120619 - Northern California Edition

Volume18 18- -No. No.17 17••22Sections Sections––16 16Pages Pages Volume

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA NORTHERN

Volume18 18- -No. No.44 45••22Sections Sections––16 16Pages Pages Volume

H E FFILIPINO I L I P I N O AAMERICAN M E R I CA N CCOMMUNITY OMMUNITY N NEWS E WSPA PAPPEERR TTHE

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DATELINE DATELINE Palace slamsofMidler Outbreak E. coli for Duterte criticism infections linked FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

to romaine lettuce

MALACAĂ‘ANG on Sunday, November 24, slammed singer-actress Bette Midler for describing President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the world’s detestable leaders as well as lumpTHEmost Center for Disease Control (CDC), pubing him together with the likes of U.S. President lic health and regulatory officials in several Donald andU.S. NaziFood leaderand Adolf Hitler. states,Trump and the Drug Admin“She, however, has no right as she is inistration (FDA) are investigating a multi-state competent gullible talking head as well, outbreak and of E.acoli O157:H7 infections linked ontomatters foreign leaders has romaineconcerning lettuce harvested from theshe Salinas, noCalifornia, personal growing knowledge of,â€? said presidential region. spokesperson The CDC Salvador advises Panelo. that consumers not eat “Sheretailers should benot circumspect an influencer and sell any as romaine lettuce and should refrain from giving one-sided and grown in this growing region. This includes judgmental internal affairs of all use-by comments dates and on brands of romaine letanother sovereign state, especially if her refertuce from this region. ences are false includes narratives from thelettuce poThis advice all coming types of romaine litical opposition and some biased media outlets grown in Salinas, California, such as whole heads whose agendaorganic is to besmirch of romaine, romaine,President hearts ofRodrigo romaine, u PAGE A2 romaine in salad wraps, and packages of precut lettuce and salad mixes which contain romaine,

Governor Newsom announces EarlyasChildhood Ressa selected Princeton Policy Council and a team University’ s 2020 toBaccalaureate develop master plan for speaker early learning and care

u PAGE A2

RAPPLER CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa has been chosen as the speaker for Princeton University’s 2020 Baccalaureate cerSACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom university22, announced this week. onemony, Friday,the November announced the selecBaccalaureate is an tion The of diverse experts, ceremony practitioners andend-ofparyear service that is one Princeton’s ents tointerfaith guide California’s efforts onofearly learnoldest traditions, with its today speaker selected20 by ing and care. The Governor appointed the Committee Honorary Degrees and apmembers of the on state’s new Early Childhood proved by theand Board of Trustees. Policy Council advisory committees, includAccording to the practitioners, letter of invitation to Ressa, ing national experts, and parents. her record of civic leadership makes her “a suHe also announced the creation of an Early perb role Action model for our students, and throughChildhood Research Team to develop a out your youLearning have demonstrated values Master Plancareer for Early and Care, which

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Also published published inin LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY Also

DuterteVPthreatens sue—water ďŹ rm Firing akin totoEJK Lagman

Manila Water, MayniladHerreported to have ‘onerous’ contracts with gov’t dismissal “is similar to the extrajudicial kill- gayan de Oro City, said Robredo’s removal was J D by ESS IAZ by RPhilstar.com ITCHEL MENDIOLA AJPress

OPPOSITION Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay on PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on extrajudicial Tuesday, DeTuesday, November 26, likened to an cember 3, threatened jail and fi economic sabokilling President Duterte’storemoval ofleVice President tage cases as against Manila Water Co.Inter-Agency and Maynilad Leni Robredo co-chairperson of the Water Services due to their 1997 contracts with the Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). government which was described “the world’s “The summary dismissal of the viceaspresident as largest waterwithout privatization.â€? ICAD co-chair any valid reasons and due “We them. And I will insist thatEJK they process is will akinexpose to an extrajudicial killing. Like be tried for economic he said a speech victims, Robredo foughtsabotage,â€? and criticized theinDuterte in MalacaĂąang.bloody war on drugs,â€? Lagman administration’s said. “I will file this, economic sabotage, and I will arrestclaimed them all.that I willthe let them taste fiofred a prisoner’s He president Robredo life,â€? to hefrom added. hide her data on the anti-drugs campaign. Duterte ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General to review the concession agreements with Manila Water and Maynilad after a water shortage was experienced by

PNP says Robredo did not commit ‘missteps’ Force on Media asTask drug czar

Metro Manila in March. ing of some victims to silence them and cover up inThe DOJ,information during Monday night’s (December criminatory known to them,� he said.2) Cabinet meeting, Duterte of its findings Lagman belongsinformed to the opposition Liberal Party — the government contracts with Manila Water (LP), which Robredo chairs. and Maynilad had 12Jose onerous provisions that were Another LP leader, Christopher Belmonte of disadvantageous only to the government but Quezon City, who not is the party’s secretary general, more sovice to water consumers. said the president was fired as she might have Among these was the “discovered signifiprovisions cant information on“prohibition the root of against government interference in rate-setting, our nation’s drug trade.� and the provision on indemnity forputting possible losses “What was important to her was a stop to in killings. the event of such government interference,� the That’s why she talked to the right peoprompting the Permanent Court of Arbitration in ple, coordinated with the right agencies, asked the Singapore to order government to right questions. Why the wasPhilippine she suddenly removed?� pay Maynilad Belmonte asked.about P3.6 billion for losses and damages recently P7.4 billion to Manilaof Water Anotherand congressman, Rufus Rodriguez CaDuterte, for his part, has ordered Solicitor General Jose Calida and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III to create a new water concession contract that is favorable to the public and the government.

“rather “Thisunfortunate.â€? is the amended contract, accept it or nothing to“President it,â€? he said.Duterte’s experiment in appointing her The president the twoVP private water was doomed fromalso theslammed very start. The is leader of firms for treating water like commodity not as the opposition, a lawyer anda an advocateand of human a natural rights. Herresource. views on the anti-illegal drugs campaign “The contract is opposed so one-sided, they fail were diametrically to thebecause current ifthrusts of to realize the profit he during the administration,â€? said. the lifetime of the contract or at any period, we “All will Boys pay for their Rodriguez said Duterte’s Club waslosses. thereYou worried, sons of bitches, that is so,â€? fore to say if the least, on he hersaid. entry into the According to Duterte, the government was not picture.â€? allowed to raise or lower water rates, andunacceptthat the “To them, her appointment was totally private keptasonusual,â€? charging the public able. So water it’s nowfirms business he added. forThe wastewater treatment facilities that Makabayan were never militant group Bagong Alyansang built. said the people are awaiting Robredo’s re(Bayan) “I on said I’m ready to go. ButRhodina if it’s likeVillanueva) this, I will not port the drug war. (With â– go without a bang. I will expose these rich people who are profiteering from the nation for free. Corruption is really at the top, not at the level of the Customs,â€? he said. â–

SecurityR asksMcourt to allow state-run agencies to cover Ampatuan massacre verdict by

ITCHEL ENDIOLA AJPress

CONTRARY to MalacaĂąang’s reasons for firing Vice President Leni Robredo as cochair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), the Philippine National Police on Tuesday, November 26, said they did not see Robredo make any KRISTINE OY PATAG “misstepsâ€? by during her J18-day stint as the Philstar.com administration’s anti-drug czar. “During her stay as co-chair of ICAD, we THE Presidential haven’t really noticed Task any Force report on orMedia misSecurity has asked the Supreme to steps,â€? said PNP spokesman BernardCourt Banac allow state-run to cover in an interview withnews ANC’sagencies “Early Edition.â€? the promulgation of the ruling on the Am“But in the continuing discussion, of patuan massacre. course, there is that exchange of ideas and In as a letter addressed Courtlevel, Adminisinsofar discussion on a to higher the trator Midas Marquez, PNP is not really involvedPresidential anymore soComwe munications Undersecretary Egco leave it to the higher authorities,â€?Joel he added. asked that government communication agencies be to cover the ruling According to allowed Presidential spokesperson “so that the proceedings can be aired on Salvador Panelo, Robredo committed sevgovernment traditional andthe social meeralall ‘missteps’ including seeking advice dia platforms.â€? of certain foreign institutions and person-

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POSTPONED. President Rodrigo Duterte signs the Postponement of the 2020 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections Act and the Malasakit Center LINKED TOGETHER. President Duterte joins leaders from the Association of Southeast Nationsand (ASEAN) and Republic Korea President Act during a ceremony at theRodrigo MalacaĂąan Palace onother Tuesday, December 3. Under Republic Act 11462, Asian the barangay SK elections will beofheld in December Moon Jae-in asthe theythird posetime for athat family priorand to the the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative SummitMalacaĂąang at the Busanphoto Exhibition and Convention 2022. This is thephoto barangay SKstart pollsofwere deferred since 2016. by Valerie Escalera Center on Tuesday, November 26. MalacaĂąang photo by Arman Baylon

Former Vice President and presidential Drilon says House to blame mess Senate Duterte admits: ‘I’mfor notSEAinGames pinkbudget of health’ bill seeks to teach GMRC anew by CATHERINE VALENTE by AJPRESS ManilaTimes.net

SENATOR Franklin Drilon on PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte Tuesday, November said has admitted that he is26, not in the he House of Representatives “pink of health,â€? but is still fitisto ofulfi blame the mishaps in this ll hisfor duties as the country’s year’s leader.Southeast Asian Games which countryinterview is hosting. In athe television on FriAccording to the opposition day, November 29, the 74-yearsenator, the House Represenold Duterte said it of was only noratives late to in not submitting mal forwas his age be in the he bestproposed of health. national budget n December, containing some “Health is deteriorating. Every P95 billion barrelit,that futime you in askpork [about] there’s eled debates. This delay, additional affliction‌ I saidsome every congressmen ledall,toevery the time people, claimed, media and SEAG time blunders. you ask what is the disease “If there anyI only delay, it was eating mywas body, have one because them,â€? Drilon saidmay in [then], of colon cancer, then Filipino. nagtanong, nagkaroon na ako ng Last December, mem(somebody asked, some I contracted) bers the House Represenliverofcancer. Thenofanother one, atives were ulit, accused by Presinagtanong nagkaroon ako dential Spokesperson Salvador

Panelo of employing diversionary ng (somebody also asked me and tactics such ascancer, accusing Budget I got) kidney ngayon nagSecretary ir- I tanong kaBenjamin na (now Diokno you askof me, regularities the preparation of have) brainincancer,� Duterte told the 2019 national budget. CNN Philippines. Drilon, however, pointed “Seventy four years old. out Huthat are only three (I’m oppowagthere mo akong tanungin alsition in Don’t the Senate ready members 74 years old. ask me) —if not to delay the pasI amenough in the pink of health. I am sage the budget. not. of Meron akong mga ano sa kaFurthermore, saidailments),� that even tawan (I have sohe many ifhe the budget was delayed, most said. of the used for the SEA But funds Duterte assured Filipinos Games infrastructure were from that there was nothing to worry separate loans. his health condiabout regarding “I really do not understand tion. the Herelationship between does the said the Constitution blunders andhim thetobudget not require releasedelay,� a medDrilon said. despite his ailments. ical bulletin Some of the mishaps does experi“No. The Constitution not require me. the Look at me. I look enced before official launch of pale. I’m sure youevent haveinclude noticed the regional sports that. I might. My eyes are jaunmembers of foreign delegations They’re yellow. They are,� todiced. the sporting event complaining about awful accommodations

Lorenzana recommends no further Hontiveros: ‘China-made’ extension of martial law in Mindanao blackouts can cripple PH

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday, by RITCHEL MENDIOLA December 4, said he submitted to AJ Press President Rodrigo Duterte his recommendation to no longer SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on put all ofNovember Mindanao25, under marMonday, warned tial law in 2020. hat “China-made blackouts� The regionthehas been econunder could paralyze country’s martial since May 2017. omy, vitallaw communications system News5 quoted LorenzaandAeven thereport electoral system.

na as saying that “it’s time to go back to normal.� According to her, with China The recommendation no controlling 40 percent of thetoNalonger law in tional Gridextend Corp. ofmartial the Philippines Mindanao was the based on the as(NGCP), it has capability to sessment national of the Armed undermine securityForces and of thetopple Philippines and the Philip“even the government.� pine National Police, the warnreport Hontiveros gave out the added. ing after deliberating on the

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and delayed transportation after Duterte added. their arrival in theofPhilippines, “For purposes performing inadequate food served to I the my functions as president, am athletes, anda unfi nished venues. alright. As matter of fact, I am ‘Apology not enough’ going to ride a motor[cycle] after Sen.he Christopher “Bong� Go, this,� said. Philippine for The his part, said thatConstitution the orgamandates that the be nizers of SEAG thispublic year must will be informed of the statefor of the presmade “answerable� “apparident’s in case has any ent ineffihealth ciencies� that he happened illness. inserious the past few days. Duterte had cut short his visit “They said before, the preparato Japan thisand year and returned tion, venues, everything that to Manila hegames complained will be used after for the were of “unbearable pain in his spinal almost ready and complete. As caused by a prior motorofcolumn� October 30, 2019, PHISGOC cycle accident. stated that preparations are 90% He was How diagnosed complete. come with thesemuscle have spasms afterhe he happened?� saidunderwent in Filipinoa magnetic resonance on Monday, Nov. 25. imaging and medical “To all evaluation. the parties, remember, The Palace the one’s failure is theearlier failure said of us all. president was advised doctors Let me remind everyonebythat you will be answerable to u the PresiPAGE A2

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candidate Biden sounds offon Fil-Am issues by MARION

RAMOS

Inquirer.net by B EV LLORENTE ABS-CBN News

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson has filed measure institutionalizing ASathe U.S. presidential elecgood and right conduct tions manners draw near, Democratic front (GMRC) as aBiden separate subject for runner Joe expressed his pupils fromtokindergarten to Grade message Filipino Americans, 3and to counter pledgedthe to negative championeffects their of the internet on the attitude of causes. young Filipinos. TFC’s Bev Llorente and the In filing Senate contributor Bill No. 1185, Asian Journal’s for Lacson no less than up EducaNevadasaid recently caught with tion Leonor Briones had the Secretary former U.S. vice president pointed “technology during out his that latest visit to LaswithVeout gas.good manners is a disaster� andInthat “online oreligible technologyNevada alone, Asian driven pedagogy� couldcnot inculAmerican and Pacifi Islander cate social valuesare andestimated skills among (AAPI) voters to young students. account for 10% of the state’s Strong values electorate. Filipinos are considBy the having a separate GMRC ered largest AAPI group in subject, said the students would Nevada,hewith 169,462 Filipinos be able to understand “human dig-

nity, respect for oneself and giving oneself to others in thetospirit of in the state according the latcommunity, forCommunity the effective and est American Survey holistic the deci(ACS) development released in ofSeptember sion-making skills of the child.â€? 2018. “It is the this act‌ to betOne of aim the of hottest topics after moldthe ourFil-Am youth to have strong fecting community is values and moral foundation which immigration, to which Biden said will contribute in shaping rehe would eliminate the longawait spectable read apetitions portion times for society,â€? family-based

of Lacson’s bill, a copy of which was the media on Sunand furnished provide relief to those afday, November 24. backlogs. fected by the visa “The method shall “You teaching should be able to be be in actual or situational, rather than a position while you are waiting conceptual, the for a greenthereby card toallowing come here [students] to directly relate memto the to take care of a family lessons, readily ber who’s beenincorporate here, who’sthem agin practice and make suchto behaving. You should be able have ior commonplace,� heuadded. ■PAGE A2

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DECEMBER 6-12, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

Outbreak of E. coli infections linked... PAGE A1 including baby romaine, spring mix, and Caesar salad. Most romaine lettuce products are labeled with a harvest location showing where they were grown. Hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine, which is voluntarily labeled as “indoor grown,” from any region does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. If you have romaine lettuce or packaged foods containing romaine at home: • Look for a label showing where the romaine lettuce was grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker. • If the label says “grown in Salinas” (whether alone or with the name of another location), don’t eat it. Throw it away. • If it isn’t labeled with a growing region, don’t eat it. Throw it away. • If you don’t know if the lettuce is romaine or whether a salad mix or wrap contains romaine, don’t eat it. Throw it away.

• Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where romaine lettuce was stored. If you are buying romaine lettuce at a store: • Look for a label showing where the romaine lettuce was grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker. • If the label says “grown in Salinas” (whether alone or with the name of another location), don’t buy it. • If it isn’t labeled with a growing region, don’t buy it. • Restaurants and retailers should check the label on bags or boxes of romaine lettuce, or ask their suppliers about the source of their romaine lettuce. Look for a label showing where the romaine lettuce was grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker. - If the label says “grown in Salinas” (whether alone or with the name of another location), don’t sell or serve it. - If it isn’t labeled with a growing region, don’t sell or serve it.

- Suppliers, distributors, and others in the supply chain should not ship or sell romaine harvested in Salinas, California. Take action if you have symptoms of an E. coli infection: • Talk to your healthcare provider. • Write down what you ate in the week before you started to get sick. • Report your illness to your local health department. • Assist public health investigators by answering questions about your illness. • Wash your hands thoroughly after changing diapers, using the toilet, and before and after preparing food to lower the chance of infecting others. A total of 67 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 19 states. Six people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. (With reports from HHS. gov) n

Ressa selected as Princeton University’s 2020...

PAGE A1 of humanity, community engagement and social responsibility that we hope our students will exemplify in their lives.” Ressa graduated from Princeton in 1986 with a degree in English. Juston Forte, president of the senior class, expressed his excitement to have Ressa speak to the graduating class. “In her work as an accomplished journalist and executive editor of Rappler.com, Maria Ressa continuously fights against disinformation and fake news. Ressa’s work to share the truth and raise awareness of unjust situations despite its consequences embodies Princeton’s informal motto, ‘Princeton in the nation’s service and the service of humanity,’ by showing a dedication to humanity and an extraordinary level of social responsibility,” Forte wrote in a statement. “I am confident Maria Ressa will impart wisdom and inspire the Class of 2020 as we continue to grapple with injustice in our lives and in our future journeys beyond the gates of Princeton,” he added. Prior to becoming Rappler chief, Ressa has been a journalist in Asia for more than 30 years, with two

Rappler chief Maria Ressa speaks to Princeton University students in April 2019. Photo by Denise Applewhite / Princeton

decades nearly spent as a lead investigative reporter in Southeast Asia for CNN. In 2012, she co-founded Rappler and saw it grow to become one of the leading online news organizations in the Philippines. Ressa has received various awards around the world for her fight for press freedom and against disinformation, such as the prestigious Golden Pen of Freedom Award from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers and the 2018 Gwen Ifill Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists. She was also named as “Person of the Year” by TIME Magazine in 2018. “The only defense journalists have is to shine the light,” Ressa said in a Princeton “She Roars”

podcast. “And part of what’s keeping us safe is because of the coverage that international news groups are giving what’s happening in the Philippines, both the drug war, the information war and the attacks against Rappler,” she added. Princeton’s Baccalaureate service focuses on members of the senior class. It includes prayers and readings from various religions and philosophical traditions. The earliest recorded Baccalaureate address — titled “Religion and the Public Spirit” — was delivered by University President Samuel Davies to the 11 members of the graduating class of 1760. The Baccalaureate ceremony for the graduating class of 2020 is scheduled on May 31. (AJPress) n

CABINET MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte skims through a book presented by Solicitor General Jose Calida prior to the start of the 44th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, December 2. Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

Duterte admits: ‘I’m not in pink... PAGE A1 to “rest for a couple of days and limit his physical activity, particularly avoiding standing or walking for long duration.” The president’s health has been the subject of much speculation, but the president has repeatedly downplayed such concerns. He was also seen last month wearing a personal wearable air purifier to protect himself from those who have coughs and colds.

Duterte, the oldest elected Philippine president, earlier suffered from a slipped disc as a result of another motorcycle accident. He complained of spinal pain back in 2017. Earlier this month, the president revealed he has myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease. Last year, the discoloration of Duterte’s face was once the subject of speculations.

Then came a cancer scare. The president has also admitted to having Barrett’s esophagus condition, in which the esophagus changes, and Berguer’s disease, a rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs. The Palace also has repeatedly assured the public that the president remained “transparent” about his health and would tell the nation if he was suffering any serious condition. n

Former Vice President and presidential... PAGE A1 that done while waiting for your green card,” Biden said. As President Donald Trump continues to find ways to cut legal immigration, Biden said he wants to increase the number of legal immigrants. “There’s direct co-relation between the sacrifice made. We are the country we are because of immigrants,” Biden said. He adds that if elected he will make sure the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) stays intact. He stressed that the Obama-era DACA has helped so many immigrants, including Filipinos. Nearly 4,000 Filipinos have been active DACA recipients

since fall 2017. “Everybody thinks DACA is just dealing with the Latino group, it’s not. By the way, the largest group is the AAPI group [and] we just need to make it clear to the American people that this is much broader,” he said. Besides immigration, Biden also acknowledged the contributions of Filipino World War II veterans to American freedom. Fighting for their full military benefits is an issue that is very close to the vice president’s heart. “They helped us won a war, people gave their lives, over 50, 60, 70 thousands fought and when the war was over — they call it the Recission Act — they

didn’t get rewarded like other veterans did,” he said. “The generation of America has come along today has no idea [how] instrumental the Filipino military played in defeating the Japanese.” Biden thanked Filipino Americans for their contributions, saying that immigrants are what make America great. “You guys are incredible, we are a country that is built by you. And so many people like you. And the reason is, you are determined, you are optimistic, you are resilient, you’ve been through a lot and you still believe we can do this. So I say to you thank you, thank you for making us stronger.” n

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Suspect in crash that killed Filipino doctor in Las Vegas pleads not guilty by AJPress THE impaired driver in a crash that killed a Filipino doctor last month in central Las Vegas has pleaded not guilty to murder and several other charges on Tuesday, November 19. Appearing in a wheelchair before a district judge, 34-year-old Kevin Raspperry of Henderson, Nevada pleaded not guilty to three counts of reckless driving, four counts of driving under the influence, two counts of possession of a controlled substance and two counts of second-degree murder. Raspperry is the suspect in a seven-vehicle crash that killed 65year-old Filipino doctor Marcial Escobia Jr. and injured his wife, Nimfa Escobia, who was a passenger in the vehicle. Raspperry, who had a revoked driver’s license, ran a red light at a high speed around 7:54 a.m. on October 27 near Tropicana Avenue and Rainbow Boulevard, crashing his vehicle into Escobia’s 2013 Toyota Pathfinder, according to police reports. The Escobias were on their way to church, family members said. The Fil-Am’s vehicle reportedly went into a roll and struck three other vehicles. Escobia died from multiple blunt force injuries at a nearby hospital, while Nimfa Escobia is still in critical condition. Passengers of the other vehicles involved in the crash were taken to University Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries at the time. “[It’s] very tough, we know that we have to go through the struggle. Our pain is definitely permanent but we have to stay strong,” Nimar Escobia, Marcial and Nimfa’s son, said. “For Kevin Raspperry, your decision...did not just impact one family, it impacted many more.”

Las Vegas-based Filipino doctor Marcial Escobia Jr. was killed in late October in a crash caused by an impaired driver. His wife Nimfa, who was a passenger in the vehicle, sustained injuries. Photo courtesy of Escobia family

Raspperry’s blood alcohol level during the crash was 0.205, more than two and a half times the legal limit, the district attorney’s office wrote in a report. The suspect also tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana. He previously has two prior DUI convictions in Clark County. ”Mr. Raspperry’s blood alcohol level after the crash was .205 (.08 is the legal limit), and he also tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana. Raspperry has two prior DUI convictions in Clark County since 2012, which demonstrates his total disregard for the law,” District Attorney Steve Wolfson told reporters. Raspperry’s bail was originally set for $100,000 but Nevada prosecutors are pushing for a higher amount as he remains in custody at Clark County Detention Center. Escobia, who is originally from Bohol, Philippines, was laid to rest on Saturday, November 23. A GoFundMe page had been set up by the family to help with funeral arrangements. “We want justice [for] what happened to the family,” Jessie

Task Force on Media Security...

In this photo taken Nov. 23, 2018, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Joel Egco of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security and Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu lead the impromptu prayer rite Thursday, December 5, at the massacre memorial in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Philstar.com photo by John Unson

PAGE A1 Their request comes after the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism as well as news organizations and individual journalists asked the high court to allow media organizations to conduct live coverage and streaming of the court ruling. The 10-year trial of the single deadliest attack against journalists in the world and the worst election-related violence in Philippine history will end on December 19. Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes set the promulgation in the morning, at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City. Egco, who chairs the task force, stressed that the Ampatuan massacare is one of the cases under its “inventory.” The PTFoMS was created to protect the life, liberty and security of media workers. Covered in the PTFoMS letter are the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Radio Television Malacañang, Philippine News Agency, and People’s Television Network.

Journalists: Live coverage will allow victims’ families to hear the ruling The NUJP, CMFR and PCIJ were joined by 17 other journalists in their request that the promulgation be aired live. In their letter to the Supreme Court, they said live coverage would allow the families of the 58 victims—32 of whom were media workers—to hear live the reading of the court’s decision on the killing of their relatives. They stressed that not all of the victims’ families can fly to Manila to attend the promulgation as some are based in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. “The trial of the Ampatuan massacre has been followed by the families mostly through after-hearing reports and off-court broadcasts in the past years. It is now their hope that they be allowed to hear the decision simultaneously as it is read in court. The promulgation is the culmination of their fight for justice at the lower court,” they added. The journalists also stressed that live streaming would allow the public to hear firsthand how Reyes would rule on the case and would boost the public’s trust on transparency and accountability of court processes. n

PAGE A1 Congress readily agreed to extend martial law in the region three times. The latest extension is until December 31. The Defense chief last month said that martial law in Mindanao “has been too long.” “We can do our job especially if the Senate or Congress can pass the Human Security Act to strengthen our law enforcement. That’s a better arrangement than the martial law,” Lorenzana said then. President Rodrigo Duterte first placed Mindanao under martial law through Proclamation No. 216, which was issued in response to clashes in Marawi Citu between government forces enforcing the arrest of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. He has since extended the martial law rule in the region three times. All extensions were approved by both chambers of the Con-

gress, while the Supreme Court upheld the legality and factual bases of Duterte’s martial law declaration and its subsequent extensions. Last July, the president said he would not hesitate to extend the declaration again if security officials will recommend it. “If the local government unit, the governors, mayors and even the congressmen would find that it could be in the best interest of the Filipinos in Mindanao, I would not hesitate to say yes,” Duterte said. Martial law was welcomed by business groups and local officials, who said it would make the region more stable and attractive to investors. Human rights groups claim, however, that martial law has led to abuses in Mindanao, parts of which have had a heavy military presence even before the declaration. (Kristine Joy Patag with report from News5/Pat Mangune) n

Lorenzana recommends...

SEA GAMES 2019. Filipino athletes make their entrance as they join the parade during the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Saturday, November 30. Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

Fil-Am named new president of city college in California SAN JOSE, California — San José City College (SJCC) has appointed Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng as its next president. Tomaneng is currently the president of Berkeley City College (BCC) and has been an educator in the California Community College system for nearly 25 years. “With SJCC preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2021, now is an opportune time to set a course for the next 100 years and Dr. Tomaneng has the Kevin Raspperry Photo courtesy LVMPD skills and experience to do so in Aguilar, a friend of the Escobia collaboration with the dedicated family, said. (With reports from team of professionals at the colBev Llorente / ABS-CBN News lege already,” said SJCC chanNorth America bureau) n cellor Clift Breland.

During her tenure at BCC, Tomaneng advanced the school’s Undocumented Community Resource Center and BCC’s Learning Communities, which provide culturally responsive services and curriculum for low income and first-generation students of color. A first-generation immigrant from the Philippines, Tomaneng holds a bachelor’s degree in English from University of California, Irvine; a master’s degree in English from University of California, Santa Barbara; and a doctorate in international/mul- Dr. Rowena Tomaneng will be the new president ticultural education from the of San Jose City College. She is currently University of San Francisco. (In- president of Berkeley City College. quirer.net) n Photo courtesy of San José City College

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Foreign tourist arrivals in PH reach 6 million in September by Jaymee

t. Gamil

Inquirer.net

Foreign tourist arrivals have reached over 6 million for the first nine months of 2019, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said Monday, December 2. DoT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon said the agency recorded 6.16 million visitors from January to September this year,

which is 14.37 percent higher than the recorded foreign tourist arrivals in the same period in 2018. “We reached 6.16 million foreign visitors, this is a recordhigh for the first nine months of every year,” Bengzon said in an interview. From January to September last year, DoT recorded 4.95 million tourists.

This number is right on track with DoT’s target for 2019 pegged at 8.2 million tourist arrivals, said Bengzon. “The 6.16 [million] represents a growth rate of 14.37 percent so almost invariably the next question is are we on track? With the 8.2 million [target], if you look at the 14.37 percent growth, yes do have a striking distance,” Bengzon said. n

Philippines lowest in reading comprehension among 79 countries

CHRISTMAS AT THE PALACE. The Christmas Tree of the Office of the President illuminates the Kalayaan Grounds after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led its ceremonial lighting at the Malacañan Palace on Monday, December 2. Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

Oxfam: Climate change disater displaces 1person every 2 seconds, including in PH by tony

S. BeRGonia Inquirer.net

Philstar.com file photo by Ratziel

San Juan

Philstar.com

AMong 79 participating countries and economies, the Philippines scored the lowest in reading comprehension in the 2018 Programme for international Student Assessment (PiSA), according to the results released Tuesday, December 3. PiSA is a worldwide study by the organisation for economic Co-operation and Development that examines students’ knowledge in reading, mathematics, and science. reading was the main subject assessed among 15-year old students in the 2018 PiSA. The Philippines had an average reading score of 340, more than 200 points below China (555) and more than 100 points less than the oeCD average (487). in the Philippines, boys’ and girls’ performances in reading both ranked lowest among PiSA-

participating countries. “reading proficiency is essential for a wide variety of human activities - from following instructions in a manual; to finding out the who, what, when, where, and why of an event; to communicating with others for a specific purpose or transaction,” the summary of the PiSA 2018 results reads. The Philippines also placed the second-lowest in mathematics (353), along with Panama, and science (357). only the Dominican republic scored lower in these categories. China also led the ranking in mathematics and science. The oeCD average for mathematics is 489 and the average for science is 483. “results from PiSA indicate the quality and equity of learning outcomes attained around the world, and allow educators and policymakers to learn from the policies and practices applied

in other countries,” a post on the oeCD website reads. According to the PiSA 2018 profile of the Philippines, socioeconomic status accounts for 18% of the variance in reading performance in the country, compared to the oeCD average of 12%. The country has the largest percentage of low performers in reading among socio-economically disadvantaged students. The profile noted that average class sizes of 15-year olds in the Philippines are the largest, and the ratio of students to teaching staff in socio-economically disadvantaged schools is the highest. The Philippines also had the highest percentage of students reporting being bullied at least a few times a month. education Secretary Leonor Briones said they did not expect high marks based on national Achievement Test results, according to a report by The STAR. n

THe numbers are as alarming as the torrent of rain pounding loudly on windows and roofs at the height of Typhoon Tisoy—every 2 seconds, one person is displaced by climate change disaster in the world and the likelihood of that being a Filipino was high. According to a Dec. 2, 2019 report of the international aid agency oxfam, climate-fuelled disasters had been the “number one driver of internal displacements over the last decade.” At least 20 million people every year are being forced out of their homes and that translates into one person every 2 seconds, the oxfam report said. it added that there are 10 countries where displacements driven by climate change are most prevalent. The Philippines is fourth on the list. The other countries are Cuba (1), Dominica (2), Tuvalu (3), Saint Maarten (6), Vanuatu (7), Fiji (8), Sri Lanka (9) and Tonga and Somalia (10). The report noted several things that these countries share in common, among them stark poverty among large segments of their population. “Around 80 percent of all people displaced in the last decade live in Asia –home to 60 percent of the world’s population and over a third of the people globally who are living in extreme poverty,” the oxfam report said. Injustice While climate change does not pick its targets, oxfam said the impact of a climate gone berserk is most devastating in countries, including the Philippines, where millions of people live in abject poverty. “The unequal impacts of the climate crisis are apparent across the globe,” said oxfam. “People in low and lowermiddle-income countries,” it said, “are over four times more likely to be displaced by extreme weather disasters than people in rich countries such as the United States.” “Around 80 percent of all people displaced in the last decade live in Asia –home to 60 percent of the world’s population and over a third of the people globally who are living extreme poverty,” the report said. Although the devastation of climate change does not discriminate and “no one is immune,” oxfam said its analysis “shows that people in poor countries, who bear the least responsibility for global carbon pollution, are most at risk.” of the 10 countries, includ-

ing the Philippines, that face the “highest risk of internal displacement from extreme weather events globally,” seven are considered to be small island developing states, said oxfam. in Cuba, Dominica and Tuvalu, the report said, an average of 5 percent of the population is displaced by severe weather every year from 2008 to 2018. While these poorer countries suffer the brunt of climate change disasters, their per capita greenhouse gas emissions were just a third of those in wealthier nations, according to oxfam. “The unequal impacts of the climate crisis are apparent across the globe,” said the report. Chema Vera, acting executive director of oxfam international, said governments around the globe “are fuelling a crisis that is driving millions of women, men and children from their homes.” “The poorest people in the poorest countries are paying the heaviest price,” Vera said in a summary of the report. For every severe weather event, the Philippines “takes a hit” equivalent to at least 4 percent of its gDP. “When you’re a nation aspiring to grow and create better lives for your citizens, this regular hit to the economy is the last thing you can afford,” said ClimaterealityProject. “That figure is much higher for many developing countries—up to an astonishing 20 percent,” said the oxfam report. “People are taking to the streets across the globe to demand urgent climate action,” Vera said. “if politicians ignore their pleas, more people will die, more people will go hungry and more people will be forced from their homes,” he added. Impact on PH The Philippines’ place among countries most vulnerable to climate change disaster was carved out for it by many factors, including geography and the economic conditions of its people. in its earlier report, ClimaterealityProject said the Philippines “has long been particularly vulnerable to extreme weather.” But climate change started to rear its ugly head just recently, bringing more violent storms to Philippines shores, notably Typhoon Haiyan, which was given the local name Yolanda, according to ClimaterealityProject. “over the past decade, these tropical storms have struck the nation more often and more severely because scientists believe, of climate change,” the research group said. Being at the western Pacific

ocean, the Philippines is naturally surrounded by warm waters that are getting warmer because of the continuing rise of sea surface temperatures, ClimaterealityProject said in its report. While part of it is “a normal pattern” as ocean surface warms by absorbing sunlight, ocean surface temperature increases over time as a result of climate change is releasing more and more heat into the atmosphere. “This additional heat in the ocean and air can lead to stronger and more frequent storms — which is exactly what we’ve seen in the Philippines over the last decade,” said ClimaterealityProject. Being a collection of more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines also “lacks natural barriers,” the report said. “There is almost nothing standing between them and the sea,” it said. Deforestation While mangroves, which used to thrive in the Philippines, were among the best “buffers against typhoons”, deforestation has all but wiped out these natural barriers, the report said. According to USAiD, in one of its reports, the projected increase in temperature in the Philippines by the year 2050 ranged from 1.8 to 2.2 degrees centigrade, way above the 1.5-degree centigrade that Un experts said the world needed to bring temperatures down to prevent climate change catastrophe from reaching a point of no return. According to the USAiD report, climate change is reducing rainfall volume in the Philippines from March to May, “making the dry season drier.” There would be an “increased frequency of extreme weather events, including days exceeding 35 degrees centigrade, days with less than 2.5 mm of rain and days exceeding 300 mm of rain,” the USAiD report said. More grim scenarios had been painted by the USAiD report including a 10 percent decline in rice and corn yields for every 1degree centigrade increase in average daily temperature. in just seven years, 2006 to 2013, the USAiD report said the Philippines was battered by 75 disasters, mostly cyclones, tropical storms and flooding, which brought $3.8 billion in “accumulated damage and losses to the agriculture sector.” As Typhoon Tisoy pummelled large parts of the Philippines, the rain and wind in excess of 100 kph lashed out at hundreds of communities where the most vulnerable, the poor, live. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines Security officials validating reported Chinese airship in Mischief Reef — Palace by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — MalacaĂąang has deferred to comment on the reported sighting of a Chinese airship above Mischief or Panganiban Reef in the West Philippine Sea. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said security officials have yet to verify the report. “I will defer to the statement issued by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. That is again subject always to the National Security Adviser as well as the Department of National Defense secretary for validation,â€? Panelo told reporters Monday, December 2. Panelo noted that Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. always issues a statement after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana comes up with a statement concerning national security. Israeli satellite company ImageSat International earlier tweeted a photo of a Chinese aerostat hovering above Mischief Reef, one of Beijing’s artificial islands in the Spratly Islands. “For the first time, #China’s

Philstar.com

MANILA — Coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Sen. Leila de Lima announced in a statement on Tuesday, December 3, that she filed a Senate bill looking to empower the National Council for Disability Affairs by giving it institutional capacities. De Lima said that her vision in filing Senate Bill 188 was for the NCDA to “be the lead policy-making, planning, monitoring, and coordinating body that will develop, formulate and implement programs for the prevention and rehabilitation of disabilities.� “There will never be an acceptable excuse or reason for PWDs to be neglected, abused or sidelined,� De Lima said. “As we strive [to increase] public awareness in every aspect of

PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG NG LUNGSOD NG ALAMEDA TUNGKOL SA MGA PANGANGAILANGAN NG PABAHAY AT PAGPAPAUNLAD NG KOMUNIDAD Magsasagawa ng Pampublikong Pagdinig ang Konseho ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa Enero 7, 2020. Ang publiko ay iniimbitahan at hinihikayat na magbigay ng mga komento tungkol sa mga pangangailangan ng pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad ng Lungsod para sa Limang-Taong Istratehikong Plano ng Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (Community Development Block Grant, CDBG) sa mga Taon ng Pananalapi 20202025, at sa Taunang Plano sa Aksyon sa Taon ng Pananalapi 2020-2021. Batay sa nakaraang pagpopondo, ang Lungsod ay umaasa ng pagtanggap ng humigit-kumulang na $1,000,000 sa mga pondo ng CDBG Entitlement at $120,000 sa Kita ng Programa para sa Taon ng Pananalapi 2020-2021. Hindi bababa sa 70% ng mga pondo ng CDBG ang dapat pakinabangan ng mga residente o kapitbahayan na mababa o katamtaman ang kita; ang isang limitadong halaga ng mga pondo ay maaaring maipamahagi upang maiwasan ang kahirapan sa mga piling lugar. Ang pagbuo ng isang bagong Limang-Taong Istratehikong Plano ay iniaatas ng Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at isusumite sa pamamagitan ng Alameda County HOME Consortium. Ang LimangTaong Istratehikong Plano ay tutukoy sa mga dapat unahing pangangailangan ng komunidad sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad, at gagamitin upang gabayan ang pagbuo ng Taunang Plano sa Aksyon sa hinaharap sa limang taong panahong sumasaklaw sa Taon ng Pananalapi 2020-2025. Sa nakaraan, ang Limang-Taong Istratehikong Plano at taunang Plano sa Aksyon ay nagbigay ng prayoridad sa: pananatili at pagdaragdag ng abot-kayang pabahay at sumusuportang pabahay; pagbawas ng diskriminasyon sa pabahay; pagpigil sa kawalan ng bahay at pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng pagpapaunlad ng komunidad na hindi kaugnay ng pabahay, tulad ng mga pagpapahusay ng kapitbahayan, mga pampublikong serbisyo, mga pagpapahusay ng paggamit, at pagpapaunlad na pangkabuhayan. Ang Limang-Taong Pinag-isang Plano na sumasaklaw sa Taon ng Panalapi 2015-2020 ay makikita bilang sanggunian sa website ng Housing Authority sa: http://www.alamedahsg.org/ housing_development.html.

Satellite image dated November 19 shows China’s aerostat above Mischief or Panganiban Reef in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Contributed photo

aerostat, probably for #military #intelligence-gathering purposes, seen by #ISI at #Mischief Reef,� ISI tweeted November 24. The satellite image was taken November 19, becoming the first indication of an operational aerostat on the reef. The airship would allow China to conduct continuous situational awareness in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

Mischief Reef is well within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and is part of the country’s continental shelf. In July 2016, a United Nationsbacked tribunal ruled that China violated the Philippines exercise of sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea. China, however, refuses to acknowledge the landmark ruling. n

De Lima files bill empowering disability council on international day of PWDs by Franco Luna

A

PWDs’ political, social, economic and cultural life, so too do we want to provide them with equal protection under the law, enhance their capabilities and provide better opportunities to improve their plight.� Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri in August also filed a similar measure in the form of Senate Bill 108 which sought to convert the NCDA into a commission. This, too, would institutionalize the agency’s mandate and afford it data collection, needs identification and policy formulation capabilities. In an earlier interview with Philstar.com, Association of Empowered PWDs Philippines, Inc. President Daniel Evangelista, who is a PWD himself, said that disability legislation in the Philippines was still very much lacking on many fronts. The below-knee amputee said

Ang Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) ng Lungsod ay nagsagawa ng isang pampublikong pulong noong Nobyembre 21, 2019 upang talakayin at tukuyin ang mga pangangailangan ng komunidad.

HINIHIKAYAT AT INIIMBITA ANG PAGBIBIGAY NG KOMENTO NG PUBLIKO Ang publiko ay hinihikayat at iniimbitahang magkomento tungkol sa mga pangangailangan ng pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad. Mangyaring ipadala ang mga komento sa: Attn: Lisa Fitts Housing Authority of the City of Alameda 701 Atlantic Ave. Alameda, CA 94501 OÂż WWV#DODPHGDKVJ RUJ Ang mga nakasulat na komento ay maaaring isumite sa address na nasa itaas hanggang 4:00 p.m. sa Enero 6, 2020. Papakinggan ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang mga komento at isasaalang-alang nito ang pagpapatibay ng Pahayag Tungkol sa mga Pangangailangan ng Publiko sa regular na pulong nito sa 7:00 p.m. sa Enero 7, 2020, sa Tanggapan ng Lungsod, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue. Mangyaring ihatid ang mga tanong kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-4349 o 711 (TYY/TRS).

MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN Kung ang sinumang taong may interes sa paglahok sa programang Blokeng Gawad sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (CDBG) / HOME ay isang taong may kapansanan gaya ng nilinaw ng Seksiyon 504 ng Batas ng 1974 sa Rehabilitasyon na nag-aatas ng isang kaluwagan upang lumahok o magkainteres, ang isang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay maaaring gawin kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-4349 (Boses), 711 (TYY/TRS) o magpadala ng HPDLO VD UD#DODPHGDKVJ RUJ $QJ QDWXUDQJ NDKLOLQJDQ D\ GDSDW NDELODQJ DQJ LVDQJ SDJODODUDZDQ QJ NDOXZDJDQJ hinahangad, kasama ang isang pahayag ng kapansanan na nangangailangan ng kaluwagan. Anumang kahilingan para sa kaluwagan ay dapat suriin at ang isang sagot ay ipagkaloob sa loob ng limang araw ng trabaho pagkatapos matanggap ang naturang kahilingan. Ang paunawa ng anumang kaluwagan na iginawad ay agad ipagkakaloob sa humiling. Ang tagapag-ugnay ng Seksiyon 504 ng CDBG/HOME ay si Tonya Schuler-Cummins. Ang isang kopya ng pamamaraan ng karaingan ng 504 ay matatagpuan online sa www.alamedahsg.org.

MGA TADHANA PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG INGLES

Senator Leila de Lima

Philstar.com file photo

that for the over 700 members of his San Pedro, Laguna-based organization of 14 barangay chapters, the biggest challenge for the disabled was still mobility. “Mga disability laws namin, magaganda. Ang kulang is the execution at implementation. Hindi talaga ini-implement ng local exPAGE A7

Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may ugnayan ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na maaaring gumanap bilang mga tagasalin para sa mga residente na naghahangad ng impormasyon na nauukol sa mga programa ng CDBG/HOME. Kung binigyan ng paunawa nang maaga ng limang araw ng trabaho, makikipag-ayos ang Lungsod upang makakuha ng isang tagasalin. Mangyaring kontakin ang Lungsod sa (510) 747-4349 (Tinig), 711 (TYY/ 756 R HPDLO OÂż WWV#DODPHGDKVJ RUJ

PATAKARANG WALANG-DISKRIMINASYON Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay hindi nagdidiskrimina laban sa sinumang mga tao dahil sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, bansang pinagmulan, angkan, sekso, kasarian, kinikilalang kasarian, pagpapahayag ng kasarian, oryentasyong sekswal, katayuang marital, katayuang pampamilya, pinagkukunan ng kita, henetikong impormasyon, kondisyong medikal, kapansanang pisikal o kapansanan ng isipan, o anumang ibang kategoryang protektado ng batas.

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OPINION

Communities make the difference

FEATURES

TWO laws have been passed related to the spread of the AIDS-causing human immunodeficiency virus. The first one aims to prevent its further spread, and the latest one promotes the welfare of persons living with HIV and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. In the past decades, awareness of HIV/ AIDS has risen among Filipinos. More people are getting themselves tested, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment. These, however, have not stopped the country from recording the fastest rate of HIV infection not only in the Asia-Pacific region but in the world, according to the joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS or UNAIDS Philippines. As the country joined the international community in marking World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the numbers remain grim. Last year, UNAIDS recorded 13,384 new HIV infections nationwide – up by 203 percent from the 4,419 registered in 2010. The highest rate of infection is recorded among men having sex with men, with up to 80 percent of those infected in the 15 to 34 age group, according to UNAIDS. The new law lowers the age requiring parental consent for HIV testing, but the potentially fatal virus

continues to spread. UNAIDS estimates that there are now 77,000 people living with HIV in the Philippines, but only 62,029 of them had been diagnosed as of October this year. While the figures are low compared to those in several other countries, the rate of infection is fastest in the Philippines. This gives urgency to measures that will slow down the spread of the virus and help persons living with HIV/AIDS remain productive, protected from discrimination, and able to live as normal a life as possible. World AIDS Day 2019 aims to mobilize communities along these lines. As in any public health problem, a holistic approach is needed to improve understanding of HIV/AIDS, promote safe sex and prevent the spread of the virus, and protect persons living with the affliction. The theme of World AIDS Day emphasizes this thrust: communities make the difference. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

SEA Games hosting helps build nationalism

Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO I CAN’T remember anything recently quite like it. But there was inarguably so much joy among Filipinos who saw — directly or through videos — the opening ceremonies of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019 in New Clark City the other night. What was amazing was that two words were often used to describe their feelings: “goose bumps” and” tears.” Veteran journalist Jay Sonza, whom one would expect to be so jaded with his long career, posted in his Facebook time-line: “Noong sindihan ni Pacquiao iyong cauldron at magliyab ito, kasabay ng world-class fireworks sa loob ng Class 1A Olympic Track and Field sa Athletes’ Village, New Clark City, nanindig ang balahibo ko, sabay nangilid ang aking mata sa tuwa at kagalakan.We have built a monument, a work of art, and a remembrance of good governance.” “Goosebumps and tears! World-class ceremonies indeed! So proud to be a Filipino! We win as one! Go Philippines!,” wrote TV presenter Gretchen Fulido. “Naiiyak ako with pride seeing

the entire Team Philippines take center stage,” renowned singer Gary Valenciano said. It was also sheer genius for the organizers to have our eight ‘legendary’ sports heroes carry in a dramatic way the SEA Games federation flag. That made it an event in which we were reminded that the Filipino could be world-class. Rare moment What is so significant is that the goose-bump-and-tears remarks were almost always followed by a reference to the nation: “I’m proud to be Filipino.” We are witnessing a rare moment in history, of the same kind when we from Metro Manila had been mesmerized by the drama of the Yellow Widow, and were with EDSA I. The SEA Games ceremonies, significantly with President Duterte there and wildly cheered, was an event that was a communion of the community we call the nation. The President was the High Priest of that ritual, as any leader of a nation should be, or its value would be much lesser. To agree with me that I’m not exaggerating with this column’s title, one has to understand the groundbreaking insights on nationalism of the late Cornell University political scientist and historian Benedict Anderson, which he explained in his aca-

THIS is my fourth column on recent events that unexpectedly thrust Vice President Leni Robredo into the limelight. Even if some may think the issue it deals with has become stale, I believe we shouldn’t let go of it easily as though it signifies nothing of importance. That’s exactly how the Duterte administration wants us to treat this entire affair — a joke over which everyone has had a good laugh. But let’s pause and consider even for a minute what has just happened, and what it tells us about decision-making under a Duterte presidency. A short recap of the events would be useful. VP Leni gives an interview to Reuters News, in which she criticizes the brutal conduct of the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. She makes the case that the killings and the arrests that

demic bestseller, the 1983 book Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. For starters contrary to what an unfortunately growing number of “globalists” claim, it is nationalism, or the intensity of a people’s sense of belonging to this association called the nation, that has been the biggest factor in all countries’ growth and prosperity. This is an incontestable fact of history around the globe. It is only when these countries have become rich nations that they have espoused “globalism,” a tactic one Korean nationalist economist claimed was a form of “pushing the ladder away” after they’ve reached the summit of their countries’ development. The nation The nation is the most important organization any human being belongs to in this era, since its situation mostly determines his fate. Just think of the grossly contrasting fates of an ordinary Filipino worker’s family if he stays here or migrates to the U.S. Anderson pointed out though how difficult it is for a people to be nationalistic, since the nation is really an “imagined community.” It is different from “real communities” such as the fam-

ily, the clan, the tribe, or even the fraternities to which it is just natural to have an allegiance to, since we get to be acquainted with each and every member of these organizations. These are after all simply collections of relatives or friends we know. A Filipino will never ever meet each of his 110 million kababayan (countrymen). But in his mind, when he recognizes and greets somebody, say, in a strange foreign land and calls him kabayan, he does so because from his childhood, he was taught to imagine a community called the Philippines. To imagine a community is not easy, even if the necessary but insufficient conditions exist, such as a shared territory, language, history and nuanced but similar genetic features. There has to be myriad rituals (e.g., the singing of the national anthem at the flag-raising ceremony), martyrs (who make the supreme sacrifice to further the community’s aspirations, as Rizal did), and events (which remind us that we share the same fate, that we are in the same “boat”). These are intended to wrench us out of our ego-centered (or clan-centered) consciousness, and merge it with the community. Imagine Hosting the SEA Games and

its crucial opening ceremonies are such events that helps us imagine the nation. This is the reason why countries for such global sports events as the Olympics compete fiercely to win the bidding to host. (For the SEA Games, one of the 10 Southeast Asian countries is assigned a year to host it, although a country can waive such assignment, as we did in 2017 on grounds that funds at that time were better used for the rehabilitation of the war-devastated Marawi City. ) Marxism, with its view that society is divided into irreconcilable exploitative and exploited classes, could not explain the emergence and strength of nations starting in the 19th century. How could nations ever survive if it is torn by class struggles? Anderson’s theory of imagined communities filled this lacuna in Marxist theory. As he put it, “regardless of the actual inequality and exploitation that may prevail in each, the nation is always conceived as a deep, horizontal comradeship. Ultimately it is this fraternity that makes it possible, over the past two centuries, for so many millions of people, not so much to kill, as willingly to die for such limited imaginings.” The goose bumps felt and

tears of joy shed by Filipinos proud of the SEA Games’ opening ceremonies are indications of that nationalism, that sense of comradeship among citizens of one nation is a good feeling to have. That therefore should make it easy for a state to develop among its citizens. Indeed, the venom and inanity that reveals their wretchedness was shown by comments by a few Yellow commentators — such as that one Raissa Robles who claimed that ceremonies were like a “perya sa probinsya,” referring to the native dances featured in the show such as northern Luzon’s “La Jota Moncadeña” and Mindanao’s “Singkil.” But then Raissa also wrote that it was like the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which at the time was considered the most awesome opening ceremony so far — planned by the best German architects and film-makers of that time — of that global event. I hope our slogan for the SEA Games — We win as one! — will eventually be understood in the sense of that truth of history globalists have tried to bury in our minds: That we win — grow to be a prosperous country — only if we are united as one, with each citizen imbued with a deep sense of nationalism. (ManilaTimes.net)

The perils of an impulsive presidency

Public Lives

RANDY DAVID

Philstar.com photo

have occurred in this so-called drug war amount to a war against the poor. This brutal campaign, she says, has remarkably spared the big-time drug lords. These criticisms are not new. They have been made before by many other observers. But coming from the vice president, the leader of the opposition and, more importantly, a woman, these points appear to have stung Mr. Duterte. He seethes in anger, but he does not think she is worth taking seriously. He’s torn between treating her dismissively and teaching her a lesson by daring her to take over the government’s antidrug campaign, an obvious bait she could run away from like a coward. In my initial column on this subject, I said that no sensible person could possibly take Mr. Duterte’s “offer” seriously. Dripping with contempt, it was made in a moment of pique. The president could barely conceal his exasperation over

the way the drug war has been derailed by a corrupt police force. He seemed exhausted, drained not just by the drug problem but by the demands of the presidency itself. In fact, he sounded like he was calling for help. I think his own people were confused. On one hand, the boss did sound as if he was taunting the vice president who, in their view, had no right to speak about a subject she knew nothing about. But, on the other hand, they suspected that the president was up to something naughty and interesting. And so they went along, conjuring a charade that was designed not only to put her in her place but to embarrass her. Such is their belief in the Duterte myth that men like presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo are completely incapable of telling him what he can and cannot do. They take his incoherent musings as emanations of a genius too deep for ordinary minds to

grasp. Thus, they indulge him, willfully acting as enablers of a childish capriciousness never before seen in the nation’s highest office. As events in the past week have shown, it did not take long for Mr. Duterte and his men to realize that it is they, not Leni, who got stuck in a quagmire of their own making. Because she would not quit, they had to fire her. Though we have her to thank for accepting a dare she knew she had little chance of winning, and not blinking, this is not at all just about Leni Robredo. One finds in this unfortunate incident a pattern of impulsive decision-making that is as reckless as it is thoughtless. Two instances quickly come to mind — the banning of rice imports for the duration of the harvest season in response to the pleas of affected local rice farmers, and the order to ban vaping products and arrest users caught vaping in public. The president had to recall his order suspending rice importa-

tion after he was told that this populist gesture was against the law he himself had signed. As for vaping, the police said they would comply with the president’s orders, but only to the extent of confiscating the products. They were told that the existing law against smoking does not give them the right to arrest vapers. The same policy confusion resulting from spur-of-the moment orders was visible in the abrupt closure of Boracay, the short-lived shutdown of lotto outlets and the Small Town Lottery, the initial banning of online gaming operations or Pogos, etc. Behind all these is the penchant to act boldly without the benefit of careful study. Far from being a strategic thinker, the president operates entirely by the hit-and-miss method of a local strongman. Sometimes, it works, as in the case of Boracay. But a lot of times, it creates and leaves a mess. Look at Marawi; look at the state of the peace talks with the armed

left. Look at the drug war. The wonder of it all is that, as far as the public is concerned, this president is incapable of committing a mistake so grave as to make them turn to the opposition for succor. The high approval ratings he continues to get in public opinion polls practically eliminate the need for self-examination. As his spokesperson puts it: The high ratings speak for themselves. I don’t think they do. To me, they speak more of the depth of the public’s disenchantment with previous administrations than of any unwavering commitment to Mr. Duterte’s impulsive presidency. More than three years after catapulting him to the nation’s highest position, populist resentment borne of decades of perceived elite betrayal continues to drive our people’s responses to political events. We need a different kind of politics if we are to put a stop to the dragon seed of authoritarianism. (Inquirer.net)

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P357-N Metro Manila Subway a ‘white elephant’ — Recto by paolo

romero Philstar.com

MANILA — The P357-billion Metro Manila Subway is a white elephant in the making owing to distortions made to its original alignment that led to dangerous design changes, the bloating of its cost and uncertainty in funding for the entire mega project, a Senate leader said. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who previously headed the National Economic and Development Authority, said he supports the subway project as a means to ease the worsening traffic congestion in Metro Manila, but some officials in the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reportedly altered the original project as drawn up by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). “It’s a good project if it’s properly planned. We don’t want it to be a white elephant. We want the people to benefit from it, not like the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Let’s not implement it if we’re not prepared to implement it,” Recto said. “We should not be reckless just to show we have a subway project, and to say we’re building it already. We may be able to start

it, and it will take years and years (to complete), and we may still not able to use it and benefit from it,” he added. Senators earlier said the chamber would probe the project, whose cost was reportedly bloated by over P150 billion. Its stations and specifications were suspiciously altered for commercial interests that it would be traversing twice a major earthquake fault and flood prone areas, and plow through thousands of private residences. Recto warned that the costs of a project of such magnitude would inevitably escalate over time as surveys and plans change when actual construction begins. He pointed out that the original JICA plan was a product of long and thorough studies and surveys costing billions of pesos, while the realignment apparently was decided only in a matter of weeks by DOTr functionaries. Recto also asked the DOTr to explain how the project would be paid, and how much would it cost to maintain it. Inevitably, all expenses would be shouldered by the people, he said. He said today, P6 billion in taxpayers’ money is being used to subsidize the MRT-3 since it started operations in 1999 because of problems that arose from poor

planning. Recto said a project of such magnitude and cost “must be explained to the people’s representatives both in the House (of Representatives) and the Senate.” During the deliberations for the proposed DOTr budget last month, Recto and Sen. Panfilo Lacson asked the agency’s officials to make sure residents to be evicted because of the project must be paid first before the subway project starts as mandated under the Right-of-Way Act. The original plan was to have the subway run generally beneath EDSA as part of the JICA’s Mega Manila transportation master plan based on surveys and feasibility studies that cost billions of pesos. But the DOTr reportedly deviated from the original alignment, to include rerouting it to Katipunan in Quezon City, which increased its cost from the original P208 billion, and had the subway pass twice through a major earthquake fault and cross several flood zones. Transportation Undersecretary for rails Timothy Batan said the agency aims to first open three stations on Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora and North Avenue, Quezon City in 2022 after the JICA extended a P55-billion loan for them. n

Lacson eyes marshall officers to protect judges by Bernadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson wants to create the Philippine Judicial Marshal Service (PJMS) to safeguard members of the judiciary amid the increasing number of judges killed by alleged hired gunmen. The senator recently filed Senate Bill (SB) 1209 creating the PJMS to protect officers and personnel of the judiciary “so they can do their jobs independently and without fear of retaliation.” Lacson said Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta raised the need for judicial marshals to serve as the law enforcement arm of the Supreme Court, similar to the Supreme Court of the United States Police and United States Marshal. “This legislative measure seeks to create a Philippine Judicial Marshal Service under the control and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court whose primary function is to pro-

Senator Panfilo Lacson Manilatimes.net file photo

tect, safeguard, watch over, provide security, and ensure the safety of justices, judges, court officials and personnel, and the various halls of justice, courthouses and other court buildings and properties all over the country,” he said. He noted at least 31 reported killings of members of the judiciary in the last two decades, including five during the Duterte administration. Under SB 1209, the PJMS will investigate allegations of irregularities, including graft and corrup-

tion, against justices, judges, court officials and personnel. It must also assist in the execution and implementation of court orders. “Heading the service shall be the chief marshal, who shall have the same rank of a Court of Appeals associate justice. Assisting the Chief Marshal are three Deputy Marshals — one each for Luzon, [the] Visayas and Mindanao. Each deputy marshal shall have the same rank as a Regional Trial Court judge,” Lacson said. The chief marshal and deputy marshals must be lawyers and must have been at least a full colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the Philippine National Police. They shall be appointed by the Supreme Court en banc and should serve until age 65. An initial funding of P50 million from the National Treasury will be appropriated for the wages and other expenses of personnel, and for supplies and equipment. n

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STORM SURGES POSSIBLE. Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) Deputy Administrator for Operations and Services, Dr. Landrico V. Dalida Jr. gives warning to people living near the coastal area that may be hit by Typhoon Tisoy during a press conference at PAGASA office in Quezon City on Sunday, December 1. Dalida called on the coastal residents to evacuate for possible storm surges and called on local disaster risk reduction and management officials to closely monitor the typhoon as some areas in Visayas and Luzon have been placed under Signal No. 1 PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

DND boosts cybersecurity awareness Luna said the cyberspace and cybersecurity have been “at the forefront” of the DND’s priority THE Department of National list, citing the agency’s crafted Defense (DND) has enhanced its National Defense Strategy which campaign to raise cybersecurity considered cyberspace as the awareness as it held a confer- “fourth dimension of warfare” ence for its personnel to educate and has been identified by their them on relevant issues concern- strategy as “one of the new deing the matter. fense mission areas.” Defense Undersecretary CarHe added that the conference dozo Luna led the DND’s first aimed to focus on the human annual cybersecurity awareness factor of cybersecurity “because conference, dubbed as the “DND the human factor in securing Cybercon,” at Camp Aguinaldo, cyberspace could be the weakQuezon City. est link and also cybersecurity’s by dempsey

reyes ManilaTimes.net

strongest link, given the right direction and knowledge.” The conference cited the case of the 2016 cyberheist of the Bangladesh Bank, where hackers were able to steal $101 million by issuing fraudulent instructions. The Philippines got involved as part of the money was transferred to a branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. This incident underscored the vulnerabilities of establishments lacking effective cybersecurity measures. n

De Lima files bill empowering disability... PAGE A5 ecutives natin,” he said. “Ang DILG, ayun, tinutulungan nila kami, pero hindi nila kaya as one agency lang. Very lax ang aming mga LGU. Walang ngipin ang mga laws natin para sa mga disabled.” (Our disability laws are very good, but what is lacking is execution and implementation. They really aren’t implemented by our local executives. The DILG helps us, but they can’t do it as one agency. Our LGU is very lax. Our laws for the disabled have no teeth.) Evangelista also added that having one uniform agency to course PWD concerns would make all the difference. “There must be one agency na pwedeng pagreklamuhan. Eh wala tayo eh, politics talaga, yun ang umiiral.”

(There must be one agency that we could complain to. But that’s the way it is, politics still prevail.) ‘Fake PWDs’ Most recently, Reps. Eric Go Yap (ACT-CIS Party-list) and Mike Defensor (Anakalusugan Partylist) in October called for a probe into what they said was the abuse of PWD card privileges. The two encouraged restaurant employees to take pictures of suspected fake PWDs, saying they would defend them if they were sanctioned. PWD groups told Philstar.com that they found this statement unfair because it baselessly put the responsibility of proving one’s disability on legitimate PWDs despite already being legally recognized as such by the very card being disputed. The International Day of Per-

sons with Disabilities is an international observance promoted by the United Nations to be celebrated every December 3 since 1992. “Malinaw sa akin: Hindi awa ang kailangan nila, kundi ang malalim na pag-unawa sa kanilang sitwasyon, kapansanan, at mga hamong pinagdadaanan,” De Lima said in her statement. “Kailangan nila ng kaagapay mula sa ating lahat, ang patas nating pagtingin at paggabay para makamit nila ang normal at marangal na pamumuhay.” (It is clear to me that sympathy is not what they need but rather a deep understanding of their situations, disabilities, and challenges that they face. They need support from all of us and an equal approach and guidance for them to achieve a normal and peaceful life.) n

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DECEMBER 6-12, 2019 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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SF The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 6, 2019

Friday, December 6, 2019

SF

cover story

From the cover: Photo by Anthony Chan

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 6, 2019

17th Annual Parol Lantern Festival and Parade to light up SOMA Pilipinas by

AJPress

THE parol lantern has always been the symbol of hope, blessings, luck and peace for Filipinos during the holiday season. This star-shaped lantern can be found lighting up windows in Filipino homes back home and even all over the world. In San Francisco, the Filipino American community has kept this tradition alive with the annual Parol Lantern Festival and Parade. Traditionally made out of bamboo and paper, patterns of the parol evolved from the five-pointed paper star lantern originally crafted in 1908 by an artisan named Francísco Estanislao. The parol, derived from the Spanish ‘farol’ (lantern), shares similarities to global traditions like Diwali, the mid-autumn festival, and both indigenous Filipino and Christian traditions. Competitions are held around the world, with “Ligligan Parul” in San Fernando, Pampanga being the largest. The parol symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the Filipinos’ hope and goodwill during the holiday season. Now on its 17th year, the San Francisco Parol Lantern Festival and parade will light up SOMA

Filipinas, Filipino Culture Heritage District on Saturday, December 14, at the Yerba Buena Gardens, Jessie Square, and St. Patrick’s Church, from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Community members will create hand-made parol lanterns to display at this free, familyfriendly event. The festival features a parol lantern parade, a gallery of handmade parols, live music, dance performances, and a sampling of traditional Filipino desserts and delicacies. “The Parol Lantern Festival is a beautiful annual celebration of culture, community and light that has become a beloved tradition in the Yerba Buena neighborhood. We look forward to it every year!,” said Linda Lucero, Executive/Artistic Director ofYerba Buena Gardens Festival This year’s theme, “Tayo Ang Liwanang / We Are The Light,” will honor the resilience of leaders, artists, youth, student groups, and families who have faced political and economic challenges for decades in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Since the 1960s, Filipino families have come together in the face of these challenges

in the Moscone Center/Yerba Buena Gardens/South of Market district. The Parol Lantern Festival is not just a celebration but also a reflection of history in the area which has long been a site of resistance against community displacement. It is a reminder of the community’s strength and the ways it has continued to rise up. “The Parol Lantern Festival is symbolic of our Filipino culture visibly celebrated in our new home in the U.S., SOMA Pilipinas,” said Bernadette Borja Sy, Director of the Filipino American Development Foundation and Bayanihan Community Center

The founder of the Parol Lantern Festival MC Canlas also shared that the event was inspired by a tradition in his hometown, San Fernando, Pampanga. “It became a uniting force for the different organizations [in SOMA Pilipinas] to come together and showcase their strength and community,” Canlas said. Festival highlights A highlight of the festival is “A Taste of Pilipino Christmas,” a free sampling (while supplies last) of an assortment of traditional Pilipino sweets and delicacies, including tsampurado with tuyo flakes (chocolate rice pudding sprinkled with dried fish flakes), bibingka (sweet rice flour cake garnished with fresh shredded coconut), and lechon (roasted suckling pig) made by local chefs from the community. Another festival highlight is a community-wide performance of Sayaw sa Ilaw (Dancing in the Light) and Sagayan. Choreographed and led by master of Philippine Dance Sydney Loyola, Sayaw sa Ilaw is rooted in the indigenous practice of dancing as prayer and offering of gratitude and for a bright future. Inspired by the sun and the stars, the performance aims to recall indigenous practices of celebrating fruitful harvests, a good year, and to meditate on and prepare for the future. Led by dance artist Jonathan Mercado, Sagayan is inspired

by the indigenous practice of dancing as prayer and offering to drive away bad luck and open space for good fortune. It is based in the Sagayan warrior dance of the Maguindanao and Maranao people in Mindanao, Philippines. Sagayan warrior dancers will ignite the spirit of the Parol Lantern Festival’s Yerba Buena Gardens loop stroll marchers as well as spiritually cleanse and open the main festival space at Jessie Square. The SF Parol Lantern Festival is a collaborative project by the Filipino American Development Foundation (FADF) and Kularts. They are hosting several workshops for groups, families, and individuals to learn how to make their own Parol Lantern over the next two weeks. Parol Lantern Workshops will be held Friday evenings leading

up to the December 14 festival at the Bayanihan Community Center, 1010 Mission Street, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Participants are encouraged to enter in the Parol Lantern competition, and a cash prize of $500 will be awarded to the most creative design. Dance workshops for Sayaw sa Ilaw and Sagayan with master of Philippine Dance Sydney Loyola and dance artist Jonathan Mercado are held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bayanihan Community Center, 1010 Mission Street in SOMA Pilipinas. To register for a parol lantern or dance workshop visit www. parollanternfestival.com. Photos by Wilfred Galila, Eddie Wong, PapaLoDown Agency and Anthony Bongco

Angel makes it to Forbes’ ‘Heroes’ How Richard handles midlife crisis list for Mindanao charity work by Dolly Anne CArvAJAl Inquirer.net

by JAn Milo severo Philstar.com

ACTRESS Angel Locsin is among the personalities included in this year’s Forbes Asia’s Annual Heroes Of Philanthropy List. In its website, Forbes listed down 30 “Altruists In The Asia Pacific Region” that includes the Kapamilya actress who recently helped in the earthquake aftermath in Mindanao. “Angel Locsin, an actress from the Philippines, supports causes aiding victims of violence, natural disasters and the conflict in Mindanao,” Forbes wrote. Other celebrities included in the list are Yoshiki Hayashi, leader of the popular Japanese Angel Locsin Photo from Instagram/@therealangellocsin band X Japan; and South Ko-

rea’s singer and actress IU (Lee Ji Eun), the youngest to make it in this year’s list. Filipino businessman Hans Sy is also included in the list because of his project in Quezon City. “Hans Sy from the Philippines helped launch Child Haus’ newly renovated center in Quezon City in July to house 40 cancer-stricken children and their caregivers; he had purchased the property for the organization as one of its first donors in 2010,” Forbes wrote. Other personalities in the list include Jack Ma, Azim Premji and Theodore Rachmat, to name a few. In the past, among those in the list were Bill Gates, Azim Premji, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

James on Momoland’s Nancy, JaDine by JAn Milo severo Philstar.com

ACTOR James Reid refused to give an update on his upcoming teleserye with Korean girl group Momoland member Nancy McDonie. “I can’t say too much about that. Sorry,” James told the media. When asked if his upcoming teleserye with Nancy will push through after rumors that it will be axed, James again refused to comment. “I cannot answer that and I don’t want to talk about it,” James said. Meanwhile, the actor said that there are still no projects lined up for him and on- and off-screen partner Nadine

Lustre. “In the pipeline, no right now. Since I left Viva, it’s been... waiting for things to settle down. We can work out together in the future,” he said. He added that he’s busy doing his second album with collaborations with Filipino artists from Canada and Los Angeles. “I’m currently making an album. That’s my second album. My first one was in 2017, so I’ve been waiting for a long time for this,” he shared. “I will be collaborating with Filipino artists from overseas, like from Canada and LA. I don’t want to talk about it now but I have collaborations with other artists,” he added.

James Reid with Nadine Lustre Photo from Instagram/@james

I HAD a blast with Richard Yap and other stars at the fab birthday bash of Dr. Mark Gan of the “go-to dental center” of celebs, GAOC. I’ve always liked Sir Chief’s (Richard’s moniker) style. Not too many men his age make it big in show biz. With the way women swoon over him, Richard can give matinee idols a run for their money. The Kapamilya actor ought to give a crash course on how to age well. Fifty-two never looked so good. Here’s my chat with Richard: What’s your secret for growing old gracefully? By not stressing myself out, and having faith that our Lord will always guide me. Exercise, diet and doing the things I love. How do you stay away from temptation and stay faithful to your wife? I always think of how good she is to me and that, by itself, stops me from doing anything crazy. I also think of my kids before I do anything. How do you handle midlife crisis? I passed that during my 40s, when I was unsure of what I wanted to do and where my life was headed. I prayed a lot and asked for guidance and enlightenment. Sure enough, all the answers came. I also leaned a lot on the support of my family. How do you and your wife handle misunderstandings? By talking about them. Arguments are inevitable, but by making sure you stick to the problem and not drag your pride and other problems into it, then surely it will

Richard Yap

all work out. Compromise is the key. What’s your advice to bachelors who are wary of tying the knot? Marriage gives your life a certain direction. It’s always nice to have someone to come home to, to have a family. Update us about your business ventures. I concentrate mostly on the office furniture business, which is Cole & Ash International Systems Corp., as I need to help keep it growing. Meanwhile, our partnership in the food business is expanding as our Wangfu branches continue to expand. We are also venturing into the cafe business as my partners have recently opened a franchise of Dean & Deluca Cafe in Quezon City. What’s your advice to the future husband of your daughter? Just love my daughter and take care of her

Photo from Instagram/@iamrichardyap

and you will be just fine. What’s the craziest thing a fan did for you? Three of my fans had my name tattooed on themselves. It really touched me, but it’s a bit too much for them to do it. What are some of the things that not too many people know about you? That I’m a bit shy and I don’t talk much, especially if I just met you. And I can be really corny at times. What’s the best and toughest part of being Richard Yap? The best part is that I am still the same person I was, even before I entered show biz. Only my circumstances have changed, but the person remains the same. The toughest part is that people expect me to live my life like it is on TV. They sometimes can’t differentiate between the real and the reel.

community SF Explaining attorney fees and charges

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 6, 2019

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ MANY people want to retain an attorney to assist them with their immigration case, represent them at hearings or interviews, etc., especially during this era of Pres. Trump, where USCIS is taking a very hard line on immigration. People understand now, more than ever, it is helpful to have attorney representation, rather than trying to handle their case on their own. But there is mystery and confusion with people about attorney fees: how will they be charged? Do they have to pay all cash up front? Can payments be spread out? A CREWMAN TRIED TO FOLLOW THE LAW TO GAIN LEGAL STATUS, BUT FELL INTO A “FRAUD TRAP” AT THE U.S EMBASSY WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE PHILIPPINES There are two main ways ON A PROVISIONAL WAIVER. Albert (left) entered the U.S. and jumped ship in 2007. His U.S. citizen wife, Cherrie (center), petitioned him. Although the petition attorneys charge for their servwas approved, Albert was not eligible to adjust status in the U.S. because he did not have 245(i). However, he qualified for a provisional waiver, which was ices: hourly and flat fee. For approved, thereby “forgiving” him for overstaying, waiving the 10-year bar. He went back to the Philippines, thinking that he would be able to obtain his immigrant visa from the Embassy, only to be shocked when he was charged with fraud based on violating their new 90 Day Rule for deciding to overstay back hourly, the attorney charges the client based on the in 2007. His provisional waiver was considered void, and he was required to file a fraud waiver and a 10-year bar waiver while he waited in the Philippines. Watch how leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel helped Albert—- on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) amount of time the attorney on TFC. (Advertising Supplement) spends on the case, at the attorney’s hourly rate. This type of billing can be problematic for some people, if they want to budget, plan, or save for the attorney fees. With an hourly rate, it’s hard to know how much the attorney fees will be because they don’t know how much time the attorney will spend on their case. Most immigration attorneys bill at a flat rate, including me. This is where the legal waiver. Suddenly, everything ing, expecting to obtain his ALBERT entered the U.S. services are listed in a written seemed so complicated. visa without any problems, on a crewman’s visa and retainer, and a total/flat rate Watch how the Law Ofjumped ship in 2007. His U.S. as there have been many is given for those services, refices of Michael J. Gurfinkel crewmen who were granted citizen wife petitioned him, gardless of how much time the was able to prepare a new immigrant visas in Manila on which was approved. Howevwaiver package for fraud and attorney spends providing the approved provisional waiver. er, since Albert lacked 245(i), services. The client is given a the 10-year bar, and how However, the Embassy he was not eligible to adjust fixed amount, enabling them Albert was able to reunite charged Albert with fraud status in the U.S., he applied to better save and budget to with his wife, Cherrie, back by imposing a new rule to for and was approved for pay the fees. They would also in the United States on a his past conduct, by stating a provisional waiver, so he be advised of the estimated brand-new episode of “Citihe committed fraud when would not be subject to the zen Pinoy” – this Sunday 6:15 expenses outside the Retainer be began working within 90 10-year bar. days of his arrival in 2007. He p.m. PST/EST (9:15 p.m. EST Agreement, such as filing fees, With an approved proetc. thus fell in a “fraud trap” and thru select Cable/Satellite visional waiver, Albert went Ordinarily, attorney fees providers). was required to file a fraud back to the Philippines for waiver and a new 10-year bar immigrant visa process(Advertising Supplement) are not paid all cash up front.

Crewman with approved provisional waiver charged with fraud on a brand new episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy’

(Of course, there could be exceptions where the client might have a deportation hearing the next day.) Usually, attorney fees require down payment and monthly payments. The monthly payments could be calculated based on the amount of time it would take the attorney to perform or complete the services. If the case will take three or more years (such as a labor certification or family petition case), the payments could be spread out for several months or years. Before signing the retainer, the client will know what services are included and how much the total cost will be. If they want to retain the attorney, they can do so. If they do not, they can walk away. I hope this has removed some of the mystery about attorney fee or charges, and if you believe your case requires attorney representation, at least now you know it’s not all cash up front, and you could be billed at a flat rate.

*** 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 re-enactments) 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: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

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celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 6, 2019

celebrity world

Judy Ann Santos bags international Best Actress award

By Ferdie Villar JUDY Ann Santos has proven once again that she truly has talent when she bagged the Best Actress Award at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival. Surprised by the good news, the “Starla” lead actress won the award for her portrayal in Brillante Mendoza’s film, “Mindanao.” In an Instagram post, Judy Ann admitted that hearing the news was surreal and only accepted it fully when Mendoza confirmed the news. She wrote, “Gusto kong isiping nananaginip lang ako... baka hindi pa ko gising siguro? In denial pa ko sa simula... pero nung si direk Brillante na ang nag text sa akin..unti unti na kong natauhan at naiyak. Grabe!” She also expressed her gratitude to the Lord for the award and all the other blessings she has received this year. “Napakarami at napakalaki ang dapat kong ipasalamat sa Panginoon...hindi pa natatapos ang 2019, binusog na niya ng sobra sobra ang puso ko sa napakaraming bagong experiences ang binigay niya sa akin...iba’t ibang lugar ang napuntahan ko sa iba’t ibang larangan ng industriyang mahal ko at patuloy kong inaaral,” she said. Congratulations Judy Ann! *** Congratulations is also in order for actress and singer Patricia Javier (now Walcher) who was crowned as Noble Queen of the Universe 2019 during the pageant’s grand coronation held last Sunday, December 1 at the Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel.

Javier, 41, who is also a mother of two boys, competed under the advocacy on health and wellness and environmental protection. The sexy actress left showbiz and settled down in San Diego, California after marrying her husband Dr. Robert Walcher who runs a successful practice in Chiropractic Medicine. She also won the title of Mrs. Asia-California in 2009 and was also crowned as Mrs. Universe 2018. Other winners in the

pageant were Noble Queen International Marie France Papin Carrion of Bicol, Noble Queen Globe Beau Singson Villanueva of Australia, Noble Queen Tourism Anna Rabtsun Baylosis of Russia and Noble Queen Earth Jill Chapman from the United States. Runners were Ritchell Catt of Guam and Sylvia Kim of Korea. The Noble Queen of the Universe pageant aims for women to gain greater respect in society.

Former sexy actress and singer Patricia Javier (now Walcher) was crowned as Noble Queen of the Universe 2019 during the pageant’s grand coronation held last Sunday, December 1 at the Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel. Talented actor Martin del Rosario is one of the lead stars of GMA Pinoy TV’s Photo from Instagram @patriciajavier1 teleserye, “The Gift.”

Joselito and Margie Cabrera, who were born on the same date, celebrated their birthdays with a party held at the Cabrera-Perez residence in Antioch. Show in photo are (L-R) Anthony and Vangie Perez, the celebrants and Edward and Myrna Cabrera.

Judy Ann Santos bagged the Best Actress Award at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival for her film, “Mindanao.” Shown in photo with the actress is the film’s director, Brillante Mendoza.

BANKRUPTCY

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

Actor Joseph Marco recently shared that he will appear in the second season of HBO Asia’s series, “The Bridge.” Joseph was part of ABS-CBN’s afternoon teleserye, “Los Bastardos.”

Actress Bianca Umali was chosen as one of the lead stars in the third season of HBO’s “Halfworlds” which is also going to be directed by Mikhail Red. Joining Bianca is actor Sam Concepcion.

HOUSING

Sam Concepcion is training for his role in the third season of HBO’s “Halfworlds” together wirh Bianca Umali under the direction of Mikhail Red.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA AT a breakfast after mass at the Holy Family Church during a school fundraiser in Glendale California one beautiful fall morning five years ago, a statuesque, well groomed lady holding her breakfast tray asked my husband, my sister Olga and myself, if she could join us. We said yes of course. There weren’t enough tables and chairs in the auditorium at the time. After a few pleasantries and the frost among strangers had thawed, the woman indicated that she was from the East Coast and she was visiting her son who lived in the city. She was staying in a hotel for a few days and had checked online for the nearest church where she could attend mass. She remarked that the Glendale Holy Family Catholic Church with Spanish architecture built in the 1920’s was beautiful. The conversation around the table was light at first, meandering around innocuous, safe topics. Out of nowhere, she asked us to pray for her son. Startled at first, I asked what her son’s name was and we all must have made a mental note of it. It seems that her 36-year old son who is an engineer, with so much going for him, had a major relapse in his bid to overcome his alcoholic addiction — yet again. His poison of choice – vodka. She was in town to check him in to a rehab facility and taking a chance on a new drug that would have adverse, irreversible ramifications if there is recidivism or if he ever went back to the bottle. In short, it was a last ditch attempt to end his addiction. Over breakfast we had a glimpse of the turmoil the woman was going through in seeing a loved one going through the repeated cycles of addiction and rehabilitation, only to go through it over and over again– a seemingly hopeless struggle that many battle

The power of prayer “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin with these days. It is like Sisyphus of Greek mythology who was punished by the gods for chronic deceitfulness and wickedness. He was cursed for eternity to roll a rock uphill only to have fate roll it back downhill just when success at lodging it safely on top of a steep hill seemed like a sure thing a sure thing. She let slip that another son had died in the last year, the reason for which, she didn’t mention. And she would have to come again and visit in December because her alcoholic son has an ex-girlfriend who is pregnant and is due by then. You can’t make this stuff up. Life is just so tough that her face was etched in pain. Yet there was also a brief glimpse of hope for the baby about to be born. Grief, just like joy, has way of welling up within and spilling over. We listened to her over breakfast aware that she just wanted to ease up some of the heavy burden that was troubling her. A lot of us are like this woman. We each have problems that seem too much to bear until we reach out and ask others to pray for us, even strangers we will never ever see again. We ask others to knock and bang on the doors of heaven with a battering ram, if need be, to beg for help on our behalf. In many ways, each one of us can be a prayer warrior. Often, we come to church just to be with others who are a bit like us, searching for one another’s company in seeking God’s help in many ways, big and small. We know deep down, by ourselves, we can do nothing. Just as gravity holds the physical universe together,

prayer draws the spirit universe together among kindred souls. The power of prayer is boundless among those whose faith is built on solid rock. If you can, please pray for this anonymous woman Mrs. B and her son G. Mother and son both need prayers so badly; for the son to break the bonds of addiction once and for all and for the mother or the strength and the fortitude to endure her trials and finally, for both mother and son to find the peace, serenity and just maybe, hope and joy even during a deeply personal season of darkness. And while we’re at it, we might as well decide to make time for prayer ourselves. We need to grit our teeth and cut off the extremely intrusive electronic leash that is so much a part of our lives these days. We know we are in deep trouble when we have to post the latest “selfies” on FB even while we are in the restroom. Isn’t it time we weaned ourselves from having to spend too much time tethered to our gadgets? Our obsession with our tech toys may very well be another form of addiction. Dwell in the silence for that is where God is. How can God speak to us if our ears are stuffed up, our hearts are not right and our minds are cluttered with non-essentials all the time? Modern life is much too full of inane, sometimes insane, distractions assailing all our senses during our waking hours to make time for God. Dwell in prayerful silence for that is where God is. Perhaps we can even pray for complete strangers and those in our immediate orbit who we know are in dire straits but are either too timid or too proud to ask for help. Continued on Page SF6

community SF5 The entrepreneur mindset: Seeing your clearest what The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 6, 2019

must I have? Do I have the time to bring my ability to the next level? What should I improve to become better and better each day? How do I tap my existing resources and make JONATHAN OBOZA PETALVER the most out of it? Everything must be laid out and seen from the start. LARRY Farrell in his book 5. What CASHFLOW will “Entrepreneurial Book” made I need? 5 critical success factors in Do I have sufficient funds crafting a Vision Statement. to start? Do I need support Right out of the Matsushita from others to start the busiplaybook, there are questions every aspiring entrepre- ness? This must be answered and must be clear first prior neur has to answer. These to engaging yourself else this are the “What Questions” that matter most. Answering can be a pitfall. Now after analyzing these them can be turned into a Vi5 WHAT Questions, let us sion Statement that will give you the confidence and bring now pick one and make it a Vision Statement. you on top of your game! Let us take THE (Training 1. What do I really WANT Hub for Entrepreneurship) to do? Academy as an example. Want has more impact 1. We want to educate than LIKE. A lot of people I saw in the past, they like and and enable learners. 2. We are good at engagthey can but in the end they ing live workshops. do not WANT it in the first 3. Unmet needs in buildplace. All their efforts will just be put to waste. Decide on the product and service you would offer. 2. What am I really GOOD at doing? What do you think is your God-given strength? What is this something you can do day in and day out, without noticing what day and time it is! What does your friends or family notice about you and complement you for doing it? That is a great clue in what your are good at. It is your strength. 3. What UNMET market needs do I see? What great opportunity is out there that must be met? What is it that people are willing to pay for in exchange of satisfying and even exceeding their expectation? That is called opportunity. 4. What CAPABILITIES

One Global Academy

ing Entrepreneurial mindsets. 4. We need to address and communicate at each level. 5. Sustainable operational expense which is online. To provide an entrepreneurial Vision Statement, we will combine all 5 in one single statement in any order. Example of a Vision Statement: To educate and enable (what we want) learners in building their entrepreneurial mindsets (unmet needs), by effectively addressing and communicating at each level (capability) through highly interactive and engaging workshops (good at doing) with reasonable and affordable rates (cash flow support). *** Jonathan Oboza Petalver is the Founder and CEO of Petalver Management Consultancy Services. He is also the President and Dean of One Global Academy U.S.A.

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people & events The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 6, 2019

Toxic Air: the rise of secondhand vape and marijuana

WHILE the days of choosing between “smoking or non-smoking” sections may be long gone, the threat of secondhand smoke is as real as ever. Just take a look around — on the way to work, at a public park or beach, on the sidewalk, around your home, or just about anywhere. You don’t have to go far to run into secondhand smoke these days. It’s practically everywhere and that’s no coincidence. Secondhand smoke exposure has been skyrocketing and here’s why. • Secondhand marijuana exposure increased 86% in the last two years. • Secondhand vape exposure increased 67% in the last two years. Let’s pause here for a second and consider those numbers. That’s an awful lot of smoke. And that’s without taking into account the source that started this whole mess — cigarettes. That’s right, even secondhand tobacco smoke exposure went up almost 6% over the same time period. Between those three sources alone, we’re facing an issue that’s too big to ignore and almost impossible to avoid.

Naturally, you’re probably wondering: Is all of it harmful? Unfortunately, YES. Even vape and marijuana secondhand smoke contain toxic chemicals. To keep it simple, a good rule of thumb is that all secondhand smoke is harmful. No matter what it comes from or smells like, there’s no such thing as safe secondhand

California divorce, domestic violence, and US immigration laws

legal papers, and my spouse is abusive? If safety is a concern, we urge people to seek help first, particularly if there are minor children who may also be at risk of abuse. For non-emergency calls, individuals may Atty. LiLLi BAcuLi coLLins, EsQ dial 2-1-1 to seek help finding resources for health, mental CALIFORNIA divorce health, or temporary shelter. – “No Fault.” Options available for California is a no-fault victims of abuse: VAWA Selfdivorce state. A party filing Petition. for divorce does not need the The spouse or child of a consent of the other in order to file a Petition for Dissolution U.S. citizen or a Lawful Perma(Divorce) or, in some instances, nent Resident, or the parent of a U.S. citizen, who is battered to get a judgment of divorce. or subject to extreme cruelty What needs to happen may file a self-petition indeis that the other party (your pendently of the abusive U.S. soon-to-be ex-spouse) needs citizen or Lawful Permanent to be served with process. In Resident. proceeding in an action for The spouse or child must divorce, there are procedural demonstrate that he or she requirements dictated by law resided with the U.S. citizen that must be followed to enor Lawful permanent spouse sure that the other party has or parent; was battered or notice of the action (that is, subject to extreme cruelty that s/he is being brought to during the marriage (or, in the court for an action of divorce) smoke. That includes cigarillos and that s/he is given time to case of a spouse self-petitionand hookah, too. But despite er, the child was battered or respond. However, there is the rising threat of secondsubjected to extreme cruelty); no requirement for the other hand smoke, there’s actually the marriage was entered into plenty you can and should do. party to respond. There is no in good faith; s/he is otherwise Visit SecondhandDangers. requirement that s/he sign eligible for immediate relative org to download a free guide any document at all. All that and find out how to protect needs to happen is that s/he is or preference status; and has your family from all types of good moral character. properly served with process toxic secondhand smoke. In certain cases, though according to the rules. (Advertising Supplement) an individual has not suffered What if I do not have any physical harm, abuse can still be argued depending on the circumstances, since “abuse” is not limited to physical harm. Each application will be reviewed and examined on a case-by-case basis, and given the whole picture, an individual might just be able to show that he or she is a battered spouse or has suffered extreme cruelty from their U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident husband. If so, a VAWA Self-Petition will enable her to adjust her status without having to rely on their spouse. Deportability issues for green card holders with domestic violence conviction(s). A non-citizen, even if a Lawful Permanent Resident

The CTV Files

Joseph Marco

(green card holder) for ten years, is liable to be deportable if s/he commits or is convicted of certain crimes, even if it’s “just a misdemeanor.” A conviction for domestic violence can make a non-citizen deportable. A criminal conviction’s negative impact on immigration status. The Record of Conviction (ROC) details an individual’s criminal history – his/her arrest, what s/he plead to, and the final judgment/sentence. The relief(s) available to an individual facing removal/deportation proceedings will depend largely on that individual’s record of conviction. If you are a non-citizen, it is best to consult both with a criminal attorney and with an experienced criminal immigration attorney who handles deportation defense before pleading to anything in criminal court. No two cases are exactly the same. Consult with an experienced and competent family law and immigration attorney immediately, and more importantly prior to filing any applications with the USCIS, or prior to pleading to anything in any court, in order to explore their options and possible legal ramifications that they might be facing. As always, be wary of online tools that offer immigration help or notarios who are not licensed to practice law. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 495-8088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys.com; www. chuatinsayvega.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Photo from Instagram/@josephcmarco

Joseph to star in HBO Asia’s ‘The Bridge’ by Ryan aRcadio Inquirer.net

JOSEPH Marco jetted off to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to start working on his first international acting project, HBO Asia’s crime-drama series “The Bridge”. The “Los Bastardos” star began shooting for the series’ second season alongside other international actors on Monday, December 2, as seen in his Instagram post on the same day. He also showed moments of him on the show’s set alongside his fellow cast members Malaysian actor Bront Palarae, Singaporean actress Rebecca Lim, and Indonesian actors Ario Bayu and Miller Khan.

“Feels very surreal doing my first ever acting stint abroad!” Marco said. “It’s such an overwhelming experience to be able to work with international production and I really am grateful for it!” The said program is a remake of the Swedish TV series of the same title that originally aired from September 2011 to February 2018. Marco is not the only Filipino artist to appear in a project under HBO Asia recently. Bianca Umali and Sam Concepcion are also set to star in the said network’s fantasy series “Halfwords”. The show will be filmed in the Philippines under the direction of filmmaker Mikhail Red (“Eerie”, “Birdshot”).

The power of prayer... From Page SF5 There are people who feel diminished if they ask for help. They label themselves as proudly independent. The truth is that they are poor, unfortunate fools severely afflicted with hubris. Hubris, that extreme form of pride, the same brand that brought down the fallen angels, always prevents humans from seeking help. When we pray, we need to

learn how to delete specifics. God knows specifics — our blood type, our DNA, even the number of hair on our heads. God knows what we are asking for. The how, what, why, when and where of answers to prayers will have to be his call and his alone. God’s love for us is beyond all telling. It will be between God and each one of us alone Continued on Page SF7

IOCSF Choral Performs in Bay Area THE International Orange Chorale of San Francisco, a recipient of the 2011 Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, will have upcoming performances in the Bay Area on December 7 (Christ Church, 2138 Cedar Street in Berkeley, CA) and December 14 (St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell Street in San Francisco, CA). Both performances start at 7:30PM. The concerts will feature a selection of 20th and 21st century choral pieces by composers from the Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea. Among the composers represented in the program include Excelsis Betil-Viña, Fidel Calalang Jr., Ryan Cayabyab, Saunder Choi, Francisco Feliciano, Gregorio Responso Labja, Slamet Sjukur, Mary Katherine Trangco and HyoWon Woo. Led by artistic director Zane Fiala and with Robin Estrada as 2019 composer-inresidence, most of the pieces IOCSF will be performing this season come from the Philippines, a tremendously diverse country of more than 100 million people speaking over 100 languages. The Filipino composers, likewise, span diverse genres: sacred and secular, folk-influenced and avant-garde, popular and classical. On the sacred side, we have two settings of traditional liturgical texts in Tagalog: Fidel Calalang Jr.’s “Ama Namin” is a lush setting of the Pater Noster text filled with longing for peace and redemption, while Ryan Cayabyab’s “Aba Po, Santa Mariang Reyna” brings an energetic contrapuntal sensibility to the Salve Regina. Among the most complex pieces on our program is Mary Katherine Trangco’s “Juan 14,” setting “I am the way, the truth, and the life”; while among the most minimalist is Francisco Feliciano’s “To the Unnamed Light” on a devotional text by Rabindranath Tagore. Excelsis Betil-Viña brings us “GlongNgo Ko,” a raw and heartfelt, powerful hymn of praise in Cebuano and Giangan. Rounding out our sacred repertoire is the up-tempo, polyrhythmic “Cum Sancto Spiritu” by South Korean composer Hyo-Won Woo. The program also represents popular musical traditions with a contemporary choral sensibility. We include the simple, direct love song “Usahay” by Gregorio Responso Labja, while an arrangement by Saunder Choi of the childrens’ song “Leron, Leron Sinta” plays with rhythms, tempi, and harmonies to make a piece that’s anything but simple. Finally, we go to Indonesia for Slamet Sjukur’s “Tetabeuhan-Sungut,” in which the choristers imitate the sounds of a gamelan orchestra. “The music this season fits perfectly with our goal of

programming choral music that expands our listeners’ horizons,” says Fiala, who has collaborated on concerts and new works with composers including Jake Heggie, David Conte, Joseph Gregorio, Robin Estrada, Dominick DiOrio, Shaffer McGee, and Nico Muhly during his time with the chorale. “These pieces are intricately constructed, dramatically engaging, and loads of fun to sing. We can’t wait to bring them to you!” Named after the color of the Golden Gate Bridge, the International Orange Chorale, founded in 2003, is an auditioned volunteer-based chamber choir devoted to performing established repertoire of all periods, with particular attention to contemporary music including newly commissioned works by promising composers. IOCSF has performed world premieres of more than forty choral works by composers including David Conte, Nico Muhly, and Caroline Shaw, and has also presented regional premieres of works including Milton Babbitt’s “Music for the Mass,” Thomas Ades’ “Fayrfax Carol” and the 2008 revision of Jake Heggie’s “Faith Disquiet.” IOCSF has collaborated with Frederica von Stade, Zheng Cao, Jake Heggie, and Nicolle Foland; appeared as part of the Noontime Concert Series at Old St. Mary’s Church and the Noe Valley Chamber Music Series in San Francisco; performed in collaboration with the Yale Glee Club at Grace Cathedral; participated in the Haiti Earthquake Relief Concert at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland; premiered several commissioned works for the 75th Anniversary celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge; and served as a Featured Ensemble, giving both performances and master classes, at the Chorus America National Conference. Since its inception, the group has been committed to performing free concerts featuring challenging and imaginative a cappella choral programming. Zane Fiala, artistic director of IOCSF since 2009, has conducted a performance with the Yale Glee Club and has worked with guest clinicians including Ragnar Bohlin, Joseph Jennings, Ian Robertson, Magen Solomon, Joshua Habermann, and Vance George. In 2010, Mr. Fiala conducted IOCSF in the west coast premiere (and first ever unaccompanied performance) of Milton Babbitt’s “Music for the Mass.” His work with the ensemble has led to the premieres of dozens of compositions including his own Es la mañana llena and Cosmos. Mr. Fiala received his M.A. in Choral Conducting from San Francisco State University where he studied with Joshua Habermann (Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Dallas Symphony Chorus), and his B.A. in Jazz

The power of prayer... From Page SF6 in the silence of our hearts. It will be that space and time where there is no FB, no Instagram, no Snapchat, no Twitter — none of the things that tend to make pompous asses of ourselves demanding attention and approval from others. The answer to prayers is God’s call alone. We ask for help but end our prayers in humble supplication saying as Jesus said in agony as he prayed to the Father, “ … yet not my will, but yours be done.” We are simply conduits, pipelines of the flow of good that comes from God. But there is a residual effect when we suit up and become prayer warriors. The prayers we pray build layer upon layer an intangible aura of light and goodness that soak us, permeate and envelop us. And just like in the physical universe, what goes around always comes around. The laws of cause and effect also govern the spiritual universe. It is uncanny but most of us who try our best to nurture a spiritual life even as we take care of our bodies, have that instinctive gift for detecting which among us emanate this invisible shield of energy and

light. They are usually the ones with the quiet or sometimes effusive, contagious joy about them. Strangely, we tend to gravitate towards such people. After all, as humans, we are all in this together, from one generation to the next. As the Jesuit priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin once so astutely said of humanity: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” I have the strangest feeling that with faith and unceasing prayer, both mother and son and his new family will be just fine in the end. There is no doubt it will be a long tough slog but they won’t be alone. The woman has faith. She reaches out and asks for prayers and the ripple of powerful heartfelt prayers builds up like a tsunami wave that will burst open heaven’s door for the graces they need. Will we ever know for certain of the outcome? Perhaps not, but that is what faith does. We do not need to know. We simply trust in God’s ways. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Studies from Columbia College Chicago. Composer-in-residence Robin Estrada, meanwhile, ranks among the bold and innovative talents in Philippine contemporary music composition. The melding of Western forms with Southeast Asian musical styles in Estrada’s works accentuate the finesse and fire of the region’s cultural diversity, evoking a unique sound that brings Asia to the world of contemporary art music. The repertoire selection process for “East by Southeast” relied heavily on Robin’s extensive knowledge of Philippine choral music and contemporary Filipino composers. Awarded the Quimson Fellow by the Asian Cultural Council, Estrada has also received several awards, recognitions, commissions and has collaborated with various ensembles as composer-in-residence. Estrada’s music has been performed by groups including Volti, San Francisco Choral Artists, Empyrean Ensemble, Del Sol String Quartet, Ateneo Chamber Singers, Philippine Madrigal Singers, and the Australian Chamber Choir. For more information on the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco and upcoming performances, visit www.iocsf.org, www.facebook. com/iocsf/?ref=br_rs, or call Jon Diaz at (415) 694-8871.

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 6, 2019

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Boy Abunda’s Nanay Lesing passes away by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

MANILA — Licerna Romerica Abunda, mother of veteran Kapamilya TV host Boy Abunda, has passed away last December 1. She was 90 years old. Eastern Samar Rep. Maria Fe Abunda, Boy’s sister, confirmed the news last Monday, December 2, in a Facebook post written in Waray. A funeral mass has been held in Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City since Tuesday, December 3. In his book, Boy recalled his early life as a young child residing in Borongan, Eastern Samar, where he merrily participated in fiestas, went caroling during Christmas, and waited for his Tatay to finish his “bulangan” (“sabong”). A happy kid loved by both his parents, the author was always driven and outspoken as he entered various declamation contests. His Nanay would always be excited to pin ribbons on his shirt every school year. In Boy’s late night show “The Bottomline” last October, the host confirmed that

Boy and Licerna Romerica Abunda

his mother, who had dementia, had been in the hospital for weeks. “She’s the center of my life and I hope she’s not suffering. ‘Yun lang naman ang gusto ko sa nanay. She’s turning 91 in January, huwag lang masaktan,” Boy said at that time. “I am grateful in both joy and pain. Grateful because kahit nasasaktan ako, I’m being given the chance by God to be the best mother to my

ABS-CBN photo

mother and I’m being able to say thank you to her,” he added. Boy has been known for his love for his mother as he always reminded his viewers to “make your mama proud.” “I will be honest, I don’t know how I’m going to live my life without the presence of my mother. Pero katulad ng maraming sugal sa buhay ko, susuungin ko, because that’s the only way,” he said.

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - December 6, 2019