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Duterte seeks another year to end drug problem PNP back in drug war, PDEA still lead agency by Dana
SioSon AJPress
Saying there was a “notable resurgence in illegal drugs,” President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, Dec. 5 ordered the Philippine National Police to actively support the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the war on drugs. Inquirer.net photo
DATELINE USA
PhiliPPine President rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, December 7, said it may take him another year to put an end to the drug menace in the country. “i hope to finish the problem maybe give me just another year,” Duterte said in his speech during the mass oath taking of presidential appointees in malacañang. Duterte—who won the presidential race in landslide victory last year—initially promised to
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MODEL FAMILY. President Rodrigo Duterte gets a hug from a member of the family of Noe Diola, a recipient of the 2017 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) for sea-based category. The MOFYA is an annual event of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) aimed at recognizing outstanding OFW families. This year’s awarding ceremony was at Malacañang on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Malacañang photo
DOJ: Aquino included in dengue vaccine probe by Dana
SioSon AJPress
from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Trump travel ban given green light by Supreme Court thoUGh not a final ruling, the U.s. supreme Court on monday, December 4, gave the trump administration the green light to enforce its travel ban which had been blocked by judges in hawaii and maryland. the ban — in its third version — will prohibit residents of the six predominantly muslim nations of iran, libya, syria, Yemen, somalia, and Chad from traveling into the United states. travelers from north Korea and Venezuela are also said to be affected. the supreme Court’s monday announcement came unexpected, and with little explanation. it did though, signal that the high court may approve the latest version which was issued by President Donald trump in september.
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US working ‘very hard’ to return Balangiga bells the United states remains committed to reaching a resolution that would allow the return of the three Balangiga bells back to the Philippines, U.s. Ambassador sung Kim said on monday, December 4. in a television interview, Kim said Washington is working “very hard” to return the church bells which were taken from the town of Balangiga, eastern samar during the Philippine-American war in 1900s. the U.s. envoy echoed the earlier statement of Philippine Ambassador to the U.s. Jose manuel romualdez, expressing optimism that the Philippines will be able to retrieve the Balangiga bells soon. “We are continuing to work very hard to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution... i’m on the same page with Ambassador romualdez in the sense that, yes, we very much hope that the resolution will be soon,” Kim told in an interview with AnC’s headstart.
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former Philippine President Benigno “noynoy” Aquino iii is included in the national Bureau of investigation (nBi)’s probe into the procurement and administration of the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, according to the Department of Justice (DoJ). A health officer packs Dengvaxia vaccines in a box hours “everybody who was involved will after the Philippine Food and Drug Administration stopped be included in the nBi investigation,” the sale and distribution of the dengue vaccine. Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre ii ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan told reporters when asked if the for-
mer president will also be included in the probe. Aguirre has ordered the nBi to conduct an investigation and case build-up over the “danger to public health” of the dengue vaccination program launched by the Department of health (Doh) in April 2016 during the Aquino administration under then-health secretary Janette Garin. Under the Doh’s mass immunization program, more than 700,000 children in the country’s three highly endemic regions—regions iii Cen-
tral luzon, iV-A Calabarzon, and metro manila—were administered Dengvaxia last year. “We have to know why [the Doh] ordered such a huge amount of vaccine and immediately vaccinated 733,000 schoolchildren. is that appropriate?” Aguirre told reporters. the justice secretary also encouraged families of the children who were administered Dengvaxia to come forward and give their information to the nBi if their children would show adverse effects due to the vac-
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PH vice presidential poll recount to begin in February Palace: Philippines
the supreme Court (sC) will begin in february 2018 the recount of votes in connection with the election protest filed by former senator ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. against Vice President leni robredo. the poll protest and the recount of ballots shall cover the three pilot provinces of Camarines sur, iloilo and negros oriental. these were the areas chosen by marcos as the best provinces where he could prove the irregularities alleged in his protest. According to marcos’ lawyer George Garcia, their camp is glad that the ball will finally roll. “natutuwa kami, although na-delay nang konti, tuloy-tuloy na ito. sana matapos na pagbibilang ng mga balota (Although there was some delay, we are happy that it will finally happen. We wish that the counting was
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may leave ICC by Catherine
S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
fAns of filipino boxing icon manny “Pacman” Pacquiao have something to look forward to next year, as the former eight-division world champion assured that he will still fight. While he did not drop any names of possible opponents, Pacquiao disclosed that his camp is currently negotiating for a comeback match next year. “siguro mga January malalaman natin (Maybe we can know by January),” Pacquiao told ABs-CBn’s Dyan Castillejo. According to Pacquiao, his match will likely be scheduled sometime within the first half of 2018. “By April may laban na (There will be a match by April),” the fighting senator said. Pacquiao has not been in the ring since losing his
the Philippines may pull out its membership from the international Criminal Court (iCC) if it would not observe the “principle of complementarity,” which states that it will only exercise jurisdiction if a state is unwilling or unable to prosecute an official for serious crimes, malacañang said on tuesday, Dec. 5. “Although the statement has not been finalized, my statement is we agreed to be a member of the iCC because of the principle of complementarity that the court will only exercise jurisdiction if our courts are unwilling or unable to exercise jurisdiction on any crime cognizable by the international Criminal Court,” Palace spokesman harry roque said in a news conference. “And to violate the principle of complementarity would be to violate the very basis of our consent to be bound by the rome statute. And if this will happen, then there may be a possibility that the Philippines, like the three other African states, may withdraw from the rome statute of the iCC,” he added. roque said he will be attending the Assembly of state Parties, the iCC’s management oversight and legislative body, on December 7 in new York, where he will likely give the Philippines’ position on when the iCC can intervene in domestic affairs, a touchy topic given calls for the iCC to try President rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity over his controversial war on drugs. “As you know, we are a party to the rome statute of the iCC and the statement that is still being finalized will focus on the principle of complementarity, which says that the court cannot exercise jurisdiction unless a specific act complained about has been acted upon by domestic institutions… there is unwillingness if there are reasons for the states
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The ballot recount requested by former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to start on the second week of February this coming year, according to Romulo Macalintal, lawyer of Vice President Leni Robredo. In a statement on Monday, Macalintal said the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), would start collecting the ballots in Camarines Sur on Jan. 22. Inquirer.net photo
Pacquiao says next fight likely in April 2018 by AJPress
IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas poses with Manny Pacquiao during a recent visit to the latter’s Senate office. Senate photo
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From The FronT Page
Duterte seeks another year to... PAGE A1 curb the drug menace in the country within the first three to six months of his term, vowing to step down from his post if he failed to suppress the problem. But before his self-imposed deadline lapsed, the president sought for an extension of another six months as he admitted that he “did not realize how severe and how serious the
problem of drug menace” until he assumed power. He later on said his anti-illegal drugs campaign would have to continue until the end of his six-year term. Duterte’s drug war has faced criticisms from human rights groups over its alleged human rights abuses and killings during police operations. But in his speech this Wednesday, the
president said he would continue to ignore such criticisms. “I will not answer it anymore except to say that my oath of office demands that I protect the Filipino people and that the Republic of the Philippines is safe. That is the long and short of it,” the chief executive said. PNP back in drug war After being barred from joining the anti-illegal drugs campaign due to string of controversies, the Philippine National Police (PNP) can now participate again in cracking down narcotics in the country. According to Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte has signed a new memorandum directing the PNP to return to the drug war but under the supervision of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). “They (PNP) will participate now, whereas in the past all of them cannot do anything,” Roque said in a media briefing on Tuesday, December 5. The new memorandum, he said, “supersedes the earlier memo that designated the PDEA as the ‘sole agency’ that will deal with the anti-illegal drug operations.” Last October, Duterte ordered the PNP out of the drug war amid public outcry over alleged police abuses and killings of suspects, including teenagers. Replacing the PNP, he designated PDEA as the “sole agency” in charge of his anti-narcotics campaign. PNP records show almost 4,000 have been killed in drug war operations, but human rights groups have pegged the number at around 13,000. Despite allowing the return of the police to the drug war, Roque clarified that “PDEA shall continue to be the overall lead agency.” Welcoming the development, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the police will comply with Duterte’s directive. “We will follow the order of the commander-in-chief and chief executive,” Carlos said. PDEA also welcomed the PNP’s return to the anti-illegal drugs campaign. “PDEA welcomes the decision of the president. It has been the desire of PDEA that PNP will return in the fight against illegal drugs,” said PDEA director general Aaron Aquino. n
RISA UNDERGOES HIV/AIDS TEST. Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros leads this year’s commemoration of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) awareness at the Rizal Technological University in Mandaluyong City, Monday, December 4. Hontiveros gets tested for HIV every year to bring awareness and combat the stigma about the disease. Senate photo by Joseph Vidal
DOJ: Aquino included in dengue... PAGE A1 cine. Last week, Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine’s manufacturer, released an analysis which found out that for those not previously infected by the virus, more cases of severe disease could occur in the long term following vaccination upon a subsequent dengue infection. The DOH immediately suspended its dengue vaccination program following the disclosure of health risks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines also ordered Sanofi Pasteur to pull out its Dengvaxia vaccine from
the market, “pending compliance with the directives of the FDA.” FDA, likewise, directed Sanof to immediately “suspend the sale, distribution, marketing of Dengvaxia,” and to “conduct an information dissemination campaign through Advisories, Dear Doctor Letters and patient fora.” In a statement on Tuesday, December 5, Sanofi assured that they will work with the FDA to review the implementation of its order, and will hold dialogues with the regulatory body on the matter. “We were informed of the position of the Philippine Food and Drug Administration which was
published on December 4, 2017 and will work with them to review the implementation of their direction,” Sanofi said. “We will continue to seek constructive and transparent dialogue with them,” it added. Sanofi also clarified anew that Dengvaxia does not cause dengue fever. “We remind you that the dengue vaccine does not contain any viruses that can make people ill with dengue or severe dengue. If you have had no previous dengue infection before vaccination, the vaccine does not give you dengue,” the company said. n
Palace: Philippines may quit... PAGE A1
not to prosecute when there’s a clear duty to prosecute and there is an inability if there is no state organ in existence to prosecute, such as in the case of failed states such as Somalia,” Roque said. “Since we are not a Somalia, the issue is whether or not the ICC can take cognizance on any matter in the Philippines given that our courts–the only issue there is whether or not our courts are unwilling to prosecute a crime that is cognizable by the ICC,” he added. Last March, Roque said the ICC does not have jurisdiction over possible criminal charges filed against Duterte for alleged extrajudicial killings.
He made the statement even before Jude Sabio, lawyer of confessed hitman Edgar Matobato, sued the president for crimes against humanity before the international court. The case against Duterte before the ICC was filed amid the spate of killings linked to the government’s war on drugs. The complaint alleged that Duterte and at least 11 senior government officials are liable for murder and calls for an investigation, arrest warrants and a trial. It is the first time in the country’s history that a President has been accused of committing crimes against humanity. Last June, Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th and Magdalo party-list Rep.
Gary Alejano filed before the ICC a supplemental complaint against Duterte over his war on drugs. But Duterte’s chief legal adviser has said Trillanes and Alejano’s supplemental complaint against Duterte was merely based on “hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations.” “Their [Trillanes and Alejano] belated and remedial effort only goes to show that their initial complaint was based merely on hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations,” Salvador Panelo said in a statement. Panelo was confident that the petition lodged by the two lawmakers would not prosper, saying the ICC is merely a “court of last resort.” n
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PH vice presidential poll recount to begin...
PAGE A1 over),” Garcia said. Robredo’s counsel, Romulo Macalintal, said that first to be reviewed are the ballots from the
contested clustered precincts in Camarines Sur, the vice president’s home province, which will be retrieved on January 22, 2018 with the recount slated for
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • dEcEmbER 7-13, 2017
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Cayetano encourages OFWs to invest in PH
the second week of February. by Dana SioSon The vice presidential votes in AJPress Iloilo abd Negros Oriental will be counted next. (Jomar Canlas/ THE Philippine Department of ManilaTimes.net) Foreign Affairs (DFA) strongly encourages Filipinos working in Macau, Hong Kong, and other parts of the world to invest their earnings back in their home surgents; while the third bell was country. in South Korea. During separate town hall During his second State of meetings with members of the the Nation Address (SONA) in Filipino community in Hong July, Philippine President Kong and Macau on Sunday, DeRodrigo Duterte demanded the cember 3, Foreign Affairs SecreU.S. to return the Balangiga bells tary Alan Peter Cayetano urged back to the Philippines. Filipinos working abroad to conThe president, in his speech, sider investing in the Philippines emphasized that the bells serve to secure the future of their famias “reminders of the gallantry lies. and heroism” of Filipinos who Citing the Philippines’ unprec“resisted the American coloniz- edented 6.9 percent economic ers” and “sacrificed their lives in growth in the third quarter of the process.” 2017, Cayetano said overseas Last August, Romualdez said Filipino workers (OFWs) should he believes “that in the long run, “take advantage of the economic we will be able to get back those boom and start investing their bells” despite a law in Wyoming savings.” that prohibits such retrieval, not“Over the years, you and our ing that Philippines has “quite a other kababayans abroad have number of supporters and friends been investing in the future of in Washington, D.C.” (Dana Sio- our country,” Cayetano told Filison/AJPress) pinos who attended the meetings at the St. Joseph the Worker Church in Macau and at the Duke of Windsor Auditorium in Hong Kong. gration law. “Your remittances serve as Lawyers for Hawaii said, “Less investments not only in educathan six months ago, this court tion and housing but also for the considered and rejected a stay future of your loved ones back request indistinguishable from home,” he added. the one the government now The DFA secretary thanked presses.” “But the justification for that dramatic relief has only weakened. In place of a temporary ban on entry, the president has imposed an indefinite one, deepening and prolonging the harms a stay would inflict,” they by Patricia LourDeS Viray Philstar.com added. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of SENIOR officials of the PhilAppeals in San Francisco, and the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Ap- ippines and the United States peals in Richmond, Virginia, are discussed their shared concerns expected to hear the challenges in the region during the bilateral strategic dialogue between the to the travel ban this week. The Supreme Court signaled two countries in Washington that the issue was expected to be last week. Both the Philippines and the dealt with by the courts in a rather prompt manner. The Monday or- U.S. pledged to work together der read, “In light of its decision to put an end to North Korea’s to consider the case on an expe- ballistic missile and nuclear prodited basis, we expect the Court grams, which are unlawful, the of Appeals will render its decision DFA said in a statement released on Tuesday, Dec. 5. with appropriate dispatch.” Washington also welcomed Assuming the appeals courts reach a resolution quickly, the the Philippines’ compliance Supreme Court would then be with the United Nations Security able to decide on the issue by the Council Resolutions relevant to end of June. (Rae Ann Varona / the issue. Along with the U.S., the PhilipAJPress)
US working ‘very hard’ to return Balangiga... PAGE A1 The U.S. envoy, however, admitted that some veterans’ groups, local politicians and citizens are reluctant to return the bells to the Philippines. “Just as the issue of Balangiga Bells is a deeply emotional issue for the Philippine side, I think it’s similar in the United States,” Kim explained. The three bells were taken from Balangiga Church by U.S. soldiers as spoils of war in September 1901—where 2,500 Filipinos aged ten and up were killed in retaliation to an earlier attack made by Filipino guerillas that killed 48 U.S. soldiers. Two of the church bells were presently displayed at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming as a memorial to U.S. Ambassador to PH Sung Kim ManilaTimes.net photo U.S. troops killed by Filipino in-
Trump travel ban given green light... PAGE A1
Of the nine justices, seven were in support of the ban. Only two justices — Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor — were opposed. The Trump administration has continuously argued that fully blocking the ban was a threat to foreign policy concerns and national security. Trump first signed his executive order which barred admission to the U.S. from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen in January. The unexpected roll out caused panic and disorder as many found themselves stuck in airports or unable to return to the United States. The Trump administration’s second version of the travel ban was brought forth in March, but expired this fall. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement that the high court’s action on Monday was “a substantial victory for the safety and security of the American people.” “We are pleased to have defended this order and heartened that a clear majority Supreme Court has allowed the president’s lawful proclamation protecting our country’s national se-
curity to go into full effect,” he added. “The constitution gives the president the responsibility and power to protect his country from all threats foreign and domestic, and this order remains vital to accomplishing these goals.” Those against the ban say that the latest version, like previous versions, show prejudice against Muslims. Many have cited Trump’s recent actions on Twitter in which he retweeted a number of graphic anti-Muslim tweets and videos. Omar Jadwat, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project said, “President Trump’s anti-Muslim prejudice is no secret — he has repeatedly confirmed it, including just last week on Twitter.” “It’s unfortunate that the full ban can move forward for now, but this order does not address the merits of our claims,” he added. “We continue to stand for freedom, equality, and for those who are unfairly being separated from their loved ones.” According to the lawsuits filed in Hawaii and Maryland, the federal courts said that the latest travel ban violated federal immi-
Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano
the close to 219,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong and the 30,000 in Macau for their remittances, including from those in other countries, which continue to “fuel the country’s growth.” Cayetano also encouraged Filipinos to continue acquiring new skills to have access to “betterpaying” jobs. “I encourage you to attend regular skills enhancement and language trainings here in Hong Kong or Macau and even back in the Philippines as this will surely open better employment opportunities for you,” the DFA chief said. Cayetano further noted that President Rodrigo Duterte also “knows very well the important
Inquirer.net photo
role our overseas workers play.” “This is precisely the reason why he wants us to not only look after your interests and welfare but to also provide you with comfort and convenience,” he added. According to the DFA, OFWs can apply for passports that would be valid for 10 years starting January next year, which will lead to more efficient processing of multi-year work contracts for overseas workers. “This is one of reforms that responds to your needs as overseas workers and I assure you that the Duterte administration will strive hard to ensure that all your rights and interests are protected,” Cayetano said. n
PH vows to work with US in addressing N. Korea’s threat pines had been calling on North Korea to stop its weapons testing which increases tensions on the Korea Peninsula. Last week, Pyongyang launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that traveled about 1,000 kilometers before landing near Japan’s coast. Manila and Washington also reaffirmed their commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed South China Sea. The two countries stressed the importance of resolving maritime disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The joint statement, however, made no mention of China’s island-building activities
in the disputed waters, as well as the landmark ruling of the UN-backed tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands which invalidated Beijing’s historic nine-dash line claim. DFA Undersecretary Enrique Manalo and DND Undersecretary Ricardo led the Philippine delegation in the seventh bilateral strategic dialogue from November 30 to December 1. Meanwhile, Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense David Helvey co-led the U.S. delegation. The annual dialogue between the two countries is a venue for discussing political, security and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the U.S. n
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New PH envoy presents credentials to Trump US magazine again cites de Lima as a global thinker by Helen
Flores Philstar.com
by JHoanna
Ballaran
Inquirer.net
FOR the second consecutive year, American magazine Foreign Policy named detained Senator Leila de Lima as one of its Leading Global Thinkers. “From the beginning, (Senator) de Lima knew how dangerous her unfettered criticism of her country’s leader might prove,” Benjamin Soloway, an associate editor of Foreign Policy, wrote. “But de Lima has refused to shut up. The government is trying to ‘totally silence dissent and cultivate a culture of double standard of justice, where those allied with the president and his family are accorded impunity,’” he added. “Now, de Lima fears that Duterte could go even further to silence her. Today she refuses all prison rations, eating only food brought by visitors. While she fears for her safety, she is convinced that the international community’s scrutiny of Duterte’s rule is helping keep her
Sen. Leila de Lima
alive,” he narrated. De Lima is detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame over drug charges. She is accused of coddling and earning from drug lords at the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) during her term as secretary of Justice De Lima allegedly allowed convicts to sell drugs and enjoy lavish accommodations and perks, like hotel-like cells and concerts held at the NBP, in exchange for millions in drug money. She is accused of using the money for her campaign for the Senate. The senator joins the list of this year’s Leading Global reThinkers of 2017 for “openly defying President Duterte and his brutal war on drugs and paying the price with her freedom.” early this year, she was also recognized by Time Magazine as one of 100 Most Influential People, one of the Icons, by Amnesty International as one of the notable Women Human Rights Defenders in 2017, and more recently by Liberal International as “Prize for Freedom” Awardee for
Inquirer.net photo
2018, among others. This year’s Leading Global reThinkers include South Korea President Moon Jae-in, United Kingdom Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbin, French President emmanuel Macron, U.S. Senator Kamala Haris, artist and human rights activist Ai Weiwei, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Halley, among others. Foreign Policy says it selects annually a distinguished roster of people who have made an important impact on fields such as politics, diplomacy, science, and the arts. This year, it added, the magazine acknowledges its honorees as Global reThinkers — individuals from around the world whose actions are disrupting the status quo and impacting countless lives. Last year, the Foreign Policy magazine also named De Lima on its list of Leading Global Thinkers for her vocal opposition to the unabated spate of extrajudicial and summary killings in the country. She was honored “for standing up to an extremist leader” as one of the 13 Global Thinkers in the “Challengers” category under the 100 leading global thinkers for 2016. The Foreign Policy cited how De Lima bravely refused to be silenced by the blatant and incessant attacks by President Duterte’s allies as she stood her ground and vowed for her innocence against charges against her. Among the ranks of Foreign Policy’s 100 Leading Global Thinkers include former U.S. State Department Hillary Clinton, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and United Nations Secretary General Ban KiMoon. n
Pacquiao says next fight likely in... PAGE A1 World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight title to Australia’s Jeff Horn during a match last July in Brisbane. Pacquiao initially wanted a rematch against Horn but the Filipino boxer reportedly refused to have the fight again in Australia.
Asked about his supposed challenge to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) superstar Conor McGregor, Pacquiao said, “Wala pa kay McGregor (No news yet).” In a social media post last November 23, Pacquiao teased a possible match next year against McGregor when he used the
hashtags “2018” and “real boxing match.” “Happy Thanksgiving! Stay fit my friend. #realboxingmatch #2018 @thenotoriousmma,” the Filipino boxer posted on his Instagram account along with a photo of the UFC Lightweight Champion. n
PHILIPPINe Ambassador Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez has presented his credentials to U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House as part of diplomatic protocol. The Philippine embassy in Washington posted in its Twitter account a photo of Romualdez and Trump during their meeting last Wednesday, Nov. 29. Romualdez served as special envoy to the U.S. before accepting Malacañang’s nomination as ambassador to Washington. He will also have jurisdiction over Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and Grenadines and Saint Lucia. earlier, Romualdez said the bond between the Philippines and the US is “unbreakable” despite previous diplomatic irritants. As a treaty ally of the U.S., the Philippine military has had deep ties with its American counterparts and received defense equipment, weapons and training from U.S. forces for decades.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Babe Romualdez during his presentation of credentials at the White House.
Any other militaries, including that of China, will have to struggle to reach the level of that treaty alliance, he said. President Duterte repeatedly criticized the U.S. government during the time of then-president Barack Obama for raising concerns over his bloody campaign against illegal drugs. Duterte also vowed to realign the country’s foreign policy by befriending China and Russia
while vowing to step back on military engagements with the US. During his visit to the Philippines last month for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, Trump had nothing but praises for Duterte. Before leaving the country last Nov. 14, the U.S. leader told executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, “Tell Rodrigo I like him very much. He’s a good guy. I had a great time here.” n
Gina Lopez wins Seacology Prize by neil
alcoBer ManilaTimes.net
FORMeR environment Secretary Gina Lopez has been awarded the 2017 Seacology Prize by the U.S.-based nonprofit environmental conservation organization in recognition of her untiring environmental advocacy in the face of powerful opposition. She received $10,000 as part of the prize. Lopez was recognized in awarding ceremonies held at the Shangri-la hotel in Makati city on Monday, Dec. 4. She was initially awarded the prize on October 5 at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, California where the Seacology head office is. Now on its 27th year, Seacology gives the award to someone who has shown exceptional achievement in preserving island environments and culture. “Gina Lopez has shown the vision and courage the Seacology is meant to honor. She has fought for the Philippines environment and to give island communities there a voice in the
decisions that affect their natural resources and their lives,” Seacology’s executive director Duane Silverstein said. For more than 15 years, Lopez has been an outspoken champion of social and environmental causes. When she spearheaded the rehabilitation of the polluted Pasig river and nearby urban streams, she was named head of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. Her efforts there led to the cleanup of at least 17 tributaries in the Pasig river system. The former DeNR chief also led a campaign to save La Mesa Watershed, a once-neglected area that contains the last remaining rainforest of its size in Metro Manila, as well as the reservoir from which 12 million people get their drinking water. It is now La Mesa ecopark, a tree-lined park where urban dwellers can hike, fish, and ride mountain bikes or horses. As a leader of the Save Palawan Island movement, Lopez lobbied against the environmental ravages of mining on Philippine islands. Her stance
drew criticism from the powerful mining industry. That criticism intensified in 2016 when she became acting secretary of the Department of environment and Natural Resources (DeNR). She established the first-ever forums for consultations between the DeNR and indigenous groups, and shut down illegal fish pens in the country’s largest lake. But her strongest actions were directed squarely at mining operations, especially heavily polluting nickel mines. She banned open-pit mines and moved to shut down more than half of the operations of the country’s mining companies. These bold actions cost Lopez her job. In May 2017, members of the Commission on Appointments, some of whom had ties to the mining industry, voted her out. Lopez vowed to keep fighting. She has started I lOVe (Investments in Loving Organizations for Village economies) to lift Filipinos out of poverty by building green businesses at the grassroots level. n
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D ateline PhiliPPines Duterte tells appointees to avoid becoming ‘Judases’
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It’s final: SC upholds legality of martial Law in Mindanao
by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte Wednesday, Dec. 6, reminded his new appointees to shun corruption and to avoid being “Judases” who will betray his trust in them. Duterte said new government officials are like Jesus Christ since they entered the public service with the noblest intentions. But the “Jesus Christs,” the president claimed, could end up becoming Judases because of corruption. “So we all start with the noblest of intention, joining government… we start good,” Duterte said during the mass oath-taking of newly appointed officials and officers of private groups. “I hate to see you being a Jesus Christ, only to discover in the end that you are the Judas that I have been also looking for,” he added. Duterte was alluding to an anecdote involving Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, who is known for his “Last Supper” painting. The president said Leonardo’s model for Jesus Christ was also his model for Judas, the apostle who betrayed his master. “After he (Leonardo) paid (the model for) Judas, the model fell down on his knees and started crying,” Duterte said. “(The model said), ‘You know, Mr. Da Vinci, I was once upon a time your Jesus Christ and that is me there (in the painting)… ‘I am one and the same person,’” he added. But Duterte also used the anecdote to bash Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who has been accusing him of corruption. “He (Leonardo) looked for someone who was evil-looking like
by edu
PunAy Philstar.com
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte takes time to appreciate the painting of his portrait which was presented to him in Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, December 5. Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante
Trillanes,” the president said. “When he saw (the model), ‘Son of a b****, this is Trillanes,” he added. Duterte reiterated that he is bent on stopping corruption in government. “There is still corruption (in government). I am urging you know, even a slight suggestion or whisper about money, refuse,” the president said. “I am not trying to insinuate anything. But not during my time,” he added. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by newly appointed government officials, officers of the Filipino-Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc., Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc. Among the officials who took their oath were illegal
gambling whistleblower Sandra Cam, who was named board member of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office; former justice Agnes Devanadera, who has been appointed Energy Regulatory Commission chair; former Army chief Arturo Ortiz, who has been named board member of Clark Development Corp.; Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy; former Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, who has been appointed social welfare undersecretary; Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member Jesus Suntay; former presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, who has been designated foreign affairs undersecretary; presidential consultant for sports Dennis Uy; and acting agrarian reform secretary John Castriciones. n
This photo taken in July 2017 shows guerrillas of the New People’s Army (NPA) in formation near their camp in the Sierra Madre mountain range. Philstar.com photo
Duterte declares CPP-NPA as terror group by dAnA
sioson AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has proclaimed the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), as a “terrorist organization.” Duterte signed the proclamation on Tuesday, December 5, using Republic Act (RA) 10168 or “The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012” as basis, which lays down provisions on the financing of terrorist groups. Malacañang, however, clarified that the terrorist tag is not applied to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), which serves as the CPP’s political arm. In a media briefing, Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte signed the proclamation due to the “continued violent acts of the CPP-NPA which sow and
create a condition of widespread and extraordinary fear and panic among the populace.” Following the signing of the proclamation, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has ordered Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to file a petition seeking to classify the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group before a Regional Trial Court (RTC). This, in accordance with the provisions of the RA 9372 or the Human Security Act—which lays down acts that are defined as terrorism—according to Roque. “They (CPP-NPA) have been proclaimed by the president [as terrorists] and that has effect already because, of course, we don’t talk peace with terrorists now,” the Palace official said. “But for the purposes of the Human Security Act, the RTC must rule that pursuant to the government petition that the CPP-NPA is in fact a terrorist organization,”
he added. According to Roque, the court proceedings will also give the CPP-NPA the chance to be heard. Last November, Duterte terminated talks with the communist rebels amid the latter’s continued attacks on state troops. Welcoming the recent proclamation tagging the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla said the military can now “fully execute and perform its mandate without reservation or restrictions.” “This proclamation clearly classifies and labels the group for what they really are.... We can now address without any hesitation and with all the means and resources available to us the increasing criminal and economic sabotage activities of these terrorists,” he added. n
Supreme Court justices: More killings, drug users under Duterte administration by dAnA
sioson AJPress
THE number of killings and drug users have increased since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office last year, two Associate Justices observed during a hearing on Tuesday, December 5. During this week’s third and final session of the oral arguments on petitions challenging the constitutionality of Duterte’s drug war, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio noted that the number of drug users have increased from 1.5 million in 2015 to 4.7 million in 2016. Based on the data from the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Command Memorandum Circular (CMC) 16-2016, which contains the provisions of “Project Double Barrel” or the anti-illegal drugs campaign, there were 1.5 million drug users prior to the Duterte administration. Data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), however, showed that the number rose to 4.7 million in 2016, when Duterte assumed post and
launched the campaign. “So it actually increased during the term of President Duterte. Is that correct?” Carpio asked Solicitor General Jose Calida. In response, Calida said the data “was not really accurate and was understated.” During the hearing, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen also noted that there have been 4,000 deaths recorded since the implementation of the anti-illegal drugs campaign last year. “There are thousands upon thousands of people who are killed either in police operations or found on the side of the road,” Leonen said. He then asked the solicitor general, “Would you say we are now suffering a crime wave consisting of a lot of murders? “I am not an expert on that your honor,” Calida replied. “But with the 4,000 murders for a period of one year, don’t you think that this is something we should worry about, regardless of who these people are?” Leonen continued. “The police, of course, might be investigating them, but
it worries, of course, that there is such a break in law and order. Calida said there was a connection between the prevalence of drugs and index crimes. Rights groups Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and Center for International Law (CenterLaw) headed by Aileen Almora and Sister Ma. Juanita Daño respectively had filed separate petitions seeking to nullify Duterte’s drug war. In their petition, FLAG argued that the PNP’s CMC 16-2016 should be declared unconstitutional because it paves way for the police to kill suspects in guise of “neutralizing” them during operations. FLAG also assailed the legality of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular 2017-112, which establishes a system of anonymous reporting of suspected criminals. CenterLaw, on the other hand, filed the petition seeking the issuance of a writ of amparo to protect certain individuals and the residents of 26 barangays in San Andres Bukid, Manila, against the anti-illegal drug campaign. n
be implemented only in the place where actual rebellion exists. The government had repeatedly MANILA — The Supreme Court said martial law was necessary to (SC) on Tuesday, Dec. 5, upheld quell rebellion since Islamic State with finality the legality of Presi- (IS)-inspired local rebel groups dent Duterte’s martial law declara- had taken up arms against the tion in Mindanao. Philippine government to secede The justices voted 10-3-1 to Mindanao from the republic and affirm the high court’s decision last July dismissing three consolidated petitions seeking to strike down Proclamation No. 216 for lack of necessary factual basis. The SC dismissed the appeals filed by petitioners led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman for mootness and lack of merit. The high court stood firm in its ruling that there was sufficient factual basis for the declaration of martial law in Mindanao and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the region after the attacks of local terror group Maute last May in Marawi City. Those who voted in the majority to dismiss the appeals of petitioners were Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr. and Alexander Gesmundo. Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, who earlier also voted for the legality of the martial law declaration, was on leave and did not leave his vote. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa voted to partially grant the appeals and maintained their position that martial rule should be limited to some areas only. Associate Justice Marvic Leonen again sided with petitioners and was the only magistrate who voted to grant their appeals. The SC issued its final ruling as President Duterte was set to decide whether to extend the martial law declaration, which lapses by the end of the year. The Court reiterated its finding that the power to determine the scope of territorial application of martial law belongs to the President and that there is no constitutional provision that such emergency power should
to deprive Duterte of his powers and prerogatives. Petitioners filed motions for reconsideration, insisting that there was no sufficient factual basis to justify martial law implementation as several information cited in the proclamation were “false, inaccurate and contrived.” n
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OpiniOn
Features
Fake drugs
Besides the anti-dengue vaccine whose use may have put some 70,000 children at risk, the country has also been saddled with the proliferation of counterfeit medicine. For many years now, public health advocates have warned about the proliferation of fake drugs in the Philippines. The counterfeit drugs range from medication for common afflictions such as cough and diarrhea to maintenance drugs for hypertension and fake Viagra for erectile dysfunction. As early as 2010, health advocates had estimated that one in 10 drugs sold in the country was fake. Over the weekend the World Health Organization gave a similar estimate, but on a global scale, with developing countries including the Philippines reported to be the principal markets for fake drugs. WHO officials believe tens of thousands of children worldwide die every year from afflictions such as malaria and pneumonia due to the use of fake drugs. Of some 48,000 drugs covered by 100 studies reviewed by WHO experts, 65 percent of the fake medicines were for treating malaria. There are no suppliers if there is no demand. And demand in developing countries is high, not for fake drugs but for more affordable medicine. This is what suppliers of fake drugs can offer: products that
are dirt-cheap when compared with the branded originals. Those who profit from meeting this demand either produce fake drugs or bypass global rules on intellectual property rights, manufacturing generic or copycat versions long before international patents lapse, without the consent of the companies that developed the medicine. The companies then cannot impose product quality controls and efficacy of the imitations cannot be guaranteed. Fake drugs also proliferate in countries where regulation is weak. This is true in much of the developing world, including in the Philippines, where practically anything can be smuggled through Customs by anyone with the right connections and financial means. If P6.4 billion worth of shabu can breeze through the Port of Manila without even a cursory check, think of how many other types of illegal drugs including fake ones are waved through from what health advocates said were the top sources: China, India and Pakistan. If the government wants to protect public health, the smuggling must be stopped. The government
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS PRESIDENT Donald Trump gave his full support behind the candidacy of Roy Moore, a former judge who is running for senator in a special election in Alabama on December 12. Trump endorsed Moore despite the fact that at least six women have come forward, accusing Moore of making unwanted sexual advances toward them when they were teens, with one of them being only 14. Two of them accused him of assault and molestation. Moore was al-
RicaRdo Saludo IF there is war in Korea, will the Philippines take America’s side? Asked exactly that last week, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said: “As of now, we’re not prepared to say which side we will be on, other than … we want the UN charter followed, we want all parties to refrain from the use of force, we want all parties to utilize peaceful means in resolving this dispute.” Let’s hope Secretary Roque’s remark got to Pyongyang’s rocket man. Then maybe we won’t be on the priority target list of Kim Jong-un’s projectiles, despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s tough talk against North Korean nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development. The heat over Kim’s rocketing ambitions flared up again after he launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, which climbed over 4,000 km before dropping into the Sea of Japan—theoretically able to reach the continental United States. Minutes after the ICBM launch, South Korean warplanes promptly conducted practice air strikes in waters east of Korea, flying as far as the launch site was from their air base. Also keeping the pressure on Pyongyang, this week U.S. and South Korean air forces will hold military exercises. In times like this, one can appreciate President Duterte’s independent foreign policy of taking no sides in big power rivalry, and thus moving the Philippines off the firing line in Asia’s poten-
must also provide the manpower and resources — all acutely lacking in this country — to prevent the local manufacture, distribution and sale of fake medicine, and to expand the capacity for screening
all types of drugs for safety. Finally, to give justice to victims and prevent impunity, purveyors of counterfeit medicine must be caught and appropriate punishment imposed. (Philstar.com)
Trump endorses an alleged child molester for senator in Alabama: ‘He denied it!’ ready in his 30s then and was an assistant district attorney in Alabama. When the news about Moore broke out, several Republican leaders have distanced themselves from Moore, with some calling on Moore to step aside and quit the race. Even Trump’s own daughter Ivanka Trump said in an interview, “There’s a special place in hell for people who prey on children,” when asked about allegations against Moore. “I’ve yet to see a valid explanation, and I have no reason to doubt the victims’ accounts.” BUT for President Trump, it suffices that Moore DENIED the accusations of these women.
That was all that he needed to hear from the former judge, despite the pain, shame and damage the latter has caused these girls through many years, who have now mustered enough strength to tell their stories. This news about Moore allegedly preying on teenage girls was but one of the many stories of other women coming out to reveal the dark secret about how they had been sexually victimized by men in the workplace, at home, in the community — with the hashtag #MeToo as a platform for ordinary girls and women to speak up so this culture of sexual abuse and objectification of women may be addressed.
How Duterte is making the nation more secure Opinion
Philstar.com photo
tial hotspots. First of all, reduce threats That’s one of six crucial thrusts of the Duterte administration which are moving to enhance and strengthen the security of the Philippines now and in the future. These fundamental policy directions may not seem to matter much to national defense, and are even attacked by those claiming to be patriots. But think them through, and one can see why and how they will make us safer and stronger. First of these policy thrusts is President Duterte’s controversial independent foreign policy. It reversed the past administration’s headlong rush to become America’s military platform in Asia, mended fences with China, and cultivated warm relations and even military cooperation with all big powers. That accomplished the first aim of any security policy: reduce threats. By keeping nuclear-capable American naval and air forces out of the country, and making friends with China and Russia, President Duterte lessened potential hostilities with two major powers. And by openly affirming his trust that Beijing would desist from further island-building and militarization in the South China Sea, Duterte has put the onus on the Chinese to behave, and they largely have done so. Strategy No. 2: Engage China through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Not by stirring up anti-China agitation, as then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd did, but by pressing for a Code of Conduct to reduce tensions, avoid conflict, and boost confidence and cooperation in the South China Sea. Skeptics argue that China would never agree to a binding Code constricting its military power on the high seas. But just
as Duterte’s declaration of trust in Beijing prods it to show good faith, it also has to seriously work with Asean in crafting a credible and effective Code, or else dialogue loses, and the region turns to armaments and powerful allies to counter China. Third on Duterte’s defenseenhancing thrusts is regional security cooperation. Instead of depending on a superpower ally that is in rivalry with China, thus making the latter an adversary, the Philippines is engaging a wide range of nations, China included, in military exchanges. Japan is rapidly becoming the leading source of major external security hardware, with its donation or loan of some two dozen aircraft and patrol vessels to the country. Beijing has not objected, since Japan is not a strategic threat to China and will not put forces in the Philippines. China and Russia are also providing weapons and equipment, possibly including the country’s first submarine from Moscow. Also of great importance are the joint air and sea patrols with Indonesia and Malaysia, now targeting terrorists and pirates, but can also help secure maritime economic zones in future. Richer and stronger Asia-pacing economic growth is also a Duterte thrust, but how is that supposed to help defend the archipelago. No prizes of answering that a wealthy nation can buy or build better armaments without starving its people. Thanks to the Arroyo-era fiscal reforms in 2006, the Philippines was able to buy more attack planes and choppers, patrol boats, and tanks in succeeding years. And with even more resources under Duterte’s tax reforms and growth push,
Trump was asked what he thought about these women now speaking out about their sexual abuse and harassment stories to which he told reporters that it was great that they were speaking up, but maintained that Moore denied the accusations. He questioned why women were speaking out against Moore at this time, after decades, and suggested this was part of a conspiracy to damage the candidacy of Moore. Moore denied all allegations, and that was all that mattered to him. He was effectively saying that these women, who were allegedly victimized by Moore when they were teenage girls, were all liars.
Street Talk GReG B. MacaBenta
ADVERTISING is one indicator of changes in lifestyle, social mores, fashion and language. One such development that has become apparent in U.S. television commercials is the use of mixed race families (i.e., an AfricanAmerican husband, a Caucasian wife and mixed-race children). This would have been unthinkable only a few decades ago. In 1978, at the Advertising Age workshop that I attended in Chicago, the only non-white commercial endorser was Bill Cosby. For years, Hollywood-type white models were mandatory for all kinds of mass-marketed products in the U.S. – pretty much the way they were in TV commercials and print ads in the Philippines. America was still coming to grips with the concept of civil rights and racial equality, and we Filipinos were still weighed down by the monkey on our backs called “colonial mentality.” The election of half black, half white Barack Obama to the presidency may have marked the most dramatic change in the attitude of American society towards “people of color,” a euphemism for non-whites. Obama epitomized the national leader who possessed all the positive qualities of the white man and the black man, as well. Handsome, charismatic, eloquent. He was the “ideal blend,” the poster boy for racial equality. To use a phrase I coined in a feature article in 1989, Obama represented the Browning of America. Not plain white or plain black but rich brown. In the 1990s, I used that phrase again, along with the headline PAGE A7
Sounds familiar? Trump himself had been accused by at least 16 women of sexual misconduct and of sexually violating women, even without their consent. During the “Access Hollywood” open mic interview scandal that broke during the presidential campaign, Trump gloated he could do everything because of his celebrity status. BUT of course, Trump was using the “deny and deny” template to claim innocence. It worked for him before, why wouldn’t it work for Moore? He said the women who were accusing him were liars, and said he would sue them when he becomes president. He has not done so up to now.
Therefore, Trump has now thrown his 100 percent support for Moore. Nevermind his questionable character, Trump told voters they should vote for Moore and not for a liberal. Respect for women? Respect for the truth? Respect for the laws and the rules and morality? For Donald J. Trump, president of the United States of America, it is all about winning — no matter what the cost. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https:// www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
The browning of America for an ad, “Old Glory was never intended to be plain white.” It was an ad for PG&E’s policy of diversity in hiring. The recent emergence of mixed race superstars, like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, in spectator sports which have been traditionally dominated by blacks, may have reinforced the concept of racial “balance” and “blending.” Perceptive advertising practitioners have been quick to adapt their creative strategies to this development. Unfortunately, not just ad men appear to have done this, but politicians, as well – specifically the “Washington outsider” who became president, Donald Trump. To set things in perspective, there was a time in American history when the separation of races was seen by mainstream Americans as a divine mandate. For decades anti-miscegenation was the law in most of the states. It was illegal for “people of color,” particularly blacks (and including Filipinos in some states like Maryland) to marry a white person. Following is an entry in Wikipedia: “In 1967, 17 Southern states (all the former slave states plus Oklahoma) still enforced laws prohibiting marriage between whites and non-whites. Maryland repealed its law in response to the start of the proceedings at the Supreme Court. After the ruling of the Supreme Court, the remaining laws were no longer enforceable. Nonetheless, it took South Carolina until 1998 and Alabama until 2000 to amend their states’ constitutions to remove language prohibiting miscegenation. In the respective referendums, 62% of voters in South Carolina and 59% of voters in Alabama voted to make
the amendments. In Alabama nearly 526,000 people voted against the amendment, including a majority of voters in some rural counties. “In 2009, Keith Bardwell, a justice of the peace in Robert, Louisiana, refused to officiate a civil wedding for an interracial couple. A nearby justice of the peace, on Bardwell’s referral, officiated the wedding; the interracial couple sued Keith Bardwell and his wife Beth Bardwell in federal court. After facing wide criticism for his actions, including from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Bardwell resigned on November 3, 2009.” In truth, racism has never really disappeared in the US, but the civil rights movement and the rise of a more enlightened American society left only the fringe groups like the neo-Nazis clenching their futile fists, while the closet racists remained in the closet. The tumultuous presidential campaign of Trump and his equally unsettling presidency may have opened the Pandora’s box of racist resentments that, according to one TV political analyst, had been exacerbated by Obama’s election. Adding to the volatile brew has been the feeling among those in the American heartland that they are retrogressing in a country they are told is their own but which is being dominated by all kinds of foreigners, including illegals and potential terrorists. The same TV analyst described the American heartland as “the new ghetto.” Trump has made no effort to soothe these resentments. In fact, he appears to be encouraging them. His response to the racial riots in Charlottesville, and his subsequent statements, were PAGE A7
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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Chief Justice: Judiciary doing its part for transparency by Edu
Punay Philstar.com
MANILA — The judiciary has been doing its part and has implemented measures for transparency in government. Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno said this on Monday, Dec. 4, as she addressed the recent call of President Duterte for the Supreme Court (SC) to allow public access to information on affairs of the judiciary. In a statement issued by the SC public information office, Sereno stressed that the judiciary has since 2012 implemented reforms as part of its transparency program even without the Freedom of Information law, which remains GRADUATION. Caloocan policemen gather at the grandstand in Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police, during the closing pending before Congress. The SC chief cited several rites of the reformation and reorientation program. Caloocan City policemen who were suspended in September have finished their retraining and will be back on duty next week, Metro Police chief Oscar Albayalde said on Monday, Dec. 4. 1,076 policemen were given the boot following measures, including releasing the killing of Kian de los Santos and Carl Angelo Arnaiz. However, only 972 policemen passed the retraining program. the summaries of statements of ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez assets, liabilities and net worth of justices since 2014 as well as fiscal and financial data, like the disbursements from the Judiciary Development Fund and Annual PAGE A6 Two ways. First, by tightening Procurement Plans. ism and communist insurgency, Also among these are the audio the country may finally be able if they finally put these decades- border controls to stop contrato acquire the maritime surveil- old violent movements to pas- band, we keep out not just drugs live-streaming of oral arguments lance aircraft, anti-ship missiles, ture, would finally enable the and drug-making materials and and the posting of relevant pleadand air defense systems long Armed Forces to channel AFP equipment, but also guns, ex- ings and legal documents on urged by Washington defense resources to defending our terri- plosives, and other war-making cases of public concern in the SC gear. tory and sovereign rights. website. experts. But more important, in taking So, instead of expending tens Through the SC PIO Twitter Former National Security Adviser and Parañaque congress- of billions of pesos yearly on down narco-politicians, Presi- page, the high court also posted man Roilo Golez, a graduate of small arms and foot soldiers, dent Duterte is stopping the the issuance of updates on relthe U.S. Naval Academy, has once peace is concluded with takeover of our democracy by evant and current developments, advocated buying about 200 su- Muslim rebels, and war is won shabu-funded officials under the personic anti-ship missiles from against Islamic State cohorts thumb of overseas drug cartels, India. Mounted three on a truck, and the New People’s Army, which could very well be used the BrahMos projectile can hit the military can then build up by big powers to influence and by ElizabEth MarcElo targets more than 300 km away air and naval forces needed to control our government. Philstar.com Plainly, the war on drugs is — enough to guard the country’s assert and defend our maritime also a battle against foreign coninterests. exclusive economic zone. What about the anti-drug war? trol. The last two Duterte initiatives MANILA — After nearly three One can now see why our sol- months since he was freed from seem focused on domestic peace How will dismantling the narcotand order, but they too greatly ics networks, including their pro- diers and police support Presi- detention through bail, former enhance external defense. The tectors in government, supposed dent Rodrigo Duterte. (ManilaT- Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is now seekimes.net) current war on extremist terror- to fight off foreign invaders? ing the court’s permission for a six-day holiday vacation in Hong Kong with his family. In his motion filed before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, PAGE A6 ceptance of sex change as a per- there are sectors in America’s Estrada said his family intends to widely perceived as pandering to sonal privilege, and same-sex heartland (and even some areas spend the holidays in Hong Kong the neo-Nazis. marriage vs. traditional concepts in ostensibly enlightened Cali- from December 26 to 31, 2017. “After accused-movant was alIf racism has ever had a more of matrimony. fornia) who are standing fast on lowed bail, the family have been fertile breeding ground in AmerWill this situation get worse? their belief that God has mandatica, it has been during the brief It could. What is certain is that ed racial segregation and a vio- longing for bonding outside of the country. The Christmas holidays presidency of Trump. Worse yet, the confusion is getting worse, lent confrontation is inevitable. this resurgence has been mixed with nonsequitor arguments beMercifully, Trump’s term is would be the most opportune up and confused with conserva- ing thrown into the boiling caul- only for four years and, hope- time to have this,” Estrada’s motism, which in turn has run right dron. fully, he will realize the folly of tion read. Estrada said he would submit a up against the blossoming of Hopefully, in California where aspiring for a second term. lifestyles and attitudes that are my family resides, enlightened And, hopefully, the browning detailed itinerary should the court allow his request but said that in direct conflict with conserva- liberals will triumph over the rac- of America is here to stay. tive mores and beliefs, such as ists and bigots without discount(gregmacabenta@hotmail. his family intends to stay at the Marco Polo chain of hotels for the equal rights for LGBTs, the ac- ing valid conservative values. But com)
How Duterte is making the nation more...
Bar exam results and approval of new rules and procedures and guidelines to judges. Aside from these, the SC PIO also conducts press briefings on Tuesdays after each session of the high court, Sereno added. “The Court is also deliberating on a draft Rule of Access to Information about the Supreme Court pursuant to its power to promulgate rules and its power to supervise the lower courts,” Sereno revealed in the statement. The Chief Justice issued the statement in response to President Duterte’s call, during a speech last Dec. 4, on both the legislative and judicial branches to join the executive branch “in strengthening our democracy institutions by following suit and instituting measures that would allow unfettered public access to relevant information about their affairs.” No delay in benefits Meanwhile, her camp has denied the impeachment charge that she was liable for the delay in the release of survivorship benefits of spouses of deceased justices and judges. Lawyer Jojo Lacanilao, one of Sereno’s spokespersons, said there is no factual basis for the allegation in the impeachment complaint of lawyer Lorenzo Gadon that the Chief Justice sat on these applications. “The Chief Justice did not ‘intentionally delay’ action on
petitions for retirement and/or survivorship benefits, which applications are in the first place required to be decided by the Supreme Court as a collegial body,” he explained in a statement. He claimed that the SC chief even took action to address the concerns of surviving spouses of members of the judiciary. “The Chief Justice is sympathetic with the plight not just of retirees in the judiciary but of the people who long for an expeditious resolution of their cases. To this end, she has even instituted measures to rationalize and expedite the very process respecting retirement benefits that complainant assails,” the lawyer stressed. Lacanilao also clarified that Sereno was not the one who created the technical working group to review applications for survivorship benefits, contrary to the testimony of Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez during the hearing of the House justice committee on Monday. He explained the TWG was created upon the request of the SC special committee on retirement and civil service benefits through Memorandum Order 432015 dated Nov. 16, 2015, which was approved by Sereno and Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. – the chairs of the two other SC divisions. n
Jinggoy seeks court’s nod for holiday vacation in Hong Kong
The browning of America
entire duration of the trip. Estrada maintained that he is not a flight risk as proven by his return to the country after he accompanied his father, former president and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada in a medical check-up in Singapore last month. The younger Estrada said he had long promised to his wife Precy and their children Janella, Jolo, Julian and Jill that, if the court permits, “all of them will take a holiday trip to a near Asian country.” Estrada said they chose Hong Kong as their travel destination “due to ease of securing flight and hotel bookings.” The Fifth Division had earlier issued a hold departure order against the younger Estrada for his pending cases of plunder and 11 counts of graft in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance
Fund or pork barrel during his term as a senator. He is accused of receiving P183-million worth of kickbacks from alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles in exchange for allocating portions of his PDAF from 2004 to 2012 to the latter’s bogus NGOs for the supposed implementation of his livelihood projects. The Office of Ombudsman, which filed the cases in June 2014, said Estrada’s projects turned out to be “ghost” or fictitious. Estrada was detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City since June 2014 for his plunder case. But on September 15 of this year, the Fifth Division allowed him to post bail on the ground of the supposed lack of evidence from the prosecution showing that he is the “main plunderer” in the case. n
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • dEcEmbER 7-13, 2017
VEGAS&STYLE
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Journal
A speciAl feAture on the Automobile industry (pArt 2)
driver’s license and car registration 101 Car complaints: What to do
when you have a defective car
by KlaRize
Medenilla AJPress
When i first learned how to drive, i was baffled with how much paperwork is actually involved. however, it turned out to not be as scary and complicated as i thought. Car registration and the driver’s license are two of the most important components for every driver. Car registration is proof that you’re the owner of your car and your driver’s license is your passport to the roads. All applications for car registration and driver’s license are done through the Department of motor vehicles (Dmv). the notoriety surrounding the lackluster customer service at the Dmv is not a myth. many folks are subjected to long lines, famously unpleasant staff members and antiquated methods of processing requests. But not every interaction and trip with the Dmv has to be a nightmare. many services can be done online at www.dmv.ca.gov, but there are some things that need to be done in person. if a trip to your local California Dmv is needed, always make an appointment so you don’t have to wait in line. here’s a refresher on what car registration and a California driver’s license are and how to retrieve them: Car registration: What is it and how do I do it? the purpose of car registration is to establish a link between the vehicle and the owner(s) if the vehicle. if someone is convicted of any crimes, oftentimes the car registration is the first place law enforcement points to. every car (new or used) that you purchase from a licensed California dealer must be registered with the state. the dealer collects use tax fees to register and title the car, and those use
by Ritchel Mendiola AJPress
taxes are forwarded to the state Board of equalization. once all that is processed at the Dmv, you’re given temporary operating authority. typically within 6 to 8 weeks after you purchased the car, you’ll receive a registration card, license plates, stickers (placed on license plates to indicate the month and year of each year of renewed registration) and a California Certificate of title. Registration typically lasts for a year, after which time you must renew your auto registration. Renewing car registration only takes a few clicks online. head to https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/onlinesvcs/registrationrenewal and follow the steps. You should have the following with you before you renew: • License plate number • Last five digits of your vehicle identification number (vin) • Smog certification filed with the Dmv • Renewal notice that was mailed to you that shows your current address or a confirmation through the Change of Address system that logged your updated address • A method of payment to pay the mandatory renewal fee
in the mail, you’ll receive proof that you’ve renewed your registration and new stickers to place on your plate. however, if you buy a car from a private owner, it’s a different story. You must transfer the ownership of the vehicle with 10 days and you’re to submit the following documents to the Dmv: • An endorsed and completed California Certificate of title oR Application for Duplicate or Paperless title (ReG 227) form • Smog certification, if applicable • use tax payment, if applicable • odometer mileage Disclosure Statement, if applicable. • necessary vehicle registration fees Driver’s License: how to apply and when to renew Getting a driver’s license is a big moment everyone’s lives. it’s basically a rite of passage into adulthood. not only does it allow you to legally drive, it’s also used for self-identification. Whether you’re a teen driver or an adult first-time driver, the process to obtain a driver’s license is pretty much the same: • make an appointment loPAGE B2
Automotive complaints can be difficult to deal with, especially when you don’t know how to proceed with what to do. You don’t want to end up in a dead-end dispute with the dealer or manufacturer, but it might result to that if you don’t know the proper way to complain. the first thing you have to do is find out if your complaint is legitimate. Write down your car’s issue/s, why you were dissatisfied, and how you want to resolve it. take the time to consider if your complaint is valid in order to save time and effort. Setting this straight will help you communicate more effectively. 1. Time is essential. Complain as soon as possible so you can have a better chance of settling issue. there are some cases where companies are not legally liable if you fail to complain within a reasonable time. So, as soon as you discover the problem and figure out if it’s legitimate, act quickly. 2. Keep records. Keep all relevant information such as your
account number, receipt and invoices, and record a log of your conversation when you take it up with the dealership, including the time and date. Remember to be assertive, but not to the point where you come off as aggressive. Communication between you and the salesperson you’re dealing with will flow so much better and easier when you’re not angry. 3. Go to the next step. if needed. if the problem isn’t resolved quickly or if the customer care representative is unhelpful, you can escalate your complaint by politely asking if you can speak to someone with the authority to help you resolve the issue. Don’t hesitate to send out an email about your complaint to the owner, president, or chief executive officer (Ceo). once a solution has been proposed, ask them to put it in writing as proof and a part of your paper trail. 4. Find alternatives. if you fail to resolve the problem, consider looking at other alternatives. Seek advice from consumer groups as they offer free consultation about consumer problems. there are
government agencies that give advice and information that may help you in your complaint. You can also contact a lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options. 5. The power of social media. Social media is a powerful tool to expedite a process and give consumers the power to quickly make their grievance public. Companies and businesses usually avoid getting publicly shamed so venting on twitter or Facebook will put that pressure on them to act and see things your way. if all things fail, take legal action — but only if you are prepared to wait as legal action may take some time. in truth, however, an automotive complaint will rarely go to court if it’s reasonable. Just research thoroughly, and find the balance between being persistent and patient as you go through the process.
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B december 7-13, 2017 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL
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Staying safe on the road by Jennifer Soriano AJPress EvEryonE seems hyped up for the holidays, hurrying to wrap up their shopping and head on to parties and get-togethers. This holiday season, chances are, you will be spending much of your time traveling. Since streets will be a lot busier (and in some places, raining, snowing or covered with ice and frost), it’s a time that calls for a driver to be extra vigilant on the road. Here are some tips to stay safe on the road: Make a safe driving plan Leave enough time for you to take stops for food, rest breaks, phone calls or other business. Also, before putting the car in
gear, adjust mirrors, seats and climate controls. Don’t drink and drive Driving under the influence is a problem all year round, but reports reveal that every December, there’s a spike in road fatalities in the United States between Thanksgiving and new year. So, if you plan to indulge in a drinking spree, common sense says: Don’t drive! you can stay the night. If you insist of going home, just take a cab, order a ride via an app, or designate a driver who’ll take you home. Drive defensively Be aware of what other drivers around you are doing, and expect the unexpected. Always assume that other motorists can do something that might cause accidents,
and be prepared to avoid them. road safety experts say drivers must maintain a 2-second cushion between you and the car in front of you. If the weather is bad, make it four seconds. Watch out for emergency vehicles In an emergency situation, every second counts. The moment you hear a siren, be sure to pull off to the side of the road to allow the, police car, ambulance, or fire truck to pass. Carry an emergency kit A good driver keeps an emergency kit should that comes in handy if ever the car is stranded on the side of the road or involved in a vehicle accident. your kit should include bandage strips, hand sanitizer, antiseptic, antibacterial ointment, bug spray, aspirin (or similar), cotton balls, gauze pads, tweezers, a bandana that can be used as a tourniquet or sling, small fire extinguisher, road flares, jumper cables, rain ponchos, flashlight and extra batteries, rags, duct tape, scent-free baby wipes, and a multi-purpose tool. Pull off the road if you feel tired Driving while feeling sleepy is a deadly mix. Do not ever attempt to drive when you feel like just shutting your eye for a good rest. Pull off the road and stop for a break and have a short rest. For long drives, anticipate being sleepy at a given time. Given that, you can bring someone who is licensed driver whom you could take turns with in driving.
Driver’s license and car registration... PAGE B1
cal California DMv office and complete a Driver’s License or Identification Application (Form DL 44) • If you’re under 18, you’ll need a parent or guardian’s signature • Provide social security number and verify birth date and legal presence • Submit certification that you completed driver education or training or proof of enrollment • Give a fingerprint • Pay the driver’s license fee — in California, it’s $33 • Give another fingerprint, provide a signature and have your picture taken — all these will appear on your driver’s
license • Pass the written knowledge test — for teen drivers, there are 46 questions and a passing score is at least 38 questions correct. For driver’s over 18, there are 36 questions. you have three chances to pass the test and if you fail, you must wait 7 days before retaking • Schedule a pass/fail road test — you have three chances to
pass the driving test. If you fail, take some time to practice then you may make another appointment. There’s no waiting period, but you must pay $6 for each additional driving test. once you pass the road test, congratulations! your new driver’s license will be mailed to you in the next 90 days. your California driver’s license expires every five years on your birthday. Two months before it expires, the CA DMv will mail you a renewal notice. you can renew your license online, by mail, by phone or in person. For more information on car registration and how to obtain a driver’s license, visit www.dmv. ca.gov. Happy driving!
The 2018 Cadillac CT6 Sedan with Super Cruise is the first true hands-free driving system. The Super Cruise feature allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel on limited access freeways, but still requires drivers to remain attentive and alert.
Electric vehicles a big showcase at the lA Auto Show Annual showcase of the latest automobiles include self-driving vehicles, more clean energy mechanisms and a push to make electric vehicles more accessible by Klarize Medenilla AJPress THE automotive industry is all about innovation: where can we take the automobile next? When cars were mass produced at the turn of the 20th century and and more and more drivers were on the road, it seemed that the evolution of the automobile rapidly advanced as technology and engineering became more sophisticated. With the growing threat of climate change and a push by activists and lawmakers to reduce our carbon footprint, the clean energy movement has ballooned into a global movement in the 21st century. Included in that conversation was how we can limit fuel emissions of our automobiles. The invention of the hybrid car’s electric motor allowed for less fuel consumption (there less fuel emissions), but manufacturers still strived to create a vehicle that didn’t need a trip to the gas station. Enter the electric vehicle (Ev). Tesla Motors — with their introduction of the first luxury electric sports car in 2006 — ushered in the era of the completely electric vehicle that seeks to make gasoline-powered cars obsolete and address the growing concerns of transportation’s impact on the environment. Experts and lawmakers agree that the shift to Evs is a signal to the future. “Transportation impacts our air quality and also our climate goals, and to shift over to electric vehicles that limit tailpipe pollution is a strategy California is working on in order to address those clean air standards and our climate change goals,” Commissioner Janea A. Scott of the California Energy Commission told the Asian Journal at a power lunch and forum hosted by the California Electric Transportation Coalition (CalETC) at first day of the Los Angeles Auto Show on Friday, Dec. 1. However, as many new technological innovations, the Ev has been met with many stigmas and concerns. one of the biggest concerns with the expansion of fully electric cars is the price point and to make them more accessible to more lower-income communities. Community members as well as car industry and energy experts at the CalETC forum agreed that expanding the accessibility of more environmentally-friendly
The 2018 Lexus LC 500 features the all-new 10-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission, which promises quick shift times at lightning speed in what Lexus describes as “the most expressive Lexus ever built.” AJPress photos by Klarize Medenilla
cars will be beneficial to the clean air movement as well as the communities. “For me the message becomes once you figure out the pricing and accessibility to these communities, as the vehicles become more accessible through education and opportunity to these communities then the messaging can be how to get more cash in your hand that you can re-invest in education or in areas of their lives, personally or for their children or for their community. That is the critical issue,” said Pastor najuma Smith-Pollard of Word of Encouragement Church. In general, plug in hybrid electric vehicles — which utilize a part-electric/part-fuel running system — and battery Evs range anywhere from $27,100 (like the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime) to more than $82,500 (like the 2017 Tesla Model X). Used vehicles, of course, cost lower. one of the most crucial arguments for the financial benefits of driving a car that runs on electricity is the savings on gas in the long run. Fueling a hybrid car, for example, is about the same as gas at $1/gallon of fueling with gasoline, according to Plug In America, an advocacy organization focused on clean air initiatives. Evs also currently produce about half the carbon pollution of gasoline cars, and that number is slated to decrease as the technology to manufacture Evs becomes more sophisticated. Whether it’s for financial reasons or to contribute to clean air initiatives, more and more drivers are opting for hybrid cars or fully-electric vehicles. Sam Perez, nurse practitioner in Arcadia, California, made the switch to a hybrid car when
Tesla’s Model S is marketed as “the safest, most exhilarating sedan on the road.” The electric vehicle pioneer promises lightning speed acceleration, full LED adaptive headlamps and a medical-grade HEPA in-air filtration system.
he bought a 2015 Chevy volt, which was “a little over my price range.” “originally, I thought that spending a little more money for a car that needed less gas was the most important thing when I was searching for a car years ago,” Perez, 35, told the Asian Journal. “But then, I started reading about the overall impact of electric, or at least partially electric, cars and saw the projections of more people opting for these cars and it really surprised me.” Standing at the Land rover exhibit, Perez said that he’s saving money to buy one of the new Land rover vehicles, all of which are to utilize electric mechanisms by 2020. The company’s first foray into Ev technology comes in the form of the much hyped 2019 range rover and range rover Sport P400E models, which features a turbocharged 2.0- liter-four cylinder with an electric motor to create a combined 398 horsepower. “When you think Land rover or range rover, you don’t really think ‘fuel economy,’” Perez said with a laugh. “But I think it’s great what these more luxurious companies, which aren’t really known to be environmentallyconscious manufacturers, are doing now.” Self-driving cars were also the rage at the LA Auto Show with many manufacturers showing off their takes on technology that allows drivers to relax a little. The sleek 2018 Cadillac CT6 with SuperCruise features Super Cruise technology that allows drivers to go hands-free while driving on the freeway. Although not a fully self-driving car (drivers must remain alert and ready to brake), Cadillac’s introduction of the first hands-free system gestures to a more automated vehicle. Amid all the glitz of nissan’s elaborate “Star Wars” concept vehicles and millennial-geared SUvs (like the Jeep Wrangler and Subaru’s three-row Ascent), many families were on deck to view the latest safety features on the newest models. Gloria and ryan Soo, along with their 2-year-old son Justin, browsed Toyota, their prefered manufacturer for its ways in preventing car accidents. “We really like the new Lexuses because they feature this new safety system that avoids collisions,” ryan Soo said, referencing the company’s Safety Sense System, LSS+A, which builds on a prototype version that automatically brakes to assuage collision with other cars or pedestrians. “It’s just so impressive to see what these big companies are doing nowadays to move towards self-driving, or more autonomous systems. It’s definitely helpful for families,” Gloria Soo added. The LA Auto Show is still open at the LA Convention Center until December 10.
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EntErtainmEnt
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • dEcEmbER 7-13, 2017
B
How Rachel Peters trained to be a beauty queen by Mylene
Mendoza-dayrit Philstar.com
For their first stop, the Miss Universe beauties explored Luneta and Fort Santiago in Manila.
Philstar.com photos by Edd Gumban
Miss Universe queens tour Luneta, Intramuros
Miss Universe 2017 DemiLeigh Nel-Peters, Miss Universe 2016 iris Mittenaere, Miss Philippines Rachel Peters, and other Miss Universe winners and candidates kicked off their four-day tour of the Philippines on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Among those in the trip are representatives from the Netherlands, india, italy, spain, Canada, the United states, south Korea, Malaysia, China, Great Britain, and singapore. For their first stop, the beauties explored the spanish-era architecture, World War ii ruins and other historical landmarks in Manila. Onboard an electronic jeepney, the queens passed by National Hero Jose Rizal’s memorial and death site in Luneta. Then, they went around the remains of the spanish fortress Fort santiago, which contains a museum dedi-
cated to Rizal and also the hero’s prison cell. The beauties are set to visit Manila, Batanes, Vigan, Bohol and Camiguin, and will culminate their trip with a charity fashion show featuring designs from Mindanao.
The tour is part of the Department of Tourism’s Bring Home a Friend marketing promotion that seeks to give incentives to Filipinos who will invite their foreign friends to explore the Philippines. (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/ Philstar.com)
Paolo Ballesteros transforms into ‘Demi-Sorya’ of South Africa iN time for the arrival of Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh NelPeters in the Philippines on Tuesday, Dec. 5, award-winning Filipino actor and TV host Paolo Ballesteros has made himself look like the new queen from south Africa. in his latest instagram post, Paolo pays homage to the new Miss Universe titleholder, who is in the Philippines together with Miss Universe 2016 iris Mittenaere of France and other Miss Universe finalists and candidates for a promotional tour of the Philippines sponsored by the Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters Paolo Ballesteros as “Demi-Sorya” of Nel- Department of Tourism. Photo courtesy of the MUO Peters Photo from Instagram/@pochoy_26 PAGE B6
COUNTLess celebrities and locals tirelessly tweeted their support for Rachel Louise Peters prior to and during the Miss Universe pageant. she was one of the most talked about on Twitter with the hashtags #MissUniverse and #Philippines dominating for days. Despite not bringing home the crown, Miss Universe top 10 finalist Rachel won the hearts of many with ease. she made waves onstage with a body that is a sight to behold. Whether in a swimsuit or an evening gown, the radiantly beautiful model showed off her incredible figure, earning her fans all over the world. Rachel has always been athletic and followed a rigorous workout and diet regimen that made her even more lean and toned. We caught up with her personal trainer Bench Ortiz and found out her fitness secrets. The Star: Describe Rachel’s fitness journey. What made her decide to start working out? Bench Ortiz: Beauty queen Rachel was very much involved in sports growing up. she did touch rugby, football (because her dad is British and she wanted to make him proud!), swimming (she even became part of the swim team at school), wake boarding, and surfing. she started going to the gym in 2014 to prepare for her first pageant, Miss World 2014 where she placed 4th runner-up. she continued her fitness regimen to prepare for Bb. Pilipinas and for Miss Universe. What was the goal she set and what did she do to achieve it? Rachel just follows her workout routine. she works out every day, eats the right food, and gets enough sleep. she avoids stressing about the errands during her preparation for Miss Universe. she’s very focused not only on the workout but the whole journey at Miss Universe. What was her exercise routine while preparing for Miss Universe? Rachel does weights and more of compound workouts that develop her core and lower body strength. she uses this strength to stand tall and with confidence when she’s on stage. Aside from weights, she also does Pilates, boxing, and yoga. Did she have any special
diet? Rachel has good genes. she loves eating pizzas, but she never gets fat, maybe because she works out regularly and has great genes. What is her usual cheat meal if any? Rachel doesn’t have any strict diet. she only eats the right kind of food. Cheat day for her is pizza and cakes. Was there ever a time she was fat or skinny and how did she overcome it? she never got fat or skinny because of her genes and very active lifestyle. What is the best workout advice you ever gave Rachel? Rachel got the best team for Miss Universe. The best contribution i could give her was in terms of workout. i got her to do more of weights to develop the strength of her body so she could be more stable on stage. We did a lot of leg workouts and cardio. What is her favorite workout? Rachel took a course on personal training in Australia so she really loves doing weight training. Who is her fitspiration? she really admires Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega because they have the same body frame — a Miss Universe frame. How has fitness changed her life? she became more disciplined and determined not only to get her
Rachel Peters Photo from Facebook/Binibining Pilipinas
fitness goal but also the crown. That is how fitness changed her life. What role does fitness play in pageants today? Fitness has always played a big role in pageantry because of the swimsuit segment. However, the significance of fitness now in pageantry is that the candidates are able to develop their self-confidence because of their body. if they have the best body, the confidence on stage will set them apart and help them get the beauty title that they want to achieve.
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Philippine tapestry showcased in Las Vegas On Saturday, December 2, 2017, Philippine fashion inspired by the different islands of the country was brought to Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas. Philippine Tapestry is a neo-ethnic charity fashion event showcasing the world-renowned creations of Renee Salud, the Philippine ambassador of fashion. Philippine Tapestry showcased the major weaves of the islands promoting indigenous materials and the age-old artistry of Filipino weaving. It also highlighted the exceptional beauty of the Philippines
and our country’s unique culture through contemporary and ethnic performances. The fashion show was the last leg of the North American tour which included shows in New York, Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa. Endorsed by the Philippine Department of Tourism, this was also shown in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Creations from these fabrics were worn by no less than the Miss Universe 2016 candidates. The full net proceeds from the ticket sales and sponsorships were
donated to the victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting, a testament to the Filipino-American spirit of concern within everyone. Philippine Tapestry - Las Vegas was organized by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Nevada (UPAAN), in partnership with Alta Home Care, and in cooperation with the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations, Philippine-American Charity Foundation Inc. and other Filipino American Organizations in Las Vegas.
Renee Salud (middle) meets with members of the Las Vegas Fil-Am community at the end of the fashion show. AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal
Philippine Tapestry” is an initiative that highlights all the major weaves of the island, in an effort to promote indigenous materials and the age-old artistry of Filipino weaving.
Modern designs inspired by Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
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PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS TWElvE years ago, we wrote that drinking coffee reduced the risk for type II diabetes, based on a new study then (involving 42,000 healthy men and 84,000 health women from 1980 through 1998) by the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on January 6, 2004. Compared to those who did not drink coffee, men who had more than six cups of caffeinated coffee a day lowered the risk of developing Type II diabetes by 50 percent. Among women, there was a 30 percent reduction in the risk. Caffeinated coffee was found to be more beneficial than the decaffeinated or the hyped-up mocha, cappuccino, or latte, etc., variety. Unclear rationale The exact mechanism is still unclear. In another research (Nurses Health Study), it shows that the 2000 women coffee drinkers in its survey had significantly lower (13-14 percent levels of C-peptide hormone, a component of insulin in our body, compared to non-coffee drinkers. Higher level of C-peptide, which indicates the body is unable to use insulin (called insulin resistance) are linked to the increased risk of developing adult-onset diabetes.
legislators realized that the DEJ statute provided misinformation about making a plea, leading a reasonable immigrant to believe that DEJ would lead to no adverse immigration consequences. By making a motion under section 1203.43, an immigrant can have the plea withdrawn as legally invalid and therefore no longer a “conviction” for immigration purposes. Other laws exist to correct or modify a conviction. Modification can be extremely important because many criminal bars and grounds of removal in immigration law require a conviction of a felony, which is generally defined as a conviction for a crime that carries a possible sentence of more than one year imprisonment. In California, all misdemeanor convictions carry a maximum possible sentence of 364 days, and many crimes can be either misdemeanors or felonies. California provides two mechanisms to change a felony into a misdemeanor: “reclassification” under Prop 47, and “reduction” under Penal Code 17(b).
Coffee and longevity The good effect was more apparent among obese and overweight women, 22 percent and 18 percent, respectively. So, if coffee reduces C-peptide, then the risk is reduced. Some hormones This is still not fully understood. Both regular and decaffeinated coffees have a lot of antioxidants in them, like chlorogenic acid (the ingredient that gives the “addicting” coffee flavor), phytoestrogens, and magnesium. These chemicals improve sensitivity to insulin and may play a vital role in lowering adult onset diabetes. Caffeine itself is also known to affect insulin secretion. How much coffee? The Harvard study stated six or more cups per day. The research on the same subject in Finland (which has the highest per capita coffee consumption in the world), involving 15,000 healthy men and women (ages 35-64), as reported in The Journal of American Medical Association, showed that women who consumed 10 or more cups a day had 79 percent lower risk, and men, about 55 percent. Effect on longevity Two recent major international studies (U.S. and European) suggested that coffee lovers may also live a longer life compared to those who do not imbibe coffee. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and Imperial College of london, which reviewed more than half a million people with variable habits
and customs across 10 European countries, was the first study. This showed “those who drank about three cups a day tended to live longer than non-coffee drinkers; they also had a lower risk of death from any cause, and specifically for circulatory diseases, and digestive diseases.” The second one, done in the U.S., involved 180,000 subjects of different ethnic, social, and career backgrounds. The findings revealed that drinking coffee “benefits longevity whether the coffee was caffeinated or decaffeinated…and coffee drinkers had a lower risk of death due to heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory and kidney disease.” One cup a day drinkers “were 12 percent less likely to die compared to those who didn’t drink coffee; those who drank two or three cups per day saw an even higher 18 percent reduced risk of death.” “We cannot say drinking coffee will prolong your life, but we see an association,” stated veronica Setiawan, lead researcher and an associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California. Drinking coffee is reported to impart anti-oxidant benefits and may improve liver function too, but it is not recommended for pregnant women and children. Also, drinking any very hot beverage in general is suspected to increase the risk for cancer of the esophagus (food pipe).
Tapping into the power of prayer 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 three 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
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Post-conviction relief for immigrants with criminal records
able before the conviction is ever entered. Governor Brown recently signed into law a bill (AB 208) atty. eriC WelSh that will allow a person charged & nanCy Miller with a simple drug possession offense to accept “pre-trial diverAll criminal convictions have sion” without pleading guilty, and consequences, but when an im- go to drug counseling instead of migrant is convicted of a crime, jail. If the person successfully the consequences can be much completes the counseling and worse than fines, probation, and rehabilitation, the charges are imprisonment. An alien (even a dismissed, and there is no convicpermanent resident) convicted tion for immigration purposes. Another law that went into efof a crime can be detained and deported without eligibility for fect last year provides a way for relief, forcibly separated from an immigrant who accepted a their family and their lives in Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ) the United States. Not every to eradicate the “conviction” for conviction triggers deportation, immigration purposes. Before and some crime-based bars can the new pre-trial diversion bebe waived. However, when a came an option, California courts conviction would cause deporta- allowed a person charged with a tion or inadmissibility and the drug crime to plead guilty and acbar cannot be waived, the best cept DEJ, a sort of probation that, option to remain lawfully in the if successfully completed, results U.S. may be through post-convic- in dismissal of the charge. However, under federal immigration tion relief. In California, there are several law, the person still has a “conoptions available to avoid or miti- trolled substance conviction,” gate the calamitous immigration even if California recognizes consequences of a conviction. the dismissal. Cal. Penal Code Some of those options are avail- 1203.43 was enacted because
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“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin it over and over again– a seemingly hopeless struggle that many battle 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 was 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, seeking one another’s company in seeking God’s help in many ways, big and small. Because 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 unimaginable 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 in a 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 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. 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. 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 PAGE B6
Prop 47 formally reclassifies six specified nonviolent offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, and allows a person who was convicted of a felony prior to the enactment of Prop 47 to have their conviction retroactively reclassified. Penal Code 17(b) allows a person to designate a “wobbler” crime as a misdemeanor. A “wobbler” is a California crime that can be punished either as a felony or a misdemeanor. Unlike Prop 47, this relief is discretionary, meaning that the individual must convince the court that he or she deserves relief or that there is a compelling reason for the court to grant the reduction. California also provides ways for a person to set aside and dismiss (or “expunge”) a conviction. In general, a “rehabilitative” expungement (i.e., an expungement granted on showing successful completion of probation and other requirements) is NOT recognized for immigration purposes. Even when the state recognizes that a conviction is expunged and erased for pur-
poses of employment, housing, and loans, the federal immigration authorities may still treat the individual as a person convicted of a specified offense. While a rehabilitative expungement may not help an immigrant avoid adverse immigration consequences, a conviction that is vacated as legally invalid will not be considered a “conviction.” last year, California enacted Penal Code 1473.7 to allow a person who was convicted and already served a sentence to petition the court to vacate a legally invalid conviction. This may be based on newly discovered evidence of actual innocence (e.g., DNA evidence), or, for immigrants, a showing of prejudicial error that affected the immigrant’s ability to meaningfully understand, defend against, or knowingly accept the actual or potential adverse immigration consequences of a plea (e.g., a defense counsel failed to accurately advise the defendant about specific immigration consequences of a plea, and failed to plea bargain for a “safe” alternative disposition).
Every state has some form of post-conviction relief, and an immigrant with a criminal conviction should consult with an attorney versed in both immigration and criminal law to discuss options to eradicate the devastating consequences. Immigrants with criminal records are especially vulnerable in this political climate, and every option should be explored to protect the immigrant and keep families together. ***
A professor at the University of Cambridge, David Spiegelhalter, described the research as “huge in size and carefully done,” but nevertheless unable to prove cause and effect. “If these estimated reductions in all-cause mortality really are causal, then an extra cup of coffee every day would on average extend the life of a man by around three months, and a woman by around a month,” he added. While drinking coffee appears to help in reducing the risk for Type II diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, and now claimed to prolong life, more clinical studies are still needed to make this an evidence-based medical fact. Coffee trivia Second to water, coffee is one of the world’s most consumed beverages. Over 16 billion pounds of beans are produced in 70 countries annually. More than 2.25 billion cups are consumed each year globally. The Netherlands (population: 17,035,938) is the highest consumer of coffee in the world at 260.4 liters per capita, compared to 115.2 per capita in the United States (population: 325,416,914),
where about 400 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. Almost 85 percent of Americans drink coffee daily. Ninety-three percent of households in the Philippines (population: 105,589,888) drink coffee, the country consuming 100,000 metric tons year. Coffee, “first brought to the Philippines by a Franciscan friar in 1749, is the most consumed beverage next to water, and second most bought item next to sauces and seasonings,” according to one study. How many cups are safe? Since the long term effects of coffee (especially caffeinated) on diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, other illnesses, and longevity are not totally clear, the so called “safe level” becomes an individual issue. One cup of regular coffee may be too much for one person, who might develop heart beat irregularity, like palpitation, or insomnia, when taken before bedtime. Three cups a day may not be enough to satisfy another. This should be tailored to personal tolerance. The final word on this issue is not settled, but the preliminary results as presented above are most encouraging. More long term studies are definitely needed
before this becomes a medical dogma. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
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Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration fi rms in the United States with offi ces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila and China. For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
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Fil-Am Association of Santa Clarita Valley holds annual Christmas potluck The Fil-Am Association of Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) invites guests to its annual Christmas potluck party on Saturday, December 9 from 6 p.m. It will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (23233 Lyons Ave., Santa Clarita, CA 91321). There will be food, games, entertainment for the whole family. Don’t forget to bring your favorite dish to share. Santa will be there to give presents to everyone. For more information, please call Emie at (661) 877-2699 or Cecile at (818) 439-9392 or visit www.filamofscv.org.
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Immigration forum in Anaheim, CA Global Law Centers will be hosting an immigration forum on Thursday, December 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. It will be held at Brookhurst Community Center (2271 Crescent Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801); admission is FREE. The forum is about employment-based immigration, information regarding fast-track work visas ( H-1B1, TN, E-3), green card by Marriage, familybased immigration, employment sponsorship for green card, and work visas after graduation. Candidates with H-1B, TN, F-1, OPT & other visas issues are encouraged to attend for FREE immigration consultation & immigration assistance. For more information, please contact Global Law Centers at (714) 657-7460 or www.globallawcenters.com.
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Ateneo de Naga High School Class ’67 celebrates 50th anniversary in Naga City The Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) High School Class 1967 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017 from December 27 to 29 with various activities lined up for its 153 alumni members. (ADNU is a leading Jesuit university in the Bicol region located in Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines). The activities include the publication of its 50thAnniversary Yearbook, a coffee table book which features the individual life stories of the class members after high school, tributes to their mentors, and various articles about school life in the 1960s. Also scheduled for the middle of the year is a golf tournament which — aside from fostering camaraderie — will essentially be a fund-raising activity for planned alumni projects such as a medical mission to a remote provincial town, scholarships, and donations for other worthy causes. This year’s reunion will be at the ADNU main campus in Naga City with various fun and commemorative activities lined up for the occasion. All batch members, wherever they are domiciled, including those residing in foreign countries, especially those in the USA and Canada, are enjoined to contribute their life story articles for the anniversary book as soon as possible, to participate in the various identified activities and outreach projects, and attend the grand homecoming in December. For coordination and for details about the events and activities, please email or call up any of the following batch members: Jojo de Jesus (email: jvdejesus6@yahoo.com; cell: 09772114750); Nilo Ezequiel (email: nilo. ezequiel0977@gmail.com; cell: 09257200926; Antonio Sibulo, MD (email: assjrmd@gmail. com).
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Features
Winter beauty guide By Monet
Lu
DURING the winter our hair experiences dehydration because of unavoidable exposure. we need to be proactive about maintaining moisture in our hair. For the entire winter months, we want to help you keep your hair and skin keep it shiny and healthy. Hair Reborn, Brazilian keratin treatment, shimmer and shine are the perfect respite for hair that has been subjected to chemical treatments—such as perming, straightening, or tinting. This is also recommended for people who are just aiming to combat dryness during this freezing weather. I tend to sound repetitive about this but I can’t emphasize this enough: moisture, moisturize, moisturize! Remember when a good haircut was enough to put a smile on our faces? If we hold on the little positives in our everyday lives, I have a feeling we’re going to pull through these tough times quite famously. For someone who has been in the business of making people look good, I have some new hairstyle recommendations that are sure to add some hot tone to this cool weather. For long-haired women who have heart-, square- or roundshaped faces, layers will work wonders, provided that it is molded closely to the edge of the hair so that it elongates the face. For an oval-shaped face, shorter layers are more appropriate. Sassy layers are very easy to manage as well. If you have curly hair, bangs should be administered with caution. Make sure it’s slightly above your lashes so that it looks flattering. The thing about bangs though is you have to maintain the ideal length that works for you, otherwise, the effect is not quite there. The bob haircut is here to stay. It’s ideal for women who have straight to wavy hair textures. This is especially flattering for women who have round faces. This type of cut usually requires blow-drying and to maintain the ideal length, you need to have it cut every six weeks. The pixie is ideal for people who have strong facial features. The pixie is easy to manage. A
quick blow-dry and a dab of hair product, and you have a chic style that will last the entire day. Just make sure that you apply a little shine serum to towel-dried hair before you put up your hair so that natural texture can be enhanced. This style is so comfy and will also have you feeling relaxed. A slick ponytail can accentuate your features, while also getting annoying tendrils of hair out of your way. To prevent frizzy hair, use a leave-on conditioner or hair tonics that are specific for frizzy hair. If the ponytail is getting boring, try a French braid. It will look chic and will also prevent you looking bedraggled. For your skin, exfoliation is a must to clear away dead cells that can otherwise clog up your pores and cause unsightly pimples that can spoil your summer look. Use a scrub that does not dry your skin or make your own; sugar mixed with a little olive oil is very natural and skin-friendly. Feet need to look good in winter. Scrub your feet with foot scrubs or make your own with some granular salt or sugar and olive oil. Rubbing this into your legs in a gentle upward motion will have dual effects of exfoliating dry skin. Winter is one of those times when less is best. Trying to enhance your natural looks with minimal embellishment will work best. A matte powder over foundation with SPF is better than heavy foundation lotions and creams that will look patchy once you sweat a little. Gloss is best for lips. Lips need protection as well and it would be best to apply a lip gloss
or lip balm with an SPF of 15 or more to keep your lips looking fresh and pert. Eye make-up is a zone of error in winter and you can avoid gaffes by sticking to near-neutral tones of eye shadow and waterproof mascara and liners. A creamy lipstick will be friendlier on the lips than matte lipsticks and will also last longer. Leave your foundation or tinted moisturizer in the refrigerator. When you smooth it on, the heat from your face will melt it into your skin making it look like you have naturally perfect skin. Smudged eyeliner can look great on evenings and you can get this effect by heating the tip of your eye pencil with a lit match just before lining your eyes. Keeping yourself adequately hydrated, adding essential nutrients to diet to avoid the heavier fats and proteins, taking plenty of vitamin C in the form of citrus fruits and juices, and getting the minimum 8 hours of sleep can help you going through winter with good looks and great relaxation. Enjoy your winter and stay beautiful! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
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Lisa Macuja-Elizalde launches global premiere of ‘Snow White’ FUNNy how the idea of creating her own version of “Snow White” came to Ballet Manila’s Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde right after her full choreographic debut last year. Due to the success of “Cinderella,” what was once regarded simply as “The Next One” has now become a second full-fledged masterpiece from the Prima Ballerina herself—and it is finally made its world premiere in the 22nd performance season, “Flights of Fantasy.” When asked about her fascination with fairy tales as ballet, she said,“My calling has always been to become a classical ballerina—nothing else. First, I believe in sticking to what you know, and I know my classical ballets very well. I have a wealth of classical ballet steps in my dancer’s vocabulary. If you think about it, the classical ballets are all fairy tales, or at least stories, that have come to life in dance form.” Ballet Manila’s take on the fairy tale classic is more Brothers Grimm than Disney when it comes to the production’s look and feel. This was a conscious decision made by Lisa herself, as she wanted the storytelling to be the main star of the show. They are “storytellers on toes,” after all. Last year’s full choreography work in Cinderella was just the warm up. As Lisa shared, “I now understand when choreographers say that they get inspiration from the dancers they work with.That was the case with Cinderella, and now, with Snow White.” Lisa knew that she wanted more, now that her insecurities as a choreographer have gone away. With the help of Ballet Master Osias “Shaz” Barroso and even the dancers’ little quips and comments, and of course, the company’s mastery of the Vaganova technique, Snow
Ballet Manila’s Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde presents her original choreography in “Snow White.” Photo courtesy of Ballet Manila
White promises to be a magical and fantastic show—all in all, a truly Ballet Manila production. From the costumes to the dancers themselves, there is a sense of synergy that will be most evident when the show finally makes its world premiere. Lisa said about the set designs and costumes: “Set designer Mio Infante has talked about making mushrooms the main feature in the forest. There will be so many dynamic elements on stage like a moving mirror, as well as animal figures. Popular nursery rhymes will also be used in the music being arranged by Von De Guzman. Longtime Ballet Manila costume designer Michael Miguel will once again make amazing costumes. Watch out for Snow White’s costume changes!” With Snow White, Lisa guarantees that each member of the audience will get their fill of pure magic, romance, and fantasy. The audience can only expect the highest quality of dancing as well from the country’s youngest yet
strongest ballet company. Macuja-Elizalde’s “Snow White” made its world premiere at the Aliw Theater. To learn more about Ballet Manila and their upcoming activities, you may visit Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Founded in 1995 by Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso, Ballet Manila is the country’s premier classical dance company. With the mission of connecting both ballet and the people, the company, which puts education at the forefront of its priorities, is well-known as the only Philippine dance company to adopt and strictly adhere to the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet style of dancing, which is well-regarded the world over as the most disciplined and technically-superior style. The company currently has 65 artists under its wing, all of whom have been trained in the Vaganova Academy style of dancing. Each artist boasts of a solid repertoire that consists of some of the most technically challenging and timeless ballet favorites. (Philstar.com)
Infographic by Twitter Philippines
Twitter: Vice Ganda is most followed Filipino, Maine Mendoza most tweeted by Rosette
Adel
Philstar.com
TWITTER Philippines on Tuesday, Dec. 5, looked back at the most followed Filipino accounts and most tweeted Filipino celebrities on social media this year. Comedian Vice Ganda’s account was named the most followed in the Philippines in 2017 while Eat Bulaga’s dubsmash queen Maine Mendoza emerged as the most tweeted Filipino. Other celebrities who made it on the Most Followed Filipino Accounts list of Twitter Philippines
were Anne Curtis, Angel Locsin, Kathryn Bernardo, yeng Constantino, Bianca Gonzales, Daniel Padilla and Lucky Manzano. Twitter Philippines also welcomed Myx Philippines and @ohteenquotes in the top 10 roster of most followed Filipino accounts. On the other hand, joining Maine on the Most Tweeted Filipino Accounts list of Twitter Philippines this year were her onscreen partner, Alden Richards, PBB Teens star Kisses Delavin, Kathryn, Daniel, Maymay Entrata, Elisse Joson and Vice.
Twitter also released the top five most-tweeted loveteams of 2017 and these are AlDub, Kathniel, JaDine, LizQuen and MayWard. The social media site giant also said Star Cinema’s “My Ex and Whys” and ABS-CBN’s “La Luna Sangre” are this year’s most tweeted movie and teleserye, respectively. Meanwhile, Twitter named De La Salle Green Archers basketball player Ricci Rivero as the most tweeted Filipino athlete of 2017. He is followed by volleyball player Alyssa Valdez.
star Gal Gadot, Lena Headey of “Game of Thrones” and supermodel Gigi Hadid for his amazing makeup impersonations of stars like Angelina Jolie, Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande, Tyra Banks and Wonder Woman. Last year, for his film “Die Beautiful,” Paolo reaped many awards, including Best Actor
at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival, which he received dressed like Angelina Jolie. For the red carpet premiere of his latest film “Barbie D’ Wonder Beki,” Paolo came as a human Barbie doll, with co-star Ejay Falcon as “Ken.” (Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo/Philstar. com)
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
Paolo Ballesteros transforms into ‘Demi-Sorya... PAGE B3 Paolo captioned the post as “Demi-Sorya from South Africa!” — a combination of Demi-Leigh and a famous shopping center in Manila, Divisoria. Ballesteros has garnered millions of social media followers and has been praised by Hollywood actresses like “Wonder Woman”
Tapping into the power of... PAGE B5 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 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
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05 & 06
07 & 08
MADAME / SENIOR LOVE OF COUNTRY GLOBAL AMBASSADORS Ages 50 and over
MRS. / SIR LOVE OF COUNTRY GLOBAL AMBASSADORS Ages 28-49
MR. / MISS LOVE OF COUNTRY GLOBAL AMBASSADORS Ages 18-27
MISS YOUTH / YOUTH LOVE OF COUNTRY GLOBAL AMBASSADORS Ages 13-17
D E L EGAT E R E QU I R EM EN T S 01
02
03
04
05
06
LIFE ACCOMPLISHMENTS All applicants must have displayed or indicate strong willingness to pursue excellence in his/her community, field of study, or work.
EDUCATION
PERSONALITY
ETHNICITY
NOMINATION
Proof of educational attainment.
All applicants must display vibrance of personality and good moral character.
All applicants must be at least 1/4th Filipino to join.
All applicants must be recommended or nominated by at minimum 1 family member, friend, colleague, or professor.
PERSONAL STATEMENT All applicants are required to write a personal statement about her/his dreams and goals for the Philippines.
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B december 7-13, 2017 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678