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NO VEM BER 23-29, 2018 Volume 12 - No. 5 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
China, PH sign 29 deals by AJPRESS PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, November 20, signed 29 agreements signifying a “milestone in the history of exchange” between the two countries. “Thanks to our joint efforts, we have made productive the results in cooperation in all areas bringing benefits to our two peoples and making a contribution to the peace and stability of the region. China and the Philippines are close neighbors with a thousand- year history of exchanges. Good neighborliness, friendship and winning cooperation is our only correct choice,” Xi said as reported by The Manila Times Among the said deals include an oil and gas agreement. Others involved trade and investment, banking and finance, infraChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro structure, agriculture, education, culture, Locsin Jr. sign the memorandum of understanding on oil and gas development and people-to-people exchanges that the between the Philippines and China.
DATELINE
Malacañang photo
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Fil-Am Gina Ortiz Jones concedes in close House race AFTER a tight race, Gina Ortiz Jones, Filipina-American congressional candidate for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, conceded on Monday, November 19 to Republican incumbent Will Hurd. Nearly two Filipina-American congressional after candidate for Texas’ 23rd congressional weeks district Gina Ortiz Jones conceded to Election Day, Republican incumbent Will Hurd. Ortiz Jones hoped to flip the seat blue, but trailed behind two-time incumbent Hurd by 1,150 votes out of the
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Poor air quality follow NorCal fires with potential landslides to follow
Filipino community joins hundreds facing the aftermath
AFTER burning for nearly two weeks, the Camp Fire in Butte County — now the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history in a century — is expected to be hit with heavy rain, which has fire crews hoping for full containment, but also wary of possible landslides. As of Tuesday morning, November 20, the Camp Fire was at 70 percent containment after having blazed through 151,272 acres and destroyed roughly 12,900 homes. At least 79 have been killed as a result, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (Cal Fire) latest death toll figure, and the number is expected to rise. Of those missing, nearly 700 have been reported unaccounted for, but numbers have been fluctuating as residents have come forward.
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CHINESE PRESIDENT XI’S STATE VISIT. President Rodrigo Duterte receives a token from President Xi Jinping of People’s Republic of China following the successful expanded bilateral meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, November 20. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo
Duterte urged to stand by WPS ruling by AJPRESS PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte was urged by his critics on Tuesday, November 20 to defend the country’s claim and territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Former solicitor general Florin Hilbay said that the president must not put aside the country’s victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) as he cited the Social Weather Stations (SWS) Activists hold a protest in front of the Chinese consular office, as Chinese survey that revealed how more President Xi Jinping arrives in the Philippines. ManilaTimes.net photo than 80 percent of Filipinos op-
posed the administration’s apparent inaction against China’s intrusion in the WPS. “The next generation will not forgive us if they found out that there’s an administration that gave away the decision which we have won,” Hilbay said as reported by The Philippine Star. Hilbay led the Philippine case against China over the disputed territories before the PCA in The Hague, the Netherlands in 2012. The PCA ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016 and invalidated Beijing’s “historical maritime rights” over contested
areas in the WPS. Senator Risa Hontiveros also voiced out her similar concern as she called the tough-talking president to stop kowtowing to China and start asserting Philippine sovereignty. “Now is the perfect time for President Duterte to demonstrate to the public what he is really made of,” Hontiveros said She said Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day official state visit to the Philippines will serve as an important test of Duterte’s political leadership. Given the
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The ‘Sleeping Giant’ awakens: AAPI civic engagement reaches historic highs Dispelling the AAPI electorate’s stereotypes and how to further mobilize AAPI voters in the future by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
IT’S 2018, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters will not be silenced. As previously reported by the Asian Journal, the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund reported the initial results from a post-election survey of AAPI voters that measured the
changes in voting behaviors, attitudes and turnout of the fastest-growing electorate. The survey focussed on six crucial states with battleground races with significant AAPI populations: California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Nevada and Arizona. Unsurprisingly, it found that the AAPI electorate continued its trend of voting ma-
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‘Feel Pinas’ parol-making workshop kicks off Fil-Am Christmas season in New York Broner to Pacquiao: Forget Mayweather
Senator Manny Pacquiao and Adrien Broner take the stage at Gotham Hall in Manhattan New York City press corps on Monday, November 19. They confirmed their fight on January 19, 2019. AJPress photo by Troi Santos
by ABAC
CORDERO
NEW YORK — The Philippine Consulate Jersey, organized a Parol-Making WorkPhilstar.com General New York, in cooperation with the shop on November 17 at the Philippine ADRIEN Broner said Manny Department of Tourism in New York and Center. the Filipino School of New York and New u PAGE A3 Pacquiao is making a terrible mistake thinking of a rematch with Floyd Mayweather ahead of their January 19 clash. “He ain’t fighting Floyd. He’s fighting me,” said Broner in New York where he and Pacquiao faced the media at the Gotham Hall. Pacquiao was asked about the possibility of a rematch with Mayweather, and the Filipino senator responded positively. Broner took it as Pacquiao taking him lightly. “He’s gotta get past me first. I’m gonna beat your ass. You worry about Floyd, he’s already beat you brother,” he said. Pacquiao, dressed in an elegant Families in New York participate at the “Feel Pinas” Parol Making Workshop held at the Philippine Center on gray suit, smiled from where he Saturday. November 17. Photo by NYPCG
sat. The event was streamed live on YouTube past midnight Monday (November 19), drawing close to 6,000 viewers. Earlier, in his turn at the microphone, Pacquiao said he chose to fight the 29-year-old Broner because he’s a “top-caliber fighter.” Pacquiao, who won the WBA welterweight crown with a TKO win over Lucas Matthysse last July, knows he’s taking a risk facing the ex-champion. “I chose Broner because we can have a good fight and entertain the fans. Adrien is a top caliber fighter and a good boxer. We cannot underestimate him,” he said. From New York, the two boxers will head to Los Angeles for the second and last stop of the press tour. Then it’s time to train.
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China, PH sign 29... PAGE A1
Philippines and China signed jointly. “China stands ready to work with the Philippines for even greater progress in our relations. Our peoples have higher expectations for stronger ties and cooperation across the board between our two sides,” Xi said as reported by The Philippine Star. In his speech, Duterte discussed the positive momentum that a goo Philippine-China relations would entail. “A lot of work remains, but President Xi’s visit gives us new impetus to our mutual efforts to enhance collaboration in ensuring the well-being of our peoples and contributing to peace and stability in the region,” Duterte said. “With mutual respect, sincerity, and adherence to sovereign equality, I will continue to work closely with President Xi to deepen the relationship between our great countries so we may together secure a peaceful and prosperous future for both our peoples and for the entire region,” he added. Xi was in Manila for a two-day official state visit after President Duterte invited him to the country. He is the eighth Chinese leader to visit the Philippines since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1975. “I am convinced that this visit will cement the traditional friendship, deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation and enhance the joint effort of the two sides for common development,” Xi said. “It will surely inject fresh, strong impetus into the good neighborly relations and friendship between the two countries for the benefit of our peoples,” he added. The Chinese leader also noted the shared interest of the two countries in the West Philippine Sea. He promised to address such issues to sustain the diplomatic relations the two countries have. “China and the Philippines have a lot of common interests in the South China Sea. We will continue to manage contentious issues and promote maritime cooperation through friendly consultation,” Xi said. “And we will work alongside other ASEAN countries towards
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From the Front Page
‘Filipinos trust US most, China least’ by AJPress THE latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed on Tuesday, November 20, that among five specific countries, Filipinos’ public trust rating fared highest for the United States and lowest for China. The public trust rating for the five countries namely the U.S., China, Japan, Malaysia and Israel were all measured in September. A “very good” rating was received for the U.S., “moderate” for Japan, Malaysia and Israel and “poor” for China. The highest net trust rating was at +59 for the U.S. It decreased by six points from a +65 score in June. Japan now had a +28, a leap from its previous -35. Malaysia and Israel registered +15 and +13, respectively, while China posted a net trust score of -16. The results of a poor public trust rating to China was attributed to the issues that tied the two countries. A lot of people who were aware of the rift regarding the West Philippine Sea had a higher distrust for China. “Distrust in China was higher among those who already knew that the Philippines is unable to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the West Philippine Sea before the survey, compared to the neutral -3 among those who just learned about it,” SWS said as reported by The Philippine Star. Issues including Chinese coast guard personnel taking away the catch of Filipino fishermen, Beijing transforming Manila-claimed features in the Spratly Islands into military outposts and other territorial disputes were among the factors that possibly influenced such results. the conclusion of COC based on consultations, based on consensus within three years and continue our share to peace, stability and welfare in this region,” the Chinese leader added. Duterte said that the trust between China and the Philippines is continuously increasing. As such, it would be mutually beneficial for both countries.
Palace questions survey’s timing Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the release of the SWS timing seemed off considering that it was on the same day as the first official state visit of Chinese President Xi Jing Ping. “We find the timing of the release of the results of the survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) last September 15-23 suspect considering that such was made public on the day of Chinese President Xi Jing Ping’s first state visit to the Philippines,” Panelo said as reported by Rappler. “Time adds credence to the commonly-held belief that polling firms could be wittingly or unwittingly used for partisan purposes,” the spokesperson added. Panelo also criticized the one question that he perceived as slanted, giving the notion that the government is not fighting for its claim in the ruling regarding the West Philippine Sea issue. “Pabayaan na lang ang Tsina na panatilihin ang mga imprastraktura at militar sa mga inaangking mga teritoryo – ay tama o hindi na pamamaraan na gawin ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas upang malutas ang pagtatalo ng Pilipinas at Tsina tungkol sa West Philippine Sea (Leave China alone with its infrastructures and military presence in the claimed territories – right or not right for the Philippine government to do in resolving the conflict between the Philippines and China about the West Philippine Sea),” the question stated. However, the polling firm stood by their objectivity claiming that they are unbiased in their inten-
u PAGE A3 “In the past two years, we have worked hard to lay the cornerstones for the continued advancement of our beneficial cooperation in a wide range of areas. There is a deepening trust and confidence [between] our governments, and we have greatly increased dialogue and interaction on many levels,” Duterte said. n
HISTORIC VISIT. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim poses for a group photo with Armed Forces Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. and other AFP and MILF officials during a visit to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, November 19. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Duterte urged to stand by... PAGE A1
dilemma of whether or not to assert the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “This will test the president’s courage. Will he continue to obey China or will he be brave enough to fight for our country and territory?” she asked. “But all of this is empty bravado if he continues to kowtow before China and endanger our territorial integrity by doing nothing to defend the West Philippine Sea,” Hontiveros added. Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano welcomed the arrival of Chinese president Xi Jinping However, he warned Duterte to prioritize the protection of the country’s territorial claims and national interest in signing the agreements. “We welcome the Chinese president on his arrival in the
country as we want to pursue and maintain diplomatic relations with other countries,” Alejano said. Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay reminded the administration to assert its rights over the international tribunal ruling in The Hague. She noted that since the decision recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the WPS so should China. “The Duterte government has chosen a soft stand on China, opting for a defeatist and meek attitude towards China’s aggression and hogging of our territories. Duterte remains mute and has failed to assert the international tribunal ruling,” Palabay said. “In effect, the government is gift-wrapping our sovereignty and territory in exchange for
Broner to Pacquiao: Forget... PAGE A1 Pacquiao will do the first half of his training in the Philippines, and then the other half in the United States, under Buboy Fernandez and Freddie Roach. The celebrated trainer will be back in the fold as training supervisor. “[Roach] can rest and just watch the training, and instruct the training, strategy-wise, advice some techniques like that,” said Pacquiao. Broner came to the press conference dressed like a rapper. He said he “didn’t come here for the
check” but the chance to become a legend of his own. “[Expletive] the money. I know when I win this fight, there is more money to come. Excuse my language but this ain’t Nickelodeon, this is pay-per-view,” he said. Broner, cocky inside and outside the ring, had seen Pacquiao being knocked out, and thinks it can be done again. “I’m not worried about what Manny does. He has to worry about what I’m doing. I have three losses and he has eight. But he has been knocked out three times so we know he can go to sleep,”
being the next debt colony of China,” she added. Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao said that the Duterte, first and foremost, has a responsibility to consider the betterment of Filipinos before anyone else. “Duterte has the obligation to the Filipino people to reveal fully these agreements, especially on conditionalities and commitments that will bind the country and our people,” Casilao said. Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez revealed that Duterte and the Chinese leader might sign an oil exploration deal. “There should be transparency on these agreements especially since our national policies have been more in line with China’s interests rather than ours,” Dominguez said. n
he said. “He doesn’t need Nyquil (cold medicine) for that, and I have the power to do it,” said Broner, who’s 33-3-1 but never been knocked out. Pacquiao is 60-7-2 with three knockout defeats. “I’m here to knock him out. I feel like a bum trying to fight for a sandwich,” said Broner, who knows what Pacquiao has achieved in the sport. Yet, he doesn’t really seem to care. Broner doesn’t even know how to spell Pacquiao’s name. n
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Dateline USa
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL •
NOvEmbER 23-29, 2018
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FBI sued for records on 1981 Seattle The ‘Sleeping Giant’ awakens: AAPI... murders pinned on Marcos regime SEATTLE — A Seattle lawyer and a documentary filmmaker sued the FBI on Friday, Nov. 9 for allegedly withholding documents to help cover up the sensational 1981 murders of Filipino American cannery-union leaders who were also militant critics of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle by attorney Michael Withey, author of newly published “Summary Execution: The Seattle Assassinations of Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes” (WildBlue Press 2018), and Sharon Maeda, who is working on a film about the murders. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, asks for the release of more than a thousand pages of FBI documents, including ones previously requested through the Freedom of Information Act but denied, in relation to its role in the fatal shootings of Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes in the Pioneer Square headquarters of the ILWU Cannery Workers Local 37 on June 1, 1981. Withey and Maeda specifically want to know why FBI informant LeVane Forsythe, now deceased, tried to derail the murder trial by testifying for the criminal defendants by saying he was present near the murder scene and saw someone else other than the defendants leaving the scene. Withey said he later discovered through his own research of more than three decades and FBI records that Forsythe was an FBI informant with a specific identification number. He said one of
the lingering questions is how Forsythe happened to be at the scene of the murders, whether it was tied to work for the FBI, and whether bureau operatives had prior knowledge of the planned assault. The FBI in 1973-1982, the complaint said, was conducting a “foreign counter-intelligence operation” against the Union of Democratic Filipinos (KDP), the anti-Marcos organization led by Domingo and Viernes in Seattle. Domingo’s name and activities are referred to at least eight times in this investigation. The FBI refused to make a statement, telling the Seattle Times that it does not comment on ongoing litigation. Domingo and Viernes, both 29, militant critics of the Marcos government, were pushing for reforms in the union, which sent Filipino workers to Alaska’s fish canneries. They also successfully lobbied for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s support for the then-largely underground trade union movement in the Philippines. Viernes had returned from a visit with labor activists in the Philippines shortly before his murder. Two defendants, Jimmy Ramil and Ben Guloy, members of a Filipino gang that ran gambling operations in the canneries, were convicted of the murders. Later, the union local’s president Tony Baruso, a town mate of Ferdinand Marcos, was also convicted as principal conspirator, and died in prison.
‘Feel Pinas’ parol-making... PAGE A1 Attended by children and their families and Fil-Ams who have long been staying in the U.S. and wish to recall and revive the parol-making tradition, the Workshop served as a prelude to the forthcoming Parol-Lighting ceremony and Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado in early December. In his welcome remarks, Consul Arman R. Talbo, shared brief a history on how the “parol” was introduced in the Philippines and how it evolved from a traditional to a more modern Christmas ornament and decor. As Filipino Christmas traditions are suffused with religious symbolism, he shared the significance of the “parol” to Filipino homes as each family joyfully awaits the celebration of the birth of Jesus during Christmas. He added that the parol represents the star that appeared in the sky to herald the birth of the Messiah. Ms Susan de Mundo, Tourism Attaché,added that the Philippines has one of the longest and
the most lavish display of parols during the Christmas season citing various sources of parol in the country including Pampanga, Sorsogon, and Laguna. She announced that the Tourism office will assist in the display of parols in the Center to bring the colorful tradition to Fifth Avenue, Manhattan’s busiest thoroughfare especially during the holiday season. Mr. Francis Estrada, a visual artist, and museum educator at the Museum of Modern Art, and freelance educator of Philippine art and culture, led the workshop at the Center. The “Feel Pinas” Parol Workshop is one of the four workshops by the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey headed by Ms. Venessa Manzano, founder of the school. She announced that the three other workshops will be held in Jersey City, Queens and Bergen on December 8, 9 and 15, respectively. These areas are home to large Filipino-American communities. n
The Philippine Consulate General in New York organized a “Feel Pinas” Parol Making Workshop on Saturday, November 17 at the Philippine Center. Mr. Francis Estrada (Center), museum educator at the Museum of Modern Art shows how to make the star using the bamboo material. Photos by NYPCG
Consul Arman R. Talbo (left photo) welcomes the participants of the “Feel Pinas” Parol Making Workshop held at the Philippine Center. Ms. Susan del Mundo of Department of Tourism-NY (Right photo) shared the regions in the Philippines which are famous on parol making.
‘Filipinos trust US most... PAGE A2 tions and that what they do is purely out of public service. “The Social Weather Survey items on people’s opinion about the West Philippine Sea conflict were non-commissioned. They were included on SWS’s own initiative and released as a public service,” the survey firm said. SWS considers net trust ratings of +70 and above as “excellent,”
+50 to +69 “very good,” +30 to +49 “good,” +10 to +19 “moderate,” +9 to -9 “neutral,” -10 to -29 “poor,” -30 to -49 “bad,” -50 to -69 “very bad,” and -70 and below “execrable.” The survey was conducted from September 15 to 23 using faceto-face interviews among 1,500 adults nationwide with sampling error margins of ±3 percent for national percentages. n
During Ramil and Guloy’s trial, FBI informant Forsythe appeared as a surprise witness in their defense. However, Forsythe was discredited when his link to the notorious hoax “Mormon will” of billionaire Howard Hughes was exposed. After the criminal trial, the celebrated Domingo v. Marcos civil suit went to trial in Nov. 1989, and a federal court jury found former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos liable for the murders and awarded $15.1 million in damages to the estates of the slain men. Federal Court Judge Barbara Rothstein found two Marcos allies liable for the murders, stating that they participated in a civil conspiracy initiated by Marcos against the anti-Marcos forces in the U.S. by paying for and/or providing the murder weapon for the murders. At the trial the plaintiffs proved that the murders were paid for out of an intelligence slush fund set up by Marcos with allies in San Francisco to pay for “special security projects.” It is the first and only time a foreign head of state has been held liable for the murders of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle on Oct. 30 wrote to the Department of Justice, in support of Withey and Maeda’s efforts: “Mr. Withey hopes to use these documents to further understand the FBI’s connection with the Domingo and Viernes case so that he might provide closure for the families of the victims.” (Inquirer. net)
PAGE A1 jority blue: 70 percent voted for Democrats and 25 percent voted Republican in House races. But a key finding of the survey was the lead-up to the midterms yielded historic highs in civic engagement. Seventy-three percent of AAPI voters in district races encouraged family or friends to register and/or vote. Notably, health care cost was the No. 1 issue this time around for AAPI voters, coinciding with the ongoing battle between Democrats and Republicans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which, if eliminated as Trump has pledged to do, would wipe millions of Americans off their healthcare. “The poll finds AAPI voters are alarmed with the direction the country is headed in and expressing their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump,” said EunSook Lee, Director of the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund. “Out of enthusiasm for the democratic process, they are showing their power at the polls and through other forms of participation, which has contributed to the Democratic takeover of the House. With AAPIs activated in momentous levels, it will be important to see how this newfound civic activism will impact public policies in the months to come.” But why is mobilization of the AAPI electorate important? Paul Ong, Melany Dela CruzViesca and Don Nakanishi of UCLA’s Asian American Studies described the AAPI electorate as the “sleeping giant,” a steadily growing subset of eligible vot-
ers that could swing elections, in a 2008 study that explored civic engagement among the electorate. The 2008 election of Barack Obama was a huge milestone in the history of American politics, but it also marked the arrival of Asian Americans as a pivotal voting bloc that has the power to swing elections. Although Asian Americans count for only about 6 percent of the overall American population (according to the Census data); by 2040, the AAPI population is expected to double, increasing its electoral impact. Moreover, high concentrations of Asian Americans exist in some of the most pivotal regions, including those surveyed in the 2018 AAPI Civic Engagement Fund exit poll. But despite the poll’s results that may provide important foresight into future electoral politics, it’s striking to know the decadeslong effort to mobilize AAPI voters and shirk misconceptions of the community at large. The correlation between citizenship and eligibility to vote is direct; in order to vote, you have to be a citizen. Asian Americans gained the right to vote in 1952 when the federal government officially eliminated the federal policy that barred Asian immigrants from becoming U.S. citizens. (These policies began to lift in 1943, but a majority of Asians in the U.S. were granted the right to naturalize in 1952.) Then in 1965, the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was signed into law and outlawed racial discrimination at the polls. In 1992, the
VRA expanded in 1992 to include language protections for regions with significant populations of non-English or limited English speakers. “It’s part of the history of nonAAPIs having preconceived notions about who Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are,” Taeku Lee, managing director of Asian American Decisions and one of the key researchers in the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund election eve poll, told the Asian Journal in a recent interview. “Specifically, for a long period of time, there was [a] prevailing stereotype that Asian Americans were not interested in politics, and that’s why they were under participating in electoral politics.” Among the stereotypes attributed to the lack of attention given to Asian American voters by candidates, pollsters and non-AAPIs in general are the notions that Asian Americans either don’t care about American politics or that they’re only interested in the politics of their motherlands; two misconceptions that Lee says are “patently untrue.” For example, if you’re a Philippine-born voter and you’ve expressed interest in the politics of the Philippines, you’re likely to also be engaged in American politics, Lee posits. “So it’s not a zero-sum tradeoff, the idea that being interested in politics of the home country means you won’t be interested in U.S. politics,” Lee said. “The opposite is true: that if you’re more politically-engaged, you’re just more politically-engaged, in any context.”
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Poor air quality follow NorCal fires with potential...
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Aside from the incoming rain and accompanying flash floods and mudslides, effects of the fires have already been seen in the area’s air quality. According to Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit which aggregates data from air quality monitoring sites, the air quality in nearby San Francisco, Stockton, and Sacramento became the three “most polluted cities”in the world on Friday, November 16. Levels were worse than hot spots in China and India. “People with heart of lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Â Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion,” advised the Environmental Protection Agency. On Monday, November 19, the National Weather Service in Sacramento did say that the expected rain would aid in improving the area’s air quality. Looking ahead “We were lucky that a lot of Pinoys offered their homes to most of us,” said Fredylita Leah Junio who is among the 30 plus Fil-Am families who were affected by the fires in Paradise and nearby Magalia. Despite having hopes that her home was among the few spared, she learned of its fate after receiving a photo of its remains taken by one of the crew members working on the fire. “That is what we needed to see as closure that our house is gone,” said Junio. “That moment started our acceptance of the reality.” Junio shared that though many affected have been processing the events in their own
way, most of the Filipino community members have been resilient and pushing for fast recovery. Junio herself had just lost her brother a couple years ago, and said that losing the house was much lighter to take in. “Positive attitude in life takes an integral part to this,” said Junio. “We got out alive and safe, therefore we felt more grateful than sad.” She said many in the community have been keeping in touch with each other, sharing links and addresses of where they could get donations like blankets, winter gear, food, and and of course tips on how to process insurance. Looking back at Paradies, Junio said she opted to live in Paradise because it held many similarities to her life back home in the Philippines. “I felt home because it feels like I was in Ifugao, my hometown in the Philippines,” said Junio, praising Paradise’s low crime rate which has attracted many retired professionals and those looking to raise families. “Our family enjoyed Paradise because it is a small town— peaceful, has great outdoor places to visit, awesome people that smile and wave at you,” said Junio. “Our neighborhood mailboxes do not have locks and our kids go biking around the circle with no fear.” Also being a nurse at the partly damaged Adventist Health Feather River hospital for seven years, Junio had become very much involved in its elderly community and was heartbroken when she thought about the many patients who were disabled, bedridden, or
experienced things like asthma, among other medical issues. She said a lot of the patients were caught unaware of what was happening as many of them were asleep as the fires started to grow. “An old man came out from his home looking shocked why there were bumper to bumper cars along the road in front of his home,” shared Junio. “Some of use were telling him to evacuate right away and it was obvious that he had no clue about the fire.” Roughly 27,000 residents called Paradise home, and as the town and its surrounding communities face the next coming days of land-moving rain among other consequences of the fire, many like Junio have remained grateful for what outside help they’ve received. She said many of the volunteers have been happy and more than willing to assist victims in getting what they need. “When I was assorting donations we got from Pleasant Valley High School, I happened to open a backpack with a note from a couple. Â It made me very emotional,” shared Junio. “In difficult times like this, a simple note will mean the world.” Among the different ways to help victims of the California fires, are donating to American Red Cross by visiting redcross. org or texting REDCROSS to 90999, sending donations to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and to the CCF Wildfire Relief Fund, donating supplies to organizations like Baby2Baby which works to provide needed items to children affected by the fires. (Rae Ann Varona /AJPress)
Fil-Am Gina Ortiz Jones concedes in close... PAGE A1 t
209,000 cast. “I remain committed to serving my community and country, and I wish Will Hurd the courage to fight for TX-23 in the way in which our district deserves,” Ortiz Jones said in a statement on Monday. She attempted to make history by becoming the first Filipina-American to be elected to Congress, as well as the first first openly gay, first Iraq War veteran and first woman House representative from Texas’ 23rd district, which runs along the state’s border with Mexico.
“I would be honored to be the first but it is important that I am not going to be the last because I am only here because of the opportunity my community, my country afforded for me. This is very much about protecting those opportunities for others that are just as talented, just as hungry and need a little bit of help,” Ortiz Jones told the Asian Journal in an interview leading up to the midterm election. Last week, the veteran had filed a court motion to have a deadline to make provisional ballots official but was denied
by a judge. As the Asian Journal previously reported, Ortiz Jones attended orientation for new House members last week despite ballots still being counted. Her campaign said she was invited by the Committee on House Administration, which allows candidates in undeclared races to participate in new member events. Following her concession, Hurd said, ”I want to thank my opponent and her supporters for engaging in the democratic process.” He added that “whether you voted for me or not, I will need your help.” (AJPress)
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From left: Emcee Ms Grace Rustia, Tourism Representative Susan Del Mundo, PACC’s Ms Jeanilyn Ficarra and Dra Aida Rivera, Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov, PACC’s Brad Baldia, Filipino-American Phillies Official Kenny Johnson, Chris and Dr. Rommel Rivera of the PACC welcome guests during the Taste of the Philippines Opening Program at the Reading Terminal market in Philadelphia last 11 November. Photos courtesy of PCGNY
Philadelphia gets a ‘Taste of the Philippines’ in culinary festival
NEW YORK — A bigger and more bustling “Taste of the Philippines” returned to the iconic Reading Terminal Market for the second yearlast 11 November, showcasing the best of Filipino cuisine in the iconic food hall in the center of downtown Philadelphia. Organized by the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce-Pennsylvania and South New Jersey, and the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, eightReading Terminal food merchants joined the festival, giving their own take of Filipino classics. During the opening ceremony, PACC President Rommel Rivera welcomed the guests, noting that Taste of the Philippines is the centerpiece event of PACC-PA & SNJ. Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov congratulated the PACC-PA and SNJ for a successful event, and thanked the host, Reading Terminal Market for “providing the space to share our Filipino cuisine. Food is central in our culture, and when we share with you our food, we share with you our heart.” Tourism Representative Susan Del Mundo was also at the event to represent the DOT and invited the attendees that after having
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LocaLucho Latino Kitchen’s Chicken Adobo with Garlic Rice and Gandules was one of the biggest hits during the Taste of the Philippines
a taste of the Philippine flavors, fer – some of the world’s best isthey should also experience more lands in the world. of what the Philippines has to ofMore than a thousand guests registered for the event, and started lining up for the festival way before the doors opened. The participants and their featured dishes were Bassetts Ice Cream (Mango Ice Cream); Flying Monkey Bakery (Ube Cupcake); Loco Lucho’s Latino Kitchen (Chicken Adobo with Garlic Rice and Gandules); Molly Malloy’s (San Miguel Beer); Nanee’s Kitchen (Chicken Bicol Express); Sang Kee Noodle House (Seafood Palabok); Poi Dog Philly (Bibingka); and Genevieve’s (Lechon Kawali with Rice). SALO Series Chef Yana Gilbuena offered cooking demonstrations of Salmon Kilawin and Mushroom Sisig, while Chef Johneric Concordia hosted a screening of his documentary Prison Chef Yana Gilbuena adds the last touches Food to capacity audiences in the Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov welcomes to her Salmon Kilawin in front of an SRO afternoon. guests to the festival. audience.
The ‘Sleeping Giant’ awakens: AAPI... PAGE A3
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Filipino and non-Filipino guests line up before the festival doors open for Chef Yana Gilbuena’s cooking demonstrations and Chef Johneric Concordia’s food documentary Prison Food.
Overcoming barriers to voting Lee pointed out three interconnected barriers that, to this day, obstruct AAPI voter mobilization for political campaigns and pollsters: cultural competence, technical know-how and cost. He explained that the overall heterogeneity of the AAPI electorate means that you would need bilingual interviewers, sample lists of people who may Asian Americans and translate in several languages. “It’s cost coupled with the idea that this is a sufficiently small segment of the electorate that it doesn’t make any difference if we don’t get any data on them,” Lee said, adding that the AAPI electorate is growing “so exponentially” that it’s becoming more difficult for candidates and campaigns — especially in certain jurisdictions where the concentration is more saturated — to adhere to that logic. For the Filipino-American electorate, in particular, it’s all the more difficult, primarily because of the Spanish surname. Aquilina Soriano Versoza, executive director of the LA-based Pilipino Workers Center, discussed the stereotypes that could put off campaigns and pollsters from taking advantage of the AAPI vote. The model minority myth, which is often applied in an academic context, can also explain the lack of attention the AAPI community receives, especially in terms of issues like health care cost, jobs and wages and public programs. However, the widely-accepted veneer of the “well-off” AAPI ignores the concerning realities of many AAPI families and, in turn,
could deter campaigns from reaching out to them at all. “I think that there’s this stereotype of the Asian business owner, and that most Asians are conservative that not only has this effect of ‘We’re not going to make this effort’ but also this idea that, ‘Oh, we don’t want to mobilize that vote because it’s going to work against us,’” Soriano Versoza told the Asian Journal in a recent interview. Soriano Versoza, last year along with Fil-Am philanthropist Alex de Ocampo and communications consultant Marco Meneghin, established the Filipino Voter Empowerment Project (FVEP) which seeks to encourage more civic engagement and voter turnout among Filipino American voters and to make that electorate more visible. “But the reality is that we have so many working families and those are the people who aren’t as visible, and we have so many Asian Americans who are so spread out, especially the Filipino-American community,” she added. “That’s our goal with FVEP [to] provide a link to the community to address things like the complicated process of voting, increasing voter contact within the Filipino-American community and to ultimately strengthen those voting muscles to make civic engagement more of a habit rather than a chore,” Soriano Versoza said. It’s safe to say that — after the 2018 midterm elections — AAPI voters are more mobilized than ever before, and the results from the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund’s survey inspires innovative methodology to increase engagement. In 2008, Obama and Organiz-
ing For America demonstrated the positive effects of a strong ground game — i.e. door-to-door canvassing, voter contact via phone calls and text messages — that involves the campaign team (especially the candidate themselves) making the effort to personalize the mobilization. Lee described this direct contact as “the best way to convert someone from a couch sitter to an active voter.” Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders famously mobilized voters in the 2016 primary election by employing a comprehensive ground game that involved visiting key districts, knocking on doors, increasing contact with previously ignored electorates and utilizing social media to further mobilization, especially among millennials. Notably, Democratic senatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke of Texas took it a step further and made diversity a cornerstone of his campaign. This was coupled by strategic social media mobilization which brought his campaign national attention. (Although he lost, O’Rourke won 66 percent of the AAPI vote and, from the looks of it, is likely going to remain a tastemaker in American politics going forward.) “If you’re going to reach out to an AAPI voter, you’re likely to succeed if it’s an AAPI volunteer on the other end of the phone or on the other side of the door or if it’s someone who is a neighbor or someone who you attend church services with,” Lee offered. “The more personal you can make the connection, the likelier you are to convert someone into an active voter, and that’s another thing we’re seeing that has been effective.” n
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D ateline PhiliPPines NDF, peace panel cancel return to PH due to arrest threat Andaya: No pork in 2019 budget by aJPress NATIONAL Democratic Front (NDF) Peace Panel chairman Fidel Agcaoili, NDF Senior Adviser Luis Jalandoni and Peace Panel member Coni Ledesma canceled their scheduled return to the Philippines due to the impending arrest threat from President Rodrigo Duterte. Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Founding chairman Jose Maria Sison shared on the NDF website about how Agcaoili and his constituents were scheduled to return on Monday, November 19. However, the government has yet to clarify that no arrest or harassment will be made. “Fidel (Agcaoili) also feels insecure and wants to be assured that there will be no threat against him from the military or police despite assurance of safety from (presidential peace adviser) Jess Dureza and Bebot Bello (government chief peace negotiator) that there is no pending charge against him,” Sison said as reported by The Philippine Star.
“But Louie (Luis Jalandoni) and Coni (Ledesma) have already decided not to return to the Philippines due to threats of arrest from General Año (Interior Secretary Eduardo Año),” Sison added. Agcaoili, Jalandoni and Ledesma are supposed to meet with Duterte so that they could resume the peace talks they had before. However, no assurance was given to ensure that the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will keep their hands off them during their stay in the Philippines. In a statement, Dureza said President Duterte has ordered them to meet Agcaoili and Jalandoni should they come to the Philippines. The peace process adviser even set the meeting between Duterte and NDF leaders next week. “President Duterte has tasked me and secretary Panelo to meet with them in an informal chat. I am now on my way to head the Philippine delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in New
York so the planned meeting may take place upon my return next week,” Dureza said. Dureza assured that he had checked and found that Agcaoili and Jalandoni had no pending warrants of arrest. He even added that the petition filed at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to declare the CPP, its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) and the NDF as terrorist groups remains pending and still not implemented However, Secretary Año seemed to contradict the peace process adviser. He claimed that the two communist leaders have both pending warrants of arrest in Quezon province and would be arrested unless President Duterte orders otherwise. Sison also added that the NDF lawyers were threatened since Jalandoni and Ledesma are included in the list of 600 proscription cases connected with Proclamation 374. The legal consultants said that the two might face court summonings as soon as they arrive in the country. n
Bill that provides incentives to OFWs filed in Senate SEN. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV wants a law that will provide incentives and benefits to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who wish to start a business in the country. The senator filed Senate Bill 2101 or the “Business Incentives for OFWs Act” following the suggestion of an OFW from Batangas City during a local consultation session. “Ito’y isang reporma na hiniling mismo ng ating mga OFW. Marami sa kanila ay nais magkaroon ng kabuhayan sa Pilipinas at makapiling ang pamilya (This is a reform that OFWs specifically requested. Most of them wanted to put up their livelihood and be with their families),” Aquino said. If the bill becomes law, OFWowned enterprises will be given benefits and incentives once they decide to invest in the Philippines, including exemption from payment of income tax for five years. Other benefits for an OFWowned business enterprise include 50-percent reduction on real property taxes and tax and duty free importation of raw materials, capital equipment, machineries and spare parts exclu-
Senate Bill 2101 or the “Business Incentives for OFWs Act” will provide incentives and benefits to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who wish to start a business in the country. ManilaTimes.net photo
sively used in the operation. Enterprises owned by OFWs will also receive preferential access to financing from government financial institutions. “Isa sa mga pagkukunan ng kabuhayan ng ating OFWs ay ang pagkakaroon ng matagumpay na negosyo (One of the sources of livelihood of our OFWs is having a successful business),” Aquino said. “Bigyan natin sila ng pagkakataong magkaroon ng kabuhayan sa Pilipinas upang makasama nila ang kanilang pamilya at makitang lumaki ang kanilang mga anak (Let us give them the chance to
have their livelihood in the Philippines so that they can be with their families and see how their children grow),” he said. Aquino earlier filed SB 648 or the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Assistance Act” to boost support for the OFW community and the families they leave back home. SB 647 aims to integrate programs on livelihood, entrepreneurship, savings, investments and financial literacy to the existing efforts of embassies to equip OFWs with knowledge to start their own business. (ManilaTimes.net)
by aJPress
“Until now, we haven’t cleared them yet with Cabinet members. House Majority Leader Rolan- We were swamped by a very undo Andaya Jr. denied the alleged usual number of requests compork insertions by the House of ing from the executive,” Andaya Representatives (HOR) members explained. The House voted 196-8 in apon Tuesday, November 21 as he noted that those were just some proving for the third and final reading the general appropria“very unusual” belated orders. Andaya said that Philippine tions bill during their regular plePresident Rodrigo Duterte and nary session. It was eight days certain Cabinet members only had late requests as they pushed for the passage of the proposed P3.757-trillion budget for 2019. The majority leader for the lower house also dismissed Senator Panfilo Lacson’s claim that the approval of next year’s expenditure program was stalled by last-minute insertions of funds for their pet projects. “There’s no more delay just to allay the fears that the budget will be reenacted or that we’re stalling,” Andaya said as reported by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. This was after Lacson blamed the HOR for the insertions, noting that it could have caused the delay in the national budget. “And I dare say, it’s all the fault of the House that their insertions, aka pork barrel allocations, which I guess is their main reason for the delay, will not be implemented if the national government operates under a reenacted budget,” Lacson said. Andaya assured them that the budget will be ready just in time. He also noted that they will have no reenacted budget for 2019. “It was very clear to the leadership of the Senate last week that they will get the budget on time. And to make it clear, we will not have a reenacted budget for next year,” Andaya added. Andaya also stated that working on the national budget is tedious and should not be rushed. The said national budget for the next year would be P10 billion lower than the current one. “It was our duty to look at it one by one. You cannot just speed that up and sacrifice the quality of our work. So it would take some time,” Andaya said. Andaya said that the House had been receiving several requests, even from the President, to set aside funds for projects, which were not in the original budget proposal submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
ahead of the date earlier set by a House official for the passage of the measure. A House leader on Monday said that they would be able to pass the budget on third and final reading by November 28. However, Lacson said that such would leave the Senate little time to scrutinize the bill before the Christmas break. n
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NOVEMBER 23-29, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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FEATURES
OPINION
Return of the bells
AFTER more than a century, it looks like the Bells of Balangiga are finally headed back to the Philippines. This week a symbolic handover was done in the U.S. state of Wyoming, where two of the bells are displayed as spoils of a brutal war. A third bell is in South Korea. All three are expected to be back in Eastern Samar’s Balangiga town by next month. The bells were taken during America’s foray into colonial rule. When the United States supplanted Spain as the new foreign ruler of the Philippines, freedom fighters resisted in Samar and several other provinces. A vicious guerrilla attack on U.S. troops that was heralded by the tolling of the church bells of Balangiga prompted U.S. General Jacob Smith to order Samar turned into “a howling wilderness.” Much has changed since then in bilateral relations. Even as a segment of the Philippine population continued fighting for full independence from the U.S., other Filipinos embraced the so-called 50 years of Hollywood, learning English and the ways of Western democracy, and enjoying corned beef and Coca-Cola. The two sides fought as allies during World War II, going through the same ordeal. Even when the Philippines gained full political independence af-
ter the war, the two allies remained bound by a mutual defense treaty and shared values on democracy and human rights. Millions of Filipinos now live in the United States, with most members of the younger generations born there. The Balangiga bells, however, remained a sore point in the alliance. Previous administrations had tried to recover the bells, but were rebuffed by U.S. war veterans’ groups and their families especially in Wyoming, home state of most of the American forces killed in Balangiga. While the deaths of 48 U.S. soldiers were tragic and unfortunate, citizens of the world’s bastion of democracy would understand that the Filipino guerrillas were fighting for freedom. Filipinos were also killed during the attack and in the “howling wilderness.” sad, ugly chapter in the two countries’ relations. Returning the bells would bring closure to that Filipinos eagerly wait for the bells to toll again,
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
this time in friendship, in the church of Balangiga. (Philstar.com)
As the Republican leadership refuses to protect the Mueller probe, Senate Democrats sue President Trump for defying the Constitution in appointing Whitaker
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS POST-MIDTERM elections, President Donald Trump finally forced Attorney General (AG) Jeff Sessions to resign, and at the heart of this was Sessions’s recusing himself from the Russia probe because of conflict of interest. Trump had repeatedly lashed out at Sessions, saying had he known Sessions would do so, he wouldn’t have appointed him for this top Justice Department post. The president then appointed Matthew Whitaker, the chief of staff of Sessions, to be acting AG. This appointment bypassed the line of succession statute which mandates that should there be a vacancy, the Deputy Attorney General should replace the AG, and that official is Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein became the acting AG, overseeing the Russia probe when Sessions recused himself, and was instrumental in appointing Special Counsel Robert Mueller to head the investigation in the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to interfere and influence the 2016 presidential election. Trump has been undermining the Russia probe, calling it a “witch hunt”, and has now picked Whitaker to be acting AG who will now oversee the Mueller probe, instead of Rosenstein. The problem with Whitaker is
that he has made public statements in the past discrediting the Mueller probe, and has expressed that the DOJ should limit the scope of the probe and slash its budget to cripple the full investigation wherever the facts and evidence take it. Republican and Democratic senators filed a motion to protect Mueller from being fired, yet Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to subject the motion to a vote. Now, a group of Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit that seeks a court order preventing Whitaker from continuing to serve as the acting attorney general. This complaint joins other legal challenges and is the first that squarely addresses Whitaker’s appointment. The lawsuit filed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse and Mazie Hirono — all members of the Senate Judiciary Committee — contend that Whitaker was ineligible to step in as the interim attorney general because his past role as a Sessions aide did not require Senate confirmation. Senator Blumenthal tweeted on Monday, November 19, “Americans prize checks and balances. Trump’s dictatorial appointment of Whitaker denies Senators from completing our constitutional obligation to scrutinize the nomination of our top law enforcement official. We are left with no choice but to seek recourse through the
courts.” The Senate Democrats sue Trump to challenge the constitutionality of Trump’s appointment of Whitaker as the acting AG on November 7. According to the complaint, “the Constitution’s Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm high-level federal government officials, including the Attorney General, before they exercise the duties of the office”. As the National Law Journal reported, “The lawsuit highlighted Whitaker’s past involvement as an adviser to a company that shut down after being accused by the Federal Trade Commission of bilking consumers out of $26 million. Critics also contend Whitaker is predisposed, based on media appearances and written comments, to curtail Special Counsel Robert Mueller III’s ongoing investigation of Donald Trump’s campaign ties to Russia.” The DOJ defended the appointment of Whitaker in a statement: “President Trump’s designation of Matt Whitaker as Acting Attorney General of the United States is lawful and comports with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court precedent, past Department of Justice opinions, and actions of U.S. Presidents, both Republican and Democrat. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a tempo-
rary basis, the duties of a Senateconfirmed position. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent.” In a Fox News interview, Trump denied any knowledge of Whitaker’s previous statements against the Mueller probe, despite such statements had been made public online, on print, and on television. In the same interview, Trump said that having known now, it would not change anything. “No collusion,” the president insisted. The Senate Democrats pointed out in their complaint: “The stakes are too high to allow the president to install an unconfirmed lackey to lead the Department of Justice — a lackey whose stated purpose, apparently, is undermining a major investigation into the president.” “Donald Trump cannot subvert the Constitution to protect himself and evade accountability.” Trump’s attack on the credibility of Mueller and Rosenstein escalates, even when these two men are registered Republicans and have earned the respect of the Republicans, Democrats and Independents for their impeccable integrity. Trump also continues to attack the Mueller probe, and will not sit down for a face-to-face interview with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, contrary to his earlier statements that he would fully cooperate because he is innocent and has nothing to hide.
His attacks against the investigation and the people overseeing the investigation negate his claim of innocence. What is he so angry about and afraid of? Maybe it is because the Mueller probe, which calls a “witch hunt” has now indicted or gotten guilty pleas from 32 people and three companies — composed of four former Trump advisers, 26 Russian nationals, three Russian companies, one California man, and one London-based lawyer. As reported by Vox: - Six of these people have pleaded guilty. Four of these are ex-Trump aides who struck plea deals with Mueller — Manafort and Gates were charged with a series of offenses related to their past work for Ukrainian politicians and their finances. Papadopoulos and Flynn both admitted making false statements with investigators to hide their contacts with Russians. - The probe has also filed two major indictments of Russian nationals and a few Russian companies for crimes related to alleged interference with the 2016 election: the troll farm indictment, and the email hacking indictment. - Konstantin Kilimnik, a longtime Manafort associate, has been charged with obstruction of justice. - Michael Cohen and Sam Patten struck plea deals after Mueller referred their investigations
elsewhere. - If you also count investigations that Mueller originated but then referred elsewhere in the Justice Department, you can add plea deals from two more people to the list. - Other reported focuses of Mueller’s investigation — such as potential obstruction of justice by the Trump administration — have also not resulted in any indictments yet. The Vox rightly pointed out, “It’s a sprawling set of allegations, encompassing both election interference charges against overseas Russians, and various other crimes by American Trump advisers. However, Mueller hasn’t yet alleged any crimes directly connecting the two — that is, alleging that Trump advisers conspired with Russian officials to impact the election. He is continuing to investigate that.” Mueller has seen evidence nobody has seen. He knows the big picture. He puts all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together. His independent investigation needs to be completed without interference. The American people need to know the truth. And that is what Trump is so afraid of. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Once more, on Filipino languages
Commentary FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO THE Supreme Court did not excise so-called “Filipino” (a.k.a. Tagalog) from the curriculum. No court has any business doing that. Courts do not resolve curricular issues. What it did though was decide that the petition to interdict the implementation of the K to 12 curriculum — involving a college curriculum that no longer prescribed Filipino — lacked legal warrant. The petition to enjoin having been dismissed, the result, of course, is that the CHEd-ordained curriculum that does not require Filipino stands. My brilliant friend Antonio Contreras asks why we even prescribed a “national language” in the fundamental law, and he is right in raising the question. It was wrong, I maintain, to prescribe a “national language” in our Constitution. A nation does not need one national language to survive and to flourish as a nation. If anything at all, it is the imposition of the ill-contrived that spawns violence and triggers divisiveness. Since it was Manila that formulated policy, Manila chose the language with which
it was most familiar, decreeing it to be the language of a people who have always had different languages. In many ways, this anomalous and truly unjust situation has its roots in the mistake of calling Ibanag, Pangasinan, Waray, Cebuano, etc. “dialects,” implying of course that they are variants of one language. Any decent source on languages will show that Ibanag, as most other Philippine languages, belongs to the Austronesian family of languages. It has its own rules of syntax; it has its own semantic complications and it has pragmatics all its own. Our policymakers ignored all this. Gave Tagalog the habiliments of, first Pilipino, and later Filipino, and canonized it as the language of an entire nation. It worked — in the sense that the media deluged the towns, cities and barangays with Tagalog programs. The national government did its share in this assault on indigenous languages: It decreed that Tagalog would be the medium of instruction in the rather ridiculous belief that once Tagalog was known by all, it would make students understand lessons more easily and
teaching more effective. But Tagalog had to be learned in nonTagalog regions, while the facility with which our pupils and students spoke, read, wrote and discussed in English steadily and cumulatively declined. Just as the rest of the world was rushing to learn English, we were running in the opposite direction — foreswearing it, in the name of some moronic version of nationalism that equates being a nation with speaking one language. Are we better off for all this hoopla over Tagalog? Res ipsa loquitur. Our world standing, academically, remains mediocre, and a growing number of graduates cannot find jobs because the English they speak and write is labored and laborious — and that, most certainly, is not good enough for regional and global business. So much literature is in English — so much information in the sciences and in various other disciplines. What were the proponents of this mad proposition even thinking: That this formidable intellectual corpus would be translated into Tagalog and, in consequence, better understood by Ilocano, Ibanag, Cebuano, Waray, Chabacano,
Hundreds of students wave the Philippine and Korean flags during the Korean Culture Caravan held at the Pasay City National Science High School on Friday, November 16. The caravan aims to boost cultural exchange between Filipinos and Koreans. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Tausug students? So, Tagalog is no longer required in college. Good. Then let us get on with the task of undoing an ambivalent language policy in higher education that has really proved to be our undoing! Let us, like Asean, make the firm decision that we shall do business — teach, read, study, write and discuss — in English. It need not be
the King’s English. The datu’s will do, provided that it is English that is grammatically sound for grammar is not, after all, some nicety with which one can dispense. It is the guarantee of intelligibility. With educational policy finally regaining its sensible bearings, the other, equally original, equally indigenous, equally worthy Philippine languages can thrive and
flourish. There is no reason that they should perish. There is no reason that this cultural invasion of Tagalog into every barangay and purok should define our future national life. We are a country of a myriad islands and we are a nation of distinct ethnicities and languages as distinct. That fact will not divide us. Stupidity will! (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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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N OV E M B E R 23, 20 1 8
Meet Fil Am designer Zaldy, costume designer for Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Volta’ and ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ by MoMar
G. Visaya / AJPress
FOR over a decade now, renowned designer Zaldy Goco has straddled the twin genres of fashion and costume design to create unforgettable, timeless, and beautifully crafted clothing. A decade earlier, he was moving seamlessly between music and fashion, creating a tapestry that could very well be a major accent to his finale dress. That is if we look at his life’s trajectory as a runway fashion show. While making a name and creating a fierce brand, Zaldy (according to the New York Times, he dropped his last name when he was in high school) has also become a two-time Emmy Award-winning costume designer through his work on “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. He has also been actively collaborating with Cirque du Soleil and the partnership has been growing through the years. Zaldy’s third major project with the famed group is “Volta”, which just opened last week at
the AT&T Center in downtown San Francisco. Prior to “Volta”, Zaldy worked on Michael Jackson “The Immortal World Tour” and “Michael Jackson ONE”. The fabric of “Volta” “The message of ‘Volta’, ‘Find your Free,’ is really the muse of the show,” Zaldy said when we asked about his inspiration behind the stunning designs for “Volta”. “The different families we discover along the journey of Waz (the main character in Volta) and his inner and outer struggle take us to worlds that have specific signifiers,” he added. “For example the Free Spirits are meant to live off the land so I wanted to create looks that reflect D.I.Y, up-cycle, recycle attitudes to dress. As if they found all of these discarded pieces of backpacks, rope, net etc. and creatively fashioned looks for themselves.” The themes of alienation and self-realization are also evident in the numerous costumes in the show, to fit what Waz has to go through in order to find his true self. With “Volta” as his third Cirque du Soleil show, Zaldy had to make a few necessary adjustments when it came to costume design. “My first two shows for Cirque du Soleil—Michael Jackson ‘The Immortal World Tour’ and ‘MJOne’—are very different to Volta since the inspiration comes from the life and work of a real person,” he said. “Though the muses of the shows are very different my design aesthetic remains the same: I approach costume design the way I do fashion design where my goal is to create desirability.”
Zaldy also dabbled in modeling before concentrating on his design career.
Zaldy with RuPaul on the red carpet of the recent Emmy Awards Photo from instagram.com/@zaldynyc
“Of course, I must take into account our athletes particular performance needs, but the end result for me should be something you might want to walk away with,” he added. Zaldy & RuPaul Zaldy launched his namesake collection in 2002 and has since imagined stage looks for many of the most celebrated and diverse performers of this era: Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige, RuPaul, Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani and Britney Spears among them. From 2004 to 2007, Zaldy was the head designer of Gwen Stefani’s highly successful L.A.M.B. collection, which fused streetwear with elements of the singer’s glam-punk look. It was through his work with RuPaul that he first got nominated for an Emmy Award in 2016. He lost, but because of his consistently great design work, he was nominated again last year and he won. At the recent Emmy Awards, Zaldy won for Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Programming, a special back to back win and it took a little while before everything sunk in. “It’s very surreal still...we never set out thinking this show would end up, 10 years later, with all of this acclaim and attention,” Zaldy revealed. “We were really doing this to have fun with our friends! This really shows how even when walls seem to be closing in, the general public has evolved in attitude and me along with it!” Asked about his relationship with RuPaul and what his creative process with him is like, Zaldy replied with a simple yet meaningful “I love Ru!” Zaldy poses with his second Emmy Award. Top photo shows his first Emmy Award show Zaldy’s early work with when he was nominated in 2016. Photo from instagram.com/@zaldynyc
Angel Aquino is gloriously gorgeous By Nathalie
toMada Philstar.com
ANGEL Aquino plays a 50year-old woman who falls for a much younger man in “Glorious”, Dreamscape Entertainment’s digital film now available on ABS-CBN’s new iWant streaming service. But Angel’s Glory is no cougar on the hunt. The film firmly establishes that it’s her character — a mother of three and former bank executive suffering from a broken marriage — who is pursued and won over by the persistent store assistant Nico (played by Tony Labrusca) who’s even younger than her youngest child. The challenges, excitement and stigma that come with a May-December romance make up the crux of this risqué love story directed by Connie Macatuno. Their difference in age couldn’t be more emphasized in a scene where Angel is told by Tony’s disapproving grandmother that Glory has already found her place in the world, but Nico has yet to, so please don’t steal away his future (or words to that effect). In real life, Angel is 45 and Tony, 23. Asked how they were able to build their rapport and chemistry despite their 20something age gap, Angel said in an interview prior to the film’s premiere night last Nov. 15 that
Contributed photo
Ru started with his single “Supermodel” (the 1993 video credited for launching RuPaul’s career) and that has created a bond of trust between the two, to the point where Zaldy even gets to create what he thinks is best for RuPaul without sketches or fittings. “We often have referred to our creative work together as telepathic! It’s a very rare relationship I have with only a handful of clients that imbue that much trust in me,” he explained. That relationship has moved to yet another level as they have just started work on their new Netflix series with creator Michael Patrick King (the man behind “Sex and the City”) called “AJ and the Queen”. “This is more of a traditional approach, in a way, where I do create sketches to share so people have an idea of what they will be shooting, however Ru and I are really left to create the best character we can together,” Zaldy said. A June 2018 feature on Vogue titled “Zaldy Is the Designer RuPaul Wouldn’t Go Anywhere Without” retraced how RuPaul and Zaldy met in the late ’80s at La Palace de Beauté, a nightclub in Union Square. Zaldy said he approached Ru to talk clothes. “Ru had worn the same outfit two nights in a row, and when I brought it up, Ru told me, ‘When it works, it works’,” he recalled. Looking back “I think once I knew what a designer was, I knew I wanted to design clothes,” Zaldy shared, looking back on the days when he was drawn to fashion and costumes even as a young child. Born in Cheshire, Connecticut, Zaldy grew up with his two sisters. He told the Times that it
Zaldy posted in his Instagram account that he was working on the costumes for Volta. Photo from instagram.com/@zaldynyc
was an idyllic childhood, fishing the lake and ice skating in winter. He remembers his early days of watching Cher with his grandmother Presentacion (a dentist who had her own fashion school in the Philippines called Paris Manila Fashions) and they would always talk about her looks and outfits. “Even though I clearly was an artistic child, I was convinced I was going to be a doctor or a plastic surgeon,” he shared. Since he comes from a family of doctors who are married to doctors, he thought his career path was already mapped out for him. “Of course this all changed the more sure I was with who I was and where I wanted to go,” Zaldy affirmed. He studied fashion design at Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Before he became a designer, Zaldy also dabbled in fashion modelling with designers like Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler getting him to modeling women’s clothes for them. In 1995, he was featured as a model in a British television ad for Levi’s, an ad campaign that was way ahead of its time, according to Zaldy who posted
the now 23-year-old ad on his Instagram account recently. The advertisement was banned in the United States and was shown only late at night in the United Kingdom. Fashion forward Aside from the new Netflix series “AJ and the Queen” starring RuPaul and from the creator Michael Patrick King, Zaldy has his hands full creating custom looks for Katy Perry for “American Idol,” designing looks for Lady Gaga’s Las Vegas residency, and creating two more projects with the founder of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberte. “Unfortunately, I don’t get to the Philippines too much. I work so much! Even when travelling, it’s difficult even if I’m already in Japan or China working,” Zaldy said with a hint of disappointment. But he remains hopeful that he gets to return and visit his parents’ motherland someday soon. “Maybe a project will bring me specifically to the Philippines. That would be amazing! (Cirque du Soleil’s “Volta” is at Under the Big Top, AT&T Park in San Francisco from November 15, 2018 to February 3, 2019 and will be at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds from Februrary 13 to March 19, 2018.)
Vice Ganda no longer hiding ‘friendship’ with baller Calvin Abueva By MariNel
r. Cruz
Inquirer.net
WHAT’S wrong with that?” asked comedian-TV host Vice Ganda when sought for comment about his closeness to basketball player Calvin Abueva. Vice, however, was careful not to call this anything other than friendship. “We’re not exclusively dating. I’m not that clingy. I don’t mind sharing him with other friends. Friendship is love,” he pointed out. “Calvin is the only guy who is proud to be friends with me,” Vice told reporters on Saturday at the opening of the flagship store of his Vice Cosmetics at Market! Market! in Taguig City. “This is why I’m more open to talking about him publicly. I was proud of my ‘other’ [guy] friends, too, but I tried to protect them from public scrutiny. If they don’t Angel and her “Glorious” leading man Tony Labrusca are all smiles at the premiere night of feel comfortable [to be identified their Dreamscape-produced digital film. Philstar.com photos with me], I don’t pressure them,” the comedian explained. “Right he looked good on camera. it helped that “I really wanted it now, I can say that Calvin and I are And so, when I was given the to be him” as leading man. opportunity and the privilege to happy with what he have.” In fact, one could say she Vice said he appreciated that be part of choosing my leading lobbied for Tony to be her coCalvin was very open and didn’t man, I gave his name and I star. Angel explained, “When I mind being associated with him. asked them to please, please ask saw him in (the teleserye) ‘La him if he would be willing to do During a game, the Phoenix Fuel Luna Sangre’, I got curious. Masters guard once winked at this.” (I thought) wow ang natural Continued on Page 5 Vice after scoring a point, an naman ng batang ito. And
Vice said he appreciated that Calvin was very open and didn’t mind being associated with him. Photo from Instagram/@viceralmiles_17
online report said. Calvin even cooked his specialty adobo and had it sent to the set of the noontime variety program “It’s Showtime!,” where Vice is one of the hosts. The comedian called Calvin to thank the latter on air. Vice was also thankful for the positive feedback from netizens. “I’m glad people are genuinely
happy for me. I feel the support, especially online. I think it’s high time that people become more welcoming and understanding,” he added. “Why do some people feel revolted by this? Is there anything dirty about it? More and more Filipinos embrace this kind of friendship now.” Continued on Page 6
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ THANKSGIVING is when people step back and reflect on all of the wonderful things and events to be grateful for, and to give thanks to those people who played such a key role in helping us achieve them. At this Thanksgiving, I would like to once again give thanks to all of the people who have been so kind and supportive of me and my immigration law practice. Thank you to all of my clients. You are the reason I am able to remain in business. I also know how important your immigration matter is in your life and in the life of your family. I appreciate your trust and confidence in my office, in allowing us to handle such an important matter. Thank you to the entire Filipino community. I truly appreciate your warmth and support, and I thank you for all of your letters and emails telling me how you enjoy my articles and television show, Citizen Pinoy. I am happy to be of service to you, and I will continue to support Filipino events and causes. Thank you to ABS-CBN, TFC, and the entire crew of “Citizen Pinoy,” who share my vision of providing a public-service program to the Filipino community concerning immigration information. It
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA LONG ago, on a visit to my father’s grave site on Father’s day, my husband, daughter and I trudged along several tombstones of husbands and wives who lived in the 1850’s and died just before the mid1900’s buried side by side on a quiet, lush, manicured patch of Forest Lawn Glendale. My daughter noted the pattern in the headstones of a generation ago. I commented that it is getting harder to find such longevity of devotion these days among younger married couples of the current generation. Call this the Age of Distraction. Perhaps it is because the young ones are engaged in far too many distractions and mired in too much selfabsorption living in a popular culture that fosters self-love and to a point, extreme narcissism. It has become a struggle for many couples just to stay together. One might argue that the generations before us didn’t have the same challenges that we are having. True. It may have been a far simpler time compared to the complexities we are all faced with. And yet they leave behind lessons of love that result in devotion and fidelity. Surely, we can learn a lot about nurturing human relations from those who have gone before us. This I have learned from an older generation at an early age. Of all the powerful words in the English language, the words “Thank you” are like magic wands in helping transform human relationships, marriage in particular, happier. Not perfect … just happier. You don’t even have to say the words. You can acknowledge anything good done for you by your partner by a sweet gesture, a nod, a smile, a touch or anything else that works for you that says “thank you.” In short, don’t take your partner for granted. Whether you’ve been together 50 days or 50 years, those words never get old. If you want that most powerful emotion called love to live on, treat your partner like a gardener takes care of a plant. Most plants cannot survive without water, light, soil and other optimum conditions kept at a consistent basis. The human heart is like that. It grows strong and beautiful with constant, devoted care. Saying “thank you” to your partner in life as often as you can, simply means you appreciate him or her. You are validating his worth as a person.
Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks makes me so proud and happy when people come up to me, saying they watch Citizen Pinoy every single week, and have learned so much from the real life stories and questions and answers presented. I thank all the crew of Citizen Pinoy for their hard work, dedication, and passion for this worthy public service. Thank you to all of our friends in the media, who through their prestigious publications, enabled us to reach those who need our services and inform the Filipino community about newsworthy immigration information. You serve as an avenue to help “BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER” and help “MAKE THE AMERICAN DREAM COME TRUE.” Thank you to my staff. Your tireless efforts and dedication to our clients are the main reasons we can continue to provide quality service to our many loyal clients. Thank you to my wife, Millie. People say that behind every successful man, there is a Filipina wife. After many years of marriage, I know it’s true. Words cannot express my gratitude for your help, support and dedication to our business. You are the “wind beneath my wings.”
And most of all, thank you to the Almighty. Without His blessings, benevolence, and guidance, none of this would be possible. May He allow me to continue to assist people with their problems, and allow the prayers of all people to be answered and fulfilled. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Two Magical Words (First of 2 parts)
“…And I think about those people who mean so much to me And for so many years have made me so very happy And I count the times I have forgotten to say “THANK YOU” And just how much I love them.” — “Sometimes”, Richard & Karen Carpenter Perhaps, being appreciated and shown respect is next on the list of the most basic needs of a human being after the needs of food, clothing and shelter are met. The words may not come naturally to you and your partner may be stunned at first but go ahead. Give it a try and say “thank you.” Say ‘em like you mean ‘em. Look for the small gestures such as giving you a cup of coffee, opening your car door, doing housework, cleaning your car or filling up your gas tank. Just don’t take what he does for you as a given. Or how about taking the initiative yourself? If you do it long enough and often enough, he might mirror your behavior. What goes around comes around. If he brings home the paycheck that pays for your family life, then treat him like a king. Often, the goodhearted partner will treat you like his queen. There are exceptions, of course. It is only the jerks and the jackasses who abuse their positions of strength. That holds true for both sexes. If there is constant, sincere appreciation shifting back and forth between partners, you are, in effect, cementing a foundation for a relationship that would be tough to crack even if a threat to your marriage, like a pretty, young vixen with mile-long legs comes along making a play for your partner. Likewise, a smooth talking, slick Pepe Le Pew character with washboard abs would smell more like Brad’s sweaty armpit and would have no chance with a woman who already has a man at home she can canoodle with. What is good for the gander is good for the goose. There may be scores of women out there right now who feel neglected by their spouses. Maybe there’s another woman or man waiting in the wings. But more often than not during this Age of Distraction, the disaffection is rooted in selfabsorption. And there lies the problem. Women need, want and crave appreciation just as much as men, if not more. Self-love takes many forms — whether it is playing video games or social networking on FB or some such platform on the internet for hours on end; binge drinking; gambling; watching or
playing golf or any other sport; vain, self-obsession as a health nut or on becoming an Adonis body-building hunk or going to the deep end of things, deviant sex and pornography. Excessive time spent on these obsessions is time stolen from nurturing the love relationship. Watch out for these modern-day distractions and addictions that are just too many to list. Okay, let’s call a spade a spade. These are sins. Admit them if you have them and break the bonds with firm resolve. If you want true love and happiness, strive for balance and moderation. In all cases of neglect, love is left to wither and die. Women who feel neglected, if driven to their limits, may throw all caution to the wind and look for love from the first opportunistic guy that comes along ready to engage in mild flirtation, an occasional dalliance or a full blown affair and gives them the attention and validation they crave. Such women can make disastrous, life-changing decisions that cause not only personal damage but also leave behind in the wake of a messy split, massive psychological, irreversible damage to children and other people involved in the couple’s orbit. Say “thank you” and mean it. Don’t just do it out of habit. Cut off the cellphone “umbilical cord” and make eye contact. Open your eyes and see the good in your partner. Wisdom, as they say, is knowing what to overlook. Rein in that critical sharp tongue. The tongue is a small yet powerful muscle that can lash out, slash and burn a relationship forever. The effect is amplified a million times when you write it down or use the web to vent your fury. When you document your anger on paper and more frequently these days online, you have entered “scorched earth” territory. There is little chance of ever going back. (To be continued in next week’s issue …) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc. com. To read past articles, click on the link Online: http://issuu.com/ asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before google.
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FATHER AND DAUGHTER REUNITE AFTER 40 YEARS OF LIFE-CHANGING CHOICES AND “MISFORTUNES” ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY”! Decades ago, Tatay Rolando left his wife and daughters in the Philippines to seek a better life in the U.S. After getting his green card, he petitioned his family, except for Anna Lyn (center) who had turned 21, and was left behind. The years that followed became a series of rough twists and turns for Anna Lyn, including being caught attempting to enter the U.S. on a fraudulent visa. After a fraud waiver prepared by another attorney was denied, leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel put together a convincing fraud waiver package that was quickly approved, paving the way for the much-awaited, happy reunion of this family on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
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‘Bubble Gang’ keeps Filipino humor alive at 23 By IzA IglesIAs ManilaTimes.net
GMA Network’s “Bubble Gang” remains the favorite comedy program of millions of Filipinos worldwide because of its unique, amusing and one-of-a-kind parodies, sketches and gags on television commercials, famous personalities and current events. For over two decades now, the show hasn’t failed to deliver quality entertainment to generations of televiewers across the country. As it celebrates its 23rd anniversary, Bubble Gang presents a narrative uniquely intertwining the show’s popular segment forms—talk, interview, musical parody, sketches, commercial spoof and gag dubbed as “Bente Tres Oras.” This year’s TV special tells the adventures of Bea Bangenge (Michael V.) and Toto Batoto (Antonio Aquitania) as they embark on a journey to find a WiFi connection for Bea. On their trip, they meet famous Bubble Gang characters such as Antonietta, Don Cantoni, Mr. Assimo, Tata Lino, the Balitang Ina hosts, Lebrown James and many more. The cast — which includes Paolo Contis, Betong Sumaya, Sef Cadayona, Boy 2 Quizon, Mikoy Morales, Jak Roberto, Archie Alemania, Juancho Trivino,
The current cast of ‘Bubble Gang’
ManilaTimes.net photo
James Macasero, Roadfill, Diego Llorico, Chariz Solomon, Kim Domingo, Andrea Torres, Valeen Montenegro, Jackie Rice, Denise Barbacena, Lovely Abella, Analyn Barro, Arra San Agustin, Arny Ross and Myka — had been unanimous in giving creative director and lead actor Michael V credit for being the driving force behind the show’s undeniable success through the years. Michael V’s the man “The show lasted because of Michael V. His comic genius evolves and he is a team player. He’s a good leader in terms of listening to everyone,” Contis, who is one of the senior cast members, said during the show’s press conference. “We love this kind of camaraderie. Nakikita ko kasi lahat nagkakahawaan ng competitiveness, and ambitiousness ng bawat isa. Lahat kami may gustong mangyari,
lahat kami may ideas, so lahat kami puno ng drive ni Kuya Bitoy. He never stops wondering [and imagining]. Yung creativity niya parang nakakahawa. Lahat kami mayroong naaambag. Pinararamdam kasi sa amin how important each one of us is,” Solomon enthused. “He encourages us to give inputs and provide personal touch in every character we portray,” shared Barbacena. “He is a good example for all of us.” Meanwhile, director Bert de Leon explained, “Kasama sa success ng isang show ang chemistry ng cast. That’s the number one component ng Bubble Gang formula, yung camaraderie as well. Solid sila pati sa trabaho. Walang sapawan kahit ang dami nila sa cast. Everybody tries to support each and everyone para mag-shine. It starts with Bitoy also. Alam niya kung sinong puwedeng bigyan ng
mabigat na role, alam niya kung kanino babagay para hindi niya nape-pressure yung talent.” Viewers as inspiration But for the show’s comedy genius Michael V., Bubble Gang’s loyal viewers have always been their inspiration in creating new and latest gags and sketches. “The change in Bubble Gang is constant because of the continuous change from the audience profile. But it’s a good change, as always. I learn new things from them. For me, that is always a challenge and it’s also a good thing kasi nakakadagdag ito sa kaalaman ko bilang isang comedian,” he said. “Through Bubble Gang, we saw the evolution of Filipino humor. This I can tell you, making Filipinos laugh is harder than in the past. Now people are more critical particularly with the advent of social media, lahat na lang napapansin. Many people are sensitive these days, there are a lot of restrictions. And yet, diyan magaling ang Bubble Gang because we’re also evolving depending on the sensitivity of the people. Also, hindi kami nagpapatigil sa mga bashers,” the country’s premier comedian added. Under the helm of de Leon and head writer Caesar Cosme, Bubble Gang’s telemovie airs on November 23 after “Pamilya Roces” on GMA Telebabad.
Alden Richards satisfied with ‘VM’ stint By ronnIe
CArrAsCo ManilaTimes.net
Alden Richards Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02
EMPLOYMENT
III
ON the October 23 issue, The Times bannered an item on GMA’s reported cancellation of “Victor Magtanggol” scheduled in November. As we all know, the Alden Richards’ action-fantasy series—
which piloted on July 30—aired its finale episode on Friday, November 16. It had a good run of 16 weeks. Our GMA source was quick to debunk rumors that the network had to cut it short: “It was on the production’s timetable. It wasn’t mainly because of VM’s rival show. Of course, the production
EMPLOYMENT
knew it was up against a series which has been there for [three] years.” It also isn’t true that VM did not make the station laugh its way to the bank. “If the viewers noticed, there were particular nights when VM had anywhere between 55 and 57 commercials
Maja Salvador
Photo from Instagram/@iammajasalvador
Maja’s wish? A ‘healthy and happy love life’ By Alfred
BAyle Inquirer.net
MAJA Salvador has made known her most ardent wish in life: a healthy and happy love life. She revealed this while on a tour of Taiwan. In an Instagram post on Nov. 18, the actress shared a snapshot of a message written
If you’re going to make a wish, might as well make it big!
on a Chinese sky lantern while she looked at it with a smile. The message read, “healthy & happy Continued on Page 6 love life.”
SERVICES
Salvador then added on the caption, “Mag wiwish ka na Lang… itodo mo na! (If you’re going to make a wish, might as well make it big!)” Taiwan’s Shifen Old Street is a famed tourist destination because of its sky lanterns. Visitors may write their wishes on one of the lanterns before they are released into the sky. The “To Love Somebody” star previously revealed in an interview that she had been single for around eight months, as reported by Push. Her last public relationship was with Gerald Anderson whom she broke up with in 2015. More recently, Salvador received attention after she was mistakenly tagged as the third party when Carlo Aquino split up with then girlfriend Angelica Panganiban. Panganiban, however, clarified that Aquino separated from her first before going out with Salvador.
Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS HEART, the symbol of love, of Valentine’s Day, even of religious adoration, is always fascinating but still a mystery to most of us. The amazing facts about our most loyal and dedicated heart are mind-boggling and a constant source of wonderment. Winning hearts, stealing hearts, breaking hearts, and for us cardiac surgeons, mending hearts, are easier to understand and do, than to comprehend fully the wonders of this hardworking, ceaselessly pumping, untiring, and unique muscle in our body. How large is our heart? The size of the adult heart is about the volume of two hands clasping each other, with the fingers intertwined. In children, it is the size of the kid’s one fist. The heart is located, not to the left, as often thought of, but in the middle of your mid chest, enclosed in its own compartment, an envelope called pericardial sac, and located between the left and right chest cavity, where the left and right lungs are, respectively. Its tip is pointed slightly to the left. Does the heart ever rest? The heart beats about an average of 70 beats per minute, 4,200 an hour or about 100,800 times in one day, roughly about 36 million times in a year. In an average life span, the human heart will beat about 2.5 billion times. But contrary to what seems obvious, the heart rests for a split second in between beats. This happens between contractions, when the heart relaxes to accept more oxygenated blood from the lungs, and prepares to pump blood out of its chambers again. How powerful is the heart contraction? The heart contraction is so powerful that it approximates the force one needs to give a tennis ball a hard and full squeeze with all your might. The cardiac muscles work twice as hard as the leg muscles of a person running full speed. The hydraulic force generated is necessary to propel rapidly the blood that circulates about 13 kilometers per minute, or 780 kilometers per hour, about four times the speed of the fastest racing car there is. Will an isolated heart beat on its own? The muscle of the heart is a specialized one that beats on its own (automaticity) and one that has its own rhythm (rhythmicity), even when cut off from the body and lying on a surface. The isolated heart in this situation will beat continuously until its own residual energy is used up, which is within about 4 minutes. It then ceases movement. What is the normal heart
Your heart
rate? This varies from individual to individual, depending on the age, condition of the body, and the health of the person. A wellconditioned athlete may have a heart rate of 35 a minute and feel great, but this rate would cause almost all of us, non-athletes, to feel faint and pass out, or in the very least, feel very dizzy and weak. On the average though, the normal resting rate (medically speaking) is from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Anything below 60 is called bradycardia (too slow heart rate), and a rate higher than 100 is tachycardia (too fast a heart rate). Among children the range is between 90-120 beats a minute. How much blood does a person have? The adult human body has about 5.6 liters (6 quarts) of blood in the circulation. These 6 quarts completes a full round of circulation throughout the body about every 20 seconds. The blood travels a total of about 19,000 kilometers (12,000 miles) in 24 hours, which is about four times the distance from California to New York, or roughly five times the air miles from San Francisco to Manila. About one million barrels of blood is pumped by the heart in an average life span, a volume enough to fill more than three super tankers. Where does the blood go? The blood pumped by the heart goes out through the ascending aorta, the largest artery in the body (about half the size of an average wrist), that is connected to the heart, and circulates through the various arterial branches and capillaries to the brain and to all other vital organs (liver, pancreas, kidneys, adrenals, intestines, sex organs, etc.). The capillaries are terminal or end arteries, the size of which is about one-tenth the size of the human hair. These are the tiny vessels that actually bring blood to the tissues and cells of the various parts of the body. How does blood get oxygen and nutrition? The nutrition and oxygen in the blood are used up by the tissues and cells. The used blood (now containing much less oxygen and more carbon dioxide, lactic acid and other “waste products”) travels back from the tissues and cells to lungs for oxygenation. Then blood goes to the heart for pumping to all organs, like the liver where toxins will be detoxified, to the kidneys that will filter the waste products and passed out through the urine, to the stomach and intestines where it will be replenished with new nutrition. The used blood then flows back to the lungs. After the oxygenation, the blood flows into the heart, ready to be pumped back into the circulation once again. And the cycle goes on. How strong is our heart?
A healthy heart can take a lot of beating (no pun intended). It is one of the most powerful pumps in the world, even when compared to the mechanical ones built by man. Self-contained, self-propelled, energy-efficient, the heart works without stopping, and can survive grave insults and abuses we, humans, subject it to day in and day out. Is mechanical heart better? Certainly not. Not yet, anyway. The man-made hydraulic-driven artificial or mechanical heart prosthesis available today is still no match to the one we were born with. Besides being a bulky foreign body and made of hardware not as soft and tender as our body tissues, it also requires electrical energy from outside the body and the use of anticoagulants to prevent thrombosis (blood clots, which can cause stroke). The mechanical heart is also prone to infection and not as durable as a natural heart. At the present, the artificial heart leaves too much to be desired. When is artificial heart used? Mechanical heart is helpful as a bridge to heart transplantation, implanted temporarily (for a few weeks or so) while a transplant patient waits for a human donor heart, but not as a long-term, permanent, heart replacement. Obviously, of course, a suitable permanent mechanical heart with as close inherent features as those of the human heart is the ultimate goal of ongoing researches around the world. When that day comes, a dying cardiac patient would not have to wait for a compatible donor to die before getting heart transplant. The cardiac surgeon then would simply ask the operating room nurse for the appropriate size artificial heart from the shelves (much like asking for a pacemaker today) to be implanted on the patient. By then too, coronary bypass, heart valve surgery, and most cardiac surgeries, would be a thing of the past, and the millions of lives lost annually around the globe today from severe and endstage heart diseases would be saved. As a cardiac surgeon, I can’t wait for that dream to come true. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indianwa and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; comments questions: scalpelpen@gmail.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Angel Aquino is gloriously...
From Page 2 Asked to evaluate the acting of Tony, still a relative newcomer to showbiz, the multiawarded actress said, “He didn’t disappoint. He exceeded my expectations.” In executing the quite racy scenes, Angel said of how the young actor protected her: “Literally, may human blanket ako when we did our love scenes.” “I hope (the people) like the story. I don’t think it’s anything cringy. Everything was done tastefully. I just hope the story really gets to the people and the people get the story,” she added. To topbill a film that has drawn so much attention from its trailer alone (17M views to date), Angel was asked what that means for her as a 40-something actress. She replied, “It’s very... I guess, empowering is even an understatement. I try not to let it get to my head, but I have to admit I’m overwhelmed by the response of people that they like it, na konti-konti yung maririnig mong (negative reactions). I’m very happy that people are excited to see it. So yeah, I think I’m in a very good place right now.” Is she open to do more projects with Tony? She said she’ll grab any opportunity to work with Tony again but quipped it will be “weird lang siguro if I play his mom (laughs). We’ll see.” Off screen, Angel is gloriously gorgeous as a woman of a certain age. Asked how can women be desirable or admirable at any age, the mother
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JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles features Sou Fujimoto: Futures of the Future exhibition JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is pleased to announce the upcoming SOU FUJIMOTO: FUTURES OF THE FUTURE exhibition, taking place Oct. 27 - Dec. 12, 2018 at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, located at Hollywood & Highland. Named the Wall Street Journal’s Architecture Innovator of The Year in 2014, Fujimoto has designed public and private buildings around the world since establishing his atelier in 2000. This exhibition is a showcase of over 100 models and large-scale photographs of past and current projects by the celebrated Japanese architect. Fujimoto addresses many opposite concepts, including the recurring theme the “primitive future.” This apparent contradiction refers to the primordial, intuitive moments that reconnect us with our own humanity, and open us up to new possibilities. His designs often feature juxtapositions of outside and inside, nature and urbanity, objects and spaces, public and private. And, his work considers the macro and micro: when does an object become a space? Exhibition dates from Oct. 27 to Dec. 12 are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving Day 11/22). JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (inside Hollywood & Highland). Admission is free. For more information, please call (800) 516-0565 or visit https://www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles/events/.
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Art exhibit inspired by Filipino food movement in Santa Ana, CA In “Super Sarap” — from November 3 to December 15 at Gallery 6/67 — three artists Mik Gaspay, Jeanne Jalandoni, and O.M. France Viana revisit commonplace objects and food within Filipino cooking. Through sculpture and photography, the artists elicit personal and collective memories and offer cultural connections that go beyond the Philippine diaspora. The exhibition title, “Super Sarap,” fuses both English and Tagalog together, to hold multiple meanings. It can convey something that is extremely delicious, an expression of excitement and affirmation. Artists in “Super Sarap” play with these definitions and mutate symbols, making them both strange and familiar, challenging the expectations of cultural norms. It is guest curated by Patricia Cariño Valdez, an independent curator based in Oakland, CA. In addition to the exhibit, there will be two art and culinary events: an intimate four-course gourmet dinner prepared by acclaimed Orange County Chefs, Ross Pangilinan of Mix Mix Kitchen Bar on November 15 and Chef Ryan Garlitos of Irenia Restaurant on December 9 combined with an exhibition walk-through. The opening reception for Super Sarap will be on Saturday, November 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. Gallery 6/67 is located at 404 West 4th St., Suite K (2nd floor), Santa Ana, CA 92701. Gallery visits are by appointment. For more information about the exhibit and related events, visit https://www.gallery667.com.
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Quarter Madness at Holy Name of Mary Parish in San Dimas, CA Quarter Madness is a fundraiser on Saturday, November 24 that is full of fun and excitement. It will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Holy Name of Mary Parish at 724 E. Bonita Avenue, San Dimas, CA 91773. Those who attend may find themselves raising bidding paddles for items that they may want to get. There are several vendors with a variety of items to bid for. Vendors will put up items and if you are interested on these items, you make a bid using quarters only. There will be many items for yourself and/or for your friends. Come and celebrate with us this day as we raise funds for the poorest of the poor in Bagong Silang, Philippines. Your support will provide livelihood tools, and feeding programs. FCHNM projects include winter shelter and faith formation programs. Ticket donation: $20 includes lunch, dessert, bidding paddle. The event is sponsored by Bagong Silang Mission/ Philippines and Filipino Catholics of Holy Name of Mary Parish. For contact information, please contact Nora Prescott at (909) 525-2124.
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Healing Mass with Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi in La Puente, CA Come experience the healing power led by Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi on Friday, November 30 at 7 p.m. It will be held at St. Martha Catholic Church (444 N. Azusa Ave., La Puente, CA 91744). Contact Rainier Valenzuela at (626) 964-4313 for more information.
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NAFFAA hosts civic leadership forum in Carson, CA The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) will have a civic leadership forum on Saturday, December 1 in Carson, CA from 1 to 5 p.m. It is a free event focused on civic leadership and empowerment within the Filipino-American community. Following the forum will be a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. It will be held at the Carson Community Center on 801 E. Carson St. Carson, CA 90745. To RSVP, visitnaffaa.org/events.
“Pasko Na Naman” in Glendale, CA
Angel Aquino (who plays a 50-year-old woman who falls for a much younger man in Glorious): I don’t want women to believe in the theory that women age ugly. It’s really up to you how you age, how you handle (aging).
of two girls believes it’s all in the mind. “I think a big part of it is how do you see yourself. I know we get moments when you feel so ugly and feeling mo, pinaglipasan ka na ng panahon. But you just have to look around and I don’t know, but touch base with the people who love you and I think you’ll get a lot of reassurance from that,” Angel said. “And you continue to take care of yourself. You have to work out because it really gives you a different feeling, different power, different strength. And you eat — well, I don’t recommend that you go dieting — I suggest to everyone that you eat sensibly and in the proper proportions.” Angel agreed that people usually make a big deal of one’s age “especially when it comes to
women.” “I remember watching (the 2013 film) ‘August Osage County’, and I can’t forget what Merryl Streep said there. She said that women age and when they age, they get ugly, hindi maganda mag-age ang babae. I really try to brush that aside, I don’t want it to stick with me. I mean, I love Meryl Streep and she portrayed the role so well but I don’t want women to believe in that theory that women age ugly. It’s really up to you how you age, how you handle (aging).” Meanwhile, “Glorious” is just one of the eight digital films and series that Dreamscape Entertainment has produced for streaming on iWant, as the ABSCBN production unit decided to expand its portfolio to include digital.
The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups will sponsor a fundraiser entitled: “Pasko Na Naman 3” on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Incarnation Community Center (214 Fairview Avenue, Glendale, CA 91208) starting at 3:30 p.m. The presentation’s theme is: Tapestry of Music and Dance which will show a variety of music and dances in the Philippines especially at Christmas time. The show is filled with talented artists who give to the community with generous hearts. Bre Harris and Matt San Jose will portray the role of friends who happened to have shared a common denominator about life in the Philippines; depicted through choral singing and folk dancing. The performers are: Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts, Holy Family Adult Choir under the direction of Tom Makiling and the Spirit of God Community under the direction of Ralph Santiago. “Ninangs” and “ Ninongs “ will also be presented. Pasko na Naman presentation is on its third year. This show will bring nostalgia especially to those who miss their families at Christmas time. Benefactors of proceeds include but are not limited to: Channel of Charity feeding and scholarship programs, FFRG faith formation events and projects. Come one! Come all! Feel the scents and sights of Filipino Christmas. The audience will also enjoy “merienda cena” at intermission. Ticket donation is $20.00 per person. For souvenir ad and ticket information, contact Tess Domingo at (909) 855-2208 or Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-3316.
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UPAA-NJ biennial general assembly, election & holiday party in Iselin, NJ UPAA-NJ will hold its biennial General Assembly / Election / Holiday Party on Sunday, December 2, 2018 from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel at 515 US Highway 1 South in Iselin, NJ. The organization will honor distinguished alumni, induct a new set of officers and Board of Trustees and feature local UP alumni talents who will provide entertainment, lead line dancing and render DJ services for an afternoon of dancing. Come and learn more about future UPAA-NJ projects and initiatives. Meet old friends, make new ones. For tickets and more information, please contact any of the following: Daisy Macadaeg (201) 446-7767, keanemac@yahoo.com, Lani Benedicto: (201) 745-6829, benedicto78@yahoo.com, Minnie Corpuz-Castillo: (551) 587-2815, mcorpuzcastillo@gmail.com, Johnny Ferrer: (201) 323-1303, juancferrer09@yahoo.com.
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Healing Mass with Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi in Los Angeles Come experience the healing power led by Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi on Monday, December 3 at 7 p.m. It will be held at St. Bernard Church (2500 W. Ave 33, Los Angeles, CA 90065). Contact Puri Narvaez at (818) 543-1831 for more information.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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UPAA-NJ Names its 2018 Distinguished UP Alumni awardees
PRINCEToN JUNCTIoN, NEW JERSEY – The University of the Philippines Alumni Association New Jersey Chapter, Inc. (UPAA-NJ), a registered 50(c)(3) non-profit organization, has named three Distinguished UP Alumni who will be recognized and honored at its biennial General Assembly and Holiday Party on Sunday, December 2, 2018 from 12:00-5:00 pm at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin, New Jersey. Named are: Maria Elizabeth Cueva, Esq. for Public Service, Ms Diane Dacanay-Valencia for Culture and the Arts and Dr. Francisca Tolete-Velcek for Medicine, Education and Public Health. Maria Elizabeth Cueva, Esq. Distinguished UP Alumna in Public Service Maria Elizabeth Cueva, presently a Human Rights Specialist at the Brooklyn Regional office of the New York State Division of Human Rights responsible for handling discrimination cases, received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (cum laude) and JD / LLB degrees from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. She obtained her Master’s degree in Industrial and Labor Relations under the Executive Cohort Program at Baruch College of The City University of New York. In recognition of her academic excellence she was named to the International Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (undergraduate), the International Honor Society of Pi Gamma Mu (law) and the National Honorary and Professional Management Fraternity / Society of Sigma Iota Epsilon, Baruch Chapter, Zicklin School of Business after completing her master’s degree. Diane Dacanay-Valencia Distinguished UP Alumna in Culture and the Arts Ms. Diane Dacanay-Valencia, a founding member and President of the New Jersey-based University of the Philippines Alumni and Friends Rondalla, Inc. (UPAFR) for over a decade, graduated from the University of the Philippines with A.B. Sociology and MBA degrees. A Philippine government scholar, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Regional Development Planning from the Institute of Social Studies (The Hague in the Netherlands). Diane’s exemplary leadership, dedication and vision steered the UPAFR in evolving from being mainly a cultural organization to including educational and philanthropic aspects in its mission and projects. UPAFR has been presenting educational musical programs that integrate Philippine history, customs and traditions to diverse audiences in key cities in various countries. Dr. Francisca Tolete Velcek Distinguished UP Alumna in Medicine, Education and Public Health Dr. Francisca Tolete Velcek, a pediatric surgeon, has distinguished herself professionally both domestically in the US and internationally. Certified by the American Board of Surgery, she is licensed to practice medicine in New Jersey, New York and California. She serves as a role model and mentor to female students and residents in medicine specially surgery. Soon after completing her BS and MD degrees at UP and her internship at the Philippine General Hospital, she began her residency at St. Clare’s Hospital Medical Center in New York City where she became an Administrative Chief Resident. She was later named Chief Resident of Pediatric Surgery at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York where she also completed her fellowship in Pediatric Surgery and is presently serving as a Professor of Pediatrics and Director of its Division of Pediatric Surgery. Holding concurrent appointments as an attending surgeon or Chief of Pediatric Surgery at multiple medical centers in Brooklyn, New York, she also serves as a consulting surgeon at several hospitals in New Jersey and New York as well as at the Klaiceva National Childrens Hospital in Zagreb, Croatia. Norie Quesada-Catiis chaired the awards committee.
Alessandra de Rossi almost quit showbiz after colleague’s ‘betrayal’ By Krissy
AguilAr Inquirer.net
ALESSANDRA de Rossi revealed on Tuesday, November 20 that she almost quit show business after experiencing “betrayal” from a colleague. The actress became emotional as she expressed how she felt in an interview at “Tonight With Boy Abunda” that aired Tuesday. “Ang hirap lang talaga humanap ng tao na totoo saiyo sa showbiz. Kasi totoong-totoo ako, e (It’s hard to find someone who will be true to you in showbiz),” De Rossi told host Boy Abunda. De Rossi, however, did not give specific details on what happened. She recounted what her mother advised her after the incident: “Iyon ang sinasabi sa akin ng mama ko na, ‘Huwag mo ituring lahat na pamilya. Mamili ka lang.’ Ako kasi, hindi ako namimili
Alessandra de Rossi
(My mom has been telling me to be selective and not to treat everyone as family. I am not selective).” The actress admitted she nearly quit showbiz. “Umabot ako sa gusto ko na namang mag-quit. ‘Yung, ‘Ayoko na, ang pa-plastic
Pareño and Garcia are paired as Lisang and Manolo in ‘Hintayan ng Langit.’
Photo from Instagram/@msderossi
niyong lahat (I reached a point when I want to quit)! ’” “I make mistakes. Nagagalit ako. Minsan, mayroon akong nasusungitan. I’m a human being, but I’m not evil,” the “Through Night and Day” actress added.
Photo courtesy of Globe Studios
Gina Pareño, Eddie Garcia reunite in new film By MAnilATiMes.neT
WITH both Gina Pareño and Eddie Garcia working in the industry for at least 50 years, it came as a surprise that their new film “Hintayan ng Langit” is the first time that they are working as onscreen partners. “We used to work in Sampaguita Films before, but not as opposites,” 89-year-old Garcia recollected during the media conference of Hintayan ng Langit. “Yes, and I remember at one time, I played as Eddie’s daughter in a project!” 69-year-old Pareño revealed. The long wait, however, proved to be worth it as their roles for their first team up together could not be more perfect. In Hintayan ng Langit – a movie adaptation of spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo’s one-act stage play for The Virgin Lab Fest – the two veterans play Lisang and Manolo. Lisang has overstayed in
her waiting room in purgatory, occasionally causing other souls trouble for her own entertainment. Until the day she is finally set to cross over. Later, she would learn that her room is to be leased to a new tenant, Manolo, who turns out to be her newly-deceased ex-boyfriend. But life – or death – takes a heartbreaking turn as Lisang and Manolo get a second chance to get to know each other again. In the process, they begin to realize what it really means to be “alive” again. As Lisang and Manolo look back in retrospect and they examine the decisions they made in their lives, they can’t help but ask the “what ifs.” Ultimately, the movie asks the question, “Is leaving a mark on this world what really matters most in life?” Naturally, director Dan Villegas considers working with two living legends in one project a huge feat in his growing career. “Si Miss Gina, nakatrabaho ko na siya before so I know how
she ticks, pero si Sir Eddie, si Manoy, first time and I was really starstruck on our first day. But both of these living legends are super professional so the shooting was really light and easygoing,” Villegas expressed. “If you asked me if I had any inkling when I began doing films 14 years ago that I would one day work with Miss Gina and Sir Eddie, I’d say no. So I’m really thankful for the chance,” the director added. Hintayan ng Langit is a co-production between Globe Studios and Project 8 Corner San Joaquin Projects, a film production company owned by Villegas and filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone. The movie adaptation was produced as an official entry for QCinema and premiered last october. It won the Audience Choice award and the Best Actor award for Garcia. With these feats, the two veterans and Villegas hope that their movie reaches a larger audience.
Vice Ganda no longer... From Page 2 Asked how Calvin makes him happy, Vice replied: “His friendship is enough to make me happy, as well as my good relationship with his family. They’re nice to me. I’m more at peace now, unlike before when I would hang out with my past ‘friends.’ I was always scared that people would see us. We were always hiding. If Calvin is oK with me being around, I shouldn’t be bothered, too.” He described Calvin as “a very thoughtful friend. He’s the type who is touchy-feely. He’s funny
and boisterous. We’ve been friends for a while, but we just weren’t this close.” Vice said he also liked the fact that Calvin was “very secure” of himself. He then recalled another incident with the cager. “He came to watch me in one of my gigs. People kept chanting his name while I was singing. They wanted me to invite him onstage. I didn’t, but he told me later on that I should’ve called him, and that he would have sung with me,” he said. “Wala s’yang arte!” Vice admitted that he once said “sorry” to Calvin for all
the reports that were being published about them. “I was concerned that he would feel he no longer had privacy, and that he might not be ready for all the intrigues,” Vice explained. “What Calvin told me endeared him to me even more. He said, ‘Let them do or say whatever they want. Go lang! As long as we’re happy, as long as my lola is still feeling kilig.’ I appreciate his family. His mom and sister told me they’ve been wearing lip colors from Vice Cosmetics even before they met me.”
Alden Richards satisfied... From Page 4 in a single episode, so how could they say it wasn’t making money?” Meanwhile, the main star in the Norse mythology-inspired series is simply too happy with his last TV assignment. If Coco Martin has a creative upper hand in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” Alden takes pride in his idea-based stunts in VM. “I’d like to think that it added to what I achieved as an actor
in VM. It allowed me to do stuff which I’ve never done in any of my soaps in the past,” Alden beamed, owing it to his director Dominic Zapanta’s trust in him. The Kapuso actor can only treasure his working relationship with his co-actors. “We’d all be on the set as early as six or seven in the morning and wrap up late or even early next morning. But even if we barely slept or were tired, alam mo yung feeling na
balewala yun kasi nag-e-enjoy ka sa ginagawa mo and the company you’re working with, and you look forward to seeing your co-workers for the next taping schedule?” Alden said. If he had his way, Alden would want to do a movie next year (under the “reborn” GMA Films, why not?). Under wraps, The Times got wind of who’s being eyed to play his love interest.
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