date.

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Duterte honors Boracay locals’ wish for no casinos by NATHALIE

ROBLES

AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte said that casinos will not be built within the premises of the worldfamous Boracay island to honor the wishes of the locals and residents of the said tourist spot. “If it is the wish of the population here that they do not want a casino, then it will be a no casino,” Duterte said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. The president expressed his disapproval of establishing a casino when Galaxy Macau’s Galaxy entertainment Group planned on building one on the said island. The said entertainment group’s local partner, AB Leisure exponent Inc., announced its plan to build a $500-million integrated casino resort. However, Duterte said Filipinos would not gain anything from a casino in Boracay. “Marami diyan (irregularities), policemen who are in the business of fixing things, money lenders, and people who really kidnapped foreigner, as a reason why it’s almost, pag pinasok mo, Philippine contemporary scene, the hotel with the casino is not good

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President Rodrigo Duterte convenes the leaders from various indigenous peoples tribes of Mindanao during a meeting at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on Thursday, November 8. During their meeting, Duterte formally received the resolutions made by the indigenous peoples from different tribes of Mindanao. Malacañang photo by Richard Model

Fil-Am student among 12 killed in mass shooting in one of America’s ‘safest cities’

A FEDERAL grand jury in New York has indicted Cesar Sayoc on 30 charges on Friday, November 9, after he was suspected of mailing over a dozen pipe bombs to high-profile Democrats last month. Cesar Sayoc, Jr., who is half-Filipino and halfItalian, faces life imprisonment following the charges, which include the use of a weapon of mass destruction, interstate transportation of explosives, illegal mailing of explosives, threatening interstate communications, use of explosives to commit a felony, and use of a destructive device during and furtherance of a crime of violence. The 56-year-old, who was arrested on October 26 in Florida, allegedly mailed around 16 pipe bombs to known critics of President Donald Trump, including high profile Democrats like Barack Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton as well as news organizations like CNN and Fil-Am student Alaina Housley was among those killing during a mass shooting at a local bar in prominent Democrat donor George Soros. Thousand Oaks, California. u PAGE A3 Photo courtesy of the Housley family

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

A FILIPINA-AMERICAN university student was among the 12 individuals shot dead late night Wednesday, November 7 in Thousand Oaks, California when a gunman entered a local bar and opened fire before killing himself. Alaina Punzalan Housley, 18, recently moved from Napa, California to begin her freshman year at nearby Pepperdine University, whose many students along with those from other local universities frequented Borderline Bar & Grill for its regular 18-and-

over college nights. Located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara and with a population of just nearly 130,000, Thousand Oaks has repeatedly been ranked among the top safest cities in America, taking the third spot this year. But by Thursday morning, residents of the town and nearby communities mourned the victims that were killed in the mass shooting that took place the night before at the local bar. The shooter was identified as Ian David Long, a 28-year old former Marine, who used a legally purchased .45-caliber handgun.

Philippine court affirms Jeane Napoles P40-Mtax deficiency by AJPRESS THE Philippine Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) on Thursday, November 8, affirmed the P40.028 million tax deficiency of Jeane Catherine Napoles, the youngest daughter of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Napoles. A petition for review was filed by Jeane before the tax court. In the said petition, the young Napoles questioned the assessment of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that she has tax deficiencies worth P40.028 million. However, in a 17-page resolution, the CTA

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A rundown on how Fil-Am candidates fared in the US midterm elections Fil-Am candidates eye local offices throughout Southern and Northern California by RAE AND

Fil-Am Melissa Ramoso—who was the only female on the ballot list—took the third seat up for grabs in the Artesia City Council with 20.04 percent of the total votes.

State Assemblymember Rob Bonta of the 18th District is poised for a lock for reelection.

ANN VARONA JOSEPH L. PERALTA AJPress

AS the 2018 midterm elections took place on Tuesday, November 6, a number of things quickly became apparent as the counts came in. For one, voter turnout soared above previous years, especially among young voters and women. When it came to the candidates, a record breaking number of 116 women won in their respective races which included 42 being women of color. Looking at the battle for

congress, Republicans retained the Senate, while Democrats won control of the House. While a number of races have yet to be determined, results have come in for the nation’s Fil-Am candidates which included six who ran for Congress. Here’s a rundown on how the candidates did. Fil-Ams take losses in Congress, as Ortiz-Jones fights on in very close race Of the 435 seats that were up for grabs in the House of Representatives, six were being eyed by Fil-Am candidates TJ Cox

(CA-21), Christina Osmeña (CA14), Kenneth Mejia (CA-34), Gina Ortiz-Jones (TX-23), Jennifer Mijares-Zimmerman (FL01), and Bobby Scott (VA-03). Cox, who received an endorsement by former U.S. President Barack Obama, ran to represent California’s 21st Congressional District, which covers much of Central California’s San Joaquin Valley, but was narrowly defeated by Republican incumbent David Valadao (54 percent to 46 percent). Vying for a congressional seat in California’s 14th Congressio-

nal District which covers most of San Mateo County, was Republican Cristina Osmeña whose great-grandfather, Sergio Osmeña, was the second president of the Philippines. Running against Democrat Jackie Speier, Osmeña ended up with the lesser votes with 23.6 percent compared to Speier’s 76.4 percent. Also running in California was 27-year-old Los Angeles resident Kenneth Mejia who ran under the Green Party in hopes of representing California’s 34th Congressional District which

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A November 10-13, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

PH court affirms Jeane... PAGE A1 t Castaneda Jr, Ma Belen RingpisLiban and Catherine Manahan. A separate protest before the CTA Second Division was filed by Jeane questioning the BIR’s assessment of her tax deficiency. The protest became the civil case that went up all the way to the en banc. It was, however, junked because of the young Napoles’ failure to attend the hearings. “Obedience to the require-

ments of procedural rules is needed if we are to expect fair results therefrom, and utter disregard of the rules cannot justly be rationalized by harking on the policy of liberal construction,” the tax court en banc said. It added, “Apart from such self-serving and extremely unreal scenario, there is also nothing in the record that even suggests that a representative of petitioner’s counsel ever appeared be-

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From the Front Page fore the clerks of court of either the Second or Third Divisions.” In December 2017, the CTA Third Division junked a tax evasion case against Jeane involving the same property — a condominium unit at the Ritz Carlton in Los Angeles. Following such, there is currently no legal impediment for the government to collect payment from Napoles. Due to the said dismissal, Jeane was able to start refunding her travel and bail bonds. Napoles, along with her siblings James Cristopher and Jo Christine, and their mother Janet were all indicted by the United States Justice Department for domestic and international money laundering. The said case covered their alleged use of properties in the U.S. in order to conceal the money they earned from the pork barrel scam. The said pork barrel scam involved government officials and lawmakers who allegedly earned kickbacks and hefty percentage by delivering the money from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to different ghost projects implemented by bogus non-governmental organizations that were eventually traced to Janet Napoles. Janet Napoles and former Senator Bong Revilla are scheduled to have their verdict for their plunder cases on December 7, four years after the scam was exposed. n

RESUMPTION OF HEARING. Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima, flanked by heavily-armed PNP personnel, leaves the Quezon City Hall of Justice after attending a hearing on the “Disobedience to Summons” case filed against her at the QC Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 34. Despite the Court granted access to reporters during the two-minute hearing, the police escorts of Sen. De Lima still denied the media to interview or take better photographs of her. Senate photo

Sandiganbayan finds former first... PAGE A1 t Associate Justice Rafael Lagos ordered the release of a warrant of arrest but Marcos failed to appear before the court for the sentencing. The court gave her 30 days or a month to explain her absence. The court’s decision earned praise from critics and human rights advocates after the almost three decades of its filing in the Office of the Ombudsman back in 1991. Malacañang said that Marcos’ conviction should be a “good reminder” for elected officials.

“We treat this decision by the anti-graft court as a good reminder to all public servants that public office is a public trust and that we are all accountable to the people we serve,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement on Friday. He added that Malacañang would not interfere with the legal proceedings, saying “this latest development underscores that our country currently has a working and impartial justice system that favors no one.” LP, rights group laud the court’s decision Following the announcement on Friday, several lawmakers and groups welcomed the decision. Liberal Party President Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expressed his worry that Marcos might receive special treatment in the whole judicial process. “The Sandiganbayan conviction is a faithful reminder that the Marcoses have plundered the nation’s wealth and have stolen from the people, no matter how much efforts to revise history are done by the Marcos family and their cohorts,” Pangilinan said, adding that “We hope our courts will see this through conviction and give no special treatment to Mrs. Marcos. As reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia called the decision “a triumph for the Fili-

pino people.” However, De Guia noted that all eyes would be on the said process to ensure that justice will be served among those who were killed, tortured and abused during the dark period of Martial law. “The Commission stresses the need for truth so that we call ultimately hold the dictatorship and their cohorts accountable for their crimes. We will continue to be vigilant in this process in the interest of upholding justice for the victims of such transgressions. We will never forget,” she added. KARAPATAN, a human rights group and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), a labor group said that while they laud the Sandiganbayan decision, there is also a concern that President Rodrigo Duterte may grant Imelda Marcos a pardon for the seven counts of graft she committed. “We are also ambivalent on the implementation of such a ruling based on two issues: 1) the current regime’s coddling and political rehabilitation of the Marcoses and 2) the machinations of the Marcoses to evade accountability,” KARAPATAN said in a statement. BMP further added the administration may pardon Marcos for her “old age.” The groups called out for the immediate arrest and imprisonment of Marcos as well as the return of the billions of public funds stolen by the Marcoses. n

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Fil-Am student among 12 killed in mass... PAGE A1 t The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs sent its condolences to Housley’s family and said that the Consulate General was monitoring the situation. “The Consulate General is checking with authorities if there are other members of the 25,879 Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in Ventura County who are among the dead or injured in the incident,” said the DFA. Tributes from family and friends poured in for Housley, remembering her as an honor student, athlete and member of student council, according to ABC7. Housley’s aunt Tamera Mowry-

Housley, who hosts “The Real” and starred in the show “Sister, Sister,” reminisced about her niece through photos posted on Instagram. “I was blessed to know you ever since you were 5. You stole my heart,” wrote the television personality. “I will miss our inside jokes, us serenading at the piano. Thank you for being patient with me learning how to braid your hair, and I will never forget our duet singing the national anthem at Napa’s soccer game.” Mowry-Housley added, “I’m still in disbelief. It’s not fair how you were taken … You are gonna make one gorgeous angel.”

Alaina Housley (right) with her parents Arik and Hannah

Housley’s uncle, godfather, and former Fox News correspondent Adam Housley also posted a photo with the caption, “My sweet, sweet… Alaina. Oh how I miss you. Oh how I miss u. #heartbroken.” The young Housley’s parents, Hannah and Arik, wrote in a statement, “Words can’t describe our grief over losing our daughter, Alaina. She was everything we could hope for in a child: kind, smart, beautiful and respectful.” “We want to honor Alaina be focusing on how she lived her. She would have enjoyed the public debate that is certain to happen

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Photo courtesy of the Housley family

Duterte honors Boracay locals’ wish... PAGE A1 t because there are a lot of things will happen,” Duterte said. The president also noted how gambling sites such as casinos tend to be “dysfunctional.” He further explained that a lot of unwanted irregularities are bound to happen in such establishments ranging from illegal drugs proliferation to kidnapping and other crimes. “It becomes dysfunctional ac-

tually. Kidnappings, drugs and everything. And it is a place where most of the gangster around or thereabout or just stay there and commit crimes of [this] sort,” the president noted. Despite his refusal to permit the building of casinos, Duterte said that he believes an executive order (EO) is not necessary to urge companies to stop building casinos in Boracay. This is in contrast with the statement from

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra who stated that an EO is a must in order to fully enforce the casino ban that was earlier ordered by the President himself. “I’ll just say that huwag na lang (there is no need). Anyway, it’s a privilege whether I put it in writing or just say it verbally. It is not a requirement that I should really be writing something,” he said. ■

Fil-Am mail bombing suspect indicted on... PAGE A1 t According to the indictment, the charges on Friday are only for the pipe bombs sent to Soros, Clinton, actor Robert De Niro, James Clapper and John Brennan. “As alleged, Cesar Sayoc deliberately targeted 13 individuals with 16 improvised explosive devices, attempting to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation from California to the eastern seaboard,” FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said

in a statement. “The FBI remains steadfast in our mission to protect the American public, and we will move with speed to bring justice to anyone seeking to harm our communities.” As earlier reported by the Asian Journal, Sayoc was transported from Florida to New York on Monday and made a brief appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger. In addition to Obama, Clinton and Soros, Sayoc had allegedly

mailed pipe bombs to former Vice President Joe Biden; former Attorney General Eric Holder; Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California; and Rep. Maxine Waters of California. None of the explosives that were mailed detonated and did not injure anybody, according to officials. Sayoc is set to make a court appearance on Monday, November 12. (AJPress)

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From affordable housing to daylight saving time: How California’s 11 propositions did on Election Day by AJPRESS ON November 6, California voters didn’t just cast their ballots for candidates. They headed to the polls to vote on 11 ballot measures, which covered issues from farm animal confinement to daylight saving time. As final results for certain races continue to emerge, here is how the measures did on Tuesday: Proposition 1: Bond for veterans, affordable housing — YES Over 50 percent of voters approved this measure, which will authorize $4 billion in general obligation bonds for existing affordable housing programs for low-income residents, veterans, farmworkers, manufactured and mobile homes, infill, and transitoriented housing. The fiscal impact means increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $170 million annually over the next 35 years. Proposition 2: Bond for housing for those with mental illness — YES Sixty one percent of voters said yes to this proposition that seeks to amend the Mental Health Services Act to fund No Place Like Home Program, which finances housing for individuals with mental illness, as well as ratifies existing law establishing the No Place Like Home Program. It allows the state to use up to $140 million per year of county mental health funds to repay up to $2 billion in bonds. These bonds would fund housing for those with mental illness who are homeless. Proposition 3: Bonds for infrastructure projects — NO This would give $8.877 billion in state general obligation bonds for various infrastructure projects. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging $430 million per year over 40 years. Local government savings for water-related projects, likely averaging a couple hundred million dollars annually over the next few decades. Proposition 4: Grants for children’s hospitals — YES This would allow $1.5 billion in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund grants for construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of qualifying children’s hospitals. The fiscal

impact is increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $80 million annually over the next 35 years. Proposition 5: Expand tax benefit for certain homeowners — NO Voters rejected this measure which would have removed certain transfer requirements for homeowners over 55, severely disabled homeowners, and contaminated or disaster-destroyed property. If it passed, schools and local governments would have lost over $100 million in annual property taxes early on, growing to about $1 billion per year. Similar increase in state costs to backfill school property tax losses. Proposition 6: Repeal gas tax — NO Fifty-five percent of voters voted “no” on this proposition which attempted to repeal a 2017 transportation law’s taxes and fees designated for road repairs and public transportation. Backed by the California Republican Party and other interest groups, Proposition 6 argued that the 2017 law — which imposed a 12-cent-per-gallon tax on gas and 20-cents-pergallon diesel fuel — led to high fuel prices and vehicle fees for drivers. Those who opposed the measure rebutted, saying that the tax would impede infrastructure projects statewide, one of which includes the train station connecting passengers to LAX Airport. Proposition 7: Changing daylight saving time — YES With 60 percent of votes in favor, this proposition allows the Legislature to change daylight saving time period by two-thirds vote, if changes are consistent with federal law. This measure

has no direct fiscal effect because changes to daylight saving time would depend on future actions by the Legislature and potentially the federal government. Proposition 8: Regulating kidney dialysis clinics — NO Considered the most expensive ballot race in California’s history, 62 percent of voters rejected Proposition 8, which sought to regulate the amounts outpatient kidney dialysis clinics charge for dialysis treatment. The proposition was sponsored by United Healthcare Workers West, while $110 million was spent by the dialysis industry and backed by over 160 medical groups to defeat the measure. It would have also required rebates and penalties if charges exceed limit and annual reporting to the state, and clinics would have been prohibited from refusing to treat patients based on payment source. Proposition 10: Repealing rent control restrictions — NO With 97 percent of precincts reporting, 62 percent of voters rejected this measure which looked to repeal state law that currently restricts the scope of rent control policies that cities and other local jurisdictions may impose on residential property. Californians for Responsible Housing, a group against the measure, said, “The stunning margin of victory shows California voters clearly understood the negative impacts Prop. 10 would have on the availability of affordable and middle-class housing in our state.” Proposition 11: Private ambulance employees on call during breaks — YES Fifty nine percent of voters said “yes,” which means pri-

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A November 10-13, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

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How did the AAPI community vote in the midterm elections?

Democrats capture 72 percent of AAPI vote; job growth, health care cost and immigration reform listed as top concerns for AAPI electorate by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

votes isn’t official yet it will take the state a few weeks to tally up all the votes — the results availThe midterm election wasn’t able as of this press time are tellblue wave that Democrats hoped ing. The Asian American and Pait would be, but it garnered hiscific Islander (AAPI) Civic Entoric civic engagement Though the exact number of gagement Fund, along with other

allied organizations, released a nonpartisan report of the initial votes that shed light on the voting behaviors and attitudes of the major ethnic minority groups. As extensively reported by the Asian Journal, the AAPI electorate is the fastest-growing ethnic voting bloc, according to U.S. Census data. Focusing on six crucial states — California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Nevada and Arizona — the survey compiled poll results gathered from randomly selected voters and found that the AAPI voting bloc solidly leaned Democrat. Based on the findings, 70 percent of AAPI voters cast their ballots in favor of Democrats while 25 percent voted for Republican candidates. When surveyors posed the question of the quality of President Donald Trump’s job so far, 63 percent “disapproved.” The survey also found that the top issues that AAPIs were most concerned for at the moment are the cost of healthcare, job growth and wages and immigration and the future of DACA, three of the most crucial and talked about issues of the Trump administration. In a country that has historically (and, in certain pockets, presently) suppressed the votes of minorities and disenfranchised groups, projects like the American Election Eve Poll are designed to increase civic engagement among communities of color in order for elected officials, policy makers and the executive branch to address their concerns. Geraldine Alcid, executive director of Filipino Advocates for Justice, said in a statement, “The growing influence of this electorate is being noticed by parties across the political spectrum. In 2018, Republicans and Democrats reached out to AAPI communities in higher numbers than ever before.” The survey recorded specific attitudes that AAPI voters have toward the Trump administration and asked whether Trump “has ever made you feel” “proud,” “hopeful,” or “disrespected. Respectively, 71 percent, 66 percent and 32 percent of AAPIs

Councilmember Ray Buenaventura is leading the polls in Daly City.

Filipina-American Jennifer Zimmerman is the Democratic candidate for Florida’s 1st congressional district and faced incumbent Rep. Matt Gaetz.

Gina Ortiz Jones aimed to become the first Iraq War veteran (who served under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell) and Filipina American to represent the 23rd Congressional District of Texas.

As of press time, State Assemblymember Rob Bonta of the 18th District, the first Filipino American to ever get elected to California’s State Assembly, looks like a lock for reelection. He has garnered 71,311 votes, or 87.2 percent of the total votes counted so far, over his challenger, Republican Stephen Slauson, who has 10,442 votes. State Assembly candidate and Republican Christina Laskowski lost her bid to the 22nd Assembly District seat held by incumbent Democrat Kevin Mullin. Laskowski was able to get 20,354 votes or 26.9 percent of total votes counted, to Mullin’s 55,343 votes (73.1 percent). In Daly City, which is home to a healthy Filipino American population, current Councilmember Ray Buenaventura leads in the polls, having garnered 6,700 of the total votes counted (31.6 percent). The other FilAm candidate, Rod Daus-Magbual currently has 4,608 votes (21.7 percent); Daus-Magbual is only 40 votes behind Gabriella Makstman (4,648 votes, or 21.9 percent) who is in third place. Pamela DiGiovanni is currently in second, with 5,278 votes (24.9 percent). There are only three slots open in the city council. In the town of Colma, Joanne del Rosario, currently the Vice Mayor, was re-elected to the city council, along with another Helen Fisicaro, herself running for reelection. Del Rosario garnered 119 votes, or 50.6 percent of total votes cast. Fil-Ams Mark Nagales and Flor Nicolas are currently in the top three in the race for South San Francisco’s three city council slots, along with councilmember Mark Addiego who is running for reelection. Nagales, a resident of the city for more than 30 years and a congressional aide to Congresswoman Jackie Speier for 10 years, currently has 3,450 votes (18.3 percent). Nicolas, who has also been a city resident for over 30 years and has a chemical engineering degree from Mapua Institute of Technology and a Master of Public health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has garnered 3,445 votes (18.2%). Nipping at their heels is Pradeep Gupta who has 3,291 votes, or 17.4% of total votes cast. There are only three vacant slots for the city council in South San Francisco. In the Jefferson Elementary School District, Maybelle Manio, a graduate of San Francisco State University, looks like a lock to be reelected as a member of the Governing Board, along with Marie Brizuela and Clayton Koo. Manio has garnered 4,573 votes, or 26.5 percent of total votes cast. Dianne Martinez, the first FilAm elected to the city council of Emeryville and who is running for re-election, leads vote-getters for the city’s two open city council slots. She currently has 1,832 votes, or a shade over 49 percent of votes cast. Emeryville’s neighboring city,

Oakland, will most likely welcome a Fil-Am for City Councilmember for District 2 in Nikki Fortunato Bas, whose parents are both immigrants from the Philippines and who is slated to become Oakland’s first Filipina American councilmember. Fortunato Bas has garnered 4,820 votes (or 50.77 percent of the votes counted) to lead incumbent Abel Guillén, who has 4,094 votes (or 43.13% of votes cast). [According to San Jose Mercury News, Fortunato Bas has been declared the winner as she received a majority in the first round in the city’s ranked choice system.] Also in nearby Alameda, Tony Daysog is currently in second with 7,413 votes (23.44 percent) for the race for two open seats in the city council of Alameda. In Union City, Pat Gacoscos, who is bidding to get re-elected as a councilmember, is currently among the top three vote-getters in the race for the city’s three city council slots. She has garnered 2,849 votes so far, or 13.5 percent of the votes cast. Currently just behind third-placer Gacoscos by 15 votes is Loren Ellis, who has 2,834 votes. Marlo Rodriguez, a city council candidate for District 6 in Oakland, was unsuccessful in her bid, garnering 655 votes, or 8.37 percent of votes cast. Rodriguez finished last among the five candidates vying for the seat. In Yolo County, it looks like Christopher Cabaldon gets another term as Mayor of West Sacramento. Cabaldon currently has 5,187 votes (52.8 percent), with challengers Joe Deanda and Esther Moskalets getting 3,969 votes (40.4 percent) and 666 votes (6.8 percent), respectively. Marico Sayoc is among the three top vote-getters for the Town of Los Gatos’ three city council seats. The former mayor of Los Gatos has garnered 4,430 votes so far, or about 27.48 percent of votes cast and currently sits in second place. Jose Esteves’ bid for another turn as Mayor of Milpitas will not be successful this time around. Esteves currently trails current Mayor Rich Tran, garnering 2,914 votes to Tran’s 5,126 votes. The race for city council is too close to call at this point, with Fil-Am Gary Barbadillo (3,097 votes) trailing Carmen Montano (3,523 votes) and Karina Dominguez (3,287 votes) for the two open city council slots. Thelma Boac currently sits in the top three for the race for the Berryessa Union School District’s Governing Board Members. Boac sits in the second spot, with 6,829 votes or 23.4 percent of votes cast. There are three spots in the governing board up for grabs in the BUSD. In El Cerrito, councilmember Gabriel Quinto was successful in his reelection bid, garnering 4,729 votes, or about 51 percent of the votes cast. About 17 miles north of El Cerrito, Jesus Malgapo trails

A rundown on how Fil-Am candidates fared... PAGE A1 t

includes Chinatown and Downtown Los Angeles. Tuesday’s vote revealed Rep. Jimmy Gomez of the Democratic Party to have won his reelection by taking 74.2 percent of the votes compared to Mejia’s 25.8 percent. Outside of California, Florida pediatrician and Democratic candidate Jennifer Zimmerman ran for Florida’s 1st Congressional District against Republican Matt Gaetz who ended up taking the win with 67.1 percent of the votes compared to Zimmerman’s 32.9 percent on Tuesday. But perhaps one of the most closely watched congressional race in this year’s midterm election was in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District between Republican Will Hurd and Democrat Fil-Am Gina Ortiz-Jones. While two-term holding Hurd claimed a victory from Tuesday’s count, others claimed the results were still too soon to be final given the closeness of Hurd’s and OrtizJones’ numbers. As of early Wednesday afternoon, Hurd was up less than one percent over U.S. Air Force veteran Ortiz-Jones (49.2 percent to 48.7 percent). Her campaign said that not all ballots, such as provisional ballots, absentee ballots, have been counted. “This election is not over—every vote matters and must be counted. Gina’s campaign has been powered by grassroots energy from day one, and we won’t stop working until every provisional ballot, absentee ballot, and military or overseas ballot has been counted,” said a statement released by her Ortiz-Jone’s camp. If Ortiz-Jones wins, she would u PAGE A6 become the first female Fil-Am member of Congress, the first Iraq War veteran, and the first openly lesbian to hold a U.S. House seat in Texas. Currently, only one serving member of Congress has Filipino ancestry and as of Tuesday, retained his seat. Scott, whose maternal grandfather is of Filipino ancestry, ran unopposed in Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District and easily won re-election. In Mahwah, New Jersey, reelectionist candidate Jonathan Wong topped the town council race by getting 4,402 votes. A Mahwah resident for 24 years, Wong is a recent law school graduate. He is also a licensed real estate broker and a small business owner. Wong was first elected to the council in 2015 when he was only 23 years old. Fil-Ams in local races in Northern California In key local races, some FilAmericans are seen as winners due to very healthy leads in their races, while others are still in the mix with mail-in ballots still to be counted. (Note: The Asian Journal got information from the counties’ different election sites, with the results of the counting of votes from precincts. These numbers, and some of the results, may change in the days and weeks ahead.)

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Darrick V. Tan, Esq. Licensed in California for over 17 years Licensed in Nevada for over 12 years* UCLA, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science with Cum Laude honors Southwestern University Law School, Juris Doctor Admitted to U.S. District Court, Central District of California Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association Member, Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles Former Member, Board of Governors, Philippine American Bar Association *Inactive

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Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 10-13, 2018

A

Feds cracking down on DMV employees California dreamin’? With Newsom’s win, single-payer unlikely to follow anytime soon giving out fake licenses and permits by Rae

ann VaRona

AJPress

WHilE the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has had criminal cases filed against it before, federal authorities have most recently been putting a heavier focus cracking down on its workers caught issuing fraudulent driver’s licenses and permits. federal officials say that investigators from the U.s. Department of Homeland security have also been joining in on the work of undercover agents. Cases on the department notoriously known for long lines have shown up in the last number of years, but the numbers saw a stark uptick last year with at least 20 more cases having been filed by prosecutors since. in June of this year, a federal jury found a former salinas DMV employee, robert Turchin, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and identity fraud, and three counts of identity fraud. “This prosecution of a California state employee for bribery resulting in grave danger to public safety is very troubling,� said

U.s. attorney McGregor W. scott during the trial. “it is alarming to think that unqualified persons were licensed to operate big rigs and buses on our public roadways. We will continue to do everything we can to root out public corruption at any level, and hold those in positions of trust accountable for their greed.� a month later, sarah laray sandoval, a former West sacramento DMV employee, was sentenced to three years and three months in prison after she plead guilty to three counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. along with her co-defendant anthony Zamarron, authorities said their schemes resulted in a loss over $77,000, and involved over 100 victims. The sacramento Bee reported of one of defendant from a case last year being the daughter of a DMV deputy chief of investigations and enforcement. Kari scattaglia and lisa Terraciano—both former DMV employees in the los angeles area— pleaded guilty last november to charges regarding their role in allowing numerous California driv-

er’s license applicants to pay their way out of taking written and behind-the-wheel exams, according to federal court documents. scattaglia was a licensing registration examiner and manager in arleta and Granada Hills, while Terraciano worked as a motor vehicle representative in Winnetka. Court documents showed scattaglia as being responsible for issuing at least 68 fake licenses and permits. “The DMV investigations Division conducts a thorough investigation of every complaint filed and takes action when an employee is found to be committing workplace fraud,� reads a statement obtained by redding’s local aBC 7 station KrCr. armando Botello of the DMV’s office of Public affairs continued, “These employees are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and works closely with U.s. attorney offices statewide. The DMV is responsible for initiating the cases involving all 40 DMV employees, brokers, driver school owners/operators that have been referred to the federal Eastern District since 2011.� n

Inday Espina-Varona

Twitter. “The Prize for independence, which is given to journalists who resist financial, political, economic or religious pressure, has been awarded to the Philippine journalist @indayevarona. #rsfawards2018,� rsf wrote on Twitter on november 8. Varona, a social media campaigner, founded the #Babaeako movement in response to President rodrigo Duterte’s statements on women. “after a particularly hardhitting column, i find 50 to 80 private messages calling me a liar, an ugly woman and mostly these are sexist attacks,� she told agence france-Presse. she added: “The slurs don’t really bother me but the threats that say ‘we know where you live, we’ll see if you are brave as you thing’—that bothers me because it also happens to other journalists.� V a r o n a stressed that independence is important for citizen journalism. “i teach young people to be critical minded and i hope this award will inspire them.� aside from Varona, indian freelance reporter swati Chaturvedi won the Prize for Courage, which is given to journalists in a hostile environment. Inquirer.net photo

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Young Kaiser Health News

Californians on Tuesday, november 6, elected a governor who campaigned for a complete overhaul of how people get their health coverage — but they shouldn’t hold their breath. rather, as Gov.-elect Gavin newsom and the Democraticcontrolled legislature take steps to provide more people with health insurance, they’ll likely approach it piecemeal over several years. newsom himself is already tempering expectations about California’s move to a singlepayer system, saying it will take more than the will of one person to realize. “i’m not going to hesitate to be bold on this issue, and i also want to set expectations,� newsom told reporters last week at a campaign stop in sacramento. “it’s a multiyear process.� The Democratic lieutenant governor easily routed republican John Cox in the governor’s race Tuesday, with newsom vowing to stand up to President Donald Trump and restore the “California Dream� by addressing affordable housing, health care and income inequality in the nation’s most populous state. Maltese journalist Caruana newsom’s views are in stark Galizia was awarded the Prize contrast to Cox’s, who mainfor impact for his work that has tained that government should led to an increase in awareness largely stay out of health care. of journalistic freedom. (Gaea The free-market businessman Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com said single-payer would send with a report from Agence health care costs soaring while France-Presse) diminishing quality, and warned

Filipina journalist wins Reporters Without Borders award VETEran filipina journalist inday Espina-Varona was honored by international media watchdog reporters Without Borders (reporters sans frontieres) for resisting pressure in carrying out her work. Varona won the Prize for independence at the 2018 Press freedom awards held in london. The award is given to journalists who resist financial, political, economic or religious pressure, rsf said. “a veteran journalist, inday Espina-Varona has done a lot of reporting on issues that are sensitive in the Philippines such as child prostitution, violence against women, lGBT issues and the Moro islamic liberation front in the island of Mindanao,� the international media watchdog wrote on

by Samantha

that it “is a sure way to destroy the California economy.� like many Democrats, newsom has described health care as a right and vowed to defend the affordable Care act as governor. He also criticized the legislature last year when it held up a single-payer bill that would have created one governmentrun public insurance program for all Californians. He won the endorsement from the politically powerful California nurses association for vigorously advocating single-payer. Going slow on single-payer could test his relationship with the union, which launched a brutal attack against the Democratic state assembly speaker when he shelved the measure last year. it could also upset progressive Democrats and donors who are counting on action. “This is the governor who has the best shot to get this done,� said stephanie roberson, the union’s director of government relations. “it takes political will and courage, and i’m going to cash in on what he said to my association.� now newsom’s attitude is cautious — many say realistic — even in a state that aims to set national trends and relishes its role at the forefront of the resistance to the Trump administration. last week, newsom called single-payer the most “effective and efficient� strategy to achieve universal coverage, but he questioned whether it could be

achieved at the state level, given the Trump administration’s opposition to the concept. Trump’s top Medicare and Medicaid official, seema Verma, last summer firmly rejected the idea that the federal government would grant the essential exemptions from federal rules to try single-payer, which she called “unaffordable� and “something that’s not going to work.� The exemptions, or waivers, are necessary because the state relies heavily on federal health care dollars that would be needed to pay single-payer costs. Undaunted, the California nurses association said it intends to bring another singlepayer bill before the legislature next year and has launched a national campaign to pass singlepayer in other states and convince Congress of its merits. But it’s unlikely that a singlepayer bill will make it to newsom’s desk next year, in part due to the price tag: a single-payer system could cost an estimated $400 billion annually. lawmakers earlier this year directed a council to study the feasibility of a publicly funded health insurance plan, and its findings aren’t due until 2021 — giving the new governor and lawmakers time to punt on the issue. still, Democrats who head the key legislative health committees see newsom as a partner who will be more engaged on health care than fellow Democrat Gov. Jerry Brown has been these past

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A November 10-13, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

Dateline USa

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A rundown on how Fil-Am candidates fared... PAGE A4 t

Hakeem Brown, Katy Miessner and Pippin Dew for the three city council slots for the City of Vallejo. Malgapo currently has 15,067 votes (19.79 percent), and trails third-placer Dew by 518 votes. Tony Ubalde is currently in the top three for the Vallejo City Unified School District race, with three slots being contested by eight candidates. Ubalde sits on the third spot with 13,151 votes (15.86 percent). Another Fil-Am, Ruscal Cayangyang, is in fifth

with 11,813 votes (14.2 percent). Fil-Ams eye offices throughout Southern California In Southern California where the Filipino population has been on the rise, at least 14 Fil-Ams sought local office positions. In Artesia, Fil-Am Melissa Ramoso—who was the only female on the ballot list—took the third seat up for grabs in the Artesia City Council with 20.04 percent of the total votes. Leaving the council was four-year term Fil-Am Councilmember Victor

Manalo who came in fourth with 18.01 percent of the votes. In Fil-Am hub Carson, former Mayor Pro Tem Elito Santarina and new candidate Oz Buendia were among the city council candidates but were unable to get a seat. With only two open seats, Santarina—who has 15years in the city council—came in third with 16.02 percent of the votes. Jed Leano held on to a seat on the Claremont City Council, as did half-Mexican, Fil-Am Letty Lopez in nearby West Covina for the city’s council, and Tzeitel Paras-Caracci for city council in Duarte. None of the Filipino candidates running for city council in Southern California’s Orange County won their elections. Mark Anthony Paredes ran in Garden Grove, Phil Bacerra in Santa Ana, and Christina Mackey in Laguna Hills. Former councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Lorri Galloway came in third in her run for Anaheim’s Mayor. Down south in San Diego, Mark Bartlett hoped to be the first Filipino councilman in Chula Vista but missed narrowly behind incumbent John McCann. Dita Delossantos Yamane came in third in her race for National City Mayor. But Fil-Am Republican Chris Cate won re-election to represent San Diego City Council’s District 6, garnering 57 percent of the votes. n

From affordable housing to...

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vate ambulance companies could continue their current practice of having emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics stay on-duty during their meal and rest breaks in order to respond to 911 calls. Private ambulance companies would attempt to reschedule meal and rest breaks that are interrupted by a 911 call. Proposition 12: Standards for farm animal confinement — YES Over 60 percent of voters approved this measure, which will establish minimum requirements for confining certain farm animals, and prohibit sales of meat and egg products from animals confined in noncomplying manner. n

REPRESENTING PH. Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday, November 8, represented the Philippines and spoke at House of Commons at Westminster as part of the Women MPs of the World Conference. As part of a panel of discussants from different countries, Hontiveros spoke about initiatives to further women empowerment, in particular the Expanded Maternity Leave Bill and the Safe Streets, Public Spaces and Workplaces Bill. Senate photo

Trump administration faces another legal...

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the United States as children, and with DACA, were given certain benefits that would have never been available to them before, including protection from deportation, work authorization, wider education opportunities and driver’s licenses. (Specific benefits vary from state to state.) The Center for American Progress released a study last year that found that, through DACA’s work authorization piece, undocumented youth contributed positively to the overall American economy.

DACA recipients reported positive results like greater access to higher education and financial security, as well as social mobility. The Trump administration’s decision to terminate DACA sparked intense outrage among immigrant rights’ advocates, lawmakers and the families of DACA recipients, and that outrage reached federal court rulings. Like this week’s ruling, many federal judges across the country have halted the termination of DACA using the same exact language as this week’s

ruling: “arbitrary” and “capricious.” Though the appeals court ruling is a win for DACA advocates, the nationwide injunction is likely to face the Supreme Court, which now clearly leans Republican after the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh in October. “The good news is, by rejecting DACA in the 9th Circuit — finally, we’ve been waiting for that — we get it to the Supreme Court,” Trump said at the White House on Friday. “We want to be in the Supreme Court on DACA.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

How did the AAPI community vote in... PAGE A4 t

answered no to these questions. Moreover, only 19 percent of AAPIs agreed with the statement that “Trump has a positive impact on Asian Americans.” Regardless of partisanship, voter enthusiasm increased from the previous midterm elections in 2014. The same survey found that 73 percent of AAPI voters in districts with key races encouraged family and friends to register and/or vote. “I think this is just such a critical election for everyone, no matter what side of the aisle you’re on,” Jason Tengco, executive director of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations

(NaFFAA), told the Asian Journal in an interview. “[Candidates] understand that Filipino-American and Asian American voices really matter. I think candidates on both sides of the aisle are paying more attention to that and campaign to the community,” Tengco added. “I think people were concerned about the direction the country was heading in so they thought it was important to come out and vote and make sure their voices were heard, and hopefully that helps steer the country in a different direction.” Before the midterms, a massive survey by APIAVote on midterm elections showed that

voter enthusiasm within the AAPI community jumped from 28 percent in 2014 to 48 percent in 2018. The ethnic breakdown of that October study found that Filipino Americans were the group with the highest intention to vote in this year’s midterm elections, with 92 percent of the surveyed Fil-Ams affirming their participation in the midterms. It’ll take a few weeks to see to confirm whether or not there was a significant uptick in the AAPI vote this year, but the clear increased civic engagement among AAPI’s this year, compared to that of elections past, can provide a strong tell. n

Helus, Borderline security guard Sean Adler, 22-year-old Cody Coffman, 21-year-old Blake Dingman, 21-year-old Jake Dunham, 33-year-old Dan Manrique, 23year-old employee and recent California Lutheran University graduate Justin Meek, 20-yearold Borderline employee Kristina Morissette, and 21-year-old Moorpark College student Noel Sparks. Wednesday’s mass shooting was marked the 307th mass shooting in the U.S. this year, and came just three weeks after a mass shooting left 11 elderly people dead in a synagogue in Pittsburgh. In the Thousand Oaks area and throughout the Ventura County, people revived the #805Strong hashtag in honor of the victims. The same hashtag was used during the 2014 mass shooting in the

Santa Barbara college town of Isla Vista. A vigil for the Thousand Oaks victims was also held in the town’s main park. “It’s important for us to talk about these events before we become desensitized to them,” said Czarlene Manangan, a student of UCSB and a member of its Kapatirang Pilipino club. “Mass shootings happen so often that they don’t even surprise some of us anymore, including me. But we cannot ignore these issues any longer.” A Ventura County Joint Information Hotline has been created at 805-465-6650 for those affected by the Borderline shooting. Blood donors are also in need at Los Robles Hospital for patients in critical condition. Those willing to make a blood donation may also make an appointment calling 87725-VITAL. n

Fil-Am student among 12 killed in mass...

PAGE A3 t after this tragedy. But she would have insisted that it be respectful with an eye toward solving these senseless shootings,” they added. “We send our condolences to the family and friends of the other victims.” Survivors of the deadliest mass shooting in the nation’s modern history that took place last year during the Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival were also at the bar on Wednesday night. One of them was Telemachus Orfanos, a 27-year old Navy veteran who had survived the Las Vegas shooting, only to be killed just 10 minutes near his home. His mother Susan Orfanos made clear to reporters that what she wanted more than thoughts and prayers was gun control. Other victims were veteran Ventura County sheriff Sgt. Ron

California dreamin’? With Newsom’s win...

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eight years. “Health care has not been one of the issues that he’s been particularly focused on,” Assemblyman Jim Wood, chairman of the Assembly Health Committee, said of Brown. “I think we’ve missed some opportunities to really move forward on some policies that would be good for all Californians.” Brown this year blocked measures that would have expanded health care coverage to some low-income unauthorized immigrants — not because he philosophically opposed the idea, lawmakers say, but because it would have required new state spending. He also raised cost concerns about bills that would have provided state-funded tax credits and subsidies to people who buy coverage through Covered California, the state’s insurance exchange. With a new governor, those proposals are back on the table. Newsom was, after all, the San Francisco mayor who signed off on the nation’s first universal health care program for city residents without insurance, including undocumented immigrants. And, as he has reminded reporters, he did it during a recession. “It’s a question of what do you value, what you prioritize,” he said last week when asked how the state could afford both universal health care and his call for universal preschool.

Newsom’s campaign did not respond to questions about how he would expand coverage absent single-payer. But, earlier this year, his spokesman told California Healthline that proposals to give coverage to undocumented immigrants and earmarking state dollars to help consumers buy insurance coverage were “two major parts” of his plan to deliver health coverage to all state residents. The state’s estimated 1.8 million unauthorized immigrants, for example, make up roughly 59 percent of the state’s remaining uninsured residents, according to Covered California. The Democratic-dominated legislature would have to approve these moves. “We’re going to be looking at a variety of ways that we might be able to get everyone covered,” Wood said. But, he added, “it will be significantly expensive to do that.” Wood and state Sen. Richard Pan, chair of the Senate Health Committee, said lawmakers should look at the structural issues in health care — how prices for services and pharmaceuticals are regulated and how efficiencies, improved access and curbs on costly care of chronic diseases might be achieved. “I think it’s clear the health care landscape is a focal point for the California legislature,” said Erin Trish, associate director of health policy at University of Southern California’s Schaef-

fer Center. “They don’t have to push for a single-payer system to push for expanded coverage.” Expanding health care coverage would require more state spending, but that wouldn’t necessarily mean a hit to the state economy, experts said. After California implemented the Affordable Care Act (albeit with significant federal assistance), the state’s economy continued to grow and the number of uninsured residents fell to 7.2 percent in 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “We’ve expanded coverage and our economy has continued to flourish,” said Dr. Andrew Bindman, a primary care physician who is also a professor at the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies at the University of California-San Francisco, who helped draft the federal health care law. “These things are achievable, and I think California is a model of that.” Pan, the chair of the Senate Health Committee, said he looks forward to engaging Newsom, someone who proved he could move beyond rhetoric by signing the San Francisco measure that offered more city residents health coverage. “Hopefully, we have an opportunity to get something done,” Pan said. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 10-13, 2018

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Dateline PEsperon: hiliPPines Martial law extension in Mindanao a ‘last resort’

Palace: Yolanda rehabilitation on track by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

FIVE years after super typhoon Yolanda destroyed parts of the Philippines, Malacañang assured that the rehabilitation and recovery efforts are being fast-tracked. To date, P146.156 billion in funds have already been released for the rebuilding, according to the current administration. Presidential spokesperson and chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo cited the National Housing Authority (NHA)’s report, saying 100,709 units of the 205,128 permanent housing units for Yolanda were already completed; 46,412 of them are occupied, while 54,297 are open for occupancy as of October 30. Panelo also released data from the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Special Concerns, which oversees the Yolanda rehabilitation projects, saying P146.156 billion was released to implementing national government agencies, government-

owned and controlled corporations and local government units as of December 31, 2017. “Half of the funds released were allotted for housing programs and ancillary basic utilities… To speed up resettlement, we are addressing issues that cause the delay, which include limited availability of titled lands for resettlement, slow processing and issuance of permits and licenses for construction projects and absence of sustainable livelihood opportunities, among others,” he said. Former President Benigno Aquino III stressed that some of the foreign assistance pledged never arrived, and for the most part, has not been turned over to the government. According to him, there were problems with power and water supply in relocation areas identified as safe but away from low lying coastal areas since utility companies did not have sufficient funding to undertake massive

housing projects. He said, “That is why the national government has to come in and fund (the provision of utilities). However, the same takes time (two years) as we need to pipe in from the next town… temporary water and power are supplied until permanent lines are installed.” Aquino also conceded that there had been problems with substandard housing due to the people on the ground both in the past and current administration failing to monitor the implementation. “Some are caused by substandard materials unknowingly used by some contractors such as sand coming from sea instead of rivers. These are the aggregates available in the market,” he said, adding, “What is important is we have corrected the defects and no housing units that were identified as defective were paid.” The Department of Finance

Miss Earth Canada Jaime Vandenberg Photo from Instagram/@missjaimeyvonne

Miss Earth England Abbey-Anne Gyles-Brown Photo from Instagram/@erma101

Miss Earth Guam Emma Sheedy Photo from Instagram/@miss.earth.england

excited they were to compete, but the experience was tarnished when they were sexually harassed by one of the Filipino sponsors of the beauty pageant. VandenBerg, who eventually left the competition, said the sponsor got her mobile number — which she had given to a staff member of the pageant organizer, Carousel Productions — without her consent. The sponsor kept calling her, asking for her hotel and room number, accord-

ing to her. It didn’t stop there. The sponsor also allegedly offered her competition mileage if she granted him sexual favors. “He showed up to almost all of my events telling me he could take care of my needs and asked for sexual favours in exchange to get me further in the pageant. I was disgusted,” VandenBerg said in her Instagram post on Wednesday, November 7.

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Miss Earth 2018 bets accuse Filipino sponsor of sexual harassment by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THREE contestants from Miss Earth have come forward about the sexual harassment they allegedly experienced in the Philippines throughout the competition. Miss Earth bets Jaime VandenBerg of Canada, Abbey-Anne Gyles-Brown of England, and Emma Sheedy of Guam recently took to Instagram to share how

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by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

NATIONAL Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Thursday, November 8 said extending martial law in Mindanao should be a “last resort” as military rule in the restive region is set to lapse by the end of the year. According to him, extending the martial law should not be a priority in the mind of security officials and stakeholders when it comes to ensuring peace in Mindanao, despite calls of some Mindanaoans for it to push through. “We have had discussion with that in the national security cluster but we still would like to think that the extension of martial law should be on a last resort basis,” Esperon said in a media briefing in Malacañang. He added, ”Extending martial law should not be foremost in our minds. We should prioritize the needs of Mindanao and we are getting all the feedback from the people and it may interest you to know that majority of the people of Mindanao want it (martial law).” Earlier, Palace officials said the decision whether to extend martial law would depend upon the recommendation of the security cluster, particularly the police and military on the ground. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Carlito Galvez Jr. noted that several local government units in the region are in favor of the extension, as reported by CNN Philippines. “Apparently, most of the local government units are in favor of the martial law in eastern and western Mindanao,” Galvez said during the briefing. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año have expressed their support for another possible martial law extension, as well. “We are aware that the PNP has come out with a statement of support for the extension as well as the secretary of the interior and local government but let that be part of the recommendations that will go up to the President when it is time to decide and ask Congress for an extension,” Esperon said. Presidential Spokesperson

Salvador Panelo said that the martial law has been noted by the military to be of help in the peace and order situation in Mindanao and has “dissuaded” terrorists from carrying out attacks. However, Vice President Leni Robredo and several senators are opposed to the idea of extending the martial law, saying

that it has failed to prevent violence in the region. The martial law was declared in May 2017 following ISIS-inspired Maute Group’s siege of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. The declaration lapsed on July 23 that year, before Congress first voted to extend martial law until the end of December 2017. n

A8 NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Corruption in the BOC

FEATURES

AS ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte, the new chief of the Bureau of Customs has said he is giving priority to the campaign against corruption. Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero is making the right noises, but he is not the first BOC chief to issue such a statement. Whether he can achieve his goal is another story. Guerrero, a former military chief of staff, has one thing going for him, in a way. After the scandals that hounded the stints of his two predecessors — one a former police chief of Davao City and the other a retired military chief — the new head of the BOC is assuming office with low public expectations. Doubts have been aired even over the deployment of soldiers in the BOC to deter corruption and drug trafficking. Bribery entered the age of cashless transactions a long time ago, and the crooks in the BOC have always found ways to compel people to pay grease money, and to conceal the payoffs. Still, the soldiers may keep a closer eye on the inspection of shipping containers to at least make coddlers of drug smugglers think twice about waving shabu shipments through the BOC’s socalled green lane. Alarms have been raised on the use of mag-

netic lifters for bringing in illegal drugs. While canines of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency can sniff out the shabu, humans still have the ultimate say on the release of contraband from the country’s ports. Simplifying procedures and minimizing individual discretion and human intervention in valuation and cargo assessment have been considered as key measures that can eliminate the need for paying facilitation fees or grease money. But something always got lost in translating commitments into action. This week Guerrero attended his first flag-raising ceremony as Customs chief. Can he succeed where all his predecessors have failed? Since Guerrero is just starting, he still enjoys the benefit of the doubt, and he can count on support from many sectors. Guerrero must do more than his predecessors so that the President and the public will not be disappointed. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Trump loses control of the House in the midterm elections, unleashes his wrath against the free press The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump held an explosive press conference a day after the midterm elections, claiming tremendous victory for the Republican majority in the Senate and some gubernatorial races. He congratulated himself for the victory of the candidates who won and berated those Republican candidates who lost because he said they did not embrace him. When the White House reporters started asking questions, the president would not really answer their questions but instead boasted about himself, his administration, until CNN’s Jim Acosta asked Trump about his scare tactics on what Trump would call the “caravan” of migrants coming to “invade” America, walking with their family and children from Central America through Mexico.

Trump tried to brush Acosta off by saying, “I think you should let me run the country, you run CNN and if you did it well, your ratings would be much better.” The CNN reporter continued to ask more questions and this time about the Russia investigation, the president shouted: “That’s enough. That’s enough. That’s enough. That’s enough,” ordering him to “put down the mic.” Acosta refused to surrender the microphone to a female intern who was trying to get it from him. Trump then told the reporter: “CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn’t be working for CNN... You’re a very rude person. The way you treat Sarah Huckabee is horrible. And the way you treat other people are horrible. You shouldn’t treat people that way.” Everybody in the room was just shocked at the volatility of the moment. When the intern finally got to get the microphone from Acosta, NBC News reporter Peter Alexander tried to defend the CNN reporter saying Acosta is a

“diligent reporter.” Trump defiantly looked at Alexander and said, “Well, I’m not a big fan of yours, either.” This was not the first time Trump would lash out at Acosta who had not been daunted by Trump’s labeling of him and of CNN as “fake news” when he would not give Trump a pass in not answering the hard questions a respectable journalist in search of the truth would ask. But Acosta was not the only reporter Trump would lash out against. Other reporters who would ask legitimate questions that Trump did not want to answer were also humiliated by the president, furiously calling them and how they did their job derogatory names like racist and stupid. He would point fingers at them and rudely stop them and asked them to sit down. He particularly berated black female reporters even after the press conference while they were doing their job — asking questions the American people wanted to be asked to find out the truth about issues. Later that day, the White House revoked Jim Acosta’s

“press pass”, something he had held for 10 years as a White House Correspondent. Trump’s Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended the decision saying, “We will... never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable.” Sanders then shared a questionable video from a questionable online outlet that was far from the truth. I know because I watched the news conference live on TV, so did many Americans. Many social media users, reporters and political analysts, pointed out their observation — that “the video Sanders shared zooms in on the moment of contact, and appears to have been sped up to make the moment appear more aggressive.” How low can they go? Acosta and all the other reporters were just doing their job as part of the free press, tasked in a democracy to be the “Fourth Estate” and make the government officials accountable to the people.

This is a right stipulated in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Trump’s revocation of Acosta’s press credentials is his way of silencing the independent press, a grave violation of the Constitution. The free press is tasked “to serve the governed, and not the governor.” Trump said the reporters and the news media should respect the White House and respect the Office of the President, something these brave and honorable men and women of the Press have been doing every day. I watched the news conferences. They asked their questions, which were all legitimate questions that should be asked, but it was Trump who disrespected, berated and undermined them every single day — in this news

conference, and every day during his presidency, calling them “the enemy of the people”. Let the TRUTH be told. It is Trump who has been disrespecting and undermining the Office of the President, our democratic institutions and processes. What is he so angry about? What is he afraid of? The TRUTH. And now that he just lost control of the House of Representatives because the American people voted out his cohorts in Congress as a referendum of him as a president and how he has been governing the country, he knows he could no longer escape from being accountable to the people. Finally, the checks and balances mandated by the Constitution would be functioning and Trump would know he is NOT above the law. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Are there leaders with integrity left in America?

Rhizomes

(Part II of women can change America series)

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “This ‘one nation, indivisible’ is deeply divided along political, economic, racial and religious lines. And despite our historic dream of being “a light unto the nations,” the gaps between us and our global neighbors continue to grow more deadly. The conflicts and contradictions of twenty–first century life are breaking the American heart and threatening to compromise our democratic values.” – Parker Palmer “The human heart is the first home of democracy. It is where we embrace our questions. Can we be equitable? Can we be generous? Can we listen with our whole beings, not just our minds, and offer our attention rather than our opinions? And do we have enough resolve in our hearts to act courageously, relentlessly, without giving up—ever—trusting our fellow citizens to join with us in our determined pursuit of a living democracy?” Terry Tempest Williams, “Engagement,” as quoted by Parker J. Palmer, “Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit.” YOU have the 45th U.S. President Donald Trump at rallies injecting himself in the midterms elections and says to his base: “These two maniacs stopped our momentum.” Yet, he failed to inform his base that one of these maniacs, Robert

Bowers, is now accused of killing 11 folks in a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh, while another maniac he refers to is Cesar Sayoc, a Filipino-Italian who sent 15 pipe bombs to the leaders of the Democratic Party. These were attempted assassinations of two past U.S. presidents, a former secretary of state, a former vice president and more. While these unhinged presidential actions are occurring during the midterm elections, actions unprecedented in America and known to be prevalent in developing countries, we know something is so wrong about America. We know something is unhinged when the most powerful man in the world acts beneath his presidential position and foments hatred at the rallies by calling the press the “enemy of the people,” the only profession whose practice of freedom of expression is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, you wonder why he keeps doing it? In Pittsburgh, he insisted on visiting the city in spite of the request of the mayor and local officials not to, as resources will be diverted for his protection. Instead, the president still came with the First Lady and local officials shunned him while thousands protested his presence, held a block away from the synagogue. We wonder why all folks of color are labeled rapists and murderers and now a caravan of refugees from Central America are

being labeled as harboring gangs and Middle Easterns by this U.S. president when in fact these are families fleeing violence? The Pittsburgh massacre suspect said that he had to do it because America is being invaded by these diseased migrants that will lead to the dilution of the white race and he needed to act to stop this compelling emergency by going to the Pittsburgh synagogue and fired upon these Jewish synagogue worshippers. What has happened to America’s democracy? Can its heart be healed? Can women coming of age give us examples of how to be decent Americans and how to move forward with truth? Can the U.S. Supreme Court’s past decision about press freedom enlighten us today that this current president’s media reference as “the enemy of the people” is unconstitutional and wrong? Women coming of age I watched the 2017 film, “The Post,” could not quite adjust my feelings towards how indecisive Katharine Graham, the former owner and publisher of The Washington Post, was portrayed. She was meticulously adept in asking questions of her inner circle, but somehow clueless in recognizing she has the authority to make the final decision. She was depicted as ambivalent and conflict-evasive, which she admits in her personal memoirs. That was until portions of the Pentagon Papers were delivered

to the Washington Post’s assignment editor and thousands of pages were given by Daniel Ellsberg. That marked her turning point, a qualitative leap for the common good, what I call one of her moral cornerstones marked by uplifting and exposing the truth! She made a crucial strategic decision, of publishing the Pentagon Papers, which catapulted the Washington Post into a credible source of news, facts, evidence and true to its mission as a newspaper. The Washington Post became a key resource for national news. Russ Wiggins wrote a personal note to the staff: “Philip L. Graham has left in our daily care and custody an honest and a conscientious newspaper which I know that all of you are eager to maintain as a daily memorial to his own genius and integrity. And now we must take up the duties he laid upon us, with a heavy heart, but nonetheless with a high hope that we may succeed in doing what he would have us do.” I just finished reading Katharine’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoirs and how she evolved from being supportive of Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson’s actions in Vietnam and later, developed her personal opposition towards the war, given her eldest son’s personal letters to her, while deployed as a soldier in Vietnam. He wrote about the senseless violence towards an ill-defined cause and for which did not quite

advance the national security interests of the United States. The Post continued to report on the Vietnam War, and the 500,000 U.S. soldiers deployed there. It then grew its editorial department in 1966-1969, when Post added 50 positions and its budget grew from $2.25 million to $7 million in 1969. Katharine is depicted in the film, “The Post,” as nervously taking a stand to publish the Pentagon Papers and closely monitoring the backlash while at the same time, she experienced the solidarity of the newspapers around the U.S., who followed The Washington Post’s lead to publish the “verboten” Pentagon Papers. Katharine rationalized her decision in keeping with the newspaper’s mission and putting the nation’s interests before the papers. It piqued my curiosity to keep reading about Katharine and her resolve, her convictions, and even her own stance, amidst being surrounded, influenced, criticized meanly, and strongly pressured by strong men around her, including Pres. Johnson. The impact of a woman’s decision: The Washington Post and New York Times’ US Supreme Court decision It is a life that she allowed other folks to guide her, but also her inner convictions to stand by her decisions. For example, it took tremendous courage for her to set a

precedent of publishing the Pentagon Papers, then, joined in a lawsuit with the New York Times, and then, to wait nervously for the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, 6-3. The decision, written by Justice Black, excerpted here in part: “In the First Amendment, the Founding Fathers gave the free press the protection it must have to fulfill its essential role in our democracy. The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The Government’s power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government. “And paramount among the responsibilities of a free press is the duty to prevent any part of the government from deceiving the people and sending them off to distant lands to die of foreign fevers and foreign shot and shell. In my view, far from deserving condemnation for their courageous reporting, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other newspapers should be commended for serving the purpose that the Founding Fathers saw so clearly. In revealing the workings of government that led to the Vietnam war, the newspapers nobly did precisely that which the Founders hoped and trusted they

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OpiniOn & Features

Are there leaders with integrity... PAGE A8 t would do. “The Government’s case here is based on premises entirely different from those that guided the Framers of the First Amendment. The Solicitor General has carefully and emphatically stated: “Now, Mr. Justice [BLACK], your construction of . . . [the First Amendment] is well known, and I certainly respect it. You say that no law means no law, and that should be obvious. I can only [p718] say, Mr. Justice, that to me it is equally obvious that “no law” does not mean “no law,” and I would seek to persuade the Court that that is true. . . . [T]here are other parts of the Constitution that grant powers and responsibilities to the Executive, and . . . the First Amendment was not intended to make it impossible for the Executive to function or to protect the security of the United States. “And the Government argues in its brief that, in spite of the First Amendment,[t]he authority of the Executive Department to protect the nation against publication of information whose disclosure would endanger the national security stems from two interrelated sources: the constitutional power of the President over the conduct of foreign affairs and his authority as Commander-in-Chief. “In other words, we are asked to hold that, despite the First Amendment’s emphatic command, the Executive Branch, the Congress, and the Judiciary can make laws enjoining publication of current news and abridging freedom of the press in the name of “national security.” The Government does not even attempt to rely on any act of Congress. Instead, it makes the bold and dangerously far-reaching contention that the courts should take it upon themselves to “make” a law abridging freedom of the press in the name of equity, presidential power and national security, even when the representatives of the people in Congress have adhered to the command of the First Amendment and refused to make such a law. “To find that the president has ‘inherent power’ to halt the publication of news by resort to the courts would wipe out the First Amendment and destroy the fundamental liberty and security of the very people the Government hopes to make ‘secure.’ “No one can read the history of the adoption of the First Amendment without being convinced be-

yond any doubt that it was injunctions like those sought here that Madison and his collaborators intended to outlaw in this Nation for all time. “The word ‘security’ is a broad, vague generality whose contours should not be invoked to abrogate the fundamental law embodied in the First Amendment. The guarding of military and diplomatic secrets at the expense of informed representative government provides no real security for our Republic. The Framers of the First Amendment, fully aware of both the need to defend a new nation and the abuses of the English and Colonial governments, sought to give this new society strength and security by providing that freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly should not be abridged. This thought was eloquently expressed in 1937 by Mr. Chief Justice Hughes—great man and great Chief Justice that he was—when the Court held a man could not be punished for attending a meeting run by Communists.” “The greater the importance of safeguarding the community from incitements to the overthrow of our institutions by force and violence, the more imperative is the need to preserve inviolate the constitutional rights of free speech, free press and free assembly in order to maintain the opportunity for free political discussion, to the end that government may be responsive to the will of the people and that changes, if desired, may be obtained by peaceful means. Therein lies the security of the Republic, the very foundation of constitutional government.” Would you, as sworn U.S. citizens make your voices known to our elected leaders that you want the truth, and nothing but the truth and that means uncensored news publications, and the responsible use of power at any levels (executive, legislative, judicial)? Or would you blindly protect your perceived economic station in life and by indifference enable more lies to be told? How would you act as guardians of American democracy? Would you pursue integrity as one of America’s foremost values by insisting on the truth? Katharine Graham was not trained to be a CEO nor trained to be a publisher. She watched from the sidelines and did not have an opportunity to hold a full-time job

until her husband died. Yet she made the most visible, credibility-sustaining decisions for her newspaper, The Washington Post, displaying her personal courage, “the scope of her wisdom and power of compassion,” love for this country’s democratic freedoms. From that national exposé, it initiated a national debate to purge our nation from its involvement in an unjust war in Vietnam, which to the end, had 58,220 U.S. military fatal casualties, between 200,000 to 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers dead and 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong casualties. By far, the most casualties were incurred in World War II, battle deaths and civilians of all countries to have been 56.4 million. (Source: Britannica.com) In examining your own lives, have you faced choices where you placed truth above lies, love of country first over your pocketbook, harmony over personal grudges and deep anger? What legacy are we building by our personal actions for our children and grandchildren? To this day, Katharine Graham’s personal decision of courage and commitment to the mission of truthful news information are inspiring. If enough women of conviction and those coming into positions of power are leaders promoting truth, justice and fairness wherever they are, I dare say many more can follow their examples of integrity to create a new America where integrity is the currency of our national politics, culture and discussion. Integrity allows the human heart to flourish which enriches any democracy. It is time to curse the darkness by telling the truth and becoming moral leaders of integrity in America. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 10 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 10-13, 2018

A

A10 November 10-13, 2018 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JoUrNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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CAAP clarifies issue on OFW terminal fee, travel tax refunds Sotto: There are extrajudicial killings, just not state-sponsored by AJPress

by AJPress

ment is being deliberately damaged in order to change the image of the country’s war against Senate President Vicente illegal drugs. Sotto said that the “tito” Sotto III on Wednesday, campaign has been slanted benovember 7, admitted that there fore the international community are extra-judicial killings (eJKs) to show that eJKs were being in the country but denied that done by government authorities. these are state-sponsored. Human rights groups and gov“We have to admit na mayernment critics said that such roong mga eJKs, pero hindi infigure is understated. they said order ng gobyerno (We have to that some killings carried out by admit that there are eJKs, but so-called “vigilante groups” were they were not ordered by the also allegedly state-sponsored, government),” Sotto said in a citing cases where some from news forum as reported by The Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III the police force were caught in Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer.net photo illegitimate operations. the Senate president said this Sotto was then asked to comthe Senate president was in response to the statement by Senator Manny Pacquiao before quick to defend Pacquiao as he ment on the death of the 17-yearOxford University students in explained what the senator might old Kian Delos Santos, a boy who the United Kingdom, stating that have meant when he spoke be- was killed in the anti-drug operation of the Caloocan City police there are no eJKs in the Philip- fore the students in the UK. “Pero (But) was it sanctioned in august last year. Delos Santos pine government’s war against by the government? no. Per- was accused of being a drug runillegal drugs. In an open forum after the haps, that’s what Manny Pac- ner who allegedly resisted arrest. the Senate president declined to speech, the boxer-turned-politi- quiao means,” Sotto added. Sotto is convinced that the al- comment saying that other peocian said that many drug suspects ended up dead because leged killings might have been ple might use the issue for their they chose to fight back with committed by illegal drug traf- advantage. Sotto also stated the error in arresting officers. Pacquiao, a fickers who fear that their idenknown ally of President Rodrigo tities will be revealed to police that of the term eJK. Sotto said Duterte, knew that the president authorities once their underlings that such in itself is “non-exisurged cops to use violence upon have been placed under scrutiny. tent,” since there are no judicial the Senate president noted killings or even a death penalty in those who do not willingly accept that the reputation of the govern- the country. n arrest.

Palace: Yolanda rehabilitation... PAGE A7 t

and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are now drafting a joint order for a one-stop shop facility for relief consignment, similar to the proposal of Senator Sonny angara, Panelo said. “We likewise take this opportunity to spread better awareness on climate change and its impact on our communities… the Palace, through the Presidential legislative liaison Office (PllO), has transmitted to both houses of Congress a bill creating the Department of Disaster Resilience last July, as President Duterte articulated both in his 2017 and 2018 State of the nation addresses,” Panelo said. Senator loren legarda, mean-

while, reiterated her call for communities to heighten resilience as the nation commemorated Yolanda this week. “We need to continuously conduct massive education and information campaign on disaster preparedness so that communities do not remain complacent,” she said. She also said that we need to ensure we are not rebuilding risks when we are rebuilding communities. that we must reduce the risks and not create new ones. “If a community is prone to landslides, consult the geohazard map to see where relocation is possible; otherwise, we will continue to incur damage and rebuild again when natural hazards occur. that is cer-

tainly not a mark of resilience. In coastal communities, there should be mangrove reforestation because mangroves sequester carbon and are good buffers for storm surge and tsunami,” she added. Panelo commended the people in the front lines who responded to the calamity, as well as the nations, agencies, and organizations that helped the Philippines overcome the ordeal. “We commend the exemplary resilience of our own people who, in the face of adversity, have remained steadfast. Yolanda has taught us a hard lesson in public service, particularly on the need to respond to our people’s plight with more compassion and urgency,” he said. n

Miss Earth 2018 bets accuse Filipino sponsor...

PAGE A7 t

Gyles-Brown corroborated VandenBerg’s story with an account of her own. “I enjoyed 50 percent of my trip but the other 50 percent was overshadowed by feeling exploited, vulnerable, unnerved and sexually harassed as I was approached by a sponsor on many occasions who asked for sexual favors in exchange for the crown. this happened on a sponsored evening meal away from the team managers behind closed doors. the sponsor tried to find out what hotel and room I was staying in,” she wrote on Instagram. VandenBerg and Gyles-Brown did not name the sponsor but Sheedy, Miss Guam, did on her own Instagram post. “the sponsor whose name is amado S. Cruz became a prob-

lem for many of the delegates, including myself. to focus on only myself, I was pulled aside multiple times to be invited to Boracay, private islands and into his house and insisted that I and ‘the latino women dance for him,’” she said. She further recounted, “amado S. Cruz grabbed my bare backside at the national Costume Competition where I was able to push him away, but he consistently told me not to tell anyone about the instances. at the Manila Yacht Club, amado S. Cruz ensured that the team managers and security personnel were separated in another room, this is where he made many girls uncomfortable.” Allegations vs Miss Earth organizers the candidates decided to in-

form the team manager about Cruz’s foul behavior. However, Gyles-Brown said the only response they got was laughter. “Myself and Canada approached team Manager to express our disgust only to be laughed at. another official attendee of the night told me not to cry as I would ruin my makeup! there was no respect or compassion shown to myself or Jaimie,” Gyles-Brown said. She added, “I felt traumatized by this experience and had many sleepless nights.” after, they directly spoke to Miss earth Vice President lorraine Schuck to complain about the sexual harassment. they were assured by Schuck that Cruz would not be attending any other event; however, the candidates said Cruz still went to the preliminary event and even the coronation night. VandenBerg also alleged that the Miss earth organizers confiscated her passport on the first day of competition. “the organization had confiscated my passport on the first day and I felt like I couldn’t leave. When the team managers went into my room and took things from my luggage without my permission, I had completely lost faith in the organization,” she said. Miss earth organizers, however, denied these claims and responded by saying they only keep the passports for safekeeping. VandenBerg decided to withdraw from the competition before the coronation night on november 3. “I was so excited because I had been to the Philippines before and loved the country and the people; however, the experience with the pageant was not what I had expected. I left Miss earth because I did not feel safe under their care,” she said. ‘We will help them’ according to Schuck, several policewomen were deployed to make sure all candidates were safe. She also told the Philippine Star that she was puzzled when the candidates said the organization did not take action when the organization immediately “banned the sponsor from the event.” “the sponsor was banned from the event on Oct. 14, right after the candidate reported such incident. I told Cruz not to attend any further events for the pageant or even go near the candidates,” she said. “We will be more careful who we are dealing with and be stricter. I told the candidates not to be afraid to come out or report any incidents that would make them uncomfortable. We fully support the Miss earth delegates. If there’s any complaint, we will help them,” she added. n

ClaRIfICatIOn on the issue regarding labor Secretary Silvestre Bello’s call for the agency to return the terminal fees and travel taxes collected from overseas filipino workers (OfWs) has been made by the Civil aviation authority of the Philippines (CaaP). Bello had reportedly sent letters to CaaP to reiterate his request to refund some P500 million worth of terminal fees and travel taxes collected from the OfWs since 2015. the law states that migrant workers and OfWs registered with the Philippine Overseas employment administration (POea) are exempt from paying travel tax and airport fee.

CaaP spokesperson eric apolonio told the Philippine news agency (Pna) on tuesday, november 6, that the agency is not the only entity responsible for collecting the said fees from OfWs, since CaaP operates only seven international airports. “among the seven international airports that CaaP manages, it is only via the Davao International airport, where the OfWs pass through. this airport does not charge terminal fees for OfWs,” apolonio said. the six other airports are in General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Kalibo, and laoag. apolonio noted that these airports are being used mostly by tourists, and not by the OfWs.

according to him, the bulk of what Bello was requesting to be refunded is not under CaaP’s jurisdiction. “Majority of the OfWs use the airports in Manila (naIa), Cebu, and Clark. these other airports have their own mandates,” he said. apolonio also said that travel tax is normally included in the ticket — this is how the airline would know if the passenger is an OfW or not when he or she books the ticket. He said CaaP could not comment on the issue regarding travel taxes collected from the OfWs. “the tourism Infrastructure and enterprise Zone authority (tIeZa) collects travel taxes,” he said. n

SWS: Satisfaction with drug war dips in Metro Manila, Mindanao by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

ManIla — Public satisfaction with the government’s campaign against illegal drugs has suffered a double digit decline among residents in Metro Manila and Mindanao, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed. the same SWS survey, however, showed one in every two filipinos support proposals to conduct mandatory drug testing on students in Grade 4 and above. On the war against drugs, the third quarter SWS survey, conducted from Sept. 15 to 23 with the results released late Wednesday, showed public satisfaction with the drug war falling to its lowest among Metro Manila respondents since the Duterte administration took over in July 2016. It also fell by 14 points in Mindanao, although it remained in “excellent” territory. nationwide, public satisfaction was steady at “very good” +64 (76 percent satisfied, 13 percent dissatisfied), down one point from the +65 rating (78 percent satisfied, 13 percent dissatisfied) obtained in June. net satisfaction is the rounded off difference between those who said that they are satisfied and those who said that they are dissatisfied. SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of at least +70 as “excellent”; +50 to +69 as “very good”; +30 to +49 as “good”; +10 to +29 as “moderate”; +9 to -9 as “neutral”; -10 to -29 as “poor”; -30 to -49 as “bad”; -50 to -69 as “very bad”; and -70 and below as “execrable.”

SWS said the one-point decrease in nationwide net satisfaction rating in September was because of decreases in support in Mindanao and Metro Manila, offset by increases in balance luzon and the Visayas. Public satisfaction on the drug war in Mindanao fell from +84 (89 percent satisfied, five percent dissatisfied) in June to +70 (78 percent satisfied, eight percent dissatisfied) in September. It is the second lowest rating for the drug war in Duterte’s bailiwick, next to the “very good” +66 in June 2017. While still in “very good” territory, public satisfaction on the drug war fell to its lowest among Metro Manila respondents, from +67 (79 percent satisfied, 12 percent dissatisfied) in June to +55 (72 percent satisfied, 17 percent dissatisfied) in September. Meanwhile, public satisfaction increased by eight points in the rest of luzon, from +58 (74 percent satisfied, 16 percent dissatisfied) to +66 (78 percent satisfied, 12 percent dissatisfied). It also increased by one point in the Visayas, from +57 (74 percent satisfied, 16 percent dissatisfied, correctly rounded) to +58 (73 percent satisfied, 15 percent dissatisfied). “Satisfaction with the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs was at an ‘excellent’ +76 when it was first surveyed in September 2016. It was highest in December 2016 at an ‘excellent’ +77,” the SWS said. “It has been at the +63 to +66 (very good) range since March 2017, reaching its lowest rating of +63 in September 2017,” it added. the survey had 1,500 respon-

dents and a margin of error of +/three percentage points. A good idea On the drug testing proposal, the third quarter SWS survey, conducted from Sept. 15 to 23 with the results also released Wednesday, showed that 51 percent of respondents agreed with the previous proposal of the Philippine Drug enforcement agency (PDea). thirty-six percent of the respondents said they do not agree with the proposal, while 13 percent were undecided. the question was included in the survey even after PDea in July dropped the proposal following consultations with the Department of education. education Secretary leonor Briones previously raised concerns on the conduct of mandatory drug testing on elementary students, noting its possible lasting impact on minors. She also noted that such a policy would cost as much as P2.8 billion for at least 14 million Grade 4 to Grade 12 students in public schools alone. Based on the survey, agreement with the proposal was highest among respondents in the Visayas (69 percent), followed by those from Metro Manila (53 percent), Mindanao (51 percent) and the rest of luzon (42 percent). Disagreement was highest in balance luzon (48 percent), followed by Metro Manila (36 percent), Mindanao (26 percent) and the Visayas (21 percent). the survey also had 1,500 respondents and a margin of error of +/- three percentage points. Malacañang, on the other hand, supported the SWS survey on the drug-testing proposal. n

Palace vows to run after execs in Dengvaxia mess by Ralph villanueva ManilaTmes.net

MalaCañanG on tuesday, november 6, said appropriate charges would be slapped on those responsible for the mass vaccination involving the antidengue vaccine Dengvaxia. this came a day after the Public attorney’s Office (PaO) said it was studying upgrading the Dengvaxia complaints from reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide to murder. It also came a week after 10 new Dengvaxia complaints were filed before the Department of Justice (DoJ) against Health Secretary francisco Duque III, his predecessor Janette Garin and several others in connection with Dengvaxia-related deaths. In a statement, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the executive branch had “taken forceful action” on the issue. “appropriate charges will be lodged and pursued against government officials and private individuals found responsible by the DoJ for this failed health program for children,” Panelo said. He added that the DoJ was expected to come up with a resolution before november ends. “the President [Rodrigo Duterte] is monitoring the issues surrounding the anti-dengue vaccine called Dengvaxia. He hears all the calls for justice of families of children whose deaths are reportedly caused by the said vaccine,” the spokesman said. PaO Chief Persida Ruedaacosta, on tuesday, assisted family members of 10 alleged victims of the vaccine in filing 10 counts of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, torture, and violations of the Consumer Protection act (Republic act 7394), particularly provisions on “defective products” and “mislabeled products,” against Duque, Garin, other health officials, and officials and personnel of vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur and distributor Zuellig Pharma. the implementation of the Dengvaxia mass vaccination

PAO Chief Persida Acosta assists relatives of Dengvaxia victims during the filing of additional charges against Health officials at the Department of Justice in Manila on Monday, November 5. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina

affected 800,000 school children. earlier this year, the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. filed charges at the DoJ against Garin, former president Benigno aquino 3rd and former Budget secretary florencio abad for their alleged involvement in the purchase of P3.5 billion worth of Dengvaxia. they were charged with technical malversation for conspiring to unlawfully effect the release of savings from the fiscal year 2015 Mutual Benefit Personnel fund and use the same to augment the anti-dengue immunization program, as well as multiple homicide and physical injuries through negligence under the Revised Penal Code. FDA accepts application the United States food and Drug administration (fDa) meanwhile has accepted a Biologics license application for Sanofi Pasteur’s dengue vaccine, a statement from Sanofi sent to media said. according to the statement, the dengue vaccine candidate has been granted priority review by the U.S. fDa as it would represent the first and only medical prevention tool against dengue, including severe dengue, which is considered an unmet medical need. the U.S. fDa set a Prescription Drug User fee act action date of May 1, 2019.

Dengue is endemic in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2010, Puerto Rico experienced the largest outbreak when more than 12,000 cases were confirmed. Incidence remained high in subsequent years, particularly in 2012 and 2013. Dengue represents a health and economic burden in Puerto Rico with total annual associated costs reaching an estimated $160.2 million, the statement added. “Sanofi is committed to reducing the global burden of dengue,” said David Greenberg, Regional Medical Head north america, Sanofi Pasteur. “the vaccine has been evaluated in studies involving more than 40,000 people from 15 countries around the world with up to six years of follow-up data from large-scale investigations that included Puerto Rico as a study site.” People can get dengue up to four times and dengue is unique in that the second infection tends to be worse than the first. the statement said prevention of re-infection with another dengue serotype can help to reduce the individual risk of severe dengue, as well as the overall healthcare costs associated with hospitalization due to dengue. the european Commission is expected to grant marketing authorization for Dengvaxia in December 2018, the statement said. n

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018

SHOWBIZ&STYLE

B1

JOURNAL Kelsey Merritt finally walks as first Filipina Victoria’s Secret Angel by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

AFTER months of photo shoots, physical training and other preparations, Filipina model Kelsey Merritt has finally made it to the runway as the first ever Filipina to become part of the world-renowned Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show held in New York. On her Instagram account, Kelsey gave updates on the show. She also posted a photo with retiring VS model Adriana Lima. “Growing up watching the @ victoriassecret fashion show, I wanted to be like @adrianalima! She is such an inspiration. I can’t

believe I get to say I’ve walked the show with her and all the beautiful VS models!!!!� she captioned her photo with Adriana. On her first post, Kelsey was wearing a black bra and a black shining panty. She captioned the photo: “IT’S SHOWTIME!!! #VSFashionShow� On another post, Kelsey shared she was moved by a song from the first segment because she can relate to it. “This song from first segment of the fashion show always brings me to tears... So powerful. ‘When the sharpest words wanna cut me down I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out. I am brave, I

am bruised. I am who I’m meant to be, this is me’,� she wrote. Kelsey also posted a video of herself wearing the same outfit. “About to do our second show!!!! Ahhhhh The energy here is crazy!!!! #VSFashionShow,� she wrote. Kelsey walked the runway with some of the world’s most famous models, including Kendall Jenner, Gigi and Bella Hadid, to name a few. The show will be aired on December 2 on ABC, with musical performances from Bebe Rexha, Kelsey Merritt at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2018 on The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Rita Thursday, November 8. Ora, Shawn Mendes, Kelsea Ballerini, and the Struts.

Kelsey with supermodel Adriana Lima. Photos from Instagram/@kelseymerritt

Miss Philippines finishes first runner-up in Miss International 2018 by DENI ROSE M. AFINIDAD-BERNARDO Philstar.com

MISS Philippines Maria Ahtisa Manalo almost made it to give the country its seventh Miss International title after she finished first runner-up in the competition held at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan on Friday, November 9. Mariem Velazco of Venezuela was crowned Miss International 2018, succeeding Kevin Lilliana from Indonesia. Miss South Africa Reabetswe Sechoaro was hailed as 2nd runner-up, followed by Bianca Tirsin of Romania, as 3rd runner-up, and 4th runner-up Anabella Castro Sierra of Colombia. Ahtisa was an early pageant favorite for showing grace and beauty in traditional Japanese kimono during the pre-pageant activities, and for her impressive national costume, unique yellow swimsuit, and fringy long gown during the finals.

Miss Philippines International Maria Ahtisa Manalo Photo from Instagram/@ahtisa

At 20 years old, Ahtisa is the youngest in her batch of 2018 Bb. Pilipinas winners and she competed against 76 others for the Miss International 2018 title, the biggest turnout in the pageant’s history.

The five-foot-seven-and-a-half beauty from Candelaria, Quezon emphasized her youth during her speech for Miss International: “Miss International is a celebration of youth and empowerment. I’ve always believed age is not a barrier to reach dreams or have impact on others. At 15, I started helping programs in my community for street children. At 19, I graduated college. At 20, I realized that I can speak for good causes to a wider audience that’s why I joined a national pageant. If I become Miss International, I will continue to become the voice of the youth in showing that nothing is impossible with hard work and determination. And with these beautiful ladies with me tonight, a family of beauty queens — all beautiful young achievers — we will show the world that it is love, peace and beauty that we truly care about. And together we shall make a difference.�

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B NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

EntErtainmEnt

Ken Chan has more to offer by Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

WHEN it comes to challenging rilos, Ken Chan is one actor who can really deliver. He proved his acting prowess when he played the role if a trans-woman in the highly successful “Destiny Rose,” and is now heaping praises with his very convincing portrayal of Boyet, a man with intellectual disability who accidentally fathers a child with a prostitute. From the start, Ken knew that portraying the lead of “My Special Tatay” would not be a walk in the park. “But I’m the type of actor who will never back-out from a challenge,” he quickly said. “The harder and heavier the role, the more I want to do it. So, the first thing I did was to meet with our producer and the creative team. Before I knew it, I was already doing immersion in a school for the intellectually challenged.” As such, when taping began, Ken was ready to go. “I already knew how to attack the role, and even if didn’t find my peg among the people that

Ken Chan fully embraces his role in ‘My Special Tatay’. GMA photo

I encountered during immersion, I got ideas from all of them. Pinagsama-sama ko kung paano maglakad yung isa, kung paano magsalita ‘yung isa pa, kung paano kumilos yung iba, their mannerisms. From there, I was able to breathe life into Boyet.” Asked to comment on feedback that his portrayal is so realistic, Ken said, “I think of ways to really show the more human

Boyet. Ganyan ako, when I play a character, I sink my teeth into it; I become the character. I believe it’s one way for an actor to be very consistent in his characterization of a role. If you are consistent, you become very believable.” “In fact, some say I’ve been bring the character with me even off camera. I admit nangyayari talaga ‘yun. I find it hard to shake it off after the take. When I did ‘Destiny Rose’, people were saying na ang lambot ng kilos ko. But it wasn’t me, it was Destiny in me. Now that I’m Boyet, people are saying I talk like a child but that’s Boyet. Nadadala ko talaga yung character. Na-internalize ko yata talaga.” Grateful for the show’s early success, Ken guarantees audiences there is more to come that will up the excitement and drama of “My Special Tatay.” “Major twists are about to happen in the story and I just can’t wait to do those scenes. There will also be new characters joining the cast. What will be their roles in Boyet’s life? You’ll have to wait and see,” Ken brightly beamed, the Boyet way.

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Fil-Am chef introduces menu inspired by travels, global cultures at Montage Beverly Hills by ChriStina

M. orieL

AJPress

IT’S no secret that FilipinoAmerican chefs have made their marks on restaurants across Southern California. The latest discovery (for me) is The Restaurant at the Montage Beverly Hills, where Fil-Am Monica Olaes has been chef de cuisine since the summer. As an avid traveler, it may be easy to gloss over a hotel restaurant in favor of more locals spots — especially in my own hometown — but The Restaurant can arguably become a frequent dining haunt. The Restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, exuding a sophisticated, yet unpretentious ambiance that is refreshing in a city like Beverly Hills. In having a meal there, it’s a momentary pause, almost like transporting you elsewhere on a European vacation. Now onto the food, Olaes has crafted an modern American menu with global influences from Italian to Japanese. An immigrant from the Philippines, Olaes went on to attend California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena and has experience in LA kitchens, such as Cooks County, Fig & Olive, and Georgie, which occupied the space at the Montage before The Restaurant. Olaes told the Asian Journal that, “During the creation of this menu, I aim to highlight seasonal ingredients in modern American cuisine. My hope is to bring our guests on an adventurous journey while dining in our restaurant. I often find inspiration through my travels and while interacting with people of different cultures.” A few items on the menu have also been inspired by trips Olaes has taken like hiking deep in Arches National Park, Utah that introduced her to “prickly pear,” which is used in the kampachi crudo dish. Or a recent trip to the Philippines where her mother made ube halaya using the root vegetable found in their family farm. As ube has made its way to the palates of non-Filipinos, it has a place on the menu as well in the purple sweet potato gnocchi dish. During a recent meal at The Restaurant, our table indulged in several dishes considered highlights of the menu. For starters, the spicy lobster on crispy rice (lobster, smoked trout roe, harissa aioli) and deviled eggs (free range eggs, tuna, capers, calabrian chiles, smoked paprika, puffed amaranth) are musts. The meal then followed with ricotta dumplings (spinach, lemon, shaved parmesan) and spaghetti arrabbiata, which delivered a kick of spice to it. Ribeye may be typically found on menus across the city, but when

Monica Olaes, the chef de cuisine of The Restaurant at Montage Beverly Hills Photo by Wonho Frank Lee

The outdoor patio of The Restaurant at the Montage Beverly Hills

The indoor dining room of The Restaurant at the Montage Beverly Hills Photos courtesy of the Montage Beverly Hills

it’s cut, seasoned and cooked well, it’s something to write home about. Here, the meats come with a choice of three sauces, from chimichurri to red wine jus, and would pair well with a side, like the three cheese mac & cheese (fontina, gruyere, parmesan, leeks, panko crust). While everything listed above was exquisite, there was one sharable dish that I continue to remember — the frybread topped with proscuitto, juniper taragon goddess and serrano chilis. Upon first glance, the presentation of the frybread dish is almost too beautiful to cut apart. It’s a mix of textures and tastes, from spice from the chilis to the honey drizzle. In the creation of this, Olaes explained, “One of our new dishes, Fry Bread, was derived from a backpacking trip to the Supai Native American Indian reservation at Havasupai, Grand

Canyon, Arizona which I took with my ‘tropa’ Filipino hiking group.” After the meal, you can linger at the lobby bar — where there is a standard cocktail list and desserts, like the Campfire Tradition (Remy Martin XO, White & Dark Chocolate Liquor, Graham Crackers, Egg White, Marshmallow Low Roasted Tableside, Gourmet True S’mores). There’s also £10, a lounge on the second floor if you are into whisky. Helming the restaurant of a Beverly Hills hotel is something to take pride in and Olaes hopes that it will inspire those looking to break it into the culinary industry as well. “As a Filipina chef, I hope to show young aspiring chefs, of any background, that as long as you believe in your dreams and work hard to achieve them, the American dream does exist,” Olaes said.

16oz ribeye

Deviled eggs (free range eggs, tuna, capers, Calabrian chilies, smoked paprika, puffed amaranth); fry bread (prosciutto, juniper taragon goddess, serrano chili); and spicy lobster mixed with harissa aioli and smoke trout roe on top of crispy rice

Three cheese mac & cheese with fontina, gruyere, parmesan, leeks, and panko crust

Ricotta dumplings (spinach, lemon, shaved parmesan) and spaghetti arrabbiata with blistered cherry tomatoes AJPress photos by Christina M. Oriel

The Campfire Tradition drink (Remy Martin XO, White & Dark Chocolate Liquor, Graham Crackers, Egg White, Marshmallow Low Roasted Tableside, Gourmet True S’mores)

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018

B

Rhian to take showbiz LOA to study in New York by lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

AFTER 13 YEARS OF WAITING FOR THE FAMILY TO BE REUNITED, THE U.S. EMBASSY STILL DENIED THE RELEASE OF THEIR VISAS. MISERY AND REDEMPTION ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Tatay Lando (2nd from right) went to the U.S. to provide a better life for his family. After 13 years, the petition became current in 2016. However, when his son, Allan (left), and his grandson, Chean (2nd from right) went to the U.S. Embassy for their interview, some doubtful details came up in Allan’s paperwork that caused the Embassy to deny their visas. Father and son left the Embassy heartbroken and traumatized over the incident. Immediately, Tatay Lando sought the help of leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael Gurfinkel. Watch how hope was renewed, and a family was happily reunited after many, many years on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

John Lloyd’s viral photo with Maja Salvador, handler sparks showbiz comeback rumors by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

IS John Lloyd Cruz making a showbiz comeback? This has been the speculation of netizens after a Star Magic handler posted a picture of her with the actor and actress Maja Salvador. On her Instagram account, the handler, Nenette Rustia, thanked John Lloyd for keeping in touch with her despite that the award-winning actor has been on indefinitely leave and has been choosing a more private life together with partner Ellen Adarna. “Thank you for keeping in touch! Sana mas madalas dalas tayo magkita ngayon hindi lang sa txt Hahaha! alam mong mahal kita my panganay and im happy for what you have and for what you are now, andito lang ako hindi nagbabago kung anu ang pinagsamahan natin mula nuon hanggang ngayon! Love you anak! (panganay at bunso)” In a recent interview with the media during the promotion of

Nenette Rustia, John Lloyd Cruz and Maja Salvador

Photo from Instagram/@netdrustia

THE beautiful and talented Rhian Ramos has long had plans to go back to school but she’s had to put them off many times before, because of projects she couldn’t refuse. In fact, she was supposed to leave last October for New York to enroll but she had to postpone the trip yet again since her movie with JM De Guzman, “Kung Paano Ka Nawala,” had been given a November 14 playdate. “I just couldn’t go because this movie is very special to me,” she told The Times. And it’s not only because she is one of Kung Paano’s producers, but because she lives and breathes the project. “It’s the artistic merit of the film that I’m really very proud of. Ang ganda ng pagkakagawa. The story is so solid that the moment I got hold of it, hindi ko na binitiwan. I told myself I’d do it and I co-produced not because I want to earn big money because the business aspect is secondary for me. I’m after this great project to be translated into film for people to see.” She laughed when she revealed she realized JM was her high school crush when they started shooting. “When we did the movie, I didn’t know that it was him. Siyempre nag-iba na itsura niya but he told me that we already know each other. ‘Yun sa kwentuhan namin, I learned na siya pala yung crush ko sa school na nagra-rap!” Of course that was all in the past and both actors being adults and professionals now, they developed a good working relationship and consider themselves friends. “In my many years in showbiz, I’ve learned to separate what’s personal from my professional life. I don’t get affected by the scenes that I do with my partner on screen. It’s all part of the job,” her movie “To Love Some Buddy” with Zanjoe Marudo, Maja confirmed that she, John Lloyd and Nenette saw each other. “Na-miss niya ako!” Maja said of what JLC told her. Nonetheless, Maja refused to reveal more details on why they

Rhian Ramos

Photo from Instagram/@whianwamos

Rhian added. While busy promoting the movie, Rhian has her fingers crossed she’ll finally push through with her plans to take a leave from showbiz to study in New York. “Besides going back to school, it will also be my first time living alone because I’ve been living with my family since I was born! Naiisip ko nga minsan, hindi kaya ako lunukin ng buong-buo ng New York?” she joked. But Rhian is determined to be more independent and knows she should have tried it long ago. “I’m excited and nervous at the same time. This is the life where if you don’t clean the house, iipisin ka; if you don’t do your laundry, you’ll have nothing to wear; if you don’t cook, you’ll have nothing to eat. Kaya for some weeks now, I’ve have been

trying my hand on household chores like cooking. Nagpaturo na rin akong mag-laundry. Yung linis, common sense lang ‘yun,” she enthused. Rhian related she will be taking up Comedy Improvisation in the Big Apple, which came as a surprise considering she’s a dramatic actress. “Many people don’t know that I have this love for comedy. Even when I was in high school, my dream was to be part of shows like ‘Saturday Night Live.’ I will take two terms of the course. Each term is three months so it will take me six months to finish it, and that’s how long I’ve asked GMA for my leave. “That means I won’t have any TV shows until May or June next year. When I get back, that’ll be the time we’ll discuss my new projects.”

met. She also declined to give an update about the actor. “Sa akin na lang ‘yun. Nakita niyo naman kung gaano kaganda ‘yung aura niya ngayon. So he’s very, very, very happy. Period,” she said. “Hindi naman lahat ng ga-

nap ko sa mga kaibigan ko, kailangan ko i-post. As much as possible, ayaw kong magbigay ng detalye. I want to respect him. Gusto ko respetuhin ‘yung friendship na meron kami. ‘Yung trust na naibibigay sa akin,” she added.

B4 NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

MOONLIGHTING by MYLAH DE

LEON

I can never quell a stir of fascination, dread and longing, when the house lights dim and the curtain parts in every Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO)’s gentle riot. It is spellbound. “Enjoy whatever music floats the boat, never question your own taste. There is a world of music out there both old and new, so keep your ears open…the music you surround yourself with can be considered the soundtrack to your life...” thus spoke a superior conductor nicknamed Bob, as he shook the Alex Theater on a recent Saturday. An ensemble and melodies so spontaneous and effervescent played with fire and abandon, as the gentlest and caressing repertoire, like poets, they dazzled, but never intrude, into the music. Where else could we find musical expressions that would portray so many subtle shades of emotion, passing through an entire cauldron of feelings? Tenderness, romance, gaiety, nostalgia, pathos but above all love of country — of solid patriotism that evoked as Maestro Bob Shroder got more tireless and resilient. FASO is not just for music lovers, but every facet of serious or light music, basically, it is just about the presentation of every branch of musical composition, from symphonies, operatic, chorales, vocal, chambers of music, and an overall repertoire that reflects its deep affinity with Filipinos that make us proud. But more than anything, it is about the first-ever Filipino symphony orchestra, outside the Philippines aptly called the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra, with Filipino musicians of various ages whose sound of their instruments turned on, spelled excitement, and no one can imagine that its birth took place on a back porch over a tete a tete conversation a decade ago. It started from a question “is there a Filipino Symphony Orchestra in the United States?” It was replied by “none” and concluded with “there will be one” with the insight and resolve that made the birth of FASO possible by a revered couple in the Fil-Am community, with three other friends. The insight and in depth perspective of Mr. and Mrs. Roger and Cora Oriel that made the birth of FASO possible, their conscious effort to sustain as well as reach out to the new audience is gratifying. Looking back, the first performance at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, shook the theater, literally an earthquake that did not even distract the spellbound audience, who simply watched in an expression of pride, celebrating fellow Filipinos perform in a stunning, record-breaking, magnificent show, as they stood,

FEATURES

Maestro Bob and his magic baton glowing like Excalibur

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Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS

A scary polio-like disease, which peaked every other year since 2014 and has stumped health officials all over the United States, is causing widespread concerns, especially among parents, in this country. Here’s a report from the CDC: “U.S. health officials are investigating an outbreak of a mysterious, polio-like disease that causes weakness in one or more limbs. The rare disease — acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM — has sickened The Maestro and the Coloratura Sopranos, with Joey Albert. 62 people, mostly children, in 22 states so far this year and is suspected in 65 more cases, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced October 16, 2018.” “Starting with an outbreak of 120 cases that brought the disease to national attention in 2014, close to 400 cases have been confirmed in the United States. So far, the CDC has been unable to figure out what’s causing the outbreaks. “This is a mystery,” Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases in Atlanta, said during a news briefing. ‘We haven’t solved it yet’. Although the disease is frightening, fewer than one in a million people in the United States get The sun came out for this Little Diva Bob Shroder and his Magic Flute AFM every year, based on CDC data collected since 2014.” What is AFM? Acute flaccid myelitis is a disease that afflicts the spinal cord, causing weakness of the arm or leg and loss of muscle tone. There could also be headache, neck pain, difficulty in speaking, swallowing or breathing. Respiratory failure is also part of the symptom complex in some cases. Affected children often start having a fever and respiratory problem and suddenly have weakness or paralysis of their limbs. Ninety percent of the cases this year were 18 and Bob Shroder and Andy Tecson celebrate 10 years of musical togetherness. younger. This can worsen so fast that it is prudent to seek medical care immediately. What is the cause AFM? The U.S. CDC presently has no answer as to what is causing this rare mysterious polio-like entity. Between 2014 and 2016, the study on the 149 confirmed cases did not yield any causal agent. “Infections with viruses such as West Nile Virus, adenovirus, poliovirus and non-polio enteroviruses have led to symptoms that match those of AFM. However, testing has shown that the U.S. cases since Singing farewell, but not goodbye 2014 have not been caused by an indomitable conductor mighty a unique style and the quality poliovirus,” reported the CDC. How was poliomyelitis eradiand sterling leading all, without of tone that was different from ever forgetting, not even for a others, he knew how to mix cated? The first clinical description minute: FASO will flourish and them and how to blend them. triumph because of each one that He knew just how he wanted a of Polio was made by British is part of it. pure of music to be played, knew Just as an artist knew the exactly what he wanted to hear color of his palette, selecting — a gifted music man who has and blending different colors and been remarkably consistent and shades that will be spread on his consistently remarkable. canvass, the Maestro knew his The Maestro bowed gently, orchestra. his gestures, were grand, as Everyone on that orchestra he spread out his arms wide to was a musical personality, had subdue the rousing admiration BY MONET LU from the audience. That was even before Maestro Robert Shroder played a note. HE was known throughout the The repertoire: It was like stepping into another time, when Philippines as the larger-than-life he conducted arias from the “total entertainer.” His charm, masters, another world as he which seeps through his hit transported us into bygone eras songs earned him the moniker, of Mozart, Rossini, Johan Strauss, “Macho Gwapito.” He was loved Verdi’s La Traviata, the sad by many, adored by his fans and strumpet, to Granada, to a time respected by his constituents in when love meant “go out and love Makati as their beloved councilor and suffer, yet still celebrate lover for nine years. He is Enrico De strength and not complain of its Jesus Puno – aka Rico J. – and he IS a Legend. differences.” Rico J was credited as a pioFilipino music that constantly expressed intense longing, car- neer-promoter of original Filipino ing, devotion and oneness with music (OPM). A singer, compostheir beloved. It can be romantic, er, comedian, actor and television patriotic, religious, mournful or host who has been known to have a consolation of devotion and started the trend of incorporating love of country as he brings to Tagalog lyrics in his rendition of the audience an entire cauldron foreign songs. He became known of feelings tenderness, romance as a singer who regularly infused and nostalgia, a path of deep his on-stage performance with spirituality and incomparable tongue-in-cheek comedy and adult humor. poignancy. Rico J became famous in the The maestro was always in search for new, richer, deeper 1970s by covering American hits venue of musical interpreta- — including Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were” and Marvin tions. Here’s a gentle salute to the Gaye’s “Baby I’m for Real” — in tenors, Erwin Andaya, Agustus a mix of English and Tagalog. Lara, Christopher Avendano, Those recordings put him in the Gelo Francisco, Composer Veh- vanguard of the Manila Sound, Filipino popular music from nee Saturno. But the sopranos, fresh incan- roughly the mid-1970s through descent almost sinfully satisfy- the end of the Ferdinand Marcos ing, fashionably gowned inside era, in 1986. I’ve followed his musical caflesh and blood, but can bring purity: sublimely, in every song, reer and I have always been a whether they sparkled in joy- fan of his wit and his talent. He ous songs or writhed in agony was actually here in the U.S. for a gifted artists. Joan Cano, Maria concert tour with fellow legends, Christina Navarro, Joey Albert, Hajii Alejandro, Rey Valera and the Broadway love team Dee Dee Marco Sison last April. Rico’s hit songs included and Clifton Hall, and throw in the little dynamite, Malea Emma “Kapalaran,” “Buhat,” “Macho Gwapito,” “Lupa,” “Damdamin,” Tjandrawidjaja. For this gifted music man “May Bukas Pa,” “Ang Tao’y who has been remarkably and Marupok,” “Magkasuyo Buong consistently remarkable in the Gabia duet with Elsa Chan - and field of music: thank you, Maestro his Filipino rendition of “You Don’t Have To Be A Star (To Be Robert “Bob” Shroder. In My Show)” *** One of his recent albums was E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. Aliw by Sony BMG Records. His com

Polio-like mystery

physician Michael Underwood in 1789. In 1840, Jacob Heine reported his studies that showed the involvement of the spinal cord. The first outbreak of polio in the United States was in Vermont, in 1894, with 132 cases. On March 26, 1953, Jonas Salk, an American researcher, announced his discovery of a vaccine against the crippling disease polio. The Salk vaccine was first used in 1955. Then came the oral polio vaccine developed by Albert Sabin in 1961. By 1979, thanks to the vaccines, poliomyelitis has been completely eliminated in the United States. Polio is also on the verge of being eradicated worldwide, except in Northern Nigeria and the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. What is the treatment for AFM? Since the etiology (cause) has not yet been determined, there is no cure for AFM at this time. Management basically consists of treating the symptoms and physical or occupational therapy for limb weakness. A few patients who had AFM recovered for no clear reason, but most did not. This illness, believed to be viral in nature, commonly occurs in the late summer and autumn. Investigations are ongoing to discover the cause of this dreaded illness, reminiscent of the polio epidemic of 1916, when it occurred each summer in various cities of the USA. The worst was in 1949, where 2,720 died, and 42,173 cases were also noted in UK and Canada. US-CDC recommends seeking medical consultation at the very first suspicious symptom/ sign of AFM. *** Anti-Cancer: Exercise and Veggies Women who don’t smoke, and who eat vegetable-rich diet and exercise daily cut their cancer risk by 30 percent, reported the World Cancer research Fund International and the American Institute for Cancer Research. The studies also recommend the following habits to prevent chronic diseases: abstinence from tobacco; moderation in alcohol intake, better yet abstinence; limiting red meat, fat and salt; not gaining more than 11 pounds after age 18; exercising daily; eating omega-3 rich fishes three times a week, and five or more portions of vegetables, nuts, and fruits daily. Eating salads loaded with meat or eggs or dressings with a lot of fats defeats the purpose. Salad with olive oil and vinegar is preferred. Veggies combined And talking about vegetables, a combination of broccoli and mushrooms have been found to have a more powerful cancerfighting properties than when eaten alone. Studies suggest that certain nutrients, when combined,

become more effective anti-cancer agents. Selenium (found in mushrooms, nuts, sunflower seeds) and Sulforaphane (broccoli, watercress and cabbage) are two such nutrients. Ginger has two anti-cancer compounds in it: 6-gingerol and 6-paradol. These substances help inhibit cell transformations that could lead to the formation of cancer. The higher concentration of these ingredients are found in fresh ginger. The fresher, the better. Fasting is out, #NoRice is in Fasting is the wrong way to start, or even “punctuate,” your dieting schedule. Fasting has no place at all in controlling weight or quality of nutrition for our body. The temporary weight loss resulting from fasting is thru water loss (dehydration). The best way to maintain your weight is to burn the calories your take in daily (Example: If you take in 2000 calories, you should exercise off 2000 calories that day). It is a matter of intake and output, an obvious common sense approach. If one is overweight and wants to lose weight, then the calories burned should be higher than the calories ingested, until the goal is reached…and at that point, the maintenance intake and output formula should prevail. Those who want to gain weight to reach the ideal weight, obviously, should have more intake than output of calories. Minimizing rice, white or brown, or better yet eliminating rice from our diet, greatly helps, not only in weight control and reducing or preventing belly bulge, but in our general health, metabolic and cardiovascular. Today, #NoRice is in. Helping, religion, improve longevity A recent report of a 5-year study among older people revealed that those in the habit of praying and helping others, providing support, love and care to friends or family were 60 percent less likely to die, compared to “unhelpful” people. This includes running errands, assisting in house chores, childcare, etc. It suggests that having a purpose in life, having religion, and serving our fellowmen are healthy for the body, not only for the soul. This, of course, is not limited to the older people only. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Rico J. Puno: Remembering the ‘legend’

carrier single was “Kay Hirap Mong Limutin” by Lito Camo. Rico starred in films: Instant Mommy (2013), Who’s That Girl? (2011), Asboobs: Asal Bobo (2003) - Capt. Palma, Pakners (2003), A.B. Normal College (2003), Alas-Dose (2001) – Congressman, Juan & Ted: Wanted (2000), Matalino Man ang Matsing na-iisahan din! (2000), Alyas Boy Tigas: Ang Probinsyanong Wais (1998), Sailor’s Disaster (1994) – Bruno, Tom & Jerry: Hindi Kaming Hayop (1993), Dr. Potpot Travels to the Moon (1991) – Enzio, Isang Platitong mani (1986), Annabelle Huggins Story (1982). As I have mentioned earlier, Rico J also represented Makati City, in the Manila area, as a city councilor from 1998 to 2007, and was re-elected in 2016 after losing a 2010 race for vice mayor. According to a short biography posted on his website, Enrico Puno was born on Feb. 13, 1953. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he tried to find work as a bellboy. But when he failed to get the job, he ended up singing folk songs in Manila nightclubs. His biggest break was a deal with Vicor Records — was precipitated by an encounter in the 1970s with the Motown band the Temptations at the Palazzi, a club where Mr. Puno played regularly. It was during this period that he recorded his signature version

of “The Way We Were,” among other popular American songs. Rico J made American music his own by adding bawdy lyrics and banter in Tagalog. One of his best-known covers was “You Don’t Have to Be a Star,” by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. And he embellished it with this line: “Even if you’re ugly, I still need you.” Over the years, Mr. Puno performed solo and with the Hitmakers, a group that included the Filipino musicians Rey Valera and Hajji Alejandro. There is so much that can be said about Rico as a musician, an artist, a politician, and most of all, a friend. Yet one thing remains as the common denominator. He is and always will be an icon. He may have left this world too early but he left us with iconic memories and a legacy that can only come from a true legend. To the legendary Rico J, rest well and rest assured that your legendary status continues on. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018

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Day 2 - Paris, France at the Eiffel Tower grounds with the group

Day 4 - Nevers, France At St. Gildard convent with Perla Sagge, Jocelyn Ahmed, Lulu Tolentino, Rose Day 5 - Avila, Spain. The group with St. John of the Cross statue. Gardoce, Viv Noche, Zeny Gardoce, Tess Perez, Al Noche, Roger Oriel

Day 5 - In Avila, Spain. photo taken in front of St Teresa of Avila church with the ladiies. The church was built on the house in which Day 5 - Waiting to board our bus in Nevers, France with Roger Oriel, Coree Bersamina, Day 5 - Avila, Spain In front of St. Teresa of Avila church with the St. Teresa of Avila was born. Perla Sagge,Jocelyn Ahmed, Lulu Tolentino, Kathy, Rose Gardoce,Zeny Gardoce, Viv gentlemen Noche, Noelia Wass, Al Noche, Tess Perez, Emmie, Louie Nafarete Palacpac

Day 5 - at St. Teresa of Avila church and convent with the group and Rev. John

Day 5 - St. Teresa of Avila church and convent with the pilgrims, our guide Cristina and with our Spiritual Director, Rev. John Duy Nguyen

Day 6- Party-Le-Monia, France.l The group in front of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Day 8- Lourdes, France . In front of the Basilica of Notre Dame. Toured the Romanesque basilica and saw the Chapel of Apparition. Father John officiated our daily Mass at the Chapel of Visitation.

Day 8 - Lourdes, France . The group in front of the Basilica of Notre Dame

Day 9 - Zaragoza, Spain At the Plaza with our Tour director Lourdes Alo, Al and Viv Day 10 - Avila, Spain with Louie Nafarete, Rose Gardoce, Viv Noche, Zeny Gardoce, Lulu Day 11 - Salamanca, Spain- the altar of the Salamanca Cathedral. Noche Tolentino, Rev. John and Al Noche

B NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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COMMUNITY Journal

Your Immigration Solution

President Trump proposes ending birthright citizenship

The Constitution is not subject to revision or reversal through Atty. Ben LovemAn executive action, instead requiring a 2/3rd majority vote in both PRESIDENT Trump an- houses of Congress and then nounced that his administration ratified by 3/4th of state legislais preparing an executive order tures. However, some supportto end birthright citizenship. ers of this proposed change arThis announcement was met gue that the language of current with outrage and skepticism Amendment should be read as from his critics, who argue that including only children of lawful the move would be both uncon- residents or U.S citizens, though stitutional and un-American. they do not cite any authority for Critics also suggest that the an- this position. nouncement is another example Human Rights advocates arof President Trump trying to mo- gue that eliminating birthright tivate Republican voters ahead citizenship would create a perof next week’s crucial midterm elections. In support of the announcement, President Trump claimed that “we’re the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years, with all of those benefits.” In fact, at least 30 other countries, including Canada and Mexico, have birthright citizenship. Despite near consensus on the illegality manent sub-class of children of unilaterally ending birthright born in the United States. The citizenship, Vice-President Mike executive director of Lawyers’ Pence said that the Constitution Committee for Civil Rights Unis not clear on the issue and that der Law, Kristen Clarke, roundly the language of the Constitution criticized the proposal stating, leaves open the possibility that “The letter and spirit of the Fouronly persons born in the U.S. to teenth Amendment places those U.S. citizens or lawful perma- born in this country on equal nent residents should automati- footing, and an executive orcally become citizens. der that strips away citizenship At issue with the proposed would create a permanent group policy is the language of the of second-class citizens and in14th Amendment to the Consti- vite litigation.” tution, which states, “All perMany legal experts suggest sons born or naturalized in the that it is unlikely that President United States, and subject to the Trump’s proposal could be sucjurisdiction thereof, are citizens cessfully carried out, despite his of the United States and of the party controlling both Houses of State wherein they reside.” The Congress and being in control of language has long been univer- the U.S Supreme Court. Howsally interpreted to mean that ever, recent events, including any person born in the U.S. is the election of President Trump, automatically a U.S. citizen. have shown that almost anything Any proposed executive action is possible and that the Presiwould apparently seek to under- dent’s proposal cannot simply mine the amendment process be ignored. by offering a different interpreIn the end, the proposal to tation of the words of the 14th end birthright citizenship my Amendment so as to not require never actually be implemented. any change to the Constitution. Perhaps, as some political pun-

dits have suggested, this really is just a way to increase voter turnout for the Republican party in a midterm election where Republican control of Congress is at jeopardy. While the legality and seriousness of the proposal is in question, it should serve as a reminder to everyone that we need to make our voices heard through the upcoming election. For non-U.S. citizens, who are obviously not eligible to vote next week, it is a reminder of the importance of U.S. citizenship. While your election efforts in 2018 may be limited to helping friends or family get to the polls or encouraging them to vote, it is also important to seriously consider applying to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. If you have been a lawful permanent resident for the required number of years, have good moral character, etc., now is the time stop being a green card holder and start being a U.S. citizen. The proposal to end birthright citizenship may not directly affect you, though it is likely to affect someone you know. Consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney today to discuss how and when this change may take effect, as well as the possibility of becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.

“Any proposed executive action would apparently seek to undermine the amendment process by offering a different interpretation of the words of the 14th Amendment so as to not require any change to the Constitution.”

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018

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C NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Minding Your Finances atty. Raymond Bulaon MOST people who are struggling with debt problems for the first time are often confused and don’t know what to do. They’ve never been in this situation before. They have always paid their bills on time. For the first time in their life, they are finding it difficult to fulfill their debt obligations. Bill collectors may be calling and they’re afraid to answer the phone or even go to their mailbox. They’re feeling embarrassed, desperate or even angry. This can happen to anyone. Sometimes, it is the result of making bad financial decisions. But more often that not, it is caused by reasons beyond your control. For instance, these days I am seeing a lot of small business owners who are simply not making enough to even meet their payroll needs. Every month is a struggle and they are not even paying themselves because there is not enough money in the busi-

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To people who are facing debt problems for the first time

ness after paying their employees, suppliers, vendors and other business expenses. What should they do? Or you can be someone whose work hours just got reduced or perhaps got laid off by your employer. I feel bad when I hear of people being terminated from their job of 10, 20 or sometimes even 30 years. The job is the only job they’ve had and known for years- and it is what they’ve considered to be their financial security. Then one day they get a notice from their boss saying that they are no longer needed by the company. They suddenly find themselves with no income and they are not prepared to deal with the fact that they may need to go back to school to learn new skills to find a new job or switch careers in mid-life. If you rely on a paycheck or your business to feed your family, missing even one paycheck or one slow month (if you’re in business) can be devastating. This is when people find out that with no savings in the bank, they are lit-

erally just one month away from bankruptcy because without the income, they are unable to pay their bills. The ideal situation is to have a few months’ worth of living expenses tucked away in a savings account but the truth is that most people don’t even have $1,000 in the bank. It’s true because as a bankruptcy attorney, I see it every single day. Even people who earn high incomes, most of the time, have no savings. They spend it all every month. It seems like the higher the income, the higher the expenses. It’s not how much you make that matters. It’s what you get to keep. Once you fall behind on your debt obligations, it is easy to ignore the situation and hope that things will get better on their own. But that will never happen until you do something about it. That means you should be aware at all times how much money you have coming in, how much money you have going out, and spend within your means.

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CES Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas

CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is the largest trade fair for consumer electronics. It’s presented by Consumer Technology Association (CTA) annually in Las Vegas. It has been our tech bell weather for more than 50 years. CES features the latest products from 4,500 exhibiting companies from around the world. CES gives us a glimpse of the next megatrend. It’s a proving ground for new innovations. Our visit to the 2018 CES started with downpours and flash floods as we dashed from one hotel to another in an attempt to visit 3,800 booths. That’s right – 3,800 booths. I sat down to catch my breath barely into 10 percent of booths. But we kept going because it was exciting to see new stuff. CES gives us a history of technology – from the drawing board to our kitchen, cars, workplace, our kids, our planet, our lives. Join me for a walk down memory lane: 1967 -The first CES in New York. 1970 - The first-ever home VCR. 1976 - CB radio. Remember Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit? 1979 - Atari 400.

Tax Stocks Tech Tips victoR sy, cPa, mBa

1982 - Commodore 64. 2002 - Windows XP Media Center Edition. 2004 - Blu-ray Disc format. 2005 - 102-inch plasma television. 2006 - The first HD movie, standards competition between HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc. 2009 - Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) televisions. 2010 - Intel Core i7 processor, giant screens, computer screen in the movie Minority Report, 1st prototype of Parrot A/R Drone which streams video via Wi-Fi to an iPhone. 2011 - Motorola Xoom tablet, 4G phones, 3DTV channel by Discovery Communications, Sony, and IMAX. 2013 - Driverless cars, digital home safety and technology, Snapdragon 600 & 800 processors, a wide range of smart TVs, Razer Edge tablet PC, Blackberry

10 touch screen phone. 2014 - iPhone 5S and 5C, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and Galaxy S4, Laser diodes for high-beam headlights. 2015 - The Internet of Things, Wearables involving health trackers as the smartwatch, robotic hostess iRobot, driver-free technology from parking to advanced object recognition, 3D printing, 4K TV. 2018 - Buddy robot by Blue Frog Robotics, HP’s 3D Camera, wireless charging and Wi-Charge’s Long-Range Wireless Power Technology. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California.

The Prophetic Voice ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas THE Scripture readings this Sunday present stories about two widows. The first one is from the Book of Kings. Thirsty and hungry after a long trip to the city of Zarephath, Elijah the prophet asked a widow he met for a cupful of water. The woman immediately responded to Elijah’s plea. Then Elijah asked the widow for a bit of bread. She answered, “As the Lord, your God lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” Elijah responded, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first, make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son. For the Lord, the God of Israel says, “The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.” The widow left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well. Indeed, the jug of flour did not go empty, nor the oil ran dry for her and her son as the Lord foretold through Elijah. The second story is from the Gospel of Mark. As Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, he

Barrister’s Corner atty. Kenneth uRsua Reyes

TO many people, the New Year signifies a chance to have a fresh beginning. People dispose of old personal items and clean out the closet in order to make room for *** the new. This is also the time He has 50 years of experience in of the year many people realize defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, when a marriage is not working FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental out and it may be time to start a agencies. He is publishing a book on his new life as a single person whethexpertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE er or not you have children. You IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire can decide to take action and file about the book or email tax questions at a divorce. Before you take any action, you vicsy@live.com. (Advertising Supplement) need to think about your situation carefully. First, you should decide whether you should you move out of the family residence or not? If you and your spouse are communicating and have some type of respect left with one another, it may be more economical to continue residing in the same household until you resolve the issues in the divorce case. However, if your relationship is heated and riddled with conflict, then someone should to move out. If your spouse has threatened you, hurt you, or committed domestic violence, you may file a domestic violence temporary restraining order and request the court to order your spouse to move out of the house. In the same application, you may also request for custody, support, and attorney’s fees. If on the other hand you decide to be the one to move out, you should move somewhere close to your spouse if you have children to make it easier for both of you to co-parent with the children. Second, you should decide whether your spouse is the type who will disclose all the financial

Commentary

INDIVIDUALS who are in the process of getting a divorce often have questions and concerns about how judges make child custody and support decisions. In today’s column, we will provide basic information on these issues and address factors that influence child custody and support determinations. Keep in mind that the information below is not a substitute for legal advice. For advice about your individual situation, you should consult with an experienced, trustworthy family law attorney. Child custody has two components: legal and physical. Legal custody determines who has the right to make important decisions for your child, such as what doctor to go to. Physical custody determines with whom your child will primarily reside. The court favors joint custody if both parents can agree to it. If the parents cannot come to an agreement, the court will decide custody based on the best interest of the child. One of the factors the court will consider is who has been the child’s primary caregiver until now, although that is not the only factor. The court also looks at other issues such as

God’s heart

observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many wealthy people put in a large sum. Then he saw a poor widow put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.” These two widow stories are stories of deep faith. In their stark poverty, both widows trusted in God’s providence. Both heroically offered help from the poverty of their hearts and lives. Their examples inspire us to do the same—to give when it hurts, to trust in God’s unsurpassable generosity! But should these stories mirror not only human stories of faith and generosity but also God’s heart? God’s heart is that of these two widows’ hearts. He would do anything for us, His children. He looks at us with compassion and love and desires what’s best for each of us. And what is best for us is more than material things or any achievement here on earth; it is living with him in eternity! It’s why God responded exceedingly to the needs of the world and the human race by sending us His only Son to save us from sin and death. He gave us Jesus Christ to show us the way to eternal life through Jesus’ words, ministry, suffering, and death. What God wants for us is an interior life that is replete with the joy of experiencing His profound

and personal love. He wants us to know that He longs for us and He desires that we feel this longing every moment of our lives here on earth. As a priest said, “We are desired by the most desirable one: God himself.” This is the heart of God—a heart that will do anything to keep us in His love, to save us from the wrath of human agony and sin. As we grapple with the mystery of the mass shooting in Thousands Oaks, California this past week that killed 12 people, let us submit ourselves to the mystery of God’s unsurpassable love. It’s what Jason Coffman did while he announced on television the death of his first son, Cody. Heartbroken, he looked up to heaven, and with a cracking voice, he said, “O son, I love you so much. O Heavenly Father, just please be with him.” In the poverty of our hearts let us also say, “O Heavenly Father, please be with the people who died in the mass shooting, and console their families with your love and promise of eternal life!” *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (19912001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

Starting the new year fresh with a divorce

assets or not after you file for divorce. Although the family code (family code 2100 et seq.) imposes a duty to disclose all material facts and information, spouses’ are not always forthcoming in disclosing completely all assets, debts, income and expenses specially after a divorce case is commenced. What sometimes happens is once a divorce case is commenced, assets are either not disclosed, disappears, or documents/ bank statements are not produced even with formal discovery. You should gather and make copies of all financial documents before filing the divorce. Third, there is an automatic temporary restraining order (ATROS) in place once you file and serve your spouse with the divorce papers. The four standard mutual restraining orders are 1) removing their minor children from the state without the prior written consent of the other party or a court order. family code Section 2040(a)(1) 2) restraint from transferring, encumbering, hypothecating, concealing, or in any way disposing of any property, real or personal, whether community, quasi-community, or separate without the other party’s written consent or court order; fam code 2040(a)(2) 3) restraint from cashing, borrowing against, canceling, transferring, disposing of, or changing the beneficiaries of any insurance or other coverage, including life, health, automobile, and disability held for the benefit of the parties and their child for whom support may be orders. Fam C 2040(a)(3). 4) restraint from creating a nonprobate transfer or modifying a nonprobate transfer in a manner that affects the disposition of property

subject to the transfer without the other party’s written consent or court order. fam c 2040(a)(4). There are exceptions to the above restrictions. One exception is for property transfers in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life. Examples would be property transfers as part of your usual business operations or to pay for usual household living expenses. Another exception is payment of reasonable attorney’s fees. fam c. 2040(a)(2). If you need to do any transactions that may violate the ATROS, it is best to do it prior to filing and serving the divorce petition provided you do not breach your fiduciary duty to your spouse. If you are thinking of filing a divorce, it is best to consult an experienced family law attorney before taking any action. *** 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)

Understanding child custody and support in divorce cases domestic violence and the child’s age. Please note that the issue of child custody and visitation only applies to minor children under the age of 18. In regards to child support, both parents are responsible for supporting the children. Therefore, the non-custodial parent will generally have to pay support to the custodial parent. How much the child support will be depends on the parents’ incomes and the amount of time the children spend with each parent. If the person owing support is employed by a company, his wages may be garnished to collect the support. If the person works in a cash job or is self-employed, it may be very difficult to force payment of support. Typically, the non-custodial parent will have to pay child support until the child turns 18 years old, but there are some exceptions. If you want custody and support orders before your divorce is finalized, it is not enough to file or respond to the initial paperwork. In order to get temporary orders, you will need to file “Request for Order” (RFO) paperwork. This is the paperwork that will give you a court date, so that the Court can make relevant orders while your divorce case is still pending. The final custody and support orders

are part of what make up the divorce judgment and may be the same or different from the temporary orders that were made or agreed upon initially. Please note that every case is different and judges often have significant discretion when deciding issues of custody. So while an experienced attorney can help you prepare and present your case as best as possible, there is no way to predict or guarantee any outcome. If you have questions about your situation or need legal assistance, please contact Advancing Justice - L.A’s Tagalog helpline at 855300-2552. *** Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice - LA) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (NHPI). Founded in 1983 as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Advancing Justice - LA serves more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year. Through direct services, impact litigation, policy advocacy, leadership development, and capacity building, Advancing Justice - LA focuses on the most vulnerable members of Asian American and NHPI communities while also building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice. For more information, please visit https:// www.advancingjustice-la.org/.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018

Employees working in and out of California: Are they protected by CA law? A GROUP of flight attendants from Virgin America, Inc. sued the company for unpaid wages and missed breaks. The employees alleged that Virgin did not pay them for the following: hours worked before, after, and between flights; time spent completing incident reports; time spent in training; time spent taking mandatory drug tests The employees also claimed that Virgin did not allow flight attendants to take meal periods earlier than one hour before landing; did not allow flight attendants to take rest breaks; and failed to pay overtime and minimum wages. Virgin disputed whether the employees can bring suit under California law. It argued that California employment law does not apply to employees who are not residents of California. However, the court found that since the actions giving rise to potential liability occurred in California, therefore, California laws regarding failure to pay for all hours worked, to pay overtime, and to provide breaks do apply. Virgin also argued that the employees were not entitled to California labor law protections because they do not work “exclusively or principally in California.” The Court, though,

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights ATTY. C. JOE SAYAS, JR. found a solution and considered the residency factor, to conclude that the employees were not barred from asserting claims under California law. For instance, residence could be determined by looking to Virgin’s business records and the state where each flight attendant paid taxes. If the employees filed a California tax return, and/or provided Virgin with a California address during the class period, residency will likely be undisputed for the vast majority of class members. In refusing to throw out the case, the court ruled that employees are entitled to payment for all hours worked, minimum wage, overtime pay, and meal and rest breaks premiums with respect to work performed in California. California requires an employer to provide a 30 minute-meal if an employee works more than five hours per day. Employers must also provide a 10 minute rest break for every four hours of work. The Court found that Plaintiffs’ meal period and break

claims are geographically limited to California. However, the Court noted that there was evidence that Plaintiffs worked duty periods solely within California that were long enough to trigger meal period and rest break eligibility. Since breaks were not provided, Plaintiffs should have been paid an additional one hour for each meal and rest period that was not provided. After having won its arguments, the class of approximately 1,800 employees are now asking the Court to make Virgin America Inc. pay $85 million in damages, penalties, and interest. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com or our Facebook page Joe Sayas Law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is the recipient of PABA’s Community Champion Award for 2016.] (Advertising Supplement)

Client needs bankruptcy to get rid of accumulated debt from failed business THE client is 53. He is married and owns a house. He used to have a business, which was a DBA sole proprietorship. “DBA” means doing business as. Sole proprietorship means that an individual conducts a business in his personal capacity, without a corporation, or any other kind of business entity. Other business entities used to conduct business include LLC, S corporation, C Corporation, registered partnership etc. In a sole proprietorship, all of the debts incurred for and by the business, are personal debts of the individual conducting the business. For example, the client was in the import and wholesale distribution of electrical parts. The business has a warehouse for the inventory. Client signs the warehouse lease in his personal capacity even if the lease is in the name of the business. The client has a line of credit from a bank for $100,000. Even if this line of credit is in the name of the business, the client is personally liable on this line of credit such that the line of credit is treated as a personal loan to the client for him to operate his business. It appears that the Trump trade war has been creating pressures on the client’s business. His overseas suppliers based in China are encountering shipping delays. Shipping delays have a negative impact on collections because the client cannot ship an order, bill and collect without merchandise. There is added pressure on the business when a factoring company is used. A factoring company finances the receivables of the business. Delayed shipments cause havoc on factoring arrangements because if the merchandise is not timely delivered, the customers may not pay or may even cancel the order. The client’s business was running smoothly for 10 years. But the recent hiccups in delivery caused major problems for the client. If the customer suspects client had delivery problems, the customer will just cancel large orders and give the business to others who do not have delivery problems. So, the client’s business has suffered greatly and no longer profitable. Worse, the client has to fend off suppliers and banks that want to get paid. The client then uses his credit cards to refinance his business debts, one by one. Why do I mean by refinancing? For example, he has an American Express card with a credit line of $20,000. He draws on that to pay off a portion of credit line from the other bank. In other words,

Debt Relief

ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG he is borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. Soon enough, he has maxed out all of his credit cards. He tells me that he maxed out at $150,000 of credit cards. He now pays $4,500 a month of minimum monthly payments to keep the $150,000 current. He did that for six months but could not make the minimum payments anymore. Well, that’s obvious. To be able to pay $4,500 monthly, client’s gross income should at least be five times that amount. To pay that with ease, his gross income should be at least $22,000. But his gross income now from employment is only $4,000 a month. It’s clear he has to get rid of the $150,000 credit card debt, right? There are only two effective ways of getting rid of his $150,000 of credit card debt. The first is Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The second is Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The other options are pie in the sky: getting a 2nd trust deed to pay off the $150,000 or, consolidating these with a settlement company. The first pie in the sky is sucking $150,000 of equity out of your house and using the proceeds to pay off the $150,000 in credit cards. Replacing credit card debt with a mortgage on your house is never a good idea. By doing this, you increase your mortgage payments. You put your house at risk. Need I say more? Instead of paying $1,700 for your house payment, you will now pay another $800. That increases your house payment to $2,500. That’s a bad idea. The second pie in the sky involves signing a contract with a debt settlement company. The so-called settlement company will deal with all your credit card companies and beg them to give you some kind of settlement deal. The problem is this settlement company is somewhere in Timbuktu, it’s anyone’s guess which credit card will agree to whatever kind of settlement (this is why debtors who opt for this pie in the sky still get sued by creditors despite the “arrangement”), payments are sent to the settlement company, not the creditor. In other words, what actually happens to the money you send to the settlement company again is anyone’s guess. And the settlement company may have its own cash flow problems putting your

payments at risk. If you are eligible for Chapter 7, that’s the simplest way to go. Chapter 7 will wipe out client’s $150,000 and all other debts and give him a fresh start in life without accumulated debt for a business that failed. Why should he spend the rest of his life paying back a business loss? He should be given a fresh start without debt, just like Walt Disney who filed for Chapter 7 twice before his Disneyland business became wildly successful. Of course, you’ve been to his Disneyland theme parks a couple of times with your family, haven’t you? He filed for Chapter 7 twice. So don’t get into the “holier than thou” mentality. It is counter-productive and you’ll never get out of your ever-deepening debt hole. If the client does not qualify for Chapter 7 because he has too much equity in his house that is beyond the homestead exemption, then he should file for Chapter 13 reorganization instead. In Chapter 13, he may pay only a portion of the $150,000. If the non-exempt equity of his house is $20,000, he need only pay $350 a month for 60 months, and after that is done, the court wipes out $130,000 and all of his other debts. There is no risk to his house. All of his payments are paid to the Chapter 13 trustee who is an officer of the court. All payments are guaranteed by Federal law and the Federal bankruptcy court to be paid to all creditors who timely file a proof of claim. Creditors who do not file a proof of claim need not get paid. Those debts just get wiped out. When the Chapter 13 is filed, a court order protects the client’s house from liens and judgments, and all creditors are prohibited from calling or suing debtor. Peace of mind and order out of chaos. If you want to become productive again without accumulated debt, you absolutely need to wipe out accumulated debt with Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you want to straighten out your financial life once and for all, do Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. You will not regret it. It’s the best remedy to accumulated debt short of winning the lottery. *** 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. (Advertising Supplement)

To people who are facing debt problems... PAGE C2 t

Borrowing when you are already in debt is not a good idea. I see a lot of people who resort to payday loans when their income is short, hoping this can be a quick fix. But they are not, and they will only put you in a bigger financial hole every month. When I see the interest rates that these payday loan “thieves” are charging, I get really angry. Who in their right mind will pay more than 1000% interest on a $300-500 loan? You read that right: more than 1000% APR is what most of these pay day loan

companies are charging and this should be a crime! But desperate people fall for it all the time and that’s what keeps them in business. Don’t wait until you get to a point of desperation before you start tackling your debt problems. In some cases, you can still avoid bankruptcy if you know what your options are. If you wait until your situation becomes a financial emergency, you will find that those options are extremely limited. I provide a free consultation to everyone who is struggling

with debt problems. Don’t let your debt problems follow you into the new year 2019. Please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)

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People and Events

Art of the Jewel: The Crevoshay Collection at the Natural History Museum of LA County On view December 7, 2018 through May 12, 2019

LOS ANGELES – The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) presents Art of the Jewel: The Crevoshay Collection, an exhibition that explores the art and science behind jewelry designer Paula Crevoshay’s sparkling creations, from mineral to gem to jewel. Accompanied by loose gems and minerals from the Museum’s collections, Art of the Jewel features over 50 dazzling pieces of jewelry, including earrings, bracelets, and brooches made of California tourmaline, Montana sapphire, moonstone, pearl, and black diamond, among others. Crevoshay’s designs take the shape of plants and animals like orchids, butterflies, and spiders. Visitors will have the opportunity learn what characteristics and qualities minerals need in order to be considered of gem-quality, as well as specific properties of Crevoshay’s favorite stones. Art of the Jewel will be on view in the Gem Vault of NHM’s Gem and Mineral Hall from December 7, 2018, through May 12, 2019. “Designer Paula Crevoshay creates extraordinary jewelry inspired by the natural world, and her imaginative use of gems is highlighted in Art of the Jewel: The Crevoshay Collection,” said. Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of NHM. “This exhibition of Crevoshay’s favorite masterworks is a perfect addition to the Museum’s world class Gem and Mineral Hall, which displays more than 2,000 spectacular specimens.” “The Art of the Jewel: The Crevoshay Collection is a mustsee at the Natural History Museum,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said. “The County’s only institutional leader of all things natural and scientific has connected with an artist inspired by a love of nature, giving visitors a spectacular exhibition of diamonds and precious gems crafted in the forms of plants and animals.” Exhibition highlights include Conchita (2007), a butterfly brooch set with Montana sapphire that was commissioned

Baianai, Paula Crevoshay, 2018. Cognac and white diamond, aquamarine, opal, and gold. Courtesy of Crevoshay Studio

Itsy Bitsy, Paula Crevoshay, 2012. One 8.92 ct lemon opal, ruby, opal, black spinel, and black diamond. Courtesy of Crevoshay Studio

Poppy, Paula Crevoshay, 2012. Opal, moonstone, black diamond, diamond, and gold. Courtesy of Crevoshay Studio

by the Smithsonian and is now part of that museum’s permanent gem collection. Displayed alongside Conchita are two of the largest Montana sapphires in existence, on loan from Potentate LLC, a mining operation in Montana. Montana Bitterroot (2015), a flower brooch that uses close to 300 pink Montana sapphires that took Ms. Crevoshay

several years to accumulate due to the rarity of the color, will also be included. Premiere mineral specimens from NHM’s collection featured in Art of the Jewel include a large collection of rough sapphire from Montana, magnificent tourmaline and quartz from the Himalaya Mine in Southern California, and a large gold crystal from Brazil that has not been exhibited for many years, among many others. A small selection of hand-carved works by master lapidary artists will also be on view. “It is my belief that masterpieces arise only from a synthesis and integration of the disciplines of art and science and the natural world,” stated Paula Crevoshay. “I hope to take the viewer on a journey of contemplation of the marvel of creation, and their own special place in this wonderful, interconnected world.” Known in the gem industry as the “Queen of Color,” the Louisiana-born Crevoshay was trained as a painter and print maker before transitioning to jewelry design after learning about metals and gems in Sri Lanka, India, Tibet and other areas of Southeast Asia. Her one-of-a-kind creations have found homes in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the museum of the Gemological Institute of America. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is located at 900 Exhibition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007. Admission to Art of the Jewel: The Crevoshay Collection is included with NHM General Admission. Prices are as follows: $12 for adults; $9 for students with valid ID and seniors (62+); $5 for children (3-12); free for Museum members and children age 2 and under. Groups of 10 or more people receive discounted rates on Museum admission. Group tickets are available now by calling (213)763-3218 or by emailing groupsales@nhm.org for reservations and more.■

C4 NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles features Sou Fujimoto: Futures of the Future exhibition JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is pleased to announce the upcoming SOU FUJIMOTO: FUTURES OF THE FUTURE exhibition, taking place Oct. 27 - Dec. 12, 2018 at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, located at Hollywood & Highland. Named the Wall Street Journal’s Architecture Innovator of The Year in 2014, Fujimoto has designed public and private buildings around the world since establishing his atelier in 2000. This exhibition is a showcase of over 100 models and large-scale photographs of past and current projects by the celebrated Japanese architect. Fujimoto addresses many opposite concepts, including the recurring theme the “primitive future.” This apparent contradiction refers to the primordial, intuitive moments that reconnect us with our own humanity, and open us up to new possibilities. His designs often feature juxtapositions of outside and inside, nature and urbanity, objects and spaces, public and private. And, his work considers the macro and micro: when does an object become a space? Exhibition dates from Oct. 27 to Dec. 12 are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving Day 11/22). JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (inside Hollywood & Highland). Admission is free. For more information, please call (800) 516-0565 or visit https://www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles/events/.

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Art exhibit inspired by Filipino food movement in Santa Ana, CA In “Super Sarap” — from November 3 to December 15 at Gallery 6/67 — three artists Mik Gaspay, Jeanne Jalandoni, and O.M. France Viana revisit commonplace objects and food within Filipino cooking. Through sculpture and photography, the artists elicit personal and collective memories and offer cultural connections that go beyond the Philippine diaspora. The exhibition title, “Super Sarap,” fuses both English and Tagalog together, to hold multiple meanings. It can convey something that is extremely delicious, an expression of excitement and affirmation. Artists in “Super Sarap” play with these definitions and mutate symbols, making them both strange and familiar, challenging the expectations of cultural norms. It is guest curated by Patricia Cariño Valdez, an independent curator based in Oakland, CA. In addition to the exhibit, there will be two art and culinary events: an intimate four-course gourmet dinner prepared by acclaimed Orange County Chefs, Ross Pangilinan of Mix Mix Kitchen Bar on November 15 and Chef Ryan Garlitos of Irenia Restaurant on December 9 combined with an exhibition walk-through. The opening reception for Super Sarap will be on Saturday, November 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. Gallery 6/67 is located at 404 West 4th St., Suite K (2nd floor), Santa Ana, CA 92701. Gallery visits are by appointment. For more information about the exhibit and related events, visit https://www.gallery667.com.

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2nd annual Cinematografo International Film Festival in San Francisco The second annual Cinematografo International Film Festival will be held from November 8 to 11 in San Francisco. The Cinematografo International Film Festival is the premier event for Filipinos abroad to tell their stories and the platform to bring these films to the world stage. The festival is an annual celebration of film and culture, highlighted by Cinematografo Originals – a co-production initiative to help filmmakers realize their stories on the big screen. On its second year, the festival’s theme is “Breaking Down Walls,” which refers not only to divisions along global political lines but also aims to empower storytellers in breaking through barriers in film and story whether in terms of subject matter, representation and cultural limitations. For more information, please visit https://cinematografofilmfestival.com/.

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LA Department of Public Works to host recycling event for used oil and filters in Alhambra, CA Attention all Alhambra residents — Free Oil Filter & Motor Oil Recycling Event! Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new Oil Filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. So don’t miss out – we’re making it easier for you to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently. It will be held on Saturday, November 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at O’Reilly Auto Parts (800 E. Valley Blvd. Alhambra, CA 91801).

PUPAA-USA Inc. to host dinner/dance and installation of officers in Glendale, CA The Polytechnic University of the Philippines Alumni Association-USA, Inc., (PUPAA-USA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will hold its installation of officers and board members on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. at the Pacific Community Center (501 S. Pacific Avenue, Glendale, CA 91204). This will be a dinner and dance and membership night, holiday celebration. The net proceeds from this fundraising event will go to the PUPAA Scholarship Fund. This is a great opportunity to get together with former classmates, colleagues, friends, families and supporters. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and get inspired of what PUPAA, USA Inc. has done and contributed to our Alma Mater and what it can offer for you! The Officers and Board Members to be installed are: Chairman of the Board, Dr. Oscar Jornacion, Vice Chairman of the Board, Dr. Henry Divina; President, Monette Santillan-Rivera; Executive Vice President, Vee Cristobal; Vice President-Job Placement, Honeylette Deleon; Vice President-Finance, Jun Mapoy; Vice President-Public Relations, Rosemarie Mejia; Vice Presidents-Membership, Evangeline Codilla and Sandra Dollano; Vice President-Ways and Means, Aimee Sarmiento; Secretary, Marissa Palanca; Treasurer and Accountant, Dr. Gerry Fernando; Auditor, Linda Santos; and Assistant Public Relations Officers, Connie Acosta and Virginia Herbito. For other related questions, please contact Monette Santillan-Rivera at (818) 970-8317, Sandra Dollano at (213) 570-3179 and Vangie Codilla at (818) 468-3386.

Cecile Licad performs at Basilica benefit in San Francisco In San Francisco, Cecile will be performing live at the Centennial Piano Fundraising Concert for the Mission Dolores Basilica on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7p.m. Mission Dolores Basilica Church will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary of completion in December 2018. As part of the celebration it is the Basilica’s goal to purchase a Steinway concert piano worthy of the its reputation and to support our ongoing concert series, as well as the worship life of the Parish. The Basilica Church, built between 1913 and 1918, features outstanding acoustics that have made it a premier performing arts destination for numerous Bay Area and international concerts artists and ensembles. Its existing piano needs replacement due to years of heavy use for worship services and concerts. For Tickets, visit: https://www.cityboxoffice.com/ordertickets.asp?p=10336&src=eventperformances. Cecile Licad is one of the youngest musicians to receive the prestigious Leventritt Gold Medal. Cecile displays her daring musical instinct and superb training with every performance. As an orchestral soloist, this legendary master pianist boasts a repertoire spanning centuries of classical music. She has performed with the world’s most prestigious orchestras throughout four decades. More recently, Cecile received critical acclaim for her volume Anthology of American Piano Music album. She continues touring North America, Europe and Asia. Released this month of November, “American Landscapes” is Volume 3 of the highly acclaimed three-volumne Anthology of American Piano Music recorded by Cecile. Works by Aaron Copland, Anthony Philip Heirich, Percy Grainger, William Mason, Edward MacDowell, Arthur Farwell, Leo Ornstein, William Grant and Arthur Farwell are featured in Cecile’s latest CD. To purchase Cecile’s CD, contact St. Paul Alumnae USA at spmausa@gmail.com.

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A Benefit Concert: An Evening of Philippine Music Bakas Pilipinas is presenting A Benefit Concert: An Evening of Philippine Music, a concert to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, 6:00 pm at The Philippine Center, 556 Fifth Avenue (near 45th St), NY, NY to support the Preservation of Philippine Architectural Heritage. Featured performers will include Ruby Topacio Bernales, Marvin Gayatgay, and Rogelio Peñaverde Jr., and the organization will be celebrating this year’s special honoree, Kinding Sindaw. Tickets may be purchased through their website: www.bakaspilipinas.org

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ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Sarapâ&#x20AC;?: An exhibit featuring art inspired by Filipino food Group exhibit highlights works of Mik Gaspay, Jeanne Jalandoni and O.M. France Viana

WITHIN the last several years, chefs and foodies from around the country have hailed Filipino cooking as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;next big food trend.â&#x20AC;? Although, trendify-ing a cuisine allows it to enter into the larger cultural consciousness, it also raises the question: A trend for whom? It is a label that often appears only on â&#x20AC;&#x153;ethnicâ&#x20AC;? cuisine or non-white food and classifying it as such dismisses the historical nuances and communities that develop it. For many, a trend is not new or alien; it is familiar and the norm. In â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Sarapâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from November 3 to December 15 at Gallery 6/67 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; three artists Mik Gaspay, Jeanne Jalandoni, and O.M. France Viana revisit commonplace objects and food within Filipino cooking. Through sculpture and photography, the artists elicit personal and collective memories and offer cultural connections that go beyond the Philippine diaspora. Mik Gaspayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artistic practice aims to understand our material culture. He examines mass produced objects and explores it in relation to capitalismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effects on migration and assimilation, class,

and identity. In â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Sarap,â&#x20AC;? he recalls the prominence of the large, decorative wooden spoon and fork sculptures hanging in Filipino kitchens. Playing with scale and texture, Gaspay uses a faux, woodgrain-patterned textile to construct a delicate, pillar-sized replica. Jeanne Jalandoni also utilizes textile to evoke memory of home by making â&#x20AC;&#x153;objects of comfort.â&#x20AC;? Using soft and plush material, she creates covetable toy rice cookers. In the exhibition, she also premieres a series of quilts that stitch together the ingredients to create traditional Filipino dishes. With a keen focus on food is O.M. France Vianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Color Palateâ&#x20AC;? series, where minimalist photography looking like extraterrestrial landscapes reveal themselves to be Filipino ice creamâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;purple ube, green avocado, pink guava. Vianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vibrant neon â&#x20AC;&#x153;UBEâ&#x20AC;? sign seduces with an intense violet color natural to the purple yam, ubiquitous in Filipino and South East Asian desserts. The exhibition title, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Sarap,â&#x20AC;? fuses both English and Tagalog together, to hold multiple

meanings. It can convey something that is extremely delicious, an expression of excitement and affirmation. Artists in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Sarapâ&#x20AC;? play with these definitions and mutate symbols, making them both strange and familiar, challenging the expectations of cultural norms. It is guest curated by Patricia CariĂąo Valdez, an independent curator based in Oakland, CA. In addition to the exhibit, there will be two art and culinary events: an intimate four-course gourmet dinner prepared by acclaimed Orange County Chefs, Ross Pangilinan of Mix Mix Kitchen Bar on November 15 and Chef Ryan Garlitos of Irenia Restaurant on December 9 combined with an exhibition walk-through. The opening receiption for Super Sarap will be on Saturday, November 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. Gallery 6/67 is located at 404 West 4th St., Suite K (2nd floor), Santa Ana, CA 92701. Gallery visits are by appointment. For more information about the exhibit and related events, visit https://www. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ubeâ&#x20AC;? neon sign by O.M. France Viana gallery667.com. n

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California Service Center approves less than Peso strengthens, returns to P52:$1 7% of humanitarian revalidation requests CARABALLO Manilatimes.net

by MAYVELIN

I HAVE long suspected that with the way the California Service Center (CSC) adjudicates humanitarian revalidation requests, it is virtually impossible for any beneficiary in the Philippines to qualify. Little or no discretion is being exercised, and it seems the Humanitarian Revalidation adjudicators have forgotten the “humanitarian” portion of humanitarian revalidation. They simply find ways to deny humanitarian revalidation requests. In fact, I served a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, to find out what CSC’s denial rate was. I requested: * the total number of humanitarian revalidation’s requests submitted to the CSC since 2010 * the total number of humanitarian revalidation requests that were approved since 2010 * the total number of humanitarian revalidation requests that were denied since 2010. I just recently received the CSC’s response, and the results are shocking, but really not surprising: * A total of 10,755 humanitarian revalidation requests were submitted to CSC since 2010. * A total of 720 humanitarian revalidation requests were granted! That means less than 7% of the humanitarian revalidation requests submitted were granted. * A total of 7309 humanitar-

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ ian revalidation requests were denied. * There are some discrepancies because not all I-130 petitions were properly updated in their system, and there may be duplicate receipts because some cases were converted from humanitarian revalidation to the survivor law, section 204 (l), where humanitarian revalidation is not required if the beneficiary was in the U.S. at the time of the petitioner’s death and remained or resided continuously in the U.S. The CSC concedes there are no regulations setting forth factors for eligibility, and they therefore robotically rely on seven factors listed in the Department of State’s (DOS) Foreign Affairs manual (FAM): (1) Disruption of an established family unit; (2) Beneficiary is elderly or in poor health; (3) Beneficiary has had lengthy residence in the United States; (4) Beneficiary has no home to

go to; (5) Undue delay by DHS or consular officer in processing the petition or visa; (6) Hardship to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents; and (7) Beneficiary has strong family ties in the United States. In applying these supposed “eligibility” factors, virtually no Filipino in the Philippines could ever qualify for humanitarian revalidation, as at least 5 of these 7 factors would not even apply! For example, if the applicant is relatively young and healthy and living in the Philippines, they would not be elderly or sickly, there is technically no “disruption” of the family unit in the U.S., and they would obviously not have “lengthy residence” in the U.S., but instead have a “home” to go to. Since it typically takes many years for the priority date on most petitions to become current, obviously there would be no “undue delay” by the USCIS. It appears that the CSC has set up and relied on Humanitarian Revalidation factors that are virtually impossible to meet or satisfy. If so, why even bother having these factors? Why not just simply flip a coin? What makes this situation more frustrating is that if the beneficiary happened to be in the U.S. when the petitioner died, (even if PAGE D2

Business Quote of the Week “Work like hell. I mean you just have to put in 80 to 100 hour weeks every week. [This] improves the odds of success. If other people are putting in 40-hour work weeks and you’re putting in 100 hour workweeks, then even if you’re doing the same thing, you know that you will achieve in four months what it takes them a year to achieve.” —Elon Musk, Founder and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors

THE peso returned to the P52:$1 level on Wednesday, recovering to a three-month high as the market anticipates stronger economic growth in the third quarter. The peso opened at P52.93 against the greenback, which was also its highest level for the day. It closed at P52.95 per dollar, up seven centavos from Tuesday and its highest since a P52.85:$1 finish on Aug. 6, 2018. “This strengthening is expected. The market is expecting a respectable and still robust GDP (gross domestic product) growth print tomorrow,” Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion said. The government is set to announce today (Thursday) the third quarter GDP figure, which according to the Department of Finance likely grew 6.5 percent. Analysts polled by The Manila Times also see third quarter Philippine economic growth ranging from 5.9 percent to

A money exchange attendant accepts dollar bills at shop in Malate, Manila. Manilatimes.net file photo

6.7 percent with a 6.2 percent average, still lower than the revised seven-percent expansion in the same period last year but matched the revised 6.2 percent figure in the second quarter. Asuncion elaborated that “the strength also probably comes from the perception that inflation has already peaked, and this is somehow feeding the general positive sentiment for

the peso.” On Tuesday, the government reported a 6.7 percent inflation rate in October, unchanged from September but still the highest in nine years. Earlier, economic managers have raised their peso-dollar exchange rate assumptions to P52.50-53.00:$1 for this year, before hitting for P52-P55 per dollar in 2019.■

Despite surging imports hurting peso, ‘Build, Build, Build’ remains a ‘high priority’ — Pernia by BEN

O. DE VERA Inquirer.net

DESPITE the widening trade deficit due to a surge in capital goods imports to be used in the of big-ticket infrastructure, the country’s chief economist said Thursday that there would be no slowing down the “Build, Build, Build” program. “We haven’t made a decision to slow down on the ‘Build, Build, Build.’ Even with the suspension of the [fuel] excise tax in 2019, we consider the ‘Build, Build, Build’ as a priority program. And so, as we said earlier, we are going to follow this hierarchy of essentiality. The least essential will be first cut, and the infrastructure program will be among the high-priority programs,” So-

NEDA chief Ernesto M. Pernia Inquirer.net file photo

cioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) chief Ernesto M. Pernia told reporters Thursday. Economic managers have said the ambitious infrastructure buildup would be sustained even as the government stands to lose P41 billion in tax revenues from the temporary suspension of

the excise taxes slapped on oil products early next year due to elevated global prices of late. “I think it’s even more important that we invest in infrastructure. The inflation rate’s coming from the supply side, so the more we build infrastructure to help improve productivity, improve the mobility between the regions so that food products can be delivered from the production areas to highly-developed areas where they’re needed, the more it will be better for our economy,” Neda Director Reynaldo C. Cancio, for his part, said. Pernia had said he expects imports of capital goods as well as raw materials to remain high until next year partly due to the “Build, Build, Build” program. PAGE D2

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Philippine global ranking in financial Fitch Ratings: Philippines’ 3rd telco to stir up rivalry inclusion slips 1 notch — EIU by Lawrence agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Economist Intelligence (EIU) said the Philippines has one of the most conducive environments globally for financial inclusion despite a drop in its ranking this year. Based on the 2018 Global Microscope, the Philippines ranked fourth with a score of 72, together with India, due to a high degree of government coordination as financial inclusion is one of the priority areas of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The ranking of both the Philippines and India slipped one notch from third spot in the 2016 Global Microscope as Uruguay jumped to third place with a score of 75 this year from 11th place in 2016. Columbia still topped the list with a score of 81, followed by Peru with 78. Aside from a financial inclusion plan, the EIU said the Philippines has strategies supported by highlevel working groups. The think tank added institutions from banks and non-bank financial institutions to e-money issuers and cross-border payments providers in the Philippines, Peru, and Uruguay could reach their clients with restrictions that are proportionate to the risk of the services they provide. EIU said it sees differentiated

capital requirements or overly restrictive licensing requirements and fees, among others in the Philippines, Peru, and Uruguay. E-money is making inroads, becoming more accessible as a wider variety of providers are able to enter the market. EIU said most countries in the 2018 Microscope have made efforts to facilitate new digital providers and generally had few market entry restrictions. “This positive operating environment globally, along with client demand, is helping e-money to become a leading digital financial product,” it said. However, there is no legal recognition of e-money in Chile, Guatemala and Vietnam, while 16 countries have opted for bank-led digital transformations. The research suggests that competition and innovation can make e-money more accessible, especially if a wide range of institutions can become e-money issuers. “Access to inclusive insurance products is facilitated by specific regulatory frameworks in Peru, India, and the Philippines where low-income populations have access to life, health, and other insurance products,” the EIU said. In the Philippines, and other countries, both licensed financial institutions and mobile money providers are allowed to have agents, helping the commercial viability of agent models by en-

The search for a new major service provider came at the order of President Rodrigo Duterte. Incumbents PLDT and Globe have said they welcome the new challenger. Philstar.com file photo

ings said. The Mislatel consortium is the only bidder that qualifies for the MANILA, Philippines — Chi- next stage of screening by the na Telecom’s consortium with National Telecommunications Based on the 2018 Global Microscope, the Dennis Uy-led Udenna Corp. Commission after two other conPhilippines ranked fourth with a score emerged as the provisional third sortia were disqualified. of 72, together with India, due to a high In a commentary released degree of government coordination as telecommunications player in financial inclusion is one of the priority the Philippines, likely putting an Thursday, Fitch said that while areas of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas end to the country’s long-stand- the severity of the threat from (BSP). ing duopoly market, Fitch Rat- a new entrant is unclear at this suring they are more active. Furthermore, the Philippines provides supervisors with similar specialized training, while Peru PAGE D1 count deficit ballooned to $3.1 offers a 14-week training course Under “Build, Build, Build,” billion—equivalent to 1.9 percent for regulators that focuses on risk the government plans to rollout of gross domestic product, from management and supervision 75 “game-changing” projects, $133 million or only 0.1 percent specific to microfinance and fi- with about half targeted to be fin- of GDP a year ago, mainly on the nancial inclusion. n ished within President Duterte’s back of an also bigger trade-interm, alongside spending a total goods deficit. In an economic forum last of over P8 trillion on hard and modern infrastructure until 2022 Tuesday, Maybank Kim Eng seto usher in “the golden age of in- nior economist Chua Hak Bin said markets were “uncomfortthe supervision of, an active member frastructure.” Last Wednesday, the gov- able” with the Philippines’ high of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information ernment reported that imports inflation, wider budget deficit, as contained herein including testimonials, jumped 26.1 percent year-on- well ballooning current account “Success Stories,” endorsements and year to $9.754 billion in Septem- deficit. For Chua, narrowing the curre-enactments) is of a general nature, ber, while merchandise exports and is not intended to apply to any declined 2.6 percent year-on- rent account deficit will help stabilize the peso. particular case, and does not constitute year to $5.827 billion. Given that the trade deficit was As such, the balance of trade in a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of goods last September remained hitting historical highs, the curyour legal matter. No attorney-client at a deficit of $3.927 billion, the rent account deficit was seen furrelationship is, or shall be, established biggest monthly trade deficit so ther expanding to 3.5-4 percent of GDP in the third quarter, Chua far this year. with any reader. As of end-September, the said. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com While remittances from FilipiFollow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw year-to-date trade deficit stood at nos living and working overseas $29.91 billion. and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw The wider trade deficit was drove the current account into Call Toll free to schedule a consultation putting pressure on the current surplus during the period 2003 for anywhere in the US: account, a component of the to 2011, Chua said these dollar (866)—GURFINKEL country’s balance of payments, inflows were “no longer as powFour offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW making the market wary and erful,” citing that remittances pulling down the peso to 13-year now account for less than 10 YORK · PHILIPPINES percent of GDP as well as were lows. (Advertising Supplement) As of end-June, the current ac- weighed down by troubles in the

California Service Center approves less... PAGE D1 TNT) then, under the “Survivor Law,” the petition is automatically revalidated, without anyone having to prove any of these unachievable factors. Thus, if a person came to the U.S. years ago as a visitor, overstayed his or her visa, worked without authorization, and otherwise violated the immigration laws, that person would be quickly and easily entitled to pursue his or her green card, despite the death of the petitioner. But, if they obeyed the laws, and patiently waited in the Philippines for their petitions, then they have to satisfy these seven factors, which are virtually impossible to satisfy. In conclusion, the relief is called Humanitarian Revalidation and the goal is family reunification. The CSC needs to

inject a little more humanity in adjudicating these requests. The goal should be to exercise discretion, and not to see how many form denials can be generated. A miserable 7% approval rate shows the CSC is really not exercising any discretion, but instead is looking for ways to always deny humanitarian revalidation requests. They need to be reminded of their mission statement and that they are the agency within Homeland Security in charge of providing/approving immigration “benefits,” not looking for ways to always deny them. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under

by ian

nicoLas cigaraL Philstar.com

stage, government intervention may be needed to accelerate industry reforms to stir up competition. “This [intervention] includes re-evaluation of the current 40 percent foreign-ownership cap for public utilities, infrastructure and tower sharing, as well as spectrum redistribution,” the PAGE D3

Despite surging imports hurting peso... Middle East. Asked by reporters what was a comfortable level of current account deficit, Chua replied that it should be about 3.5 percent of GDP. To narrow the current account deficit and make the peso stable, Chua said the government could “contain the pace of the investment infrastructure.” “‘Build, Build, Build’ has a lot of projects, but try to pace it down, spread it over a longer time so that imports of capital goods won’t spike up,” Chua added. Asked how he thinks the “Build, Build, Build” program was moving, Chua replied: “I think it is probably going on somewhat a decent pace.” “If it wasn’t constrained, probably you don’t have to prioritize, but sometimes with the pressures, you have to prioritize and see which ones can be delivered with the least capital, which one can deliver more foreign exchange proceeds in the future to pay off infrastructure. And clearly, things like airports can bring tourism, so it should be a priority,” he said. n

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Foreign banks downscale Finance dept: GDP likely rose 6.5% in third quarter Philippines growth forecasts

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III

Caraballo Manilatimes.net

by mayvelin

THE Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) likely grew by 6.5 percent in the third quarter of 2018 on the back of increases in government spending and manufacturing, the Department of Finance (DoF) said on Wednesday. Quoting a report by Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd told reporters that his department expected economic growth in July to September “to be higher than the first-half revised growth of 6.4 percent — at least 6.5 percent — due to the 30-percent growth in NG (national government) expenditures and the 8.8-percent real growth

Manilatimes.net file photo

in manufacturing production.” “We also expect growth to be investment-led, due to the 47percent rise in NG capital outlays,” he added. The forecast came after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) raised its economic growth estimate for the second quarter to 6.2 percent from the earlier 6 percent. “Major contributors to the upward revision were other services; real estate, renting and business activity; and mining and quarrying,” the state-run statistics agency said in a statement. The new estimate was based on an approved revision policy that is consistent with international standard practices on national accounts revisions, it added. “Net primary income from

the rest of the world was revised down to 4.1 percent from 4.7 percent. Meanwhile, gross national income had an upward revision of 5.9 percent from 5.8 percent.” The revisions were announced a day before the government is set to release its third-quarter GDP growth data. Analysts polled by The Manila Times expect that growth to match the revised April-to-June expansion, but remained slower than a year ago. Estimates for July-to-September GDP ranged from 5.9 percent to 6.7 percent with a 6.2 percent average, lower than the revised 7-percent expansion in the same period last year and matching the revised figure in April to June. n

Fitch Ratings: Philippines’ 3rd telco to stir up... PAGE D2 global debt watcher said. “The third telco is initially likely to compete aggressively on price as it strives to grab market share in an already highly saturated mobile market,” it added. “We expect a large cash burn for the new entrant to roll out its network, and consequently, only a newcomer with deep pockets and technical expertise would be able to compete effectively against the incumbents.” The search for a new major

service provider came at the order of President Rodrigo Duterte. Incumbents PLDT and Globe have said they welcome the new challenger. According to Fitch, the entry of a new telco provider is expected to temper revenue growth and raise the capital expenditure pressure on both PLDT and Globe. It added that the newcomer would likely focus on the cost-effective long-term evolution network to accelerate network roll-

out, noting that the incumbents still possess a majority of the rights across a range of spectrum frequencies. “The ability to monetise higher data traffic remains a key challenge in the Philippines, which is also facing secular declines in revenue from legacy services such as SMS, international and mobile voice,” it said. “The aggressive LTE rollout by the incumbent operators would also raise entry barriers for the newcomer,’ it continued. n

The country’s economic growth eased to its slowest level in three years at six percent in the second quarter from 6.6 percent in the first quarter, bringing the average to 6.3 percent in the first half. Philstar.com file photo by lawrenCe agCaoili Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — British banking giant HSBC and Maybank Kim Eng Group have slashed their economic growth forecasts for the Philippines amid tighter monetary conditions. HSBC has lowered its gross domestic product (GDP) growth projections for the Philippines to 6.5 percent for 2018 and 2019, according to its economist Noelan Arbis. “We’ve lowered our growth forecast for this year and next from 6.7 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively, to 6.5 percent for both years due in part to recent and still-expected monetary tightening. Greater-than-expected tightening would thus pose further downside risks to growth,” Arbis said. The country’s economic growth eased to its slowest level in three years at six percent in the second quarter from 6.6 percent in the first quarter, bringing the average to 6.3 percent in the first half. This prompted the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) to lower its GDP

growth target to a range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent from the original target of seven to eight percent. Inflation remained steady at 6.7 percent in October, bringing the average to 5.1 percent in the first 10 months and exceeding the BSP’s two to four percent target. “We also expect the 150 basis points of policy tightening this year and potential future tightening to eventually have an impact on growth, which suggests a degree of prudence required,” Arbis said. He said the government’s “non-monetary” response affords the BSP an opportunity to hold off on policy tightening at its upcoming meeting on Nov. 15. “Meanwhile, risks to inflation remain tilted to the upside in the future. As such, we believe it would best serve the BSP to save its monetary policy bullets until we see further signs of demandside pressures and/or a catalyst that could lead to higher inflation expectations in the future,” Arbis said. According to Arbis, the BSP could raise interest rates by 25 basis points in the first quarter of

2019 due to the impact of rising wages in November and potentially additional taxes in January. Chua Hak Bin, senior economist at Maybank Kim Eng Group, told participants of the Executive Forum on 2019 Economic Outlook the GDP growth of the Philippines would ease to 6.3 percent in 2018 before recovering to 6.5 percent in 2019 from 6.7 percent in 2017. The projected GDP expansion of the Philippines would be slower than Vietnam’s 6.8 percent but faster than Indonesia’s 5.2 percent, Malaysia’s 4.8 percent, Thailand’s 4.5 percent, and Singapore’s 3.4 percent. Chua said positive factors in the country include resilient GDP growth, low public and external debt as well as favorable demographics. However, he said markets are uncomfortable with inflation risks as well as the widening trade and current account deficits. Maybank Kim Eng Group said the BSP is likely to hike interest rates by 50 basis points more this year and another 50 basis points next year as inflation is seen averaging 5.5 percent in 2018 before easing to 4.8 percent in 2019. n

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2 Chinese firms aim to produce The Preserve at Chino delivers a ‘world’s fastest trains’ in Cagayan fresh start at six new neighborhoods by Roy

Stephen C. Canivel Inquirer.net

TWO Chinese companies want to produce what they claimed to be the world’s fastest trains. According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., a maglev train is a floating vehicle for land transportation that is supported by either electromagnetic attraction or repulsion. In a statement on Tuesday, Ceza said the project involves the establishment of the Maglev Research and Development Center for Production and Training Hub in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Ceza Administrator and CEO Raul Lambino said the initial

project cost would be used for the research and development, as well as the production of the “cutting-edge, low-magnetic radiation, zero-derailment risk” maglev trains. He said the Maglev project would be patterned after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Hanjin Shipyard facility to generate massive local employment. The maglev production line in CEZA, Lambino also said, would roll out light rail vehicles, and medium and high-speed Maglev trains capable of running from 200 kilometers (km) to 400 km per hour for neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. He said they would also produce

for the Philippines, but he did not expound. Lambino said Ceza would provide the land area for the project aside from making representations with the national government and Congress for fiscal incentives and other support systems. “We need to be aggressive and innovative in promoting our competitive edge in the Freeport,” said Lambino, who is concurrent Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon. “We have relatively cheap labor, highly-skilled workers, vast tracks of unused lands and attractive fiscal incentives,” he added. n

PH secures 38.1-B yen loan for MRT-3 rehab CaRaballo Manilatimes.net

by mayvelin

THE Philippines secured on Thursday a 38.1-billionyen (P17.79-billion) official development assistance (ODA) loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to upgrade and rehabilitate the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 system. Signed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd and JICA Senior Vice President Yasushi Tanaka, the loan aims to improve the safety, reliability and level of service of the 16.9-kilometer light rail system with 13 stations spanning across Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa). According to the Department of Finance (DoF), the rehabilitation project, which was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on August 22, will cost P21.96 billion. The remaining amount not covered by the loan — P3.19 billion — will be secured locally. In his speech, Dominguez said that under the terms of the accord, the loan covers an interest rate of 0.10 percent per annum for non-consulting services and 0.01 percent per annum for consulting services. It has a maturity period of 40 years inclusive of a 12-year grace period, he added. “This is by far the fastest loan processing we have completed,” he noted. As for the riding public, the Finance chief assured commuters that the government would rebuild

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In this file photo taken on January 26, 2018, maintenance personnel inspect a stalled MRT train. Manilatimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

and reinvent this rail system as quickly as possible. He stressed that the MRT-3, which has “degraded to a sad state” and “brought our commuters unspeakable hardship” to the point of becoming “a symbol of where our country fails” will not only be rehabilitated but its operations also expanded and modernized with the help of this ODA loan from Japan. Tanaka called the loan “good news for Filipino commuters,” as “they will have improved access to safe and reliable transportation, while also meeting the government’s priorities to reduce traffic congestion in Metro

Manila, attract investments, and improve the quality of life of” Filipinos. Dominguez said once MRT-3 is upgraded by the Department of Transportation as the lead i m p l e m e n t i n g a g e n c y, t h e number of operational trainsets is expected to increase from 15 to 20 at peak hours, with time intervals of train arrivals reduced from seven minutes to only threeand-a-half. The rail system is also expected to increase its train speed from 30 kilometers per hour to 60 kph. The Finance chief said the project includes adding carriages “to fulfill the original design of the stations.” n

FOR RENT

CHINO, CA — The Southern California dream can now be yours. In a new home at The Preserve at Chino by Lewis Community Developers, days are filled with first-class amenities, the satisfaction and peace of mind provided by award-winning schools and the remarkable shopping and dining that SoCal is known for. Here, well-respected builders ensure that new homes meet every expectation for quality and craftsmanship for the new home you have always wanted. But, for affordability, search from San Diego to Los Angeles and you’ll see that this masterplanned community stands out from the rest, bringing hopes of homeownership from someday to today. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or ready to retire, your ideal home is waiting for you at The Preserve at Chino. Renowned builders CalAtlantic Homes, Lennar, Richmond American Homes, William Lyon Homes and Woodside Homes craft their homes with exceptional quality, with options for every lifestyle. Ranging from approximately 1,380 to 2,749 square feet with up to five bedrooms and four baths, homes can accommodate even the largest of families. Priced starting in the low $400,000s, these homes are an exceptional deal, making homeownership attainable for all. In the center of the community,

The Parkhouse at The Preserve at Chino brings neighbors together in an impressive resident-only clubhouse. Whether you’re trying to stay active in the fitness center or getting a little work done in a quieter spot at the business center, The Parkhouse supports all your goals and ambitions. Game rooms and an intimate movie theater will help you relax and unwind. A wonderful location for any event, the multipurpose room has a welcoming feel and features a connected on-site catering kitchen. Lighted tennis courts, a junior Olympic swimming pool, spa and playgrounds make the outdoors at The Parkhouse just as inviting. In addition, The Parkhouse library is a great place for students from the awardwinning Cal Aero Preserve Academy across the street to finish homework and study before walking home. Residents will also have access to the agrarian-themed Gardenhouse Recreation Center, where get-togethers happen organically. Community gardens connect residents back to the land, while indoor-outdoor kitchen and dining spaces take farm-to-table entertaining to new heights. Whether you’d rather go for a swim in the junior Olympic pool or lounge on the deck, afternoons in the sun will leave you feeling refreshed and reenergized. The Gardenhouse Recreation Center is all about relaxation that’s in harmony with nature.

With a home at The Preserve at Chino, days always turn towards new adventures. Just moments away, explore The Shoppes at Chino Hills to find hidden treasures in the shops or a new favorite meal in one of the restaurants. Or take a short drive for new experiences at Chino Spectrum Marketplace, Chino Spectrum Town Center, Eastvale Gateway, Victoria Gardens, Ontario Mills or the famous Fairplex. This exciting location makes it easy to head up to the local mountains, find your spot on the beaches of Los Angeles and Orange counties or tour all the worldfamous Southern California entertainment hotspots. From days spent at theme parks to afternoons at prestigious gardens and museums, you’ll find you’re at the center of it all. Connect with nature and your neighbors in more than 33 scenic acres dedicated to parks, playgrounds, lawns and gardens at The Preserve at Chino. Larger parks are home to team sports, picnics, group events and more, while smaller parks spread throughout the neighborhoods for outdoor play closer to home. All year round, these colorful outdoor spaces become an extension of the backyard and bring the community to life. Please call (877) 417-9623 or visit ThePreserveAtChino.com for more information. n (Advertising Supplement)

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D NOVEMBER 10-13, 2018 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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