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N OVEM BER 30-D ECEMB ER 6, 2018 Volume 12 - No. 6 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Fil-Am Democrat TJ Cox declares victory in California House race by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL & RAE ANN VARONA AJPress
Filipino-American Democrat TJ Cox is ahead in the race to represent California’s 21st Congressional District. Contributed photo
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
US: Improved China ties can’t replace PH-US alliance
THE Philippines’ improving relations with China will not replace its long-standing alliance with Washington, according to U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim. Kim said he is not surprised that the Philippines, Washington’s oldest ally in Asia, wanted to expand its ties with China, which has strong presence in the Indo-Pacific region and presents great economic opportunities. “I think you can do both. You can maintain the special, deep relationship you have with the United States and at the same time see if there are opportunities to expand your trade, economic ties with China,” Kim said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Friday, November 23.
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Ex-official who used city’s $4K to send gifts to PH charged with embezzling
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia –A former city economic development official has been charged with embezzlement over allegations he improperly used $4,000 to send packages to his girlfriend Brian Scott Hall Photo courtesy of in the PhilipCommonwealth Attorney’s Office pines. The Virginian-Pilot reports that a grand jury indictment alleges the crimes happened between late 2016 and June 2018.
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FILIPINO-American Democrat TJ Cox has defeated three-term Republican incumbent David Valadao to represent California’s 21st Congressional District, giving Democrats its 40th House seat gain this election cycle.
Three weeks following the November 6 midterm elections, the 21st district remained one of the last undecided races in the country, with votes coming in favor for Cox on Monday. By Wednesday, November 28, Cox pulled ahead with 529 votes in Fresno and Kings counties after having trailed behind Valadao by roughly 4,400 votes
on election night. The Kings County Elections Division released final vote totals in which Cox gained a net 70 votes, while his lead grew by 23 in Fresno County. As of press time, the 55-year-old Democrat led the Republican 56,634 votes to 56,105, according to the Fresno Bee.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Cox said he was “elated” to declare victory in the race and thanked Valadao for the “six years of service” in the district. “Voters across the district resonated with our message of expanding health care, creating good jobs, and fighting
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Duterte dismisses possibility of nationwide martial law by AJPRESS PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, November 27, dismissed the public’s fears that he would declare martial law nationwide after he ordered the deployment of troops in several areas in the country as a means to contain the insurgency. “No, I am not going to declare martial law. There’s enough powers of the presidency that I can use. Well, if there is really, it’s widespread violence then maybe. But I do not need really violence in every corner of the Philippines to say that we are in danger,” Duterte said. Duterte said that the issuance of Memorandum Order 32 was his way of controlling the “lawless violence and acts of terror” prevalent to the Bicol region, Samar, Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental. The president claimed that doing so will not instigate nor serve as a “prelude” to martial law as believed by the opposition. He explained such during the media interview after the inauguration of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport. Duterte said that as a president, he has the responsibility to do what was “necessary to preserve this nation
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DEVELOPING THE NATION. President Rodrigo Duterte buries the time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ozamiz Airport Modernization Project in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental on Wednesday, November 28. Assisting the President is Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson Abul Khayr Alonto. The entire cost of this airport modernization project amounts to almost P1 billion, and funded under the General Appropriations Act and implemented under President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build Program. Malacañang photo by Toto Lozano
Tourist arrivals up – DOT
FIRST WOMAN ACCEPTED TO HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
by NEIL JAYSON
SERVALLOS ManilaTimes.net
MORE tourists visited the Philippines this year despite the closure of key destinations for rehabilitation, the Department of Tourism said on Monday, November 26. From January to September, 5.36 million tourists visited the country, 8.32 percent higher than last year’s 4.95 million. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat attrib- Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat
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Inquirer.net photo
Malacanang lauds Dureza for resigning out of ‘delicadeza’
gressions” of two members of his staff who were sacked by President Rodrigo Duterte. In a statement, presidential spokesperFORMER Presidential Adviser on the son Salvador Panelo said, “We commend Peace Process Jesus Dureza was praised by the former presidential adviser on the peace Malacañang on Wednesday, November 28, process for taking full responsibility and isfor taking full responsibility for the “trans-
by AJPRESS
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Bersamin asserts judicial independence as new Philippine chief justice by KRISTINE JOY
Philstar.com
PATAG
MANILA — Newly appointed Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday, November 28, asserted judicial independence as he takes the helm of the Judiciary. Bersamin, after taking oath before Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio at the SC, faced the members of the press for the first time as the head of the Newly appointed Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin (2nd from left) takes his oath before Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio on Wednesday, November 28 at the Session Hall at the Judiciary. The chief justice, who has been Supreme Court in Padre Faura Street, Manila. Looking on are Mrs. Aurora Bagares-Bersamin (3rd from left) and Chief Justice Bersamin’s immediate predecessor, Chief Justice Teresita a part of the 15-member Court J. Leonardo-de Castro. Photo courtesy of Supreme Court-PIO since April 2009, said that he has
Dr. Fe del Mundo honored with Google Doodle
The pioneer in pediatrics honored on what would’ve been her 107th birthday by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
IT may not be the Nobel Peace Prize, but a Google Doodle made in your likeness is quite possibly one of the highest honors bestowed in the digital age. On Tuesday, Nov. 27, Google dedicated its Doodle — a temporary alteration of the search engine’s iconic logo on its homepages — to Dr. Fe Villanueva del Mundo, an internationally renowned Filipina pediatrician, on what would have been her 107th birthday. Del Mundo was the first woman admitted into Harvard Medical School, but her achievements in pediatrics made her a lumi-
nary in the medical field. During World War II, she cared for detained children and went on to establish the first pediatric facility in the Philippines. “I’m glad that I have been very much involved in the care of children, and that I have been relevant to them. They are the most outstanding feature in my life,” Del Mundo said in 2007. Though she’s not exactly a household name, Del Mundo is one of history’s highly-acclaimed doctors and paved the way for other women and Filipinos to make their marks in the world of medicine. And as an immigrant woman of color in pre-civil rights
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always given “analytical attention and deep study” when voting or rendering judgment. Among the most high profile cases with ponencia or main decision written by Bersamin include the granting of bail to former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Arroyo appointed Bersamin to the high court as an associate On Tuesday, Nov. 27, Google dedicated its Doodle — a temporary alteration of the search justice. “Maybe your concept of ju- engine’s iconic logo on its homepages — to Dr. Fe Villanueva del Mundo, an internationally renowned Filipina pediatrician, on what would have been her 107th birthday. dicial independence is that the Photo screengrabbed from Google.com
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Fil-Am democrat TJ Cox... PAGE A1
for our families’ futures,” Cox said, adding “I am honored to be the next Representative serving all of our communities throughout the 21st District. Now that the election is over, it’s time to get to work.” With Cox’s win, Democrats now hold 46 of California’s 53 seats. It also marks Republican losses in all seven districts they carried where Hillary Clinton also won in 2016.
Valadao first entered office in 2012 and was projected to win, given the success of his previous races. With Cox’s advance this week, the Associated Press retracted its race call on election night. Born in Walnut Creek, California to immigrant parents—his mother from the Philippines, and half-Chinese father from China— Cox was among those endorsed by former President Barack Obama in August.
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From the Front Page
Cox, an engineer and small business owner, first entered the election by running for California’s 10th district which encompasses parts of the northern San Joaquin Valley, but dropped out to run against Valadao in the 21st district. The district includes the Central Valley areas of Fresno County, Kern County, Kings County, and Tulare County. The Fil-Am previously attempted to run for Congress back in 2006. n
Duterte dismisses possibility of nationwide...
PAGE A1 and to protect the people.” He believed that such is his duty as the country’s leader and it is his “oath of office.” “So you are wondering what is it? That’s the riddle. Sometimes it’s good to have a riddle,” he said as reported by The Manila Times. He said deployment of additional troops was because of the encounters there with communist rebels. The president added that the placing of military forces is needed in order to curb the
chaos and reestablish peace in the said areas. “You place troops where you think that you need added forces. Well I seem to be, I mean I’m — I’m surprised why you are so interested about deployment when I’m supposed to take care of the security of the country,” Duterte said. “There is a need to reinforce the directive of the president to prevent further loss of innocent lives and destruction of property and bring the country back to a state of complete normalcy as
quick as possible,” the president added. In the same speech, Duterte also issued an order to deploy a division of troops in Jolo, Sulu after five soldiers were killed and 25 others were wounded in a clash with the Abu Sayyaf group. “There, I will really place one division there. Not only a company, not only a battalion, not a regiment but I’m going to place an entire division for the islands there towards Sabah,” Duterte said. n
Malacañang lauds Dureza for...
PAGE A1 suing an apology under the principle of command responsibility for the transgressions committed by his two subordinates.” “His resignation has set a concrete example and put a true meaning to the value of delicadeza (sense of propriety) and morality in governance. This is leadership by example,” he added. Panelo also expressed the administration’s gratitude to Dureza for his service, especially for “walking the extra mile in advancing peace for the good of our nation and all Filipinos.” Dureza was the one who led government negotiators in peace talks with communist and Moro rebels. He resigned on Tuesday, November 27, after Ronald Flores, Undersecretary for Support Services, and Yeshter Donn Baccay, Assistant Secretary for Support Services, at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) was fired by the president. His resignation was announced by Duterte himself in a speech in Panglao, Bohol province, on
Tuesday evening. “I am sad but I have to accept his resignation,” Duterte said after announcing he had fired Flores and Baccay for alleged corruption. He also clarified that Dureza was not involved in corruption but took responsibility for the corruption that happened at Oppap on his watch. ‘I failed’ In his resignation letter that he made public, Dureza said, “I am sad because despite my efforts to be compliant with your strong advocacy against corruption, I failed.” According to him, he had been warned about corruption in the antipoverty projects under his agency, including rural infrastructure, scholarships and medical aid to poor families in insurgency-hit provinces. He apologized for his failed efforts. Duterte assured that the government was investigating the wrongdoings at OPPAP. In his resignation letter, Dureza continued to say that he had
CLEAN-UP FOR BONIFACIO DAY. Workers clean up the shrine of Gat Andres Bonifacio in Manila in preparation for his 155th birth anniversary on Friday, November 30. Born on November 30, 1863, Bonifacio is considered as the “The Father of the Philippine Revolution”, being one of the founders and later Supremo (Supreme Leader) of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK), a movement which sought independence from Spanish colonial rule. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Ex-official who used city’s $4K to send gifts to PH... PAGE A1 Brian Scott Hall, former business development coordinator for Virginia Beach, has been charged with three felony counts of embezzlement, said Macie Allen, a spokeswoman for the Com-
monwealth Attorney’s Office. Virginia Beach Auditor Lyndon Remias said the charges stem from packages that Hall sent to his girlfriend in the Philippines, where he traveled to promote the city. The newspaper reports
US: Improved China ties can’t...
Former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza Inquirer.net photo
verified “some reports” but the local officials he had talked with “declined to be quoted.” Dureza is unlikely to get another appointment soon. “He is not after anything,” Duterte said. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana commended Dureza’s service, saying they “worked beautifully with each other.” Lorenzana also praised Dureza for taking responsibility for the corruption that took place in his office, describing it as “[t]ruly an admirable trait of a great leader and patriot.” n
PAGE A1 “But it’s important to remember that we’re the only alliance you have and I don’t think your improving relations with other countries, whether it’s China or some other countries, would replace the alliance you have with the United States,” Kim added. The U.S., he said, has a long history of giving useful and valuable assistance to the Philippines. Kim cited the work done by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Philippines, particularly in the fields of environment, education, governance. “I think some other countries do things differently and the way they do things doesn’t necessarily lead to a long-term capability building for local communities. So benefits may seem nice but it’s very short term,” he said. Former U.S. state department undersecretary for political affairs Thomas Shannon Jr. has described Philippines-U.S. ties to be “almost a family relationship.” ‘Very direct effect’ In the same interview, Kim said
China’s aggressive and unilateral actions in the South China Sea have a “very direct effect” on the sovereignty and interest of the Philippines. “It is perfectly fine for the Philippines or any other country to pursue an independent foreign policy that advances their own interest, but the South China Sea situation is not really a question of balancing U.S. versus China,” Kim said, adding the Philippines has an important and direct stake on how the sea dispute evolves. He said U.S. interest is to protect international rights or the freedom of navigation and overflight. “When you consider how much of international trade flows to that area, we all have interest in making sure that that area is free from conflict and free from unilateral militarization and aggressive and bully-like behavior,” Kim said. The U.S. raised concern over China’s aggressive actions in the oil-rich South China Sea and deployment of communications and radar jamming equipment at Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef and
that it obtained FedEx receipts showing that he had sent packages to a Philippines address not associated with the city’s business office there. (Inquirer. net with reports from Associated Press)
Panganiban (Mischief) Reef. In an interview at the “Kapihan sa Embahada” six months ago, Kim stressed the need for the U.S. to be “present” in the South China Sea. “We are concerned every time a claimant, including China, takes aggressive unilateral action toward militarization, which is clear. I saw the report. Seems to suggest that there might be moving toward militarization,” Kim said. The U.S. has been consistently urging the claimants including China to refrain from taking unilateral aggressive actions that are inconsistent with international law and norms. Admiral Philip Davidson, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, warned that China is capable of controlling the South China Sea in all scenarios short of war with the U.S. Davidson assured countries in the Indo-Pacific region that the U.S. is a better ally and looks forward to advancing partnerships for mutual interests. (Pia Lee-Brago/Philstar.com)
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Demolition of Clark ‘dog heroes’ cemetery sparks outrage Nonprofit bets Asian-American students by Ding
Cervantes Philstar.com
Veterans of Foreign Wars. hilbero, in a statement furnished to The Star, said the “desecration of the cemetery is in full violation of the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act of the National Museum of the Philippines.” The cemetery had been under the jurisdiction of Clark Development Corp. (CDC) since the U.S. Air Force abandoned the base in 1992. CDC public affairs and information chief Noel Tulabut insisted that the cemetery remained untouched. But an ocular inspection by The Star showed that the cemetery, with its 284 tombstones, was gone. The K-9 Cemetery signboard remained, along with a low concrete pedestal where the statue of a U.S. military officer and his trained dog once stood. When the Americans left Clark, they removed the statue and sent it to the Security Forces Museum in Texas in the U.S. The tombstones were “piled like garbage,” according to hilbero, on one side of the cemetery. “every year there are many former U.S. military men who pay their respects and visit this sacred The K-9 Cemetery at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga before its demolition. Philstar.com photo by Ding Cervantes ground,” hilbero said. n
a historical and cultural heritage of ours. The cemetery is a sacred ground. These dogs had military A CeMeTeRY established in ranks, too, and served in the Clark Freeport, Pampanga by the armed forces like regular serviceU.S. Air Force for “dog heroes” has men. They were also heroes that been ploughed through and laid protected and saved lives in the over with soil overnight, prompting past,” said Lt. Guy Indra hilbero some sectors to cry foul. of the 26th U.S. Cavalry Philip“The K-9 Cemetery at the former pine Scouts Memorial Regiment, U.S. Air Force Base is considered a group recognized by the U.S.
America who set the foundation for pediatrics in the Philippines, it’s not a surprise that Google would dedicate one of its famed Doodles after the famed doctor and scientist. About Dr. Del Mundo Born in the historic Intramuros district of Manila in 1911, Fe Villanueva del Mundo was one of eight children to Paz and Bernardo del Mundo, a prominent attorney and one-term Philippine assemblymember. Three of del Mundo’s siblings died in infancy, and her older sister died of appendicitis at 11 years old; it was this latter tragedy that inspired del Mundo’s dream to become a doctor for the youth. In 1926, the bright-eyed 15year-old enrolled at the University of Philippines Manila (UPM) where she was class valedictorian. Del Mundo earned her medical degree in 1933 and passed the medical board exam, ranking third among examinees. Following her graduation in 1933, Philippine President Manuel Quezon recognized Del Mundo’s achievements and offered her a full scholarship to any United States school of her choice. She chose the prestigious harvard University, enrolling in harvard Medical School, which previously did not admit female applicants, making her the first ever woman to study at that institution. She studied at harvard Medical School until 1938 and then briefly accepted a residency at Billings hospital at the University of Chicago. She returned to Boston the following year as a research fellow at the harvard Medical School Children’s hospital and then earned a Master’s degree in bacteriology at the Boston University School of Medicine in 1940. After nearly 15 years of academic study, Del Mundo returned to the motherland in 1941 right before the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. As
Dr. Fe Villanueva del Mundo, an internationally renowned Filipina pediatrician
a volunteer for the International Red Cross, she attended to children detained at the University of Santo Tomas, which was an internment camp for foreign nationals; this stint earned her the nickname “The Angel of Santo Tomas.” She was then named director of the North General hospital until 1948 when she joined the faculty of the University of Santo Tomas and the Far eastern University thereafter. Due to frustrations with the bureaucracies that come with working for a government hospital, she sold her home and other personal properties to establish her own pediatric hospital. The Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City was inaugurated in 1957 and was the first pediatric hospital in the country. The 100-bed facility expanded in 1966 via the inclusion of an Institute of Maternal and Child health — the first facility of its kind in the continent of Asia — to train doctors and nurses. Throughout the decades, Del Mundo worked tirelessly and pioneered research on infectious diseases that plague at-risk communities. In addition to writing hundreds of articles and reports on diseases like dengue, polio and the measles, Del Mundo penned the Textbook of Pediatrics. She continued to her work well into her 90s, making hospital rounds and seeing patients while in a wheelchair. In 2011, she passed away from a heart attack at the ripe age of 99. “She is a big loss to the Philippines,” Dr. Yolanda Oliveros,
Bersamin asserts judicial... PAGE A1 government should lose the case. I hate to disappoint you. The government is often better in the arguments than the other side,” Bersamin said. “The government is represented by the solicitor general when it comes to issues raised in the Court of Appeals or in the SC and
there are also many cases where the government loses and yet you do not call out independent,” the chief justice pointed out. “It’s just the government has less on the merits than the other side,” he added. “As far as the law is concerned, I am independent,” Bersamin stressed. n
Tourist arrivals up... PAGE A1 uted the increase to well-built connections and aggressive market activities of the private tourism sector. “A successful tourism industry contributes greatly to the national economy… this growth is driven by more connections, affordable rates, and aggressive market activations of the private sector as we develop and promote more destinations in our beautiful country,” Puyat told reporters. South Koreans topped the list of arrivals at 1.2 million. Puyat said the closure of Boracay and several tourist hubs in Palawan had minimal effect on the number of foreign visitors. “We are actually on track. We are halfway nearing the end of the year and we are nearing the target of our National Tourism Development Plan arrivals,” she said. For 2018, the DOT projects 7.4 million tourist arrivals.
The PSA previously reported that the tourism sector’s contributed 12.2 percent percent to the Philippine economy. Also, employment in tourism was estimated at 5.3 million or 13.06 percent of the total national employment. It’s still more fun in PH Puyat also shared that the tourism agency would keep the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” slogan, but it would launch branding campaigns to lure more tourists. The campaign slogan was launched in 2012. Puyat said at least five advertising agencies would mount the ramped up tourism campaign to also capture the younger audience. The “refreshed” campaign, she said, would target millennials. “When ‘it’s more fun’ was launched, social media was not that strong,” Puyat told reporters. n
by Katherine
Kam Kaiser Health News
The students listened attentively as Ryan Wong explained how casinos keep customers chasing that elusive jackpot. Labyrinthine layouts force guests to walk past card tables and slot machines in search of well-concealed restrooms and exits, said Wong, an intern at the nonprofit NICOS Chinese health Coalition, a San Francisco partnership of health and social service organizations. Casinos ply customers with free alcohol to loosen inhibitions, and clocks are nowhere to be found. “You lose track of time,” Wong, 23, told the members of an AsianAmerican studies class at City College of San Francisco. “The more you gamble, the more it favors the casino.” NICOS staff members and interns visit Asian-American studies classes around the San Francisco Bay Area to talk to students about gambling because studies suggest Asian-American college students have a higher rate of problem gambling than their peers. NICOS hopes to reduce their risk. It’s not that they gamble more than others but that they are significantly more likely than their white, black or Latino counterparts former director of the Philippine to report unhealthy gambling beDepartment of health’s National havior, according to a 2016 study Center for Disease Prevention and in the Journal of Gambling StudControl, said after Del Mundo’s ies. It found that 8 percent of passing. “We consider her as the Asian-American students at a large Mother of Philippine Pediatrics public research university in Texas and a very great scientist.” n met the criteria for pathological
Dr. Fe Del Mundo, first woman accepted... PAGE A1
can learn to avoid unhealthy gambling
San Francisco State University graduate student Calvin Zhao and Michael Liao, NICOS Chinese Health Coalition’s program director, present study findings at the 2018 Nevada State Conference on Problem Gambling. Photo courtesy of NICOS Chinese Health Coalition
gambling, compared with about 5 percent of whites and 4 percent of blacks and Latinos. Problem gambling includes lying about losses, feeling guilty about gambling, and missing school or work because of it. When problem gambling worsens into an addiction, also known as pathological or compulsive gambling, people fail repeatedly to curb their habit. And if they manage to stop, they have withdrawal symptoms, including restlessness and irritability. They gamble increasing sums to maintain the rush of excitement. Why Asian-American students have a higher rate of gamblingrelated problems is not entirely clear, said Nolan Zane, a professor of psychology and AsianAmerican studies at the University of California-Davis. he thinks cultural, social and psychological factors all play a
role. In many Asian cultures, he noted, a “belief in good luck or fortune pervades customs and rituals.” At family and social events, for example, many Asian-American adults bet money in games that involve skill and chance, such as mahjong. Often, they teach children to play, too. exposing youngsters to gambling at an early age tends to normalize it. “If you look across cultures, anytime there’s a behavior that’s more acceptable, then people are more likely to develop problems with that behavior,” Zane said. Zane’s research suggests that impulsivity is not a factor in problem gambling among Asian-American students, as it is for white students. Rather, they gamble to cope with negative feelings, such as anxiety, shame, loneliness or a sense of being disconnected from
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Home most dangerous place for women in 2017 -UN agency THE home is the most dangerous place for women, with a majority of female homicide victims worldwide killed by their partners or family, according to new research published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The “Global study on homicide: Gender-related killing of women and girls” by the UNODC for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women showed that around 87,000 women lost their lives in intentional killings around the world in 2017, with 50,000 or 58 percent at the hands of their intimate partners or family members. “Six women are being killed every hour by people they know,” UNODC said. “While the vast majority of homicide victims are men, women continue to pay the highest price as a result of gender inequality, discrimination and negative stereotypes. They are also the most likely to be killed by intimate partners and family,” said UNODC executive director Yury Fedotov. The study found that the global rate was around 1.3 victims per 100,000 female population. Africa and the Americas are the regions where women are most at risk of being killed by intimate partners or family members. In Africa, the rate was around 3.1 victims per 100,000 female population while the rate in the Americas was 1.6 victims. The rate in Oceania was 1.3
and in Asia 0.9, while the lowest rate was found in Europe, with 0.7 victims per 100,000 female population. The study also found that tangible progress in protecting and saving the lives of female victims of homicides has not been made in recent years, despite legislation and programs developed to eradicate violence against women. The conclusions highlight the need for effective crime prevention and criminal justice responses to violence against women that promote victim safety and empowerment while ensuring offender accountability. The study also calls for greater coordination between police and the justice system as well as health and social services and emphasizes the importance of involving men in the solution, including early education. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said violence against women and girls is not only a fundamental human rights issue but also a “moral affront” against them and a “mark of shame” on all societies. The UN noted that violence against women and girls is the manifestation of a profound lack of respect – a failure by men to recognize the inherent equality and dignity of women – and that it is tied to the broader issues of power and control in societies. UN Women, the organization’s entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, called
for an end to the culture of silencing and to put survivors at the center of the response. According to UN Women, the vast majority of perpetrators of violence against women and girls face no consequences and only a minority of cases are ever reported to the police. An even smaller percentage results in charges and in only a fraction of those cases is there a conviction. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women, said laws must recognize that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination against women and a human rights violation. UN Women also called for legal protections for both formal and informal places of work to ensure that the most vulnerable workers, like those dependent on tips from customers for their income, will have a better chance to speak out against abuse and be heard. In December 1999, the UN General Assembly designated Nov. 25 as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, inviting governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to hold activities designed to raise public awareness on the issue. The day also commemorates the brutal assassination in 1960 of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo. (Philstar.com)
Nonprofit bets Asian-American students... PAGE A1 t
the college culture or mainstream society. Asian-American studies departments at Bay Area colleges first approached NICOS more than a decade ago about educating students, said Michael Liao, the organization’s program director. “Instructors were noticing that gambling affected their students, either directly or through someone they knew, like a family member.” Liao has firsthand experience: His stepfather attempted suicide after racking up insurmountable gambling debts and losing the family’s life savings. Some immigrants who work at low-paying jobs are under financial strain and perceive gambling as a magic ticket, especially if their English is poor, Liao said. “‘Oooo, that next lottery ticket, that next trip to Vegas — that could be my way out, my way to send my kids
to that school that they want to go to.’” Even well-educated young Asian-Americans can get caught up in the allure of big money. College graduate Calvin Zhao’s ordeal began at age 21. He was an assistant and translator for an investor in a cosmetics company. The man was known as a high roller, or “whale” in casino parlance — a customer who wagered thousands of dollars in a single day. Zhao tagged along with his boss to the casinos. “I would spend days, even allnighters, in casinos,” Zhao recalled. When he started betting his own money and lost several thousand dollars, he realized his gambling had become a harmful habit. “You lose money, you get sad,” he said. As his gambling habit grew, Zhao said, he became more isolated. He ultimately broke the bad cy-
cle by quitting his job and setting limits on his gambling. His scrape with problem gambling led Zhao, now a 23-year-old graduate student at San Francisco State University, to study unhealthy gambling among his Asian-American peers on campus for his master’s thesis. If students visit casinos, NICOS offers these tips: Limit spending by leaving credit and debit cards at home, and set an alarm on phones or watches to signal when it’s time to quit. When students ask Zhao for advice about their own gambling worries, he tells them that gambling itself isn’t a bad thing. Just “don’t do it excessively,” he said. “Even if you lose, you should be OK with what you lost.” This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LOCSIN CONFIRMED. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (4th from right) pose together with newly-confirmed Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. (5th from left) and his wife, Ma. Lourdes Barcelon, at the Plenary Hall of the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday, November 28. Also in photo are Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, Gregorio Honasan, Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and other members of the Commission on Appointments (CA). PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Locsin wants tighter coordination between PH, China coastguards by AJPress ACCORDING to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., there is a need to tighten coordination between the coast guards of the Philippines and China. This is after a Filipino TV network crew was barred by the Chinese from filming at Scarborough Shoal. During his confirmation hearing by the Commission on Appointments on Wednesday, November 28, Locsin said, “There was a proposal for an even tighter coordination between China and Philippines, I rejected that but now it seems necessary for a tighter coordination between two coast guards because what they are
patrolling, the Philippine and the Chinese coastguards, are not conflict areas but conflicted areas.” The newly-confirmed foreign affairs chief said that in order to avoid provocations from either side in the West Philippine Sea, the coordination is necessary. A video showing the crew of GMA-7’s “Reporters Notebook” being told off by Chinese Coast Guard personnel at the shoal, known locally as Panatag, was posted on November 22. Due to this, several senators have urged the government to protest China’s actions. Panatag is one of the shoals being claimed both by China and the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea — the portion
of the South China Sea encompassing Manila’s 200 nauticalmile exclusive economic zone. Locsin reiterated that the Philippines is not giving up its sovereign rights over areas it owns in the South China Sea. “It is not true that we will waive this right. We do not waive a single inch of what is given to us in the arbitral award in the international law,” he said. Senator Risa Hontiveros, who pressed him for comment on the incident between the GMA documentary team and China Coast Guard personnel, welcomed Locsin’s answer. She said it was the most concrete reply she heard from an official of the Duterte administration. n
Court finds cops guilty in slaying Kian Delos Santos by AJPress
justified when the fulfillment of their duty as law enforcers can be effected otherwise. A shoot THE Caloocan Regional Trial first, think later attitude can nevCourt Branch 125 found three er be countenanced in a civilized Caloocan cops guilty beyond society,” Azucena added. reasonable doubt for the killing Aside from serving prison of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos time, the three police officers Santos in August 2017. were obligated to compensate The Caloocan police officers Delos Santos living family memwho were convicted are PO3 Arbers for damages. The court ornel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda dered the cops to pay P100,000 and PO1 Jerwin Cruz. They were as civil indemnity, P100,000 sentenced to reclusion perpetua as moral damages, P45,000 as or up to 40 years in prison with actual damages and P100,000 no possibility of parole by RTC as exemplary damages with in125 Judge Rodolfo Azucena Jr. terest on all damages hereby “In Criminal Case No. Cawarded at the rate of 6% per 102925, the court finds accused annum from the finality of the guilty of the crime of murder decision until fully paid. defined and penalized under However, the court found Article 248 of the Revised Penal Oares, Pereda and Cruz not Code as amended by Republic guilty of planting of illegal drugs Act No. 7659,” the court deciand gun “for failure of the prossion stated as reported by The ecution to prove the guilt beyond Philippine Daily Inquirer. reasonable doubts” as reported by The Philippine Star. Delos Santos was murdered on the night of August 16 last year. The Caloocan police force dubbed the raid as a “One Time, Big Time” operation. A certain Renato “Nonong” Loveras tagged Delos Santos as a drug runner. The court issued an arrest warrant for Loveras. In an earlier statement, Caloocan police claimed that Delos Santos fought back. It was then refuted when a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage showed that Delos Santos was dragged by the police officers towards Tullahan River. Delos Santos was later found dead in a kneeling position which led the investigation team to believe he was killed execution style. His murder sparked public outrage prompting even Kian delos Santos was slain on the night of Aug. 16, 2017 during a “One Time, Big Time” operation vocal supporters of the governof the Caloocan City police. He was tagged by “Nonong” as a drug runner. ment’s bloody war on drugs to Philstar.com photo by Marc Jayson Cayabyab voice their criticism. n In the 35-page court decision, Azucena recognized the danger that the police force encounters on a daily basis. He noted that the court greatly acknowledges the trouble that comes with the call of their duty. “The court commiserates with our policemen who regularly thrust their lives in zones of danger in order to maintain peace and order and acknowledges the apprehension faced by their families whenever they go on duty,” Azucena said as reported by Rappler. However, he stated that such recognition does not excuse the cops’ disregard for the value of human life. He noted that violence will never be the solution let alone be welcomed in a civilized society. “But the use of unnecessary force or wanton violence is not
Catholics urged to ignore Duterte attack vs Church by Edu
Punay Philstar.com
MANILA — An official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday urged the Filipino faithful to ignore the relentless attacks by President Duterte on the church and the clergy. Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of CBCP public affairs committee, said the insinuations of the President against bishops are meant to divert the attention of the public from what the priest described as the failure of the administration to address pressing problems of the nation. “I don’t understand why we are taking this guy seriously. It’s obvious that he delights in creating controversy to deviate people’s attention from his government’s inefficiency,” Secillano said in a statement. “His ignorance of the Church’s workings tells us Catholics that we should neither believe this guy nor even take him seriously,” Secillano claimed.
The CBCP official also rebutted the appeal of Duterte for the Filipino faithful not to go to church anymore and instead just build their own chapels at home and pray there. According to Secillano, Duterte cannot push for people to just pray at home as churches are special places that house the Eucharist or Christ in the form of host, which is reserved in the tabernacle. The priest explained that the Eucharist cannot be placed in houses as the danger of its desecration is likely and such activity is against Canon 935 of the Code of Canon Law. He also said a church is one of the proper places specific to man’s activities and is no different from a government office. “The church is a house of prayer, it is a place for worship. Remember that there are places proper to man’s activities. If government officials can do their meetings, conventions, conferences and even consultations in expensive hotels or restaurants, why can’t people pray in
the church, which is the proper place for worship?” asked Secillano. As for the supposed donations asked by the Church, he said they never oblige people to donate money whenever they visit churches, with some even pretending to be “so consumed in prayer” to not notice the collection boxes being passed. He explained that the faithful are merely encouraged to donate or make “love offerings” when they go to church in order to help pay for its electric consumption and maintenance, among others. The priest said it is a far cry from what happens whenever government officials do their business. “When government officials conduct their meetings in highend hotels, people’s money are being spent,” stressed Secillano. Duterte has had a long list of attacks against the Catholic church, including one where he called God “stupid.” n
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Court allows Trillanes to go abroad for speaking engagements by Kristine Joy
Philstar.com
QCPD ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Albayalde (center), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar (2nd from left), and Quezon City Police District (QCPD) District Director Joselito Esquivel Jr. (2nd from right) present the QCPD Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) and Oplan Katok accomplishments during the press conference at the 79th Quezon City Police District (QCPD) founding anniversary held at Camp Tomas Karingal in Quezon City on Wednesday, November 28. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Philippines-backed migration deal makes U-turn as countries pull out by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com
THE first migration deal, strongly supported by the Philippines given the needs of the estimated 10 million Filipinos residing or working in almost all countries of the world, has made a “U-turn” before it is formally adopted after several memberstates of the United Nations announced their withdrawal of support for the accord. UN Special Representative for International Migration Louise Arbour said the stated intention of several countries – including Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria – to pull out of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) “reflects poorly” on them, and has seriously affected the spirit of multilateralism. The GCM was approved in July by all 193 UN member-states except the United States, which backed out last year, and is due to be formally adopted at an intergovernmental conference in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh on Dec. 10-11. Arbour will serve as the conference’s secretarygeneral. The document, though nonbinding, will set in place a voluntary international framework that will manage migration in an acceptable and implementable manner by all member-states. The Philippines actively participated in the negotiations for a GCM, given the needs of Filipino
migrants. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippines was committed to leading negotiations on the UN agreement that seeks to provide better treatment of and protection for migrant workers. Arbour pointed out that the text was agreed upon following extensive negotiations involving all member-states apart from the US that lasted for months, in which each country advanced their own interests and extracted concessions from others, and added that it was disappointing to see countries reverse their decision to sign up to the compact so soon after the text had been agreed upon by all participating parties. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini became the latest national leader to announce their withdrawal of support for the compact. Arbour, however, said the vast majority of member-states are still signed up to the initiative: a cooperative non-binding document which is designed to set clear objectives to make migration safe, orderly and regular. It sets out to address the concerns of signatory governments while reinforcing national sovereignty and recognizes the vulnerabilities faced by migrants. Arbour, a former high commissioner for human rights and senior Canadian judge, said she expects to hear member-states during the conference in Mo-
rocco next month express their intentions to implement the parts that are particularly significant to them, share their commitments and innovative ideas and forge more partnerships. Once implemented, she said it would allow migrants and member-states to prosper. “There is no question that we would see an increase in harvesting the benefits of migration and, very importantly, reducing some of its negative aspects such as irregular migration, with people moving in chaotic, dangerous ways,” Arbour said. “We would see a great improvement on the development aspects, the humanitarian aspect and all the economic benefits that migration is capable of producing, if it’s well managed, in a cooperative way,” she added. The compact, the first intergovernmentally negotiated agreement, was prepared under the auspices of the UN, to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. While it is not aimed at providing immediate answers to current short-term migration crises, Arbour said the compact would help enlighten different approaches to address them. Former UN General Assembly president and current Slovak foreign minister Miroslav Lajcak said the compact “will formally become the first comprehensive framework on migration the world has ever seen.” n
Robredo asks PET to act on petition for probe into leaked CamSur data by ryan
Macasero
Philstar.com
MANILA — The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo is following up with the Presidential Electoral Tribunal its motion for a probe into a potential leak of election data to former Rep. Glenn Chong (Biliran), who has accused the vice president of electoral fraud but is not party to a pending election protest against her. The latest motion asks the PET to act on a previous petition to investigate — and to have Chong’s comment expunged from the record. “Despite his lengthy discussion on why he should not be held accountable for the data in his possession, Attorney Glenn Chong still managed not to address the issue,” Robredo’s lawyer Romulo Macalintal said in a
statement released to the media on Thursday, November 29.. Macalintal noted in the petition filed in September that Chong attended the a Senate hearing on election reforms’ as a resource person on July 31. Chong presented the audit logs of Municipality of Ragay, Camarines Sur, during the Senate hearing, and posted about it on Facebook. The vice president’s camp said the audit logs containg information exclusive to parties of the case, as Camarines Sur is one of the pilot provinces identified by former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos in his poll protest. Chong claimed he got his data from the Senate Electoral Tribunal over the case filed by former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino.
But Macalintal pointed out that Ragay, Camarines Sur is not part of Tolentino’s case. Chong then claimed he actually got the audit logs from former Rep. Luis Villafuerte’s election protest. But Macalintal pointed out that Ragay is not part of Villafuerte’s election protest, which contests the results of the third district of Camarines Sur. “Thus, how can the Municipality of Ragay, Camarines Sur, belonging to the first district be included in the election protest contesting the results of the elections in the third district?” Macalintal asked. While Chong often speaks publicly on Marcos’ vice presidential election protest against Robredo, Marcos’ own legal team disowned the lawyer in a comment filed in PET on October 20. n
Not all shipments undergo x-ray – Lapeña by gLee JaLea ManilaTimes.net
FORMER Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña on Wednesday, November 28 said not all shipments that enter the country undergo x-ray inspection. Lapeña said 25 percent to 30 percent of the shipment only goes through the agency. He was one of the invited guests at the joint hearing of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and Dangerous Drugs on the controversy involving the missing P11-billion shabu shipment. He said only 25 percent of the shipment from Manila International Container Port and 30 percent from Port of Manila go through them. “It’s because of trade facilitation. When we [conduct] the x-ray, it causes delay,” Lapeña said. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino and former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban also attended the hearing.
Former Customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña
ManilaTimes.net photo
The joint panel is set to issue a show cause order against sacked PDEA deputy director general for administration Ismael Fajardo, former police senior Supt. Eduardo Acierto, SMYD trading owner Marina Signapan, magnetic lifters broker Katrina Cuasay and six other individuals involved in
the controversy who failed to attend Wednesday’s inquiry. The same individuals were cited for contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for not showing up in a hearing last week. Guban had claimed that Acierto was behind the missing P11billion shipment. n
A
Patag
MANILA — The Makati court on Thursday, November 29, granted Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s plea to leave the country for speaking engagements in the United States and Europe in the next months. Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 granted the senator’s plea to temporarily lift the hold departure order against him to attend various engagements from Dec. 11, 2018 to Jan. 12, 2019, and from Jan. 27 to Feb. 10, 2019. “[T]he hold departure order dated September 25 issued against [Sen.] Trillanes in relation to this case...is temporarily lifted,” the court said. “Upon his return, Sen. Trillanes is directed to file a Manifestation attaching therewith machine copy of the page of his passport with the corresponding stamp mark of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation indicating the date of his departure and return to the country,” the order read. Trillanes’ camp said that they received “invitations from different groups” to attend various activities in Amsterdam, Barcelona and London from December 11 to January 12 next year. He also cited an invitation to deliver a lecture on “Democracy and the Rule of Law in the Philippines” at the Universeit Van Amsterdam on Dec. 13, 2019, as part of the university’s “Asia Updates” series. The senator would also be traveling to California, Washington D.C., and Maryland in the US from January 27 to February 10 next year. Makati RTC Branch 150 Judge Elmo Alameda earlier issued a warrant of arrest and travel ban against Trillanes, after it ruled that the Proclamation 571—that declared his amnesty void from the beginning—has factual basis. The ruling, dated September 25, essentially revived the rebellion case against the senator over his engagement in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. Trillanes not a flight risk The court noted that Trillanes participated in the Court’s hearings for the government’s motion for the issuance of arrest warrant and travel ban. It also noted that the senator, upon the issuance of the warrant, “voluntarily went with the
arresting police officers” to the police station and posted bail. “His past actions demonstrate his willingness to abide with the conditions imposed for his provisional liberty specifically his appearance before this court when required and do what the court may require him,” Alameda said. The court held: “As a senator with a national constituency, his travel abroad may broaden his outlook of the problem of the country which he may use on
proposing bills which he may use in proposing bills which is the core of Congress’ lawmaking.” “Taking therefore into account the previous conduct demonstrated by Sen. Trillanes and the purpose of his travel coupled with the fact that he is not considered a flight risk, the court is persuaded to grant his request to travel abroad upon posting a travel bond in the amount of P200,000,” it added. n
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NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 6, 2018 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426
FEATURES
OPINION
Violence against women and girls THE Philippines ranks among the 10 best countries in the Gender Gap Index. Yet in recent weeks, police officers have been accused of raping in separate incidents the daughter of a couple arrested on drug charges, a woman apprehended for illegal gambling, and even a policewoman. Teenage girls continue to be trafficked for sex and child labor. And despite the passage of tough laws against domestic violence, women and girls continue to suffer various forms of abuse. In impoverished areas, women are unaware of the numerous laws for their protection. Even in upper income households, however, women are held back from seeking help for violent assaults due to the perceived stigma and shame attached to the attacks. Unfortunately, this failure to bring offenders to justice breeds impunity. Elsewhere in the world, women and girls suffer worse forms of violence and abuse, including arranged marriages and genital mutilation. Girls continue to be deprived of formal education and women are given limited access to job opportunities in certain societies. In South Sudan, a teenage girl was sold to a prospective husband in what is tantamount to an auction, for the price of 500 cows, three luxury cars, $10,000, two bikes, a boat and several mobile phones. The auction has drawn global outrage, but
local observers reportedly noted that the practice was not uncommon in that country. The United Nations General Assembly approved back in 1993 the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Yet the attacks continue, derailing efforts to achieve gender equity, peace and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. As the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls is marked today, the UN reports that one in three women and girls will experience physical or sexual violence in this lifetime. Nearly 750 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday; 200 million have undergone female genital mutilation. Only 52 percent of women in a union can freely make their own decisions about contraceptive use, health care and sexual relations. Among human trafficking victims worldwide, women account for 71 percent, with three out of four sexually exploitWith this day’s theme of Orange the World: ed. Violence against women is considered as seri- #HearMeToo, there will be 16 days of global activous a cause of death and incapacity as cancer. ism for ending violence against women and girls.
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
The goal may seem elusive, but the effort to eliminate violence against women and girls must be unrelenting. (Philstar.com)
For the sake of your children and grandchildren, who would you believe on climate change: Scientists or Donald Trump?
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS LAST Friday, November 23, hundreds of government and external scientists involved in the U.S. Global Change Research Program, released a report that concluded that climate change could cost the United States billions of dollars annually within decades if greenhouse gases aren’t dramatically reduced, and could worsen environmental disasters like wildfires and flooding. Its findings aligned with those of the broader scientific community. This federally mandated study warned that the U.S. economy could lose hundreds of billions of dollars — or, in the worst-case scenario, more than 10 percent of its GDP — by the end of the century. Worse, climate change damages not only our ecosystem but our health — the health of ALL living things on the planet if we do not act NOW, as we are ALL in this TOGETHER. As CNN reported, the Fourth National Climate Assessment was put together with the help of 1,000 people, including 300 leading scientists, roughly half from outside the government. It’s the second of two volumes. The first report was released in November 2017, concluded that
there is “no convincing alternative explanation” for the changing climate other than “human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases.” The world used to look up to the United States for leadership in addressing this problem but things changed when Trump became president. Trump has called climate change a “hoax” many times in the past, espousing and pursuing a pro-fossil fuels agenda. Asked by reporters outside the White House about the findings that unchecked global warming would wreak havoc on the U.S. economy, BBC News reported that Trump’s reply was: “I don’t believe it.” The members of his administration and many members of the Republican Party echo Trump’s position, and denigrated the scientists and scholars who have been working on this U.S. government study as co-conspirators to push a liberal agenda that runs contrary to the interests of the fossil fuel industry. THE TRUTH IS — we all need to be concerned about this because climate change is already affecting us now, and this includes more frequent and intense extreme weather and climate-related events. Unless we face the FACTS
and do something now, we will be betraying our children and grandchildren by leaving behind a planet that will be harmful to their health, their life and their future. The report says that projections of future catastrophe could change if the governments and the people of the world work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and “to adapt to the changes that will occur.” Just last October, the United Nations warned that we have only 12 years to limit the catastrophic effects of climate change. The world’s leading climate scientists have warned there is an urgent need “to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.” The Guardian reported that the authors of the landmark report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) say “urgent and unprecedented changes are needed to reach the target, which they say is affordable and feasible although it lies at the most ambitious end of the Paris agreement pledge to keep temperatures between 1.5C and 2C.” The report further explained
that the half-degree difference could also prevent corals from being completely eradicated and ease pressure on the Arctic, according to the 1.5C study, which was launched after approval at a final plenary of all 195 countries in Incheon in South Korea. Donald Trump was not on board, promising to withdraw the U.S. – the world’s biggest source of historical emissions – from the accord. Let me quote The Guardian report on this and you decide whom to believe: Trump or the scientists on climate change. “The world is currently 1C warmer than preindustrial levels. Following devastating hurricanes in the U.S., record droughts in Cape Town and forest fires in the Arctic, the IPCC makes clear that climate change is already happening, upgraded its risk warning from previous reports, and warned that every fraction of additional warming would worsen the impact. Scientists who reviewed the 6,000 works referenced in the report, said the change caused by just half a degree came as a revelation. “We can see there is a difference and it’s substantial,” Roberts said. At 1.5C the proportion of the global population exposed to water stress could be 50% lower than at 2C, it notes. Food
scarcity would be less of a problem and hundreds of millions fewer people, particularly in poor countries, would be at risk of climate-related poverty. At 2C extremely hot days, such as those experienced in the northern hemisphere this summer, would become more severe and common, increasing heat-related deaths and causing more forest fires. But the greatest difference would be to nature. Insects, which are vital for pollination of crops, and plants are almost twice as likely to lose half their habitat at 2C compared with 1.5C. Corals would be 99% lost at the higher of the two temperatures, but more than 10% have a chance of surviving if the lower target is reached. Sea-level rise would affect 10 million more people by 2100 if the half-degree extra warming brought a forecast 10cm additional pressure on coastlines. The number affected would increase substantially in the following centuries due to lockedin ice melt. Oceans are already suffering from elevated acidity and lower levels of oxygen as a result of climate change. One model shows marine fisheries would lose 3m tonnes at 2C, twice the decline at 1.5C. Sea ice-free summers in the
Arctic, which is warming two to three times faster than the world average, would come once every 100 years at 1.5C, but every 10 years with half a degree more of global warming. Time and carbon budgets are running out. By mid-century, a shift to the lower goal would require a supercharged rollback of emissions sources that have built up over the past 250 years. The IPCC maps out four pathways to achieve 1.5C, with different combinations of land use and technological change. Reforestation is essential to all of them as are shifts to electric transport systems and greater adoption of carbon capture technology. Carbon pollution would have to be cut by 45% by 2030 – compared with a 20% cut under the 2C pathway – and come down to zero by 2050, compared with 2075 for 2C. This would require carbon prices that are three to four times higher than for a 2C target. But the costs of doing nothing would be far higher.” ***
press the flesh with Asian leaders and what the U.S. and China brought with them to spice the hi’s and hello’s. In these two all-important markers, the winner by miles was China. With U.S. President Donald Trump staying home, Pence is, well, trumped by Xi, especially in Asian eyes valuing formal titles. So it was at the 2013 ASEAN and APEC summits, when then President Barack Obama was a no-show, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton subbing. Plainly face time is of the essence in a region that goes overboard on saving face. It’s the economy, stupid Now, it might still have been a draw for Washington if billionaire Trump let money do the talking, with Pence offering big bucks to match Xi’s zillions. But instead of cash and commerce, Pence talked tough on trade, and delivered unsolicited advice on Chinese loans. It’s no secret that APEC remains keen for even more open markets, despite Trump’s aboutface two years ago from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment accord the
U.S. had erstwhile championed. TPP signatories are trying to salvage it, sans Uncle Sam. And Asia-Pacific nations are working hard to get the Beijing-led Regional Cooperation Economic Program signed by next year. So, APEC and ASEAN were hardly in any mood for Pence’s trade war rhetoric and threats, which already undercut growth, exports, stock markets and currencies across Asia over the past year. Also sure to have lead-ballooned was his warning on borrowing too much from China. How can the U.S. tell that to ASEAN countries with far lower debt, budget and trade deficit levels than America, and have been extra careful with foreign loans and trade balances since the 1997 Asian financial crisis? The good news for Asia is that the U.S. is gearing up to offer more cash for the region’s growth. Last month Trump created the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. to provide $60 billion in loans, credit guarantees, and investment insurance to American companies investing in developing nations. Bottom line: The charm race in ASEAN among America, China and Japan looks set to escalate. Beneficiary countries need to
read the fine print and counter any disadvantageous terms and moves by aid givers. But that’s a far better problem than having little assistance on offer. Asia wants peace in the seas Uncle Sam predictably warned of Chinese military deployment, including the so-called “wall of SAMs,” or surface-to-air missiles, deployed by the People’s Liberation Army and capable of striking anywhere in the South China Sea. For sure, ASEAN is concerned about the reported installation of PLA anti-ship and anti-aircraft armaments in the disputed Spratlys islands. And there may even be some support for the U.S. and its allies challenging China’s territorial claims with freedom of navigation operations, including U.S. Navy sailings near Chinesereclaimed islands. But President Duterte encountered no loud challenges in Asia when he said that China had possession of the South China Sea, and criticized naval activity challenging the Chinese. What Duterte presumably meant is that short of a full-scale war, which no nation wants, it is near-impossible to stop Chinese moves in the South China Sea. And fonops by the U.S. and its allies only escalate regional ten-
sions without budging the Chinese. Two U.S. naval moves may signal that Washington could be opting to avoid more confrontations in the South China Sea like the near-collision between U.S. and Chinese naval vessels last month. The much-hyped U.S. naval exercise this month, said to be larger than usual, was held in the Philippine Sea west of the archipelago. And Beijing seemed to accept the joint American-Australian plan to build a naval base on Papua New Guinea. With the Philippines not implementing the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement which the U.S. sought for its plan to move 60 percent of its naval assets to Asia, Duterte’s view of South China Sea military matchups seems to hold for now. That leaves China and Asean to sort out maritime security matters, mainly through the longawaited Code of Conduct now being negotiated, while the U.S. and its allies beef up defense west of the Philippines. If this reduces tension and militarization on the high seas, especially if Beijing forges a code that truly advances peace, that’s another plus for Asia. (ManilaTimes.net)
America vs. China: How Asia can win
Commentary
RICARDO SALUDO SO, who’s ahead in Asia’s geopolitical main event between America and China? Answer: Asia. With the top superpower and the rising one jousting for regional support, no prizes for guessing that Asian nations, especially those in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are getting buttered up with aid and trade, mostly from Beijing, and defense goodies, mainly from Washington. Just see how President Rodrigo Duterte is wangling favor after favor from China, Japan and America. Much as his critics claim he has capitulated to Beijing’s territorial violations, he has in fact obtained far greater aid from China, Japan and Russia than any other Philippine leader. And if it finally transpires, the impending return of the Balangiga bells, seized by America’s
conquering troops after their heinous massacre of Filipinos over a century ago, would be another unprecedented superpower concession obtained by Duterte’s independent foreign policy. And now that visiting President Xi Jinping has agreed with Duterte to elevate the ChinaPhilippines relations to “strategic cooperation,” expect Japan and maybe the United States to also press for some upgrading of ties, sweetened by more offers of assistance, investment and other goodies. Multiply this scenario in varying degrees across ASEAN and that’s, pretty much, the story of the regional rivalry between China and the United States in recent years all the way to last week’s ASEAN summit meetings in Singapore and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. While media understandably focused on the verbal jousts in APEC between Xi and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, what really counted were not the phrases but the faces and the finances. That is, who showed up to
Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
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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Cover Photo by Troi Santos
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Kelsey Merritt, first Filipina model in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show by MoMar
G. Visaya / AJPress
KELSEY Merritt made history on November 8 when she became the first Filipino woman to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, an annual spectacular event that highlights some of the best and well known fashion models in the industry including stalwarts such as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Adriana Lima, among others. And finally this weekend, the rest of the world will be able to see the fashion show (from pink-carpet interviews, model profiles and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the event included) shot and produced live at Pier 94 in New York City, as it is screened online and on ABC network. The historic casting is not lost on the 22–year–old model who grew up in Pampanga watching the fashion show as an impressionable teen. “Siyempre lumaki ako sa Pilipinas, lahat ng mga Pinoy superfan ng Victoria’s Secret tapos wala pang Pinay na naging Victoria’s Secret so nung lumipat ako sa New York, gusto ko maging unang Pinoy na makapasok, naging goal ko talaga na maging part nito kasi wala pang nakagawa nun,” she remarked. Back in July 2017, Kelsey tweeted, “Mark this tweet. Makakapag VS din ako balang araw (I’ll be a VS model too someday) #lawofattraction ” One can call it destiny, claiming it, or in her own words, law of attraction. She achieved her dream a little more than a year later. On September 7, she posted
on her Instagram account @ kelseymerritt the big news that she has been working on since she moved to New York. “WE DID IT PHILIPPINES,” she wrote, followed by exactly six exclamation points and three Philippine flags. “What an honor it is to be the first Filipino to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2018!!! Ahhhhhh I can’t believe this!!” “When I booked it, I was so happy and more than that, everyone else was happy. Parang there was nothing more accurate than me saying that my success felt like the success of the whole country,” she added. Behind the hard work First, it was not a walk in the park. To say that she had to go through the wringer would be an understatement. “I am not exaggerating when I say that this is literally the hardest job you can get in the world. It was so hard that there has never been a Filipino in it. I can’t explain how much hard work I put in on this,” she said. Since she was already represented by an agency, she was told a couple of months before the casting process began that she was “pre approved”, meaning she did not have to go through the casting cattle calls with hundreds of other models. They choose a select number of girls to do the first casting and when they told her that she was going through, she told herself ‘This is it. This is my chance.’ Her agent then told her three things: she had to prepare
Kelsey also posted her photo with boyfriend Conor Dwyer, a two time Olympic gold medallist in swimming.
Kelsey Merritt Model Kelsey Merritt announced on Instagram that she will be the first Filipina to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Photo from Instagram/@KelseyMerritt
herself, she had to work out and she had to, well, look her best. So she did. She worked out regularly and changed her diet, removing pizza and burger out of the equation. The thing with the fashion show is that there was actually no guarantee as to who gets to go through, even for girls who are already working for the brand. But she was hopeful. Kelsey went on the second day of casting and that’s when the models learn if they get a callback for the next round of screenings. She hurdled that step. Next was the runway walk. “The callback happened a week after the first casting. It was the real deal, the big girls fighting for spots. I go in this room and I see all these girls that I follow and admire,” Kelsey recalled. “We all want the same job. It was freaking me out, I never imagined I’d be in that situation.” Faced with her competition, Kelsey realized she was already telling herself that if ever she didn’t get in, it was already a great experience to be in that room with all of the girls. She found out the good news a few days later when she went to her agency for another casting job. “I saw the flowers and they told me I got the show. It was the most nerve wracking thing. The anticipation was killing me,” she shared.
Journey to modeling Kelsey was born in Pampanga. She grew up there and that’s where she went for her high school studies. She didn’t know about modeling and how there was an industry behind it. “I was so detached from Manila that I was living in my own world in Pampanga,” she admitted. A friend of hers did modeling and she would go to Manila for modeling jobs. “I found it interesting so I started going with them and my career started there,” she recalled. Kelsey began doing fashion shows, photo shoots, editorials and ad campaigns. Then she moved to Manila when she enrolled for college at the Ateneo, where she took up communication. She graduated in 2017. The Fashion Show For two months, Kelsey prepared and worked hard to prepare for her Victoria’s Secret runway debut. On the night of the show, she was worried that her nerves might take over, although she knew that with the preparation she had to do for the show, she felt ready. Then she relaxed. “All I could feel was that I was excited to be there. I was expecting to be nervous but I wasn’t,” she shared. “The energy backstage was so good and everyone was lifting each other up. It was a good atmosphere
and I was so excited and thankful to be there.” The moment she was on the runway, she relished it although she couldn’t really see the crowd and all she could see was the lights and the cameras. She also shared a story that happened during rehearsal. Kelsey looks up to Adriana Lima and back when she was still based in the Philippines watching the VS fashion show, she would copy the poses Adriana would do. On the sidelines, she watched Adriana, the quintessential Victoria’s Secret girl, as she did her thing. “She is beautiful and so amazing on the runway. It was an emotional time because it was her last show and VS gave her a tribute. Every model at the rehearsal was crying,” Kelsey said. “To be able to walk with her on her last show…I felt honored. This was someone I looked up to growing up and I couldn’t believe I was a part of it. It meant a lot to me.” Inspire young girls “Never did I imagine that I’d be on that runway,” Kelsey said, after achieving her dream of working with Victoria’s Secret and walking the runway for the VS fashion show. “Coming from my experience, this is something that I never thought would be possible.” “If I could go back and tell myself, I would tell her ‘Dream hard, dream big!’ Don’t limit yourself to what you think you can only do,” she added. Kelsey had brunch recently with her parents who are both still based in Pampanga and they told her that they’re so proud of her. “My mom is my number one stalker. For her to see me grow from a small town girl to now a Victoria’s Secret model. She’s my number one fan,” she said. Pinay New Yorker Kelsey’s life has changed throughout this whole process. A day in the life of this VS model: When I wake up, I have my coffee, then go to the gym. If I have casting, then I do that. I usually do my workouts before work so I don’t have to think
Photo by Troi Santos
about it anymore. She lives a healthy lifestyle and works out every day to accommodate the occasional cheat meals, which is usually just desserts and sweets. “That’s the hardest thing I had to give up in preparation for the show. I could give up pasta, burgers no problem. I have to have it every day,” she said. When she’s not working out, she’s at home, which is her place to go unwind. “I am a homebody, I love staying at home reading books. New York is great but it also crazy,” she explained. For her comfort food? “Pinoy food talaga, Pinoy siyempre,” she said laughing. “I love bistek, super. Adobo, sinigang, lahat.” In her apartment, she only cooks Filipino dishes. “Pag pumupunta ako sa Filipino restaurant dito, parang hindi siya parehas, parang gusto ko ako yung nagluluto. Alam ko yung gusto ko, yung lasa at timpla,” she quipped. Next goal So, what’s up next for her? Her initial next goal after VS was to work with Vogue, which also happened as well with a recent feature on Teen Vogue. So she recalibrated to focus on her next goal now. “Maybe do a designer show, like walk for Dior or Dolce & Gabbana. Something big, something I never thought I’d ever do” she said, putting it out there like she did when she tweeted in July 2017 her Victoria’s Secret aspirations. For now, it’s sky is the limit for this young model, keeping a positive outlook despite comments from netizens and bashers that her Victoria’s Secret casting was not revolutionary because she looks more white than Filipina. Kelsey chooses to engage with fans and supporters instead, particularly those who have been with her since day one. “You guys have always been there for me. I hope I can meet all of you when I go home to the Philippines. Sobrang thank you sa lahat ng support ninyo,” she said.
Kelsey shared on her Instagram account a few photos taken during the fashion show, reminding her followers to watch the show when it airs on ABC
Angel Locsin to star in action teleserye despite spinal injury Angel’s spinal injury earlier forced her to quit from the project that would once again bring the superheroine “Darna” DESPITE suffering from a to the big screen. Liza Soberano spinal injury in 2015, actress Angel Locsin insisted that action has since agreed to play the titular role. is still her genre of choice. Angel, however, claimed “I’m very excited that her health never became an interest in this particular genre issue while making this TV is returning,” said the actress, project. “We’re very careful who will soon be seen in an action-adventure TV series, “The with the execution of all the scenes. Of course, I can no General’s Daughter,” on ABSlonger do what I used to do, CBN. so I take extra precautions. To In the series, she plays a member of the army nurse corps. make sure my body is ready It also features Paulo Avelino, JC for the next taping day, I go de Vera, Tirso Cruz III and Albert to my PT (physical therapist) the night before. I also apply Martinez. By Marinel
r. Cruz
Inquirer.net
Angel Locsin
Photo from Instagram/@therealangellocsin
cold compress after we shoot difficult scenes,” she shared with the Inquirer. Angel also made sure to do her research before she accepted the project. “I visited army camps as part of my immersion and spoke with the soldiers. I was with some of the members of the production team there. It’s true we’re getting a lot of help from the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) for this project.” She added: “I also went to the set location ahead of the others.” The series is currently taping in Daet, Camarines Norte.
“That’s a 10-hour drive from Manila. I really don’t mind. I enjoy road trips compared to flying,” the actress confessed. “It also helps that ours is a happy set. Our team is very efficient so we finish fast and early.” Angel admitted that it was hard for her to relate to her character. “I had to make extra effort to understand her, to build her backstory. Our worlds are so different from each other,” she pointed out, adding that she also had to conform to the “new directing style” of Emmanuel “Manny” Palo. “I find his new method more challenging.”
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Warning: US Embassy charging crewmen with fraud, despite approved provisional waivers Immigration Corner HER “AMERICAN DREAM” SHATTERED WHEN HER CASE WAS DENIED AND HER TWO ATTORNEYS TOLD HER THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO JUST “HIDE.” Mariel (left) was devastated when her adjustment of status was denied after USCIS concluded she was out of status. Distraught and lost, especially after her first two lawyers’ only advice was to “hide,” Mariel decided to consult with “Attorney-of-Last-Hope” Michael J. Gurfinkel who sought reconsideration and was able to get Mariel her elusive green card in record time. Watch Mariel’s dream come true on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
IN a shocking and disturbing change in policy, the U.S. EmbasImmigrant sy in Manila has begun charging crewmen with fraud when those Living: 101 (Conclusion of 2 parts) crewmen return to Manila for and Beyond immigrant visa processing after with your smartass barbs? Or does ous divorces, competing for their children’s affections. obtaining an approved provihe feel he can soar like an eagle Monette Honestly, who wants to live sional waiver. when you are around him? AdevA MAGlAyA a life like that? Does anyone in Until this policy is reconDon’t buy into the modern his right mind really want to be sidered, I would caution crewconcept of the throwaway or (CONTINUED from last week’s trade-up society that seems to im- disappointed and live cynical lives men against leaving the U.S. for Embassy processing of their imply you can change partners every dealing with what I call the BIG issue…) D’s? These are the doldrums of migration visa even if they have five years or so. Just because you So okay, your partner is the doubt, darkness, disease, depresan approved provisional waiver. consummate slob and you have to can doesn’t mean you should. It sion, desperation, dejection, This is because they could be pick up after him. He thinks he has may work for cars and appliances disappointment, discouragement charged with fraud if the provia maid living with him for free. He but falls flat for human relationand disillusionment. You just wish sional waiver is voided, and they ships. Fix what can yet be fixed. has this maddening habit of not you can DELETE all that from would have to apply for a fraud putting the toothpaste cap back your life. Sadly, some go to waiver for the 10-year bar and on. That’s easy. Get one with a the deep end tragically endmisrepresentation which could cap that snaps back on. ing in death. take the USCIS several additional The point is to find a way to Love has died. Nothing months to process, while they are work around an annoyance or acmatters. Yet love, accordstuck in the Philippines. cept the tiny irritations. With time ing to the “Desiderata” is The reason or grounds for and patience, things get easier. As Nurture what can grow into someas perennial as the grass. While the fraud finding is based on the you get older and hopefully, wiser, thing beautiful. Eat humble pie, if there is life, hope springs eternal. fact that the crewman merely you have to. There is no shame if your eyes dim and your hearing overstayed his visa and/or began you truly love. Ask a Higher Power Those who are not put off by a goes for a reason. You become disastrous relationship think that working in the U.S. soon after to help you keep things whole. less critical as you see the bigger “the right one” is just around the arrival. This is the case even if Taking your husband, wife or picture more clearly. You become corner. Perhaps. But if they do not the crewman arrived in the U.S. partner for granted is the biggest tone deaf and refuse to be thin learn from their previous mistakes, decades ago! As the Embassy cause of so many divorces these skinned and easily offended. they are doomed to repeat them. explains its fraud findings, the days. If alarming numbers are to of humor maybe or the way There’s that D again. They will crewman entered the U.S. on be believed, half the population he makes you laugh… cycle in and out of one disastrous a C-1/D visa, “and engaged in Love is a two-way street. Note already live in Splitsville. relationship after the other. conduct inconsistent with his There is a disproportionate how you behave towards him. Single parenthood is no nonimmigrant visa status within number of single moms and How do you look to him? Do you 90 days of his entry by engaging single dads worldwide struggling cakewalk in most cases. Ask take the time and the effort to with severely diminished finances around. Do not believe the dis- in unauthorized employment and look va-va-voom and give him by failing to depart the United that look that can make his heart- and dealing with court-appointed tortion of truth in movies spun by Hollywood or this trend of States within 29 days as required visits, juggling schedules, shutbeat race just a tad? Or do you celebrities adopting babies and on a C-1/D visa.” tling children in two locations nag him to death for every little Under the Embassy’s Continued on Page 6 thing? Do you make him feel small and in cases of bitter, acrimoni-
Two magical words
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” –Jean Baptiste Massieu
reasoning, it would be legally impossible for any crewmen to now qualify for a provisional waiver, even though the provisional waiver regulations expressly state crewmen are eligible for provisional waiver, and even though, in the past, crewmen had routinely been granted provisional waivers, returned to the Philippines, had their immigrant visas issued, and then they returned to the U.S. I myself have written about provisional waiver for crewmen and featured several crewmen on Citizen Pinoy, who went back to the Philippines, were processed for their immigrant visa, and safely returned to the U.S. It appears the reason for this change in policy is the U.S. State Department’s recently imposed “90-day rule,” by which if a person enters the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, and then engages in conduct inconsistent with that visa within 90 days of entry, they have committed fraud. Therefore, if a crewman (or even a visitor who overstayed) entered the U.S., and started working within 90 days of arrival, they have committed fraud. If they now return to the Philippines on a provisional waiver, they risk being charged with fraud. In addition, the maximum time a crewman may remain in the U.S. is 29 days. Therefore, it could be considered fraud if they merely overstay beyond the 29 days or began working within 90 days of their arrival. But none of this makes sense! • The regulations specifically and expressly state that crewmen qualify for provisional waiver. • Provisional waiver is supposed to benefit those aliens who overstayed. • Obviously, anyone applying for the provisional waiver has
overstayed. • Crewmen are allowed to remain in the U.S. for a maximum of 29 days. But if the Embassy is imposing a 90-day rule, no crewmen could qualify for provisional waiver and the regulation is meaningless. • Simply put, if the Embassy’s position is that overstaying constitutes fraud, how can any crewman qualify for the provisional waiver? For my part, I’m continuing to monitor this development, and will provide updates if there are any changes. But for now, crewmen risk being charged with fraud if they return to the Philippines for Embassy visa processing even with an approved provisional waiver. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-4873465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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Jake Zyrus shares how he found ‘the one’ By Katrina
Hallare Inquirer.net
JAKE Zyrus is on cloud nine after admitting a big revelation: he is now engaged. The singer happily declared this in a Nov. 23 episode of the “I Know Right� talk show, available on ABS-CBN’s iWant.ph streaming service. Zyrus shared that his engagement is with his non-showbiz girlfriend, Shyre Aquino, a registered nutritionist-dietician. The revelation came about after one of the show’s hosts, Darla Sauler, segued from tackling social media bashing to asking Zyrus if he was already engaged. Zyrus tried to laugh it off at first. “I never lie so...,� he answered, then
flashed the thumb’s up emoji sign card to confirm the engagement. “When somebody asks, of course we say it.� However, he did not disclose when exactly he popped the question. “Kasi we enjoy the information na di alam ng ibang tao, kasi yun yung naiba sa relationship namin (Because we enjoy the information that most don’t know, that’s what’s different in our relationship),� he said. “And I enjoy it very much. [And] it makes me feel so happy.� How did he know Aquino was “the one�? “[Y]ung relationship namin, totally different from the past. Usually ‘di ba, when you’re in a relationship, you know like the first year, pabebe ka pa. First
Jake Zyrus with girlfriend Shyre Aquino
month pa lang ng relationship namin, naging komportable na ako sa kanya,� he said. (Our relationship, it’s totally different from the past [ones]. Usually, in a relationship, you know like on the first year, you’re still shy and try to be cute. But as early as the first month of our relationship, I was already comfortable with her.) Zyrus also revealed that Aquino was present through his journey of becoming a transgender man, adding that she was the
Photo from Instagram/@shyre.xvi
one who took care of him after his top surgery. He also recalled the time he told Aquino that he was transitioning to a man “because I wanted to see her reaction.� Apparently, they already knew each other when he was still known as Charice Pempengco, Zyrus added. And as he explained to her his transition, he shared that she told him only one thing: “Mahal kita kasi ikaw ‘yan (I love you for who you are).� n
Kathryn Bernardo with Daniel Padilla
Photo from Instagram@bernardokath
Kathryn on her relationship with Daniel and views on marriage Kathryn offered her thoughts on the subject as prompted by a fan question. IN Star Cinema’s new film Asked how can one tell if she’s Three Words To Forever, Kathryn ready for marriage, she said, “FeelBernardo plays a young bride-toing ko, you’ll feel it when you are be. Her plans to wed will uncover ready for it and if your partner is the good, the not-so-good and ready for it, kasi iba-ibang age tayo the challenging in the marriages pwede maging ready pasukin ang within her three-generation family. marriage because it’s a different Kathryn’s grandparents level from being boyfriend-girl(played by Freddie Webb and Liza friend. For me, if you can see your Lorena) are preparing to renew life, things you do now with that their vows as husband and wife person, I think that’s one; then if for 55 years. Her parents (Richard you can’t see the future without Gomez and Sharon Cuneta) are him; and if there’s respect for each drifting apart but putting up a other, that’s important. People pretence for their 25th wedding get ready for marriage at different anniversary. What is supposed ages. If you feel it, go! Sometimes, to be a triple celebration of love you just have to jump.� faces complications so much so However, she was quick to add the film asks the question, is staythat marriage is far from her mind. ing together still an option? Or, is “Not so soon, siempre si Mama the situation worthy of a happy andyan!� she laughed, pointing at resolution? her mother Min in the audience. The theme of Three Words To “Too early for now. These are Forever inspired some discussion things you don’t rush because it’s on marriage during a presscon marriage and it’s unfair to the othlast Nov. 22 at Dolphy Theater. er person if you enter something By natHalie
tomada Philstar.com
when you can’t give it everything. So, we’ll see.� The 22-year-old actress has been going steady with her perennial love team partner Daniel Padilla for five years now. She and DJ “officially� confirmed their relationship in a media con in August for their Star Cinema film The Hows of Us, which the ABS-CBN film outfit declared as highestgrossing Pinoy film of all time for earning over P600M. Like her new film’s title, Kathryn has three words for this young love. “I am happy. Alam mo, ang sarap mag-share ngayon ng lahat, na ganito ka-open since sinabi namin last presscon yung totoong status namin. But really, I am happiest when I am with DJ. Yes, because he’s not just a boyfriend eh. He’s a friend also, whom you can tell everything, and how he is with my family.� She also has three words for what she thinks will make a relationship, whether romantic or Continued on Page 6
60 COUNTRIES. OVER 100 CITIES WORLDWIDE. THAT’S INTERNATIONAL.
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Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg’s staple Christmas wish: book from Philippines
5
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JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles features Sou Fujimoto: Futures of the Future exhibition This file photo shows Mark Wahlberg as John Bennett in the adult comedy film “Ted 2.” By JAN
MILO SEVERO Philstar.com
HOLLYWOOD — Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg revealed that a Filipino book structured his daily prayers. In an interview with Relevant Magazine, the devout Catholic discussed his everyday prayer routine, which is arranged according to “365 Days with the Lord,” a bible diary published by a Filipino apostolate of the priests and brothers of the Society of St. Paul. The book’s mission is to “announce the Gospel to the world through the modern means of communication.”
Health@Heart
According to the actor’s wife, model Rhea Durham, Mark loves the book so much that he asked her to buy him another copy for Christmas. Since then, she gave the book as a gift to her husband every Christmas. “She knows that’s the one thing that I have to have before the end of the year to be able to start fresh on the first day of the year and not miss a day,” the actor said. “For more than a decade already, this has become the most widely read bible diary, popular among Filipino Catholics here and abroad,” the description of the book reads.
Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures
Mark rises at 2:30 am every day and prays for 15 minutes every 2:45 am. Known for his roles in critically-acclaimed movies like “The Other Guys,” “Daddy’s Home,” “Ted,” and the “Transformers,” Mark has been nominated in the Oscars as Best Supporting Actor for “The Departed,” and as Best Actor at the Golden Globes for “The Fighter.” He served as executive producer for four HBO series, including “Entourage,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “How to Make It in America,” and “Ballers.” He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010. ■
Abortion vs. holocaust
to, and meted out, “double” the punishment because of the two dead victims. So, why should PHILIP S. CHUA, the treatment and regard for the MD, FACS, FPCS value of the fetus be different in the case of abortion? Another argument I find ludicrous is the one THE 6 million Jews killed that says a woman has the right to during the holocaust, genocide perpetrated by Nazi Germany (17 do whatever she wants with her body, and therefore she has the million total if the other extermiright to terminate the life of her nations are considered as a part child inside her womb. The fetus of Hitler’s “The Final Solution,” inside the womb is not a normal, between 1941 and 1945) pales natural, and integral part of the fein comparison to the 60,069,971 male body. All the women I know fetuses killed (per choice of the or have read about were not born mothers or parents of these unwith a fetus inside her womb as a born) in the United States alone (about the same number killed in part of her anatomy. All the rest of her anatomy, her entire body and World War II) since abortion was legalized in America 45 years ago, appendages, are there as natural parts of her, but not a fetus. So on January 22,1973, thru Rose v. how can these pro-abortion group Wade Supreme Court Decision. claim that a fetus is a part of the According to WHO, there are woman’s body, and, therefore, a about 45 million abortion a year pregnant woman has the right performed around the world, about 125,000 fetuses killed a day. to “cut it out” at her whim, like When I read the question, “Do her hair, or her nails? The woman fetuses have rights?”, on the cover has the right to mutilate her own body, cut off her limbs, etc., if she of a U.S. weekly magazine years so chooses, because those are her ago, I wondered how some people could even think otherwise. If own body parts. But the fetus is not a natural part of a woman’s the fetus is allowed to grow and anatomy. It is another life, formed develop normally, it will mature to be someone like any one of us, when she voluntarily chose to enhumans, so why shouldn’t he/she able her ovum to come in contact with a man’s sperm. Rape is, of have rights, just like anyone of course, another story. us? I grant you that a fetus is The fetus can’t defend itself. not a fully developed person yet because it is still in the womb and It is in the womb, at the mercy not independent, just like anyone of the mother, or parents, and of us when we were in the womb of society, meaning all of us. All we have to do as a society is to of our mother, but our animal gang up on the powerless fetuses, pets (and their fetuses) who are not even humans and do not even legalize abortion, and allow termination of the life of the unborn have the potentials to be human ad libitum at whim. This will also beings, are accorded their rights and have legal protection against confer upon our people the right to practice irresponsible sex and cruelty and abuse under the law. escape parenthood. If a woman Why not the unborn child? does not want to be pregnant, I am surprised why there she could, and should, prevent is even a debate at all whether conception. Why even allow life fetuses should be considered to start at all and then decide to human beings, and whether we, annihilate it? fellow humans, should have the I do realize the situation is not right to kill them or not. Legally, they are not considered a human, that simple and straightforward. an individual, yet. To me, the issue But guided by our Christian sensibilities and sensitivities, by our is lucidly clear that the fetuses, education, by our culture where when not killed, could have a the family is the basic structure “naturally pre-determined” fate, of our foundation in society, and to develop into a human being. These are not fruits or vegetables the natural instinct of humans (even of animals) to protect their or any inanimate objects, but off springs, even while still in the future human beings. They have an active brain, a heart that beats, womb (that’s why there is prenatal examination and other protecbody, arms and legs that move, just like us. They are living beings. tive measures pregnant women One of the issues being made do to maintain a healthy growing fetus), I am puzzled why there is is that the fetus is not a human even a debate on the matter at all. being because it is in the womb, Freedom to kill? totally dependent on the mother, Freedom, individual rights, and therefore has no right at all. In other words it does not count! But and the pursuit of happiness are fundamental tenets in a democif a pregnant mother is a victim racy. The constitution of all the of any violence or crime, which civilized nations of the world, results in the death of both the ours included, provides and mother and the fetus, the courts guarantees every human being count the “value” of the fetus, the basic freedoms that protect and if the perpetrator is found guilty, he/she could be sentenced their individual natural rights in
the pursuit of a happy, productive, and peaceful life, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, and age, without denying others their equal and natural rights. The everlasting controversy in the abortion debate really hinges on the denial that a fetus is a human being, and on the misinterpretation of the word freedom. The pro-choice group (who, accurately, should call themselves pro-abortion, but who prefers to be called pro-choice to hide behind a politically correct name) believes that the freedom under the constitution means the right to do whatever one chooses, and in this case, obviously including the right to kill. That is, of course, blatantly absurd, ludicrous, and unconstitutional, not to mention immoral and sacrilegious. The freedom and right to choose, as guaranteed us by our constitution, gives us the liberty to ONLY do what is right, proper, ethical, moral and legal. Freedom does not mean the liberty to do anything one wants to do, even abridging the rights of others, like killing the weak, the sick, or even the hopeless and terminally ill, and extinguishing the life of the innocent, fragile and powerless fetus. Mutilating a living fetus for expediency, cutting them into pieces and crashing their skull is never a part of our freedom nor a right of anyone. The unborn did not force its mother to have and enjoy a carefree, careless, unprotected sex. IF the death “penalty” is at all warranted and needs to be meted out to one of them, it should be to the guilty perpetrator(s) and certainly not to the innocent victim, the faultless and defenseless unborn. I honestly do not understand how some obviously intelligent and educated family people, who value their rights, and are vigilantly fighting for those rights, can unconscionably deprive and deny the helpless fetuses their rights? I wonder how any member of the pro-choice movement would feel if she/he were the targeted fetus in the womb? As always, we welcome your opinion and feedback. *** 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)
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/.
N OV E M B E R - D EC E M B E R 1 5
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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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.
D EC E M B E R 1
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, visit naffaa.org/events.
“Pasko Na Naman” in Glendale, CA 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.
D EC E M B E R 2
Festival features The Spirit of Earth, Wind and Fire in in North Hollywood, CA Fans of the famed funk and soul band Earth, Wind and Fire will get to enjoy their hits performed live at The Love of Country International Music Festival on Sunday, December 2, headlined by Kalimba: The Spirit of Earth, Wind and Fire. The show also features Sheldon Reynolds, the original guitarist of Earth, Wind and Fire. The nationally touring show Kalimba, The Spirit of Earth Wind and Fire provides an Earth Wind & Fire experience so satisfying it transports audiences back to the excitement of the first time they heard these unforgettable songs. Also in the program will be a special guest performance by Rosemarie De Vera, the legendary beauty who aside from being crowned Mutya ng Pilipinas World 1980, cut several records during her acting career. Popular Music Director Roy Venturina will be her accompanist. Aside from hearing Top 40 hits, the audience will be treated to noted Filipino-American acts Ciamara Morales, Michael Keith, Maricar and the 4700 Band, the 3rd Degree Band, LA Front Page Band and The Elite Dancers. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. for food purchases. Main show in auditorium starts at 5 p.m. Venue address is The Church of Scientology of the Valley, 11455 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601. Tickets available at EventBrite.com or at the gate. The concert benefits the Mother Movement.
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.
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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Jed Madela almost quit showbiz; gives advice for singer wannabes By Maridol
raÑoa Philstar.com
BisMark
FIFTeeN years in an industry that sees talents come and go is a feat. Jed Madela has every reason to tell the world he is one of the few who have endured that long in the music scene. He knows it is best to perform songs the audience can sing along to, not those whose vocal reach are too high, only a Jed Madela can interpret them in international tilts where he emerges as winner. This was not always the case. Like all singers who pay their dues, Jed had his fair share of down-and-out moments. “I almost quit showbiz,” he admitted in a recent interview with Philstar.com for his 15th anniversary solo concert, “Higher than High,” recently held at the Araneta Coliseum. People were not listening to his songs anyway, Jed told his manager (people were for those with a wide vocal range, not for the average music lover). The good thing is, Jed’s supporters quashed all his selfdoubt. He calls these supporters “the right people who surrounded me.” They reminded him that he has to wait a little longer, that the people (even if they were not too many at that time) actually love to hear his voice. Jed learned to silence the voices of self-doubt that threatened to overwhelm him when he sang before an audience of two in a small bar. “One was my manager; the other, a walk-in customer who didn’t know I was having a show,” recalled Jed. It is from these small performances that he learned to interact with people, to go on
singer and other new talents he mentors. “someday, all of us will be on our way out. And those you meet on your way down are the same people you met on your way up.” Of course, shunning ice cream helps Jed stay on top of the heap by preventing him from getting cough. Age, however, is something he cannot control. Jed professed he is not getting any younger, so his vocal strength can decline even if it has retained the power and range that has won him Jed Madela ABS-CBN photo national and international honors. Discipline, therefore, is a must. so with the show even when things is discernment. were not going his way. Asked why his love life has Thanks to these struggling remained zero, Jed said someone years, Jed developed a humility like him must be extra cautious. that keeps him from letting “You can’t give your heart success get the better of him. away just like that when you don’t After all, attitude is still the key to longevity when musical talent is a know who’s real and who’s not,” he mused. dime a dozen. some people, he goes on, This is why Jed advised new only want someone they can talents who have won reality use and brag about. That is why singing contests to nurture he admitted that he is building relationships, because these can a wall to distance himself from be their saving grace during hard these users. Jed would rather be times. called choosy than make a fool of “Ninety nine out of 100 singers are talented,” he observed. himself. But he is not closing his doors “But only a handful will remain to that one person he can give his because of their attitude.” One singer, Jed explained, was whole heart to someday. For the meantime, he is ready to try more politeness personified when he things in his career, like theater. was just starting out. He would He said many have told him greet Jed with a “Hello po, kuya” whenever they bumped into each that his voice – strong, full-bodied and possessed with a wide range other. – is suited for theater. But when he started Given the right project, Jed becoming popular, the singer suddenly acted as if he did not see would gladly plunge headlong into theater. Fifteen years in the Jed at all when they were in the business has only whetted his same area, “even if I happen to appetite to learn more. have a big physique.” No wonder he is still around It saddens Jed because the – doing what he loves to do scenario occurs over and over. – even when others, consumed by “More than talent, it’s your their own egos, have long faded attitude that will keep you in the industry,” Jed would like to tell the away.
Sharon finds a ‘different’ Richard on the set of ‘Three Words to Forever’ By Tessa
Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net
Here’s a “way back Wednesday” for you: At the tail end of the ‘80s, the most talked about showbiz romance was that of Megastar sharon Cuneta and a gorgeous hunk of a leading man named richard Gomez. As one veteran entertainment columnist remembers, the frenzy around “Mega and Goma,” as they are nicknamed in the biz, had the same intensity as the KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla) reel and real life romance commands from fans of today. so as expected, a deafening welcome greeted sharon and richard when they sweetly walked the red carpet of ABsCBN’s Dolphy Theater for the media launch of their star Cinema movie, “Three Words to Forever,” late last week. Both married for many years now to respective spouses sen. Kiko Pangilinan and rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, it was evident that sharon and richard shared something very special as lovers in the past as they proceeded with the Q&A with many a private jokes and meaningful glances at one another. As always, it was the Megastar who wore her heart on her sleeve as the ever expressive singer-actress surprisingly revealed how their relationship had gone on for six years “on and off,” contrary to what the public thought to be one or two years at the most. Both 23 years old at that time, sharon had already ended her marriage with Gabby Concepcion and so turned out to be “a very patient and understanding girlfriend,” according to richard, who was then the most sought after hunk in town, and very aptly, lead star of the now iconic TV sitcom “Palibhasa Lalaki” on ABs-CBN. “Ang dami naming pinagdaanan sa relationship namin and sa kanya lang ako nakapagtiis sa lahat ng naging boyfriend ko,” the Megastar
Exes Richard Gomez and Sharon Cuneta count 15 years from the last time they worked together until this reunion movie, and naturally confessed to feeling awkward toward one another at the start of the shoot.
laughingly confessed. “But really, he is a very good person,” sharon quickly added. “He is quick to forgive and once or twice lang yata kami nagtaasan ng boses [when we fought]. so ako ang nagsaing, iba ang kumain,” joked the ever jolly actress. In doing the math, the exes counted 15 years from the last time they worked together until this reunion movie, and naturally confessed to feeling awkward toward one another at the start of the shoot. Now mayor of Ormoc City from where wife Lucy hails, richard opened his town and home to the star Cinema production for a three-week shoot. Asked how she felt seeing her longtime ex there, sharon admitted, “Noong umpisa, takot na takot ako na parang feeling ko, I didn’t know him. NagbiBisaya siya pero Kapampangan ako! And to be honest, I wasn’t used to seeing richard as mayor. I’m proud [of his accomplishments] of course, but he wasn’t the richard I knew so I was really very nervous.” Worried her awkwardness might translate to screen, the Megastar even sought the help
of star Cinema’s managing Olive Lamasan for advice. “I was practically crying to Inang Olive. I said, ‘Inang, I don’t know if I can do [the scenes] because I don’t know him—he’s not my richard anymore’,” she continued. sharon knew Lamasan would understand what she meant because the filmmaker had been a witness to their love story way back when. “I know a lot of people read my post that I felt sad in Ormoc [at the beginning of the shoot] because naiwan ko yung family ko and I didn’t know what to expect from richard… Bago yung city, first time ko sa Ormoc, and wala akong kilala kundi siya na may sariling nang buhay doon. Naturally I felt sad, and I think a lot of people misinterpreted that when I posted about it,” she recalled. But of course, as the days went by, sharon and richard soon warmed up to each other and picked up where they left off as friends. And given Lamasan’s words of wisdom and her colleague Cathy GarciaMolina’s superb direction, the Megastar concluded, “In the end, it turned out to be a beautiful movie talaga and we’re so excited for everyone to see it.” Three Words to Forever sees the former lovers as rick and Cristy Andrada, who after 25 years of marriage have become strangers to each other. After a bitter fight, they finally decide to end their marriage. But so as not to ruin the homecoming of their daughter Tin and her boyfriend Kyle for the 55th wedding anniversary renewal ceremony of Cristy’s parents, husband and wife put up a pretense and delay their separation—until a family members learns about the real score and blurts out the truth to a disillusioned Tin and the rest of the clan. Opening across the country today, Three Words to Forever also stars Kathryn Bernardo, Tommy esguerra, Jorros Gamboa, Freddie Webb and Liza Lorena.
Two magical words From Page 2 the media glamorizing the lives of single parents. That is one tall tale of an ego on overdrive. There is no romantic or comedic element in going it alone. single parenthood is more like the Theater of the Absurd. The honest truth: there is little glamour or fun in single parenthood – in far too many cases, it is just an endless, harrowing tale of one struggle after the next. There are exceptions of course. Unless fate played a dirty trick on you and you ended up meeting and marrying the partner from hell who is a sociopath, a psychopath, a criminal, a user, a liar, a pervert, a druggie, a murderer, a serial philanderer or just unfit to live in this planet with another human being, the best way to happiness would be to love, appreciate and say “thank you” to the one you’re
with every single day of your life together. And while you’re at it, blow a kiss to the heavens for making you a winner in the love lottery stakes sending you someone you love or can learn to love AND (THe BLessING of all blessings) who loves you back! Love is not a 50-50 proposition. It’s not even giving 110% of yourself to the other. It sounds sentimental, sappy and old fashioned but whether you like it or not, it is giving of yourself without counting the cost. It is the pure, intrinsic nature of life’s greatest mystery – LOVe, beyond all telling. Those couples buried six feet deep, side by side at Forest Lawn probably understood what love and devotion meant. Their souls may have fused. Their hearts in the life beyond beat as one. That is one story you can
believe in. (Or if you’re in for a laugh and have a sly, dry, wicked sense of humor, you might say those savvy couples probably got a twofer from the cemetery plot sales rep at Forest Lawn! LOL ;) How to find THe ONe if you’re on the hunt? Or how can you make THe ONe realize that you’re THe ONe for him or her without beating him or her over the head? That is one story for yet another day. *** 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” http://issuu. com/asianjournaldigitaledition or you can do searches in the least invasive search engine duckduckgo or bing or yahoo even before agenda-driven google.
Kathryn on her relationship... From Page 2 familial, for keeps. “I am sorry. In general, whether in a family or in a relationship, it’s easy to say I love you, but it’s difficult to (release the words) I am sorry, right? When you say I am sorry, it means you still want to fix things or you want to give another chance, ang dami niyang pwede pang puntahan. In my family, if you’ve done something wrong, I am sorry. With DJ and I, whoever is at fault should say sorry kasi kung wala yun, it can’t just be ‘I love you’ every day. And it’s important that you know how to forgive and humble yourself in any kind of relationship.” Meanwhile, to be filming without her long-time screen partner for the first time, she said, has been “a big, big adjustment for me. I won’t say that it has been easy because for a long time, for six or seven years, I’ve been (working) with DJ, and you know when you report to the set, he’s there (laughs).” For Kathryn, it did feel strange “but then when this film was offered to me, with Tito richard and Tita sharon, when I learned about the story, ang ganda-ganda. I wanted to do the film because I’m a daughter in a family.”
she continued, “I want to represent for the youth once they watch the movie. I will be the voice of the children. Of course, in the first shooting days, we were all adjusting because it was an outof-town shoot. You couldn’t go home to your house or see (certain) people but then, after a week maybe or two, everything was OK already. Nakatulong din, of course, si DJ, how much he supported me in this film. I’m so lucky!” According to her, Daniel came to their set location in Ormoc, Leyte, a visit that obviously thrilled the young actress. He also talked to Tommy esguerra, who plays Kathryn’s fiancé in the film, so that it would be easier for them to do scenes together. she also credited the film’s director Cathy Garcia-Molina (who last directed her in The Hows of Us). “she’s like my mother in the industry. she was a big help as always. she took care of me,” she said of the lady director (a noshow at the presscon because she was editing the film.) Asked how it was working with richard and sharon, who are reuniting on the big screen 15 years after Walang Kapalit in 2003, Kathryn said, “Of course, I was shy at the start but they
helped me out and they didn’t make it hard for me to adjust to the environment, new co-workers. I’m so lucky that they guided me throughout the movie.” she also refused to compare Three Words To Forever to The Hows of Us, particularly box-office expectations. “Actually, this movie is very different from Hows of Us. This is a family movie... More than the amount it will earn, I want families to be touched by our story. Of course, it’s a bonus na kung ilang milyon yung kinita ng movie. But at the end of the day, I think we are able to do our jobs as actors if audiences can relate to our characters.” she continued, “I’m very happy with the material, especially when we shot the confrontation scenes and all. I want our movie to be watched by all members of the family. The past few projects that star Cinema made (were) all love stories, and I’m a fan of Four sisters and a Wedding, I’m a fan of seven sundays. super! Nung sinabi sa akin, di ko talaga alam na parang part siya nun,” she said, referring to the 2013 and 2017 family-centered films also megged by direk Cathy. “I am fan of this project. I hope (people) give it a chance, give it their time.” n
An Asian Journal Magazine
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An Asian Journal Magazine
The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N OV E M B E R 3 0, 20 1