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AUG U ST 1 7-23, 2018 Volume 11 - No. 43 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Fed up with fighting corruption, Duterte mulls resignation Only if Marcos or Escudero replaces him by CHRISTINA
MENDEZ AND ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com
MANILA — Exhausted and frustrated over his failure to curb widespread corruption in government, President Duterte said he is ready to step down before his term ends in 2022. But Duterte prefers the likes of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sen. Francis Escudero to succeed him as he claimed that Vice President Leni Ro-
DATELINE
bredo “cannot do the job.” “Guys, I want you to know that I am thinking of resigning because I’m tired,” Duterte said during a gathering of business leaders led by Manny V. Pangilinan of the MVP Group, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Lucio Tan as well as diplomats at Malacañang on Tuesday, August 14.
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SISTER CITY AGREEMENT. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop smiles as he receives a gift (his portrait done over the native T’nalak weave) from the local government of General Santos City in the Philippines led by its Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles. Fulop and Bañas-Nograles signed a sister city memorandum of agreement between the two cities and exchanged tokens after the simple rites. The MOA calls for the two cities to pursue cultural, educational and business exchanges, aside from “cross visits of government officials, employees, and public and private organizations to learn about effective governance and efficient public service.” Looking on are (left) Jersey City Council President Rolando Lavarro, program host Darlene Dilangalen Borromeo and General Santos City Council Member Shandee Theresa Pestaño. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya
Sara Duterte, Imee Marcos forge 9-party alliance
USA
by MATTHEW
REYSIO-CRUZ Inquirer.net
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Wyoming officials refuse to return Balangiga bells WYOMING officials have refused to return the Balangiga bells to the Philippines as they are deemed “memorials” to the casualties of the Philippine-American War. In a statement, the all-Republican delegation comprising of U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, said, “These bells are memorials to American war dead and should not be transferred to the Philippines.” “We’ve received assurances that the bells will be returned to the Catholic Church and treated with the respect and honor they deserve,” U.S. Embassy press attache Trude Raizen said on Saturday, August 11, in a report from The Philippine Star. Raizen also emphasized the value of the bells for both Filipinos and Americans. “We are aware that the Bells of Balangiga have deep significance for a number of people, both in the United States and in the Philippines,” she added. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
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Legal immigrants’ permanent residency may be rejected if they’ve used certain welfare programs
About 3.8 million Asians and Pacific Islanders rely on forms of public benefit
THE White House may go forth with a rule change that would give legal immigrants looking to gain permanent residency a much harder time if they have ever used certain popular welfare programs. The Trump administration has been reviewing the proposal that would curb permanent residency for months, and reports are saying the an official announcement of the policy may come soon. The move would be among the latest made by White House adviser Stephen Miller who has long been working to restrain legal immigration. And because the underlying law would remain the same, such a move would not require congressional approval.
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Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (second, from left, front row), chair of Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos of Ilocano Timpuyog, Sen. Cynthia Villar of the Nacionalista Party and other leaders of political parties formalize their alliance in a covenant-signing event in preparation for midterm elections in 2019. Inquirer.net photo by Earvin Perias
A SUPERCOALITION is emerging as Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the regional party formed and chaired by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, has forged an alliance with nine other political parties, including those of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and Sen. Cynthia Villar. Hugpong joined forces on Monday, August 13, with three national parties — Nacionalista Party (NP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and National Unity Party (NUP) — and six local parties — Ilocano Timpuyog, Alyansa Bol-anon Alang sa
Kausaban (Abaka), Aggrupation of Party for Progress (APP), Kambilan, PaDayon Pilipino (PP) and Serbisyo sa Bayan Party. The NP is Villar’s political party, while the NPC was founded by tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. The NUP was formed by former members of the LakasKampi-CMD and allies of former President and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Mayor Duterte, the influential daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, and representatives of the nine parties signed an agreement to form an alliance at The
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Ex-tourism chief claims ‘nothing illegal’ in PTV deal OFW remittances down 4.5% by AJPRESS FORMER Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo denied all corruption allegations hurled at her regarding the 60 million-peso advertisement deal with PTV4 at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, August 14. “With confidence, I can say that there’s nothing illegal in the said contract,” Tulfo-Teo said. The former tourism secretary testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that the accusations against her were only meant to discredit her. “I have been defamed, maligned and worse, crucified by allegations of corruptions and competence, all made up to SENATE INQUIRY. Senator Nancy Binay inquires about the look as truth,” Tulfo-Teo said. In a report from the Inquirer, Teo said Department of Tourism ad budget during the Senate Blue Ribbon
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hearing on the P60-million Department of Tourism ad placement on PTV4 on Tuesday, August 14. Senate photos
Worker repatriations, lower Middle East deployments blamed for decline in June inflows by DAXIM LUCAS
During the same month, cash remittances coursed through banks fell by 4.5 percent year-onTHE government’s decision to year to $2.4 billion. The countries repatriate thousands of Filipino that registered the biggest deworkers suffering from abusive clines in cash remittances in June work conditions in the Middle were the United Arab Emirates East took an immediate toll on (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. the amount of dollars being sent “The overseas Filipino workers home as the first half of 2018 repatriation program of the govended, the central bank said on ernment may have partly affectWednesday. ed the remittance flows for the The Bangko Sentral ng Pili- month,” the central bank said. pinas said that personal remitIn the first two months of 2018, tances for June declined by 4.9 a total of 4,149 OFWs were repapercent to $2.6 billion compared triated from UAE, Saudi Arabia to the same period last year. Inquirer.net
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Fil-Am community mourns the death of historian and author, Dawn Mabalon by AJPRESS THE Filipino-American community across the United States is mourning the death of Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, a community leader, professor, author, historian and mentor. Mabalon, 46, died on Friday, August 10 while on a family vacation in Kauai, Hawaii. She was an associate professor of history at San Francisco State University, specializing in Philippine and Filipino-American history, as well as race and ethnicity and food cultures. A third-generation Pinay, Mabalon was born and raised in Stockton, where her grandfathers settled in the 1920s. Stockton was home to the largest popu-
lation of Filipinos outside of the Philippines from the 1920s to 1960s. She graduated from Edison High School and San Joaquin Delta College. Fresh out of college in 1999, she, along with Dillon Delvo, co-founded Little Manila Foundation to help save the last remaining buildings and residents of Stockton’s Little Manila. Mabalon went on to receive a master’s degree in Asian American studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Ph.D. in history from Stanford University. Following her childhood aspirations to become a writer, she authored two books about Filipino-American history: “Filipinos in Stockton” (2008) and “Little Manila Is in the Heart: The Making of the Fili-
pina/o American Community in Stockton, California” (2013), which was born from her doctoral thesis at Stanford. The latter book — for which she received an honorable mention for the Frederick Jackson Turner Award by the Organization of American Historians — traced the growth of Stockton’s FilAm community, the formation of Little Manila and efforts to preserve it. Her writings were based on oral histories, archives, as well as stories from the generation of her father, Ernest Tirona Mabalon, who passed away at 79 while she was writing the book. Her paternal grandfather, Pablo “Ambo” Mablaon, ran a popular Fil-Am diner, the Lafayette Lunch Counter, in the heart of
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Dawn Bohulano Mabalon Photo by Jeremy Keith Villaluz
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august 17-23, 2018 • NEW YORK aND NEW JERsEY asIaN JOuRNaL
Fed up with fighting... PAGE A1 “I am not angry with anybody. My chase against corrupt government officials seems to be endless, and it has contaminated almost all government departments and offices.� The president made the statement after he sacked 20 military officials and the entire board of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation for alleged corruption. “So graft is embedded, it is endemic and will always be part of the transactions in government,� Duterte said, forgoing his prepared speech during the launching of Pilipinas Angat Lahat Alliance. “I do not think that I can fulfill my promise to the people. I said I will try to stop corruption, which I’m doing. But I cannot succeed even beyond my term,� he added. Two weeks ago, Duterte hinted that he would resign during a command conference with the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police. “I am tired of chasing corrupt government officials. I am ready to go,� he said. “Drugs will not be solved at the end of my term,� the president admitted, adding the problem might just worsen instead of being eradicated. Military junta Admitting his failures to solve corruption and the drug menace, Duterte said he is ready to give up the presidency. But he said Robredo is not competent to replace him. “The problem is, I cannot suggest to them that you follow the succession which is (in) the Constitution. I have nothing against Robredo but I don’t think she can improve on anything here. I am hesitant to suggest a constitutional succession,� the president said. “I would suggest to the military, grant a junta... line up here, I’ll put you in your proper place,� he added. The military is keeping its hands off the president’s pronouncement that he prefers a junta to lead the country. “I do not want to comment. I think the president is the best person to make clarifications about that,� Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said. Leni camp: Follow the Constitution Robredo’s camp reminded the president to follow the Constitu-
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From the Front Page
DUTERTE ATTENDS PDP-LABAN REUNION. President Rodrigo Duterte applauds as he witnesses the program proper during the first anniversary celebration of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Cares and the PDP-Laban Leaders’ Reunion at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Building in Pasay City on Wednesday, August 15. Also in the photo is Senator Aquilino “Koko� Pimentel III. PNA photo by Ace Morandante
tion with regard to the rules on presidential succession. Lawyer Barry Gutierrez, spokesman for the Vice President, issued the statement after Duterte said that he prefers a military junta over Robredo. Gutierrez also hit Duterte for belittling anew the capabilities of Robredo to lead the country. “The ‘competent’ according to the President: the former tourism secretary who did nothing but take money from the government; an NDRRMC head who is missing during flooding and an NFA chief who creates rice shortage,� Gutierrez posted on his Twitter account. Gutierrez was referring to former tourism secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo; National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Ricardo Jalad and National Food Authority administrator Jason Aquino. Teo is facing an investigation at the Office of the Ombudsman over corruption allegations. Jalad was criticized over the NDRRMC’s late response during the recent flooding in Metro Manila. Bongbong or Chiz President Duterte wants the likes of Marcos and Escudero to succeed him if he steps down from office. While the Constitution provides that the vice president will assume power if the presidency is declared vacant, Duterte does not want Robredo to replace him. “The reason why I cannot tell you... that we follow the constitutional succession is this: I am not angry with Robredo. I don’t pick a fight with women. I do not respond to their tirades. But I think, deep in my heart, if you follow the succession and Robredo takes over, she can’t do it,� the President said on
Tuesday. “That’s my honest opinion. I would prefer the likes of Escudero or Bongbong Marcos,â€? he added. Both Marcos and Escudero ran but lost in the 2016 vice presidential race. Marcos has a pending electoral protest against Robredo. Escudero was amused to know that Duterte preferred him to be his successor. “I feel that I’m gifted‌ That’s hypothetical because it’s not for him to grant that (vice presidency),â€? Escudero said. Former senator and now Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano was Duterte’s runningmate in the 2016 polls. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte would not yet resign because the Constitution states that the vice president should succeed him. “I think he is serious about stepping down if he believes in the capabilities of his successor. But he thinks that the Vice President does not have the capability,â€? Roque said. Three Cabinet members urged the President not to resign. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and acting Interior Secretary Eduardo AĂąo see no reason for Duterte to quit. Duque said the President could just be complaining about his frustrations in the fight against corruption. “We hope that the President will finish his term because there is so much to do,â€? AĂąo said, referring to the government’s war on drugs. Dominguez, a former classmate of Duterte at Ateneo de Davao, advised the president: “Take a break Mr. President, you deserve it.â€? n
NO ‘SINGLES’ ALLOWED. Public utility vehicles and private cars with two or more occupants traverse the southbound lane of the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) near Camp Crame in Quezon City on Wednesday, August 15. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) held a dry run of the implementation of the high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOVL) policy along the major thoroughfare which bans driver-only vehicles in EDSA during rush hour, a move which was opposed by the Senate. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Ex-tourism chief claims ‘nothing illegal’... PAGE A1 that she did not comment on any of the slanderous criticisms. “For quite some time, I have kept mum against all the incredible allegations,� she added. During the hearing, the former tourism chief reiterated she was unaware that the show “Kilos Pronto� with the PTV-4 was produced by Ben Tulfo and co-hosted by Erwin Tulfo. She claimed that the transactions involving her brothers’ government television program were valid. “It’s a government to government contract within the executive department and all payments were paid directly to PTV-4,� Teo pointed out. The Commission on Audit earlier reported that DOT placed the deal in 2017, however it lacks documents validating its legality. During the hearing, Teo said “no� when Senator Risa Hontiveros asked if she personally believed that the money spent on the ad deal must be returned. She stated that it might be difficult to return the money because it was already distrib-
uted to pay for the people who worked on the advertisement. However, she said that the decision would be on Ben Tulfo and PTV4’s terms. “But at the end the day, it’s still PTV-4 and my brother that will decide kung ibabalik ang pera kasi ang bayad naman po namin ay sa PTV-4 (if they are going to return the money because we paid to PTV-4),� she said. Gordon: Graft, but not plunder Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Richard Gordon believed that the Tulfo siblings might be charged with graft. He noted the conflict of interest evident in the said deal. “Dapat nahagip nila na (They should have seen that) there was (a) clear conflict of interest,� Gordon said. Gordon also doubted the possibility of plunder charges since the money was used for advertising. “I don’t think you can make a case for plunder,� the senator said. He also recognized that it was a “business� transaction
in nature. However, he did not disregard the siblings’ family connection. “Nag negosyo sila, yun ang masama e. Yung negosyo mukhang nabigyan ng ayuda yung negosyo ng kapatid (They have a business. That business received a boost from the sibling),� Gordon pointed out. The senator also emphasized that the siblings’ prominence. He also stated that it could be grounds for corruption. “The Tulfos are not exactly invisible, they are very prominent so dapat nakita nila agad yun (they should have immediately seen that) and they should have protected themselves from that. That’s graft and corruption,� Gordon added. The committee chairman refused to believe Tulfo-Teo’s claim that she was unaware of the program. He said that they would still be held liable even if they return the money. However, Ben Tulfo is firm in his resolve that he would not return the money as he insisted there was nothing illegal about the contract. n
Pilgrimage to Some of ITALY’s Highlights and Miracles of the Eucharist 6SLULWXDO 'LUHFWRU 5(9 -2(/ %8*$6 ĹĄ 1RYHPEHU WR 1RYHPEHU 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; 86$ 520( 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH Upon our arrival in Rome, our Tour Escort will welcome us to Italy. Rome is the heart, home and the spiritual capital of over one billion Catholics all over the world. After a short panoramic orientation of this Eternal City to us Roman Catholics, we will have our dinner and overnight rest at this great ancient City. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 3DSDO $XGLHQFH 5RPH This morning before we continue with our tour, we will have a Papal Audience. Then after, we will visit the famous Coliseum and see the Forum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, one of the best preserved ancient monuments in the world. Celebrate the Holy Eucharist at St Peter Basilica St Joseph Chapel .Short stop in Trevi Fountain, before heading to our Hotel. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D)
'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH %DVLOLFDV We will visit the Vatican Museum this morning and the Sistine Chapel to admire the awesome masterpieces of Michaelangelo, and even ancient Greek and Roman artists. the largest church in Roman Catholicism, St. Peter’s Basilica. Holy Eucharist at ST Mary Major, Followed by visit of the Basilica. We continue to visit the rest of the major Basilicas within the walls of Rome, and St. John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Wall. We will also pray at the Scala Santa or the Holy Stairs. St. Helena transported the steps from Jerusalem; the same steps that Christ ascended to receive Pilate’s unjust condemnation. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN ROME (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY )UL Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR 2018 is the 100th Anniversary of the stigmatization of St Pio. Church Will have Monthly Pastoral Program of Activities for the whole year. San Giovanni Rotondo, the home of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina from 28 July, 1916 until his death on 23 September, 1968. Enjoy the drive going to San Giovanni, after we check in our Hotel. vWe visit the Shrines of St Padre Pio of Pietralcina as well as the places associated with him, such as the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace that contains his tomb. Here, we spend some time meditating, see his room, his confessional box and the cruciďŹ x that gave him his supernatural Crucifying stigmata, Celebrate Holy Eucharist (Hotel Gran Paradiso) DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN San Giovanni Rotondo (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6DW Ĺ&#x; 6$1 *,29$11, 52721'2 This Morning we visit the new and Modern Basilica of St Padre Pio, See his uncorrupt body. Celebrate Holy Eucharist Spend some time meditating in this awesome Basilica. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO (Hotel Gran Paradiso)
'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 6XQ Ĺ&#x; 6DQ *LRYDQQL 5RWRQGR /DQFLDQR /RUHWR MASS AND BREAKFAST. We arrive at Lanciano, famous for the Miracle of the Eucharist. Near the Piazza Plebiscito, the Miracle is inside the Sanctuary of the Eucharistic Miracle. The miracle took place during the 8th century when a Basiline monk doubted the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. He found himself holding the host that had changed into Real Flesh and the Wine on the altar had changed into Real Blood. We continue our pilgrimage to the great Marian shrine of Loreto to see the famous sacred home of the most Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Since 1294 the holy home has been located inside the Basilica of Loreto. Celebrate Holy Eucharist in Lanciano. DINNER AND OVERNIGHT IN Assisi. 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 0RQ Ĺ&#x; /RUHWR $VVLVL Today we explore the hilltop birthplace of St Francis of Assisi. In the Crypt of St Francis Basilica lies the tomb of one of the most humble and beloved Saints of all times, St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Eucharist at the Crypt of St. Francis See the Basilica of St Clare, with her incorrupt body, and the little Church of St. Damiano and its CruciďŹ x from which Jesus spoke to Francis about his mission in 1206: “Go, Francis, and rebuild my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.â€? We visit the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, located in the lower plains of Assisi, and the place where the miracle of the Eucharist of Assisi took place in 1240. The small Church of the Porziuncola is inside the Basilica itself. Pope Honorius III granted a plenary indulgence for those entering this humble Church on August 1st and 2nd every year, with Confession, reception of the Eucharist and no attachment to venial sins. (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7XHV Ĺ&#x; $VVLVL 6LHQD )ORUHQFH We will spend half day in Siena. Begin in the old town center with a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico. Built in the 13th century, it is a treasure chest of the Renaissance art and dedicated to St Catherine of Siena. You will learn about the city’s history while admiring it’s cathedrals, Museum, and libraries .Also you will admire the famous piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s great medieval squares. Continue to Florence. (BB,D) We start with a guided walking tour of Florence, this fascinating city with its Piazza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist. Rest of the day free (BB,D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY :HG Ĺ&#x; )ORUHQFH 5RPH Leave Florence around 2PM Arrived Rome almost dinner time (BB.D) 'D\ Ĺ&#x; 1RY 7KXUV Ĺ&#x; 5RPH 86$ End of our wonderful Pilgrimage
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 17-23, 2018
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Wyoming officials refuse to return Balangiga... NBA permits Jordan Clarkson to play in Asian Games PAGE A1 even welcomed the announcement from the U.S. embassy noting that he hopes it would happen but would still wait on the official word. Two of the bells of Balangiga are at F.e. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The third is with the United States Army in South Korea. A year ago, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Rodrigo Duterte has called for their return. “They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage,” the presi-
dent said. The story behind Balangiga bells In 1901, the U.S. Army soldiers took the bells after an attack killed 48 American troops during the U.S. occupation of the Philippines. In retaliation, the U.S. ordered its troops to turn Samar into a “howling wilderness.” Over 2,500 Filipinos were killed during the attacks. The Philippines has been trying to have the bells returned even way back during Fidel Ramos’ administration. Years after, a petition for their return was revived in the wake of Typhoon
Yolanda in 2013. Samar was among the islands devastated by the super typhoon. In 2016, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point sent back a bell also taken in 1901 to the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Bauang, La Union, according to a report on Stars and Stripes, a newspaper for the U.S. military community. “Bells were routinely taken as souvenirs, but at times they were removed for a military purpose – to prevent them from being melted down to make weapons,” Stars and Stripes said. (AJPress)
Fil-Am community mourns the death of... PAGE A1 Little Manila. In the introduction of her book, Dawn Mabalon wrote how she read “America Is in the heart” in college and soon found out that the author Carlos Bulosan used her grandfather’s diner as his permanent address in Stockton. The diner was later demolished in 1999, prompting Mabalon to explore the community’s history. her maternal grandmother, Concepcion Moreno Bohulano, who was the country’s first Filipina school teacher also served as a source. “They always said I was the little girl who wanted to be a writer. It took a lot of twists and turns and it wasn’t exactly the way I wanted it. I hope it honors them,” Mabalon said in an interview with The Record in 2013. “Their sacrifices made it possible that their children and grandchildren could do whatever they wanted to do. Their sacrifices meant I could create a life to read, teach and write.” Last October, Mabalon received a bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, DC on behalf of her late father, who fought in World War II. Over the weekend, Stockton held its annual Barrio Fiesta event, with the Little Manila Foundation and other community members paying tribute to Mabalon. “Dawn had represented the best of Stockton and she will be missed very much,” Lange Luntao, a Little Manila Foundation board member, told The Record. “her research on the Filipino/a neighborhoods and community members in Stockton inspired scholars from around the world and put on the map in a positive way. There’s a lot of work to do to continue her legacy and highlight Stockton’s rich and diverse history.” As the news of her death spread, Mabalon’s colleagues and friends took to social media to express their grief and devastation. Some of them used the hashtag #DawnMabalonisinTheheart, in reference to her book “Little Manila is in the heart.” “This is a great loss for all of us, as she gave the world to her family, friends, and our community,” said Allyson Tintangco-Cubales, Mabalon’s fellow professor at San Francisco State University. Cubales, on behalf of Mabalon’s
family also started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to cover her funeral and memorial costs. It has raised over $60,000 in two days. Dr. Kevin Nadal, Mabalon’s friend for 15 years and a fellow trustee of the Filipino American National historical Society (FANhS), shared, “Dr. Dawn Mabalon was a fierce Pinay scholar who positively impacted so many lives - from the students in her classes to the people who read her books to the community Dawn Mabalon on the cover of Asian Journal’s SF Magazine on members who lis- August 2, 2013. tened to her talks on Filipino American history.” he added, “As the National Scholar of FANhS, she was the gatekeeper of Filipino American history - the ‘go to’ manang/ate who seemed to know everything. her friends will miss her sharp wit, her infectious laughter, her vast knowledge on innumerable topics, and her passionate loyalty for the people she cared about most. Our hearts are broken and the world will never be the same.” The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) worked with Mabalon and her collection of home movies as part of its “Memories to Light: Asian American home Movies” initiative. “Dawn’s knowledge of and connection to Filipino American history in Stockton made her a perfect participant in this project, and luckily, she had some home movies to contribute. The film, commissioned by CAAM and made by John Liau, talks about how Stockton was a hub for Filipino American labor activism, with many who worked in the farm fields. Folks like Carlos Bulosan and Larry Itliong came through Dawn’s grandfather’s Filipino restaurant in Stockton,” Jasmine Lee ehrhardt wrote in an article about Mabalon’s donated home movies. Fil-Am rapper Ruby Ibarra wrote in a post, “I will never forget when I first met her, the first thing she told me was, ‘I’ve been waiting for you.’ Since then, she
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OFW remittances down 4.5% PAGE A1 and Kuwait. For 2017, preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas employment Administration showed that the number of deployed land-based workers also dropped by 3.28 percent to 1,614,674 year-on-year, while that of the sea-based workers fell by 14.62 percent to 378,072. Cash remittances coming from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, UAe, Japan, Qatar, Germany, hong Kong and Canada accounted for more than 79 percent of total cash remittances for the first six months of 2018. For the first half of the year, however, personal remittances from expatriate Filipinos totaled $15.8 billion, posting a 2.8 percent year-on-year growth. Personal remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more grew by 2.5 percent to $12.2 billion, while transfers from seabased workers and land-based workers with short-term contracts likewise increased by 3.4 percent to $3.2 billion for the same period. For the first semester of 2018,
cash remittances from expatriate Filipinos coursed through banks recorded a 2.7-percent growth from the same period a year ago to reach $14.2 billion. Cash remittances sent by land-based workers and sea-based workers rose by 2.5 percent and 3.4 percent to $11.2 billion and $3 billion, respectively. Personal remittances represent the sum of net compensation of employees (gross earnings of overseas Filipino workers with work contracts of less than one year, including all sea-based workers, less taxes, social contributions, and transportation and travel expenditures in their host countries), personal transfers (all current transfers in cash or in kind by workers with work contracts of one year or more as well as other household-to-household transfers between Filipinos who have migrated abroad and their families in the Philippines), and capital transfers between households (the provision of resources for capital purposes, such as for construction of residential houses, between resident and nonresident households without anything of economic value being supplied in return). n
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said that personal remittances for June declined by 4.9 percent to $2.6 billion compared to the same period last year. Inquirer.net photo
Fil-Am point guard to join Team Philippines after delay in approval from the NBA by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
The NBA decided on Tuesday, August 14 that Jordan Clarkson of the Cleveland Cavaliers may play for the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games after previously ruling that NBA players couldn’t participate in the multi-sport event. Twenty-six-year-old Clarkson, who is part Filipino on his mother’s side, was granted a “special exception” to represent the Philippines along with two Chinese NBA players, Zhou Qi of the houston Rockets and Ding Yanyuhang of the Dallas Mavericks, in this year’s Asian Games, which will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia. In an agreement with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the NBA said that its players may partake in the Olympics, the FIBA Basketball World Cup the Continental Cup and other associated tournaments, but the Asian Games are not one of them. however, the NBA said in a statement that “due to lack of clear communication of that agreement between the NBA and the Chinese and Philippines Basketball Federations, and after further discussions with both Federations, the NBA has agreed to provide this one-time exception.” The NBA’s decision to allow Clarkson, who was on the Los Angeles Lakers from 2014-2018, to play in the games is historic; since its origin in 1951, no NBA player
Jordan Clarkson dunks the ball during Gilas Pilipinas practice. Inquirer.net photo by Tristan Tamayo
has been allowed to participate. Since his college days, Clarkson has been eyed by the Philippine men’s national basketball team to recruit him. In 2015, Clarkson was invited to the Philippines to oversee training for the Gilas Pilipinas program, and he has maintained a close relationship with the global Filipino community. “The action of the NBA will no doubt cheer the hearts of Filipinos here and all over the world,” the Philippines’ national basketball federation said in a statement. Clarkson, who holds dual citizenship in the Philippines and the United States, expressed joy to the news that he would be representing his maternal grandmother’s native country. “PUSO! My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who helped make this happen. See you all very soon!” Clarkson wrote on Facebook.
Behind the Olympics, the Asian Games, often referred to as the Asiad, is the largest multi-sport event in the world. held every four years, the Asian Games bring together athletes from all over Asia to compete in 51 sports spanning nearly 400 events. The Philippines basketball team initially withdrew from the Asian Games after 10 of its first-team players and two coaches received suspensions and fines following an on-court brawl with Australia at a qualifying game for the World Cup last month. however, the Office of President Rodrigo Duterte intervened and the withdrawal was later reversed. Clarkson will be one of 26 players on the Philippines’ basketball team, which will face off against China in the preliminary round of the tournament on Thursday, Aug. 16. The Asian Games will be held from Aug. 14 to Sept. 2. n
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PH Air Force receives P807-m monitoring system from US by AJPress
MAGNA CARTA FOR WOMEN ANNIVERSARY. Dr. Rhodora Masilang-Bucoy, Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women, delivers her message during the 9th anniversary of the passage of the Magna Carta of Women, attended by women’s rights advocates at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday, August 14. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja
Legal immigrants’ permanent residency may... PAGE A1 Currently, immigrants are allowed to have their residency status rejected if they are seen to be a financial burden to the U.S. government, or a “public charge” — a term that has been used in immigration law since the 1800s. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services defines a public charge as “an individual who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for substance, as demonstrated by either the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or institutionalization for long-term care at government expense.” But recent forms of the draft rule — though still being hashed out — include in its definition those who have used (or has had anyone in their household) use programs like children’s health insurance, food stamps, income tax credits, non-emergency uses of Medicaid, and even Affordable Care Act subsidies. News of the potential policy change first came out in February by Reuters and Vox. In March, the Washington Post released a copy of the full draft proposal. Department of Homeland Security officials responded by saying that while the proposal wasn’t final, the administration wanted to ensure “that foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the U.S. are self-sufficient,” in order to protect American taxpayers. But advocates now are emphasizing that the proposed changes are not yet final, and are encouraging families to continue using
public benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps, and other energy, transportation, and housing programs. “The benefits families use now will not affect green card applicants because the public charge rule has not been finalized and it will be retroactive,” said Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles (Advancing Justice - LA) in a statement. Should the Trump administration release proposed changes to the public charge rule, there will be a period to submit comments about the rule before it is finalized. Legal immigrants of the U.S. The United States has more immigrants than any other country in the world with numbers climbing towards a new historic high after years of increase, according to nonpartisan fact tank Pew Research Center. In 2015, the number of foreignborn people in the U.S. reached a record 43.2 million. Today, immigrants make up for 13.4 percent of the total U.S. population — the highest it’s ever been since the 1890s. According to Pew Research, most immigrants are also in the U.S. legally. Based on 2015 numbers, that’s 76-percent of immigrants. Lawyers and advocates say that if the policy were to be finalized, millions of legal immigrants would find themselves having to sacrifice some basic needs for themselves and their families. Take the quickly growing Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, for example. “About 3.8 million Asian
American and Pacific Islander immigrants live in families that have relied on some form of public benefit to make ends meet,” Heng Lam Foong, Health Access Project Senior Policy Manager at Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, told the Asian Journal in an email. “The Trump Administration’s proposed public charge rules would force families to choose between meeting basic needs like putting food on the table or seeing a doctor and maintaining immigration status,” she added. Focused more on the policy’s effect on health care, experts are seeing it as a public health crisis. A recent study by The New England Journal of Medicine found that an estimated one million non citizens would potentially become uninsured as a result. “If this rule takes effect, it will most likely harm the health of millions of people and undo decades of work by providers nationwide to increase access to medical care for immigrants and their families,” reported the study. Currently health insurance programs like Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or the Affordable Care Act are not considered for public charge purposes. Neither are housing benefits, child care services, emergency assistance, educational assistance, or job training programs among others. “Families should continue to use benefits as they need,” said Foong. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)
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THE United States gave the Philippine Air Force a Special Airborne Mission Installation and Response (SABIR) system worth P807 million on Tuesday, August 14, at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. In a report from GMA News, Department of National Defense (DND) secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the surveillance system will cover the regions surrounding the country. “For patrolling the West Philippine Sea, the East Philippine Sea, Philippine Rise and Sulu Sea; this is actually what I was telling you a while ago about the gap in our surveillance capabilities. Now we have it,” Lorenzana said. SABIR is a “bolt-on, bolt off” avionics module that will serve as the Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system for the C-130 Hercules aircraft. In a report from Rappler, the U.S. government in a turnover ceremony donated the module that “upgrades the aircraft with advanced command and control, communications, computer, and surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities without sacrificing the aircraft’s primary function as a cargo plane.” United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim expressed the desires of the U.S. government to aid and support the country’s armed forces. “We have a long-standing partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we have great respect for the AFP so we wanna do our part as friend, partner, and allies to support the moderniza-
NEW SYSTEM. Philippine Air Force personnel check the newly installed Special Airborne Mission Installation and Response (Sabir) system to C-130 aircraft during the acceptance, blessing, and turnover of the Sabir system at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay on Tuesday, August 14. According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the Sabir system given by the United States will increase the PAF’s capability to monitor the West Philippine Sea, Benham Rise and Sulu Sea. The Sabir system is worth P340 million. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
tion efforts, in all sense particularly in the area of intelligence and reconnaissance, surveillance,” Kim said. The U.S. Embassy also noted that SABIR “will increase the Philippine military’s maritime domain awareness, airborne command and control, counter terrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities.” In a report from The Manila Times, the ambassador also noted several other uses of the SABIR system which includes countering illegal drugs in the country — the top priority of the Duterte administration. The SABIR system is part of
the U.S. government’s Maritime Security initiative for Southeast Asian nations. Air Force Spokesperson Major Aristides Galang Jr. said that it will be operated by the 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing. Aside from SABIR, the U.S. government also donated other military equipment such as ScanEagle drones and Cessna planes to support the modernization program of the armed forces. Lorenzana stated that SABIR will be used once in a while only, but he cited other assets such as the aforementioned ScanEagle drones from U.S. and the TC planes from Japan that was donated to the Philippine Navy. n
Fil-Am Army Green Beret dies in Afghanistan A FILIPINO-AMERICAN member of the U.S. Army’s Green Berets has died from wounds sustained in an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Reymund Rarogal Transfiguracion, 36, of Waikoloa, Hawaii, sustained injuries while on combat patrol in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan on Aug. 7, according to ABC News. Born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Transfiguracion enlisted in the Hawaii National Guard in July 2001, serving as a motor transport operator. In 2008, the Green Beret was deployed to Afghanistan and the
Philippines with the U.S. Special Operations task force. Transfiguracion was selected for Special Forces training after returning from those two deployments and was assigned as engineer sergeant to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. He was deployed to Afghanistan in March 2018. Members of the U.S. Army’s Special Forces are also called Green Berets because of the distinctive military headgear they wear. Transfiguracion’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Unit Commendation,
Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge, the Army Times reported. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant first class and awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. According to reports, Transfiguracion was the fifth American military service member to be killed in Afghanistan this year. (Helen Flores/Philstar.com)
Sara Duterte, Imee Marcos forge... PAGE A1 Blue Leaf Filipinas in Parañaque City. Among the signatories were Senator Villar; former Batangas Rep. Mark Mendoza of NPC; Reginald Velasco, NUP secretary general; Imee Marcos of Ilocano Timpuyog; Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda of Kambilan; Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, head of Serbisyo Para sa Bayan Party; Norris Oculam of Abaka; Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos of APP; and lawyer Nadya Emano of PP. Also present at the signing ceremony were former first lady and now Rep. Imelda Marcos, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, among others. Hugpong was called an opposition party in February by then Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, president of the ruling PDP-Laban. Mayor Duterte countered that it was her father, the President, who had given her and her supporters the go-ahead to form Hugpong. In July, during the third State of the Nation Address of Mr. Duterte, Alvarez was ousted as Speaker and replaced by Arroyo. Hugpong’s senatorial bets The signatories to the agree-
ment pledged to support all the eight senatorial candidates Hugpong would endorse for the midterm elections in May 2019. Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario, Hugpong secretary general, confirmed reports that the alliance would endorse the candidacies of Marcos and Villar for the Senate. Del Rosario said talks had been going on for weeks with the remaining six senatorial hopefuls. He declined to name them, saying he did not want to preempt other party officials. At least two other prospective candidates were present during Monday’s signing of the covenant—reelectionist Sen. JV Ejercito and Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, a former senator. Last month, Mayor Duterte personally endorsed Ejercito, Sen. Sonny Angara, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, former Chair Francis Tolentino of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office for the Senate. No Senate run She denied anew that she would be one of the senatorial candidates. “I am not running for senator. We are just really trying to unite
everybody who wants to help the administration of President Duterte until 2022,” she said. The Davao City mayor ranked between fourth and seventh in a Pulse Asia preelection survey released in April, but Del Rosario said on Monday that the she was “definitely” not gunning for a Senate seat. “We’ve talked about it several times,” he said. “She doesn’t want to leave Davao City yet.” Del Rosario said Hugpong was endorsing eight candidates, rather than 12, to allow its allied parties to select four of their own. Common denominator The common denominator between Hugpong and the nine political parties, which hailed from areas as varied as Ilocos Norte, Bohol, Zamboanga, Pampanga and Misamis Oriental, was their support for Mr. Duterte’s policies, he said. Imee Marcos said the alliance was the “first step on the road to federalism” as it sought to empower regional parties over “monolithic, hierarchical Metro Manila-based parties.” She hinted at resurrecting Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, the political party of the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos, in a talk with journalists in Davao Occidental last week. n
Fil-Am community mourns the death of... PAGE A3
showed me nothing but love and support, often coming out to any event that I was a part of.” Actor Tess Paras was emotional on her post and recalled the impact of Mabalon’s work and activism on many generations to come. “I encourage you to read the books she’s written and learn about the historical sites she’s helped preserve, the marginalized voices she amplified, and the Filipino American history presentation she was due to give at the U.S. Civil Rights Commission in Washington D.C. this very week. Her legacy is widespread and undoubtedly everlasting,” Paras wrote. In his own post, labor leader Gregory Cendana recalled a particular night after the FANHS conference in New York in 2016.
“Hundreds of us were on a boat cruise for the gala and towards the end of the night, the DJ started playing multiple 90s jams in a row. I was on the dance floor and turned to see Dawn taking pictures and encouraging me, ‘Are you about to get hyphy? Get it. Show them how it’s done.’ Little did she know that gave me the permission needed to break it down in my Barong Tagalog. It was a moment I felt so free,” Cendana wrote. He added, “Ever since the moment I met Dawn, she spoke truth to power, lit up any room she was in with her smile and laughter and helped people live their best lives. May we do what we can to build on her legacy.” In an interview with the Asian Journal in 2013, she shared that it was her hope to reach out to other Filipinas/os around the
world to tell their stories. “…Whether you arrived in 2010 or your great-grandparents came as sugar workers to Hawaii in 1907, we are part of a long and proud history of Filipinas/os in America who have built this country with our sweat and our hard work and our brains. We are building Little Manilas all around the world just like the Manongs and Manangs did in the 1920s, and it is all part of this long and proud history of struggle and hope,” she told the Asian Journal. “Whether you’re in Daly City or Queens, Dubai, Rome, or Stockton, it’s important to learn where we all came from and the communities that pioneers built before us, and learn how they faced challenges, to learn how to solve the problems that our communities are facing today. (AJPress)
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Cayetano to fly to Beijing for talks DBM chief ensures pork free 2019 budget on West PH Sea joint exploration by aJPress
by Frances
Mangosing Inquirer.net
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano is set to visit Beijing to discuss the framework of the joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and speed up the economic deals with the Asian giant. “i will be going to China soon, i am working on our working group here now. i’ve been informed that they already have their working group so when i do go to Beijing, we will be discussing a framework and i am suggesting that we speak first about joint exploration,” he told reporters on Wednesday, August 15 at the sidelines of the closing session of a global migration forum in Manila. The top diplomat said he would soon announce the exact schedule of the trip but said the primary agenda of the visit is “to speed up all of our engagements, projects, investments, loans with China.”
The current administration has been criticized for playing down the sea dispute with China and setting aside the arbitral ruling in exchange of economic investments and friendly ties with the regional superpower. Cayetano expressed hopes that an agreement could be signed by next month for the joint exploration to go further. “We are still on schedule. i am still hoping that we can get to sign something this September that will allow the exploration,” he said. “in exploration, you do not extract anything yet, you find out what’s there…Do you not want to know what’s there? What’s all the dispute about, what are the resources there? i don’t think it will harm anyone if we all work together and find out what’s there,” he also said. President rodrigo Duterte has recently approved the creation of a technical working group, composed of experts from the
government and private sector, to study the deal. Cayetano said both Philippines and China have to set aside their claims to territory and sovereign rights for the joint exploration. He likened the agreement to warring parties in a rebellion: “it can’t be a one-party ceasefire. You’ll still kill each other. it has to be both sides who will say ceasefire and when both sides say ceasefire, that’s not surrender…So in our case, let’s stop fighting, let’s start drilling.” At the same time, he also assured the critics that the “security concerns” on the exploration of will be tackled in the agreement. “ive been sitting down with foreign and local experts, and they’re confident that a joint exploration and joint development will not conflict, will not in any way violate our constitution and will not in any way damage or give away or do anything to our Arbitration Award,” he said. n
DePArTMenT of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno ensured on Tuesday, August 15, that no part of the proposed P3.76-trillion national budget will be allocated to pork finances. in a report from the inquirer, the budget chief subdued the public’s fear that House Speaker gloria Macapagal Arroyo might distribute pork funding to lawmakers in exchange for their loyalty. The Supreme Court struck down the pork barrel programs primarily the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the Countrywide Development Fund. in 2013, the judicial arm of the government declared these pork barrel programs unconstitutional. Diokno said at the Meet inquirer Multimedia forum that the national expenditure Program for next year will adhere to the Supreme Court’s decision. “i’m consistent here. our budget is consistent with the Supreme Court decision,” he added. Pork barrel funds, according to the Supreme Court, violated the principle of separation of powers between the legislative and the executive department. Such funds permit lawmakers to come up with Residents of Libis Baesa, Barangay 160, Caloocan City, gather to say prayers on Wednesday, projects after the national budget August 15 at the spot where the police shot Kian delos Santos dead exactly a year ago. is approved. Inquirer.net photo Diokno assured that this time the officers involved in the op- of command responsibility, have erations that killed Delos Santos since been moved to higher posi- it would be different. Lawmakers now had to come up with projects and Arnaiz, and were also being tions. linked to the De guzman’s grueonly five officers have been before a national budget is passed. some death, have returned to ac- jailed and indicted in connection He also reiterated that it is different from the lump-sum allocations. tive duty, the inquirer learned. with the three deaths. The budget chief emphasized Four of their superiors, cleared PAGE A7
Kian, Carl, ‘Kulot’ slays: Only 5 cops on trial; chiefs promoted Tapped for drug war, most of Caloocan policemen linked to August 2017 killing of 3 teens back on active duty by Krixia
subingsubing Inquirer.net
AS President rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs peaked in August last year, the names of three teenagers stood out in the growing death toll: Kian delos Santos, 17, and Carl Arnaiz, 19, were killed a day apart in “shootouts” with the Caloocan police, while reynaldo “Kulot” de guzman, 14, Arnaiz’s last known companion, turned up days later in a creek in nueva ecija, his head wrapped in packaging tape and his body bearing more than 20 stab wounds. As the killings sparked fresh outrage over alleged police abuses committed in pursuit of the President’s war on drugs, they also led to the sacking — or “selfcleansing,” as Philippine national Police (PnP) Director general oscar Albayalde put it — of practically the entire Caloocan police. A year later, however, most of
Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno
that the lawmakers now had to convince the department that the amount they request is rational. He said that one can get as much as P200-million “depending on whether you are hardworking and you are able to convince the respective department to justify” the request for funding for their legislative district.
Diokno also responded to the criticisms hurled at President rodrigo Duterte. Many of the leader’s critics believed that pork barrel might return following Arroyo’s speakership wrestle with Davao del norte rep. Pantaleon Alvarez. “President Duterte is not [Arroyo]. He is very strong in [his] PAGE A7
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FEATURES
O PINION This time, will it work?
TRAFFIC managers tried this several years ago: a ban on vehicles with only one occupant from certain thoroughfares. The idea was to encourage carpooling and reduce vehicle density in the traffic-choked streets of Metro Manila. This time, with even more vehicles and with public works projects under construction in several areas, the Metro Manila Council, composed of mayors of the mega city, is dusting off the driver-only scheme for implementation during rush hours along EDSA. Harried motorists and commuters may be willing to try anything to ease traffic along the busiest thoroughfare in Metro Manila. The mayors, however, should also consider points raised by opponents of the scheme. One is that it will have no impact on the wealthy who are either driven around by chauffeurs, or who can bring along their household employees in their cars. Another is that because of the heat, most private vehicles in this country are tinted, so how efficient can traffic enforcers be in implementing the ban? The first time the scheme was implemented, drivers used makeshift dummies and propped them up in the backseat. A senator has also raised concern about the emergence of paid car jockeys or passengers for hire, which could lead to criminal assaults. There is general agreement about the need to ease traffic congestion on EDSA, where an average of nearly 370,000 vehicles passed daily in
2017. Of that number, single-occupancy vehicles reportedly accounted for 60 to 70 percent. The Metro Manila Council wants to ban driver-only vehicles from the thoroughfare during weekdays from 7 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. A weeklong dry run starts on Aug. 15. While trying out the scheme, traffic managers should not lose focus on the most important aspect, which is effective law enforcement. Public buses in particular continue to linger too long at various stops throughout EDSA as they unload or wait for passengers, occupying several lanes and blocking intersections. Mayors must crack down on traffic enforcers who look the other way for a fee. The mayors can also meet with bus operators to put an end to the quota system, which compels drivers to wait forever at various stops to pack buses with as many passengers as possible, because their earnings depend on the number of passengers they pick up. Public support for measures such as the driver-only scheme comes easier if people see that other issues are being addressed to ease traffic gridlocks. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
If you support Trump because of illegal immigration and think he will protect you because you came here with ‘papeles,’ think again
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS MANY KABABAYANS who voted for President Donald Trump tell me that they support him because they believe in his fight against undocumented immigrants. These Filipinos lament that they followed the laws, waited in line, paid their dues and it would be unfair if those who entered and are staying in the United States illegally would bypass those still in line, steal American jobs, and partake in the benefits paid for by their hard earned money. They contend that so long as Filipinos have the “papeles” (papers), they have nothing to be afraid of because Trump supports legal immigration. Well, think again. Trump’s rhetoric and action before the election, the people he surrounds himself with, the advisers and aides he hired, and the news media he subscribes to and believes in could very well be indicators that he may not love you as much as you adore him. As the Trump administration rolls out its proposals to overhaul America’s broken immigration system, you now realize he is not just running after the undocumented immigrants but is gearing up to limit LEGAL immigration into the United States. Let me focus on two important issues
for now. Earlier, Trump pushed to end family-based petition, the immigration policy implemented by past administrations — Republicans and Democrats — in honor of the long-held value that family members should live together and not be broken apart. Family-based petitions make “family reunification” possible, a benefit recently enjoyed by no less than the parents of First Lady Melania Trump. BUT Trump now refers to “family reunification” as “chain migration” and said during his January 2018 State of the Union Address: “The fourth and final pillar protects the nuclear family by ending chain migration. Under the current broken system, a single immigrant can bring in virtually unlimited numbers of distant relatives. Under our plan, we focus on the immediate family by limiting sponsorships to spouses and minor children. This vital reform is necessary, not just for our economy, but for our security, and for the future of America.” This impacts a lot of Filipino families who rely on family members for support as they navigate their life here in America. Many lolos and lolas are the ones who take care of the young kids as the husband and wife both need to
work to pay for their bills. Some need ate and kuya to help out in taking care of their ailing and aging parents. Most kababayans also want to give their children a sense of extended family and have the grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins around just like how we place value on family togetherness and traditions in the Philippines. These family members who are approved for immigration to the U.S. go through strict background checks to make sure they would not be a burden to society. They work or give domestic and moral support to their family who petitioned them. They also pay taxes and contribute to the coffers of the nation. BUT NO, if Trump would have it his way, family reunification is not important and family-based petitions should go. Another proposal by the Trump administration is to deny citizenship to green card holders — immigrants living legally in the U.S. who have ever used or whose household members have ever used Obamacare, children’s health insurance, food stamps and other benefits could be hindered from obtaining legal status in the U.S. Immigration lawyers and advocates and public health researchers point out that this move
“would be the biggest change to the legal immigration system in decades and estimate that more than 20 million immigrants could be affected,” including many Filipinos, particularly immigrants who are working double or even triple jobs that don’t pay enough to support their families. Also vulnerable will be families who have been victims of the deep recession caused by the greed of many capitalists and policymakers. Even those immigrants who sought public assistance for their American-born children will be at risk. These people have been paying taxes, contributing to Social Security and Medicare, and yet just because they were in the unfortunate situation of having to rely on public benefits as their lifeline, they are now deemed as “pabigat” and should therefore be denied citizenship and have their legal status and future in the United States be in limbo? Trump claims he is “the least racist of all people.” WHAT A LIE! He looks down on people of color. He demonizes and vilifies immigrants. He calls them obscene and derogatory labels, questions their intelligence, values, undermines their importance in the greatness and growth of this nation. He looks at them as security risks. He dis-
criminates against them. He is quick to attack immigrants, people of color and those who support them, but defends white people when they are the ones who cause violence and break the rules and laws of the land. He even appointed a lot of them to office just because they are white or rich, or because they speak great things about him and are loyal to him. Many of them have been in the news for corruption, undisclosed ties with foreign governments including our adversaries, and are facing charges. So what is in Trump’s heart? During his trip to England and in a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Trump warned European leaders that they “better watch themselves” because a wave of immigration is “changing the culture” of their countries. “I think it’s a very negative thing for Europe. I think it’s very negative,” Trump said. “And I know it’s politically not necessarily correct to say that, but I’ll say it and I’ll say it loud.” Trump is fighting diversity. Trump is threatened by the fact that America is not as white as it used to be, and seems to live in the delusion that they, the white people, are the ones who own America when in fact, they too are descendants of immigrants and
asylum seekers from Europe. Perhaps FOX News — the cable news channel Trump doesn’t call “fake news” because they think the same way — articulated what racist people have been thinking and feeling through Laura Ingraham. “In some parts of the country, it does seem like the America we know and love doesn’t exist anymore...Massive demographic changes have been foisted upon the American people,” Laura Ingraham said. “Much of this is related to both illegal and in some cases legal immigration that, of course, progressives love.” DO YOU SHARE THIS SENTIMENT, Kababayans? I hope you do not because the truth is, America is great because of its diversity. This means you and I — we people of color and we immigrants — make this country great through the richness of our heritage and the content of our character, and the values we hold dear. We make this country great through our vision, hard work, integrity. Never forget this TRUTH. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
Victory in Cambodia polls and need for unity gov’t, 4 premiers unite in Nepal, middle class Filipinos in US
PeaceMaker FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. (Part 2 of 2)
TWO months earlier we had visited Tehran, and we raised the chances of perhaps an almost impossible dream: we said Allah could certainly bless a dream of centuries: a reunion of Islam’s great Sunni and Shiite populations, akin to Christianity’s Catholic and Protestant wings whose sometimes bloody conflicts raged for centuries in Europe but in God’s time, finally reached a settlement. As we had pointed out in an earlier column, the last bitter isolated battles between Catholic and Protestant partisans were in Northern Ireland but these had come to an end with the Good Friday Agreement, assisted by U.S. mediation, signed amidst great sighs of joy some two decades
ago on April 10, 1998. Iran leads the Muslim Shiite wing, supported by Iraq, Syria, the majority in Lebanon, and substantial groups in Yemen, the latter wracked today by civil war; while the Muslim Sunnis are at present actively led by the rich oil producers, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait; and by Jordan, Egypt and others. Tiny but big oil producer Qatar is restrained by the Saudi-led Gulf Arabs and Oman is Iran- inclined but quiet. On both sides of the Persian Gulf, Arab Gulf to the Arabs, there is a continuing state of unease, tension, and on occasion on the Syrian side, bloody battles, that are close, we hope not, to dangerously involving Israeli troops in larger warfare. After some work at home, we expect to visit Saudi Arabia,
where as we wrote earlier, in the old days we pioneered as prime contractors and not as labor suppliers, competing at the time with some of the better Europe and U.S. companies in the world, operating the port of Jeddah on the Red Sea and the port of Jubail on the Persian Gulf; drilled and discovered onshore oil in the Emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates, the first Filipino drilling initiative with Arab partners overseas; pioneered in Kuwait and Iraq with highways and housing, until we were trapped by the Iraq-Iran war in Basrah, at the boundaries of Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and languished there in the early years of the Iraq-Iran war, when we were later finally able at great loss to repatriate more than 1,000 of our Filipino workers and management teams.
The Iraq-Iran war had caused us unimaginable crises and suffering. Our Filipino workers were not paid and there was constant wailing over the years and we were almost driven to bankruptcy from 1982 to 1990, when again the Second Gulf War broke out, as U.S. and Allied troops came to the rescue of Kuwait to oust Saddam Hussein’s invading Iraqis, and we had completely then lost some $40-million of our roadbuilding, transport and infrastructure equipment in the wars. Those were our most difficult years of tragedy and hell, after years of business success in the Arab world: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates, and in Libya in North Africa. We were finally able to fully pay our thousands of Filipino workers, middle managers and
executives after we won a hardfought, almost two years of legal battles in London and New York and collected payment from our insurers, the Lloyds of London and other U.S. insurance groups with hardly a little left for us, the shareholders. But nevertheless we were thankful to our international lawyers, the renowned White and Case of the U.S., perhaps the leading law firm in the world, which handled and won our case on a rare contingency basis, supported by the prestigious European investment bank, Lazard Brothers. From the start of our operations, we were the biggest overseas foreign exchange earners at the time for the Philippine Central Bank, that then C.B. Governor Gregorio Licaros flew to Jeddah to honor us with a visit to thank our thousands of Filipino work-
ers in the cities of Jeddah, Jubail, Riyadh, Yanbu, and Gizan. But our greatest joy as pioneers is that we were able to pave the way in succeeding years until today for the employment since 1975 of tens of millions of Filipinos in the Middle East and their movement later, across the Suez Canal, into the Mediterranean and into Europe as executives, skilled workers, engineers, teachers, doctors, and nurses. They are a successful sequel to the pioneering, intrepid Filipino workers who journeyed to and worked in the farmlands of Hawaii and California, and the fish canneries of Alaska more than 110 years ago, and who today number perhaps more than 3.5million and who have become executives or largely attained respected middle-class status in the United States of America. ■
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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House committees clear former Pres. Aquino of Dengvaxia controversy by AJPress
SENATE COMMENDS LITTLE LEAGUE. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on Wednesday, August 15 presents a copy of Senate Resolution 842, commending the members of the Tanauan Little League for being crowned as the 2018 Senior Softball World Series champions after defeating Texas District 9 Little League with a 7-0 win held at Bruce Layton Field in Lower Sussex, Delaware on August 6, 2018. Joining Sotto are (from left) Senators Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva, who introduced the resolution. Also in photo are Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon. Senate photo by Jun David
Kian, Carl, ‘Kulot’ slays: Only 5 cops on trial... PAGE A5 t
Lives upended Meanwhile, the victims’ families and three prosecution witnesses remain under the Department of Justice’s witness protection program (WPP), their lives upended and isolated from the world. On Aug. 16, 2017, Delos Santos was killed during a “One-time, Big-time” operation involving at least 15 officers from Sta. Quiteria precinct headed by Chief Insp. Amor Cerillo. Police said the Grade 12 pupil was carrying “shabu” and engaged them in a gun battle — a claim contradicted not only by eyewitness accounts but also by security camera footage and forensic examination results. Assuring the public of an impartial investigation, Albayalde ordered the relief of Cerillo, his men at Sta. Quiteria precinct; the city police chief, Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna; and Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Supt. roberto fajardo. Cerillo, Bersaluna and fajardo insisted during a Senate inquiry that Kian was a pistol-packing drug courier — and that they based their information on the teenager from what they had gathered on “social media.” Cleared and promoted they were later cleared of liability and were even promoted. fajardo rose to become PNPHighway Patrol Group director, Bersaluna briefly served as San Juan police chief before becoming police provincial director of Bulacan, which has emerged as another “killing field” in the drug war. Since May, Cerillo has been the officer in charge of the NPD operations office.
Of the 15 men involved in the Aug. 16 operation, only PO3 Arnel Oares (the team leader), PO1 Jerwin Cruz and PO1 Jeremias Pereda, as well as their civilian asset renato Loveras, were indicted. the other 12 have been reassigned to different units in Metro Manila, seven of them under the NPD. In the Arnaiz case, the police alleged that Carl robbed taxi driver tomas Bagcal near the boundary of Caloocan and Navotas on Aug. 17, and that the teenager was shot dead by two responding officers, PO1 ricky Arquilita and Jefrey Perez, for resisting arrest. Like their colleagues tagged in the Delos Santos killing, Arquilita and Perez were indicted for murder, torture and frameup. the PNP Internal Affairs Services (IAS) found their superior, Chief Insp. fortunato ecle, culpable of grave neglect and recommended a one-rank demotion, but ecle has retained his rank and currently serves as officer in charge of the NPD logistics office. PO3 King Bautista, the investigating officer who took Bagcal’s statements on the alleged robbery — affidavits that later proved riddled with inconsistencies — is back in the Caloocan police. Admin cases pending Administrative complaints against Cerillo, ecle, and the 15 men are pending in the PNP-IAS and the Office of the Ombudsman. So far, only Oares had taken the witness stand in Kian’s case which is being heard at Caloocan regional trial Court Branch 125, where Judge rodolfo Azucena Jr. recently denied the defense panel’s bid to file for a demurrer of
evidence. Oares admitted he was the one who shot the Grade 12 student, but said he was only forced to do so because Kian fired at him first. His two coaccused are expected to back his claim. In the Arnaiz-De Guzman case, the murder trial that started in Caloocan rtC Branch 122 was moved to a Navotas court in May when a witness testified that the two teens were actually shot on the Navotas side of the boundary. Courtroom ordeal However, the torture and frameup charges are still being heard at Caloocan rtC Branch 122, where the prosecution is expected to rest its case, according to Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Xerxes Garcia. the hearings had to be reset after Judge Georgina Hidalgo was promoted to the Sandiganbayan in June. In an interview, Kian’s mother, Lorenza, said she thought there would “no longer be another Kian” after her son’s high-profile case drew widespread condemnation. Her family’s only connection to the outside world these days, Lorenza said, had been their attendance at the trial — an emotional ordeal in itself. they would always find themselves just a few seats away from the officers responsible for Kian’s death. “these policemen think we have ruined their lives,” added Kian’s uncle randy, who’s family was not placed under the WPP but still had to live their daily lives with extreme caution, wary of threats. “they’re wrong; they ruined ours. Life will never be normal for us again.” n
After months of hearings, two committees of the House of representatives on tuesday, August 15, cleared former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the issue regarding the 2016 dengue vaccination program and the use of the controversial vaccine Dengvaxia. the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chaired by Surigao del Sur rep. Johnny Pimentel and the Committee on Health chaired by Quezon rep. Angelina tan were the two panels that deliberated on the said issue. In a report from The Philippine Star, the two committees stated in a draft report that the dengue vaccination program was deemed as a “judgment call on the part of the previous administration.” “the action of the administration at the time to implement a dengue vaccination program was unquestionable,” the report stated. the committees considered that the program was only intended to address the increasing number of those with dengue fever all over the country. they also emphasized the danger that the disease poses. “Indeed, the morbidity and mortality data at the time showed that dengue has become a worrisome monster killing hundreds of filipino,” the committees reported. the panels also stated that the administration under President rodrigo Duterte continued the vaccination program and even expanded it to Central Visayas. the two committees also noted that there was a rush in the acquisition of the vaccines. the dengue vaccination program, according to them, “disregarded existing laws, rules and regulations.” the two panels decided that the effectivity and safety of Dengvaxia remained “under review and study.” the Dengvaxia controversy
Former President Benigno Aquino III answers a question during a press conference for the investigation of election offense complaints linked to the dengue vaccine program held at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila City on Thursday, March 15. Also in the photo is former Health Secretary Janette Garin. PNA photo by Joey Razon
started when a number of children who received dengue vaccines were reported dead. Several sectors believed that those children died because of Dengvaxia. As of April 2018, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 62 deaths. the committees have yet to conclude whether the government’s immunization program caused the fatalities. However, they noted that proper authorities are handling the situation. “there is no conclusive finding that Dengvaxia directly caused the death of inoculated patients. Cases have been filed and are pending before various jurisdictions to settle the issue,” the report said. Sanofi, the drug’s manufacturer, continued to stand by the product’s efficacy and safety. the report cited that the World Health Organization (WHO) approved of the vaccine but pointed out that there were risks for sero-negative persons or those with no prior dengue infections. “Dengvaxia is believed to be effective only on person seropositive (with prior dengue), the committee said. the house panels recommended the filing of “administrative and criminal cases against government officials, employees, and private individuals” responsible for the procurement of the said vac-
DBM chief ensures pork free... PAGE A5 t
anti-corruption [drive],” Diokno said. He also insisted that the budget will not be in any way similar to pork barrel. “these are projects that are sup-
posed to benefit residents of those districts. they are not pork barrel. Call it [by] any other name, but not pork barrel,” he maintained. Diokno promised that the National expenditure Program will abide by the constitution. He also
cine. Among those with pending charges were the former president Aquino, former health secretary Janette Garin and former budget secretary florencio Abad. the draft report did not fly by without objections. Camarines Sur rep. Gabriel Bordado and Dinagat Islands rep. Kaka Bag-ao asked for a one-day delay in order to read it. they rescheduled the approval on Wednesday, August 15. 1.2 billion for Dengvaxia victims the committee on appropriations chairman and Davao City rep. Karlo Nograles urged the Senate to approve the 1.2 billion supplemental budget for victims of the dengue vaccination program. the House of representatives passed the budget last June. “My appeal is for senators to approve it before we go on recess this weekend. the Department of Health (DOH) has started patient check-ups and fieldwork in communities where children were administered Dengvaxia vaccination, so they need this budget that is exclusively allocated for such purpose,” Nograles said. Nograles also said that part of the money would be used to seek all 900,000 children who went through the vaccination program to establish “baseline study and medical profile.” n
assured that he will not “do what they did.” “Coming to an election year,” he said, “that speaks volume of what we can do with the money. But I tell you we will not do what they did. We will stick by the rules.” n
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US magazine calls Heart a ‘real crazy rich Asian’
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Not just another rom-com: “Crazy Rich Asians” pushes Asian representation in Hollywood by Christina
M. Oriel / AJPress
Show”), Remy Hii (“Marco Polo”), and Filipino-American Nico Santos (“Superstore”). Kwan and Chu — whose directorial credits include “Now You See Me 2,” “Step Up 2: The Streets” and “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never — in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter revealed that they turned down a big payday from Netflix, which included “artistic freedom, a greenlighted trilogy and huge, seven-figure-minimum paydays for each stakeholder, upfront.” Instead, the duo opted for Warner Bros., as they believed that the story should be shown on a big screen first, instead of from the push of a button at home. “We knew that putting it on the big screen still means something. Cinema still means something to tell people it is worth your time and energy to gather your friends or family or by yourself, leave your house, find parking, go pay for food...and say, ‘tell me a story.’” Chu said during a filmmaker roundtable in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, August 5. “It says this romantic couple and cast of allAsian characters are worth your energy to do that and when you put something in a museum in the glass box, it still trickles down to everything else and says a lot.” Kwan, who said that he hoped his book would be made into a film one day, said that the story has resonated across generations with family members passing down the book and bonding over the experience of reading it. “I wanted this to be a community experience first of all, and also, this was the first chance we had in 25 years... I wanted this to be an experience that future generations could look at and say, ‘look, we achieved this.’ We’re watching a (From L-R) Screenwriter Adele Lim, author and executive producer red carpet of Kevin Kwan, and director Jon Chu join a press roundtable in Beverly amazing Asian Hills, California on Sunday, August 5 to discuss the importance of Asian actors walk up representation on screen, among other topics. Also at the event were producers Nina Jacobson, John Penotti and Brad Simpson and Peter and down it, in the same way Chiarelli, who wrote the screenplay with Lim. AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel that any other Hollywood movie would get. We want that treatment too because ultimately we want to inspire,” he said on Sunday. In the same The Hollywood Reporter feature, the (L-R) Michelle Yeoh as Eleanor, Henry Golding as Nick and Constance process of Wu as Rachel in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and SK Global Entertainment’s and Starlight Culture’s contemporary romantic comedy “Crazy Rich finding the right Asians,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Sanja Bucko producers for
“CRAZY Rich Asians,” which hits theaters nationwide on August 15, has already made history as the first major Hollywood film in 25 years to feature an all-Asian cast. In this issue of MDWK Magazine, the Asian Journal explores what “Crazy Rich Asians” means for succeeding Asian representation in Hollywood and sits down with author Kevin Kwan, leading man Henry Golding and the Philippines’ “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino (who plays Princess Intan) who all share their experiences working on the film. Based off the best-selling book of the same name by Kwan (who served as an executive producer of the film), the romantic comedy follows American-born Chinese economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu, “Fresh Off the Boat”) as she joins her boyfriend Nick Young (Golding) on a trip back to his hometown Singapore for his best friend’s wedding. Nick forgets to tell Rachel a minor detail, however, that his family is one of the wealthiest in the country. The trip opens Rachel’s up to a new world and she becomes the target of jealous socialites and Nick’s mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Star Trek: Discovery”). In addition to Wu, Golding and Yeoh, the Warner Bros. film — directed by Jon M. Chu— lines up an international cast, including Gemma Chan (“Humans”), Lisa Lu (“The Joy Luck Club”), Awkwafina (“Ocean’s 8”), Ken Jeong (“The Hangover”), Sonoya Mizuno (“La La Land”), Chris Pang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny”), Jimmy O. Yang (“Silicon Valley”), Ronny Chieng (“The Daily
the film was detailed, including a bit about how one producer had told Kwan to reimagine the lead female character as white. Wu, who’s best known for her role in ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat,” was the filmmakers’ first and only choice for the lead role as Rachel. For Chu and Wu, the film was about exploring visiting Asia for the first time from the Asian American perspective and that identity. “But for me personally, my journey as an Asian American going to Asia for the first time was something that I really wanted to explore. The way through that would be Rachel so Rachel was really personal to me of watching her go into Singapore. It was also my first time in Singapore and to see all these different Asians from all around the world converge on this island,” Chu said at the roundtable. In a Twitter post, Wu wrote how both “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Crazy Rich Asians” have changed her career and have made history in terms of Asians depicted on screen. “My dear Asian American friends, we are building our own damn houses. We got the tools, the ability and we definitely got the style. Just because others don’t see it, doesn’t mean we don’t have it,” Wu wrote, adding “I hope Asian American kids watch CRA and realize that they can be heroes of their own stories. I know CRA won’t represent every Asian American. So for those who don’t feel seen, I hope there is a story you find soon that does represent you.” Even with the all-Asian cast, the story is universal and is a “cinematic experience,” producer Nina Jacobson said. Screenwriter Adele Lim said, ”How do we show the conflict of [Rachel] being an ‘other’? It came back to that otherness and it came back to Eleanor’s fear of losing her son, so in a way, it’s a foreign culture but when you get right down to it, the fierce family dynamics below it, it’s something that someone everybody can relate to.” Jacobson’s production company Color Force acquired the movie rights to the novel in 2013 and said that they did not intend for it to just cater to one demographic or region in the world. “The Asian markets are huge and of course, everybody wants their movie to perform globally and get a chance to have the exposure and upside of a global release that includes these very powerful Asian markets,” she said. She added, “For us, we’re very much an inside-out approach to the movies and TV that we make — do we love it and if we love it and relate to it, do we think that experience will be contagious for audiences everywhere? And so, we just went for it and honestly make the best movie we could make that was the most relatable movie in hopes that
(L-R) Awkwafina, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Constance Wu, Sonoya Mizuno and director Jon M. Chu at Warner Bros. Pictures “The Big Picture at CINEMACON 2018,” in Las Vegas, NV, USA - on behalf of Crazy Rich Asians. Photo by Eric Charbonneau
Kris Aquino at the Warner Bros. Pictures “Crazy Rich Asians,” premiere, held at the TCL Chinese Theatre on August 7th, 2018, in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Eric Charbonneau
people would relate to it all around the world and not in any one particular market.” Though it’s a romantic comedy and you want to root for Rachel and Nick’s relationship, the movie explores strong female characters, from Eleanor Young’s protective instincts to Astrid’s decision with her marriage to Rachel sticking up for herself. “What we found at the end of the movie was that we didn’t want these women to depend on some man and the decision had to be their own decision. That is something that Adele [Lim, screenwriter] and Nina [Jacobson, producer] talked about a lot. This is not about getting the guy ultimately for both Rachel and Astrid,” Chu added. “It’s about self-worth, knowing that you’re worth everything and you deserve anything you want. Rachel goes through that and she actually instigates that in Astrid as well.” #GoldOpen The last film to have an allAsian cast was “Joy Luck Club” in 1993. One would hope that in 25 years, the representation and opportunities for Asians and Asian Americans to appear on screen should have opened up. However, a USC Annenberg study of 900 films from 2007-2016 found only 5.7 percent had Asian characters with speaking roles and 3 percent (or 30) of the films were directed by an Asian or Asian American. Recent legislation pushed by the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus seeks to address this problem in Hollywood by requiring film and television projects to report diversity statistics and anti-harassment and retaliation policies if they apply for state film tax credits. The program, which would provide $330 million in tax credits a year, was signed by Governor Jerry Brown on June 27 and will take effect in 2020. Sharing with The Hollywood Reporter why the caucus pushed for this provision, Filipino-American Assemblymember Rob Bonta said, “We want to see our stories being told by API writers, directors, producers and actors, and this [reporting provision] isn’t a crazy or
Director Jon Chu, comedian Awkwafina (Peik Lin), Constance Wu (Rachel Chu), Filipino-American Assemblymember Rob Bonta, and Henry Golding (Nick Young) attend a Warner Bros. Pictures screening of “Crazy Rich Asians” on Monday, August 6 in Los Angeles. Bonta, who is the chair of the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, has pushed for legislation requiring film and television projects to report diversity statistics if they apply for film tax credits. Photo courtesy of the Office of Assemblymember Rob Bonta
overly aggressive ask. This is a fair ask, exceedingly achievable and doable.” The USC Annenberg study offered solutions to fix the inequality problem — one of them being “consumers can support content” that is driven by or features underrepresented groups. At the roundtable on Sunday, the filmmakers discussed that for future projects, while putting diverse backgrounds on the team — whether they’re Asian or any other ethnic group — is a priority, groups should also find allies within Hollywood who can champion that. Chu recommended that studios should place some budget emphasis on looking for more Asian actors beyond the same faces. “That’s the problem with movies is people get lazy and you get the same 10 Asian actors that are presented to you and you say there are no Asian actors out there,” Chu said. “They’re all out there, they just don’t know the opportunities are there.” Producer Brad Simpson of Color Force said that worlds “we don’t know” are attractive in scouting for stories because “…you’re looking for stories that have specificity and I think one of the things that make people feel exhausted is they’re seeing the same stories being told with the same characters.” He added, “It wasn’t important just to have one Asian person involved. I think that’s the mistake people often make when they’re doing something. They’ll hire one person of color and that person will become the spokesperson. You create actually a competition for that role amongst people of color, but also you don’t get the dialectic.” One of the prime examples of the dialogue that happened within the “Crazy Rich Asians” cast and crew was the removal of a line about Rachel’s character not having dated Asian men in the past, which Wu had called for in a strong email. (It was thoroughly explained in
the book, but given the short time frame of a movie, it could’ve been misinterpreted.) “It was because there’s a conversation going on and I think that’s the important thing that I would say when you’re representing cultures that aren’t your own…” Simpson added. “You need to set up something that is a conversation where you’re not just relying on one voice throughout.” Days before the Hollywood premiere of “Crazy Rich Asians” on August 7, the hashtag #GoldOpen — initiated by digital media entrepreneur Bing Chen — began circulating on social media to drum up support for the movie and call on audiences to buy tickets. “100+ creatives, founders, and leaders have bought out theaters nationwide to show the world: Representation means business,” read a poster, listing Asian American names and organizations who have contributed, posted on Chen’s Twitter. “Go because you have a love for movies. Go because you want to be told a fantastic tale, a story of love. Go because you want to support the community,” Golding told the Asian Journal. “This movie will go down as being a classic.” Early tracking for the movie, which cost $30 million to produce, has it at a $20 million debut when it opens next week. Both Chu and Kwan have stated that the success of this will help open doors for future Asian projects to move forward. “We are poised with this unique opportunity now where we’re breaking through these floodgates. Now that this movie has become part of a movement, the more that we can prove to the establishment that people want these stories, the more that people come out on opening weekend to support the film, the more chances we will have in the future to tell these stories. It begins with setting the bar high with “Crazy Rich Asians,” Kwan told the Asian Journal.
“Crazy Rich Asians” author Kevin Kwan on How first-time actor Henry his extravagant world coming to screen and Golding became Nick Young highlighting Filipino high society in trilogy latter on TV. “He was a travel show host, doing cool adventure stories,” Chu said of Golding. “When you WITH “Crazy Rich Asians” watched him talking with people predicted to become a hit with audiences and at box offices in the on the street, he was truly a person of the world with such U.S. and abroad, male lead Henry Golding is on his way to becoming easy charisma.” Golding recently revealed on one of the biggest stars of 2018. “The View” that he was invited In the film, Golding plays to audition for Nick, but initially Nick Young — Singapore’s most turned the opportunity down eligible bachelor and heir of because he believed it was meant one of the country’s wealthiest for someone else. families — who brings his After landing the role and girlfriend Rachel Chu back home getting into the script, he quickly with him. realized how Nick “was much The 31-year-old Britishcloser to my personal character Malaysian actor grew up in than I thought,” he told the Asian England and spent several years Journal in a recent interview. as a hairdresser, before moving “He really wanted to back to Asia, where he developed distinguish himself away from his an on-screen career as a travel family’s pressures. He wanted to host and TV presenter, with credits including BBC’s “The Travel be independent, he didn’t want to be defined by who he was in Show.” Singapore, and he didn’t want For the “Crazy Rich Asians” his girlfriend Rachel to judge him production, finding the right upon that so that’s his fault as well Nick — someone who could for not telling her and informing believably play a Singaporean her who he exactly was,” he educated in England — was a continued. “It was amazing to challenge, as thousands of actors around the world and online were have such a grounded character auditioned. Film director Jon Chu and above all, he held himself in then received a suggestion to take such a respectable manner. He had that regality as the ‘Prince a look at Golding after someone William of Asia’ but he never used from the casting team saw the by Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
“The Philippines is a prime example. I really felt like it’s kind of a place that is not very much SINCE the novel “Crazy Rich portrayed in Western media. It’s Asians” was released in 2013, a lot such a rich culture and blend of has come toward author Kevin East and West. I’ve always had an Kwan’s direction in the past five amazing time because I think the years. Filipinos are some of the warmest, The best-selling satirical novel, if not the warmest, people in the which has sold over 1 million copies world,” he said. “They really roll out worldwide and has been translated the red carpet for visitors and it’s in over 20 languages, spiraled into such a beautiful, diverse country subsequent novels, “China Rich that I wanted to showcase it. And Girlfriend” (2015) and “Rich People also showcase the style. Some of Problems” (2017). most fashionable women I know are “I called the book ‘Crazy Rich Filipina so I just wanted to celebrate Asians’ because I didn’t want it to be that how I could and have cool specific to just one country. I really Filipino characters and also really wanted in my trilogy to hop around feature the country in the [third] to show the different cultures [and book.” countries] of Asia...and also the This August, Kwan’s “crazy rich” very different ways they have class world as introduced in the first structures in each country,” Kwan book comes to life in a Warner Bros. said in a recent interview with the Pictures film and is slated a hit. Asian Journal. Through the outsider, The author has traveled to the American-born character of Rachel Philippines to promote his books Chu, the story introduces audiences and has on numerous occasions to privileged, powerful and wellcalled Filipinos his “superfans.” The educated Asian characters from last book in the trilogy includes Singapore and takes them inside Filipino socialite characters in Manila their homes, lavish parties, the and a substory that takes place in country’s most-anticipated wedding Palawan. of the year, and more extravagant
by Christina M. Oriel AJPress
Kevin Kwan served as executive producer for Warner Bros. Pictures’ romantic comedy film version of his novel, “Crazy Rich Asians.” Though he was not directly involved with the screenplay writing, he consulted on a multitude of aspects from shooting locations, wardrobe, jewelry, and more. Photo by Sanja Bucko
visuals to illustrate how the wealthy live. “It’s funny when I hear people say they don’t find the book to be believable because every single story is based on truth,” Kwan said. “It’s either based on a story I’ve heard, that has been verified, or something I’ve personally witnessed. It just shows the gulf Continued on Page 6
Michelle Yeoh as Eleanor and Henry Golding as Nick in “Crazy Rich Asians.” Golding said this scene was one of his favorites in the film because it shows Eleanor’s character as a protective mother. Photo by Sanja Bucko
that to his advantage. He always used that as just a personal trait.” He said he “grew every single day” while filming under the guidance of Chu and working alongside actors like Constance Wu (who plays Young’s girlfriend Rachel) and Michelle Yeoh (who characterizes Young’s protective mother Eleanor). “When we got into the thick of things, it was just phenomenal to be able to sit in and be comfortable and work with my fears,” he remarked. Without dishing any spoilers, Golding shared some of his favorite scenes in the movie, Continued on Page 7
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Immigration Corner
September 2018 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
February 15, 2008
November 15, 2006
(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holder
December 01, 2017
July 22, 2016
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
December 15, 2007
April 22, 2007
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
August 01, 1995
June 01, 1995
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
December 01, 1995
June 01, 1995
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
Second Preference Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
January 01, 2013
FAMILY CATEGORY: Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
DREAMS OF A FAIRYTALE WEDDING ENDED UP IN A NIGHTMARE OF BATTERY AND ABUSE. Anne entered the U.S. on a fiancé (K-1) visa, hoping to build a beautiful, love-filled life with her U.S. citizen petitioner. But the marriage turned into a nightmare, when the husband became verbally and physically abusive. Battered and abused, Anne reached out to leading immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch as Anne was able to escape the chains of abuse, through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petition that the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel filed and was able to get a green card for Anne…on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond
The Bucket List Grazing in the Grass 11th of a series - (1st of 2 parts)
Monette AdevA MAGlAyA WHAT’S your game plan when you retire? The timing can be one of 3 ways: you yourself planned when it will happen; the government said it’s time you did; or circumstances beyond your control, like the onset of illness, finally put you out to pasture. Or are you one of those who have decided to keep on going and going simply doing what you do best beating the bushes, like the energizer bunny? There is tremendous life force in you that needs to be spent. You ignore your age and trust your instincts. You are powered by nothing but chutzpah and prayer, knowing deep down that you will simply wake up one day and decide this is as far as it goes. Enough is enough. Typically around your early sixties, retirement, as a stage of life, looms large staring at you in the face. If life is like driving on the freeway, it is supposedly a time when you begin to downshift your gears, getting off the fast lane as you move to the middle lane and gradually sidle to the farthest right lane to find your exit. You head home to the gentle
“ … If life is like driving on the freeway, it is supposedly a time when you begin to downshift your gears, getting off the fast lane as you move to the middle lane and gradually sidle to the farthest right lane to find your exit.…” comforts of home sweet home knowing you never have to get up so early starting tomorrow to do the same darn thing you’ve been doing for decades. Freedom at last!!! Breaking the shackles of the workaday world feels wonderful. There is now time to do the things that you have always wanted to do and maybe flesh out those dreams that have been percolating quietly in the back burner. Now you have the time, adequate resources and, most importantly, the blessing of all blessings, you are still in the pink of health. Thank God, hallelujah!!! You have run the course with time left over to savor being alive. You feel like doing cartwheels —that is—if your osteoporotic bones and stiff limbs will let you. Meh… Probably NOT! Ideally, you are ready for this stage of life. That is —if you have
dotted your i’s and cross your t’s— as you render a full plate of life experiences, good and bad, while trying to balance home life and work life for many years… Of course, you can always go into denial and think and act young but your contrarian body will probably beg to differ at times yanking you back to face the reality of having logged a lot of miles on your one and only body. Suddenly you have to deal with aches and pains in places you never thought existed. It doesn’t help that your doctor reads gobbledygook sets of numbers about your blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, creatinin levels, blood pressure readings, A1C number, kidney and liver health and so forth. Your medical provider wants to submit you to mammogram and colonoscopy and all types of tests to find out if you are still of sound mind and sound body, purportedly
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. In fact, for September 2018, some categories retrogressed, in the visa issuance dates for employment based categories. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a so you can enjoy the rest of your remaining years. It’s something borrowed from the automotive industry: 100 K check, 200 K check to see if all your parts are still in working order and which parts need replacement. Okay, admittedly, these are not gobbledygook numbers but they indicate that this time around,
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
July 1, 2017
November 01,2016
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
July 1, 2017
November 01,2016
green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute you have no excuse to ignore the warning signs of your mortality. All it says is: SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT. OR ELSE you can go to the wide blue yonder flat on your back sooner rather than later. SIGH… But there is a serious reason why you hem and haw to put off all these gamut of tests. What if they find something? Oy vey!
a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
You’ve run the full course of life only to deal with another daunting challenge. Also, you ascribe to the belief that what you don’t know won’t hurt you. Or so it seems. I have heard of sad stories of people, who after just a few years of retirement, are diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 cancer or some Continued on Page 5
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PEOPLE’S BALL REVELS AT 10
On the PEP Front
Fiesta in America celebrates 2 decades of tradition and cultural heritage
People, Events, Places BOBBY T. YALONG AFTER being away from home for a little more than seventeen years, the mere mention of Philippine fiesta gives me an overwhelming degree of excitement with enthusiastic anticipation, although it’s merely celebrated here in the east coast with an abridged expanse of fun-fare and detailed touch but the truest efficacy of its implication and worth remain undiminished. Fiestas, being one of the numerous Spanish influences in our culture, were traditional tools used by western colonizers to entice common folks to venerate and honor saints instead of pagan gods. After five centuries and myriad disasters and natural calamities, the fiesta tradition is still uninterruptedly observed to this day but the religious aspect as the main highlight has evidently lost its essence. But who could argue with the pomposity and grandiosity involved with the celebration of fiesta? From preparation to celebration, the fiesta is indubitably a special time set for expecting distant relatives, reuniting with friends, an effectual incentive to lure balikbayans, and an affluent reason to celebrate thanksgiving for a bountiful life. Constantly festive, colorful with immense feast, the fiesta is relatively celebrated like any special holiday but with a difference… it’s untainted jollity! Live brass bands alternately, sometimes simultaneously, play music around the town that unmistakably ignite (even more) the already high-spirited ambience enveloping the atmosphere. Incidentally, Fiesta in America holds true to its commitment to
Who’s who in the Fil-Am Community
MASSKARA beauties Shirley Capaldo & Aileen Aromin
Fiesta in America’s honcho Nanding Mendez and Laura Garcia (Center in blue) with guests
bring to the east coast the Philippine annual tradition for the past twenty years. Ably spearheaded by Fernando “Nanding” Mendez, the two-day weekend indoor event at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus became one of the most attended occurrences aside from being planned with so much anticipation. Ten years later since its inception in 1998, the People’s Ball was born out of the paramount need to create a grandiose preliminary gala to perk up the Saturday and
The People’s Ball movers and shakers
Sunday trade and cultural events at the Meadowlands. The maiden presentation of the People’s Ball was, as expected, a major hit having been attended by who’s who in the community and the crème de la crème of the elite society and it became the prime reason for avid party-goers to be attired at their best. If there’s but one party they have to attend and be seen that would easily be the People’s Ball. The recently celebrated green and blue themed People’s Ball last Friday, August 10, at the Hilton Meadowlands Hotel broke existing Fiesta in America records with more than 400 formally garbed attendees. Teeming with passionately fashionable gala-goers stylishly donned in designer haute couture frocks and cocktail dresses, neatly coiffed locks, and face-painted to perfection, the People’s Ball was proficiently emceed by debonair singer-television host Alain Echem and equally stunning co-host Maita Lockhart.
Complimenting hues of green and blue (green for the twenty years of Fiesta in America and blue for the ten years of the People’s Ball) were faultless color motifs that gave the ballroom that much sought-after contrasting silhouette of invigorating atmosphere and relaxing mood… perfect for a summer gala. DJ Ernie Bugarin, the ever-reliable contract sound and light man of the Fiesta in America, never lost his impeccable touch-andtone for the perfect music that best suited the lavishly bedecked ball. The evening’s full-to-the-rafters affair was graced by celebrity guests courtesy of TFC (The Filipino Channel) composed of matinee idol-rapper Elmo Magalona, actress Janella Salvador, and singersongwriter-composer-comedian Ogie Alcasid. The innocuous and well-timed handling by Albert Sunga made the artists’ personal appearance appropriately on-thespot and in order. Entertainment was at its best with the powerful vocal rendition of upcoming teen songster Asia Guzman, suave sax player-vocalist Dr. Kevin Obate aka Dr. Sax, and the globally renowned Argentine Tango tandem of Prima Ballerina Analia Farfan and Tango Master Leonardo Sardella. Noticeably all numbers were well-received specially Dr. Kevin’s saxophone playing integrated with his baritone vocals. The program was highlighted by, aside from Nanding’s Presidential Continued on Page 7
Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte
Harper’s Bazaar calls Heart Evangelista ‘modern Audrey Hepburn,’ ‘real crazy rich Asian’ by JAN
MILO SEVERO
Philstar.com
KAPUSO actress Heart Evangelista was featured in the U.S. magazine Harper’s Bazaar where she dubbed as the “real crazy rich Asian.” Kevin Kwan, who wrote the novel that serves as basis for Hollywood movie “Crazy Rich Asians,” has titled the Harper’s Bazaar article as “Crazy Rich Couture.” In the story, he described Heart as the “modernday incarnation of Audrey Hepburn.” In the article, the author wrote how Asian women are now dominating the couture world as he recently observed that the recent Couture Week in Paris was filled with Asian women. “Couture occupies the uppermost stratosphere of
fashion. It is the holy of holies, as only about 2,000 women globally are fortunate enough to wear these precious garments tailored to their exact measurements, making it perhaps the most exclusive club in the world,” the author wrote. Harper’s Bazaar also posted a video on its YouTube channel about what happened on Couture Week in Paris, where the author spent the day with his so-called real “Crazy Rich Asians.” Apart from Heart, also featured in the video and in the magazine are Hong Kong-based personality Feiping Chang and Malaysian sisters Michelle and Rachel Yeoh. On her Instagram account, Heart described the article as the “one of the most amazing features in my life.” She expressed her Continued on Page 6
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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.
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GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV now on Xfinity X1 MORE Filipinos in the U.S. can now enjoy Kapuso programs as GMA Network’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV are now distributed in all Comcast service areas via Xfinity X1. Following Comcast’s recent expansion of international channels on Xfinity X1, GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV are now available across its footprint, coast-to-coast. “We are pleased to share with our beloved Kapuso abroad that GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV are now available in more areas through Xfinity’s footprint in the United States. We look forward to
Health@Heart
making more Filipinos abroad feel closer to home by providing the Kapuso brand of entertainment and news programming,” said GMA First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia. “With the demand for multicultural content increasing, we are thrilled to complement our existing array of international programming by adding more channels all thoughtfully curated into an easy way to navigate, discover and enjoy,” said Comcast Cable Executive Director for International Strategy Rebecca Simpson. New and existing customers
of Xfinity X1 can purchase GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV on Xfinity.com. Customers can simply say “GMA Pinoy” and “GMA Life” into their X1 Voice Remote to quickly access and discover GMA programming. To subscribe, visit https://www.xfinity.com/learn/ digital-cable-tv/international/ filipino or contact Comcast Call Center (1-855-755-2212). Viewers from across the globe can catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.
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An Asian Journal Magazine
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PH team wins silver and bronze at International Physics Olympiad
THREE Filipino students became a nigh-unstoppable force at the 49th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), taking the country closer to gold than it has ever been at the annual worldwide competition. Steven Reyes, who hails from St. Jude Catholic School (SJSC), bagged a silver medal for the Philippines. Meanwhile, Mikhail Torio from the Philippine Science (Advertising supplement) High School-Main Campus (PSHSBearing the Philippine flag with pride. The Philippines Team at the International Physics Olympiad (L-R) Prof. Ian Vega, Mikhail Torio, Steven Reyes, Charles Bartolo, and Prof. Perry MC) and Charles Bartolo from the Esguerra. Philippine Science High Schoolthe National Institute of Physics. Each year, the IPhO gathers Central Luzon Campus (PSHS-CLC) They also received training and teams of secondary school each brought home a bronze guidance from coaches Russel Odi students from around the world medal. (SJSC), Vinni Dajac (PSHS-MC), Rex to compete against each other in Dr. Josette Biyo, Director of Does exercise increase Forteza (PSHS-CLC), and Lemuel a set of individual theoretical and the Department of Science and appetite? Contrary to popular belief Pelagio Jr. (PSHS-CLC). laboratory physics exams. Technology – Science Education or what we call “common sense,” The team competed in the This year’s problems involved Institute (DOST-SEI), congratulated exercise does not increase the 2018 IPhO with generous support the detection of gravitational the team for placing 34th out of appetite, more than what is from the Unilab Foundation, waves, the ATLAS instrument at 87 delegations that participated in normal for the person. As a matter this year’s IPhO-- achieving the best the Large Hadron Collider, and the the Philippine Science High of fact, regular exercise reduces School Foundation, Inc. (PSHSFI), ranking in 13 years of participation. physics of blood flow and tumor appetite to a healthy level. This PSHS-MC, PSHS-CLC, SJCS, and growth-for the theoretical examReyes, Torio, and Bartolo ranked in is a proven finding among those individual donors from the and paper transistors and the the 88th, 68th, and 58th percentiles, trying to lose weight, where viscoelastic properties of a polymer physics community. Dr. Reina respectively, out of a total of 396 exercise plays a vital role in the Reyes, IPhO Team co-leader, thread-- for the experimental student-delegates. success of the regimen and the long term maintenance of expressed hope for the team “The triumph of our IPhO Team exam. healthier weight. Not exercising to gain more institutional and Accompanied by team cois nothing short of remarkable. Our could lead to weight gain. funding support. leaders Prof. Perry Esguerra and latest S&T HRD Stat Updates reveal Why are my toes are burning that the number of physicists in the Prof. Ian Vega (both from the UP The Philippine team plans to with severe itchiness? send another delegation to the National Institute of Physics), the country decreased significantly, Obviously you have what we 2019 IPhO, which will be held in Tel team competed in Lisbon, Portugal yet technological advances are call Tinea Pedis (Athletes’ Foot) Aviv, Israel. last July 21 to 29. fueled by physics-based researches. which is a form of fungus infection For more details, interested To prepare for the competition, We hope they will continue their of the plantar aspect (bottom) of parties may contact the Philippine Reyes, Torio, and Bartolo interest in the field and soon the feet and the toes. One of the IPhO team at ipho.team.ph@gmail. underwent intensive training pursue a career in physics. I cannot latest medications very effective com. (30) for this condition, which could under Prof. Esguerra, Prof. Vega, emphasize enough the need drive people crazy with severe Contact person: Lovely B. and Michael Solis of the Theoretical for skilled physicists and their itchiness of the feet and toes, is Aquino, SEI Physics Group and team co-leader innovative application of physics terbinafine Hydrochoride cream Mobile No.: 09179201122, Tel. Prof. Nathaniel Hermosa of the to enable our economy to move or tablets. Consult with your No.: 837-1925, 8372071 loc 2384. Photonics Research Laboratory at forward swiftly,” said Biyo. physician to help end your misery. Can one get fungus infection from mani- or pedicure? Yes, most definitely, and especially in the toes. The Tinea Pedis we talked about earlier can affect the fingernails, when a nail cutter and other instrument to remove cuticle are contaminated by the fungus in the toes or toenails of people with the infection. It is the responsibility of the beauty shops to prevent infection and the spread of infection among their customers. Washing the “instruments” and soaking them in recommended medical antiseptic solutions, or even in diluted form of chlorine use for laundry, can minimize, if not prevent contamination. Chlorine solution, for one, also kills the AIDS virus on contact. When beauty shops do not follow these safe and hygienic procedures, it behooves any of us customers to report them to the bureau of health or other appropriate governmental agency to protect the public. We must always be on our toes! AU G U ST 1 7 *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Philippine Chamber Singers-Los Angeles’ “Hibang sa Awit” at Walt Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Disney Concert Hall in LA Northwest Indianwa and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to Philippine Chamber Singers-Los Angeles (PCS-LA) invites you to a concert celebrating 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Original Pilipino Music, better known as OPM, at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hospital, where he holds the title Hall on Friday, August 17 at 8 p.m. in “Hibang sa Awit” (Mad About Songs). “Hibang sa Awit” of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is highlights the new modern classic Filipino music and the kundiman created by some of the based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a most respected Filipino composers including Ryan Cayabyab, Willy Cruz, George Canseco, Fellow of the American College of Ruben Federizon, and Robert Delgado to name a few. Very special friends including award Surgeons, the Philippine College winning jazz singer, Mon David; esteemed inspirational singer, Edward Granadosin; and a loof Surgeons, and the Denton A. cal/community gem, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir; will join PCS-LA as they Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical infuse various musical styles into a treat for the whole family to hear. Tickets available at the Society. He is the chairman of the box office or at www.musiccenter.org. Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation AU G U ST 1 8 in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; comments LA County’s Center for Financial Empowerment hosts financial seminar questions: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Queries from readers Can tubal ligation be reversed?
the heavy head from falling back. What to do when a child chokes? When a child, or even an adult, chokes, there is only about LIGATION of the fallopian 4 minutes to act to save the tubes, performed for birth victim. Sudden gasping for air and control, can be reversed to extreme anxiety during a meal or allow pregnancy to take place, while the child has an object in depending on how long a the mouth are the telltale sign that segment of the tubes were cut should alert us to the possibility of in the original operation. If the foreign body as the cause of the segments removed are too long problem. If the foreign body in the to precluded re-anastomosis throat is accessible, it should be (re-connection or bridging), then removed instantly. If the foreign it can’t be done. The factors that body is not obvious, Heimlich will affect the success rate of Maneuver should be done pregnancy, following “reversal,” immediately, without wasting are: how old and healthy the time trying to decipher what the patient is, the pregnancy history problem is. This is accomplished of the patient, whether the tubes by going behind the victim, were initially cut by a knife or putting your arm around his upper electrocoagulation (the latter abdominal area and applying burns and injures the cut ends of the tubes and lessens the success repeated pressure against the abdomen towards you, like giving rate), the experience and skill of the gynecologist in microsurgery, the victim a forceful bear hug. The idea is to press the stomach and etc. The highest success rate (65 let the air in the stomach push the percent), according to Chief Obforeign body upward and outward Gynecologist Anthony Gentile, of the breathing pipe where the M.D., Ph.D., of Munster, Indiana, foreign body is lodged. In the “is with reversal of tubes ligated case of a baby or small infant, with the thin Hukla clip, and the lowest (less than 40 percent) with put them on their tummy, with the face turned to one side, and electrocautery.” Practically he same medical facts and limitations put your hand underneath their upper abdomen and press against apply to vasectomy reversal, the stomach repeatedly until the which can be done by a urologist to enable vasectomized men to be foreign body jumps out of their fertile again. Of course, pregnancy throat. Another person, if available, should call for emergency medical can be achieved without the help. If you are alone, do the use of the fallopian tubes, but Heimlich right away, as you shout using IVF (InVitro – “test tube”at the top of your lungs for help. Fertilization). Can I take my friend’s blood Can appendicitis recur? pressure pill? No, once the appendix is No, absolutely not, unless your removed properly, appendicitis physician, after interviewing and (inflammation of the appendix) examining you, recommends the will not recur, because there is no same pill to control your high more appendiceal tissue left to blood pressure. It is not only illegal get inflamed. Sometimes, though, for your friend to “prescribe and the patient may feel right lower dispense” medications if he was quadrant abdominal discomfort not a licensed physician but also similar to appendicitis pain days, very dangerous for you. There are or months, after appendectomy, many types of high blood pressure but these pains could be due pills. What is good for him may to post-operative adhesions or not be good or tolerated by you. other causes brought on by other conditions. The prudent thing to do Your friend’s good intention may if pains recur is to visit the surgeon backfire and do disservice to you by causing serious complications who performed the procedure. Why is it dangerous to shake from taking the pills he gives you or advises you to take without babies? consulting with your physician. Shaking or jarring infants and babies could lead to broken bones This caveat goes true with any and and disruption of the spinal cord in all medications, even as “simple” as that area, leading to sudden death. aspirin. Are heartburns a form of The neck of infants and babies heart attack? is quite limp, literally weak, and No, heartburn is a misnomer, unstable, that jarring or shaking the baby often lead to fatal neck injury misleading and confusing. It has nothing to do with the heart, so due to severe hyperextension of it is not a form of heart attack. the neck and severing the cervical spinal cord at the base of the brain. Heartburns have been loosely used, even in medical circles, to When holding an infant or a child, denote stomach hyperacidity, the head and neck should always gastric upset, or indigestion, be supported as “one piece” with especially following intake of the hand holding the back of the head, the neck and the upper back, spicy foods or drinking alcoholic beverages. acting as a “brace” that prevents
PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS
Calendar of Events across
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“Crazy Rich Asians” author Kevin Kwan...
From Page 2 between East and West and that people think this is totally made up. When it’s part of the reality of what’s happening in Asia right now.” However, Kwan intends his work and the film to give insight into Asian culture and show that there are commonalities underneath it all.
“I hope that people who don’t know this world see this movie come away with a deeper understanding, first of all, and an appreciation for Asian culture and people. But ultimately to see that Author Kevin Kwan’s trilogy, “Crazy Rich Asians” we’re all alike, whether (2013), “China Rich Girlfriend” (2015), and “Rich People Continued on Page 6 Problems” (2017). Photo courtesy of Kevin Kwan
The Bucket List...
From Page 3 form of serious illness and are left to deal with a very short lease on what is left of life. Of course, these stories are purely anecdotal and isolated but they do happen. You feel older and if you culled out the nuggets of wisdom from yours and other’s experiences, you’ve become even a little wiser perhaps. You have listened half-heartedly to those financial planners and even those persistent advance funeral planners who have been bugging you about the benefits of being prepared for the inevitable.
You have taken pains to sock away a smidgen of moolah for a long time in your 401K or saved a few bucks by yourself and by your estimates (and provided you are sensible with a tight fixed income), you will remain fiscally viable, without having to rely on a government dole-out, even if the unthinkable happens. You plan to exit this world with your dignity intact. You hope that a smattering of beautiful memories, yours as well as of those you leave behind, are indelibly marked in a few hearts and minds for a generation or
America
two — strong enough to move them to bring you flowers on your gravesite long after you’re gone. If your life were to be compressed to a 60-second video, you hope that the awful parts were edited out and landed on the cutting room floor permanently deleted. The saddest thing about a life is to be forgotten as though you never lived. Next week: Another idea to consider for The Bucket List… *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
The County of Los Angeles Center for Financial Empowerment (CFE), housed within the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, is proud to celebrate the launch of BankOn Los Angeles County, a program designed to connect residents to safe and affordable financial products, regardless of their immigration status. In honor of the launch, the CFE will host Summer Saturdays, a free event series that will connect Los Angeles County residents to checking accounts and financial empowerment resources. The public is invited to attend the free events at the following CFE community partner locations: Saturday, August 18, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Barrio Action Youth and Family Center (4927 Huntington Dr. #200, Los Angeles, CA 90032). The CFE and BankOn financial institution partners will help consumers understand the benefits of banking and start the process of opening a checking account. Attendees can also learn about credit, how to save for college and get first-time home buying tips at financial education workshops while enjoying free ice cream!
AU G U ST 1 9
4th annual Kultura Festival: Filipino-American Food & Arts Festival in Chicago Kultura Festival, the Midwest’s premier Filipino-American food and arts event, will be held this year on Sunday, August 19 at Logan Square’s Emporium Arcade Bar (2363 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kultura Festival is in its fourth year, and is produced by food media and events group, Filipino Kitchen. Carefully curated to appeal to those who personally identify with Filipino culture and the merely curious or uninitiated, Kultura Festival aims to highlight the best in Filipino-American food and arts in Chicago and the Midwest. Early bird tickets for general adult admission will go on sale at a discounted rate of $10 starting Monday, April 23. Only 100 discounted general admission adult tickets will be available for the Early Bird Special. Early bird tickets will be available for one week, or until supplies last. Early bird tickets to Kultura Festival for students, senior citizens, and children between six and 11 years of age will also be available for sale for $5. Children aged five or younger are admitted free at Kultura. To buy Early Bird Kultura Festival tickets, click https://ti.to/filipinokitchen/kultura2018. Stay tuned for more details on chefs, performers and all things Kultura Festival Chicago! For more information, please visit www.kulturachicago.com.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
An Asian Journal Magazine
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“Crazy Rich Asians” author Kevin Kwan...
From Page 5 you’re crazy rich or a crazy Asian or whatever you are, we all have same hopes and dreams. We all feel like outsiders at times. We all feel that we want the acceptance and approval of our parents,” he said. Before writing his own novel, Kwan worked for Martha Stewart Living, Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine, and established his own KAPAMILYA actor Enchong vs slow” or “high vs low.” These creative studio. Dee set off for another adventure themes will showcase fascinating Kwan, who was born and raised when he joined the new Hong contrasts, intense experiences, and in Singapore and later migrated to Kong-based reality show “Extreme distinctive trends in the territory. the United States at age 11, said Ends.” “I’m so excited to join KIX’s “Crazy Rich Asians” is his “valentine” He recently flew to Hong Kong “Extreme Ends.” I have no idea to the island country and a tribute to start filming the show which what they have planned, but I’m to his family heritage. aims to showcase the “extreme” ready to push my boundaries “For me when I wrote the opposite sides of Hong Kong. on this trip. And who better to book, it was important to show the Dee will be joined in by his go on this trip with me than my Singapore that I knew. That’s the good friend, Kapamilya actress Ria good friend Ria, who is constantly Singapore that’s off the tourist’s Atayde, in exploring the amazing pushing me to try out new things. I beaten path — this is the Singapore Enchong Dee for ‘Extreme Ends’. contrasts of Hong Kong. cannot wait to go on this eyeof the real families who live there Inquirer.net photo “Extreme Ends” is a reality show opening experience and explore and who participate in the culture featuring four celebrities and their billed by Erich Gonzales. the unknown sides of Hong Kong of the island,” he explained. “So special guests out to experience The actor also released the with her,” Dee said in an interview. much of it is being in people’s the many sides of Hong Kong. travel book “Basta Trip Mo” just Dee currently appears in the houses, private clubs, very exclusive Each episode will feature a theme recently. (Inquirer.net with reports top-rating Kapamilya afternoon restaurants that could happen to of extreme contrast such as “fast from Associated Press) drama “The Blood Sisters” topactually be hawker stalls. It’s not about how much you spend at the meal, it’s about how special the meal is and sometimes the most special meal can be $3. I feel like Reyes plays the role of by CLARIZEL ABANILLA Singapore really is a character in my Amanda Melendez who bullies Inquirer.net books.” Happylou “Inday” Magtibay,” the In the weeks leading up to the GLADYS Reyes is one of the lead character played by Kapuso August 15 release, Kwan has been most iconic villains to grace sweetheart Barbie Forteza. traveling across the U.S. to get a feel Philippine television. Having been lined with of the early reactions to the film and For her, the secret is simpleprogram hosting in the recent has not encountered any negative Playing the bad one requires years, Reyes said she missed what remarks yet. genuine outrage to effectively win she had been best known for, “It’s been phenomenal. Literally people’s anger. playing the villain. That is why she is I feel like pinching myself because “Kailangan kasi na very thankful to GMA for giving her we have not heard, or at least I have maramdaman ng mga manonood, the chance to be a bad girl again. not heard, a single negative thing halatang-halata kasi pag dinadaya,” So far, her not-so-typical nor even a lukewarm thing. There she said at the press conference kontrabida approach gets good has been complete excitement, for the second season of Kapuso reactions, she said. enthusiasm, and love for this series “Inday Will Always Love You” But no matter how many years Gladys Reyes Photo from Instagram/@iamgladysreyes movie,” he said. Thursday, August 16. had passed, her portrayal as the He went on to share an (The viewers should feel [the marked so much in Philippine pop envious, selfish, ill-motived young anecdote after a screening in emotion … because it is evident if culture that to this day, she is still Clara in the iconic long-running Philadelphia when two middle-aged faked.) called Clara. ’90s drama series “Mara Clara” men told him how “they both cried” and “never thought they would be affected by the movie.” Kwan served as an executive producer of the film and was on I had the honor of being featured Before flying to Paris, Heart From Page 5 hand to consult on aspects like alongside some of the most for couture week but I had been had miscarried twins. With character details, location scouting, invited by @kevinkwanbooks who incredible and stylish Asian icons. showbiz commitments and other access to designers and jewelry I am beyond grateful to Kevin and things to do, the Kapuso actress has now become a dear friend!” the entire Harpers team for being told GMA in an interview that she collectors. she wrote. “I was intimately involved every “He was doing a special ‘Crazy such a dream to work with! I’m so has not necessarily moved on step of the way. In every major incredibly proud of this project Rich Couture’ feature for Harpers from the incident, but has been creative decision, they came to Bazaar US and asked me if I would and would love for you to see it trying not to think about it so me for advice. I had a vote at the too!” she added. be interested in being a part of it. much. The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY AU G U ST 1 7, 20 1 8
Enchong Dee joins reality series ‘Extreme Ends’ in Hong Kong
What makes Gladys Reyes an effective villain?
Harper’s Bazaar calls Heart...
table, with casting, with choosing the writers, working with the screenwriters and working with [director] Jon Chu,” he said. Of the importance of filming on location in Singapore, Kwan wanted that to portray the authenticity of the story. “I had very specific ideas of where they should shoot, how they should shoot and Jon as much as possible tried to stay faithful to that,” he recounted. “We went to hawker markets and hunted down these stalls and had these amazing food scenes. In the same way, [Jon] shot scenes at the Raffles Hotel, a beautiful, historic Colonial hotel that has a such a great literary tradition, like Ernest Hemingway stayed there...all these great writers passing through. So much of historic Singapore is featured and I wish we could have featured even more.” Kwan’s abundance of details and character descriptions provided a lot of source material for the film, but it became a question of how to translate that into screen when you have a fleeting amount of time to show something. In terms of the script and gave complete freedom to writers Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim to develop it. “The food scenes translated well. It made me hungry. But ultimately it was the performances of our tremendously talented cast. Their stories and their emotions really ran through and it really touched people, it touched me. Starting with Henry Golding, a man who’s never acted before, started action from the first day to Michelle Yeoh, who is just so amazing, to Constance Wu, who brings such an intelligence and ferocity to her performances. It’s a dream team cast and they all delivered,” he said. Kwan disclosed that the film version of his novel has exceeded his expectations and was all praises, especially for the performances of the all-Asian international cast. Though the window for storytelling on screen is limited to two hours, he said that he hopes there will be future opportunities to flesh out the other characters. (There are 3,000 characters in the book, including the riveting backstories of Nick Young’s cousins and relatives.) “I wish we had more time to tell the stories of the other characters... like Alistair’s story, Jacqueline Ling’s
story and really see more of Astrid’s story. But hopefully there will be many more pictures to come where we can explore that,” he said. For example (without giving any spoilers away), the movie hints at more to the character of Astrid Leong — Nick Young’s cousin who is an audience favorite from the book as she is the epitome of style and beauty. Played by Gemma Chan, Astrid has a defining moment in the movie that Kwan considers a favorite scene. When he saw the movie again a few days ago before this interview, he remembered the audience reacting to her performance. “It’s so gratifying to see that other women were so inspired by what she had to say and that to me really encapsulates the character arc that she goes through,” he said. The good news for Kwan doesn’t stop with the release of “Crazy Rich Asians” as a Hollywood film. At the beginning of August, it was announced that he and STXtv have received a script-to-series order from Amazon Studios to create and write a drama series about a powerful family in Hong Kong and its business empire. For those who are waiting for more material from him, he said, “I’ve been working on this Amazon series now for a year so we hope to go into production early next year. I’m trying to tell stories in new ways. With TV, we can do 10-12 stories in one season. It’s a new challenge, new characters, and I’m really looking forward to presenting a whole other world that’s very different from the world of [‘Crazy Rich Asians.’]” With the success surrounding his work, Kwan said it came from being “true to [himself]” in the process and not thinking about creating for anyone else. “When I started writing my book, I never thought it would be published. I wasn’t writing it thinking how marketable it was or where it would fit into the marketplace. I was just writing from the heart and my truth and I think that’s what came through — that authenticity is why people have connected to,” he said. “I just want to say to everyone, tell your truth and be proud and see what happens. It has certainly been rewarding for me.”
Fiesta in America celebrates...
An Asian Journal Magazine
From Page 4 Message, Gen. Santos Vice-Mayor Madam Shirlyn Banas-Nograles’s stirring speech, and Philippine Department of Tourism Attache Susan Del Mundo’s Inspirational Talk, the Empowerment Awards ceremonies as chaired by Darlene Borromeo and the Presentation of Grand Pilipinas Fiesta Queen and Fiesta Princess by Tet Palencia and Lilian Vita. It was, indeed, a grand ball as significant and noteworthy as the past ones but the almost unblemished proceedings and impressive stateliness of the last made the difference. The following day demanded more vigor and dynamism from people concerned at the Meadowlands Expo Center. Exhausted from a whole evening of dancing and socialization, committees (sans complaints) had to be up and about as early as 6:00 a.m. to set-up the venue for the opening ceremonies. The Sunday episode commenced with a Holy Mass through the efforts of the Sunday Mass chairpersons Rhodora Santos and Virgie Wilcox then the reenactment of Queen Helena’s search for the Holy Cross followed via the traditional Santacruzan chaired by Mely Garcia. The usual razzmatazz of pageantry pervaded while others simultaneously kept themselves occupied with merely browsing around numerous tiendas and booths. While many came to watch the show majority attended the fiesta to “shop free” for give-aways and souvenir items. The fiesta, especially back home and even in the remotest, far-flung barrios, has adapted the practice of having a town fiesta queen crowned as climax. Fiesta in America was no different. Last Sunday, sixteener Claudia Isabel Abesamis bested Kayla Monique Fabros-Mamboyo (16) and Marisa Celia-Rose Haas (18) when she was crowned 2018 Fiesta in America Princess while on the other hand, Nemesia Vilma Muñoz easily snatched the title of 2018 Fiesta in America Queen from aspirants Wildina Col Enjambre (2018 Fiesta in America East Coast Queen) and Rose Pacia LaBelle (2018 Fiesta in America West Coast Queen). The indefatigable Ogie Afable, Fiesta’s Production / Cultural Director, together with Assistant Cultural Chair Rose P. Javier kept their eyes and feet on the entertainment portion, as hosted by Vincent R. Medina and Grace Calvelo Rustia, that showcased world-class Filipino talents like: the
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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY AU G U ST 1 7, 20 1 8
How first-time actor Henry...
Fiesta in America Core Group
Elmo Magalona & Janella Salvador at the Fiesta
Ogie Alcasid doing what he does best.... singing & clowning
Model guards secured TFC celebrities with PB Chair Bobby Yalong
Band of Brothers (the millennials covering baby boomer hits), Arato Brothers (never too young to thrill), Mutya Philippine Dance Company (instilling cultural pride through the art of dance), Tribu Cebuano (proponents of the fabled Sinulog), V2.0 Band (eclectic young artists), Scott Collin+Pino (mission-driven musicians), young balladeer Joseph R. Monasterial, and fast-rising Lirazen Rose with Mackie & Friends Band. The night won’t be complete without hearing it from the iconic band of the 60s, Gary Lewis and The Playboys. The group may be top charters from way back many decades ago but their music has stood the test of time and the young audience who enjoyed and sung along with them was more than enough proof or Gary’s long staying power in the music scene.
As always, TFC celebrities created the loudest growls and grumbles from among the crowd with the kind of music Pinoys could easily relate to. There were shrills, screams, shrieks, and even feet tramping and thundering applause from both young and old after every number to beg for an encore. The musical production was ardently closed with all celebrities on stage, together with the Fiesta Core Group and enthusiastically capped the show an autographsigning and photo-op session for keepsake. As projected Fiesta in America’s 20th Anniversary is incontestably a milestone! Photo credits: Ray Maranan, Nonoy Rafael, & Yetbo Loverita For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@ yahoo.com.
From Page 2 including one with Yeoh, when they have a mother-son moment in Nick’s childhood bedroom. “We just have this moment when you realize what Eleanor is all about. She’s being [that way] to Rachel because she wants to protect her son, she wants to protect the golden treasure. She’s the dragon mum, she’s gonna fight tooth and nail to ensure he’s not making any mistakes,” he said. “You just see where that comes from in that scene and Michelle plays it so well.” The themes of love, loyalty and family — while dominant in Asian cultures — are universal and that’s what can draw audiences of diverse backgrounds to “Crazy Rich Asians,” Golding said. “Love is the true testament to everything. That’s what we tried to achieve. Because it’s an Asian story doesn’t mean people aren’t
going to be able to relate. You’re rooting for this young couple to be able to love each other,” he said. Though “Crazy Rich Asians” is his first undertaking, acting appears to be part of Golding’s destiny. “Say ‘yes.’ That was my biggest takeaway. I kept saying ‘no’ but when I said ‘yes,’ amazing things happened,” he said. After “Crazy Rich Asians” wrapped up filming last summer, Golding landed the male lead in “A Simple Favor,” directed by Paul Feig and starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, which will be out in mid-September. Golding plays Sean Nelson, the husband of Lively’s character Emily who disappears. “Again it’s pushing the boundaries of leading men...It’s not dependent on who I am as my ethnicity. I’m just a leading
man, I play Blake’s husband,” he said. “We’re pushing the boundaries [instead] of normalizing these leading men stereotypes. We don’t have to have blonde hair and blue eyes to get the woman.” As for more leading Asians on screen, Golding said there’s going to be “more and more of that” to come. The budding actor noted, “Jon always says it so well, ‘If you’re a director, direct. If you’re a writer, write. If you’re a storyteller, tell a story. If you’re an actor, get out there and act. Don’t sit questioning yourself. Don’t consider just because I’m Asian, I’m not going to have my voice heard.’ You don’t know what’s going to happen. Now is the climate where anything is possible and there’s such people power when it comes to these big studios now.”
An Asian Journal Magazine
The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY AU G U ST 1 7, 20 1