November 15-17, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 92 • 3 Sections - 20 Pages
Trump, Duterte have ‘great DATELINE USA Trump hails US ties relationship’ during Manila meeting with ASEAN, PH FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
U.S. President Donald Trump commended President Rodrigo Duterte for his hosting of the 31st summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a forum that the billionaire real estate mogul said should remain “free and open.” At the ASEAN-U.S. dialogue on Monday, Nov. 13, Trump deviated from his prepared speech and addressed Duterte by his first name, Rodrigo, indicating warming ties between the two outspoken leaders. “Rodrigo, I would like to commend you and your success as Asean chair at this very critical moment in time and in the association’s history. It is such an important event and I want to thank you for your incredible hospitality,” Trump said. Speaking at the 40th Asean-U.S. commemorative summit, Trump said: “We want partners in the region to be strong, and
by RAE
ANN VARONA AJPress
ON the final leg of his five-nation Asian tour, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday, November 13, that he and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte “had a great relationship” during their first in-person meeting on the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Manila. “We’ve had a great relationship,” Trump told reporters Monday. “This has been very successful. We’ve had many meetings today with many other leaders. The ASEAN conference
has been handled beautifully by the president of the Philippines and your representatives. I’ve really enjoyed being here.” When asked by reporters if the issue of human rights was raised, Trump did not respond. Duterte too kept mum and instead admonished reporters, saying it was a bilateral meeting, not a news conference. “Who, whoa,” said Duterte to reporters. “This is not a press statement. This is the bilateral meeting.” “We will be discussing matters that are of interest to both the Philippines and… with you around, guys, you are the spies,”
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ASEAN MEET. President Rodrigo Duterte and the rest of the leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and dialogue partners do the traditional ASEAN handshake as they pose for a photo during the opening of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City on Monday, November 13. The dialogue partners include New Zealand, Timor-Leste, Republic of Korea, USA, Australia, India, China and Japan. Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo
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US pledges support vs terrorism, affirms Mutual Defense Treaty THE U.S. has vowed to continue assisting the Philippines against terrorism as clearing operations in Marawi continue and the government prepares to rebuild the country’s only Islamic City. In a joint statement, the U.S. and the Philippines agreed to enhance their cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, which could be in the form of additional military exercises, enhanced information sharing and tackling of the roots of conflict and extremism. U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed his condolences over the “tragic loss of life” in Marawi City following a deadly and protracted siege by combined elements of the Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf, who mounted a five-month stand in the lakeside city’s commercial center. More than 1,000 people perished in the battle, most of whom combatants. “Both sides discussed the rehabilitation and reconstruction needs of Marawi and
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CROWD MAGNET. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (center) greets performers upon arriving at Clark International Airport in Pampanga province, north of Manila, to attend the 31st Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. ManilaTimes.net photo
Duterte considers Trudeau’s human rights concern ‘personal, official insult’ by AUDREY
MORALLO Philstar.com
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday declared that he would answer only to the Filipino people and not to foreigners who would raise a howl over the country’s human rights record and the supposed extrajudicial killings attending his drug war.
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PH-US BILATERAL TALKS. President Rodrigo Duterte holds bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Monday, November 13. Malacañang photo by Vince Ong
China assures Philippines: No SWS: Majority of Filipinos military force in South China Sea back martial law extension by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com
VIRAY
MANILA — Amid the completion of Beijing’s military assets in the South China Sea, Chinese In this April 21, 2017, file photo, Chinese structures and an airstrip on the man-made Subi President Xi Jinping assured PresiReef at the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea are seen from a Philippine Air dent Rodrigo Duterte that they will Force C-130.
not go to war over the maritime by CATHERINE S. VALENTE dispute. ManilaTimes.net Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, Nov. 13, MORE than half of Filipinos supdisclosed that Duterte and Xi had port the extension of martial law in a “frank and very candid” discus- Mindanao, according to the latest sion on the disputed waters during the Social Weather Stations (SWS) u PAGE A4 survey. The poll, conducted from September 23 to 27, found that 54 percent of Filipino adults, who were aware of the imposition of martial rule in Mindanao, agreed with belonging to ASEAN. After the signing of the con- Duterte’s proposal to Congress to sensus, TUCP is also looking extend martial law until December for the formulation of an action 31 this year. This gave a net agreement score plan in 2018 that would compel ASEAN countries to improve (percent agree minus percent distheir labor and occupational agree) of +24, classified by SWS as safety and health standards for moderately strong. On the other hand, 30 percent migrant workers. Without improved standards of those surveyed disagreed with in the ASEAN, TUCP said there the move to extend martial law in would be no genuine people- Mindanao. The survey showed that net centered economic growth and shared prosperity in the region. ■ agreement with Duterte’s decision
China hiring Filipino teachers, maids
by MAYEN JAYMALIN Philstar.com
MANILA — China is hiring thousands of Filipinos — mostly English teachers and household service workers (HSWs) — as part of an agreement with the Philippines set to be signed at the end of the the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said his Chinese counterpart is set to arrive and sign with him
tomorrow a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the opening of jobs to Filipinos. “I still do not know the number of workers stated in the MOU,” Bello pointed out. But based on an earlier meeting with Chinese officials, Bello said about 100,000 Filipino teachers and 100,000 Filipino HSWs are expected to be hired. Labor officials said China wants to hire Filipino workers because of the latter’s profi-
ciency in English as well as their good work attitude. Meanwhile, the labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) sees better working conditions for Filipino workers with the signing of the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of Migrant Workers. TUCP said the signing is a positive step toward improved labor and occupational safety standards among the 10 nations
to extend martial law was highest in Mindanao at a very strong +41 (64 percent agree, 23 percent disagree), followed by the Visayas at a moderately strong +22 (54 percent agree, 32 percent disagree), Balance Luzon at a moderately strong +18 (49 percent agree, 31 percent disagree), and Metro Manila at a moderately strong +16 (52 percent agree, 36 percent disagree). Support for martial law extension in Mindanao was stronger among class ABC (extremely strong +51), compared to class D (moderately strong +26), and class E (neutral +4). It was stronger among men (very strong +34) compared to women (moderately strong +13), and this support hardly varied across age groups. On May 23, Duterte placed Mindanao under martial law after Islamic State-inspired terrorists
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Trump, Duterte have... PAGE A1 Duterte told reporters at which Trump laughed. In a following press briefing, Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr., seemed to put the question at rest when he said, “The issue of human rights did not arise. It was not brought up.” “There was no mention of human rights. There was no mention of extralegal killings. There was only a rather lengthy discussion of the Philippine war on drugs with President Duterte doing most of the explaining.,” said Roque. He also said that Trump “seemed to be appreciative of his efforts.” However, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders made a contradicting statement and said that the issue of human rights did come up, though rather fleetingly, in addition to talks of fair trade, the war on drugs, and terrorism. “Human rights briefly came up in the context of the Philippines’ fight against illegal drugs,” said
Sanders. In a following joint statement released late Monday, the topic was included. “The two sides underscored that human rights and the dignity of human life are essential, and agreed to continue mainstreaming the human rights agenda in their national programs to promote the welfare of all sectors, including the most vulnerable groups,” reads the statement. In a separate reference, the statement said, “The two sides discussed the ongoing campaign in the Philippines against criminality including illegal drugs. Both sides acknowledged that illegal drug use is a problem afflicting both countries and committed to share best practices in the areas of prevention; enforcement, including capacity-building and transparency in investigations; and rehabilitation.” Since taking office in June of last year, Duterte has been condemned by international leaders
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From the Front Page and human rights groups for his war on drugs that has left thousands dead. Last week, Duterte said on Wednesday, November 8, that he was ready to Trump to “lay off” if the latter was to bring up the issue of human rights during their upcoming meeting — Trump has never publically raised the subject before, despite urges by human rights advocates for him to do so. Despite his warning to avoid the subject, the relationship between the two seemed rather cordial on the days leading up to their awaited bilateral meeting. The camaraderie continued up until the ASEAN summit where Duterte sang Tagalog song “Ikaw” (You) in a duet with Philippine singer Pilita Corrales. He later told ABS-CBN new that he sang the song uninvited “upon the order of the commander-in-chief of the United States.” Also present at the summit were leaders of the 10-member ASEAN. China, Russia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand were also present. n
ASEAN LEADERS’S SPOUSES. President Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña hosted the Association of the South East Asian Nations Summit’s Spouses Program. Avanceña treated the first ladies of ASEAN state-member leaders. Among those who attended the program are as follows Singapore Prime Minister’s wife Ho Ching, Malaysian Prime Minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor, Thailand Prime Minister’s wife Naraporn Chan-ocha, Indonesian President’s wife Iriana Joko Widodo and South Korean President’s wife Kim Jung-sook. Photo courtesy of Malaysian Embassy to the Philippines
Duterte considers Trudeau’s...
PAGE A1 Aside from the issue of human rights, Duterte also told reporters in a press conference after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit that China had agreed to bind itself to a Code of Conduct still being negotiated by senior ministers of the parties to the dispute. The president also reported that the leaders of Southeast Asian nations and other global players had expressed concern over the looming threat of terrorism in the region. Duterte said that he treated Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s expression of his country’s concern over the human rights situation in the Philippines as a “personal and official insult” because foreigners were unaware of the situation on the ground. [I]t is a personal and official insult. That is why you hear me chewing down curses, epithets, nagmumura (cursing), bullshit and everything because it angers me when you are a foreigner you do not know what is happening in this country,” he said in the wideranging media briefing. The Philippine leader stressed that he would answer only to the Filipino people over the supposed extralegal killings marring his
anti-drugs campaign. “I was elected by the people of the Republic of the Philippines. I only answer to the people of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said, adding that he would explain to a farmer or a fisherman but not to a foreigner. He called on his foreign critics to investigate first what was happening in the country and don’t just rely on records and figures from the political opposition and communists whom he accused of producing “falsified” information. “You don’t even investigate. You only show before the United Nations a record of how many persons died you claim to be extra-judicially. I said you can investigate. Look, guys, what I am really asking, ‘Why don’t you investigate first and find out the truth. Whatever happened why are you not giving us in government the simple rule of the right of the heard,’” the tough-talking Duterte said. The president conceded that they may be illegal killings in his drug war, but he insisted that he ordered the suspension and apprehension of the cops involved just like in the killings of teenagers in Caloocan City. The president also bared the jitters that regional leaders felt dur-
ing the summit following a deadly and costly siege of Marawi City by Islamic State group-inspired militants. Duterte said that the leaders had agreed to work together and strengthen their defense against these threats. “Everybody is scared with the new vogue of dying just suddenly in the explosion of whatever. We vowed to work closely. We discussed it in the confidential meetings,” he said. He also mentioned that the world leaders congratulated him over the country’s successful reclaiming of Marawi and the “heroism” of the soldiers and policemen who led the fight. The president also told reporters that the leaders were also cognizant of the losses the Philippines suffered in the fight, where more than 1,000 people were killed most of whom combatants. Aside from deaths, most of the lakeside town’s center was left in ruins due to the incessant ground and air assaults during the battle. “We have been stretched thin by the events,” he said, adding that the ASEAN summit would be the last major event for the country as the government should focus on the rehabilitation efforts in Marawi which were estimated to cost Manila at least P50 billion. n
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A NOVEMBER 15-17, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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UK paper on ASEAN handshake Melania Trump no show in Manila photo: ‘Hand in hand with a killer’ by Jefferson
AntipordA ManilaTimes.net
by JhoAnnA
BAllArAn Inquirer.net
Japan, the first stop of the U.S. president’s five-nation tour in Asia. She was also in South KoU.S. First Lady Melania Trump rea and in China, where the U.S. did not join the wives of world President had a two-day state leaders who are in Manila to at- visit on the invitation of Chinese tend the Association of South- President Xi Jinping. From China, Trump travelled east Asian Nations (ASEAN) to Vietnam to attend Asia-Pacific Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump Economic Cooperation summit, was alone when he arrived in Ma- but the first lady stayed in China nila on Sunday, Nov. 12 aboard to see the Great Wall and the Beijing Zoo. Air Force One. In his tweet before going to “She did not travel to the Philippines,” a U.S. official said. He Danang, Vietnam, the U.S. president said his wife headed back did not provide further details. Trump stayed in the country to the U.S., specifically to Alaska, until Tuesday, Nov. 14, to attend “to greet out AMAZING troops.” President Rodrigo Duterte’s several meetings with his counterparts in the region including partner Honeylet Avanceña led the social events organized for the East Asia Summit. Melania joined her husband in spouses during in the sidelines
A BRITISH online newspaper published on Tuesday, Nov. 14, a banner photo of United States President Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) traditional handshake with the headline, “Hand in hand with a killer.” “The Independent,” one of the most-read online news websites in the United Kingdom, published the photo on its front page with the caption: “Donald Trump hailed his ‘great relationship’ with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.” The photo was taken on Monday, Nov. 13, during the first day of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held in Manila. The paper, however, did not name who is the “killer” it is referring to, or elaborate on the by nestor CorrAles words they used in the headline Inquirer.net for the main photo. Duterte, in different event, adUNITED Nations (UN) SecrePAGE A5 tary General António Guterres rallied regional leaders on the need for effective law enforceall these might be part of Beijing’s ment and the respect for human consolidation of its gains in the rights in the war against drugs past years. and terrorism. He also disclosed that China had Guterres made the call durbeen continuing with its construc- ing the Association of Southeast tion activities and its deployment Asian Nations-UN (ASEAN-UN) of surface ships in the contested Summit on Monday, Nov. 13 waters. “The United Nations stands Xi gave Duterte the assurance ready to provide technical supthat his goals for China would in- port to Asean and its member clude the peaceful resolution of countries in their efforts to coundisputes in the region. ter terrorism and violent extremThe Chinese leader stressed that ism, and to combat transnational they are pursuing bilateral rela- crime, including drug trafficking tions with every single claimant and people trafficking, through country to settle the dispute, ac- policies designed to protect cording to Roque. their citizens with effective law “The Chinese president also said enforcement and respect for huthat the relationship with ASEAN man rights,” Guterres said. is at its best and credit was given by the Chinese president to the leadership of President Duterte,” the Cabinet official said. Following the ASEAN-China PAGE A1 Summit in Manila, Beijing an- prosperous, in control of their nounced that they will officially destinies and satellites to no commence negotiations on the one. These are our vision: a free Code of Conduct in the South Chi- and open Indo-Pacific.” na Sea. Duterte led ASEAN leaders in “While the situation is calmer their dialogue with Trump, benow, we cannot take the current ing chairman of Asean on the progress for granted... It is in our regional bloc’s 50th annivercollective interest to avoid miscal- sary. culations that could lead to escalaDuterte said the “presence tion of tensions,” the ASEAN said of the President of the United in a common statement. n States augurs well for the continuity and the future of Asean and for regional peace and stability at large.” Trump said that for 50 years, ASEAN “has put together a vital assembly of nations to build consensus on critical issues facing
of the regional meet. On Monday, Nov. 13, she accompanied the spouses including Rosmah Mansor of Malaysia, Ho Ching of Singapore and Naraporn Chan-o-cha of Thailand among others to the “Asean at 50: Power as Flow” exhibit commissioned by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The exhibit showcased artifacts, images, and texts featuring the history of the Southeast Asian people who, for the past years, have excelled in trade, art, and culture. Avancena also gave boxes of world-renowned chocolate produced in Malagos, Davao City as her personal token to the spouses of the leaders. n
UN chief cites need for human rights, law enforcement in fight vs drugs
The front page of the British online newspaper “The Independent.”
China assures Philippines...
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their bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam. Roque confirmed that the two leaders discussed the issue of militarization in the disputed South China Sea. “China responded by assuring that they are not ready to go to war with anyone and the Philippine president also clarified that it is not to the Philippine interest to resort to the use of force as well,” Roque said in a press briefing. The Chinese leader also assured Duterte that they will not block the freedom of navigation and overflight in the international waterway. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, on the other hand, raised the South China Sea issue during the ASEAN-US Summit in Manila, which US President Donald Trump attended. “ASEAN reiterated that it would want a peaceful solution to the West Philippine Sea issue, that they would want a code of conduct to be concluded at the latest,” Roque said. Roque, however, noted that
Duterte was only compelled to bring up the South China Sea issue in his meeting with Xi due to his role as ASEAN chair this year. “He (Duterte) wanted to address the apprehensions of many nations particularly regarding right of navigation in the Indo Pacific region,” Roque said. Before the summit, Duterte said that he would have to raise regional concerns over China strengthening its hold over the disputed sea. “It is not wrong for me to tell China that you have already placed heavy artillery there. It [makes] us worried and wary because we are also using the passage,” he said last week. Also last week, Gregory Polling, a fellow of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said that China may be eyeing the deployment of aircraft and missiles in artificially-constructed islands in the disputed sea. “They didn’t build these hangars, so they can stand empty forever. Obviously, they are going to use them,” Polling said on the sidelines of the “ASEAN Leadership Amid a New World Order” forum in Makati City, noting that
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the region and the world.” The U.S. is thus committed to ASEAN’s central role as a regional forum for total cooperation, he said. “You have created a forum for all nations with a stake in the Indo-Pacific to listen, learn, and develop solutions to come and challenge through strategic dialogue,” Trump said. Bilateral meet Duterte also met Trump during a 40-minute bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the Asean summit, where Trump reaffirmed the “great relationship” between the U.S. and the Philippines. “We’ve had a great relationship. This has been very suc-
US pledges support vs terrorism...
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President Rodrigo Duterte was supposed to be present on the meeting but conflict of schedule prevented him from attending. The UN has earned the ire of Duterte for interfering in the administration’s war on drugs and condemning the spate of killings in the country.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during the 9th Asean UN Summit on the sideline of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila on November 13. Inquirer.net photo
PAGE A1 pledged to continue discussions for the rebuilding of Marawi,” the joint statement said. Trump also vowed to support the rehabilitation of the war-ravaged city whose downtown area has been reduced to ruins and rubble and whose residents were forced to flee the fighting that began on May 23 and lasted until October. “President Trump expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of life in Marawi City at the hands of ISIS-affiliated terrorists, and congratulated the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its success in liberating Marawi,” it said. The siege of Marawi exposed loopholes in the Philippine military’s capability to address terror threats especially in the light of the possibility that some IS fighters in the Middle East would return to their home countries in Southeast Asia as the group backpedalled in the region. The war was so destructive
that Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana estimated that at least P50 billion would be needed to rehabilitate and rebuild the capital of Lanao del Sur province. Mutual Defense Treaty reaffirmed Washington and Manila also reaffirmed their commitment to their Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 as reinforced by the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement during their leaders’ bilateral meeting. The two sides also discussed efforts of the US to help in the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, one of the weakest militaries in the region, develop capacity and capability for maritime security and domain awareness and provide humanitarian assistance. “They also reaffirmed their commitment to continue defense cooperation, including by reinforcing respective national defense capabilities and interoperability and enhancing joint activities, disaster response, and
Guterres said he was “heartened by the recent liberation of Marawi from ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).” “Continued trilateral cooperation between the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia will strengthen regional peace and security,” he said. Guterres also brought up his “deep concern” with the plight of Rohingya refugees. “It is a worrying escalation in a protracted tragedy and a potential source of instability in the region, and radicalization,” he said. “Since the beginning of the crisis, and beyond the end of violence, I have called for unhindered humanitarian access to affected communities; and the right to safe, voluntary and dignified return of those who fled, to their places of origin,” he added. n cessful,” Trump told Duterte, who congratulated the Filipino leader for “beautifully” handling the ASEAN summit. The American leader also expressed his appreciation for the Philippine government’s “great treatment” of Asean leaders and dialogue partners who graced the event. “I really enjoyed being here. The weather is always good. Today it’s pretty good. But one thing about the Philippines, eventually it gets good no matter what. But we very much appreciate the great treatment you have given us,” Trump said. It was Trump’s first visit to the Philippines as president. (Bernadette E. Tamayo/ManilaTimes. net) cyber-security,” the document stated. During their meeting, Trump and President Rodrigo Duterte praised the enduring alliance of the U.S. and the Philippines which they said was built on a strong foundation of shared values, sacrifices and history, and bolstered by common interests, people-topeople ties and full respect for legal and diplomatic processes. “They pledged to expand cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bilateral alliance—a 70-year partnership that has stood the test of time and ensures both countries’ mutual security and contributes to regional peace, stability, and economic prosperity,” their statement said. Trump is in Manila for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation summit and its related meetings including the East Asia Forum. This is the last leg of his five-nation swing in Asia during which he met the leaders of Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. (Audrey Morallo/Philstar.com)
SWS: Majority of Filipinos back... PAGE A1 stormed into Marawi City to establish a caliphate for Southeast Asian terrorists. The Chief Executive ordered security forces to intensify offensives to wipe out the Islamist fighters and avert the possible spread of hostile acts to other areas of the country. Martial law in Mindanao may not be lifted immediately even after Duterte himself declared on October 17 the liberation of Marawi City following the death of terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute. The same survey also found that 54 percent agreed while 28 percent disagreed with the Congress vote on July 22 to approve the extension of martial law in Mindanao until the end of this year. This gives a net agreement score of moderately strong +25. The poll, posted on the SWS website on Friday, November 10, was conducted through face-toface interviews with 1,500 adults nationwide, 600 in Balance Luzon
Police officers check evacuees from Marawi at a checkpoint by the entrance of Iligan City in Mindanao. In a recent poll by Social Weather Stations (SWS), results showed that more than half of Filipinos support the extension of martial law in Mindanao. Inquirer.net photo
and 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao. It has sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages, ±4 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±6 percent each for the other areas. In a press conference in Vietnam on Saturday, Nov. 11, Palace spokesman Harry Roque welcomed the public’s affirmative response to the president’s decision to extend the declaration martial law in Mindanao. “Well we’re certainly thankful that the majority of the Filipino people have shown support for the declaration of martial law.
Note that although only 50 plus (percent) responded that they supported the declaration of martial law, the undecided is still in two figures. So it could be that the number of individuals supporting could still increase,” Roque told reporters. “But we stressed that the declaration of martial was necessary to deal with the actual terrorism in Marawi. It was not just a threat. It resulted in actual fighting and it lasted more than 50 days so we feel that the declaration was very much just justified and we appreciate the support of the people for such declaration,” he added. n
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PH, Russia ink 9 deals in ‘new era of partnership’ by LLanesca
Panti ManilaTimes.net
ment on Cooperation between the Commission on Audit of the ReThe Philippines signed nine public of the Philippines and the deals with Russia involving extra- Accounts Chamber of the Rusdition, transportation and nuclear sian Federation and Agreement energy, among others, during of Cooperation and Partnership President Rodrigo Duterte’s bilat- between Philippine company Vi eral meeting with Russian Prime holding LLC and Russian comMinister Dmitry Medvedev Mon- pany Global Ferronickel holdings day, Nov. 13. Inc. The nine agreements were: Medvedev noted that the relaTreaty on Mutual Legal Assis- tions between Manila and Mostance in Criminal Matters; Treaty cow have reached new heights on extradition; a Memorandum under the Duterte administration. of Understanding on Coopera“Indeed, to host such event is a tion between the Department difficult work and I know that toof energy and the State Atomic day you’ve had lots of meetings, energy Corp. of the Russian Fed- meetings with heads of states eration; Memorandum of Under- and delegations. Definitely, it’s standing on Cooperation in the difficult to find time. But the fact Field of Mass Communication; that we’re meeting with you quite Memorandum of Understanding late at night points to a new level on the Development of Coop- of our partnership or relations,” eration in Transport education; Medvedev said through an interMemorandum of Understand- preter. ing between the Commission on The bilateral meeting between higher education of the Republic Manila and Moscow began at of the Philippines and the Ministry 10:46 p.m and ended at 11:30 of education and Science of the p.m. Members of the Russian delRussian Federation; Memoran- egation were the first to arrive at dum of Understanding between the Coconut Palace for the meetthe Intellectual Property Office of ing. the Philippines and the Federal President Duterte followed, acService for Intellectual Property companied by Justice Secretary of the Russian Federation; Agree- Vitaliano Aguirre II, Transporta-
tion Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Palace Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, among others. Duterte’s one-on-one meeting with Medvedev was initially scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m., but Duterte had a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump that extended beyond an hour. “Definitely, we are ready to expand our political, economic, cultural ties, as well as our cooperation in fighting terrorism through arms supply. We’ll be of assistance in the fight against terrorism and bringing or restoring law and order. This is a new chapter in our relationship, and no doubt we will keep standing by your side,” Medvedev added. Duterte thanked Medvedev for Russia’s willingness to assist the Philippines. “We have improved our friendship, and we plan to expand trade ties with your country. We are happy that we can find a new market in the eurasian front,” Duterte said. “We would only want a small opening so we can do business with the other countries,” Duterte added. n
Pres. Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Monday, Nov. 13.
Malacañang photo
UK paper on ASEAN handshake... PAGE A4 mitted stabbing to death a person when he was a teenager after he was involved in a brawl. Trump reaffirmed on Monday the United States’ “great relations” with Duterte during their bilateral meeting and assured the Filipino leader that he has always been a friend administration. Duterte was friendly with Trump, contrary to how he spoke
of former President Barack Obama. For several times, Duterte slammed the former American leader for interfering in the Philippines’ domestic affairs, particularly on the issue of human-rights violations linked to the government’s murderous campaign against drugs. Presidential Spokesperson harry Roque said Trump and Duterte got along well because
they share the common “feeling” against Obama. “It’s very apparent that both of them have a person who they consider not their best friend. They have similar feelings towards former US President Barack Obama,” Roque said. Trump is in Manila for the twoday Asean Summit, his first visit to the Philippines as the United States president. n
ALL SMILES. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern poses for a photo with performers upon her arrival at the Clark International Airport on Sunday, November 12 in Pampanga to attend the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
TRO on contraceptives now lifted – DOH by sheiLa
crisostomo Philstar.com
MANILA — The temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court (SC) on contraceptives more than two years ago is now lifted, the Department of health (DOh) said. The TRO was automatically lifted when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory declaring all of the 51 contraceptive products as “nonabortifacient,” according to health Undersecretary for health Regulation Mario Villaverde. “In my understanding, since the FDA had already issued an advisory, the TRO is lifted. There’s nothing wrong if FDA furnishes the (SC) with a copy but the lifting is automatic,” he noted in an ambush interview. Villaverde had earlier reiterated the assurance that the DOh is well prepared for the full implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive health (RPRh) law now that the TRO is gone. In issuing the TRO in June 2015, the SC directed the FDA to stop renewing the certificate of product registration (CPR) of all contraceptive products. On the other hand, the DOh was prohibited from including subdermal implants, which can stop pregnancy for three years, in its family planning program. Release of implants
For former health secretary and current RPRh law national implementation team head esperanza Cabral, priority now should be the distribution of the subdermal implants being kept at the warehouse of the DOh. “The first thing that the team will do is to recommend to the DOh the release of the implants that have been held by the TRO for the last two years so they can be used by women who need them,” she added. She estimated that some 250,000 implants are now in the DOh storage. These contraceptives are the subjects of a petition filed by pro-life group Alliance for Family Foundation Philippines Inc., prompting the high tribunal to issue the TRO. Cabral said in a separate interview that the DOh will also have to procure contraceptives “that they have not been able to procure because of the TRO.” She added that the DOh’s supply of Progestin-only pill is now “zero” while the supply of injectale contraceptives is running out. No need for SC order There is no need for an order from the SC allowing the distribution of the 51 contraceptive implants cleared by the FDA as it was already implied in its final decision on the case issued earlier this year. SC spokesman Theodore Te has repeatedly explained that the
TRO issued by the high court on the distribution by the DOh of two contracpetives, Implanon and Implanon NXT, is automatically lifted upon issuance of new certification by the FDA. Implanon and Implanon NXT are thin rods inserted under the skin, which release hormones that prevent pregnancy for up to three years. he cited the final and executory ruling of the Second Division of the high court that voided the certifications issued by the agency on Implanon and Implanon NXT and included a TRO on the distribution of such contraceptives. The SC denied the appeal of the DOh seeking to proceed with the distribution of the contraceptives and gave the FDA 60 days to decide on whether these implants are abortifacient or can cause abortion and re-issue the certification in its final ruling last April. It issued the entry of judgment last September. Te also reiterated that the SC ruling “involves a TRO over two implants only and not all contraceptives and not over the entire Rh Law.” In its 2015 ruling, the SC struck down the certifications and recertifications issued by the FDA on 77 contraceptive drugs and devices, including Implanon and Implanon NXT, for violation of constitutional requirement of due
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A6 NOVEMBER 15-17, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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OPINION
ASEAN cooperation
FEATURES
THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is reportedly set to issue a statement of concern over militarization in the South China Sea. The statement, in case it is issued, is unlikely to change the status quo in the disputed waters or stop any military buildup that is certain to affect freedom of navigation and overflight in the area. For many years now, ASEAN has been trying to hammer out a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea with Beijing, which claims nearly all of the sea. The initiative is moving at glacial pace. Divided, ASEAN has failed to stop China from creating artificial islands with military facilities in disputed waters. The Philippines, winner of an international arbitration case that invalidated China’s entire claim over the South China Sea, might yet turn out to be the loser for lack of interest in asserting its sovereign rights. Little progress is expected in this area at the ongoing ASEAN summit. The 10-member grouping has better chances of moving together in the same direction in other areas. These include addressing climate change and cooperating to stop the spread of terrorism, the drug menace, human trafficking, piracy and other transnational crimes. Southeast Asia is home to the opium-producing region known as the Golden Triangle, one of the two largest in the world. Weak law enforcement
Editorial
and corruption have also allowed producers and traffickers of other narcotics as well as synthetic drugs such as shabu to thrive. Closer ASEAN cooperation is needed to
win this war. Terrorism influenced by the Islamic State is another threat that could engulf the region. The ISinspired Mautes and Abu Sayyaf terrorists were neutralized and flushed out of Marawi, but only after five months and the loss of over a thousand lives. IS fighters, killed or booted out of their former strongholds in Iraq and Syria, reportedly continue to aspire to set up a new base in Southeast Asia. Concerted ASEAN action can best thwart such plans. ASEAN can look back to the past 50 years as a generally peaceful period that allowed its members to develop and prosper and become one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Southeast Asia now faces new threats, which are best addressed if the grouping can act as one in implementing decisive and timely responses. (Philstar.com)
ManilaTimes.net photo
Filipino first responders, nurses, and volunteers honored as heroes in the wake of the Last Vegas massacre
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS IT has been a little over a month since Stephen Paddock opened fire on the night of the Route 91 Country Music Festival in the Las Vegas Strip last October 1. The lone gunman killed 58 innocent people and injured more than 500. The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America’s” Nevada correspondent Bev Llorente, supported by California Correspondent Rommel Conclara, covered the news, especially because Las Vegas is home to many Filipinos. But the story did not end there.
Casting a bright light on otherwise dark, hopeless and painful moments during the wake of the tragedy was the compassionate spirit of Filipino-American first responders, nurses, and volunteers who went above and beyond their call of duty to save lives, and to comfort those who have been victims of this horrific killing in Las Vegas. This is the story “Balitang America” wanted to share, and I was privileged to be part of that night of November 5, when these kababayans where honored by fellow kababayans for their heroism. As Bev Llorente reported,
“Shared humanity came into focus when both Fil-Am and nonFil-Am first responders came together for a night of healing and appreciation for the tireless work these men and women have done on the night of One October.” I saw nurses, firemen, police and paramedics, each telling their stories about that fateful night. I saw many of them teary eyed, not only because of the memory of that horrific tragedy, but because on that night of November 5, a reception was held to honor them, and give them the recognition they so rightfully earned.
Each one of them were called and given their certificates by my good friend Dr. Noel Fajardo of Las Vegas Gastroenterology who sponsored and hosted the event, along with another good friend, Consul General of Los Angeles Adel Cruz. “After the tragedy, I wanted everyone to feel that we are part of the Las Vegas community, and the Filipino-American community is part of that community, and vice versa…That we are here, we are here to stay, and that we are all Vegas strong,” Dr. Noel Fajardo said. Consul General Adel Cruz beautifully described the spirit
of the moment, “Itong gabing ito ay para sa mga first responders. They were there at that time when people needed them the most. They sacrificed their own time…Our Filipino “bayanihan’ spirit was replicated and showcased tremendously and that made us all proud.” These simple men and women were not expecting this recognition in a five-star hotel in Las Vegas. They just did what they had to do. It was what they were sworn to do. “It gives us inspiration to do more because it is our job to help out. But sometimes, when you actually get recognized, it
inspires you,” said Fil-Am first responder Warren Mangio, Bev Llorente said that in covering this event since the tragedy happened on October 1, she saw that first hand in these first responder — the strength and resilience that united the Filipino-American community in Las Vegas. MARAMING SALAMAT PO! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin: The new triumvirate Opinion
YEN MAKABENTA IT would have been a photojournalist’s dream photo opportunity, posing the world’s three most powerful leaders—President Xi Jinping of China, President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Donald Trump of the United States—for a major photograph that would rival the triumvirate photos in World War II, which helped seal the fate of Adolf Hitler. Bringing Xi, Putin and Trump together would have vividly captured a rare moment in contemporary history when all three leaders were in the same place at the sametime and looking pleased to be together. But the vision was not to be. Xi opted to have China represented by Premier Li Keqiang in the Asean and East Asia summits in the Philippines. Putin tapped Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to represent Russia in the historic meetings. Only Trump could make the trip to Manila himself. Actually, the three leaders already had their chance for a three-way photograph. In Danang, Vietnam, they all attended the Senior Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. But no one thought of buttonholing them for a photograph for history. Such a photograph would have been many times more valuable journalistically than the awkward souvenir photos where the
leaders strain to link arms in an obligatory show of solidarity. A photograph of the trio would have deserved a resonant caption, “the power of three.” Three has a long and honored place in rhetoric and literature as in, “Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered)”, and “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Did Putin squeeze NKorea? Putin is much missed in Manila because in a way, he may have set the stage for the success of the summits in Vietnam and the Philippines. According to the Daily Star in London, in a story which it headlined “Putin puts nail in North Korea’s coffin with shock move,” the Russian leader signed a decree that will cut vital supplies from entering North Korea. He put pen to paper when a North Korean delegation touched down in St. Petersburg to attend the Inter-Parliamentary Union assembly. Said the Star: “It effectively means Russia will cease to offer tech to Kim’s regime that can be used to develop nuclear and ballistic missiles. “All vessels linked to the secretive regime’s nuclear program will be turned away from all Russian ports.” Had Putin come to Manila, he would have been the cynosure of all eyes. Asia-Pacific leaders would have pressed him for confirmation and elaboration on the report. Was this decision on North Korea the reason Trump was extra nice to Putin in Vietnam? Trump had tried to have it both ways on the issue of Russian interference in last year’s presidential race, saying he be-
lieved both the U.S. intelligence agencies when they say Russia meddled in the election and in Putin’s sincerity in claiming that his country did not. “I believe that he feels that he and Russia did not meddle in the election,” Trump said Sunday in Hanoi. “As to whether I believe it, I’m with our agencies,” Trump said. “As currently led by fine people, I believe very much in our intelligence agencies.” Yet, just a day earlier, he had lashed out at the former heads of the U.S. intelligence agencies, dismissing them as “political hacks” and claiming there were plenty of reasons to be suspicious of their findings that Russia meddled to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton last year. Former CIA director John Brennan, appearing Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” said Trump was deriding them in an attempt to “delegitimize” the intelligence community’s assessment. “I think Mr. Putin is very clever in terms of playing to Mr. Trump’s interest in being flattered. And also I think Mr. Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr. Putin, afraid of what he could do or what might come out as a result of these investigations,” Brennan said. Brennan said Trump’s ambiguity on Russia’s involvement was “very, very worrisome from a national security standpoint.” “I think he’s giving Putin a pass and I think it demonstrates to Putin that Donald Trump can be played by foreign leaders who are going to appeal to his ego and play upon his insecurities,” he said. Whatever the explanations of U.S. intelligence officials, there
will be little to cavil about if it’s true that Putin has moved to put the squeeze on Pyongyang. He will be a major player in resolving the North Korea crisis, just as Russia was decisive in resolving the crisis in Syria. China is biggest economy Xi’s presence in Manila would also have been very significant. It would be the first time that he would be visiting the country after his triumphant confirmation as China’s leader by the Communist Party Congress last month. During Trump’s Asian tour, U.S. media and analysts are reporting for the first time that Trump acknowledges that China is now the biggest economy on the planet. There are no more qualifications about how America has been cheated due to unfair trade practices. China is just No. 1 now on the economic scale. America has the edge in the military sphere. It is, as I explained in my previous column, the only superpower in the world today; the others are only second in rank, military-wise. The world is steadily moving away from a unipolar world order, towards a new multipolar system. From America first to America excluded Trump began his Asia tour with the confident declaration, “America First.” Now, as he winds up his tour today and flies home to the U.S., his fellow summiteers in Vietnam and the Philippines are putting the finishing touches on a new free trade pact, featuring 16 nations, that will exclude America. President Donald Trump’s sweeping plan to restore American primacy by replacing “unfair”
President Xi Jinping of China, President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Donald Trump of the United States
multilateral trade agreements with a series of bilateral deals is meeting a grim reality: foreign trading partners are not taking the bait. From Japan to South Korea to China to Vietnam, the president extended his offer to partner with the United States on a “fair and equal basis” outside of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the multi-nation accord that Trump withdrew from on his first full day in office. “I will make bilateral trade agreements with any Indo-Pacific nation that wants to be our partner and that will abide by the principles of fair and reciprocal trade,” Trump said in Vietnam. But in every country Trump viasited, none of the leaders entered trade negotiations or offered significant concessions to the former real estate magnate and Art of the Deal author. In Tokyo, no sooner did Trump’s plane leave the tarmac than the finance minister declared that “We won’t do an FTA.” In Beijing, even the president’s own top diplomat conceded that
the talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping achieved little. “Quite frankly, in the grand scheme of a $300- to $500-billion trade deficit, the things that have been achieved thus far are pretty small,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told journalists. In Vietnam, the remaining signatories of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a group known as the TPP-11, moved closer to completing a comprehensive free trade agreement without the United States. “The Trump administration’s plan of substituting bilateral FTAs for the multilateral TPP is going nowhere fast,” said Bonnie Glaser, an Asia scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Ironically, Trump’s “America First” vision is floundering in the country where the “great again” political slogan was invented and first used successfully. In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos ran successfully for the Philippine presidency with the slogan, “This nation can be great again.” (ManilaTimes.net)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 15-17, 2017
EU chief: Developing ties based on human rights still a priority by Ian
nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com
MANILA — Deepening ties based on respect for human rights and the rule of law remains a “priority” of Europe, the bloc’s president told leaders of Southeast Asian nations on Tuesday, Nov. 14 amid strong calls to address regional rights concerns. “We remain committed to a strong and cohesive [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] developing in its own character, in the best interest of regional prosperity, stability and security,” European Council President Donald Tusk said at the 40th ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit. “Further enhancing our relations based on common interests and shared values of democracy, human rights, and rule of law is a priority for the EU,” Tusk added. “The potential for greater engagement is enormous. From trade to climate, from maritime security to counter-terrorism. Together, we can make our two regions stronger.” In October, a working group representing the ASEAN and the
EU met to revive plans for having a free trade agreement between the two economic blocs. If settled, an FTA with ASEAN would allow the EU to link with the world’s seventh biggest market. In 2009, the first EU-ASEAN trade talks were stopped as both sides encountered complexities in establishing common standards and resolving wealth disparities. Rights issues a hindrance to free trade pact Questions over rights record of many ASEAN economies had also become a challenge in forging an FTA given EU’s requirement to consider human rights in its trade policies. “Many of our interests coincide and still many of the challenges we face,” Tusk said. “Forty years on, I am personally very glad we have the ASEANEU ready and available as a bridge between Asia and Europe in troubling times,” he added. Among the human rights issues recently hounding ASEAN were the Philippines’ bloody “war on drugs,” the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, the crack-
down on dissenters in Vietnam and Cambodia, and junta rule in Thailand. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who presided over Tuesday’s ASEAN-EU meet, had repeatedly berated EU for raising alarm over reported extralegal killings in his brutal anti-drug campaign. ASEAN as a whole represents the EU’s third largest trading partner outside the bloc with more than €246 billion of trade in goods and services in 2014. Meanwhile, the EU is ASEAN’s second-largest trading partner after China, accounting for around 13 percent of ASEAN trade. Foreign direct investments from the EU rose 46 percent to $30.5 billion, while those from China went up 44 percent to $9.2 billion, data from the latest ASEAN Investment Report show. The report said significant FDIs from the Netherlands, Ireland, Luxembourg, Denmark, Spain and France pushed up investment in ASEAN from the EU economies. n
Pacquiao ‘threatens’ Asia’s richest man in short film “find” Alibaba chairman Jack Ma warned Ma in the closing credits of the short film “Gongshoudao”. to fight him — sort of. “You’re lucky that you hadn’t Pacquiao was one of the three big names who showed up and met me,” Pacquiao said. “Be careful sometime, I find you...somewhere.” The other fighters featured were middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin and action star Jason Statham. “Guangshoudao” is a 20-minute short film starring Ma and martial arts legend turned Hollywood star Jet Li. It centers around the use of martial arts as a form of defense. The Chinese business magnate, who in real life is practicing Tai Chi, was in the country weeks ago Alibaba chairman Jack Ma and Manny Pacquiao Philstar.com photo to deliver a lecture. (Philstar.com)
MANILA — What if the “Fighter of the Decade” goes up against the richest man in Asia in a fight? Manny Pacquiao vowed to
TRO on contraceptives now... PAGE A5 process. Tough time at Senate Meanwhile, the DOH and the FDA could be in for a tough time at the Senate when their 2018 budgets are taken up in the plenary in
the next two days as a result of the clearance given to 51 contraceptives tagged as abortifacients by critics of the RPRH law. Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III noted that the Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines Inc., which filed the petition before
the SC, is well aware of which contraceptive products could induce abortions and which do not. With the go signal given by the FDA on the 51 contraceptives, including Implanon and Implanon NXT, Sotto said it is now the agency’s responsibility to address whatever negative impacts their decision would have on the public. n
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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY OURNAL
B1
Think tank bucks foreign tourist tax
by REICELENE JOY IGNACIO ManilaTimes.net
LEVYING taxes on foreign visitors will make the Philippines — already lagging behind its neighbors in terms of tourism — less competitive, a stateowned think tank said. “The proposed tax may dampen the country’s tourism industry and consequently derail all efforts of the government in promoting the country as a premier tourist destination. The possibility of government not attaining its projected tourist arrivals until 2022 is likewise not farfetched,” the National Tax Research Center (NTRC) said in a report. The NTRC noted that lawmakers were looking at new fees to be levied tourists as a means of raising revenues to fund infrastructure projects and compensate for possible dam-
age to the environment. One possible way of raising revenues from tourists would be through an “accommodation tax” similar to that imposed in Europe. “The tax may be imposed on foreign visitors at a rate of say P1,000 or P1,500 per person. The proposal would give the government an average revenue ranging from P9.4-billion to P14.2-billion,” the NTRC said. Another is a tax to be included in airline tickets. “A foreign tourist tax of P1,620 may be charged to airline tickets, which is equivalent to the travel tax paid by Filipinos when traveling abroad. For the succeeding five years, around P15.3-billion annually is expected to be raised by the government from this source,” the NTRC said.
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Connectivity crucial for MSME growth
by PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY ManilaTimes.net
ENSURING connectivity in an economy is a sure way to address poverty and end resulting issues. This was pointed out Sunday, Nov. 12, by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. Concepcion III as he noted the importance of establishing the necessary infrastructure to ensure sustained and inclusive growth. In a briefing for the threeday Asean Business and Investment Summit 2017 that started Sunday afternoon, Concepcion chair noted that 99.6 percent of businesses in the country were micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Given the Philippines’ archipelagic nature, he said there was a need not only for brickand-mortar structures but also
The State Counselor of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, talks with Jose Ma. Concepcion III, chairman of the Asean Business Advisory Council, after giving her speech during the Asean Business and Investment Summit 2017 at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City, November 12 2017. Malacañang pool photo
digital solutions. “We have to give these people a chance to have a better outlook in life, improve their status and standard of living and I believe connectivity is key in achieving that,” he said.
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Razon: Tying democracy to development does not work “If you really look at it, those that have the most advance infrastructure are the ones that are not democratic. The countries with the best infrastructures in the world—they’re dictatorships,” ports and casino tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. said during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2017. Solaire file photo by NICOLAS
CIGARA Philstar.com
DEVELOPMENT should not be linked to how democratic a country is, ports and casino tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. said Monday, Nov. 13, as stressed the need for the Philippines to change the way things are done to catch up with its Southeast Asian peers. “If you really look at it, those that have the most advanced infrastructure are the ones that are not democratic. The countries with the best infrastructures in the world—they’re dictatorships,” Razon said during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2017. “I’m not saying I’m endorsing one or the other but you know this is a fact. Tying democracy to development, I don’t think it re-
ally works. It’s just an opinion,” he added. According to Razon, the Duterte government should focus on developing the country’s dilapidated infrastructure and change the way these projects are being implemented. “My hope is that this administration is able to change the culture of how things get done in this country,” he said. “For us, what’s more important is to achieve and reach the objective. If we focus on things like governance and transparency, we’re still going to not to get what we need to get done,” he added. “My own view is we need to build our infrastructure airports, roads.” When it comes to access to physical infrastructure, the Philippines ranked 5th among
Southeast Asian countries with a score of 0.336, according to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s Asia-Pacific Countries with Special Needs Development Report 2017. The Philippine score was above Indonesia’s 0.278, Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s 0.225, Myanmar’s 0.198, and Cambodia’s 0.186. However, it falls below Thailand’s 0.418, Vietnam’s 0.419, Malaysia’s 0.502, and Singapore’s 0.708. Brunei was not included in the ranking. Meanwhile, Indonesia and the Philippines are the most democratic nations compared to the rest of ASEAN with scores of 6.97 and 6.94, respectively, according to Economist
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Philippine energy sector urged to relax foreign ownership rules by CATHERINE
TALAVERA Philstar.com
THE Philippine energy sector must change its foreign ownership policies to attract more renewable energy investments into the country, according to a global energy group. “The Philippine market is interesting, but there’s some changes that have to be made in terms of the 60 percent (ownership policy), “Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) global ambassador Eddie O’Connor told reporters. Foreign companies that extract natural resources in the country are only allowed to own
40 percent of the business, O’Connor said. “We’re not extracting natural resources, we’re making use of them. It’s not like you’re taking our coal or tin or uranium or something like that,” O’Connor said. He added once foreign investors build renewable energy plants in the Philippines, this would continue to supply electricity for the country, which cannot be transferred out of the country. “When you build a renewable energy plant, that belongs to the Philippines. You can never move that. It’s too big. It’s just here and it will be supplying electricity forever,” the
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B2 NOVEMBER 15-17, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
BUSINESS NEWS
Philippine economy seen sustaining 7% growth by MARY
GRACE Philstar.com
PADIN
THE Department of Finance (DOF) expects a seven percent growth for the economy over the medium term, driven by the government’s massive infrastructure program. In a statement, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the administration is retaining a seven-percent growth target for 2017, on the back of higher investments spurred by the Build Build Build program. He also expressed optimism this growth rate could be sustained over the medium term. “The 6.5 percent growth for the first semester makes the Philippines the second fastest growing economy in Asia after China. We retain the seven percent growth rate target for the year, spurred by the investment spending in the infrastructure program. We believe this growth rate is sustainable well into the medium term,” Dominguez said. According to Dominguez, the Duterte administration’s infrastructure program would be a key driver of economic growth over the next few years. The finance chief said the program is expected to boost investments to seven percent of the projected gross domestic product, higher than the average growth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “These investments seek to bring up our infrastructure to match those of our most progressive neighbors. By modernizing our infrastructure, we will
However, the think tank said that “imposition, as of the moment, may need further study given the negative effect it may pose to the tourism industry and the administrative difficulty in identifying those who travel purely for leisure and/or vacation purposes who are the real target of the proposed tax and those who visit the country for medical treatment, official trip/mission or potential business venture.” “It may be worthy to weigh the potential revenue to be raised from the said tax proposal vis-a-
Expect more ‘big fish’ tax evaders to be brought to court – DOF by BEN
O. DE VERA Inquirer.net
Philstar file photo
address congestion in our ports, airports and roads,” he said. Dominguez said investing in infrastructure leads to the “highest multiplier effect” on the economy, as it creates construction jobs in the short term and manufacturing jobs in the long term. It also improves land prices, enhances agricultural productivity and encourages expansion of industries into the regions. He said the Philippines can no longer postpone infrastructure modernization, as well as human capital development, given the changing economic landscape of the ASEAN region toward regionalization. “The timetable set by the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) means we can no longer postpone modernization of our infra and postpone the training of our young to be functional in a globalized economy. We can no longer have a deficient bureaucracy and substandard governance,” Dominguez said. The Duterte administration is planning to embark on a mas-
sive infrastructure program, which will initially be funded by official development assistance, and later by budgetary outlays and various forms of public-private partnerships. “We are looking to invest over P8.4 trillion in six years in new infrastructure to include better irrigation networks and more farm-to-market roads. We trust the private sector will bring in the investments in agribusiness and manufacturing to make the modern logistics system worthwhile,” Dominguez said. To maintain fiscal discipline while undertaking the infrastructure plan, Dominguez said the government is working on the Congressional approval of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act which would provide a steady revenue stream for its priority programs. He said the TRAIN Act, which contains the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, would bring in an additional P134 billion in revenue in the first year of its implementation. ■
Think tank bucks foreign... PAGE B1 t
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vis its impact on tourist arrivals and their ability to bring about economic benefits to the country in terms of income, employment, and revenue associated therefrom” it added. The Philippines was said to be behind other countries in terms of attracting tourists, ranking 79th out of 136 economies in the 2017 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently urged the government to reconsider plans to raise tourist taxes. “The more tax you put on
the passenger, less prosperity you will bring into the country,” IATA Director General and Chief Executive Officer Alexandre de Juniac said. Short-term budget gains quickly disappear when tourist arrivals drop, he said, adding that the Philippines should instead focus on making wise investments in the tourism infrastructure that will encourage people to visit. “The extra tourist dollars you attract will pay the investments and make a greater economic contribution,” de Juniac said. ■
Search to Involve Pilipino Americans 45th Anniversary Awards and Benefit Dinner
EMBRACE EMPOWER EVOLVE Friday, November 17th at the Sheraton Universal Hotel Cocktail Reception - 6 p.m. Dinner Program - 7 p.m.
JOIN US IN CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PILIPINO COMMUNITY AND IN HONORING OUR AWARDEES: AQUILINA SORIANO VERSOZA BENITO MIRANDA CIRILO PINLAC LEONARDO P. PANDAC, PHD CHEF ISA FABRO MIGUEL SANGALANG JOE SAYAS
EXPECT the Duterte administration to go after more big fish who evade tax payments, as the government is hardpressed to look for more money to be spent on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City, the Department of Finance said Friday, Nov. 10. “Our target are the guys who don’t pay their taxes, whether they’re a corporation or affluent individuals,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said in a statement, adding that they wanted to catch tax evaders that would “yield the most gain for the government.” “Just like Mighty Corp., that’s where we put our effort. Of course, the ones where the yields are higher,” Dominguez said. Early this year, Mighty cigarettes were found bearing fake cigarette tax stamps to evade excise tax payments, such that the government slapped the homegrown manufacturer three tax evasion cases worth a total of nearly P38 billion. The government eventually
decided to settle with Mighty, under which the Bulacanbased company had to sell P46.8 billion in assets to Japan Tobacco International. In all, JTI will pay the government a total of P30 billion—P25 billion for the tax settlement on top of P5 billion in valueadded tax—until April next year. Following the settlement, the Department of Justice last month dismissed the tax evasion cases against Mighty owner Alexander Wongchuking, president Edilberto Adan, executive vice president Oscar Barrientos and treasurer Ernesto Victa. In a recent forum, Finance Undersecretary Gil S. Beltran said that the government was “trying to mobilize more resources for Marawi, and we are looking at tax administration; for instance. we will look for more big fish aside from Mighty.” “In the case of Mighty, it will bring us P4 billion in additional revenues every month,” Beltran noted. But Dominguez clarified that
Inquirer file photo
the government will not necessarily target affluent personalities as well as big companies just because they were rich. “First of all, we have to have good evidence that they are cheating on the tax. It’s not just because you’re rich, we’ll go after you. That’s not fair also,” Dominguez said. “If there’s evidence that you haven’t paid your tax—for instance, we conduct a raid on the company and we see that there are a lot of untaxed goods, of course, we will go after that. So it’s a lot of forensic investigation, forensic accounting, looking at the industry, benchmarking, how come this guy has this percent of the market and pays only so much,” according to Dominguez. ■
Philippine energy sector urged to... PAGE B1 t GWEC global ambassador said. O’Connor said having foreign companies build renewable energy power plants in the country would help the Philippines increase its electricity supply, which remains a big challenge for the country. The Department of Energy (DOE) is targeting to reach total household electrification of the
Philippines by 2022. The DOE earlier announced it is seeking a budget of nearly P1 billion in 2018 to accelerate its electrification projects, in line with the 2022 target. Of the proposed P2.659 billion next year, P895 million will be for its electrification programs, with P271 million allocated to household electrification program in off-grid using renewable
energy, while P624 million will be for nationwide intensification of household electrification. Latest data from the DOE show renewable energy accounts for 32.5 percent of installed power plants in the country, with a capacity of 7,038 megawatts (MW). This is second to coal which comprise of 35 percent of the installed power plants in the country with a capacity of 7,569 MW.■
Razon: Tying democracy to development... PAGE B1 t
Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2016. Both Indonesia and the Philippines were under “flawed democracy.” Meanwhile, no ASEAN member-state made it to the “full democracy” group. Laos came last with a score of 2.37 that was classified by EIU as “authoritarian.” The Sultanate of Brunei was not included in the ranking.
The Duterte administration vowed to usher in what it touts as the golden age of infrastructure, touted as the biggest infrastructure push in Philippine history. The plan is to boost state spending on infrastructure to seven percent of the country’s GDP from five percent at present which would also be a major catalyst for growth. As the Philippines starts building more roads and modernizing
ports, the private sector is still having a hard time finding its role in the current government’s ambitious infrastructure plan, with President Rodrigo Duterte favoring foreign money to fund the big infrastructure push. But unlike its predecessor, the Duterte administration is more welcoming of unsolicited proposals, while criticizing the slow progress of Private-Public Partnership initiatives.■
BUSINESS NEWS
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Whatever happened to ‘happily ever after’
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Continued from last week...) THERE is news of suicide that hits you harder because you personally know the person who took his own life. By all accounts, he has led a good life but unknown to all, was going through overwhelming personal struggles, quietly wallowing in darkness and despair never wanting to cause a ripple and simply gave up. In many cases, those in their immediate family orbit say, they never saw it coming and will be left wondering WHY. Suicide, contrary to the lyrics of a popular song, is never painless. Those left behind who will have to pick up the pieces deal with the heavy pall of gloom and perhaps even guilt, that descends on them for a long time. So how does one deal with the dark night of the soul? I don’t know about you but it seems to me that darkness can only be fought and won decisively by seeking the light. Only light can dispel darkness. Psychotherapy, anti-depressants and all other known scientifically proven ways of dealing with mental illness and the eventual sickness of the soul may be of some help. But as in anything, the first step is to acknowledge and admit the condition as a serious cause for concern and to seek help right away. This is the crucial first step towards healing. And the hardest…… The courage to recognize and admit one needs help may not be enough though. Humility is a key ingredient. The afflicted must reach out to someone he can trust, someone who cares about him and lead him to those that can help. This is when fervent heartfelt prayers, his own and those of others, can assault the heavens for mercy.
“ ...You have changed my mourning into dancing, O Lord, and have girded me with joy, alleluia...” —Psalm 30
(Conclusion of 3 parts) In many cases, the bigger part down to the depths of despair. In my pedestrian view, since of defeating the darkness of the soul lies within one’s self. Seek deep depression is essentially the light every which way pos- a disease that afflicts the mind sible, both physical and spiri- and withers the soul, all physitual. Even the very act of being cal remedies seem to me to exposed to sunlight can fight off fall far short of true healing. the sadness that afflicts many A spiritual illness can only be when the fall and winter seasons cured by spiritual means. Match with their diminished amounts the method to the madness. A leap of faith is a must. God of sunlight come every year. If you have strayed from the is light and only God can dispel Christian faith, COME BACK, the darkness of one’s soul. Withrenew and rekindle that relation- out God, one can do nothing. The promise is clear for many ship with God. He is the vine; we are the branches. Cut off from who have remained steadfast in their faith. Faith is the solid God, we wither and die. In daily life, seek the company and unwavering core belief that of genuinely happy people who Jesus Christ died and rose from have that buoyant tendency to the dead so we may live happily lift others. They have the force ever after far beyond death into of high tide that lifts all boats. eternity. This is the ending really Cheerfulness is the daylight of worth seeking for every life story. Rock solid faith brings a botthe soul. Bask in joy-filled people’s megawatt light until you can tomless well of hope. Faith gives generate your own. It may just be us a deep, down to the marrow, a flicker of hope in the beginning heartfelt and genuine appreciathat grows into a bigger flame tion of God’s unfailing love to see that may become a bonfire blaz- us through and bring us home in ing within one’s soul. Quite pos- His own good and perfect timing. God gave us life as a gift. Our sibly, with the Holy Spirit’s help, that once-ailing soul can become gift to God in return, is to live as a light bright enough to give joyfully as possible the whole enhope to others similarly situated. chilada, the full measure of that Like anyone else, cheerful life until we are called home. What then is the ultimate people do have problems and undergo dark times. But they have weapon against dangerous dewithin their inmost core, a steady pression that afflicts many tospark of God’s light that enables day? It is JOY, the pure and them to tap into a wellspring of simple expression of gratitude joy, no matter what season of for GOD’S ENDURING LOVE. the soul they are going through. *** You must stay away from negative, depressed people. Dark- Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is ness can and will go viral given SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. the chance. They have twice To send comments, e-mail monette. the force of gravity to bring you maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
Seniors need relief from big HELOC 2nd trust deed and $40K credit cards Senior loses job, needs chapter 7 debt relief
THE clients are 63 and 64. They are young seniors. Up to 65, you are a young senior in my book. You can get senior discounts at Golden Corral for a satisfying buffet. Last time I went there, half of the patrons looked like they were over 65. A lot of them looked like they were pushing 75. I know the manager there, Terry. I’ve known him for 30 years. He was the manager at Home Buffet before it closed. That guy is probably the best restaurant manager in LA because his idea of service comes from the heart. In addition, I get free dinners if you bring this article with you! Younger or older, bring the whole family with you to the Golden Corral at the City of Industry. You won’t regret it. Price is cheap and they have a great selection of all kinds of meat. Let’s get back to our young seniors. They own a house that’s currently worth $500,000. All their children have grown up and they are now empty nesters like a lot of us baby boomers. They owe a first mortgage with a balance of $165,000. They also owe a HELOC second mortgage with a balance of $200,000. Yes, the second is bigger than the first. They’ve been reading about getting rid of the second mortgage since five years ago. Unfortunately, it’s now too late to get rid of the second mortgage in Chapter 13 because there is equity supporting the second. Sorry, you can’t avoid the second lien. Maybe five years ago, it was still possible, but now with house values reaching the sky, it’s not possible to strip the junior lien. I did a lien strip last month for a client who lived in Rialto. His house was appraised at $258,000 whereas the balance of his first was $264,000. He had a second of $77,000. We were able to strip the second mortgage of $77,000 in Riverside bankruptcy court, just barely. Citibank called me three days before the hearing date and informed me that they would stipulate to a judgment granting the motion. So that’s done but this client practically won the lottery on this issue. But for most cases now, there is some equity supporting the second mortgage, so it cannot be stripped just like the case of my young senior clients. The husband had a major stroke two years ago but recovered almost completely with no slurred speech, and he walks normally except for a slight limp. He can
Debt Relief
ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG
still drive but can’t work anymore. So the household income has gone down so it’s now hard for them to pay the second which is still on interest only, once it becomes interest and principal at the start of the new year. A lot of people who got an interest-only mortgage are destabilized when the payment converts to interest and principal. In this case, for interest only, they only pay $550. But with interest and principal, they have to pay $1,600. When
just go sell the house first, and then let’s dissolve the $40,000 of credit cards after the sale of the house. He says he needs to go to the bathroom. The second client is 68, married, and he has just lost his job. He says Trump eliminated his job. I thought the president was a job creator? He says he can’t pay for the new car that he just bought and about $15,000 of credit cards. I said just return the car and the voluntary return deficiency of about $10,000 and the $15,000 of credit cards will be wiped out with Chapter 7. He is much relieved so he says he has to take a month vacation first abroad with his wife. I said sure go ahead, and let’s file your case when you get back to LA. He said just the minimum payments on the $15,000 of credit cards is about $500 a month. He said he’s paid it for the last 20 years, just the minimum. So, he has paid $120,000 to keep $15,000 of credit cards current for the last 20 years. Was that a smart thing to do? I don’t think so. I think when you are 68 you would rather have $120,000 of cash invested in a portfolio giving you $1,000 a month of extra income in addition to social security rather than owing the same $15,000 of credit cards that should have disappeared a long time ago when you were a lot younger. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. “YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME, WHEN YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART” – JEREMIAH 29:13
“When it rains, it pours just like Irma in Florida. Everything gets destroyed.” it rains, it pours just like Irma in Florida. Everything gets destroyed. The husband also owes $40,000 of credit cards. That’s another problem. Step one is trying to refinance the second with a fixed 30-year loan, maybe interest and principal will just be about $1,000 a month; still a lot less than $1,600. If no one will give them a 30 year fixed to refinance the second, then take step two: Sell the house and get their net cash of $160K. At least, they will have some cash, which they can invest. If they invest $160,000 with Bernie Madoff, he can print them returns of 20 percent or $32,000 a year; too bad, Bernie’s already in jail. They can probably get a decent return of 6 percent or $9,600 a year. That’s not bad. $800 a month of income will certainly help pay for the senior housing they can move into. Senior housing, I understand is about $1,000 a month for rent and you get to play the whole day with all the other seniors living there. They have children who have invited them to live with them, but they don’t want to burden their children with caring for them. Husband jokingly says that if they can’t sell the house, he will just hang himself. I said that he doesn’t have to do that,
*** Disclaimer: The foregoing is an expression of opinion and is not meant to be legal advice to any reader. There is no attorney-client relationship established by this article with the reader. If you want to discuss your situation, you have to set an appointment to consult with the attorney. The first general consultation is free. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 or at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 15-17, 2017
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Franchise Investment Opportunities in the Philippines The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, Philippine Franchise Association, and Philippine Trade & Investment Center - LA invite you to “Franchise Investment Opportunities in the Philippines” on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 6 to 8:30 p.m at the Philippine Consulate General (3435 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 550, Los Angeles, CA 90010). Speakers include Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, May Niña Celynne P. Layug, trade representative of the Philippine Trade & Investment Center, and Bing Sibal-Limjoco, vice chairman of the Philippine Franchise Association and CEO of Francorp Phils. Topics include an overview of the Philippine franchising sector, how to franchise, and investment opportunities in the Philippines. Registration is free and on a first come, first served basis. For inquiries and registration, please contact Rowena Namay at (213) 388-1029/3388376 or losangeles@dti.gov.ph.
N OV E M B E R 1 7
Search to Involve Pilipino Americans’ 45th anniversary awards & benefit dinner in Los Angeles Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will have its 45th annual anniversary awards and benefit dinner entitled “Embrace. Empower. Evolve.” The dinner will take place on Friday, November 17 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel at 6 p.m. All proceeds will go towards the organization’s health & human services, community economic development and education programs. Tickets may be purchased online at sipa.ticketsocket.com.
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13th annual mayor’s luncheon in Woodland Hills, CA The United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley presents the 13th annual mayor’s luncheon with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday, November 29 at the Warner Center Marriott - Grand Ballroom (21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367). Registration opens at 11 a.m. and the program is from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be complimentary self-parking, while valet is $16. For questions or sponsorship opportunities, please call (818) 981-4491 or email marian@unitedchambers.org.
N OV E M B E R 3 0
Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA Global Law Centers in association with Civicminds Recruitment presents an immigration forum on Thursday, November 30 at the Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801). Candidates and employers with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visa issues are encouraged to attend this FREE Q&A session from 6 to 8 p.m. Civicminds Recruitment will offer tips on how to find employers for green card and work visas after graduation, job placement assistance for qualified applicants and free resume evaluation. To register, please email admin@globallawcenters.com or call (714) 657-7460. For more information, please visit www.globallawcenters.com.
D EC E M B E R 1
Historic Filipinotown parol parade and festival in Los Angeles The Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HFNC) announced that the annual parade and festival will be on Friday, December 1 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will start with the assembly of parols and vehicles at 250 N. Union St. at the Our Lady of Lorreto Catholic Church courtyard. The parade will start at 5 p.m. and will go westward from Union to Beverly, and will eventually end up at the FCC/FACLA compound at 1740 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026. The HFNC is calling for volunteers who will serve as security, ushers, for registration and monitors for the parade. To volunteer, please call Art at (213)318-9065. For more information, please contact Cecile at (213) 503-8176.
D EC E M B E R 2
Pasko Na Naman in Glendale, CA The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups will sponsor a fundraiser entitled “Pasko Na Naman 2” on Saturday, December 2 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium (1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208) starting at 4 p.m. The presentation’s theme is Salo-salo at Pagdiriwang” which means “getting together joyfully.” The show will provide a glimpse on how Filipinos celebrate Christmas in the Philippines, which will be depicted through choral singing and folk dancing. The performers are Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, St. Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Choir, Monique Magpayo and Kurt Winterhalter. Benefactors of proceeds include but are not limited to: Channel of Charity, Filipino Priests Association of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, feeding programs and FFRG faith formation events. Come one! Come All! Feel the scents and sights of Filipino Christmas. The audience will also enjoy “merienda cena” during the intermission. Ticket donation is $45.00 per person. For souvenir ad and ticket information, please contact Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-3316.
Free oil filter exchange in Alhambra, CA Attention all Alhambra residents! Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event on Saturday, December 2! 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. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at AutoZone located at 1100 W. Commonwealth Ave., Alhambra, CA 91803.
D EC E M B E R 3
Arnel Pineda in Los Angeles Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed rock band JOURNEY, will be in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 3 at the famed Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. The show begins at 6 p.m. VIP ticket ($200) includes CD, concert tour shirt, meet & greet. Other ticket prices are $150, $100, $75 or $50. For sponsorship and tickets, please call or text: Trini Foliente at (626) 818-7147; Cora Soriano at (213) 999-1993 or Andy Tecson at (323) 467-5096.
D EC E M B E R 27-29
Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50thAnniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD (email: assjrmd@gmail. com).
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B NOVEMBER 15-17, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to division in California family court. One has to understand the general community property presumption in California. Property acquired before marriage is the acquiring spouse’s separate property, as is property obtained during marriage that can be traced to a premarital acquisition. Family. Code. § 770(a). Rents, issues and profits” of separate property are separate property. All property acquired during marriage and before separation, other than by gift or inheritance, is presumptively community property. Family Code §§ 760, 771(a), 772; Mar-
EMPLOYMENT
Community Journal
Disclosure and characterization of overseas assets in divorce riage of Bonds (2000) 24 C4th 1, 12, 99 CR2d 252, 258; Marriage of Lehman (1998) 18 C4th 169, 177, 74 CR2d 825, 828. Pursuant to Family.Code. § 760, community personal or real property is consistently defined no matter where situated. Family Code §760 defines “Community property” as “Except as otherwise provided by statute, all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” As such, out-of-state community property is community property for all purposes, including intraspousal management and control fiduciary obligations. It does not matter if the property is located in another state or another country. For the same reason, the parties to a divorce case is required to disclose all property, separate and community, including those outside the state. During the marriage, the parties’ fiduciary duties require full and accurate disclosure of true and full information affecting community property transactions. Family-
Code. §§ 721(b), 1100(e). In addition, disclosure duties arise upon separation in anticipation of dissolution, nullity or legal separation. The post-separation disclosure duties extend to all assets and liabilities in which either party has or may have an interest or obligation, regardless of community or separate property characterization, and to current earnings, accumulations and expenses. These duties “arise without reference to any wrongdoing.” Family.Code. §§ 721(b), 2100(c), 2102(a)(1); Marriage of Feldman (2007) 153 CA4th 1470, 1475–1476, 64 CR3d 29, 33; Marriage of Brewer & Federici (2001) 93 CA4th 1334, 1342–1344, 113 CR2d 849, 854–855. Parties to a divorce case has a duty to provide full and accurate disclosure of all assets and debts including those in other states and other countries. Failure to disclose could result to certain legal consequences to the non-disclosing parties including sanctions and attorney’s fees. If you are contemplating a divorce and you
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What’s New
Tips to remember when you owe the IRS: Series 2
Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA
“ If you cannot pay your tax liability in full, request for an installment agreement.”
IF you cannot pay your tax liability in full, request for an installment agreement. Here are some tips when and when not an examiner is able to set-up an installment agreement. The examiners are authorized to set-up for installment agreement if unpaid tax liabilities is within the dollar threshold as follows: • Guaranteed installment agreement per IRM 4.20.4.4: For individuals with income tax liabilities of $10,000 and below, excluding penalties and interest, and payment is within 36months. • Streamlined installment agreement per IRM 4.20.4.3: For taxpayers with income tax liabilities of $50,000 or less, excluding penalties and interest, and payment is within 72months. The examiner may direct the taxpayer to apply for online payment agreement if all u PAGE B5 the required income tax returns
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filings are met. Tax liabilities more than $50,000, the examiners are not authorized to set-up installment agreement. • Non-streamlines installment agreement per IRM 4.20.4.7. This procedure applies if the amount of tax liabilities is between $50,001 and $100,000. You will be required to submit 1) Form 9465, installment agreement, and 2) Form 433-B collection information statement for business or Form 433-F collection information statement. • Coordination with collection per IRM 4.20.3.4 and IRM 4.20.4.7. If unpaid tax liabilities is more than $100,000, a collection referral is mandatory. The examination group manager, territory manager and collection territory manager will contact and coordinate for proper contact of collection group. Do not be surprised if you owe
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more than $100,000 and applied for installment agreement and your case has been moved from one location to another location, from one agent to another agent, this is because it has to be assigned to a proper collection group. .* * * Disclaimer: Any accounting, business or tax advice contained in this communication is neither intended as a thorough, in-depth analysis of specific issues, nor a substitute for a formal opinion, nor is it sufficient to avoid taxrelated penalties. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies. (Advertising Supplement)
B5 NOVEMBER 15-17, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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People and Events
Long Beach reaches $13M Fil-Am Association of Santa Clarita Valley, Inc. hosts Mutya Ng Lahi Interstate 405 settlement FIL-Am Association of Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), Inc. recently celebrated FilipinoAmerican History Month with “Mutya Ng Lahi.” The event on October 21 was filled with traditional folk dances, national costumes, and an exhibition of Philippine Centennial. Among the performers included Barkada’s Cultural Dance Troupe, Elisha and Marco Soronio, Cres San Jose and Ogie De Guzman from “Back on Track,” and Mike Justiniano. Special guests included Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth and Consul Rea Oreta of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles. The Fil-Am Association of SCV, Inc. aims to promote, preserve and maintain Filipino culture by engaging in cultural, educational, civic, sports, humanitarian and outreach programs. (Photos by Leomar Carrillo)
THE City of Long Beach has reached a $13 million settlement agreement with Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for various corridor safety and traffic mitigation improvements related to the Interstate 405 (I-405) Freeway improvement project in Orange County. OCTA has proposed widening of a 16-mile stretch of the I-405 freeway from State Route 73 in Orange County to Interstate 605 in Long Beach. “While this project is not in Long Beach, it has the potential to impact the city,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We are thankful that the City Attorney negotiated a settlement that will result in some major traffic and infrastructure improvements in East Long Beach.” The litigation, which was filed by the City of Long Beach in July of 2015, alleged that the proposed I-405 widening project would cause serious traffic impacts in Long Beach and that Caltrans and OCTA had failed to properly analyze or mitigate these impacts in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project. The traffic improvements provided for in the City’s settlement agreement will adequately address the traffic and safety issues posed by the project. “It was necessary for Long Beach to take steps to account for the potential increase in traffic that may result during the widening of the I-405,” said City Attorney Charles Parkin. “We believe that the improvements included in this agreement will address the traffic and safety issues posed by the project.” Under the agreement, the City will receive a robust pack-
age of traffic mitigation projects valued at just over $13 million. For most of the projects, Long Beach will serve as the implementing agency, which means the City will be primarily responsible for constructing the traffic improvements using funds supplied by OCTA or Caltrans. Fil-Am Centennial exhibit Tinikling dance “It’s great to hear that a settlement has been reached. It’s important that we make sure our roadways here in Long Beach are cared for when major projects like this can affect them,” said Councilmember Suzie Price. The $13 million in incoming funds will be used to enhance portions of Willow Street, Los Coyotes Diagonal, and Bellflower Boulevard, as well as portions of State Route 22 (SRShowcase of Maria Claras, traditional dress worn by women 22)/Studebaker Road, 7th Street, Maglalatik dance using coconut shells in the Philippines. and Pacific Coast Highway. The specific locations were selected based on traffic studies and data showing impact from the project on those specific locations. “This settlement is of tremendous importance to our residents as it will improve our corridors that could be affected by the I-405 project,” said Councilmember Daryl Supernaw. “Making sure that our streets are safe is a priority,” said Councilmember Stacy Mungo. “As a Emie Carrillo (Fil-Am Association of SCV President), Zony Fil-Am Association of Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), Inc.’s result of this settlement, more traffic improvements will be Event guest speaker, Santa Clarita Mayor Gordon (Asst. Secretary), Jocelyn Reyes, Consul Rea Oreta, board of directors during the Mutya Ng Lahi celebration Consulate Cultural Officer Wilma Bautista, and Jay Perez. on Saturday, October 21. made, which will have a posi- Cameron Smyth tive impact on our community.” The $13 million in funding is contingent on OCTA and Caltrans proceeding with their I405 widening plans. The Long Beach corridor improvements will proceed once the settlement funds from OCTA and Caltrans have been received. ■
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which is implementing its One Belt, One Road initiative as a means of moving more people and goods The economic integration of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations will give Philippine MSMEs more chances of tapping opportunities in the region, he added. (Philippine News Agency).■
Connectivity crucial for...
Concepcion, who is president of listed food and beverage company RFM Corp. and chairman of the Asean Business Advisory Council, said the Duterte administration was taking the small businesses’ welfare in consideration. He said the government was following the lead of China,
Disclosure and...
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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 15, 2017
What’s on your Fil-Am table this Thanksgiving? by
as Thanksgiving Day approaches, many families in the U.s. have begun pulling out family recipes for apple pie, reserving holiday turkeys, and stocking up on staples like potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce for their upcoming family dinner. While the holiday isn’t really celebrated in the Philippines, Thanksgiving is something Filipino-american families have mastered and embraced since arriving in the U.s. Pop culture has even picked up on it. in the CW show “Crazy ex-Girlfriend”, a whole episode is dedicated to a Filam Thanksgiving dinner where the main character Rachel, prepares to attend a Thanksgiving dinner in West Covina, Ca with her ex-boyfriend’s Fil-am family in an attempt to win their hearts. Upon imagining what it would be like to be “surrounded by the unconditional love of a hundred Filipinos”, the scene cuts to an iPhone with a Tagalog learning app running, a laptop in the background opened to a page titled “Cooking Filipino Food” with a recipe for dinuguan, and ingredients including a bottle of Datu Puti
Rae ann VaRona / AJPress
vinegar next to it. When asked about the smell, Rachel enthusiastically explains that it’s pork cooked in pork blood before offering her unwilling friend to try some. Cut again to the episode’s mannequin challenge scene, Rachel strides into the Thanksgiving party with the dinuguan, passes the many family members, and confidently places it on the table near the turkey being carved by her ex’s father. While dinuguan may not be a common must-have dish even for Fil-am families, the episode was spot on in highlighting the role Filipino food plays in a unique Thanksgiving dinner. For Fil-ams, traditional holiday side dishes go beyond the mashed potatoes, green beans, brussel sprouts, cornbread, and butternut squash. On the table, one would usually find pancit, chicken adobo, kaldereta, pinakbet, fried tilapia, lumpia, and queso de bola, among others. in addition to (or sometimes in place of) the holiday turkey, it wouldn’t be uncommon to find a roasted duck or lechon (whole roasted pig) as a centerpiece. For Chef Barb Batiste,
the special dish at her family Thanksgiving dinners was rellenong manok (stuffed chicken), an elaborate and labor intensive dish often made during the holidays. Batiste is the owner and founder of B sweet in los angeles, a famous dessert shop known especially for their decadent bread puddings. she’s also the owner of the soon-toopen Filipino restaurant Big Boi which will be just a couple doors down from its sweet counterpart. “i remember my aunt deboning the chicken and stuffing it with a stuffing made from ground pork, garlic, onions, and carrots — little bits and pieces of it — and she would debone the whole entire chicken and then re-stuff it with this ground meat, and then she would bake it,” Batiste told the Asian Journal reminiscently. “it was so labor intensive. it took so much time, but it was just such a special thing,” she added. much like the traditional holiday turkey, rellenong manok involves being stuffed with a hodgepodge of ingredients that can differ based on family recipes, before being brushed
Photos from hipurbangirl.com
How to be the perfect guest at this year’s Thanksgiving dinner
Photo from www.flickr.com/photos/joits/
or marinated, and roasted in the oven. The difference is that the chicken in rellenong manok is deboned, meaning you could slice it down the center rather smoothly. “i can’t even describe the flavor. it was so good. The stuffing inside — it was so amazing,” said Batiste. “and then my mom and aunt would make this sauce you would put on top of it from the drippings. i’ve been contemplating and dreaming about it,” she added. Batiste said she’s going to try to make it, but added she’s not sure if it will meet her mom’s expectations. as for dessert, many Fil-ams look forward to sweets like sapin-sapin, maja blanca, halayang ube, leche flan, or turon in addition to the traditional assortment of pumpkin, apple, or pecan pies. Batiste recalls her mom’s bibingka that would vary in topping — grated coconut, shaved coconut, coconut milk browned on the broiler — or in base by using kamoteng kahoy (cassava) instead of rice.
and of course, there was puto. “she’d make fun ones — she’d make ube puto or a mango puto,” said Batiste. “There was always something special to it.” Despite being a famed pastry chef, Batiste still looks up to her mom, who at 80 years old, still remembers her recipes. “it’s cool i can still refer to her for recipes,” said Batiste. Batiste’s most requested dish by family and friends? Her candied yams — a classic american Thanksgiving dish. “it’s kind of like the recipe my mom, my aunt, and i try to make better each year. it’s kind of a favorite in my household,” said Batiste, adding that they’ve tried almost every possible way to execute it. “i happen to think it’s pretty yummy,” she added. at B sweet Dessert Bar, a favorite among customers has unsurprisingly been their pumpkin bread pudding — their famous bread puddings come in over 40 flavors, rotating weekly. Their “halos”, which are ice cream stuffed donuts, have also been a hit. To welcome the season, pumpkin
ice cream has been added to the flavors. and then there’s their sweet potato pie and their pumpkin mini loaves. But like for most families regardless of background, it’s not the food on the table that matters the most, but the family gathered around it. Thanksgiving is a time for families to get together and express gratitude for one another. For Batiste who lost her dad six years ago in December, the holidays are especially important to her. “it was probably one of my dad’s favorite holidays because he was always the one who carved the turkey,” shared Batiste, adding that she would always remember her dad forecasting a warm and sunny Thanksgiving Day. Batiste credits much of her success to her dad who told her to do what she loved, and do great things for people — a chair dedicated to him sits at her dessert bar. “i’m grateful to him for what he’s left me,” she said. “i have that still and i have to remember it in my head and in my heart. Family first.”
Fun and interesting facts about Thanksgiving by Ritchel Mendiola
William seward urging them to declare a national Thanksgiving Families all over the U.s. holiday. will gather to feast on their • Turkey centerpiece. beloved turkey on the fourth Nearly 88 percent of ameriby KlaRize Medenilla Thursday of November. This cans surveyed by the National AJPress year, impress your family with Turkey Federation eat turkey these Thanksgiving Day facts at Thanksgiving. The average iT seems that as soon as while tucking into the annual weight of turkeys purchased November 1 arrives, families feast. for Thanksgiving is 16 pounds, across the country goes into a • Three-day celebration. meaning that approximately yuletide frenzy in preparation for Held in the autumn of 1621, 736 million pounds of turkey the holidays. Plane tickets are the first Thanksgiving was a were consumed in the United booked, early planners begin three-day gathering between 50 states during Thanksgiving in shopping for gifts and everyone Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag in- 2016. excited for time off to spend dians to celebrate the Pilgrims’ • The lucky turkey parwith loved ones. successful corn harvest, accord- doned by the President gets to The first stop of the holiday ing to the History Channel. His- live a cool life. The first official season is the annual Thanksgivtorians believe that turkey was presidential pardon of a turkey ing gathering of family and loved not served during this feast. occurred in 1989. President ones to reflect on the year over • National day of thanks. George W.H. Bush did it first Spend more time with your family but putting all social media and phone devices away. a vast, delicious spread of classic President abraham lincoln and it has become an annual Thanksgiving food selections. forgetting to actually live our need to dress to impress falls issued a proclamation on tradition. The lucky bird who Thanksgiving dinners, lives. staying in the moment on by the wayside. But ThanksgivOctober 3,1863 to designate gets spared, then, get to do although usually congenial, can Thanksgiving is not only respecting is a special night with many the Thursday in November some cool stuff. in 2005 and divert into a awkward situaful to your family, but very fulfillrelatives coming from out of as the national day of thanks, 2009, the turkeys were flown tions if we aren’t mindful of our ing. For most, Thanksgiving also town, which means guaranteed ushering in the modern holiday to Disneyland and Walt Disbehavior. Here are some tips on operates as a family reunion of group photos that all your titas we celebrate today known as ney World parks to serve as a how to be the perfect Thankssorts with many family members are inevitably going to post on Thanksgiving. He did this after grand marshall in their annual giving dinner guest: traveling from far distances. Facebook and you may want to sarah Josepha Hale — a writer Thanksgiving parades. in 2010 RSVP to the host it’s a chance to catch-up, crack look your best. Knit sweaters and editor who had written the to 2013, the turkeys get to stay i know this is common jokes and just be together and and tailored trousers are always famous children’s poem “mary at Washington’s mount Vernon courtesy, but letting the host feel thankful for all the loved fall great options for the chilly Had a little lamb” — wrote state. know whether you’ll be there is ones in your life. weather. For those who want to lincoln and secretary of state • Turkey hotline. The Butessential. it ensures they know Avoid talking politics adhere to seasonal aesthetics, how many people to expect This one is important. When autumnal colors like rich cocoas, in their home. it also lets them it comes to politics, the Filipino aubergines, khaki green and know how much food should be navy blue are ideal. But rememcommunity is vast; like most prepared. Pro tip: use e-mail or cultural dynamics, older Filipinos ber: comfort is key since you’re social media sites like Facebook likely going to eat for most of tend to be more conservative to create the closed event and and younger Filipino-americans the day. invite the whole family. This is tend to lean more liberally. Show you’re thankful for especially useful for potlucks, a 2017 was a very divisive year for the old-timers staple of the Filipino gathering, americans, so it’s easy for the We should always respect so everyone has a gauge on how the seniors in our families, but conversation to devolve into a much food to bring. yelling match among those with given it’s Thanksgiving — a Be on time! impassioned political pursuits. day dedicated to honoring our The “Filipino time” phenom- blessings — we should take exBut that’s not in the best interenon is very real, as we all know. tra care to make sure we show ests of the family or what the although arriving on time should our elders that we’re grateful for day is really meant for. in order be practiced all year around and them. They’ve raised us, taught to have an easygoing Thankswe often give our loved ones a giving that focusses on the real us invaluable lessons and conpass for arriving a few minutes meaning of the holiday, it’s best tinue to embody resilience and Nearly 88 percent of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving, the staple dish for the holiday. (or hours) late, be extra mindful strength. let your lolas and lolos to put the political talk aside. Photo from holdthegluten.net to be punctual on ThanksgivAt the end of the night, get food first, assist them with ing. For most Filipino families, offer to help clean up seconds and make sure they’re a prayer precedes dinner and Filipino parties are notorias comfortable and relaxed as you never want to be the person possible. They’ve done in for us ously very, very well-attended strolling in late. showing up on and Thanksgiving is probably their whole lives, it’s our turn to time shows respect and conone of the biggest family gathgive back. sideration for the host and the erings of the year. The bigger Put down the phone other guests. But most importhe party, the bigger the mess. it’s tempting to want to tantly, you want to be there even if you’re not a host of the share every moment of your while the food is still warm! party, you should do your part Thanksgiving family gathering Dress to impress and offer to help with throwing with your friends on social meFilipinos tend to gather as away trash, emptying out cups, dia. With all the apps available a family more times out of the packing food and washing to share your experience with year than other families, which dishes. You’d want someone the world, we can get lost in Thanksgiving Day is one of the busiest travel days of the year — whether by land or air. means we’re are more comfortto help you out with all that, trying to show the world what’s Photo from destination tips.com able with each other and the right? going on in our lives while AJPress
Modern etiquette tips to have a great, drama-free family gathering
It was President Abraham Lincoln who issued a proclamation on Oct. 3, 1863 designating the Thursday in November as national day of Thanks. Photo from National Archives
terball Turkey Talk line answers almost 10,000 calls about all kinds of turkey questions every November to December. last year, the company launched a 24-hour text message line, too • TV dinners. Using extra turkey (260 tons!) swanson in 1953 received the idea that it should be packaged into aluminum trays with sides like potatoes and vegetables. • Black Friday busiest day for plumbers. according to Roto-rooter, kitchen drains, garbage disposals, and toilets require more attention the day after Thanksgiving. all that meal prepping puts a strain in the household plumbing, prompting a 21 percent increase in calls for plumbers. • Calorie intake. according to the Calorie Control Council, the average number of calories one may consume on this holiday is 4,500 — 3,000 for the meal and 1,500 for snacking. • avoid travel. Thanksgiving Day is the busiest travel day of the year. in 2016, the american automobile association (aaa) has estimated that over 42 million americans travel by car 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend. another 4 million people travel by air on that day. • World records. according to the Guinness Book of Records, the heaviest turkey on record weighs 86 pounds. The largest pumpkin pie, made by New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, weighs 3,699 pounds with a diameter of 20 feet. The crust was made of 440 sheets of dough.
Anne & Erwan: Not ‘well-kept secret’ and ‘minimal’ Christian wedding by RICKY LO Philstar.com
UNTIL the very end, Anne Curtis “fooled” (read: “misled”) the public and the media into believing that she and Erwan Heussaff were getting married last Saturday, Nov. 11. But as early as three months ago, The Star was tipped off by somebody close to the couple that the actual date was last Sunday, Nov. 12, accurately adding that the bride “would dazzle” in a gown specially designed by Monique Lhuillier for the Christian wedding in New Zealand. The wedding capped their seven-year romance. A few weeks ago, Anne took a leave from It’s Showtime and took a quick “mysterious” trip to the U.S. and even if she tried desperately hard to hide it, word leaked that she was there to fit the gown. You see, in this age of social media, nobody can hide anything, especially if celebrities like Anne are actually the ones baiting netizens by posting pictures. My media friends and I don’t understand why showbiz celebrities would deprive the fans (who made them in the first place, who put them where they are now) updates about an important event such as a wedding. I remember what FPJ said when his niece Sheryl Cruz got married to John Norman Bustos (a sheriff in San Francisco, California; they were divorced) — you know, “Be open to the public,” after all celebrities owe it all to the public. An explanation to today’s headline: even if Anne was stingy in sharing her and Erwan’s joy with the fans, the wedding was a not-so-well-kept secret; and “minimal” because unlike other celebrity “destination weddings” (like that of Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho
The bride wore a gown specially designed by Monique Lhuillier and the groom was ʻextra emotionalʼ and wiped tears during the exchange of vows.
in Paris last September), Anne and Erwan had only four principal sponsors, namely Swatch Lady Virgie Ramos, Veronique del Rosario-Corpuz (of the Viva Artists Agency, daughter of Boss Vic del Rosario), Anne’s manager Elizabeth “Betchay” Vidanes and Kim Atienza (It’s Showtime co-host “on indefinite leave”).
And the three ninangs (from right) Elizabeth ʻBetchayʼ Vidanes, Veronique del Rosario-Corpuz and Swatch Lady Virgie Ramos.
Among the invited guests (all-expenses-paid?) were Anne’s other “It’s Showtime” co-hosts Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, Teddy Corpuz, Ryan Bang, Karylle (with husband Yael Yuzon) and Jugs Jugueta; and friends Luis Manzano with girlfriend Jessy Mendiola, and Luis’ ex-girlfriend Angel Locsin with current flame Neil Arce. (People are curious how the “exes” reacted when they crossed paths…unless they avoided or simply ignored each other.) Anne and Erwan requested for a minute of prayer for “It’s Showtime” Hashtag member Franco Hernandez (who belonged to the second batch) who died on Saturday, Nov. 11, in a boat accident in Davao. To sum it up, Kim added, “Everyone was crying during the ceremony. Erwan was extra emotional.” No word yet where the honeymoon will be. Secret…as usual! (But stay tuned to social media for updates.)
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 15, 2017
‘I will keep making music and bringing PH to the world stage’ IN time for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Filipino-Australian singer and actor James Reid brings honor to the country for winning as Best Southeast Asia Act at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) held in London on Sunday, Nov. 12. “It’s such an honor to be representing the Philippines and with this recognition, I will keep on making music and bring the Philippines to the world stage,” Reid said in his video message following his announcement as winner. The win came as a surprise for Reid since in an interview with Philstar.com last week during the launch of Fujifilm X-E3 and Instax Share SP-3 Printer, he said he did not go to London to accept the award because he did not know if he won. “I really think it’s a good opportunity to gain recognition around the world, especially the Philippines because I just started my own label and I really wanna help progress local music,” he said of his nomination. Reid’s fellow SEA nominees are Faizal Tahir (Malaysia), Dam Vinh Hung (Vietnam), Isyana Sarasvati (Indonesia), Slot Machine (Thailand), The Sam Willows (Singapore) and the social wildcard winner, Palitchoke Ayanaputra(Thailand). This was not James’s first nomination as he was a nominee for the similar category at the 2015 MTV EMA in Milan, Italy. His latest single, “Turning up,” features his girlfriend and fellow 2015 MTV EMA Best SEA Act nominee Nadine Lustre. Lately, it has been reported that Nadine will direct James’s latest music video. MTV’s website describes James as “not just an ordinary cutie.”
James Reid
“He’s smart and talented too!,” the music channel says of the Filipino singer-songwriter, actor, dancer, model, and now producer. Since releasing his selftitled debut album in 2012, Reid has established his own music label, Careless Music Manila and has just dropped his new album, “Palm Dreams,” featuring “bassboosted club bangers that could easily induce eargasm,” says MTV.
Philstar.com photo
The music channel considers “Cool Down” (2017) as Reid’s biggest hit yet. “Music is the universal language of emotion,” James said in his MTV profile. “Even if you can’t understand it, you still feel it.” Other 2017 MTV EMA winners include Shawn Mendes for Best Artist, Eminem for Best Hip-Hop Artist and Camila Cabello for Best Pop Artist. (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar.com)
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Newlywed Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff with guests that included Anneʼs Itʼs Showtime co-hosts Karylle (with husband Yael Yuzon), Ryan Bang, Felicia and husband Kim Atienza, Teddy Corpuz, Vhong Navarro, Teddyʼs wife Jasmine, Vice Ganda and Jugs Jugueta. Photos courtesy of Kim Atienza
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 15, 2017
Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jennifer Espinosa and Ivy Manalang
Soaring the sky with the US Army Golden Knights By Ivy
Manalang / AJPress
“Arch. relax. have fun.” Sounds easy, right? Along with 14 other people — consisting of educators from the LA Unified School District and representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department and El Monte Police Depart-
ment — I embarked on my most intense assignment yet: parachute jumping with the U.S. Army Golden Knights. The Golden Knights is a demonstration and competition parachute team of the Army that performs at over 100 events a year and competes
in national and international skydiving events. “‘Golden’ signified the gold medals the team had won while ‘Knights’ alluded to the team’s ambition to conquer the skies,” according to the Army’s website of how the select group got its name.
Golden Knights from left to right include SFC Chris Acevedo and SFC Jennifer Espinosa
This tandem skydive experience required a trek to Perris, California, which is located nearly two hours outside of Los Angeles. Once there, we went through an hourlong safety briefing. Most of us who participated were first-time jumpers and were initially quite anxious, as thoughts of being suspended somewhere around 12,500 feet will make you feel that way. However, the Golden Knights ensured that everyone felt comfortable. “Three things that we’d like you to remember and that’s to smile at the camera, to arch when you exit out of the airplane and to have a good time, take all your commands from your instructor,” Sergeant First Class (SFC) Tom Melton, a Golden Knights tandem coordinator, told the Asian Journal. SFC Noah Watts — who has done around 5,900 jumps, 2,300 of which were tandems — added that “when it comes to something challenging, I don’t necessarily look at it as challenging because it’s a learn-
SFC Tom Melton
ing experience for one.” My partner was Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Espinosa, an asset team leader for the tandem jump section who has been with the Army for eight years and the Golden Knights for seven. Though my jump was postponed a day later due to weather conditions, I ended up talking to other members of the Army and learned about the benefits of joining the service. “I would encourage anybody out there to consider a career with United States Army. There’s a multitude of different reasons to join and to serve — the training, adventure,
travel, educational benefits, a chance to mature and get an edge in life, there is a college loan repayment option. If you want to be in professional services we’ve got doctors, we’ve got lawyers, and like I said, pilots. There are all different sorts of jobs out there. So there’s something for everybody,” Melton said. On the day itself, I was prepared, educated and trained enough that I didn’t have second thoughts about jumping. I was able to enjoy the experience, take in the sights and admire all the hard work and training that the Golden Knights do. (Advetising Supplement)
US Army presents NHRA YES program to students OvEr 4,000 students from Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties attended on Thursday, November 9 the National Hot rod Association Youth Education Service (NHrA YES) program at the Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, California. The program, which has been presented by the United States Army since 1989, is a free educational motorsports program that allows students to learn and explore various career opportunities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
“This is one of the places where we bring all these kids out, 4,000 kids are gonna be out here. We’re going to explain to them: pay attention, study for that test, get those good grades and you can choose a job rather than taking what’s left,” NHrA Top Fuel Driver Tony Schumacher told the Asian Journal. Throughout the day, they participated in mental, physical and emotional challenges to show how STEM is applied to real-world situations and NHrA drag racing. “We always talk about how
STEM incorporates into what we do out on the racetrack and how we use it in the real-world terms,” Antron Brown, an NHrA Top Fuel Driver, said. He added, “But the main thing of it is, is that I’m here to tell the kids about my journey like where I came from and how I got to where I’m at and that how they could achieve their dreams. Just take them one step at a time and not be intimidated. And have integrity and just believe in yourself where you know and tell them that it’s okay to stumble.” (Advetising Supplement)
NHRA Top Fuel Driver Tony Schumacher
NHRA Top Fuel Driver Antron Brown
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 15, 2017
Agot Isidro continues to challenge herself by Denise
Danielle alcantara Philstar.com
It isn’t Valentine’s Day yet. But who says we can’t talk about love in November? “From me talaga?” she laughs. “I’m the least person you should be asking that question.” She continues to laugh harder after I ask about the best love advice she could give to all single men and women. She is known for not mincing words, speaking her mind on social media, and showing up at rallies fighting for justice. You may also know her from watching the seven-year-running comedy sitcom “Oki Doki Doc” back in the ’90s. Or from her many love songs and albums over the years. this award-winning actress and singer is still at her prime, showcasing her many talents with continuous tV and film projects, and even theater work under her belt. this month, Agot Isidro stars in a Cinema One Original musical entitled “Changing Partners”, playing Alex, a fearless 45-year-old woman in love with a younger woman — or man. Originally written for CCP’s Virgin Labfest, then produced for a full theater performance and now a feature film, “Changing Partners” is a love story like every other. “It is very real. And for some, it may hit too close to home,” says Isidro. “this is for everyone who fell in love hard, fought for the relationship, and made it work,” she adds. But this is no simple romantic narrative. When Isidro first read the script written by Palanca awardee Vince de Jesus for the theater production last year, she felt nothing but utter confusion. this is one love story told from different perspectives, personalities, and gender roles, transcending stereotypes and notions of what love is. “But when you read the script without the character labels, it’s really only one love story,” explains Isidro. “Medyo nakarelate ako,” Isidro admits as she reveals the
similarities between her and the two characters she plays in the film. “Girl Alex is very alpha. She has a very strong personality, sometimes bordering on mean, which is not like me. Lesbian Alex is very different. She is more hurt than angry, which I can relate to sometimes.” Although busy with tapings last year from “Ang Probinsyano”, Isidro made time to rehearse and performed the show for three runs. It was shown in a makeshift theater, above PEtA’s main theater. Performing for at most 115 viewers at a time, Isidro explains that the story is truly meant for an intimate venue. theater is one accidental love affair for Isidro. As she was taking a break from all the craziness and hectic schedules of showbiz, Isidro wanted to explore the world of theater. “Honk!” was her first full immersion in this medium. “I liked the process. It was very different from acting on tV and film. So I told myself I’d do theater at least once a year, also to challenge myself,” says Isidro. However, from all the characters she has portrayed over her almost three-decade career in the industry, Isidro shares playing Alex was one of the most challenging roles she had to do. “It’s like putting my heart out there and seeing it chopped into little pieces.” to put it simply, “Medyo masakit,” she says emphatically. the whole experience was a whirlwind of emotions, from rehearsing it for the play, learning the songs, to performing it onstage and even shooting it for film. Isidro shares that it never gets easier. “the lines hurt because it’s something that you’ve felt before. It opens up old wounds every time.” It is no secret that Isidro is still in pursuit of her one true love. When asked the very slumbook question, “What is love?” she answered, “As Agot, love is a journey with no destination in sight. But in the movie, love is
In “Changing Partners”, Agot Isidro plays Alex — a fearless 45-year-old woman in love with a younger woman… or man. Philstar.com photo by Regina David
sacrifice.” Isidro reveals that she doesn’t have a type, but being outspoken weeds out the undesirables. “I mean, if you’re not strong enough to come up to me, then I’m not interested in you, you’re not worth my time,” she says bluntly. “Now that I’m older, I think I just need someone who I can talk to for hours and hours and hours. And of course, someone I can share my love for food and travel with.” All the emotions are real and the theater audience can feel it. Many have watched the play twice because there are some things you’d certainly miss because of the character switches. “‘Di pa sila nakuntento masaktan once,” Isidro laughs. “that’s why we also have a bar ready after the show. Kailangan ng debriefing afterwards for both the actors and the audience.” “We didn’t play it up. the hurt is very real,” Isidro warns. the play is short, running for only 75 minutes. But the rollercoaster narrative — just like the journey of any relationship — is an adventure in itself for viewers. So, to answer the very first question, her best love advice is: “Let it come. You’ll know if it’s the right person. You don’t have to find or look for it.”
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 15, 2017