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June 7-9, 2017 Volume 27 - No. 46 • 3 Sections - 22 Pages

DUTERTE ORDERS TROOPS TO ‘CRUSH’ REBELS

Father of Maute group ‘PH-US military ties remain strong’ leaders arrested in Davao DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

AFP receives new counterterrorism weapons

THE military relationship between the Philippines and the United States remains strong despite Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s seemingly distant approach to the U.S. government, officials from both countries affirmed. Head of U.S. Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris and Philippine Undersecretary for Defense Policy Ricardo David both made the assurance during the Southeast Asian Young Leaders’ Programme on Sunday, June 4 in Singapore. “I believe that we are in a very good place with regard to military to military activities in the Philippines,” Harris said. Backing up Harris’ statement, David added: “As far as the Philippines is concerned, I think we have good relations with the United States. The Balikatan just concluded. It will continue because this is a part of our Philippine alliance with the US. We have a Mutual Defense Treaty.” Duterte, who assumed office in June last year, had announced that the Philippines would shift closer toward China and Russia as part of his administration’s independent foreign policy.

by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE father of brothers Abdullah and Omar Maute, the suspected leaders of the extremist Maute group, has reportedly been arrested on Tuesday, June 6 in Davao City. According to Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, Casamora Maute was nabbed by authorities around 10 a.m. in a

checkpoint manned by both the Davao City Police Office and by the Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Sirawan, Toril District. The elder Maute—who is also believed to be one of the rebel group’s top leaders—was reportedly seeking medical help in Davao City when he was arrested. Since May 23, the government has been conducting ongoing clearing operations in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur against the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute

extremist group. “This is a big blow to the Maute terrorist group,” Gapay said. According to Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera, military spokesman on the Marawi crisis, the Maute brothers’ father “provides funding and logistical support in terms of the operations” for the group. “We also received reports that the father is part of the recruiting arm of the Maute [Group],” he told Rappler. Police ofﬁcials brief President Rodrigo Duterte on the CCTV footage of

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by AJPRESS

US accuses China of ‘buying its way out’ of South China Sea issues

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NEW WEAPONS. A Philippine Marine and U.S. military ofﬁcer inspect a new M4 carbine during the weapons and equipment delivery from the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) defense modernization efforts. The weapons delivery is part of the U.S. government grant program for the AFP. Aside from M4 carbines, the U.S. has also turned over rubber boats to the Philippine Marine Corps. According to a release from the US Embassy, delivery of the equipment under the US government’s Counterterrorism Train and Equip Program began in May. Photo from the U.S. Embassy in Manila

SUERTE Philstar.com

FELIPE

MANILA - Despite the ongoing crisis in Marawi City and the attack at Resorts World Manila, the Philippine National Police (PNP) remains focused on its drive to curb illicit drug activities in the country. PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said records show that 3,050 people were killed from July 1, 2016 to May 30 this year – a total of 336 days of the

THE lone gunman behind the Resorts World Manila attack that killed 37 last Friday, June 2 was a “heavily indebted” gambler, according to the Philippine police. In a press briefing on Sunday, June 4, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Oscar Albayalde identified the gunman as 42-year-old Jessie Carlos, who was a dismissed Department of Finance (DOF) official. According to Albayalde, Carlos racked up about P4 million-worth of debt at a certain casino he frequented, which police declined to name. The NCRPO chief later noted that the said casino was not Resorts World Manila. “He is heavily indebted due to being hooked on casino gambling, according to his immediate family,” Albayalde said. “This became the cause of misunderstanding with his wife and parents. He has a bank account with an outstanding debt of P4 million and several other non-bank related debt.” He said Carlos was forced to sell a property in Batan-

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Supreme Court sets oral arguments on martial law by ROY LUARCA Inquirer.net

MOVING swiftly, the Supreme Court announced on Tuesday, June 6 that it had agreed to hear the petition of seven opposition lawmakers questioning the constitutionality of President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao. The court set a three-day oral argument—June 13 to 15—on the petition filed on Monday by the lawmakers, led by Albay Rep. Ed-

PNP: No letup in drug war by CECILLE

PNA photo

Police: Resorts World gunman a ‘heavily indebted’ gambler

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CHINA cannot use its economic powers to evade issues concerning territorial disputes in the South China Sea row and the rising tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the United States said on Monday, June 5. While Washington desires to have a “productive” relationship with Beijing, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stressed that China should not “buy its way out” of diplomatic issues. “We desire productive relationships, but we cannot allow China to use its economic power to buy its way out of other problems, whether it’s militarizing islands in the South China Sea or failing to put appropriate pressure on North Korea,” Tillerson said after a meeting with his counterpart in Sydney, Australia. He added, “They must recognize that, with a role as a growing economic and trading power comes security responsibilities as well.” China, which has been considered among the wealthiest countries around the globe in terms of economy, has been exerting sovereignty throughout almost all of the South China Sea. Despite the counterclaims of its Asian neighboring countries, China has built several artificial islands within the disputed reefs.

the Resorts World Manila incident.

Duterte administration. It also showed that 1,288,140 self-confessed drug pushers and users surrendered and 2,288 kilos of shabu were seized. Under the #RealNumbersPH Data on the Anti-Drug Campaign of the government, the PNP conducted a total of 60,395 anti-drug operations and arrested 80,415 drug suspects. Carlos stressed that the PNP has enough units to cover specific

cel Lagman, and directed the Office of the Solicitor General to file a comment on the case. Named respondents in the petition were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the Armed Forces of the Philippine chief of staff, Gen. Eduardo Año. Lawyers’ petition In a related move on Tuesday, a group of lawyers petitioned the high tribunal to compel the House of Representatives and the Senate to hold a joint session to review

Mr. Duterte’s martial law proclamation and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus following the May 23 attack by Maute terrorists on Marawi City. “This is a rule of law petition. What we’re asking for is compliance with the minimum procedural fidelity with the Constitution,” former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, the counsel of the petitionGUNMAN IDENTIFIED. National Capital Region Police Ofﬁce Chief Oscar ers, said in a news conference. Albayalde shows the picture of Resorts World Manila attacker named “The language of the Constitu- Jessie Carlos during the press brieﬁng’ at Remington Hotel in Pasay

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City on Sunday, June 3.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Supplementary complaint filed against Duterte before the ICC by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV and Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano filed a supplementary complaint against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday, June 6. The opposition lawmakers said their 45page communication, titled “DIGONG, THE Magdalo Party-List Representative Gary C. Alejano and Senator GRAVE DIGGER: A look into the Philippine u PAGE A4 Antonio Trillanes. Photo from the Ofﬁce of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV President’s War on Drugs,” supports the ear-

lier complaint filed by Filipino lawyer Jude Sabio last April 24 before the international court. In his complaint, Sabio accused Duterte of committing crimes against humanity, citing thousands of deaths and violation of human rights in the president’s war on drugs. The Duterte administration, however, has repeatedly asserted that the deaths of the drug suspects were not state-sanctioned.

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A2 JUNE 7-9, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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A June 7-9, 2017 • LA MIDWeeK ASIAn JOuRnAL

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From the Front Page Supreme Court sets oral arguments on martial...

Father of Maute group leaders... PAGE A1 Along with Casamora, four others were also arrested, who were identified as his wife Kongan Balawag, his daughter Norjanah Maute, his son-in-law Benzarali Tingao, and van driver Aljon Salazar Ismael. “As a patriarch and the father of the Maute brothers...I guess he can still persuade his sons to stop the fighting in Marawi and once and for all surrender to the government,” Gapay said. Casamora and his family, including the driver, are currently detained at the Davao City Police Office. ‘Crush them’ President Rodrigo Duterte has recently ordered the military to completely “crush” the terrorists in Marawi City. Speaking before the military in Cotabato City, Duterte said that they’re fighting a rebellion he intended to win. “I am ordering you to crush

(them)... When I say ‘crush’ them, you have to destroy everything, including lives,” Duterte told soldiers. Rallying the troopers, Duterte reiterated his full support for the military. He also said he would assume full responsibility for the consequences of his orders, telling the troopers to not be afraid of doing their jobs. “Gentlemen, we are fighting a rebellion. Rebellion is a war, it is not anything that you see everyday, not peace and order… If we allow it to overcome them, then this country will end something like minus the island of Mindanao,” Duterte warned. The conflict in Marawi City has prompted Duterte to declare martial law in the entire Mindanao region. As the ongoing confrontation entered its third week, the death toll reportedly reached around 188 as of Saturday, June 3 -- 120

from the terrorist ranks, 38 from the government forces, and 30 civilians. “The avowed objective of the ISIS is to kill and destroy, period. Which is why I will destroy also and kill, period. Let us finish what you started you sons of b****. Let’s finish this,” the president said. Duterte, who also hails from Mindanao, took a swipe at the insurgents who allegedly pledged allegiance to the IS group. “I am angry because they brought a foreign ideology to Lanao. The Moros are dying for it. Use your head,” he remarked. He went on to say, “Why do you allow other people to come to our country and destroy us with their ideology? We have our own. What you’re believing is foreign, that’s not yours, that came from the Middle East.” n

PAGE A1 tion requires it. It’s a mandatory requirement,” Hilbay stressed. “It’s very clear that the intention is for the Congress to perform a legislative review of the declaration of martial law.” He said more than 300 lawyers joined the petition for mandamus, including detained Sen. Leila de Lima, former Sen. Rene Saguisag, former Commission on Elections Chair Christian Monsod, and former Commission on Human Rights Chair Etta Rosales. Congressional review Named respondents in the 23page petition were Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. The lawyers said the congressional review of Mr. Duterte’s declaration was “meant to prevent abuse of power and to ensure popular mandate in the exercise of the President’s martial law powers.” They said the lawmakers “unlawfully neglected” their constitutional duty to convene and tackle the issues in connection with the martial law declaration and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. Constitutional duty Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution states, “The

Former Commission on Human Rights Chair Loretta Rosales and several lawyers file a petition against President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President.” The petitioners argued that the passage of the Senate and House resolutions supporting Mr. Duterte’s decision was not enough to comply with their constitutional duty. “These acts cannot be considered compliance with the clear constitutional requirement for Congress to convene and vote jointly,” they said. “The failure of Congress to act as a single deliberative body cannot be substituted with separate resolutions passed by both (the

PNP: No letup...

PAGE A1 problems, like when it sent the Regional Public Safety Battalion and the Special Action Force (SAF) to act as a second security layer in Marawi City. The PNP also sent the SAF to

handle the Resorts World incident because of the unit’s expertise in counter revolutionary warfare tactics. “As soon as the National Capital Region Police Office declared the situation to be not related to ter-

BAGS OF SHABU. Officials of the National Bureau of Investigation present the 505 kilos of shabu seized in Valenzuela City last week. The drug haul was the second biggest in the country. ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr.

House and the Senate) … Substantial compliance is no compliance,” they insisted. The lawyers warned that “any institutional shortcut, while politically expedient, sets the dangerous precedent of allowing a total disregard of a clear mandatory obligation by the Constitution.” Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III welcomed the filing of the petitions in the Supreme Court. “If there are differing interpretations of a constitutional provision, then the Supreme Court should step in as the referee. Let us be guided by the Supreme Court pronouncement on the issue,” Pimentel said in a text message. (With a report from Chritine O. Avendaño) n rorism and was a simple case of one person initiating an attack, we placed it back to the Southern Police District and NCRPO level,” Carlos pointed out. Last March, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa launched the high value target (HVT) revalidated, tokhang revisited and double barrel reloaded operation plans to ensure a welldesigned anti-illegal drug campaign. Under HVT revalidated, the PNP drug enforcement group replaced the anti-illegal drug group, which was dissolved amid accusations that some policemen used it to extract money. Tokhang, taken from the Filipino words katok (knock) and hangyo (plea), was the centerpiece of the PNP’s campaign against illegal drugs. It involved going from house to house to encourage suspected drug offenders to surrender or undergo rehabilitation. n

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DATELINE USA

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 7-9, 2017

Feds to waive penalties for some US accuses China of ‘buying its way out’... who signed up late for Medicare Kaiser Health News

EACH year, thousands of Americans miss their deadline to enroll in Medicare, and federal officials and consumer advocates worry that many of them mistakenly think they don’t need to sign up because they have purchased insurance on the health law’s marketplaces. That decision can leave them facing a lifetime of enrollment penalties. Now Medicare has temporarily changed its rules to offer a reprieve from penalties for people who kept Affordable Care Act policies after becoming eligible for Medicare. “Many of these individuals did not receive the information necessary [when they became eligible for Medicare or when they initially enrolled] in coverage through the marketplace to make an informed decision regarding” Medicare enrollment, said a Medicare spokesman, explaining the policy change. Those who qualify include people 65 and older who have a marketplace plan or had one they lost or canceled, as well as people who have qualified for Medicare due to a disability but chose to use marketplace plans. They have until Sept. 30 to request a waiver of the usual penalty Medicare assesses when people delay signing up for Medicare’s Part B, which covers visits to the doctor and other outpatient care. Medicare beneficiaries who already pay the penalty because they had a marketplace plan can request that it be eliminated or reduced.

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Medicare began emailing letters about the temporary waiver in March to some people 65 and older who are enrolled in plans sold on the marketplaces run by the federal government. But the federal government is not reaching out to others who may be eligible, such as beneficiaries with coverage purchased from stateoperated marketplaces. However,CoveredCalifornia, the largest state-run marketplace — serving 1.4 million consumers — will be sending a letter to enrollees who are about to turn 65 or are 65 and older to let them know about the temporary waiver. The letter will go out sometime this summer, said spokesman James Scullary. “Covered California wants to make sure its eligible members know about this opportunity,” he said. Some other states that run their own marketplaces also plan to contact beneficiaries who might be eligible, including Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. People who meet the waiver re-

quirements can also request to be exempted from a waiting period that Medicare typically imposes on those who do not sign up when they are first eligible. “This has been a problem from the beginning of the Affordable Care Act, because the government didn’t understand that people would not know when they needed to sign up for Medicare,” said Bonnie Burns, a consultant for California Health Advocates, a consumer group. “Once they had insurance, that relieved all the stress of not having coverage and then when they became eligible for Medicare, nobody told them to make that change.” One of them is Lisa Grimes’ 49-year-old sister, who receives Social Security disability benefits because of mental illness. She became eligible for Medicare because she receives those disability benefits but had marketplace coverage at that time. For the past year, Grimes, a St. Louis real estate lawyer, has been trying to unravel the problems PAGE A8

‘PH-US military ties remain...

David, however, assured that the Duterte administration’s building of closer ties with other countries like China and Russia doesn’t mean that the Philippines would distance itself away from the U.S., its decades-long ally. “The president, I believe, wants to have an independent foreign policy, meaning we can be open to China, we can be open to Russia. He wants to have cooperation also with those two countries,” he said. Harris also noted that Philippine and U.S. forces have been working together against terrorist threats, which exhibits the impor-

tance of the two countries’ military relationship. “We are involved in activities in Mindanao to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) take the fight to IS in the Philippines. I think that is a recognition of how important our relationship with the Philippines is,” Harris said. The two officials made the statement amid the ongoing clashes between the Philippine government forces and the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. The Maute group laid siege of Marawi City on May 23 in the middle of a government opera-

tion to capture Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. Hours later, the confrontation prompted Duterte to declare martial law and suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the entire Mindanao. On Sunday, June 5, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella announced on a state-run radio that around 188 people have been killed in connection with the Marawi crisis. “As of 11 p.m., June 3, 2017 in Marawi, there have been 30 civilians that have been killed by local terrorist groups, and those rescued are 1,271. Government PAGE A8

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by SUSAN JAFFE

PAGE A1 At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump, who assumed office in January this year, has started to seek China’s help in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. This has caused concerns among Asian allies that the U.S. might turn soft on China in connection with the sea. Last month, the United States sent its guided-missile destroyer, U.S.S. Dewey, to patrol within 12 nautical miles of a Chinese artificial island in the South China Sea, marking the first freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) conducted in the disputed waters under the Trump administration. The U.S. Navy warship specifically sailed in Mischief Reef, a part of the Spratly Islands, where countries like China and the Philippines have competing claims. Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have overlapping claims in the Spratlys region. U.S.-Australia commitment Also on Monday, the governments of the U.S. and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. “The U.S. and Australia reaffirmed our commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas, particularly the South China Sea and elsewhere, to ensure unimpeded flow of lawful commerce in a rules-based order,” Tillerson said. He added that both countries express opposition against “China’s artificial island construction and their militarization that features in international waters.” The two countries also called on North Korea “to abandon its illegal nuclear weapons program.” In response to U.S. and Australia’s joint statement, China, on the other hand, reiterated that Beijing has been working with its concerned neighbors in promoting peace and stability in the disputed waters. “We hope relevant parties can fully respect and support regional countries’ efforts to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and play a constructive role in this regard, rather than the opposite,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. Hua also pointed out that China and Southeast Asian countries have reached a framework of a code of conduct in the South China Sea. (AJPress)

A6 JUNE 7-9, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Bright spot

“THE Philippines is a beautiful country, and we intend to leverage on this strength to boost economic growth,” the Duterte administration stressed when it said that it intends to develop the tourism sector by drawing more than 12 million tourist arrivals by 2022, which is more than double the number recorded in 2015. Based on the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016-2022, an annual 10-percent growth rate in tourist arrivals will have to be met to reach this goal. For this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) aims to attract some 6.5 million in foreign visitor arrivals and 73.3 million domestic tourists. These targets are higher than 10 percent from the projected 5.9 million in foreign tourists, and up 4 percent from the 70.5 million in domestic tourists in 2016. As if this task is not enough, the tourism sector must now maneuver through a series of challenges brought by tensions inside (the controversial war against illegal drugs) and outside (the continuing issuance of travel advisories by the U.S. and other countries) its coastal areas. In April, during one of the busiest travel seasons in the country, the U.S. warned its citizens against traveling to the central Philippines after receiving information that a terrorist organization was planning to kidnap tourists there. The American embassy in Manila said that based on

their Worldwide Caution, there was an ongoing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens in countries abroad, including the Philippines. Earlier in May, the U.S. Embassy issued another travel advisory for their citizens who plan to visit the province of Palawan following information that terrorist groups may be planning to conduct kidnapping operations targeting foreign nationals in the area. On May 24, it issued another advisory when the Marawi City crisis broke out and the declaration of martial law throughout Mindanao was declared. In an emergency message, the U.S. Embassy warned citizens of the crisis and announced the temporary suspension of its personnel to missions throughout Mindanao. On Friday, June 2, the embassy yet again posted another travel warning, this time in Manila following a robbery attempt at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City. The incident left at least 37 people dead, including the lone suspect. DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo admitted

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

that travel advisories make it difficult to promote tourism, but she remains optimistic as she stresses that the government will intensify its campaign of “selling” the Philippines as a major tourist destination. “We will double our efforts,” Teo vowed. Teeming with natural resources, renowned

cultural heritage, and the warmth and all-encompassing nature of its people, the country is still sure to attract and reward its visitors. With the ongoing assertive and collaborative efforts of its travel sector and national government, increased patronage for its islands is not far behind. (AJPress)

Trump’s decision on climate change: A matter of fact-based principles or the dictate of politics?

WHAT was President Donald Trump re- The Fil-Am ally thinking when he withdrew the United Perspective States’ commitment to the Paris agreement on climate change? He said his reasons GEL SANTOS-RELOS were economic — to bring jobs back to American workers, whom he said were affected by the regulations that killed the jobs of coal miners in favor clean and renewable energy sources. “As of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the nonbinding Paris accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country,” Trump announced on June 1. But economists, business and community leaders, and CEOs have disputed this argument and have been advising Trump that these regulations that stir the country toward clean and renewable energy has in fact inspired and encouraged innovation and inventions that have added more jobs, and has made America a leader toward protecting planet earth.

Trump argued that he withdrew the U.S. out of the Paris accord because it was a bad deal for America. “The Paris climate accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States, to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers, who I love, and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories and vastly diminished economic production,” he said. This has been debunked by facts. According to the New York Times, “industrialized countries have voluntarily pledged $10.3 billion since 2013 to help poorer nations reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the effects of climate change. The United States has pledged by far the most — $3 billion, twice that of the second-largest pledger, Japan. But on a per-capita basis, many other countries have offered more than the United States. Swedes, for example,

will contribute nearly $60 each.” The newspaper further explained that “if the United States contributed its full pledge, the total would be a little less than $10 per American. With Mr. Trump stopping payments, the United States will have contributed $1 billion, or just more than $3 per person.” This is shameful, and even immoral especially because the United States is among the world’s top polluters. “The United States, with its love of big cars, big houses and blasting air-conditioners, has contributed more than any other country to the atmospheric carbon dioxide that is scorching the planet,” the NYTimes reported. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “in 2014, the top carbon dioxide (CO2) emitters were China, the United States, the European Union, India, the Russian Federation, and Japan. These data include CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion, as well as cement manufacturing and gas flaring. Together, these sources represent a large proportion of total global CO2 emissions.” During former President Barack Obama’s term, he was able to con-

vince China and India to be part of the Paris accord. No one nation can do it alone. It takes the whole planet, especially the biggest polluters, to work together to solve these problems because we all share the same planet together. With the U.S.’ exit, it now joins the league of Syria and Nicaragua as the only countries not on board in the Paris Accord. So having said these, does Trump even believe in science and the studies that prove climate change is real? According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), “Ninetyseven percent of climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities, and most of the leading scientific organizations worldwide have issued public statements endorsing this position.” NASA has published compelling evidence for rapid climate change: sea level rise, global temperature rise, warming oceans, shrinking ice sheets, declining Arctic Sea ice, glacial retreat, extreme events — the number of record high temperature events in the United States has been increasing, while the number

Maute Group or Islamic State-Ranao? Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO BECAUSE the Moro groups linked to the Iraq and Syriabased Islamic State (IS) pose a very serious danger to our Republic, I quoted at length in my column last Friday a study on this topic—probably the only such in-depth research on it—by the International Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) dated October 2016, entitled “Pro-ISIS Groups in Mindanao and their Links to Indonesia and Malaysia”. While based in Indonesia, and having mostly Indonesians on its board, the IPAC is headed by the American Sydney Jones, who is closely linked to the New York-based International Crisis Groups, which I was told have strong links with international intelligence services. The report is well-documented, with a plethora of footnotes to back up its assertions. It explained that its findings were based “on interviews in October 2016 in Manila, Davao, Zamboanga and Cotabato, as well as with Indonesians who once fought in the Philippines, and on a review of trial documents and other primary source material.” What follows is the part of the study discussing the so-called

Maute group that attacked Marawi City, and fought government forces for more than a week. Its findings on the Maute group made seven months before the Marawi crisis—for instance, that its strength and resiliency has been underestimated by Philippine authorities—have certainly been proven accurate. IPAC study: The Maute Group based in Lanao del Sur has the smartest, best-educated and most sophisticated members of all of the proISIS groups in the Philippines. It is largely ethnic Maranao, and its stronghold is the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City, where it has been able to attract students and teachers. The Maute connections, however, reach deep into the MILF [Moro Islamic Liberation Front] aristocracy on the one hand, and are well-established internationally on the other, with particularly strong links to Indonesia. Omarkhayam Romato Maute went to study at al-Azhar in Egypt around 2000 and there met an Indonesian student, Minhati Madrais, whom he later married. None of his fellow students saw him as having any radical tendencies at all, and photographs show a young man enchanted by his baby daughters and playing with the growing family by the Red Sea. After graduation in 2009, Maute went back with his wife to her father’s pesantren [Islamic boarding school] Darul

Amal in Bekasi, outside Jakarta, where he taught for a while before returning to Lanao. He is fluent in Indonesian and Arabic. His brother Abdullah studied in Jordan and also is reported to have extensive ties in the Middle East. The group that started out as Khilafah Islamiyah Mindanao (KIM) may be the most dangerous of the groups operating in the Philippines today. It is also sophisticated in its use of social media, although one report suggested it had suddenly shut down its chats on Telegram around August 2016, perhaps for fear of infiltration. The Maute group, which now calls itself Islamic State-Ranao, has been responsible for several attacks, most notably the September 2, 2016 Davao market bombing. On October 4, 2016, three ethnic Maranao members of a Cotabato cell of IS-Ranao told police the bombing was ordered by Isnilon Hapilon as amir of Daulah Islamiyah (Islamic State) and that the Maute group was assigned to carry it out. Links to Marwan Butig, Lanao del Sur, where the Maute group now operates, has been home for years to a large Moro Islamic Liberation camp, Camp Bushra. It was also not that far from the old JI training center in Jabal Quba, so there is a long history of armed activity in the area. The Maute group reportedly began as a training unit set up

by Marwan around 2011 or even earlier, called al-Ghuraba and briefly Jamaah Tawhid wal Jihad – the name used by the late Abu Musa Zarqawi in Iraq and later by the supporters of radical Indonesian cleric Aman Abdurrahman in Indonesia. By 2012, it had become Khilafah Islamiyah Movement (KIM), initially reported to be led by one Ustadz Humam Abdul Najid alias Wai but in fact the Mautes are believed to have been the organizers even then. KIM was said to have been responsible for the July26, 2013 bombing at a Cagayan de Oro bar and bistro that killed six. After ISIS’s recognition of Isnilon as amir, the Mautes began using the name “IS-Ranao” to indicate a division of the new asyet-undeclared province of ISIS – just as BIFF became IS-Maguindanao and Isnilon Hapilon’s territory was IS-Basilan. The use of “KIM” as a name precedes the death of Ustadz Sanusi, the Indonesian who reportedly became a mentor to the Maute brothers. For the six years he was based in Lanao until his death in a police operation at MSU in November 2012, Sanusi would have had ample time to build connections between local jihadis like the Mautes and his Indonesian networks as well and fellow fugitives in Mindanao like Marwan. Indeed, in a press conference after Sanusi was killed, police said that six other “JI members”

of record low temperature events has been decreasing, since 1950. The U.S. has also witnessed the increasing numbers of intense rainfall events, acidification of oceans, decreased snow cover, etc. Trump does not believe in these enough to compel him to act on it? Or could it be that what matters to Trump and all that he could grasp is the here and now without regard to the future? Is he thinking like a traditional capitalist who will push to make profits even at the expense of our environment and the planet we will leave to the next generation? Or could the political analysts be right that Trump decided to abandon the U.S.’ commitment to the Paris accord for political reasons? Does he want to score points with his base by proving he can fulfill his campaign promise without regard to facts, reason and moral obligation? *** 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

had managed to escape, although Philippine officials tend to use “JI” to refer to any Southeast Asian and especially any Indonesian jihadists. Family connections In addition to their international connections and high level of education, the Mautes’ leadership may be derived from their family connections. They are related by marriage to one of the most respected families in the MILF – the Mimbantas clan of Lanao del Sur. (Omar and Abdullah Maute are cousins of the second wife of the late Alim Mimbantaas, who had been the MILF’s vice chairman for internal affairs and said to be the most trusted associate of MILF founder Salamat Hashim.) Those ties may have helped the Mautes recruit younger MILF members, though Jannati Mimbantas, Alim’s brother and commander of the MILF’s Northeast Mindanao Front, has been at pains to disassociate his family from the Mautes and has assisted the government in its operations against them. Jannati reportedly claims that the Mautes had been MILF members but became disillusioned by the failure of the Philippine Congress to approve the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). In fact, the Mautes’ attraction to extremism long predates the Mamasapano incident that threw passage of the BBL off-course. There is some evidence, however, that younger MILF fighters in the area have been attracted to a fresher, more militant, more internationally connected group

which happens to be led by ethnic Maranao. In April 2016, the Mautes claimed to have recruited 100 MILF members. One man reported killed fighting with the Mautes in clashes that took place in Butig in late May and June 2016 was Nawawie Mimbantas, a son of Alim, the late MILF vice chairman. The military, however, has been adamant that not only was the MILF not assisting the Mautes in any way, but it was actively cooperating with the army against them. Strength of the Mautes The Mautes have shown an ability to absorb what would seem to be major losses in clashes with the police and military, suggesting that their organization is larger and better organized than perhaps they have been given credit for. On February 20, 2016, the military began an 11-day offensive after the Mautes’ fighters attacked the army’s 51st Infantry Battalion. In the initial attack, two soldiers and six attackers were killed; among the latter was an Indonesian identified as Mohammad Muktar, although it may not have been his real name and no one has ever identified him further. In the days of fighting that followed, BIFF fighters reportedly came to the Mautes’ support. When it was over, the military claimed to have killed 54. In April, the Mautes seized six sawmill workers in Butig and later beheaded two of them, al-

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Supplementary complaint filed... PAGE A1 Trillanes and Alejano added that the contents of their complaint also affirm the veracity of the information stated by Sabio. Likewise, they said it provide more details about the supposed “widespread and systematic extrajudicial killings” in the Philippines. In their complaint, Trillanes and Alejano also urged the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor “to take cognizance of this case and render justice to the thousands of victims in the Philippines.” “We respectfully submit that there is an urgency to conduct a preliminary examination on the allegations propounded herein in order to pre-empt and prevent further commission of crimes against

humanity in the Philippines,” they said. Last week, the House of Representatives threw out Alejano’s impeachment complaint against the president’s alleged links to the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), the massive killings in his war against illegal drugs, and his alleged undeclared wealth worth nearly P2.2 million. “We further stress the need to conduct a preliminary examination on the allegations contained herein to provide a glimmer of hope for the thousands of victims that Duterte’s impunity would soon end,” Alejano and Trillanes added. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, on the other hand, downplayed the supple-

Police: Resorts World gunman... PAGE A7 al, officials said the incident led to the deaths of 13 employees and 24 guests who mostly died from suffocation. Sixty-seven others were reportedly injured. Authorities said Carlos died after setting himself on fire and shooting himself in the head. The NCRPO chief maintained that the incident was not an act of terrorism, brushing off speculations that the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group was behind the attack. “We reiterate that this is not an act of terrorism but this incident is confined to the act of one man alone,” Albayalde said. Earlier, United States terrorism monitor SITE Intelligence Group said an IS Filipino operative “stated that the group is responsible for the attack” at Resorts World Manila. “We have and will continue to base our pronouncements on facts and evidence properly gathered,” Albayalde added. “We will not allow people or any threat group to use this situation to advance their propaganda or personal causes whether foreign or local. This is our duty to the Filipino people and to the international community.” Abayalde declared the attack as ‘case closed’ as far as the suspect is concerned. He, however, noted that investigations are still ongoing, particularly on the possible liabilities of Resorts World Manila management with regard to security. Dismissed from service In a separate statement, the DOF confirmed that Carlos was its for-

mer employee. DOF said Carlos was a tax specialist at the One-Stop Shop Tax and Duty Drawback Center, but was dismissed by the Ombudsman in 2014 in connection with issues concerning his Statement of Assets, Liabilities Net Worth (SALN). In 2011, the Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) filed a complaint against Carlos over his “failure to disclose truthfully all his assets in his SALN.” “In a 17-page decision received on April 25, 2014, the Ombudsman dismissed Carlos for Grave Misconduct and Gross Neglect of Duty for not declaring his house and lot in Manila in his 2003 to 2006 SALNs, his Toyota Innova SUV in his 2007 SALN and his business interest in his 2010 SALN,” a May 2014 statement posted on the Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) website read. It also cited Carlos’ “huge loans” and purchasing of proper properties higher than his total gross income. “The failure to declare some of his assets at the time these assets were actually acquired and/or registered under his name and his scheme of claiming several indebtedness without giving particulars i.e. from whom he acquired these enormous loans can also reflect his evil desire to conceal his ill-gotten wealth” it further read, quoting the Ombudsman. De Lima to be included in probe According to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Senator Leila De Lima will be included in the separate National Bureau of Inves-

mental communication filed by Trillanes and Alejano, tagging them as “misguided.” He alleged that the complaint was based on “hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations.” The official also insisted that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the case in the first place. “Unfortunately for the misguided lawmakers, they cannot hope to cure a complaint which is intrinsically flawed and, worse, was filed before a tribunal that does not even have jurisdiction in the first place. It should be remembered that the ICC is a court of last resort and filing a case before it can only be resorted to after all domestic legal remedies are fully exhausted,” Panelo said. n tigation (NBI) investigation into the Resorts World attack. In a radio interview, Aguirre took note that De Lima, who was then the justice secretary, issued a legal opinion in 2014 that banned the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) from implementing fire safety laws and regulations in Resorts World Manila and other casinos. Aguirre then said that De Lima instead gave the jurisdiction Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) despite its “lack of capability to impose fire regulations.” “Because of the said opinion, it is PEZA, a government agency without competence and experience in fire protection, who was given the authority to implement the Fire Code and its implementing rules and regulations [including] PEZA registered companies like the casinos. Such authority could not even be found in the enabling law, RA 7916,” Aguirre told DZMM. He, however, clarified that he is not blaming De Lima for the recent incident in Resorts World Manila. “I did not say that she is liable. What I want is to investigate the effect of her legal opinion,” Aguirre said. “Is De Lima liable? No, unless, it will be shown by evidence that there was illegal consideration in the issuance of the legal opinion.” Pagcor announced that it would also conduct a separate investigation regarding the possible lapses in the casino’s security measures. “We’re looking into: One, their security systems. If there was leniency, laxity or negligence. And two, of managing the fire situation,” Pagcor chairperson Andrea Domingo said, adding that RWM might lose its franchise if found negligent.” n

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Feds to waive penalties for some who... PAGE A5 that ensued after her sister opted to keep her marketplace plan and drop her Part B coverage, probably because her marketplace premium at the time cost half as much. Only after that $50 monthly premium ballooned to $360 did they learn that marketplace customers lose their premium subsidies when they join Medicare. (Grimes agreed to be interviewed as long as her sister was not identified.) Other Medicare beneficiaries have made similar mistakes by assuming they didn’t need Part B if they had a marketplace plan, retiree coverage from a former employer or coverage through a current employer with fewer than 20 workers or with the Department of Veterans Affairs. None of these is a substitute for Medicare Part B. Grimes said her sister couldn’t afford the new marketplace premium and had to drop her plan last year. The Social Security Administration denied her appeal to reinstate her Part B coverage with no penalty or wait period. Then she learned about the new Medicare waiver from a Missouri counselor at the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It took several hours for Grimes to find the right letters and other documents needed to apply since her sister’s “filing system was a large shopping bag,” Grimes said. With assistance from the Medicare Rights Center, her sister received Part B coverage without a late fee or waiting period. It was retroactive, so she might be reimbursed

PAGE A5

for the medical bills she paid last fall and winter when she had no insurance coverage for doctor visits. People need to sign up for Part B usually within three months before or after turning 65 if they aren’t getting job-based insurance, or when their job-based health insurance ends if they are older than 65, according to Medicare rules. Most people under 65 who receive Social Security disability benefits qualify for Part B after 24 months of benefits. Under the health law, people who qualify for Medicare will lose subsidies in the online exchange plans. And enrolling in one of those plans does not protect them from a permanent late enrollment penalty. Marketplace insurers, who are often the first to spot when a member is turning 65, are barred under the health law from canceling coverage because that member may qualify for Medicare, Burns said. They are required, however, to cancel a Medicareeligible member’s subsidies. Last summer, Medicare officials began sending emails each month to about 15,000 people with subsidized coverage through the federally run marketplace. The notices target people approaching their 65th birthday and tell them how “to avoid an unwanted overlap in Marketplace and Medicare coverage.” Officials also began contacting individuals who already have both Medicare and subsidized marketplace coverage,

urging them to discontinue the latter. Yet the warnings have missed some people with marketplace coverage, who could find themselves on the hook to cover their own medical bills if their private insurer indicates they should have been on Medicare and refuses to pay. “These are very complex rules,” said Stacy Sanders, federal policy director at the Medicare Rights Center, a consumer advocacy group that spearheaded an effort in 2015 by nearly 50 unions, insurance companies and seniors’ advocacy organizations urging Medicare officials to address the problem. “The lack of good notification was leading people down a dangerous path in terms of declining or delaying Part B.” Those who enroll in Part B 12 months or later after becoming eligible can face apermanent penalty of 10 percent added to the Part B premium for each full 12month period that a beneficiary could have had Part B, but didn’t enroll. This year, the Part B standard average monthly premium is $109. For information on how to apply for the waiver, officially called “time-limited equitable relief,” go to the Medicare Rights Center’s Medicare Interactive webpage or call the center’s helpline at 800333-4114. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

‘PH-US military ties remain...

casualties or those killed in action are 38,” Abella said. “Our troops have killed 120 from the terrorist ranks, and that has remained unchanged.” Counterterror weapons On Monday, June 5, the Philippine Marines received new counterterrorism weapons from the U.S. government under its U.S. Counterterrorism Train and Equip program. Washington has donated new firearms, among of which include 300 M4 carbines, 200 Glock 21 pistols, four M134D Gatling-style machine guns and 100 M203 grenade launchers. “This equipment will enhance the [Philippine Marines’] counterterrorism capabilities, and help protect [troops] actively engaged in counterterrorism operations

in the southern Philippines,” the U.S. embassy said in a statement. Since 2007, the embassy said the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) has delivered and programmed P7.3 billion worth of weaponry to the Philippine military as part of enhancing the latter’s counterterrorism capabilities. It added that the U.S. government has allocated P15 billion of grant funding to provide the AFP with equipment, including corresponding upgrades and training, over the last five years. Additionally, the Philippine government has procured small arms, watercraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and personal protective equipment under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

According to Marines Chief Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, some of the donated weapons will be used by the military in its operations in Marawi. “We will give this to our troops. Our priority is in Marawi,” Salamat told reporters after the turnover ceremony at the Marine headquarters in Taguig City. Last week, Duterte said he will no longer accept second-hand weapons for the Philippine military. “I do not want those given by the Americans. During my time, I will not have second-hand ships. It has to be brand new,” Duterte told soldiers at a military base in Mindanao last Friday, June 2. He added that he is willing to “spend double the money” as long as the weapons for Filipino troopers were new. (AJPress)

A9 JUNE 7-9, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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BUSINESS& COMMUNITY Journal

World Bank sees strong PH growth in next 3 years by Ben

O. de Vera Philstar.com

MANILA — The World Bank expects the Philippines to sustain strong economic growth in the next three years and outperform most of its Asian neighbors. “In the Philippines, growth, led by accelerated public and private investment, is expected to remain at just under 7 percent in 2017-2019—significantly

higher than the long-term average of 4.3 percent,” the World Bank said in its June 2017 Global Economic Prospects report released Monday, June 5. Last April, the World Bank forecast the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) to grow 6.9 percent this year, or within the government’s 6.5-7.5 percent target range. For 2018, the World Bank projected 6.9-percent GDP growth,

before slightly slowing to 6.8 percent in 2019. The World Bank’s forecasts for 2018 and 2019 were below the government’s target of 78 percent from 2018 to 2022. In the East Asia and Pacific region, the 2018 6.9-percent growth forecast for both the Philippines and Cambodia was the second fastest after Laos’ 7 percent. “In the Philippines, expan-

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PAGCOR plans to limit number of offshore gaming firms to 50

“They are just dividing beThe saturation of the market can be seen in the audit system. tween themselves (the income) If the income of each operator instead of increasing it. That MANILA, Philippines - The goes down from the previously means it’s already saturated,” he Philippine Amusement and Gam- reported, this means there are said. POGO offer e-casino games ing Corp. (Pagcor) said Monday too much operators,” Tria said. Tria said an oversaturation and sports betting to overseas it is planning to initially trim the number of online gambling op- means that additional operators players. Pagcor has so far issued 42 erators in the country to 50 to do not bring in additional income prevent an oversupply of players to the industry. u PAGE B4 in the industry. Jose Tria Jr., assistant vice president of Pagcor’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, said the regulator is eyeing to impose a moratorium to limit the number of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) until it is sure that the increase in players is not overtaking the demand. “We need to evaluate first if the industry is already oversaturated,” Tria told reporters in an interview. However, the Pagcor official clarified that such moratorium The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said Monday it is planning to initially trim the could be lifted anytime. number of online gambling operators in the country to 50 to prevent an oversupply of players File photo “It depends on the evaluation. in the industry. by Mary

Grace Philstar.com

Padin

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 7-9, 2017

Business news

B2 JUNE 7-9, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Ayala unit acquires German auto supplier by IrIs

Gonzales Philstar.com

terday, Ayala said AC Industrials has completed the signing and execution of the share purchase MANILA, Philippines - Ayala and transfer agreement through Corp., through its wholly owned AC Industrials (Singapore) Pte. subsidiary AC Industrial Tech- Ltd. to acquire 94.9 percent of nology Holdings Inc., has closed MT Misslbeck Technologies a deal to acquire a German-based GmbH in a transaction valued at automotive supplier. €26.8 million. In a disclosure to the Philip“This investment forms part pine Stock Exchange (PSE) yes- of AC Industrials’ strategy to in-

crease its competence and capabilities in the automotive value chain and will complement AC Industrials’ existing businesses in manufacturing services and vehicle distribution and dealerships,” Ayala said. MT is a German-based automotive supplier of models, tools and plastic parts to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and automobile Tier 1 suppliers. The company, which traces its roots to a workshop established in 1869, has production plants in Ingolstadt, Germany. It designs and creates models of entire cars or parts of a car, develops, designs and manufactures injection moulds for metal and plastic car parts, and produces automotive plastic parts for prototyping and serial production. Since its formation last year, AC Industrials has actively pursued investments as part of its strategy to assemble a portfolio of businesses that develop, enable, manufacture, and commercialize automotive and other industrial technologies. In April 2016, for instance, AC Industrials signed a partnership agreement with Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM AG for the production and distribution

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High-speed rail to Clark seen running by 2022 by Ben

o. de Vera Inquirer.net

By 2022, Metro Manila will be connected to the international airport at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga via a Japan-funded high-speed rail system to be built in line with the government’s plan to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Based on a preliminary document obtained by the Inquirer, work on the Malolos-Clark Railway Project or Philippine National Railways North 2’s first phase connecting the Bulacan town to Clark International Airport will start in the second quarter of 2019 and would be completed by the second quarter of 2022. A second phase that will connect

Clark International Airport to the soon-to-rise Clark Green City will be implemented in 2022-2024. The Malolos-Clark Railway Project will be funded by official development assistance (ODA) from Japan, as earlier requested by the Department of Transportation, the implementing agency. Total project cost for the two phases is estimated at P211.42 billion. The initial phase of 50.5 kilometers from the Malolos end of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) up to the Clark airport will have five stations—Malolos, Apalit, San Fernando City, Clark and Clark International Airport. ODA worth $2.42-billion—a record high—from the Japan International Cooperation Agency

(Jica) is funding the bulk of the $2.88-billion total cost of the 38kilometer NSCR that will connect Tutuban, Manila and Malolos. A Jica briefing paper earlier showed that the government targeted to start operations of the NSCR by 2021 or 2022, with actual construction slated to start within the first half of 2019. The second phase of the Malolos-Clark Railway Project running 19 kilometers will connect the airportto Clark Green City through three more stations—Calumpit, Angeles City and Clark Green City. Government estimates showed that the number of passengers expected to use the railway system would increase from 56,000 in 2022 to 272,000 in 2025 and 427,000 in 2035.

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA I HAVE long predicted that the explosive issue of immigration will come to a head. The time has come. People are awake and have become fully aware of the seriously negative effects unmitigated and unchecked illegal immigration can do to sovereign nations over the long term. When the process of assimilation and integration into the fabric of host nations is non-existent, that nation begins to disintegrate and becomes divided into warring factions. The American founders’ noble concept of nation-building, Et Pluribus Unum, From Many One, is dead and gone.

Counting on other people’s kindness “Fish and visitors smell in three days.” -Benjamin Franklin Immigration as an issue has been used by one political party over the course of the last five decades to put themselves in power. For nefarious reasons such as making sure that new citizens always voted their party, the borders have been made intentionally porous for many years by the powers that be, allowing not only hundreds of thousands of undesirable migrants to populate the country but to also allow the drug cartels from the southern border to flourish and destroy many lives with opioid addiction. Big business is guilty as sin as well. It has aided and abetted the situation. Multinationals and global companies who hold no loyalty towards any nation have

waged a war against borders and boundaries and the rule of law essentially to pad their bottom lines by exploiting cheap labor. History moves like a pendulum however. It is action and reaction. The tide is turning, not only in America but worldwide. Yet it does not mean that immigration will stop altogether. Legal, orderly immigration, the kind that shaped the nation largely for the better in the first half of the last century, will become the rule of the land. That is — for the time being, as long as sensible, honest adults are in charge of the levers of power. From the gusher that illegal mass migration once was, the movement will come down to a trickle.

And so it stands to reason that for most new legal immigrants who have to run the gauntlet of scrutiny and vast amounts of paperwork from every part of the world for a period of time before they can come to America, they will have have to depend, for the first few weeks, months or years, on the kindness of others — friends, relatives and even strangers —until they can be on their own. The first concern will be finding a place to live. Your circumstances depend on whether you are the first to come here to America as the trailblazing immigrant or you have some resources of your own and the blessings

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Musikahan! with Maestro

Ryan Cayabyab

JUNE 25, 2017 @ 6:30pm | ALEX THEATRE in Glendale

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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL â€˘ JUNE 7-9, 2017

Clients seek relief for credit card debt Calendar of Events across

CLIENTis 48, married, and has a good job paying him $100K gross a year. A family emergency has caused him some financial hardship because money meant to pay for the house and credit cards were used instead for medical expenses of his brother abroad. Brother is only 35 and single and lives abroad, waiting his turn to receive his visa to migrate here. Another 4 years to wait. Brother has a good job abroad working as representative in a call center. He makes about $700 a month. For a single person making $700 a month, and just waiting for his visa to come to the Promised Land, life canâ€™t get much better. No responsibilities; enough money to spend; and good health. What else can a guy ask for? On weekends, he goes scuba diving about 40 miles off the capital. He says its very enjoyable because going under water with a lot of live corrals and fish to see is â€œlike traveling to another planetâ€?. However, lately, brother noticed that his legs were getting â€œfatter.â€? The doctor says that his legs are starting to retain water because he has some kind of heart problem. Thoracic and cardiac surgery had to be performed immediately as otherwise his physical condition would rapidly deteriorate and he could very well die from cardiac arrest! Not cool. Brother had no medical insurance to pay for the surgery and medical expenses estimated at $20K. The family depends on client for financial help because at $100K gross a year, client does have the resources to help. And since he loves his younger brother, client sends the $20K by not paying his mortgage and using $10K of credit cards. So thatâ€™s done. The surgery is performed and brother has a new lease on life. Thanks be to our God Almighty, Yahweh, and His beloved son, Jesus Christ! Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, can say

her a combined gross of $2400 monthly. She still works full time as a caregiver and is paid $1800 gross monthly. So, she has $4200 monthly. Not too bad. The problem is that she owes $40K of credit cards. She needs $1500 to make minimum monthly payments on these cards, which she has kept for the last 10 years. To make a long story short, she has paid $180K on $40K of credit cards for the last 10 years but still owes today the same $40K. This is why Visa is a good stock to own. It makes tons of your money! As a result, everything that she makes from the full time job goes to pay her credit cards. Chapter 7 will wipe out all of the $40K credit cards so she can start saving her net take home pay from her caregiving job. Itâ€™s about time. At 74, she certainly needs to be able to save all of the money she makes. She really should have filed for Chapter 7 ten years ago. If she did, then she would have $180K in the bank saved up today, wouldnâ€™t she? If you are saddled with debt, now is the time to get them discharged. Better now than later when you are about to retire. But if you have not yet gotten rid of your debts yet and you are now a senior, believe me, you need to get rid of your debts now that your income is less than half of what it was when you were younger. If you need bankruptcy relief, please call my office for an appointment and I will analyze your case personally.

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng to Him, â€œYou are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust.â€? He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers and from all deadly diseases. This is what Moses said in Psalm 91 so it is true. Moses was as close as a man could get to our God. After the family emergency, client is now behind 3 mortgage payments, is faced with $20K of credit cards. He also owes $5K to the IRS for 2016. He has sent this monthâ€™s mortgage payment to the bank. But that payment has been returned to him with a notice that the bank will be sending him a notice of default with intent to foreclose soon if he does not send the bank 4 payment or $12K. The best relief for this kind of financial situation is Chapter 13. Why? First, Chapter 13 will stop the foreclosure process upon filing. So client does not have to worry about losing his house to foreclosure. Second, client will be given 5 years to pay the default of $12K without interest. Third, he will also be given 5 years to pay the $20K of credit cards and the $5K of back taxes. So, Chapter 13 gives client a breathing time of 5 years to handle his mortgage default, his credit cards, and his back taxes. During all this time, client is immune from all collection efforts of creditors, including foreclosure of house, lawsuits, garnishment, and liens. Second client is 74. Pretty much a senior but doesnâ€™t look a day over 60. She is now a widow. Her husband predeceased her 5 years ago. Her single daughter lives with her and they help each other. Her income is still ok. She receives social security and a work related pension that gives

â€œTHERE WILL BE NO MORE NIGHT. PEOPLE IN HEAVEN WILL NOT NEED THE LIGHT OF A LAMP OR THE LIGHT OF THE SUN, FOR THE LORD GOD WILL GIVE THEM LIGHT. AND THEY WILL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER. â€œ REVELATION 22:5 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)

Counting on other peopleâ€™s...

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of well-entrenched relatives or friends who can give you a leg up on finding a place to live or just a place to sleep or bunk down until you get your bearings straight. For many, expediency will be the key. This means you will have to snatch up and make do with what is available at the moment as you try to see the fit and the practical considerations of time and distance of where you live and where you will be working for a considerable length of time. This phase is important because you will see within a short time that although there is a mass transport system available in most American cities, the time spent in commuting to work, although not a very big deal in the beginning, should be a factor to consider for the long haul, whether or not you are commuting or eventually driving a car to work. Anything that costs you unnecessary smidgens and chunks of time when played out over long periods of time detracts from the quality of your life overall. You could be doing something fun and easier on yourself, like sleeping for a half hour longer, if you have a short commute. If you are bunking with friends and relatives, the likely places will be guest rooms, converted garages, back houses, lofts, attics and basementsâ€”just initially. Those who have some managerial background in the old home country have been able to find apartments rent free or at a reduced rate by applying as assistant manager, or even resident manager of an apartment com-

800 number, the 900 number, 411 and 911 â€” basic information that he is expected to know. Consequently, cities with high density immigrant populations have more than the average number of members per household as they make do with whatever accommodations and living arrangements that can be stretched to the limit. Some cities are stricter than others. Apartment managers can stipulate and enforce the number of occupants that they allow per unit. In older, rundown neighborhoods, this may be loosely interpreted and at times, not strictly enforced. The newer apartments with cramped square footage and paper-thin walls usually enforce this stipulation more strictly. The new immigrant, unless he comes with enough initial financial resources to pay for his own apartment, usually bunks with supportive friends and relatives for a temporary period of time for the sake of expediency while he grapples with the challenges of being new in a strange place. In due time, however, it is expected by the host family that the arrangement is temporary and that the new arrival finds his own place as soon as possible. The independence that he gains by being on his own can be liberating and the learning experience, much more enjoyable. Good luck to the new immigrant on your new adventure! *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

plex on a part time basis while they keep their full time jobs. The savings can be enormous because rent is and will continue to be the biggest expense for the immigrant. See if this is an option that you can explore. Your disadvantage is that you still do not have local experience. Yet there is always a chance that with persistence, creativity and tenacity, you can get a lucky break. When something is really necessary, one can always seek the grace to find a way. Just keep your hopes up. Those with built-in, well-entrenched support systems (translation: a loose network of earlier immigrants related by kinship or friendship) have an advantage. He is far ahead of the game although he probably wonâ€™t know or appreciate it until much later. The other kindâ€”the pioneering, trailblazing immigrant howeverâ€”will have to start from scratch and clutch on straws in the beginning as he fashions a new way of life for himself and for those yet to come. The support given by relatively established friends and relatives enables the new arrival to transition to a new life relatively easily. In some cultures where blood or family ties are exceptionally strong, relatives and friends take it as a matter of course and make room and put out the welcome mat for the new arrival. They can give him his first briefing about American life, e.g. how to use the phone, which bus routes to take, acceptable behavior, the first American English phrases that will get him through a typical day, what to watch out for, the

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS JUNE 10

119th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day in Carson, CA TheÂ PhilippineÂ IndependenceÂ DayÂ Foundation,Â Inc.Â (PIDF),Â inÂ conjunctionÂ withÂ theÂ CityÂ ofÂ Carson,Â GMAÂ LifeÂ TV,Â GMAÂ PinoyÂ TV,Â GMAÂ NewsÂ TV,Â andÂ Tesoro,Â willÂ celebrateÂ theÂ 119thÂ anniversaryÂ ofÂ PhilippineÂ IndependenceÂ DayÂ atÂ theÂ CarsonÂ VeteransÂ ParkÂ (22400Â MonetaÂ Street,Â Carson,Â CAÂ 90745)Â onÂ Saturday,Â JuneÂ 10.Â Â ThousandsÂ ofÂ peopleÂ areÂ expectedÂ toÂ enjoyÂ theÂ non-stop,Â day-longÂ eventÂ thatÂ willÂ beÂ jam-packedÂ withÂ entertainmentÂ andÂ activitiesÂ featuringÂ theÂ rich,Â beautiful,Â andÂ spiritedÂ FilipinoÂ heritage.Â TheÂ eventfulÂ dayÂ kicksÂ offÂ withÂ aÂ flagÂ raisingÂ ceremonyÂ atÂ 7:30Â a.m.,Â followedÂ byÂ anÂ ecumenicalÂ serviceÂ andÂ aÂ communityÂ mass.Â TheÂ paradeÂ â€”Â toÂ beÂ headedÂ byÂ 119thÂ PhilippineÂ IndependenceÂ GrandÂ Marshal,Â ConsulÂ GeneralÂ AdelioÂ AngelitoÂ S.Â CruzÂ ofÂ theÂ PhilippineÂ ConsulateÂ GeneralÂ LosÂ Angeles,Â andÂ toÂ beÂ participatedÂ inÂ byÂ aÂ multitudeÂ ofÂ communityÂ organizationsÂ andÂ associationsÂ fromÂ allÂ acrossÂ SouthernÂ CaliforniaÂ â€”Â willÂ beÂ atÂ aboutÂ 10:00Â a.m.Â ThisÂ willÂ beÂ followedÂ byÂ theÂ daylongÂ programÂ featuringÂ talentedÂ performersÂ fromÂ acrossÂ theÂ SouthÂ Bay,Â SouthernÂ California,Â andÂ beyond!Â TheÂ programÂ willÂ beÂ headlinedÂ byÂ noneÂ otherÂ thanÂ GMAÂ NetworkÂ Kapusoâ€™sÂ PrimetimeÂ QueenÂ MarianÂ RiveraÂ andÂ PrimetimeÂ KingÂ DingdongÂ Dantes!Â InÂ additionÂ toÂ theÂ liveÂ entertainment,Â culturalÂ center,Â foodÂ booths,Â exhibits,Â vendors,Â PWCâ€™sÂ Jeepney,Â chessÂ tournament,Â andÂ childrenâ€™sÂ area,Â thereÂ willÂ alsoÂ beÂ aÂ boneÂ marrowÂ driveÂ forÂ Fil-AmÂ LAPDÂ OfficerÂ MatthewÂ Medina.Â ThisÂ eventÂ wouldÂ notÂ possibleÂ withoutÂ theÂ leadershipÂ ofÂ CouncilmemberÂ ElitoÂ M.Â Santarina,Â theÂ hardÂ workÂ ofÂ ourÂ dedicatedÂ PIDFÂ TrusteesÂ andÂ volunteers,Â andÂ ofÂ courseÂ theÂ generosityÂ ofÂ ourÂ sponsors;Â TesoroÂ RefiningÂ andÂ MarketingÂ LLC,Â WasteÂ Management,Â Â CarsonÂ Companies,Â KLÂ Fenix,Â WatsonÂ Land,Â CommunityÂ Dynamics,Â IBEWÂ LocalÂ 11Â &NECAÂ LosÂ Angeles,Â NationwideÂ EnvironmentalÂ Services,Â BreaÂ CanonÂ OilÂ Co.,Â Inc.,Â Â LeelinÂ BakeryÂ &Â Cafe,Â andÂ KelloggÂ GardenÂ Products. ForÂ moreÂ informationÂ orÂ anyÂ questions,Â pleaseÂ emailÂ pidf.info@gmail.com.

JUNE 11

Filipino Medical Program hosts community health screening in Passaic, NJ HolyÂ NameÂ MedicalÂ Centerâ€™sÂ FilipinoÂ MedicalÂ ProgramÂ willÂ haveÂ aÂ healthÂ screeningÂ fromÂ 10Â a.m.Â toÂ 2Â p.m.Â onÂ Sunday,Â JuneÂ 11Â atÂ theÂ PhilippineÂ IndependenceÂ DayÂ FestivalÂ inÂ Passaic,Â NewÂ Jersey.Â ItÂ willÂ beÂ heldÂ atÂ 3rdÂ WardÂ Park,Â 350Â PassaicÂ AveÂ (cor.Â VanÂ Houten),Â Passaic,Â NJÂ 07055.Â ForÂ moreÂ information,Â pleaseÂ callÂ theÂ FMPÂ atÂ (201)Â 833-3355Â orÂ emailÂ lavarro@ holyname.org.Â

JUNE 16

Philippine Independence Day Concert & Gala in San Francisco AÂ concertÂ andÂ galaÂ receptionÂ willÂ beÂ heldÂ atÂ theÂ beautifulÂ andÂ historicÂ Marinesâ€™Â MemorialÂ TheaterÂ inÂ SanÂ FranciscoÂ onÂ Friday,Â JuneÂ 16.Â TheÂ annualÂ PhilippineÂ IndependenceÂ DayÂ ConcertÂ &Â GalaÂ hasÂ beenÂ aÂ favoriteÂ eventÂ forÂ Fil-AmÂ political,Â business,Â arts,Â academicÂ andÂ non-profitÂ circles,Â foreignÂ dignitaries,Â stateÂ andÂ cityÂ officials,Â andÂ aÂ wideÂ cross-sectionÂ ofÂ theÂ BayÂ AreaÂ community.Â ThisÂ yearâ€™sÂ eventÂ willÂ kick-offÂ withÂ aÂ full-lengthÂ concertÂ atÂ theÂ Marinesâ€™Â MemorialÂ TheaterÂ featuringÂ renownedÂ FilipinoÂ musicÂ maestro,Â RyanÂ CayabyabÂ withÂ sevenÂ ofÂ hisÂ highly-acclaimedÂ andÂ award-winningÂ vocalistsÂ atÂ 7Â p.m.Â TheÂ galaÂ receptionÂ willÂ followÂ immediatelyÂ afterÂ theÂ concertÂ atÂ 8Â p.m.Â atÂ theÂ adjacentÂ Marinesâ€™Â MemorialÂ ClubÂ &Â HotelÂ hallÂ whereÂ guestsÂ willÂ beÂ welcomedÂ byÂ aÂ beautifulÂ RigodonÂ deÂ Honor,Â aÂ Filipino-SpanishÂ quadrilleÂ folkÂ dance,Â toÂ beÂ performedÂ byÂ consularÂ officialsÂ andÂ communityÂ leaders.Â Â ThreeÂ beautifulÂ ballroomsÂ andÂ receptionÂ areasÂ willÂ beÂ openÂ forÂ guestsÂ toÂ eitherÂ sitÂ withÂ friendsÂ orÂ mingleÂ withÂ theÂ community.Â AÂ sumptuousÂ buffetÂ dinnerÂ andÂ barÂ willÂ beÂ servedÂ whileÂ guestsÂ areÂ treatedÂ toÂ excitingÂ performancesÂ byÂ featuredÂ artists. Finally,Â aÂ topÂ DJÂ willÂ beÂ onÂ handÂ toÂ keepÂ everyoneÂ dancingÂ tillÂ midnight!Â TicketsÂ areÂ $125Â /Â person.Â Marinesâ€™Â MemorialÂ TheaterÂ isÂ locatedÂ atÂ 609Â SutterÂ St.,Â SanÂ Francisco,Â CAÂ 94102.Â ForÂ moreÂ information,Â pleaseÂ visitÂ www.kalayaansf.com/galaÂ orÂ emailÂ gala@kalayaansf.com.

JUNE 17

FASO to hold gala benefit in Los Angeles TheÂ FilipinoÂ AmericanÂ SymphonyÂ OrchestraÂ (FASO),Â theÂ onlyÂ FilipinoÂ symphonyÂ orchestraÂ outsideÂ ofÂ theÂ Philippines,Â willÂ holdÂ â€œAÂ NightÂ ofÂ Symphony,â€?Â itsÂ firstÂ everÂ galaÂ benefitÂ dinnerÂ onÂ Saturday,Â JuneÂ 17Â atÂ theÂ majesticÂ estateÂ ofÂ HollywoodÂ legendÂ MaryÂ PickfordÂ inÂ HancockÂ Park,Â LosÂ Angeles.Â TheÂ specialÂ eveningÂ willÂ honorÂ FASOâ€™sÂ firstÂ ExcellenceÂ inÂ MusicÂ awardeesÂ andÂ distinguishedÂ contributorsÂ toÂ theÂ pioneeringÂ orchestraâ€™sÂ missionÂ andÂ objectives.Â TheÂ namesÂ ofÂ theÂ honoreesÂ willÂ beÂ announcedÂ soon.Â FilipinoÂ chefsÂ whoÂ areÂ partÂ ofÂ theÂ movementÂ thatâ€™sÂ makingÂ PinoyÂ cuisineÂ aÂ worldwideÂ sensationÂ willÂ prepareÂ theÂ sumptuousÂ dinner.Â TheÂ excitingÂ gala,Â sponsoredÂ byÂ BankÂ ofÂ Hope,Â PacificÂ WesternÂ BankÂ andÂ SilverÂ SaddleÂ RanchÂ &Â Club,Â willÂ featureÂ twoÂ parts.Â ThereÂ willÂ beÂ aÂ meetÂ andÂ greetÂ forÂ aÂ limitedÂ numberÂ ofÂ guests,Â startingÂ atÂ 4:00Â p.m.,Â withÂ aÂ guestÂ ofÂ honor,Â theÂ awardeesÂ andÂ otherÂ distinguishedÂ guests.Â TheÂ secondÂ partÂ willÂ beÂ theÂ mainÂ eventÂ â€“Â awardsÂ programÂ andÂ dinnerÂ â€“Â whichÂ willÂ beginÂ atÂ 5:30Â p.m.Â ForÂ inquiries,Â contactÂ FASOÂ boardÂ membersÂ RocioÂ Nuyda,Â theÂ galaâ€™sÂ chairpersonÂ atÂ 818-602-3214Â orÂ rocio@msn.com,Â orÂ JoseÂ LuisÂ GarciaÂ atÂ 310-936-2988Â orÂ jl.garcia@aol.com.Â MoreÂ detailsÂ areÂ alsoÂ availableÂ atÂ www.fasogala.org.

â€œDancing for the World,â€? a fundraiser for the Columban Mission in Los Angeles Kalayaan Incorporated Southern California, with the cooperation of the Philippine Consulate GenDancing for the World is hosting an event on Saturday, June 17 to raise funds for the Columban missionaries all over the world. It will be held at the Friendship Auditorium (3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027) from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. The Columban missionaries help poor communities that need spiritual, material and organizational assistance. Priests and lay missionaries alike follow the examples of Jesus by witnessing and helping people, crossing boundaries of culture, language and dialogue with other religious beliefs. The dinner dance event ticket is at $40 and raffle ticket is at $2 each. If you buy a booklet of $20 raffle tickets, you can get 2 extra tickets. The more tickets you buy, the more chances of winning. First prize is a cruise for two along the Mexican Riviera; second prize is a Flat Screen TV and third prize is an iPad tablet. If you have anything to share for consolation prizes, we are also collecting. You can send it to this address: Dancing for the World (c/o Bernie Santos), 2912 Moss Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90065.For tickets and more information, you can contact Carmencita Enriquez at (213) 880-5075 or Ariel Presbitero at (323) 691-5262.

J U N E 25

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TheÂ CalambaÂ AssociationÂ ofÂ SouthernÂ CaliforniaÂ invitesÂ everyoneÂ toÂ theÂ FiestaÂ ngÂ CalambaÂ (St.Â JohnÂ theÂ BaptistÂ FeastÂ Day)Â onÂ Sunday,Â JuneÂ 25Â fromÂ 10Â a.m.Â toÂ 4Â p.m.Â ItÂ willÂ beÂ heldÂ atÂ theÂ VeteransÂ SportsÂ ComplexÂ atÂ 22400Â MonetaÂ Ave.,Â Carson,Â CAÂ 90745.Â ForÂ moreÂ information,Â pleaseÂ contactÂ TeresitaÂ PinuelaÂ HermosuraÂ atÂ (626)Â 335-1008.Â

â€œMusikahan! with Maestro Ryan Cayabyabâ€? in Glendale, CA ComeÂ toÂ theÂ AlexÂ TheatreÂ inÂ Glendale,Â CAÂ atÂ 6:30Â p.m.Â onÂ Sunday,Â JuneÂ 25Â forÂ anÂ unforgettableÂ performance!Â TheÂ RyanÂ CayabyabÂ SingersÂ willÂ beÂ joinedÂ byÂ localÂ Fil-AmÂ artists,Â includingÂ GiselleÂ Tongi,Â AnnieÂ Nepomuceno,Â MiguelÂ Vera,Â TheÂ HaranaÂ Menâ€™sÂ Chorus,Â EdselÂ Sotiangco,Â MichaelÂ Keith,Â theÂ LosÂ AngelesÂ YoungÂ AmbassadorsÂ (LAYA),Â JosieÂ Gonzalez,Â LouisaÂ TampiÂ andÂ moreÂ fromÂ theÂ PilipinoÂ ArtistÂ Network.Â PresentedÂ byÂ PhilippineÂ PatronsÂ ofÂ theÂ ArtsÂ USAÂ inÂ cooperationÂ withÂ FilamARTS,Â ticketsÂ areÂ availableÂ atÂ theÂ AlexÂ TheatreÂ boxÂ officeÂ andÂ onlineÂ linksÂ areÂ postedÂ onÂ www.musicartsevents.com.Â VenueÂ addressÂ isÂ 216Â NorthÂ BrandÂ Blvd,Â Glendale,Â CAÂ 91203.Â

J U N E 29

APALAâ€™s fundraising awards dinner in San Francisco TheÂ AsianÂ PacificÂ AmericanÂ LaborÂ AllianceÂ (APALA)â€™sÂ SanÂ FranciscoÂ ChapterÂ willÂ holdÂ aÂ â€œfundraisingÂ awardsÂ dinnerâ€?Â onÂ JuneÂ 29Â atÂ 5:30-10Â p.m.Â atÂ FortÂ McKinleyÂ RestaurantÂ (101Â BrentwoodÂ Drive,Â SouthÂ SanÂ Francisco,Â CAÂ 94080).Â APALAÂ willÂ honorÂ individualsÂ whoÂ haveÂ dedicatedÂ theirÂ livesÂ toÂ advocatingÂ andÂ defendingÂ workerÂ andÂ immigrantÂ rightsÂ andÂ promotingÂ economicÂ justice.Â Â ForÂ moreÂ information,Â pleaseÂ callÂ CeliaÂ RiveraÂ ofÂ APALA-SFÂ atÂ (650)Â 296-9623.

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

B JUNE 7-9, 2017 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Community Journal

Disclosure of text messages, e-mails and Facebook info of a spouse or significant other may constitute domestic violence DOMESTIC violence is abuse perpetrated against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, the mother or father of your child, your child. Family Code Section 6211. Abuse is not limited to the actual infliction of physical injury or assault. Family Code, § 6203(b). A court may issue an order enjoining specific acts of “abuse” (§ 6218, subd. (a)), which are defined as, among other things, behavior that could be enjoined under section 6320. (§ 6203, subd. (d).) Section 6320, in turn, permits a court to enjoin a party from engaging in various types of behavior, including “disturbing the peace of the other party.” (§ 6320, subd. (a).) “[T]he plain meaning of the phrase ‘disturbing the peace of the other party’ in section 6320 may be properly understood as conduct that destroys the mental or emotional calm of the other party.” (In re Marriage of Nadkarni (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 1483, 1497, 93 Cal.Rptr.3d 723 (Nadkarni ).) The phrase includes “destroying the mental or emotional calm of [a former spouse] by accessing, reading and publicly disclosing her confidential e-mails.” (Id. at p. 1498, 93 Cal. Rptr.3d 723.) The expansion of the term “disturbing the peace” to cover accessing, reading, and publicly disclosing electronic communication has profound effect in every divorce and family law case. In Nadkarni, a former wife alleged that her ex-husband had accessed her private e-mail account while she was away on a business trip, then attached copies of the e-mails to documents filed in proceedings regarding custody of their teenaged children. In re Marriage of Nadkarni (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 1483, 1497, 93 Cal. Rptr.3d 723. She sought a permanent restraining order, but the trial court denied it without a hearing after finding that the DVPA did not cover situations in which there was no physical harm alleged. The appellate court reversed and remanded the matter to the trial court for a hearing. It held that the definition of abuse under the DVPA is not limited to the infliction of physical injury or assault. Id. at pp. 1498, 1501, 93 Cal.Rptr.3d 723. In Marriage of Evilsizor and Sweeney, husband’s actions in releasing and threatening to re-

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes lease personal data downloaded from wife’s cell phone constituted “disturbing the peace of the other party” and thus “abuse” which warranted restraining order. In re Marriage of Evilsizor and Sweeney (2015) 237 Cal.App.4th 1416 [189 Cal.Rptr.3d 1], reh’g denied (June 24, 2015), review denied (Sept. 9, 2015) Phrase “disturbing the peace of the other party” in injunction provision of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA) includes destroying the mental or emotional calm of a former spouse by accessing, reading and publicly disclosing her confidential e-mails. Cal. Fam. Code § 6320. In re Marriage of Evilsizor and Sweeney (2015) 237 Cal.App.4th 1416 [189 Cal. Rptr.3d 1], reh’g denied (June 24, 2015), review denied (Sept. 9, 2015) Husband’s actions in releasing and threatening to release personal data downloaded from wife’s cell phone constituted “disturbing the peace of the other party” and thus “abuse” which warranted restraining order under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA). Cal. Fam. Code §§ 6218(a), 6300, 6320(a). In re Marriage of Evilsizor and Sweeney (2015) 237 Cal.App.4th 1416 [189 Cal. Rptr.3d 1], reh’g denied (June 24, 2015), review denied (Sept. 9, 2015) In Evilsizor, Ms. Evilsizor testified that it had been “incredibly incredibly difficult to deal with” the dissemination of her personal information, stating, “I have sleepless nights. I’m sick to my stomach. My friends are mad at me, embarrassed as if I let him. I didn’t know he was even doing any of this. My parents are upset, you know. Why did I marry him? I didn’t know that things were going—I didn’t know. Yeah. It’s been incredibly challenging to live with.” She further testified that she had suffered shock and embarrassment and feared for her safety because of the disclosure. Evilsizor also was concerned about Sweeney’s threats to reveal information to the Internal

Revenue Service about “things [she] didn’t do.” The court concluded in the Evilsizor case that even if Sweeney legally obtained Evilsizor’s information, an issue left unresolved, it was authorized under the DVPA to enjoin the disclosure or threats of disclosure of the information to protect Evilsizor’s peace of mind. The court ordered Sweeney be “prohibited from using, delivering, copying, printing or disclosing the messages or content of [Evilsizor’s] text messages or e-mail messages or notes, or anything else downloaded from her phone or from what has been called the family computer except as otherwise authorized by the court.” Sweeney also was prohibited from trying to access or otherwise interfere with Evilsizor’s internet-service provider accounts or social-media accounts. Text messages, E-mails, Social media, and other electronic communication has become a common and inseparable part of today’s lifestyle. Accessing, reading, and publicly disclosing electronic communication of an ex, spouse, or sgnificant other has profound effect in every divorce and family law case. A finding of domestic violence against a party can affect the rulings on custody and spousal support issues. If your divorce or family law matter involves your ex, spouse, or significant other downloading and disclosing confidential electronic communication, one has to consider taking appropriate action in the case to be protected from conduct which is regarded as abuse under the California domestic violence statute. ***

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. ***

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. (Advertising Supplement)

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA THE landlord or its representative must give the tenant a reasonable written notice in advance before entering the unit, and can enter only during normal business hours generally, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The notice must state the date, approximate time and purpose of entry. Under California Civ. Code § 1954 landlord may enter a rental unit for the following reasons: • In an emergency. • When the tenant has moved out or has abandoned the rental unit. • If a court order permits the landlord to enter. • To show the rental unit to prospective tenants, purchasers, or lenders, to provide entry to contractors or workers who are to perform work on the unit, or to conduct an initial inspection before the end of the tenancy. • To make necessary or agreedupon repairs, decorations, altera-

When can the landlord enter the rental unit?

tions, or other improvements. • If the tenant has a waterbed, to inspect the installation of the waterbed when the installation has been completed, and periodically after that to assure that the installation meets the law’s requirements. Advance written notice is not required under any of the following circumstances: • To respond to an emergency. • The tenant has moved out or has abandoned the rental unit. • The tenant is present and consents to the entry at the time of entry. • The tenant and landlord have agreed that the landlord will make repairs or supply services, and have agreed orally that the landlord may enter to make the repairs or supply the services. The agreement must include the date and approximate time of entry, which must be within one week of the oral agreement. The landlord or its representative may use any of these methods to give the tenant written notice of intent to enter the unit: • Personally deliver the notice to

the tenant; or • Leave the notice at the rental unit with a person of suitable age and discretion (for example, a roommate or a teenage member of the tenant’s household); or • Leave the notice on, near or under the unit’s usual entry door in such a way that it is likely to be found; or • Mail the notice to the tenant. If your landlord violates these access rules, discuss your concerns and send a formal letter to observe the access rules. If he continues to violate, you can talk to a legal aid organization or an attorney, or file suit in small claims court to recover damages that you have suffered due to the landlord’s misconduct. You can sue the landlord in small claims court for a civil penalty of up to $2,000 for each violation if his violation of these rules was significant and deliberate, and the purpose was to influence you to move out from the rental unit. *** Al-os & Associates Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending.

PAGCOR plans to limit number... PAGE B1 t licenses to offshore operators to date. Pending applications, meanwhile, have gone down to 12 from the initial list of 44, Tria said. “After we released the list, we wrote a letter to the pending ap-

plicants. A lot of them did not ting operations. Once the license pursue their application,” he said. is granted, the operator will need Should the moratorium be to pay an additional $200,000 for imposed, only eight new op- e-casino license and $150,000 erators stand to get their li- for a sports betting license. cense application approved. Earlier, Tria said Pagcor is exApplicants are required to pay pecting to generate around P6 bil$50,000 for online casino operations and $40,000 for sports bet- lion from online gambling taxes.

World Bank sees strong PH...

PAGE B1 t

sionary fiscal policy has boosted capital formation, while robust remittances, credit growth, and low inflation have supported private consumption,” the World Bank said. “Policies in the Philippines remain accommodative, despite rapid credit growth, accelerated inflation, widening fiscal deficits, and falling current account surpluses,” the World Bank added. Across East Asia and Pacific as well as South Asia, “solid domes-

tic demand, strong infrastructure spending, foreign direct investment-led investment into highly competitive manufacturing sectors and services, and rising global demand are benefiting many countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam,” the World Bank noted. Last month, the government reported that GDP growth eased to 6.4 percent in the first quarter, the slowest expansion since the 6.3 percent posted in the fourth

quarter of 2015. The government had blamed the lower-than-expected firstquarter figure to slower government spending, higher prices of consumer goods, as well as the lack of a boost from electionrelated expenditures unlike in 2016. The Philippines nonetheless remained among the fastestgrowing across emerging Asian economies during the first three months, only behind China’s 6.9percent expansion.

Just recently, IMI completed the acquisition of an 80 percent stake in STI Enterprises Ltd., an electronics design and manufacturing solutions company based in the United Kingdom. In the first quarter of the

year, AC Industrials recorded P332 million in net income, 22 percent higher from the previous year, driven by the robust performance of both its electronics manufacturing and automotive retail businesses

Ayala unit acquires German...

PAGE B2 t

of motorcycles in the Philippines. Furthermore, AC Industrials, through Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), acquired a 76 percent stake in VIA Optronics, a German-based display solutions provider.

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 7, 2017

119th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY

A celebration of progress through peace and freedom tHe Philippines will celebrate its 119th Independence Day to commemorate its independence from colonial Spain. also known as “araw ng Kasarinlan” or “araw ng Kalayaan,” it is an annual national holiday in the country observed every June 12. the theme for this year is “Kalayaan 2017: Pagbabagong Sama-Samang Balikatin.” Background and history originally, Philippine Independence Day wasn’t celebrated on June 12. From 1946 to 1964, the date designated for it was July 4, the day when the americans formally ended their colonization of the Philippines in 1946. this also officially ended the Commonwealth government they established in 1935. then in august 4, 1964, then-President Diosdado Macapagal signed republic act 4166 that moved the date from July 4 to June 12. the act legalized the holiday, which is based on the Declaration of Independence of June 12, 1898 by General emilio aguinaldo and Filipino revolutionary forces. the Philippine flag was raised and its national anthem was played for the first time in 1898. However, freedom from Spanish rule was not for long, because Spain and the United States did not acknowledge the declaration. this was due to the 1898 treaty of Paris, which ended the war between Spain and the U.S. Spain surrendered the Philippines to the U.S., resulting to a revolt of Filipinos against the latter. the Philippine revolution against the americans started in 1899 and achieved sovereignty on July 4, 1946, through the treaty of Manila. Philippine Independence Day is more than just having to wave

PhiliPPine indePendence day celebrations in the U.s. LOS ANGELES

RHODE ISLAND

Saturday , June 10

Saturday, June 10

the Philippine Independence Day Foundation Inc. (PIDF) will once again be working with the City of Carson in hosting the celebration of the 199th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day. event will be held at Veterans Park (22400 Moneta ave., Carson) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be a parade, live entertainment, booths and exhibits, health education, food vendors, a children’s area and many more!

the Fil-am Community of r.I. will celebrate Philippine Independence Day at the Johnston Memorial Park (1583 Hartford ave., Johnston) at 10 a.m. with a Filipiniana parada, basketball game (r.I. vs Connecticut), Filipino Kids Got talent, games, food and special guests.

FLORIDA

CHICAGO

Sunday, June 11

Monday, June 12 Inquirer.net photo

a flag and organize celebrations. It is a reminder of the self-determination of Filipinos to exercise their right to liberty and independence. It is a legitimate assertion by the Philippine nation of its natural and inalienable claim to freedom and independence, which is an inherent right of every people, not dependent upon the will and discretion of another nation or government. Some unknown facts about Philippine Independence Day apart from the Philippine flag and national anthem, a lot of Filipinos are not knowledgeable about Philippine Independence Day. Here are few facts that may surprise you: • the original Philippine flag hoisted by aguinaldo in Kawit was a sketch he personally submitted to Dona Marcella agoncillo (who was living in Hong Kong at the time). It took agoncillo (and two assistants)

five days of hard work to finish the flag. • the three stars in the flag does not represent luzon, Visayas, Mindanao as most Filipinos think. It actually represents luzon, Panay and Mindanao. Panay was part of the Proclamation of Independence in Kawit, Cavite, referred to as “the archipelago’s three principal islands.” • the original flag was lost somewhere in Pangasinan during the Filipino-american war. • “lupang Hinirang” was not the first national anthem but “Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan,” commissioned by national hero andres Bonifacio in 1987 and requested musician Julio nakpil to compose it. However, despite Bonifacio’s version of the anthem, aguinaldo still asked composer Julian Felipe to make our national anthem in 1898. (AJPress)

Flag-raising ceremony to be held at the Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago (W. Washington and n. Clark Streets), at 9 a.m. conducted by the Consulate General of the Philippines in Chicago. a reception with the Fil-am community will take place at the Consulate General after.

the Philippine-american association of South Florida, Inc.’s annual Philippine Independence Day celebrations the Miramar regional Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be various booths and displays, Filipino food, games, prizes, raffle, giveaways and entertainment.

OKLAHOMA

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Sunday, June 11

Friday , June 16 a Philippine Independence Day Concert (at 7 p.m.) and Gala reception (at 8 p.m.) will be held at the beautiful and historic Marines’ Memorial theater in San Francisco. the annual celebration has been a favorite event for Fil-am political, business, arts, academic and non-profit circles, foreign dignitaries, state and city officials an a wide cross-section of the Bay area community.

Sunday, June 18 KalayaanSF 2017 in historic Union Square in San Francisco. an exciting celebration featuring a cultural showcase, live entertainment, food alley, marketplace and an evening concert.

Come and enjoy delicious Filipino food and fun games during the Philippine Independence Day celebration at the regional Park at e. reno, Midwest City from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

BOSTON Sunday, June 25 the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Boston will kick off with a parade including the Binibining Pilipinas Malayan 2017 winner and runner up, followed by a cultural show and concert. there will also be a wonderful assortment of vendors. Venue will be at the Boston City Hall and event will start at 9:30 a.m.

Apl.de.ap joins other artists for Manchester tribute concert by Amierielle

RESTAURANT | TASTINGS | EVENTS TASTING PANEL MAGAZINE

94 POINTS

InternatIonal Filipino singer apl.de.ap flaunted his Filipino pride by wearing Philippine flag-inspired merchandise at the “one love Manchester” benefit concert. apl.de.ap wore Philippine flag-themed earpiece and necklace during his performance with his band group, Black eyed Peas. the group, sans Fergie, performed their inspiring hit, “Where is the love.” Filipino netizens who watched the one love Manchester concert lauded apl for flaunting his Filipino blood. the “one love Manchester” concert held Monday (Philippine time) in Manchester, is a benefit concert for the victims of ariana Grande’s concert last May 23. the British red Cross said it raised more then £10 million ($13 million) for the We love Manchester emergency Fund, created for those affected by the Manchester blast. Artists perform for people of Manchester Pop star Grande showcased her love and support to the people of Manchester, england in the tribute concert. Popular international artists such as Justin Bieber, liam Gallagher, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, and Katy Perry shared the stage with Grande to honor the 22

AnnA BulAn And rosette Adel Philstar.com

victims who were killed and the dozens of people injured. Grande graced the concert with emotional performances of her original songs. She also gave a rendition of “My everything” along with the Parrs Wood High School Choir. Grande’s manager, Scooter Braun, took center stage to honor the “bravery” of the people of Manchester. “this tragedy has made us all throw away our divides, our differences, our politics, our adult nature and look to our children. Manchester, your bravery is our hope,” Braun said. British band Mumford & Sons opened the concert with their hit “timshel,” which was followed by Manchester-based pop music group take that’s uplifting performance of their original hits. Former take that member robbie Williams reunited with the group to render an emotional performance of “angels” which led concert-goers raise “For our angels” signs. Pharell Williams uplifted the crowd with a rendition of “Get lucky” and “Happy,” which he collaborated with Miley Cyrus as she makes her first appearance in the concert. Former one Direction member niall Horan treated

the audience to two of his uplifting songs, following Cyrus’ soulful rendition of her latest hit “Inspired.” “For me, the most important responsibility we have in this entire planet is to take care of one another, and look what we’re doing today and how amazing that is,” Cyrus told the crowd. a brief pre-taped video of Stevie Wonder was shown as the singer performs “love’s in need of love today.” “I don’t care what ethnicity you are; what religion you are. love really is the way. So anyone who tries to make anyone think that things of destruction have anything to do with God or allah, they’re a liar. Yes, I stand with you Manchester,” Wonder said in the video. Performances by Perry, Bieber, Victoria Monet, Imogean Heap and Grande’s boyfriend Mac Miller followed. liam Gallagher, former member of another Manchester-based group oasis, also graced the concert with a touching song performed with Coldplay. Grande capped off the concert with “one last time” and her own version of “Somewhere over the rainbow,” originally sung by Judy Garland.

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In this Sunday, June 4, 2017, handout photo provided by Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester, singers will.i.am, from left, apl.de.ap, Ariana Grande and Taboo perform at the One Love Manchester tribute concert in Manchester, north western England, Sunday, June 4, 2017.

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 7, 2017

Kiana Valenciano & Sam Concepcion talk about their relationship by RiCky lo Philstar.com

THEY are both Monkeys (according to the Chinese horoscope) and both turning 25 later this year, Sam Concepcion on Oct. 17 and Kiana Valenciano on Dec. 21, and it must be why they are playful during this conversation, not show-offs like most showbiz couples who try so hard to be physically affectionate (the better to impress you, you know) Raymond’s mantra: Everything in moderation! “ I removed beef and pork from my diet. I eat chicken, fish, and vegetables. I feel so refreshed, so much better now. and have no pretensions whatsoI’ll have a bite of cheesecake, but I know the consequences. If I have wine or a cocktail, it’s always knowing what I put in my body, being mindful of it.” ever. What you see and what you They have been moving around the same circle since they were young. But it was only last year when Sam, according to Kiana, ‘looked at me differently and I felt weird.’ That’s how their romance took hear is what you get. Philstar.com photos by Ver Paulino It’s the first time they are talk- off…easily! breeds familiarity and familiarity each other…as friends? ing about their relationship and breeds, well, you know what. Sam: I don’t know; I don’t happy that I’ve chosen this kind that I’m eating a full serving. The they are very open. by Ching M. AlAno It was only last year that they remember. Chuck Gomez, the PR of the plates are really for dessert.” of lifestyle.” Philstar.com became boyfriend-girlfriend, Kiana: How long has it been Genesis talent agency owned by Solenn doesn’t eat white He goes on to confess, “I when the sparks flew. since Narnia (the musical)? Oh, Kiana’s mom Angeli Pangilinan, rice. “But when I’m in Japan, still do my events, my brand IS that Richard Gutierrez? Kiana: We’ve been spending yes, 2002! That was when I first brought a copy of the Rogue I’ll have sushi, I won’t say no to launches, I’m still co-owner No, that’s his twin Raymond time together with friends. We met him. But we were not close magazine with Kiana sexy and rice. I love bread, brown bread, of The Palace, I still do big Gutierrez! Yes, the always-fat/ move in the same circle kasi. then. How old were you then? seductive on the cover. Kiana’s but I’ll have a slice, not a loaf.” concerts. Before, I would just rotund Raymond can now be Sam: Of course, I noticed Sam: I must have been 8 or 9. revealing photographs, taken by It helps that Solenn has a party because I wanted to, drink mistaken for his fit/lean and that Kiana was pretty before pa. I was with her brother Paolo. BJ Pascual, reportedly almost chef brother, Erwan Heussaff, because I wanted to. The chalmean brother Richard. Things didn’t happen the way A year later, Sam was cast knocked Kiana’s dad, Gary Valenlenge now is about choosing the who gives her tips on healthy “I’ve lost 65 pounds since they usually happen between with Gary V. in “Noah’s Ark.” ciano, out of his senses. Check celebrations that matter. Really food substitutes. December last year,” Raymond other couples — you know, we And that was where he and out Rogue and you will underSolenn shares her own fitto celebrate and not anymore tells us, standing tall with his didn’t exchange phone numbers Kiana met again. Kiana was stand why. ness tips: “Don’t stress on the well-sculpted body with nary an just because.” or things like that. We were just always with the audience, It’s the first time Sam is seeing weight loss. Because even if Raymond gives this big fat unwanted flab. hanging out all the time. never with the cast. Sam is a Kiana’s sexy photos. Asked how tip: “I always tell people to listen you’re doing an extreme diet, He shares his journey from Kiana: I don’t think he reTrumpets talent together with he finds them, Sam takes a quick you’re possibly thinking, ‘I to their body. So, whenever I’m fat to fit: “It was December ally tried. Everything happens wanna lose weight, I wanna lose look at them and shrugs, “Good!” Kiana’s cousins, so they move feeling sore or too tired, I take of last year when I decided in the same circle. Proximity How long have they known Continued on Page 4 Continued on Page 4 a break, I don’t want to push to focus on myself and on my health. I was overweight, always myself too much because I don’t want to get sick. If you need a drinking and having late nights. day off, have a day off.” My lifestyle before wasn’t really Raymond’s mantra: Evthe healthiest. I kept focusing erything in moderation! “ I on work, I would open our removed beef and pork from nightclubs, throw events and my diet. I eat chicken, fish, and launches, do hosting, do a realvegetables. I feel so refreshed, ity show. I kept focusing more and more on work, I never really so much better now. I’ll have a bite of cheesecake, but I know focused on myself. So, I said the consequences. If I have it’s time I focused on myself. wine or a cocktail, it’s always It’s gonna be another year. I’m turning a year older, 33. I kind of knowing what I put in my body, being mindful of it.” pressured myself to do it now. Raymond minds his body I started working out. I started more than ever. And he looks up watching what I ate, removing to his fitness buddy Richard. “ the things that were bad for me. By January, I kind of got the Now, it’s funny we can actually work out together and bond. hang of it.” Iba na yung bonding namin To celebrate his 33rd birth— before it was drinking, now day, Raymond threw a healthy it’s working out.” fitness party (“instead of my Sharing in Raymond’s weight usual drinking party”) at Isabelle loss victory is his gal pal Solenn Daza’s indoor cycling studio Heussaff, who started her fitness Ride Revolution. “I had a tuna journey when she was 22, “when buffet and Jamba Juice. I got I started noticing changes in used to it and started enjoying it. I surrounded myself with like- my body, changes in the way I would feel or think or react to minded people who were into Hollywood Presbyterian Neuroscience Institute is dedicated to providing advanced neurosurgical certain things.” fitness, like Solenn (Heussaff) treatment in a compassionate and caring environment. Our neurosurgeons are highly experienced She feels the last two years and Nico (Bolzico), people who in all aspects of advanced neurosurgery, including skull base surgery, complex spine surgery, and have been the fittest she’s ever motivated me.” been. “People say I’m getting Little did Raymond think he minimally invasive surgery. In fact, they are the experts who developed some of the newest treatment older but for me, I’m getting would be a fitspiration for a lot methods used by other surgeons worldwide. older, but I feel I’m getting of people. “I got so many mesyounger because I’m so much sages on my Instagram, Twitter, Led by distinguished neurosurgeons Joung H. Lee, MD, and Sun H. Lee, MD, PhD, Hollywood healthier in every sense, in and Facebook about how my every aspect of my life than journey encouraged them. It’s Presbyterian Neuroscience Institute will provide you with the experience, expertise, and personal when I was a kid because I’m so nice reading those mesattention when you need us most. sages from people because they more aware and more educated now.” motivate me to work harder. I “Diet” is not a word you’ll still get so kilig when I see messages from people saying, ‘Mon, find in Solenn’s vocabulary. “It’s Joung H. Lee, MD a bit of a scary word,” she deI started my Day 1 because of Joung Lee, MD, is an internationally renowned authority in the field of skull base surgery. Dr. Lee served as you. And seeing how you did it, clares. “People think it’s eating a carrot every day or cleansI can do it, the Professor and Founding Director of the esteemed Cleveland Clinic Skull Base Surgery Center, where he ing. Diet just basically means “It’s never too late,” Rayestablished one of the largest skull base surgery programs in the world. A noted leader in the treatment of the quantity of food you eat. mond stresses. “That’s the meningioma, Dr. Lee has accumulated one of the largest experiences in the world in meningioma surgery, message I want to spread — it’s For me, I make sure I balance having performed more than 1,200 cases. my food. So I have eggs for never too late to take care of yourself. At one point in my life, breakfast, I never have a second serving, I don’t drink unnatural I was saying, ‘I’m just going to sugar, I have fresh fruit juice, be the fat twin.’ Then I realized Sun H. Lee, MD, PhD not a packed one. I don’t drink it’s never too late to take care soda, I don’t remember the last of yourself, take a break from Sun H. Lee, MD, PhD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in complex spine and whatever you’re doing, and take time I had a soda.” brain tumor surgery. Most notably, Dr. Lee served as Professor of Neurosurgery at Rutgers State University Because Solenn eats a balcare of yourself.” of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Prior to that, he was on the faculty at the prestigious anced diet and eats what she Raymond didn’t really have wants in small quantities, she big health issues. “But it was Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he completed a second full set of neurosurgical residency doesn’t really have to cheat. leading towards that, if I didn’t and spine fellowship. Dr. Lee’s extensive experience and training in complex spine and brain surgery has “And I don’t crave. If I feel like watch what I ate or didn’t start distinguished him as one of the leaders in this arena, performing more than 4,000 complex operations eating pizza, I’ll have a slice, not working out. On some days, I throughout his esteemed career. half a pizza. But I eat slow, that’s was breathing heavily, and on very important. I drink a lot of other days, I had a harder time water before I eat. I eat in small getting up. So what would this lead to? Am I gonna wait to get plates at home, to trick my mind sick or have health issues before taking care of myself? It’s also preventive.” His mom Annabelle was Hollywood Presbyterian surprised but happy to see “a new” member of the family. (Annabelle has yet to embark on her own journey to weight loss — well, it takes guts — but the fact that she bought a pair of sneakers is a good sign.) Raymond has inspired his Sunset Blvd whole family to embrace wellness. Like his sister Ruffa, who now hits the gym every day. 1300 North Vermont Avenue For Raymond, it’s more than losing weight. It’s about gaining Doctors Tower, Suite 100 a new lifestyle. “Even my schedFountain Ave 101 (Specialty Care Center) ule is different now,” he says. “Before, I was a night person; Los Angeles, CA 90027 now, I’m a morning person. I Santa Monica Blvd wake up at 6 a.m. to work out, I do the treadmill first thing in the morning. Before, I’d come home late at night. Now, I’m in bed by 10:30 p.m. My parents are very

Raymond Gutierrez and his journey to fitness

Expert care when you need us most Joung H. Lee, MD, and Sun H. Lee, MD, PhD

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Moonlighting

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 7, 2017

by Mylah de

US ARMY RECRUITERS MEET CONSUL GENERAL ADELIO ANGELITO CRUZ. In a meeting with Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles, Adelio Angelito Cruz, the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion expressed interest in conducting more events with the Filipino-American community in Southern California. These events will include presentations on Army careers, educational benefits and the requirements to enlist in the U.S. Army. The Fil-Am community may find out more information and visit the U.S. Army recruiting officers during the Philippine Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, June 10 in Carson, CA. The U.S. Army will have a booth and be there the whole day to speak with those interested about the U.S. Army programs and other opportunities. For more information, please contact Mr. Benjamin Cayabyab Soy at Benjamin.c.soy.civ@mail.mil or (818) 401-2754. (Advertising Supplement)

Raymond Gutierrez and his journey... From Page 3 weight.’ You’re gonna get bigger because your body is under stress and looking for things to eat. Always be relaxed. Maybe a diet for you will work in two days; for some, it will work in 10 days. Everyone has his own body and own level ... Don’t

have too much oily food, try not to eat carbs or have it only in the morning. Filipinos love rice, it’s full of sugar. People who are not educated in the food department think rice isn’t carbs, but you know that rice is sugar, and the Philippines is super high in diabetes. You need to

educate yourself.” Solenn’s advice to women who have yet to fit fitness into their sedentary lives: “Stop making excuses, get out of bed, surround yourself with people who can motivate you and lift you up, and start today, not tomorrow.”

leon

ONCE there was a mighty, oh so, mighty king with a short fuse. One night in autumn, the king fell into a deep melancholy. He could neither eat nor sleep, and tears of unknown origin fell frequently, which infuriated him, triggering angry fits that made those around him quake in fear. Each day, the king summoned a new adviser from his circle of esteemed sages to figure out his baffling condition. In they came and out they went — the court physician, the stargazer, the psychic, the herbalist, and the philosopher. All were dismissed as charlatans for their inability to unravel the mystery of the royal black spell that made him so unhappy. “Surely, there must be one among you, who knows that cause of my sufferings.” But his pathetic grunts and groans were greeted only with awkward, if not cold, silence, for all were wary of

The unhappy king his wrath. Finally, the royal gardener was moved by compassion, for the poor king and slowly, approached his throne. “Come into the garden, majesty, beyond the wall of your imprisonment…I will disclose your dilemma.” The mighty King, was so desperate and did, what he was told. When he went out to the garden, for the first in many weeks, he noticed that the bright and vivid colors of summer had faded and the royal garden seemed bare, although not normally bereft of beauty. It was regal in autumn’s brilliant hues of crimson and gold, the air so refreshingly cool and crisp, and the sky pure blue. “Speak gardener,” the king ordered. “but choose your words carefully, for I seek the truth.” “Majesty, it is not your body nor your mind that is ailing, it is your soul that is in need of healing. For a while, you are a mighty and privileged king, you are not divine. You’re suffering from a human condition that afflicts us all. Earthly souls ebb and

flow in sorrow and joy according to the seasons of emotions, just as the season of the natural world move through of the cycle of life loss and rebirth. Days to prepare for the coming of the year’s closure. Even now, the season of daylight diminishes and the time of darkness increases, but the true light is never extinguished. Like the light on your soul- these are the days of the harvests of the heart. Embrace the ebb and do not fear the darkness, for as night follows the day, light will return and you will know contented hours again…of this I am sure.” The unhappy king considered this wisdom thoughtfully and asked the gardener how he processed the secret knowledge of inner peace during the season of emotion. The gardener led him to a brass sundial. It read: “This too, will pass.” - Inspired by a verse from Edna St. Vincent Malley – “Rhythmn of Life” ***

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol.com

Carlo Caparas to direct Coco Martin in ‘Ang Panday’ remake by Ronnie

CaRRasCo ManilaTimes.net

iii

PERHAPS it won’t be until January 17, 2018 when famed komiks novelist-film director Carlo Caparas will have fully recovered from the passing of his wife

Carlo Caparas and Coco Martin to work together in the remake of ‘Ang Panday’

Donna Villa. It will be the lady producer’s first death anniversary. Caparas—still reeling from his wife’s loss—hasn’t come back from Cebu, Villa’s home province to resume work. He has his trilogy”Miracles Of Love” to promote which is long overdue, as well as the remake of his classic “Ang Panday” to be produced by Star Cinema for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. Turning to drawing to keep his mind off it, Caparas never fails to make daily visits at Villa’s tomb – where half of her cremated remains were interred, less than half scattered on the waters of Santander and a lump of it placed inside a container which he lugs around everywhere he goes – which he tends while offering her favorite flowers. He’s also having it refurbished with new tiles. “I thought I was the bravest

man on earth, but the death of Donna still leaves my heart broken. One sleepless night, I spoke to her. Sabi ko sa kanya, patulugin naman niya ako and she did put me to sleep,” Caparas was quoted as saying. Aside from him, Villa is survived by their children Peachy and CJ. “Whenever CJ and I face each other, wala, pareho kaming bumibigay,” Caparas related. But if Tita Donna—who’s fondly called in showbiz circles—were alive, she’d certainly be glad to see direk Carlo back on his feet doing what he loves the most, which is directing, of course. Caparas has yet to release Miracles Of Love which is already in the can. Also, he must be visible this early as Star Cinema has acquired the filming rights of his classic “Ang Panday,” starring Coco Martin.

Kiana Valenciano & Sam...

From Page 3 naturally. We were talking and I noticed that he was looking at me differently. I thought it was weird. I said, “Huh?” I guess I was just a bit scared, a bit shy. They were two people who met at the right time. They were both fancy-free. Kiana had broken up with her boyfriend (son of somebody who ran for president) and Sam with Jasmine Curtis-Smith after an ugly incident at an A-List club where Jasmine’s sister Anne confronted Sam who, according to Anne, wasn’t fit(hindi bagay) for her sister. Sam and Kiana come from a similar background, same upbringing, raised by families steeped in the performing arts, and they fit like two peas in a pod. Kiana: I think it’s just like we were good friends to begin with, so there was no need for any getting-to-know-you. Sam: The best part about it is that there has never been any awkward moment at all. Kiana: Do we celebrate a “monthsary?” No, we don’t! Sam: No, no, no!!! Must be nice to celebrate our first 100 days, hehehe!!! It helps that they have many things in common — same circle of friends, love of traveling (last city visited: South Korea where they watched the Coldplay concert) fond of video games, easy to get along with, fun-loving, adventurous, spend spare time watching movies (last movie watched: Alien: Covenant)and eating out, hying off to the beach (La Union, Palawan, Batangas, etc.), and having barbecue parties with friends. It helps, too, that they have learned from their past relationships. Kiana: Communication is the key. It’s so hard to keep things

bottled up and then they explode on your face. What we are trying to do is to find a balance between us. It’s hard to get involved with a non-showbiz guy because he wouldn’t know the demands of the job. Sam: What did I learn? Hmmm, ang hirap ng question na ‘yan! I wouldn’t be here (with Kiana), I wouldn’t be what I am now if that experience didn’t happen to me. You have to go through that to graduate — and I graduated with honors. Cum laude! Hehehehe!!! Sam has three siblings (older brother Red Concepcion is playing The Engineer in the Miss Saigon UK tour starting next month, with kababayan Gerald Santos as Thuy); while Kiana is the youngest among also three (oldest brothers Gab and Paolo are also active in showbiz). They are both comfortable with each other’s family. Since he also has a little sister (who’s 20), Sam is over-protective over Kiana, seeing to it that he doesn’t commit anything that will displease his (future) parents-inlaw. Like their parents, Sam and Kiana are Born-Again Christian. If they were to compare their relationship to a movie, what would it be? Kiana: Saving Sally? Oh, just kidding. But I really like that movie so much. Sam: I would compare it to a movie about two people who start out as friends and end up as lovers. And if they were to compare their relationship to a destination, how far have they gone? Kiana: We are just getting started. Airport pa lang. Sam: On the runway na, about to take off. With that, we wish Sam and Kiana a happy trip. Let’s hope that their “flight” is not delayed or, worse, cancelled.

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 7, 2017

SHARON CUNETA With Special Guest International Heartthrob

Ian Veneracion

Friday, June 16 I 8pm $55 I $65 I $75 Tickets available at chumashcasino.com or by calling (800) 248-6274.

3400 E Highway 246, Santa Ynez â€¢ 800-248-6274 CHUMASHCASINO.COM Must be 21 years of age or older. Chumash Casino Resort reserves the right to change or cancel promotions and events.

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 7, 2017