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DECEMBER 19-25, 2019

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 30 - No. 51 • 16 Pages

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Duterte safe, secure despite Dela Rosa to inquire inclusion in NPA hit list -PSG chief about reported US DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

visa cancellation

SENATOR Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday, December 16, said he has not received a confirmation from the U.S. Embassy about his visa being cancelled due to his key role in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs. “I have heard rumors about it, but I have not received any official confirmation [from the U.S. Embassy in Manila]. But I’m planning to send them a letter,” he told reporters. “Granting if that is true, that the basis of cancellation is the involvement in EJK (extrajudicial killings), well they are very biased. They are misinformed. They are misled by their informants,” he added. Dela Rosa is a former police chief in Davao City. He was later named as head of the Philippine National Police and led the anti-drug campaign, Oplan Tokhang, which claimed the lives of more than 5,000 drug suspects. He said he is not happy about the ban, and that it is one of the reasons why he did not watch the July 20 fight of his colleague and friend, boxing champion Sen. Manny Pac-

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What’s next for DACA recipients and their families? After the Supreme Court oral arguments, immigration experts shed light on facts regarding the Trump administration’s efforts to terminate DACA WHEN the Trump administration announced on Sept. 5, 2017 that it would phase out Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the world turned upside down for hundreds of thousands of program recipients and their families. Since it was enacted in 2012 by former President Barack Obama, DACA has provided work authorization and protection from deportation for eligible undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as young children. Specific benefits varied from state to state; in California, DACA recipients are eligible for driver’s licenses,

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by

NESTOR CORRALES Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte is safe and secure, the chief of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) said on Wednesday, December 18, after the Chief Executive was in-

cluded in the hit list of the New People’s Army (NPA). “We’ll do everything we can to secure the president,” Brig. General Jose Eriel Niembra, PSG Commander, said in a briefing in Malacañang. Niembre issued the assurance after National Security Adviser Hermo-

genes Esperon revealed he and the President were included in the hit list of the communist group. “In fact, we always say, the mission of the PSG is to see to it that we have a living president day by day,” he said.

The PSG chief said Duterte is in the hit list, not only of the NPA, but by drug lords and syndicate groups. “We expect that the president is number one in their list (but) rest assured, we’re doing something to protect the president,” said Niembra.

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CHR on Marcos case dismissal: Public might think martial law atrocities are ‘fake news by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday, December 17, said that the public might cast doubts on martial law and its atrocities following the Sandiganbayan’s recent dismissal of a P200-billion forfeiture case filed against the Marcos family. On Monday, December 16, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division dismissed Civil Case No. 0002 filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) in July 1987 against the Marcoses due to lack of evidence. According to the Fourth Division, the PCGG merely presented photocopied documents without proof of the existence of the originals and that no witness was presented to testify on the execution or preparation of a few documents which were already admitted by the defense as faithful reproduction of the originals.

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MILITARY ACQUISITION. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the inspection of the newly acquired military assets during the 84th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at the Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday, December 17. Duterte asked the nation to rally behind the Armed forces for its significant role in national security and disaster response. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

De Lima tells Locsin: US senators’ reso on EJK, rights abuses in PH ‘legal, binding’ by CHRISTIA

MARIE Inquirer.net

RAMOS

DETAINED Senator Leila De Lima on Monday, December 16, turned the tables on Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. for calling as “idiotic” a U.S. Senate resolution calling for her immediate release. “You cannot be that naïve or close-minded in failing or refusing to see what the rest of the world sees: that the charges against me are pure fiction, a product of orchestrated lies assembled by certain officials and operators on explicit orders of Duterte

as the highlight of his personal vendetta against me,” De Lima said in a dispatch from Camp Crame. De Lima, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, has been in detention inside Camp Crame — headquarters of the Philippine National Police — since February 2017 on drug charges, which the lady senator has repeatedly denied and branded as “trumped-up.” In a tweet over the weekend, Locsin said “(E)ven a Philippine Senate resolution is not one of the ways of ending a criminal Photos of the people killed in the Maguindanao massacre are seen during a rally in Manila on Tuesday, December 17, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the country’s worst political trial; there’s only acquittal or conviction or killing where 58 people, including 32 journalists, were slaughtered and dumped in roadside

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pits on Nov. 23, 2009.

Philstar.com photo by Krizjohn Rosales

years since massacre, Sara-Digong tandem emerges as top bets for 2020 election - poll 10 watchdog sees little change in by DIVINA JOY

DELA ManilaTimes

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and her father, President Rodrigo Duterte ManilaTimes.net photo

CRUZ

DAVAO City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio and her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, emerged as the top bets for president and vice president for the Visayas and Mindanao (VisMin) voters in 2022, according to a pre-election survey. The independent and non-commissioned survey dubbed “Pahayag VisMin 2019” showed that Duterte-Carpio topped the list of 21 potential candidates for president, with 35 percent of the respondents selecting her. She was followed by Sen. Mary Grace Poe with 11 percent; Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso, 7.8 percent; Sen. Emmanuel “Manny”

Pacquiao, 5.5 percent; Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, 4.6 percent; and Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, 4.5 percent. The survey conducted from Nov. 15 to 19, 2019 involved 2,000 registered voters from the Visayas and Mindanao, who were randomly chosen. It was released by political consultancy firm PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. (PAI), while data was processed by its data science arm, VOX Opinion Research. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.19 percent across the entire survey population and +/- 3.1 percent within the respective VisMin clusters. For the vice presidential race, the older Duterte emerged as the

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safety protocols for journalists by KRISTINE JOY

Philstar.com

PATAG

MANILA — Ten years since the Ampatuan massacre, the world’s single deadliest attack against journalists, and there has been “very little” change in security protocols for Filipino media workers, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said. Melinda Quintos de Jesus, CMFR executive director, said they “did not notice very much at all any additional practices nor developed programs” on safety

protocols since the brutal killings. The gruesome crime claimed 58 lives, 32 of those of media workers. They were on their way to the Commission on Elections office in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao to witness the filing of the certificate of candidacy of thengubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu. Media owners’ responsibility to ensure workers’ safety De Jesus told Philstar.com in a phone interview the media

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december 19-25, 2019 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

From The FronT Page

What’s next for DACA recipients and...

PAGE 1

for example. What followed was a turbulent two-year period in which multiple federal courts across the country placed injunctions on the administration’s termination of the program, allowing DACA to remain in operation. The Trump administration has maintained that DACA — which was signed

into law through executive order — was enacted unlawfully by the Obama administration, a claim that the federal courts have deemed “capricious” and “arbitrary.” During this two-year period, DACA recipients across the country have been essentially placed in a state of limbo, unsure whether or not their DACA ben-

efits would be taken away by the Trump administration. But last month on Nov. 12, the highest court in the nation, the U.S. Supreme Court, began hearing oral arguments for and against the continuation of DACA, leaving the fate of more than 700,000 undocumented immigrants hanging in the balance. “The Supreme Court has not yet decided the outcome of DACA,” emphasized Tom Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) at a press briefing of immigration experts and DACA recipients held in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, Dec. 11. And because the court has yet to make a decision on DACA’s fate, experts want to remind DACA recipients and would-be DACA recipients that the program is still open and accepting new and renewal applications. “The DACA program is still open and this is a really big myth that we’re trying to bust. You can still apply for and renew your DACA status, and there is a network of non-profits here in Los Angeles that are ready to help you,” reiterated Tiffany Panlilio, legal advocate at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, who wanted to quell fears that recipients are experiencing as they await the Supreme Court decision. Panlilio noted that some immigrants have set up GoFundMe pages in order to help pay the $495 renewal fee, which the Trump administration is looking to increase to $765. “It’s not a surprise that a lot of these folks are scared. They’re very stressed, and it’s already hard enough for a lot of them to come up with the $495 [fee]; they either have to choose between paying rent and feeding their children or just putting this together.” Confusion surrounding DACA and the precarious situation it’s currently in often revolves around who DACA recipients actually are. Opponents of DACA have painted a grim picture of who DACA recipients actually are and where they come from. (The president tweeted in Septem-

MISSA DE GALLO. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle blesses the faithful during the first dawn Mass held on Monday, December 16, at the Manila Cathedral. ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili

Duterte safe, secure despite... PAGE 1

But while the president’s inclusion in the hit-list was expected, he said they are taking it seriously. “We take it seriously because it’s not a joking matter. It’s the life of the president and the survival of the country,” he said. Just ‘psy war’ Exiled Communist Party of the

Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison branded as “psy war”, or psychological warfare, reports that Duterte is on a communist hit list of assassination targets. “I do not think so,” Sison replied to the Inquirer when asked if Duterte was on the assassination list of the New People’s Army, the CPP’s armed wing, in

an online interview on Wednesday. “The claim that Duterte is on the so-called NPA hit-list is malicious psy-war from (National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon) Esperon,” Sison said from his base in Utrecht in The Netherlands. Esperon was former Armed Forces chief. n

CHR on Marcos case dismissal: ‘Public might... PAGE 1

“It’s sad because while we respect the decision of the court because they had to dismiss it on grounds of technicality dahil nga yung pinakitang ebidensya (because the shown evidence) was not in conformity with the best evidence rule,” said CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia. “There might be a danger that the public might think that martial law never really happened and the atrocities committed is fake news,” she added. The CHR expressed hope that the remaining 17 civil cases pending before the SandiganPAGE A5 bayan will not be dismissed as well. “The challenge is for PCGG and OSG to really build-up their cas-

es, make sure that the remaining cases will not be dismissed on mere technicality. Magaling ang mga abugado sa PCGG at OSG, so naniniwala tayo na kailangan pa nilang magpursige (Lawyers of PCGG and OSG are excellent, so we believe they still have to work further),” De Guia said. Senate to grill PCGG Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday was not happy with PCGG failing to pursue its cases against the Marcoses, saying he would initiate a Senate inquiry and summon PCGG Chair Reynold Munsayac and the other officials organized to recover the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family. “Let’s fix [the PCGG] because there seems to be something

broken in it,” he said. “They have to explain… It would appear that they are very cavalier in preparing for the [prosecution of] cases. There’s a case of urgency here. [They] are sending the wrong message to our country, that people get away with [their crimes], and that if you’re patient enough, your cases will be dismissed,” he added. Gordon also said more competent lawyers should be hired by the agency as well as strengthen its legal research. “They should get more qualified lawyers because the trick here is in the [legal] research and having good lawyers… those who will do the job,” he suggested. n

10 years since massacre, watchdog sees... PAGE 1 watchdog “did not hear very much from [media] owners their inability” to provide for the safety of their workers. She explained many community-based news organizations have maintained the practice of having employees “solicit in advertising, be involved in the revenue” to generate money for the company and for themselves. “[There has been] no real realization of what the responsibilities of an owner is for their people,” de Jesus added. The CMFR has observed, though, that bigger media organizations provided top-of-the-line safety gear for those who covered the months-long battle for Marawi City in 2017. De Jesus stressed changes in safety protocol need “investment in time and money, if owners have the means.” She noted that some newsroom safety protocols like having reporters update the desk on their whereabouts when covering sensitive issues and areas do not require a huge investment from newsrooms. These are, De Jesus said, “basic things when you are working on a very sensitive thing or if you have something that is very critical of powers.” In a pooled editorial published on Wednesday, alternative media network AlterMidya stressed that not a lot has changed in the political landscape either. “A decade has indeed passed but the conditions that led to the Ampatuan massacre remain: political dynasties and patronage are still alive, paramilitary groups have not been dismantled, and the Ampatuans’ collusion with the administration — Arroyo then and Duterte now — still persists,” it said. International funding for training The large number of journalists killed in the Ampatuan massacre did put the international spotlight on media killings in the country. De Jesus said it caught the attention of international funders, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), “to find out how we can promote greater safety.” Philippines has the most “un-

solved murders of journalists in countries with [the] worst record for justice,” the Global Impunity Index 2019 of the Committee to Protect Journalists said in a report released October 2019. The country’s rank as fifth in the Global Impunity Index 2019 overall was “due in part” to the yet unresolved Ampatuan massacre case, the CPJ report said. Although international assistance did not come immediately after the massacre, the “response improved the capacity of groups working to give training.” Among the groups working to promote media workers’ safety is the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, she added. In 2018, the NUJP published its “Philippine Journalist Safety Guide.” The media workers’ group has also been conducting safety trainings and workshops for journalists across the country. “The massacre itself raised greater international consciousness in finding a way to help promote a community that is [safer for media workers],” De Jesus said. November 2019 saw the release of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists,a project implemented by the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication and the International Media Support. The plan of action was informed by input from the Journalist Safety Advisory Group, which composed of CMFR, NUJP, AIJC, IMS, the Center for Community Journalism and Development, and the Philippine Press Institute. Among the plan’s flagship areas is Creating Conducive Working Conditions, which includes occupational safety education. The plan also includes working towards regular dialogues between the media and security forces. The plan also calls for the creating of better mechanisms for reporting and responding to attacks against journalists Verdict seen to change media landscape It took more than 10 years, but justice may finally be within reach of the massacre’s victims on December 19: Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes will hand down her ruling on the decade-long trial where 101 people, including

members of the still powerful Ampatuan clan, stand accused. AlterMidya, a network of alternative media outfits, said in a statement Wednesday that the Ampatuan case “is one more indication of the fact that in the Philippines, a verdict in the lower courts even on a patently heinous crime will take at least a decade.” They lamented that a “decade can pass without attaining justice.” They stressed that the public is expecting nothing less than a guilty verdict from Solis as it would “be considered an initial victory against impunity.” De Jesus, for her part, said that a guilty verdict of “somebody that has been identified with very strong political allies, someone who is politically prominent, accused with means to hire legal luminaries who will be able to manipulate the rules and regulations of the court” would mean a notice “that there might be an end to their feeling of immunity from punishment.” It would also mean a “hopeful interruption,” as she said that personally she feels that “justice has been broken down.” But if the court finds the suspects guilty, especially those primarily accused of being behind the crime, “we can say that maybe, there are some greater care or sense of responsibility to the duties of law enforcement,” De Jesus added. Media will soldier on If Reyes will rules to acquit, however, De Jesus said it will “confirm our worst fears that the law works for the powerful.” AlterMidya noted Filipino journalists are working in a climate “when attacks against free expression” and where killings and illegal arrests happen, but they vowed that media should “remain undaunted.” “Despite the stark lesson on how elusive justice is from the Ampatuan massacre case, journalists, activists and advocates must not only soldier on, but also up the ante in the fight to shatter the culture of impunity that has enveloped the nation,” they added. If the Ampatuans would go scot-free, AlterMidya said, however, it “would spell death to press freedom.” n

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Pope Francis celebrates ‘Simbang Gabi’ in the Vatican by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

Jose Paolo Magcalas, an ethnic studies and United States history teacher at Loara High School, was selected to serve as president of Anaheim Elementary School District’s board of trustees for the upcoming year.

Fil-Am educator named president of Anaheim Elementary School Board by AJPress A FiliPino American educator will serve as the president of Anaheim, California’s elementary School District Board of education for the coming year. Jose Paolo Magcalas, an ethnic studies and United States history teacher at loara high a A FiliPino American educator will serve as the president of Anaheim, California’s elementary School District Board of education for the coming year. Jose Paolo Magcalas, an ethnic studies and United States history teacher at loara high School, was elected to lead the school district’s board during its annual organizational meeting on Wednesday, December 11. he previously served as the board’s clerk for the past year. his term will last until november 2020, during which a “top priority is to bring ethnic studies to all classes throughout [the] district,” Magcalas told the Asian Journal in an email. “ethnic studies is so important for the community. it is the community. it is our histories. histories that are oftentimes not told in textbooks. it’s about making real change in our communities,” he added. “Discussing problems we face in relation to history. it’s about civic participation and engagement. it’s about empowerment. education, especially social studies education, is not about memorizing dates and facts.” in his ethnic studies class, Magcalas encourages students to research issues in the community and find ways to address and engage with them. his hands-on teaching method garnered him

Jose Paolo Magcalas, incoming president of Anaheim Elementary School District’s board of trustees, poses with his mother Marilou Dazo during the board meeting on Wednesday, December 11.

the recognition as one of the top 25 teachers in orange County according to o.C. Parenting Magazine in 2016. A resident of Anaheim for three decades, his personal involvement in local groups caught the attention of several residents who encouraged him to run for a vacant seat on the school district’s board. Magcalas was elected to the board in november 2016 to represent Trustee Area 3, which covers five schools in the southwest region of the city. he is one of five members serving a fouryear term, and will seek re-election in 2020. As a board trustee, the Fil-Am educator has pushed for a resolution to offer dual language immersion — giving students the opportunity to learn two languages — during the current school year as well as putting copies of “Journey for Justice: The life of larry itliong” by the late historian Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and writer Gayle Romasanta in all 23 elementary schools in the district. The Anaheim elementary

School District serves over 17,300 students at 23 schools. During the 2018-19 school year, 1.4% of students in the district identified as Filipino, according to data from the California Department of education. With his position, Magcalas hopes to engage the local Filipino American community to be a part in shaping elementary education in the district. “They can go to our board meetings which meet twice a month and provide public comments,” he said. “i’m an open book and would love to hear from everyone and anyone from the Filipino American community.” in addition to his classes at loara high School, Magcalas teaches part time in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program at Chapman University and is turning his dissertation into a book. he received his bachelor of arts degree from California State University, long Beach, master of arts degree in education from Pepperdine University and his Ph.D. in education from Chapman University. n

While Simbang Gabi (night mass) has been held four times at the Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, it was the first time that it was led by Pope Francis on Sunday, December 15. in his homily, the Pope acknowledged the role of Filipino migrant workers in the growth of Catholicism, saying that while the Simbang Gabi has been held in the Philippines for centuries, “in recent decades, thanks to Fili- Pope Francis pino migrants, this devotion has crossed national borders and has arrived in many other countries.” “You, dear brothers and sisters, who have left your land in search of a better future, have a special mission. Your faith should be leaven in the parish communities to which you belong. Today i encourage you to increase opportunities for meeting to share your culture and spiritual wealth while at the same time allowing yourselves to be enriched by the experiences of others,” he added. The Pope also told the Filipinos to “continue being smugglers of faith,” referring to how overseas Filipino workers “smuggle” their faith even to places where it is dangerous to be Catholic like the Middle east. Father Ricky Gente, chaplain of Filipinos in Rome, expressed his gratitude to the Pope before the end of the mass. “Almost 500 years ago, european missionaries planted the seed of faith in our beloved Philippines. We are happy and blessed because after 5 centuries, we are here in europe and throughout the world, transmitting the joy and the beauty of the Gospel,” he said. “Yes, it is true, we carry with us, wherever we go, the torch of faith of the Gospel in the world — the same faith and Gospel that has been transmitted to us,” he added. This was the first time a pope led a Simbang Gabi, highlighting even further the mark the Philippines is making on the global Catholic map after Cardinal luis Antonio Tagle was appointed as the new prefect of the Congregation for the evangelization of Peoples by Pope Francis. “in many spots on the Catholic map, including parts of the U.S., Filipinos today are the new irish, meaning missionaries who keep local churches alive,” Veteran Vatican analyst John Allen had noted after Tagle’s appointment. n

Inquirer.net photo

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • dEcEmbER 19-25, 2019

Rosen co-sponsors bipartisan resolution highlighting importance of the upcoming 2020 Census WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, December 17, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced her co-sponsorship of a bipartisan resolution, introduced by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), recognizing the importance of the upcoming 2020 Census, and encouraging individuals, families, and households across the United States to participate to ensure an accurate count. “With the 2020 Census quickly approaching, it is critical that Nevadans make plans to participate and be counted,” said Senator Rosen. “An accurate Census is vital to making sure that our state receives fair and equitable resources, funding, and repre-

sentation in Congress. I’m proud to co-sponsor this resolution affirming the importance of the Census, and I will continue working in Congress to ensure that Nevadans in every community are fairly and equally counted.” In July, Senator Rosen, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), questioned U.S. Census Bureau officials during a HSGAC Hearing on the Bureau’s efforts to ensure that immigrant communities are accurately counted in the 2020 U.S. Census. The 2020 Census is a constitutionally mandated undertaking. The data collected is used to properly allocate seats for the

U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures. It also determines how more than $800 billion annually in federal funding is distributed to state and local communities. The resolution is supported by a number of organizations including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, National Association of Towns and Townships, Census Project, NAACP, NALEO Educational Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, National Congress of American Indians, Service Employees International Union, National Education Association, Nielsen, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Google. n

OFW remittances higher than incomes of recipients – report by Mayvelin

Caraballo ManilaTimes.net

THE value of monthly remittances from overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs) now average more than 2.5 times higher than the monthly incomes of recipients in the Philippines, according to a report released on Monday, December 16, by a United Statesbased payments company. UniTeller, in a report titled Both Sides of the Coin: The Receiver’s Story, said it researched the behaviors and attitudes of low-income remittance recipients in the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Vietnam regularly receiving money from senders in Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States. The paper found that average monthly remittance value sent back by low-income overseas Filipino migrants is $446, compared to their receiver’s average monthly household income of $175. Half of remittances received by Filipino households are used for day-to-day family needs (25 percent) and bill and loan repayments (25 percent). The report said smaller sums are being allotted to education (13 percent) and savings (13 percent), while bigger sums are spent on non-essential luxury items (7 percent). This poor financial planning led to remittance recipients in the Philippines, saying they regularly run out of money.

OFW’s queue at Central, Hong Kong to send remitanses and exchange Hong Kong Dollar to Philippine peso.

The paper also highlighted that nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of Filipino recipients say they will reach out to the sender when they run out of money. “The survey further finds that a reliance on remittances may also place increasing stress on the relationship between senders and receivers,” Uniteller said. The report also mentioned that two in five (41 percent) reported that the expectation of receiving remittance places emotional stress on their family and over half (54 percent) say that it impacts their relationship with the sender. “Although the report highlights that receivers do not allocate enough of the remittances to savings, there are untapped

opportunities to increase their capacity in building sustainable wealth,” UniTeller pointed out. The publication showed that three-quarters (75 percent) of regular remittance recipients in the Philippines are eager to learn and cultivate good financial habits. As a sign of growing digitalization of financial services in the Philippines, 78 percent of respondents have a mobile wallet account and 97 percent have a smartphone. Despite this, the most common method of receiving international money transfers is still via cash pick-ups (67 percent), followed by bank transfer (41 percent) and mobile wallets (29 percent). n

ber that “many of the people in DACA, no longer very young, are far from ‘angels.’ Some are very tough, hardened criminals.”) A majority of DACA recipients hail from Central America, but a strong contingent is of Asian descent; there are about 3,888 Filipino DACA recipients in the U.S., according to 2017 data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. California — in which 1 in 5 DACA recipients is Asian — is home to the largest and one of the most diverse populations of DACA recipients in the country, and they are doctors, business owners, college students, Uber drivers, teachers, and waiters. In other words, they are contributors to the American economy. A 2017 study from the Center of American Progress showed that 91% of DACA recipients are employed and that 69% were able to move to a job with better pay. Notably, 94% reported that they were able to pursue educational opportunities “that [they] could previously not” without DACA. Pundits from media outlets including the New York Times, Vox and CNN postulated that the Supreme Court will rule in favor of the Trump administration which will lead to the de facto termination of DACA. But Saenz reiter-

Sara-Digong tandem emerge as top bets... PAGE 1 top bet among 21 potential candidates, garnering 11.6 percent. He was trailed by the Davao mayor, who got 11.5 percent. Following them were Domagoso with 9.85 percent; Poe, 9.05 percent; Cayetano, 8.85 percent; and Pacquiao, 7.25. PAI Executive Director and firm spokesman Aureli Sinsuat said the results of the poll showed that the Duterte brand could be stronger in Mindanao and the Visayas bailiwicks than what was originally expected. Sinsuat pointed out that DuterteCarpio garnered a whopping 54.1 percent of the Mindanao votes, while the race was too close to call in the Visayas.

Duterte-Carpio’s win was only 16.1 percent in the Visayas, followed by Llamanzares with 13.5 percent and Domagoso with 11.5 percent. With a cluster margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent, this means that the Top 3 choices for president in the Visayas are statistically tied, Sinsuat said. “Mindanao only has a 2-percent advantage over [the] Visayas in terms of overall voting population, with 23 percent of total voters nationally registered in Mindanao versus 21 percent registered in [the] Visayas. Despite this, the overwhelming preference for Mayor DuterteCarpio among Mindanaoan respondents essentially nullified the tight results in Visayas,”

Sinsuat said. “Mindanaoan voters catapulted President Duterte to the presidency in 2016. This goes to show that a united Mindanao voting bloc is a force to be reckoned with in the 2022 elections,” he added. Sinsuat believes that Duterte and his daughter would not run against each other. “One would undoubtedly give way to the other, and it is safe to presume that a large number of the supporters of one would end up flocking to the other. Thus, whichever Duterte would run for vice president would win by a comfortable margin in [the] Visayas and Mindanao,” he explained. He doubted that Duterte would again run for president. n

PAGE 1 dismissal by a demurrer to evidence.” “But a U.S. Senate resolution? Aside from separation of powers there’s the independence of nations,” he pointed out. But De Lima argued that there are other ways to end a criminal trial. “Sec. Locsin said only an acquittal, a conviction, or the granting of a demurrer can end a criminal trial. He forgets his criminal procedure and fails to mention withdrawal of the Information, desistance from pursuing the case or failure to prosecute, all by the prosecution, as other ways of ending a criminal trial,” she said. The detained senator explained the U.S. Senate does not really expect the Philippine govern-

ment to follow its demand as if they had the authority to order it. What the U.S. senators only wanted to point out, De Lima said, is that “there are consequences to my continuous persecution by Duterte and his officials” including the entry ban and and freezing and forfeiture of U.S. assets. The resolution, approved by the Senate committee on foreign relations, called on U.S. President Donald Trump to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against Philippine government officials responsible for “orchestrating” De Lima’s arrest and those responsible for extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. The U.S. law authorizes the U.S. president to block or revoke U.S. visas and to freeze U.S.-

based property and interests in property of foreign persons who have engaged in extrajudicial killings or other rights abuses, as well as government officials who are engaged in or responsible for significant acts of corruption. “Locsin knows or ought to know that this threat of consequences is perfectly legal and binding insofar as the U.S. is concerned,” De Lima went on. De Lima said the foreign affairs secretary could still choose whether to “continuously identify” himself as “among the cohorts or enablers, or regain your brilliant legal mind.” “I am sure the former is already tiresome, as you yourself must admit that among them, you are in the company of idiots,” she said. n

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Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa

an appeal,” he added. The senator also said that he has no intention of visiting the U.S. at this point. “Anyway, that is just a privi-

Philstar.com photo

lege, not a right. If I’m barred from entering [the United States], it’s okay. I have already experienced [staying in] America at least twice,” he said. n

What’s next for DACA recipients and... PAGE 2

MOBILE MEDICAL CONSULTATION. Department of Health (DOH) Calabarzon director Eduardo Janairo (3rd from right); Globe Business Senior Vice President Peter Maquera (3rd from left); Mayor Rodel Espiritu of Jomalig, Quezon (right); Mayor Gaudioso Manalo of Lobo, Batangas (left); Global Telehealth Inc. CEO Maridol Ylanan (2nd from right); and Globe Telecom VP for Sales Marianne Quiambao; show the mobile phones to be used in the medical consultation project in Calabarzon after the agreement signing held at Globe BGC Building, Taguig City on Monday, December 16. Janairo said the Medical Call Consultation (MCC) Service Project can provide better medical treatment and care to patients in remote and far-flung areas of the region. PNA photo by Ben Briones

De Lima tells Locsin: US senators’ reso on EJK...

Dela Rosa to inquire about reported...

PAGE 1 quiao, against American boxer Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Who will be happy with it? I could no longer visit my siblings and their children in the United States. I could no longer watch Pacquiao’s fight. So I’m offended by it,” he said. According to Dela Rosa, he will seek reconsideration from the U.S. government if it is allowed. “If that’s allowed, then maybe. But if they don’t want to reconsider, then we cannot do anything about it,” Dela Rosa said. “Will it be degrading for the Republic of the Philippines if a senator makes an appeal to let him enter America again? If it will, then I may no longer ask for

ated the fact that the Supreme Court will have until the end of June 2020 to make a decision, and any postulations that could instill anxiety and confusion within the community of DACA recipients and their families could and should be avoided. “You cannot predict the outcome of any Supreme Court case by any questions posed by justices during the oral arguments,” Saenz said, referencing the media reaction after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in April regarding the census citizenship question. Many commentators were adamant that the Supreme Court would allow the question to appear on the census, but two months later, the court decided otherwise. The current makeup of the Supreme Court — which has five conservatives and four liberals — is not necessarily a reliable determinant for how the court will vote. Further, “irresponsible” punditry and opinionating that posits one way or another before a decision is made can result and has resulted in widespread fear and confusion among immigrant communities, Saenz noted, adding that the decision may come as early as February to the end of June. He added that DACA recipients should remember three

things: know your rights, which include exercising the right to contest removal in the event of an arrest or detention by federal immigration agents; never waive your rights and voluntarily agree to removal, and always know that if you are in either of these situations that you are not alone. “You have millions of people behind you ready to work with you and support you in asserting your right to a court hearing and ultimately and to remain in this country,” Saenz affirmed. Saenz added a call to action that goes beyond DACA to all residents of the United States regardless of citizenship: participate in the 2020 census to ensure everyone gets counted and vote in the 2020 election for lawmakers and leaders who “are reflective of the views of all of us” and would enact a long-term solution for all undocumented youth. “In the end, we know what we’ve always known, which is we need leadership in the United States Congress and in the White House to exercise their authority responsibility and to move forward with a legislative solution to our DACA recipients, a solution that would provide them the right to continue to thrive and to contribute to our economy, society and to our country by being provided legal status,” he said. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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6

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

DECEMBER 19-25, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Cellphone ban

FEATURES

THE school kids might stage a revolt, but a proposal to ban students from 10th grade and younger from using cell phones and other electronic gadgets in the classroom is worth considering.

Rep. Rida Robes of San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan has filed a bill in the House of Representatives, seeking the ban, which aims to cover students up to 15 years old. Robes said studies have linked children’s use of phones and other electronic gadgets in school to diminished academic performance, cyber bullying, teenage depression and even suicide. In contrast, she cited a 2015 study conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science, which showed a significant improvement in students’ test scores in schools that banned mobile phone use. Robes also noted that last year, France imposed a nationwide ban on cellphone use among students in primary and middle schools to improve academic performance and promote healthy social

development. Her bill allows students to use their cellphones for emergencies, during special learning sessions, or if the gadgets are needed for medical purposes such as the monitoring of a child’s health indicators as recommended by a physician. The phones and other electronic gadgets are to be deposited with school authorities for safekeeping until the end of the school day. It’s a different world and a different generation, for whom the use of electronic gadgets is intuitive. This proposal does not intend to deprive children of the use of such gadgets, but to allow them to concentrate better on using the faculties they were born with for learning within the controlled environment of a classroom. This ban is a proposal worth considering. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS MALIGAYANG PASKO. This Christmas will be bittersweet for our family as we just lost one very important pillar on my husband’s side of the family. My father-in-law was called back to heaven on December 5 — just when Advent has just started. He was 86. I know many of you who have mourned the passing of a loved one in the Philippines will be able to relate to and understand the profound grief I am writing about. My father-in-law Manolo Relos had a heart attack and then a stroke and pneumonia all in one week. My husband, being the doctor in the family, had been guiding my in-laws, including his two siblings also living in America, through FaceTime in explaining to them the treatment options, particularly the angioplasty to remove the blockage in the heart and later, the thoracentesis that would remove the water in his chest cavity to make him breathe better. Unfortunately, two days after the procedure, we were told he would just sleep and not be responsive at all. Our hearts skipped a beat and were worried he might slip into a coma or just

Profound loss and grief when a loved one dies: The agony of living away from the motherland die and we were all thousands of miles and an ocean away. My husband, my brother-in-law in Portland, and sister-in-law in Boston all agreed it was time to go home. I was supposed to host “Global Pinoy Idol” for The Filipino Channel and DZMM in Las Vegas the following week but I made the decision to be there for my husband and my in-laws during this most uncertain and difficult time. Hard as it might be to back out from a job I love to do, cognizant of the fact that my role in the show had been widely advertised and promoted, I knew in my heart I had to go home and help ease the burden of my husband and his family. Family would always come first for me. For the first time in 13 years, all five children of Manolo and Norma Relos were together again with their parents. Miraculously, my father-in-law woke up, and had been responsive and started talking again. He was so happy to see us all together by his bedside in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. My father-in-law said, “wala nang kulang sa mga kaboodle”. “ I feel we are really one family.”

In the ICU, he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren who took care of him, reminisced about the past with him, and laughed at his jokes. His health improved remarkably as his vital signs became stable. He was allowed to be transferred to a private room where he could be visited by even more family and friends. On his second day in his private room, my husband and I were awoken by a frantic call from my sister-in-law who stayed with him overnight in the hospital. She said Daddy Manolo had been asking for my husband, and was saying “Pasakay na ako”. This, of course, could be interpreted as he was being picked up (sinusundo na) to be in his journey back to heaven. My father-in-law then drifted into unconsciousness again and had not been responsive the whole day. My mother-in-law called in the priests of the Sacred Heart Shrine, where Daddy Manolo and Mommy Norma have been serving for decades, to give him the sacrament of extreme unction. My sistersin-law, especially the youngest who had not been home for 13 years, were inconsolable. And then, another miracle.

He woke up and said “Great things are happening... Miracles are happening!” He grew stronger and had been able to lift his arms and move his hands. His doctors were happy about his progress as we all were, and was given discharge clearance to go home. Daddy Manolo had always wanted to go home. And so we prepared the house for him, bought him a hospital bed, oxygen tank, and private caregiver service for day and night to help Mommy Norma and my two sisters-inlaw take care of him. We got Daddy Manolo settled at home on the Feast of Christ the King. Daddy said when he had a heart attack, the image of Christ the King with the heart of Sacred Heart came to visit him in his dreams and asked him, “Handa ka na ba?” and he said not yet, requesting for a little more time. Then it was time for us to go back to the United States. My husband had a very solemn talk with his father, affirming he has accomplished his mission, that he had been a good father and husband and servant of the Lord. My husband told him that it was okay to heed the call of Jesus if He calls his name again,

and to follow the light. My husband reassured his father that we would all be okay, and gave him the promise we would all take care of Mommy Norma. Ten days after we left for the U.S., Daddy Manolo went to be with the Lord. My husband and his siblings were all grateful and blessed to have spent time with their father before he passed, to let him know and feel how much they love him while he was still alive. We did not wait for him to die to fly back home and bury his remains. I was not able to do this with my own father when he passed away in 2014. We all thought he was getting better, having been discharged from the hospital to be at home. He died three days after he came home. It would seem that many people want to be in their own home when it was time for them to go back home to heaven. I went home to hug the lifeless body of my own father and had him cremated. Of course, not everybody would have the opportunity, resources or option to go home during these difficult times. Some do not have immigration papers to leave the United States without the risk of being

banned entry for staying in the country illegally. One man without papeles lamented how painful it was that he was in the U.S. as a caregiver taking care of old people when he did not have the chance to take care of his own parents in their dying days because he had to stay in America so he could support his children. Ahhh... the painful choices we have to make. So this holiday season and Christmas, I pray for our kababayans who have lost their loved ones while they were away from the Motherland. May you find peace in your hearts knowing our departed loved ones are in a better place now — no more pain and suffering, only eternal life, love, peace and joy in Paradise with our Creator. Have a merry and blessed Christmas! *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos. Relos.

Update on the US socio-political scene

Postscript

FEDERICO PASCUAL JR. WE share some of the noteworthy findings in 2019 of Pew Research Center, a Washingtonbased non-partisan think tank, on varied topics, from demographic and political changes reshaping the United States to the attitudes and experiences of people in other countries. •The American public renders a harsh judgment on the state of political discourse in the U.S. today. Large majorities of Americans say the tone and nature of political debate has become more negative in recent years, as well as less respectful, less fact-based and less substantive. President Trump appears to be a major factor in people’s views: A 55-percent majority says Trump has changed the tone and nature of political debate in the country for the worse. Fewer than half as many (24 percent) say he has changed it for the better, while 20 percent say he has had little impact. • The most active 10 percent of adult Twitter users in the U.S. produce 80 percent of all tweets sent by these users. The median adult user of the platform tweets only twice a month, but a small group tweets much more fre-

Philstar.com photo

The most active 10 percent of adult Twitter users in the U.S. produce 80 percent of all tweets sent by these users. The median adult user of the platform tweets only twice a month, but a small group tweets much more frequently, according to an April study. In a follow-up study that looked at tweets about national politics, 97 percent of tweets that were created by U.S. adults and mentioned national politics came from just 10 percent of users. Inquirer.net photo

quently, according to an April study. In a follow-up study that looked at tweets about national politics, 97 percent of tweets that were created by U.S. adults and mentioned national politics came from just 10 percent of users. • Newspaper circulation in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest level since at least 1940, the earliest year with available data. Total daily newspaper circulation — print and digital combined — was an estimated 28.6 million for weekday and 30.8 million for Sunday in 2018. Those numbers were down 8 percent and 9 per-

cent, respectively, from the previous year. • Despite economic troubles facing the news industry, about 7-in-10 Americans (71 percent) believe their local news media organizations are doing well financially. This belief persists even though only 14 percent of U.S. adults say they personally have paid for local news in the past year, whether through subscriptions, donations or memberships. When asked why they do not pay for local news, 49 percent of non-payers point to the availability of free content.

• The foreign-born share of the U.S. population is at its highest point since 1910. Nearly 14 percent of people living in the U.S. in 2017 were born in another country, extending a steady increase over the past few decades. More than 44 million immigrants lived in the U.S. This foreign-born share, however, is far from the highest in the world. In 2017, 25 countries and territories had higher shares than the US, including Australia (29 percent), New Zealand (23 percent) and Canada (21 percent), as well as European countries such as Switzerland (30 percent), Austria (19 percent) and Sweden (18 percent). • Hispanics are projected to be the largest racial or ethnic minority group in the 2020 electorate, overtaking the black voters for the first time. Hispanics are expected to account for just over 13 percent of eligible voters, slightly more than the black electorate. A projected 32 million Hispanics will be eligible to vote in 2020, compared with 30 million black adults. Asian voters will number some 11 million, more than double their 5 million in 2000. Asians will account for 5 percent of next year’s electorate, while all nonwhites will be a third of eligible voters. • The U.S. no longer leads

the world in admitting refugees. While Canada resettled 28,000 refugees in 2018 — similar to its total in 2017 – the U.S. welcomed only 23,000, down from 33,000 the year before. It was the first time the U.S. was not the world’s top haven since the Congress created the refugee program in 1980. The U.S. previously admitted more refugees each year than all other countries combined. The number of refugees resettled in the U.S. is likely to drop further: The Trump administration has set a new cap of 18,000 refugees in fiscal 2020. • The number of people living in the U.S. without authorization has decreased over the past decade, driven by a sharp decline in unauthorized immigrants from Mexico who used to account for the majority of unauthorized immigrants. By 2017, there were 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants, including 4.9 million Mexicans. While the number of unauthorized immigrants from Mexico has decreased, the numbers from two regions — Asia and Central America — have risen. There were 5.5 million unauthorized immigrants from countries other than Mexico in 2017. • Two-thirds of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, a reversal from two decades ago. Legalizing the drug

— which is banned under federal law — has the backing of a majority of men and women; white, black and Hispanic adults; and Democrats and Democraticleaning independents and Republicans and Republican leaners (though Democrats remain far more likely than Republicans to favor it, 78 percent vs. 55 percent). An overwhelming majority of U.S. adults (91 percent) say marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use (59 percent) or that it should be legal just for medical use (32 percent). Some 8 percent prefer to keep marijuana illegal in all circumstances. • The share of Americans with an unfavorable view of China reached a 14-year high amid a protracted trade dispute between the two countries. Six-in10 U.S. adults have a negative opinion of China, up from 47 percent in 2018 and the highest share since Pew began asking this question in 2005. Around a quarter of Americans (24 percent) name China as the country or group that poses the greatest threat, double the share who said this in 2007. China is tied with Russia as the country or group most cited by Americans as a threat. The only other country to measure in the double digits is North Korea (12 percent). (Philstar.com)

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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Dateline PhiliPPines

Gordon eyes probe of Villar firm takeover of water districts by Marlon

raMos Inquirer.net

blue ribbon committee, was asked by Elmer Luzon, general manager of the San Francisco Water District in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur province, and Anselmo Sang Tian, general manager of the Butuan City Water District, to look into the orders issued by LWUA Administrator Jeci Lapus. Luzon and Sang Tian claimed that Lapus’ orders favored publicprivate partnership in the operations of water districts, which are mandated to be nonprofit state agencies. Of the 76 such partnerships, 63 were allegedly cornered by Prime Water, whose projects with local water districts had been flagged by the Commission on Audit for inefficiency and poor service. Gordon pointed out that the issues involving the country’s water distribution system were complex since these involved both business and public interests. He said the government’s recent actions could “deter businesses from coming in here,” apparently referring to President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision not to settle nearly P11 billion that an international arbitral court had

MANILA — Sen. Richard Gordon on Tuesday, December 17, said he would move for a Senate investigation into the actions of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) that allegedly paved the way for the privatization of scores of the country’s water districts. Gordon made the announcement after the general managers of two water districts in Caraga region claimed that 63 water distribution units were already under the control of Prime Water Infrastructure Corp., a company owned by the family of Sen. Cynthia Villar. Gordon said Villar had spoken to him and assured him that her family was “not involved” in Prime Water’s reported takeover of water districts. “But I’m not going to be swayed by anything. I have full faith and trust in everybody until they showed otherwise. So we will take a look at this,” Gordon told the Inquirer. Asked how he would deal with the situation since he and Villar both belonged to the majority bloc, he said: “That’s not going to deter me from investigating it.” “But I have to study it first. I’m not saying that there’s hankypanky, but we will have to look at it very, very strongly, especially since Villar is here,” he said. “And I have no reason to doubt (Villar’s) integrity. But if there’s ground to question it, we will question it.’’ Prime Water said it would still have to hold a meeting to discuss the matter. Complaints Gordon, chair of the Senate Sen. Richard Gordon

awarded to Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. for their forgone revenues. Both companies have said they are no longer seeking the award. Cardinal rule “If the government suddenly impairs obligations and contracts, that’s wrong. That’s a very cardinal rule [that involves] the rule of law and the continuity of contracts,” Gordon said. “But at the same time, if there’s a valid reason for the government to act because [the contracts are] patently disadvantageous, then that must be proven,” he added. Gordon noted the concerns of Maynilad and Manila Water after both water utilities disclosed that their creditors had suspended their loans due to uncertainties about their water concession agreements with the government. “With all this brouhaha, the water system projects [of Maynilad and Manila Water] may not be completed. They are, in their nature, very expensive propositions. And ‘speed’ is the name of the game,” he said. n

Senate passes sin tax bill by Javier isMael ManilaTimes.net

THE Senate approved on Monday, December 16, Senate Bill (SB) 1074, or the ”Sin Tax Bill,” an Act that seeks to increase the excise tax imposed on alcohol products, heated tobacco products and other vapor products. SB 1074 is in substitution of SB 383 and 987 prepared by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, with Senators Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano as authors. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri explained that since President Rodrigo Duterte had certified the bill as an urgent

measure, the Senate could approve it on third and final reading on the same day. The House of Representatives approved its counterpart measure in August. The measure is expected to generate P47.9 billion in the first year of its implementation. Pacquiao and Cayetano said the proceeds of the additional tax would go to the Universal Health Care program. The bill, among others, proposes to increase the specific tax rate for distilled spirits to P90 per proof liter in 2020 from P23.40 and to retain the 20-percent ad valorem tax on net retail price of the same products. The measure will also impose varied rates on sparkling and

carbonated wines. At present, sparkling wines costing P500 or less and those costing more than P500 are levied P316.33 and P885.72, respectively. Still wines and carbonated wines are charged P37.96 for bottles with up to 14 percent alcohol and P75.92 for bottles containing more than 14 percent. The bill will impose a P45per-liter tax on fermented liquor and alcopops in 2020, which will gradually increase to P75 in 2023. The rate will go up by 10 percent annually beginning 2024. The measure forms part of the administration’s comprehensive tax reform program. n

‘Cha-cha is doomed’ – senators by Bernadette

taMayo ManilaTimes.net

SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday, December 16, said the Senate and the Filipino people would reject Charter change (Cha-cha). Echoing the statement made by Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd, Drilon claimed that the proposal to amend the 1987 Constitution is not a priority in the Senate. “If the House of Representatives would insist on passing Cha-cha, make it a point to include their return address, because the Senate and the Filipino people will not accept it,” the senator said in a statement on Monday. “Our counterparts in the lower house have the fighting spirit of a Filipino athlete. I do not want to dampen their spirit, but their Cha-cha is doomed,” he added. Sotto agreed. “We cannot prevent them from doing so. To each his own,” he said. But he noted that Cha-cha

“has a chance” to proceed in the Senate if it aims to amend economic provisions. “[Cha-cha to amend] Economic [provisions]? Yes, [we’ll support]. [But] other provisions? I’m not convinced,” Sotto said in a text message. Sen. Panfilo Lacson said “the manner of voting must be resolved first before we even participate in the discussion of Charter change.” “They can always test the Constitution. Nobody can prevent them except the Constitution itself. At the end of the day, the Supreme Court will decide. And yes, the Filipino people,” Lacson said in a text message. Last week, a still unnumbered resolution was approved by the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments in a closeddoor meeting. The resolution proposes, among others, to extend the term of the congressmen and local government officials from three years to five years, and to add the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” on

economic provisions in the Constitution. Drilon said the non-mention of Cha-cha and federalism in the last state of the nation address of President Rodrigo Duterte “was a clear message to Congress that Cha-cha is no longer a priority of the administration.” “Apparently, the message was lost on the members of the House of Representatives. I had said it before and I will say it once more, Cha-cha is dead,” he added. He said it is a self-serving move on the part of the House to propose an extension of their term: “The term extension is illconceived. It extinguishes all the good intentions they may have in mind in pushing for Cha-cha. We will oppose it.” Drilon stressed that majority of Filipinos were against the proposed shift to a federal system of government, citing a 2018 survey by Pulse Asia, which showed that 67 percent of Filipinos opposed Cha-cha, with only 18 percent were in favor and 14 percent still undecided. n

ABS-CBN can manage even if it loses broadcast franchise – Andanar by darryl John

esguerra

Inquirer.net

MANILA—Broadcast giant ABS-CBN can manage even if it ends up losing its legislative franchise amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated threat to block its renewal, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Wednesday, December 18. Andanar explained that ABSCBN can simply distribute its contents to other channels if it loses its franchise when it expires on March 30, 2020. “We are forgetting that ABSCBN is not in the business of TV alone. They are in the business

of content production,” Andanar said at the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum in Malate, Manila. “Meron silang contents online, meron silang magazine, meron silang iba pang mga investment (like) movies. (They have contents online, they are into magazine, they have other investments like movies.) I’m sure ABS-CBN can find a way how to distribute their content if they lose their franchise,” he added. Andanar, however, conceded that ABS-CBN’s fate is up to Congress. Republic Act No. 3846 requires radio and television broadcast-

ers in the Philippines to obtain a franchise from Congress. Since he assumed office, Duterte has repeatedly threatened ABS-CBN’s franchise because the network allegedly ran an advertisement against him when he campaigned for President in 2016 and for refusing to air his own campaign advertisements. Earlier this month, the President said “he will see to it” that ABS-CBN won’t have its franchise renewed. “If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan (franchise), I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out,” Duterte said. n

TOYM AWARDEES. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (8th from right), and other senators commend the 10 Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines in 2019 during their visit at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, December 16. The awardees, recognized for their dedication in their respective professions that resulted in significant contributions to the Philippine society, are: Reynaldo Seville Abellana, Arts Humanities-Classic Music; Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong of Government Service Insurance System; Alfonso Tomas Araullo, Journalism and Mass Communication Broadcast Journalist; PHD Casiano Jr Hermopia Choresca Agricultural-fisheries and Agriculture; Dino Carlo Reyes Chua from Business-Tourism; Glenn Fiel Fernandez, PHD Political and Social Science-Youth Participation in Disaster Risk Reduction; Gerardo Gregorios Francisco Jr., Arts and Humanities in Dance; Dr. Marc Paul Jose Lopez, Medicine-Colon and Rectal Surgery; Engr. Aisa Alvarez Mijeno, Science Technology and Engineering - Green Technology; and Rep. Alfredo Paolo Dumlao Vargas III, Public Service. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Ombudsman decries ‘wiretapping’ by PCIJ, mum on Duterte SALN release by Patricia lourdes Philstar.com

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MANILA — Ombudsman Samuel Martires denied giving any interview to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) about President Rodrigo Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). Last week, the PCIJ released a report about Duterte’s failure to release his SALN eight months after the April 30 deadline for the filing of the document. In the report, journalist Malou Mangahas quoted Martires saying the SALN can be obtained from the Office of the President and the Office of the Executive Secretary. The Ombudsman was also quoted saying that the SALN issue is a “complicated matter.” Martires, meanwhile, accused Mangahas of violating the AntiWiretapping Law for allegedly recording their conversation when the journalist supposedly did not ask for permission to do so. According to Martires, he was coming from a “health break” during an event at Diamond Hotel in Manila when Mangahas approached him and identified herself as a GMA reporter. Mangahas is PCIJ executive director and host of public affairs program “Investigative Documentaries” on GMA Network.

“In her first question about the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, I directly said the issue was complicated and if we could talk about it some other day in my office,” Martires said in Filipino. Martires, however, said he would not have agreed to give the interview even if Mangahas asked for permission. The Ombudsman said he was surprised when the article titled “Duterte’s secret SALN: The lie of his FOI” came out appearing that there was a formal interview about the matter. Journalists often engage news sources like government officials in chance or “ambush” interviews. In a statement on Wednesday night, PCIJ said that “Ombudsman Martires knew that as a public official with expertise and mandate on the issues raised, he was speaking face to face with a journalist with a legitimate journalistic purpose, on a matter of public interest.” It added that “the conversation occurred in a public space and even with the full knowledge and in full view of his own personnel from the Office of the Ombudsman.” In the same statement, PCIJ pointed out that “Malou was holding her phone to record the interview, in full view of both

Ombudsman Martires and Atty. Rawnsie Lopez” and that “was well aware that what transpired was a proper interview, a public conversation between a journalist and a public official, on a matter of public concern.” Martires: I also have duty to protect rights of government officials, workers Martires also accused the journalist of using him to criticize Duterte’s executive order on freedom on information. While he acknowledged that the public has the right to access the SALN of government officials, Martires said it is also his duty to protect the rights of government officials and employees under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Amidst his tirades against Mangahas, Martires did not answer the issue on the release of Duterte’s SALN for 2018. PCOO Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan earlier said the Office of the Ombudsman’s pending guidelines on public access to SALN of government officials delay the release of Duterte’s SALN. “We appreciate that the Office of the Ombudsman will soon come up with the revised guidelines on public access to SALN,” Ablan told Philstar.com. n

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Duterte hosts LGBT party at Malacañang Senate probe into country’s hosting of SEA Games sought by Nestor

Corrales Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte hosted a thanksgiving party for members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community in Malacañang on Tuesday, December 17. Duterte welcomed members of the LGBT Pilipinas, Inc. , and administered the oath of office of its national officers. The group was led by Gretchen Diez, the transgender woman who earlier figured in a controversy after she tried to enter a female toilet at a mall in Quezon City. In his public speeches, Duterte has made conflicting remarks about members of the LGBT community. In a campaign rally in April this year, the President said members of the LGBT community have nothing to be ashamed of as they too are created by God. He even said in 2017 that he was

by Gaea

President Rodrigo Duterte greets a member of the LGBT Pilipinas, Inc. during the thanksgiving gathering he hosted at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, December 17. Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

NiColas CiGaral Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines lost its spot in the top 10 in the new gender equality ranking by the World Economic Forum, which flagged a widening political empowerment gap in the Southeast Asian country. According to a report by the WEF published Tuesday, the Philippines fell eight notches to 16th place after its score dropped 1.8 percentage points to 78.1. Despite the decline, the Philippines managed to remain the highest-placed Asian nation and secured the 2nd place regionally.

CabiCo

MANILA — Sen. Leila De Lima, an outspoken critic of the Duterte administration, called on the Senate to investigate the organizational and administrative problems as well as allegations of corruption that marred the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. The recently-concluded regional meet was a victory—at least for the country’s athletes— after the Philippines topped the medal table with 149 golds. The country’s hosting, however, was beset by controversies even before the official start of the event: from transport delays, accommodation problems, complaints of volunteers, unfinished facilities to the P50-million cauldron, which critics said was too expensive and which organizing panel chief Alan Peter Cayetano defended as being priceless. In filing Senate Resolution 274, De Lima said there is a need to conduct an inquiry into the country’s hosting of the SEA Games after the problems encountered were documented by mass media. “As we celebrate our athletes’ most successful campaign in recent memory, it is likewise

important for our government to scrutinize our performance both as a host country and as patrons to our athletes,” the detained lawmaker said. De Lima also said the organizational structure through which the country hosts international sporting events must be also scrutinized. “There is need to investigate the existing sports legislation to ensure that support and funding are given to the agencies that have proper mandate and that accountability lies even with private organizations, especially those who have access to government resources,” she said. The resolution does not name the panel that would hold the hearings, but the Senate has a Committee on Sports, which is chaired by Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go. Go has already promised a probe into the Cayetano-led Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee’s preparations for the games. “As of October 30, 2019, PHISGOC stated that preparations are 90% complete. Why did these things happen?” he said in Filipino in a privilege speech in November in reference to early reports of logistical hiccups. “We do not need an apology.

This cannot be remedied by a mere apology. What is needed is for everyone to wake up. Let’s not be lackadaisical.” He also equated criticism of the games as contempt for the country, saying some were “applauding for the wrong reason—they are applauding because they want the games to fail.” De Lima, in her resolution, said: “While problems of disorganization, incompetence and inefficiency can be resolved through institutional mechanisms, what cannot be countenanced is the scandalous probability that in the middle of all this disorganization and incompetence, certain high public officials might have enriched themselves in the procurement of government contracts for the hosting of the games.” Ahead of the formal start of the sporting event, Malacañang said “there is indeed something wrong with the preparations.” But President Rodrigo Duterte cleared Cayetano, his vice-presidential runningmate and ally, of allegations of corruption. Ombudsman Samuel Martires said the anti-corruption office has begun its investigation into the alleged mishandling of the P6-billion fund for the SEA Games hosting. n

in favor of same-sex marriage. But in a speech before the Filipino community in Tokyo, Japan in May this year, he implied that being gay is a disease that needs to be cured. Malacañang had earlier said that Duterte would support an

anti-discrimination bill but not the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Equality bill, which is pending in the Senate. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the proposed bill “discriminates.” n

The Geneva-based organization’s annual report tracks disparities between the sexes in 153 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment. According to the WEF, the Philippines’ performance was “strong” across three of the four dimensions of the index. The WEF said the Philippines closed 80% of the gender gap in terms of economic opportunity, with women outnumbering men in senior and leadership roles and receiving the compensation that they deserve. The Philippines is one of the four countries to achieve this feat.

Filipino women can also expect to live in good health five years longer than men. The WEF added that more women in the Philippines are enrolled in secondary and tertiary education than men. But the WEF said that in the Philippines, female representation in the cabinet declined to 10% this year from 25% in 2017, while representation in the parliament slipped to 28% at the beginning of 2019. Overall, the Nordic countries once again dominated the top of the table: men and women were most equal in Iceland, followed by Norway, Finland and Sweden. In its report, the WEF said that while women around the world appear to be gradually closing the gender gap in areas such as politics, health and education, workplace inequality is not expected to be erased until the year 2276. The organization, which gathers the global elite in the plush Swiss ski resort of Davos each year, said that the worldwide gender gap in the workplace had widened further since last year, when parity appeared to be only 202 years off. General parity “will take more than a lifetime to achieve,” WEF acknowledged in a statement. Fireworks lights up the sky during the closing ceremony of the SEA Games (Southeast Asian Games) at the athletics stadium in Clark, north of Manila on December 11, 2019. Philstar.com photo (With reports from AFP)

PH loses top 10 slot in latest gender equality ranking, falls 8 spots by iaN

KatreeNa Philstar.com

In this Feb. 14, 2018 photo, St. Scholastica’s College students dance in unison during the “One Billion Rising” global movement as part of their advocacy against all forms of discrimination and violence against women and children. Philstar.com photo by Miguel De Guzman

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

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Journal Filipina American journalist Leezel Tanglao, 2020 Women inPower Fellow Inspiring to empower women

by

MoMar G. Visaya / aJPress

92ND Street Y’s Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact announced last week the 2020 class of Women inPower, a fellowship program to help senior-level women advance to the highest levels of leadership across sectors. Among the fellows selected is Leezel Tanglao, a New Yorkbased Fil-Am journalist and media consultant and a current Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) delegate. This group of 28 Fellows was selected from a pool of nearly 250 applicants and this year’s Fellows include leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds and professions, including business, nonprofits, law, medicine, media, technology, arts, education, philanthropy, and science. “In this fast-paced media industry that’s in total disruption, there’s strength in community. In the past year, I’ve been a part

of several different cohorts from different parts of my life, both professional and personal,” she told the Asian Journal. This one-of-a-kind free program provides women with professional development, executive mentorship, CEO workshops, and membership in an active community of female leaders. The initiative also includes a social impact component, encouraging Fellows to think ambitiously about their role in creating not only more success and power for themselves, but a healthier and more egalitarian society for all. “Regardless of the focus, there’s something deep and impactful to be part of a network that supports and empowers women. This program is an amazing opportunity to learn from women leaders at the top of their game and give back. You can’t be what you don’t see,” explained Tanglao, who consid-

Tanglao with her fellow delegate Philjay Solar from Boston

As part of the immersion program, the delegates had meetings with their mentors to discuss their legacy projects and come up with an action plan. Along the way, they visited various communities, including an indigenous Aeta tribe in Pampanga. They also met with representatives from the Department of Tourism, Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Trade and Industry, before meeting the Mayor of Manila, Isko Moreno. Photos courtesy of FYLPRO

ers herself as a “bridge journalist at the intersection of editorial, product, business development and sales”. Tanglao is currently a senior editor at HuffPost and she consults with companies through her company, StatFury. She is also currently a Reynolds Journalism Institute Non-Residential Fellow and is working on developing a tool to measure impact. The fellowship is now on its fifth year and the program has already served more than a hundred Fellows. Over a dozen Fellows have reached the C-Suite or equivalent in their field and many more have made career moves that deepen their influence. FYLPRO Experience The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) is a joint initiative of the Philippine Embassy under the leadership of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, Consulates General in the United States, and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI).

To reflect the growth of the Filipino-American population and the expansion of the FYLPRO program, 15 FYLPRO delegates were chosen to participate this year and Tanglao was one of them. “I didn’t know what to expect when I was selected for the FYLPRO program. I did know it would be my first time back to the motherland in 11 years. It would also be the first time going alone without family,” she shared. “Walking on the land of my ancestors and knowing the sacrifices they made to ensure their legacy lives on is something worth innovating and carrying forward. It’s the first step towards connecting deeply with kababayans, no matter where they are in the world.” The 15 leaders have carried out inspiring work in their communities driven by their passions for the Filipino culture and the advancement of Philippine interests and advocacies in the United States. They now join a prestigious network of 85 young, Filipino-American leaders across the

Leezel Tanglao in Manila during the recent FYLPRO trip.

nation to collaborate, exchange ideas, and continue to inspire a wave of diplomatic innovation. The 2019 FYLPRO delegates traveled to the Philippines last month in a week-long immersion trip to Manila, and were provided with the opportunity to interact with Philippine Government officials and leaders in the fields of business, arts and culture, and civil society. Tanglao described her memorable trip as a transformative experience. “I’m still processing the experience but it was a transformative experience that reignited the fire and pride I have as a Filipino American and desire to build ties to the motherland and with our fellow kababayans in the di-

Photos courtesy of FYLPRO

aspora,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see what a very diverse group of individuals can do together -united by a shared love of family and identity.” Tanglao has also worked at CNNMoney (now CNNBusiness) as Assistant Managing Editor of Programming where she led a global team and launched proprietary social metric Surge. Among her other previous stints include: Associated Press, CBSNews.com, VICE News, NowThis, ABCNews. com, KCBS/KCAL and PressEnterprise. She received her BA at Loyola Marymount University and an MA at UCLA. She was named 2018 Member of the Year by the Asian American Journalists Association. PAGE 14

Jolo marries ‘personal angel’ in US garden wedding Catriona to be more visible in PH after reign by arMin

by iza iGlesias

P. adina

ManilaTimes.net

Inquirer.net

ACTOR and Cavite Vice Governor Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III married Binibining Pilipinas 2016 first runner-up Angelica Alita in a garden ceremony held at Pelican Hills Resort in Newport Beach, California on Sunday, December 16. The groom’s parents, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado, and his siblings were in attendance. The senator posted a live video of his son’s wedding ceremony on his Facebook page as the couple exchanged vows. An emotional Jolo said, “Because of you and what you do, you made me a good man. Thank you for loving me. You made me realize that I don’t need to become someone else and pretend to be someone else. Tanggap mo kung sino ako at kung ano ako. Not all angels are in heaven, mine is here on Earth standing now in front of me… Basta kasama kita, saan man tayo pumunta, pakiramdam ko lagi akong nasa langit. …Finally God has given me the ultimate gift of finding my own personal angel.” He continued, “You are the one that I desire. Ikaw na ang matagal kong hinihintay. Paulit-ulit kong ipinapangako sa iyo, ikaw ang magiging sentro ng buhay ko sa mata ng Panginoon. It’s all because of you I found peace and happiness. You give direction to my life. You’re always there to guide me and inspire me. You bring out the best in me. “I’ve never been so certain. Lagi lang pabago-bago ang isip ko sa mga bagay-bagay pero sa iyo, siguradong-sigurado ako. Hindi ko inaasahan na darating ang araw na ito. Matagal ko na itong hinihintay at ngayon nandito na tayo sa altar, sa harap ng mga ma-

FOR many pageant aficionados, South African beauty queen Zozibini Tunzi has huge shoes to fill as Miss Universe because last year’s winner, Catriona Gray, set the bar so high. “I’m very flattered by that comment. I wanted people to look into my year and say, ‘I see Catriona there.’ And I feel that I’ve already done that because I’ve always been community-oriented. And to see people taking notice of that has been very fulfilling,” the 2018 winner told Inquirer Entertainment during her last trip to the Philippines before relinquishing

Actor-politician Jolo Revilla with new wife, former beauty queen Angelica Alita. Photo from Instagram/@jolo_revilla

hal natin sa buhay, nangangako na mamahalin natin ang isa’t isa habambuhay. Akala ko noon wala nang magmamahal sa akin. Akala ko wala nang mahuhulog at mai-in love sa akin. Pero napakabuti ng Diyos binigyan ako ng anghel na walang pakpak at ikaw ‘yon.” His bride in turn said, “I may appear strong to many but you know my weaknesses and I love you for that. There’s nothing not to love about you. You are the most caring father, son and brother to your family,” she said, adding that she will also love and take care of Jolo’s son, Gab, from a previous relationship. “Today, I vow to know myself as you and you as myself. I promise to dream with you and be your biggest supporter, to encourage you and to stand by you from this day forward. Jolo, hindi ka na iiyak mag-isa. Kasama mo akong babangon at magpupunas ng iyong mga luha. At higit sa lahat, salamat sa Panginoon for

directing you to me because now I finally found my heaven on Earth with you and Gab by my side. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Mahal na mahal kita. I love you.” Jolo first confirmed he is in a relationship with the former beauty queen early this year, and by September already confirmed they had planned to marry before the end of 2019. The news came as a surprise to the public who had always thought Jolo would reunite with his previous girlfriend of eight years, actress Jodi Sta. Maria. Jolo’s son Jose Gabrielle, or Gab, meanwhile, was from an earlier relationship with actress Rosanna Roces’ daughter Grace Adriano. The guests were a mix of showbiz and government personalities, among them are principal sponsors Leyte First District Representative Martin Romualdez, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and Cavite Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray Governor Jonvic Remulla.

fourth Filipino woman to wear the Miss Universe crown. Miss Universe manager Esther Swan, who was always beside Catriona during her reign, told Inquirer Entertainment that she will miss “everything” about the Filipino queen. “She’s always here (pointing to her heart). ‘I feel Filipina, I am Filipina,’” Esther continued. Catriona promised to be more visible in the Philippines, but shared that she may pursue opportunities in music and “cause work” outside the country. She said she hoped to weave her love of music into her advocacy. Aside from Gray, the other Filipino Miss Universe winners are Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973) and Pia Wurtzbach (2015). This year’s representative, Gazini Ganados, finished in the Top 20, sustaining the Philippines’ semifinal streak that was started by Miss Universe fourth runner-up Venus Raj in 2010. Beginning 2020, a new team will select the country’s representative to the global tilt, with 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee assuming the national directorship for the Philippines. In her official Instagram account, the 33-year-old multihyphenate and mother of two said, “I am honored with my new role for the organization that brought meaning to my life as a beauty queen and as a woman. I am more than blessed to be the national director of Miss Universe Philippines.” The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., which has held the Miss Universe license for the Philippines since 1964, issued a statement on its official Facebook page confirming the Miss Universe Organization’s decision not to Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray renew their partnership.

her title. Zozibini inherited Catriona’s crown when she bested 89 other delegates for the 2019 Miss Universe crown in ceremonies staged at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, on December 8. “I’m definitely going to continue the work that I’m doing and getting involved in different communities, not just in the Philippines, but also in other communities around the world,” Catriona said during a Christmas party last month hosted by Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee for children under the care of Young Focus Foundation. “It’s really the kind of work that I love doing,” added Catriona, the

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong packs a punch with #PacquiaoforMTHK

Boxing champion Manny Pacquaio

ANOTHER icon brings Filipino pride to the world stage as Madame Tussauds Hong Kong announced on Tuesday its addition of a new wax figure, which is none other than boxing champ Manny Pacquiao. “I’m very honored that they chose me,” said Pacquiao, whose 41st birthday also happens to fall on the same day as the announcement of the good news. “Masaya ako na maitataas ko muli ang bandera ng Pilipinas sa ganitong paraan (I am happy that I will once again raise the Philippine flag in this manner). Madame Tussauds Hong Kong has many personalities, including my fellow athletes and excited ako na makatabi ko sila doon (that I Contributed photo will be alongside them),” he added.

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Senior Marketing Manager BoBo Yu shared her excitement to have Manny Pacquiao as another Filipino wax figure in their roster of icons. “The Philippines continues to be one of our strongest markets and having Manny Pacquiao who is known globally for his achievements in sports is an honor for us. He is one personality that the attraction has been wanting to have and we cannot wait the Filipino fans to see the figure in 2020,” said Yu. It took six hours to measure the boxer for his wax figure. However, Pacquiao stayed in good spirits throughout the afternoon, patiently cooperating with the team from UK to make sure they got every detail right while having fun with

the staff on site. “It was a new experience for me,” shared Pacquiao. “Ganito pala ka-detalye gumawa ng wax figure kaya mas na appreciate ko yung mga staff (I didn’t know that making a wax figure could be this detailed that’s why I appreciate the staff).” Pacquiao was also equally thrilled to share this news with his family. “Mas naging proud ako na maging dad nila (I am more proud to be their dad). I can’t wait to bring them to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong to see my wax figure. Excited rin ako (I am also excited) to see how it will look like and i-share ito (share) to my Filipino fans,” said Pacquiao. The wax figure is set to be unveiled in 2020. (ManilaTimes.net)

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA JOSHUA was excited with his new job at the inn. It sure beats having to herd sheep this time of the year when the cold nights chilled his bones on the hillside pasture where he tended his family’s small herd of sheep and cattle. The job fell to his younger brother this time. Jacob, the owner of the inn was his father’s friend who had asked if Joshua could help him mind the inn for a little while as he and his wife will be going on a long journey. Jacob liked and trusted Joshua like the son he never had. The young man was a good worker and a natural who quickly picked up the ropes of the business. Not long after, Jacob and his wife left for their journey to the town north of the country where they were born many miles away to comply with the Roman emperor Augustus’ decree that everyone be counted for the census. Few, if any, in Israel dared disobey the mighty Roman Empire. The inn was busy. People for miles around were on the move going back to their own hometowns. The brisk business brought by overnight travellers in their otherwise sleepy town tired him out. Yet, he felt pretty proud of himself of the work he was doing. Today, just before sundown, he had fi lled the 12 modestly furnished rooms with tired and hungry travellers. He thought of meeting up with his shepherd friends in the pasture once he had turned over the inn’s affairs to the night attendant. He had heard his shepherd friends on night watch talk about an unusually bright star that has been moving in the heavens for many nights now. They said it was a spectacle to behold and he wanted to see it for himself. The rumor buzzing around town was that the soothsayers in King Herod’s palace studying the unusual heavenly display were cowering in fear, loathe to tell the king the meaning of the

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS CHRONIC Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a consortium of various progressive lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis, refractory (non-reversible asthma), and emphysema, characterized by increasing shortness of breath. About 24 million people in the United States have COPD and its ranks third as most common cause of death. COPD is an increasing health threat across the globe. There are many known causes or contributing factors in the development of COPD or COLD (Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease). Among them are smoking, second-hand smoke, chemical dust at workplace, air pollution, fumes from cooking, genetic defect with Alpha 1 trypsin deficiency at birth, history of asthma, low birth weight, and poor nutrition. At this point, I would like to add Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It didn’t dawn on me that GERD could cause COPD until my daughter Sheillah C. Gentile, MD, doing Family Medicine in Munster, Indiana, pointed out that many patients with GERD later developed COPD. What is GERD? Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease is a condition which allows stomach hydrochloric acid (normal chemical which aids in digestion, together with gastric enzymes) to go back up from the stomach to the esophagus (food pipe) among individuals who have an incompetent (loose) Gastroesophageal valve. Normally, this valve between the stomach and the esophagus closes air-water tight. In some persons, the valve becomes loose and unable to prevent acidic fluid and fumes from going back up (reflux) to the esophagus and even up to the throat area, and drips or flows into the wind pipe and into the lungs. Chronic acid reflux eventually leads to GERD. The acid gradually burns the lung tissue and over time, a significant area of the lungs are damaged, unable to oxygenate the entire body adequately. This is when shortness of breath starts. How prevalent is GERD? GERD is a common disorder, many not even realizing they have it. About 18.1 to 27.9% of Americans have GERD, 8.8 to 25.9% in Europe, 2.5 to 7.8% in East Asia, 8.7 to 33.1% in the Middle East, 11.6% in Australia, and 23% in South America. Most patients complain of burning discomfort in the pit of the stomach after meals, or at night, while lying down, al-

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A Christmas Story: The innkeeper’s untold tale “As he told the story of that wondrous night to Luke, Joshua carefully removed himself from the narrative. It was to be between him and God alone.” unusual star. Eventually, they had to tell the king for nothing escapes him. Herod did not suffer fools gladly. The prophecy will come to pass. The king to rule all kings was to be born very soon within the kingdom. It was no wonder King Herod was in a vicious mood. Joshua thought the ruthless king would remove all threats to his kingship by all means fair or foul. It was bad enough he had to bow to the superior might of the Roman conquerors who had allowed him to be king within his territory. Just as Joshua was about to lock up for the night, a couple came in. The man, visibly tired and leaning on his staff with one hand, was supporting the woman who was heavy with child with his other hand. The woman looked to be in some pain. Still, Joshua noted the stately calm, grace and beauty about her. There was this mysterious glow. The man asked Joshua for a room and told him his wife was about to give birth. Alas, the last room has been let and Joshua told him so. Joshua glanced at the woman and his heart was filled with pity. He thought quickly of his own home for them to stay for the night but it was some distance away. He had to think and act quickly. It looks like the woman was about to give birth at any moment. Joshua had seen to his own mother at childbirth. He had helped his own father deliver some of his brothers himself. “Maybe, I have something for you. It’s not much but it would get you through this cold night at least,” he told the couple. “Come

with me.” Joshua gathered some blankets and sheets quickly. He gave instructions to his attendant to heat water. He then gathered food and other provisions. He moved in haste leading the couple to an empty stable a few yards at the back of the inn. Earlier in the day before the sun was up, he took to clearing the stable himself. He didn’t know why he did it. But now he was glad he did so. He thought the squalid stable with its walls and roof can shield this poor couple from the cold night as the woman delivers her child. Joshua gave the man the blankets and clean sheets, the warm water and some extra oil for the lamp to burn through the night. He set a makeshift table for the bread, fish and wine and lit the lamp in one corner. He moved quickly as he helped the man make his wife comfortable. He could see the woman’s face etched in pain for the birth pangs seem to be stronger now. Beads of sweat lined the woman’s brow. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to meet up with his friends tonight. Somehow he knew his place was right here where he was needed for the long night ahead. Just before he went back to the inn to fetch a few more things, he said to them, “I’m Joshua. Let me know if you need anything else.” The man replied, “I’m Joseph and this is Mary. Thank you. You have done more than you can possibly know. The Lord’s light burns bright in you.” Mary looked up at Joshua and smiled through her pain. For as long as he lived, Joshua will

COPD from GERD lowing stomach acid to flow back to the esophagus. Many times, the burning disappears when the person gets up. The symptom could also be that of a sense of indigestion or “sour stomach.” People who take antacids, like Alka Seltzer, Maalox, Tums, etc. could have GERD. What are the other symptoms? When reflux of stomach acid (liquid gastric juice or acid fumes) happens, the person might feel something in the throat and coughs a little. This is especially true when the patient lies down flat after eating or drinking. In this recumbent position, it is very easy for fluid to flow from the stomach to the food pipe. Hence, bed elevation is one of the treatments for GERD. The acidic (bitter) taste we sometimes experience is due to acid reflux. Heartburns are also symptoms of GERD because, while the stomach produces acid and is used to an acidic environment, the esophagus is not and cannot tolerate acid. This is why untreated reflux causes inflammation of the lower end of the food pipe (esophagitis), which in the long run could cause scarring, stricture and blockage of the lower end of the esophagus. Other potential complications are esophageal ulcer, hemorrhage, Barrett’s metaplasia, cell changes in the esophagus that could transform to cancer. If GERD is not treated aggressively, there are also collateral damages to the lungs from acid reflux which will lead to COPD. What is the treatment for GERD? Surgery to make the GE valve competent was popular in the past, including repair of Hiatal Hernia, but the controlled study in Sweden termed LOTUS (Long-Term Usage of Acid Suppression Versus Antireflux Surgery) reported in the journal GUT in September 2008, showed that the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) drug esomeprazole (Nexium) was equally effective, if not more, than surgery. The other PPI drugs are omeprazole (Prilosec), Lansoprazole (Prevacid), dexiansoprazole (Dexilant), rabesprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazol (Protonix). Elevation of the head of the bed to prevent back-up of acid from the stomach to the foodpipe and windpipe, avoidance of spicy foods, alcohol, tobacco, wearing loose pajamas, and waiting for at least 3 hours after a meal to go to bed, are parts of the management of GERD. A regular visit with the gastroenterologist is also important to rule out any serious pathology in the GI tract. Is Sleep Apnea commonly seen in persons with GERD? Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is an anatomical blockage in the

upper airway, which makes the person hold his breath for an abnormally long period of time, depriving the individual of oxygen, and then suddenly wake up gasping for breath. Some people never woke up, dying from heart attack due to prolonged lack of oxygen. While many OSA patients are snorers, not all snorers have OSA. The chronic lack of sleep and oxygen deficiency among these patients make them feel very tired, irritable, unfocused, less productive, forgetful, and are prone to develop major illnesses, including cancer. OSA must be treated as soon as possible with CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine for a restful sleep every night. Studies show that a relationship exists between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and GERD, with 60 percent of OSA patients also having GERD, which has a dramatic health effect on sleep. The risks include: aspirating (breathing into the wind pipe and to the lungs) stomach acid or acid fumes while asleep, aggravating sleep apnea and disturbing sleep with interruptions due to the heartburns. What is the treatment for Sleep Apnea? There are about 22 million Americans with OSA, as many as 80 percent undiagnosed. Since untreated Sleep Apnea could lead to many cardiovascular (high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke), metabolic (diabetes T2, thyroid conditions, etc.), and even cancerous illnesses as complications, an early and aggressive treatment with CPAP is prudent. Those advertised on television, from nose tapes or clips, mouthguard, pills, and potion to take, are all false and a scam. Those makers and vendors of these dangerous products of deception (that leads to delay in the diagnosis and treatment, must be held legally liable for eventual complications). They are not treating the anatomical/physiological cause of OSA (the mechanical obstruction in the upper airway passage) and are marketing their products that give false sense of security and endanger the lives of the unsuspecting ignorant gullible public, all for greed. Indeed: caveat emptor! The Department of Justice ought to execute its obligation under the law to protect the public. *** 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

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 19-25, 2019

11

Mariel on being called ‘crazy’: ‘Never let anyone talk down on you’ by RYAN

ARCADIO Inquirer.net

MARIEL de Leon opened up about mental health in hopes of helping those who face similar struggles, after someone called her “crazy” for having problems with her own mental health. “I’m not one to post about these things because I’m the type that hates being vulnerable, but I feel like mental health is such an important topic nowadays,” she said in her Twitter post. De Leon first expressed how glad she was over more people talking about mental health “because that’s what people need; conversation and support.” The model then revealed that someone had called her crazy “for having mental health problems and for struggling [and] dealing with life right now.” Addressing those who also face problems with their mental health, she said, “Never let anyone talk down on you and make you feel worthless for having mental health problems and general life problems.” “I know how it feels to be talked down to and to feel like my feelings aren’t valid,” de Leon added.

Mariel de Leon

Photo from Instagram/@marieldeleonofficial

“And it hurts so much more when it comes from someone you love.” She reminded others that they are never alone and there is always hope despite facing times where “life is really testing you and you feel like you’re drowning and there’s just no hope of surviving.” “Please never give up and just keep fighting no matter how tired you are,” she appealed. “Keep fighting for yourself, your goals,

and most importantly your happiness.” If there is anyone toxic in your life, please just cut them off,” she advised. “You deserve real love and light.” “Learn to love yourself, both when you are okay and when you are not okay,” de Leon stressed. De Leon represented the country as Miss International Philippines back in 2017, but later expressed her dislike over being labeled as a “beauty queen.”

never forget that smile. Mary’s child was born that night. Joshua could not remember a night more filled with wonder, mystery and myriad points of light. It was a night like no other. Joshua’s entire being was engulfed with the mystery happening before his very eyes. He remembered Mary wrapping her child gently in swaddling clothes and placing the child in a manger. The child was bathed in light. The whole stable was filled with warmth. Soft, sweet music seem to emanate from a choir of angels above the stable and a sweet heavenly fragrance wafted through the air. Joshua’s shepherd friends came to visit the child. How could they have known? His friends told him that an angel

told them about the good news. They were led to the stable where they found the child. Filled with awe, they knelt before the child who was to be king. Later on that night, three men garbed in royal splendor and bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh travelling from afar, came to pay the child homage. They had been following the bright star hovering about the heavens for many nights leading them to that dusty town called Bethlehem. Many years later in his old age, the memory of that night still stayed with Joshua. He had remained the innkeeper. He had struck a friendship with a man called Luke, a physician who was a regular guest at the inn. He observed that the thoughtful, quiet Luke was always writing in

rolls of papyrus in his room. Not wanting to keep the wonders of that night to be forgotten when he passed, Joshua told the story to Luke. As he told the story of that wondrous night, Joshua carefully removed himself from the narrative. It was to be between him and God alone. Joshua’s life was never the same again. The light of that bright night burned in his soul forever. He could not have known at the time he was witness to the unfolding of the greatest mystery on earth. May the true Spirit of Christmas live in our hearts all year round! *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

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SIPA’s holiday festival and toy distribution in LA During this season of giving, volunteer with Search to Involve Pilipino Americans on Saturday, December 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as they spread joy in Los Angeles. Join SIPA as they hand gifts out to over 250 youth in the Historic Filipinotown community, eat a delicious meal, and listen to some Christmas tunes! It will be held at 3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA. Contact Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 382-1819 ext.107.

D EC E M B E R 28

UPAGGLA holiday celebration in LA Pasko Pa Sa UPAAGLA will be held on Saturday, December 28 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at the San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles. It is the annual Holiday party of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles. All are welcome, simply purchase online at www. upaagla.org/events/pasko-pa-sa-upaagla. There will be a silent auction and raffle drawing. Tickets are $28. Venue address is 737 Lamar St, Los Angeles, CA 90031. For inquires, connect with Monette Carranceja at (818) 585-1115 or upaagla.rsvp@gmail.com.

D EC E M B E R 29

#HashtagLunchbag/SIPA food drive in LA The Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and #Hashtag Lunchbag are joining forces to create positive changes in Historic Filipinotown on Sunday, December 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. SIPA will be hosting a Food Drive with #HashtagLunchbag to create letters of encouragement, decorate lunch bags, and assemble sandwiches for those in need in Historic Filipinotown. When finished, they will be giving out lunch bags to homeless youth, women, and families. Registration contact and link: Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 382-1819 ext. 107.

2020 JA N UA RY 1 1

Feast of Infant Jesus of Prague in LA The public is all invited to a Special Celebration of the Feast of Infant Jesus of Prague on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles. CA 90012). Bishop Alex Aclan will be the main celebrant. Bring your Infant Jesus Statue to touch the Holy Robe that the Holy Infant wears in the Shrine of Prague. The history of the devotion to the Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague dates back more than four hundred years when the statue of the Holy Infant in the guise of a king was brought to Prague, Czech Republic. Miraculous healings were attributed to the Child Jesus, as was the protection of Prague when it was laid siege to by the Swedes in 1639. The mass event is sponsored by the Holy Trinity Ministry Fellowship.

JA N UA RY 1 2

FACCGLA’s gala in Woodland Hills, CA The ‘Shining Shimmering Splendid Gala’ is the annual fundraising event of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) on January 12, 2020 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Woodland Hills. Everyone is welcome to attend to enjoy good food, music and dancing plus raffle prizes and other entertainment. Installation of the new President and Board precedes the merriment. Tickets are only $75 for all this enjoyment ($85 after Jan. 5), available online atwww.faccgla.org, select ‘Events’ and select the Jan12 event. Sponsorships available. Venue address is 6360 Canoga Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. Emailinfo@faccgla. org for inquiries.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

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EntErtainmEnt

december 19-25, 2019 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

Judy Ann: Truly at her best by Tessa

Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

IN a round table interview with Judy Ann Santos — the newlyminted 2019 Cairo International Film Festival Best Actress for Brillante Mendoza’s “Mindanao” — The Times went for the obvious question. Just days away from competing in this year’s Manila Film Festival with the same movie, we asked, “How does it feel going into the MMFF with an international award to your name? Does it ease the pressure on how the public will receive your film, or to some extent, do you feel more self-conscious given the situation for fear others may think you to be overconfident or even smug about your entry?” It was towards the last part of the The Times’ question when the gifted actress and latest pride of the Philippines started nodding her head and quite eagerly too. “Yes! The thought that [has been going through my head is that] people might think that I’m expecting the Best Actress Award for the MMFF, which in all honesty I’m not — and for those who know me well — that’s something I wouldn’t do,” Juday expressed, grateful for the opportunity to release this little bit of anxiety. “Gusto ko sana isang tabi muna yon kasi lahat naman ng artistang gumawa ng pelikula para sa MMFF did their best and gave it their best. Lahat tayo binigay natin yung best natin para sa magandang Pasko ng mga taong manonood ng mga entries natin. “So I’m not expecting to win, even with what’s happened. Why? Because lahat dito [in the MMFF] best actress, best actor, best director, best film [for being chosen as finalists] ay bonus na kung sino man ang manalo,” she said her piece. All the same, the 41-year-old actress admits she cannot deny she’s still on a high from winning an international accolade which had only been given once before to Superstar Nora Aunor [“The Flor Contemplacion Story,” in 1995]. “Sapat na sa akin na makilala tayo ulit sa ibang bansa. That’s really more than enough. Ineenjoy ko na ito. OK na OK na’ko, chong!” she closed her eyes in delight and laughed at her very Pinoy quip. “Wala na akong puwedeng hingin pa talaga.” Indeed, Judy Ann is in the best place a woman of her stature and

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The heyday of Pip, Boyet & Bobot Boy aBunda ManilaTimes.net

by

Judy Ann Santos

age can ever ask for at this crossroads. Not only does she have a thriving career that continues to challenge her and reward her 33 years since she started acting, but she also has a very stable and happy family life with husband Ryan Agoncillo and children Yohan, Lucho and Luna. The ever blooming wife and mother says every triumph big or small means so much more to her today now that she is able to share them with her brood. “This has really been a good year for me — a year of many firsts, which at my age is really a blessing,” she gratefully added. Besides getting back into the teleserye scene with ABS-CBN’s “Starla,” where she plays a bidakontrabida for the very first time, Juday also opened her very own restaurant, Angrydobo, this year, and was even surprised to be invited to participate at the Sharjah International Book fair as a celebrity chef and author with “Judy Ann’s Kitchen.” “Then this movie [‘Mindanao’] came along. It’s my first film with internationally acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza and yon pa lang proud na ako. It’s always been my dream to work with him but I never thought I’d win an international award all the way in Egypt just being in his movie.” Describing her role as physically and emotionally draining, Mindanao sees Judy Ann as a Muslim mother named Saima who is taking care for of her cancer-striken daughter all on her own. Her husband is away as a combat medic in war torn Maguindanao and she and her child are constantly worried for his safety, waiting for him to come home. Allen Dizon plays her husband Malang while daughter Aisa is portrayed by Yuna Tangog.

Photo from Instagram/@officialjuday

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

THERE’S a massively long list of good-looking actors in Philippine cinema but Baby boomers and Gen X-ers will certainly agree that Tirso “Pip” Cruz III, Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz and Christopher “Boyet” de Leon are as dashing and famous as their millennial heartthrob counterparts James Reid, Enrique Gil and Daniel Padilla during their showbiz heydays. Pip, Bobot and Boyet are boxoffice icons and scene-stealers in their younger years. They were tremendously popular that they would fake their exits in events. There were also instances when they couldn’t even go out of the house or attend their own movie premiere nights knowing how adoring fans would turn into hysteria. Their respective fans would clash and often hurt one another physically. It also came to a point when Pip, Bobot and Boyet were caught in a rivalry issue because all of them were partnered with Superstar Nora Aunor. “You know, it wasn’t us; it was the people around us na alam mo ‘yung mga sulsol,” said Pip. “The word is sulsol and if you are not wary about it, talagang teka nga bakit nga ba ganun? Ginagalit ka. They (fans) basically pitting us against each other without us wanting to.”

“Sila lang ‘yung nag-aaway, nagpapaluan ng silya,” was how Bobot described the intense reaction of their fans. Fast-forward to the present day, Pip, Bobot and Boyet continue to deliver mesmerizing acting performances. Most recently, it was portraying antagonist Santiago Guerrero in “The General’s Daughter” that earned him positive comments from viewers and netizens for his truly affecting character representation. Boyet, on the other hand, never ceases to give riveting onscreen performances regardless of film genre while Bobot focuses on TV directing but he still agrees to do acting once in a while. All three are singers, too. Did you know that Bobot was a champion in “Tawag ng Tanghalan” back in the day? “Yan ang hari ng Tawag ng Tanghalan (that first became popular in the ‘50s),” declared Boyet. “Pero hindi kagaya ngayon ha,” said Bobot, referring to the singing-talent search revived by ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime”. “Alam mo naman ang ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan ‘ngayon palakasan ng tonsil (laughs).” Pip, Bobot and Boyet will be having a concert tour in the U.S. titled “Timeless Through The Years” beginning Dec. 15 in Long Beach; Dec. 16, Union City; and Dec. 17, San Diego. There will be a four-day break before they head

“The role is physically draining because I constantly carry my seven-year-old daughter in the movie. Thankfully, I also lost 10 lbs during the shoot!” the ever genuine Juday declared. “Emotionally naman ang hirap nung pinagdaraan ni Saima as a mother with a terminally sick child, habang yung husband niya sundalo pa na nasa digmaan. “And of course, I had to be conscious that I was playing a Muslim character throughout shooting and had to be sensitive to their beliefs and their culture.” According to Judy Ann, she learned everything she could about Muslim women’s ways like how they dress, how they move, how they talk. “Ayoko kasing magkamali and offend them. Add to that putting myself in Saima’s position so parang sasabog na yung puso ko.” Aware that Mindanao is a very heavy going movie compared to the other MMFF entries, Judy Ann hopes nonetheless the public will come to see it especially because they need to. “This is definitely not a feelgood movie because it tackles serious issues, including the actual problems in Mindanao, but this is something we all need to know so we can better understand our Muslim brothers and sisters.” Further describing the drama as an “eye opener” about Mindanao, Judy Ann also made the point of guaranteeing viewers dramatic entertainment at its best in her landmark movie. “If there’s one thing I’ve made sure of throughout my entire career and to this very day, that’s never to short change my producer, my director, my co-actors and my viewers in anything I do. Like I said, tulad po ng lahat ng kasali sa MMFF, I really, really gave this movie my best,” she ended. Tirso ‘Pip’ Cruz III, Christopher ‘Boyet’ de Leon and Edgar ‘Bobot’ Mortiz

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to New York for the last leg of the concert on Dec. 22. Boyet said he admired Pip and Bobot who started out in showbiz a couple of years ahead of him. Pip and Bobot, on the other hand, described Boyet as their generation’s chick magnet. Pip described Boyet’s charm to women with the term “Flavor of the Week” while Bobot said, “Kung may Gerald ngayon, may Boyet noon (laughs).” Meanwhile, Boyet and Pip clarified the rumor about them turning down the offer to star in Isa Pang Bahaghari which would have reunited them with Nora Aunor. The two seasoned actors said it was impossible for them to accept the project due to tight schedule. “Like for me, I’m doing Kid Alpha One and OTJ Season 2,” shared Boyet. “And I’m taping for Love Thy Woman plus we’ll be doing the tour and we’ve been rehearsing like crazy.” Pip was equally busy when the offer came. He was then doing The General’s Daughter and he was beginning to work for Starla. “Sabi namin trabaho ‘yan, hindi kami tatanggi but we also do not want to be the cause of delay or become the problem in work scheduling. We did not refuse. If there is a chance at alam namin na kaya, why not?” explained Pip.

Philstar.com photo

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 19-25, 2019

13

Marco not out to become ‘the next James Reid’ by ALLAN

POLICARPIO Inquirer.net

WITH James Reid no longer under Viva Entertainment’s wings, some observers are now eyeing the Italian-Filipino neophyte Marco Gallo to fill the hole left by the wildly popular singer-actor. Marco promptly balked at the comparisons, however, stressing that no one could replace James. “I have a long way to go,” he told reporters at his contract signing with the said company. “I would be so happy if I could achieve anything close to what he has. That would be overwhelming.” Instead of aiming to become the next James Reid, it would be better, he said, if he could create a name for himself. “I wish I could prove myself and do just that—step by step. Everyone has his own path,” the 18-year-old actor said. “But it’s up to me, of course, to put in the effort. I have to work hard, put my mind into it and hone my craft. Right now, I’m undergoing a lot of workshops.” The former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate knows very well that there are other factors—besides looks and talent—that determine whether or not a hopeful makes it

Marco Gallo Photo from Instagram/@marcogalloc

big in show biz. For now, his goal is to simply give his best in every project he lands, and make sure to enjoy every moment. His dream is to do an action project, but he’s also open to doing a romantic film and having a perennial screen partner. “I believe in [the idea of] love teams. Just look at all the famous people here in the Philippines who were once part of them. Sometimes, two is better than one,”

he said. “Having the chance to work with someone you can build a close relationship with—not necessarily romantic—is a good thing.”Given the chance, he would love to work with Nadine Lustre. “But that would be impossible,” he quipped, laughing. What about doing sexy roles in the future? “If that’s something that would do me good, why not? I would have to prepare for that, though. You have to have good physique, and that’s not something you achieve in a day,” Marco pointed out. Marco, a former Star Magic talent, said he decided to transfer to Viva, because he wants to explore and have a bit of change in his career. “I want to know more about the industry, know more people. I want to be hands-on when it comes to work,” he said. But despite his decision to transfer, he stressed that there’s no bad blood between him and his former management, which he described as “a family” more than “a company.” “Star Magic took me when I had nothing, gave me shows,” he said. ”They told me that if this move will make me happy and feel good… if this is what I want, then they were not going to stop me.”

Regine disappointed over claim of credit-grabbing by Sarah’fans by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

SINGER Regine Velasquez expressed her disappointment to Sarah Geronimo’s fans for accusing her as “credit grabber” in their upcoming Valentine concert. In his Twitter account, the “Asia’s Songbird” explained why her sister Cacai failed to mention

Sarah in her tweet regarding the concert. “Gusto ko lang sabihin na sa lahat ng concert na gagawin ito lang ang may issue. My sister probably didn’t know Sarah has a tweeter account and you guys are making such a big dial about it. Obvious ba na collab ito naka tag viva right?” Regine wrote. Regine added that this was the first time she was accused of

Regine Velasquez and Sarah Geronimo are headlining a concert together for the first time in February 2020. ABS-CBN photo

credit-grabbing in her entire stay in the industry. “Nakaka disappoint I have never experienced this. And I have worked with a lot of artists. sorry but you guys are breaking my heart,” she wrote. “Sa dinami dami kong collab na ginawa ngayon lang kami na akusahan na we are taking all the credits,” she wrote in another post. The controversy started after Regine’s sister, Cacai, failed to tag Sarah in her post on Twitter. Sarah’s fans were disappointed by the post and commented their displeasure. Meanwhile, Cacai posted another tweet asking Regine’s fans to stop the ongoing word war between the fans. “Guys hwag nyo na patulan, hwag na kayong sumagot.. deadma na lang.. AGAIN let’s spread LOVE, RESPECT & POSITIVITY na lang.. Pasko na.. Just Pray for them. Paikot-ikot lang ang issue.. hindi matatapos.. Alam naman natin na hindi ganyan mag-isip si @JustSarahG so (love, love) na lang...” Cacai wrote.

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Bela Padilla

Bela is second to no one

by RICKY LO Philstar.com

BELA Padilla is a cut above the rest. To cite a cliché, she’s a class by herself. She’s defined not so much by good looks but the varied roles that have proven her versatility as an actress, such as those in “10,000 Hours” (as a reporter monitoring the senator-character played by Robin Padilla), “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” (as the ephemeral fantasygirlfriend of JC Santos), “The Day After Valentine’s” (also with JC Santos) and in “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” Viva Films’ official entry in the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in which she plays Aga Muhlach’s grown-up daughter Yesha who would defend him in court after he is accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a little girl. The little Yesha is played by Xia Vigor. Directed by Nuel Naval (“A Secret Affair, This Time”), the movie is a reboot of the heart-wrenching Korean movie touted as the highest-grossing film in South Korea in 2013 and currently ranked No. 7 in the list of that country’s huge moneymakers of all time. Already, Aga is predicted to win Best Actor and Bela Best Supporting Actress. Actually, Bela is a replacement for Nadine Lustre who backed out at the last minute. In Philippine cinema history, the second (or third or whatever) choice turns out to be the better…nay, the best!...choice after all. Gina Alajar was the second choice (after Alma Moreno) for the Laurice Guillen-directed Salome, and so were Joel Torre (for Albert Martinez) in Peque Gallaga’s “Oro, Plata, Mata,” and Bembol Roco (for the late Jay Ilagan) in

Lino Brocka’s “Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag.” Oh well, Nadine’s big loss is Bela’s big win. So what else is new? As a nod to the movie’s title, first question is: Has there ever been a “miracle” in your life? “Every act of kindness I see, to me, is a miracle.” You appear only in the beginning, middle and end of the movie, and people would say it’s “short,” although your appearance is so markado that you are predicted to win Best Supporting Actress. Long or short, how much of yourself do you put into every role? “Always more than what is required of me.” Does being a “second choice” challenges you more into proving that you are the better…nay, best…choice after all? “I didn’t see it as anything but another amazing job assignment, it doesn’t matter to me who it was offered to first. The only things that actually matter to me are the things I need to do at hand.” You play Aga’s grownup daughter (a lawyer), who is your peg for the role? “I was going to use the original Korean version of me, Park Shin Hye, as my peg. But I heard Kuya Aga didn’t watch the Korean version so he wouldn’t have preconceived notions of the film. So I decided at the last minute not to use a peg and just follow my instinct and my director.” When and how did you become aware that Aga is a big star (any of Aga’s movies had a big impact on your life)? “When I was very little, I watched a heartwarming movie

Philstar.com photo

starring him and Shaina (Magdayao)...they would always play it on TV. And then when I started acting at 16, I saw how all actresses wanted to be his leading lady. So I was aware very early on.” How was the experience of finally not just meeting but also working with Aga? “Amazing. He’s very down to earth.” You are among the very few actresses who are substantial and intelligent, and level-headed. Do you use more of your head than your heart in the name of love? “Thank you. I can’t say at this point because I’m not in a relationship right now, and haven’t been for two years.” (Note: Her last known boyfriend was producer Neil Arce who is now engaged to Angel Locsin. When she was just starting in showbiz, Bela was romantically linked to Jason Abalos who is now going steady with beauty queen Vicky Rushton.) How do you assess showbiz life (what do you like and not like about it)? “I see more things as jobs now and not life-defining moments.” Have you always wanted to be an actress and what movie made you realize that you wanted to be one (or if not, what was your childhood/teenage dream)? “Not really, I was very shy growing up. But Closer with Natalie Portman and Jude Law was the first film that opened my eyes, I guess. And then, Meg Ryan films. Somewhere in Time. Steve McQueen films. What Dreams May Come.” How do you keep your sanity in a crazy world like showbiz? “I exclude myself from it.”

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Asian Community Development Council and UNLV ROAR host GraduAsian fall 2019 ceremony

LAS VEGAS — The Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) and UNLV Raising Our Asian Rights (ROAR) hosted the GraduAsian Fall 2019 ceremony at the Foundations Building at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), honoring graduating Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) students from UNLV, College of Southern Nevada, and Nevada State College. It’s the 12th year that UNLV ROAR has hosted this event to recognize the scholarly Tanglao with (from left) Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and FYLPRO President achievements of AAPI students. JR Calanoc. Photo courtesy of Ayala Foundation During the event, there was a career and resource fair where students received information on available opportunities from companies and organizations, such PAGE 10 as Caesars Entertainment, Clark “We are deeply impressed with County Fire Department, Panda the number and quality of applicaExpress, and ACDC. Congressman tions received this year and the Steven Horsford and Congressselected delegates all represent woman Susie Lee attended the the dynamism, passion to serve ceremony to speak and formally and contribute, and leadership congratulate the students. prevalent among the next generaEach student received a medal tion of Filipino-Americans,” said and congressional recognition of Ambassador Romualdez. “All of certificates from Congressman us at the Philippine Embassy and Steven Horsford, Congresswoman Consulates General take great Susie Lee, Senator Catherine Cortez pride in the current and previous Masto, Senator Jacky Rosen, and batches of FYLPRO delegates. Congresswoman Dina Titus. We are also proud of our continuAngela Castro, the Chief Strating collaboration with the Ayala egy, Policy & Marketing Officer Foundation, Inc., Department The number of FYLPRO delegates this year was increased to 15. Tanglao, describing the group for the Regional Transportation of Foreign Affairs, and FYLPRO said, “The big part of it was the other delegates -- it’s rare to be with a group this large and Commission of Southern Nevada, non-profit alumni organization bond so deeply. We talk to each other every day, no matter where we are or timezone. They was the keynote speaker of the cerare really like family I didn’t choose them, fate put us together.” in designing a transformative and emony, who provided some words impactful immersion program.” of wisdom to the students. Established in 2012 by the “Life is like a box of chocolates. Philippine Embassy in the United You never know what you’e goStates in cooperation with the ing to get,” Castro quoted from Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), the movie “Forest Gump.” “But if FYLPRO annually identifies outyou’re humble and hungry, honest, standing young professionals in have gratitude, and have a network the Filipino communities across of mentors and advocates, you will the United States and provide be in control of your own story, and them invaluable community, busiyou will be able to define your own ness, and government insights journey,” Castro said. and access to a distinguished ACDC wishes the students the network captains of industry and best of luck in their journey after government. college! For the Women inPower, a fellowship program, the Fellows will be mentored by a group of over 45 leaders in NYC that includes: and Chief Strategy Officer, Havas; and culture in which Fellows act Jimmie Briggs, Co-founder and Terri McCullough, Chief of Staff, as champions for one another Executive Director Emeritus, Man Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. House as they ascend into positions of Up Campaign; Katy Clark, Presi- of Representatives; Henry Timms, power and, once there, create real dent, BAM (Brooklyn Academy CEO, Lincoln Center; Mai-Anh change,” said Jessica Schneider, of Music); Zain Habboo, Chief Tran, Chief Financial Officer, The Director of Strategy at 92Y’s Digital Officer, Fenton; Polly Ford Foundation; and Kristy Wal- Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact. “We are thrilled to Klane, Senior Vice President and lace, CEO, Ellevate Network. “Women inPower is about welcome our fifth cohort of FelChief Counsel, Capital One; Gillian Lester, Dean Lucy G. Moses much more than the development lows and can’t wait to see all that Professor of Law, Columbia Law of individual leadership skills. they accomplish this year and in School; Tim Maleeny, President Our goal is to foster a community the future.”

Filipina American journalist Leezel...

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